One Year Since Gaza War, World Has Woken Up to ‘Beastly Nature’ of Israel: Expert

IQNA – The international community has come to understand the “true nature” of the Israeli regime after a year of brutal war on Gaza, the head of a Malaysian think tank says.

More than a year has passed since the Israeli regime launched its relentless aggression against the besieged Gaza Strip. The attacks have killed at least 42,126 people, injured 98,117, and displaced almost all of the 2.3 million population of the besieged area. More than 11,000 people are also missing and presumed to be under the rubble.

“In terms of understanding the beastly nature of Israel, the world, especially China, have woken up to its true nature,” Dr. Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi, CEO of International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS), told IQNA.

Despite the fact the regime is facing genocide charges at the world court for its indiscriminate attacks on Gaza, Western countries, especially the United States, have voiced both military and political support for Tel Aviv.

Nawawi believes this “blind support” will affect the electoral demography in the West. “Blind support of Israel will cut deep into their electoral demography, with left and center left in the West, all agreeing this is systematic brutalization of OTHERS, even at the expense of their own souls, will be a bane to Israel and the West.”

He referred to a Jewish movement dubbed “Not in Our Name,” which tells Jews to distance from Zionism. “Zionism has nothing to do with Judaism,” added the expert.

Another effect of the Western support, according to Nawawi, is that “elites who want to specialize in using left leaning movement to go higher, and to speak with principles, such as Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, will increase in numbers.”

‘Israeli society will keep going to wars and more wars’

Asked about the internal situation of Israel, the analyst noted that their society is “splitting apart” because of hearing two or voices. “Israel has 70 to 80 percent of the people, opposed to Benjamin Netanyahu and his Ultra Far Right cabinet; but the same 70 to 80 percent also want Hamas and Hezbollah destroyed.

“In this sense, Israel has become a schizophrenic state,” he added.

Israeli cabinets after Netanyahu will “always be hardline,” Nawawi said, adding, “such a society will keep going to wars and more wars, not unlike a mad dog.”

He noted that Professor Norman Finkelstein’s PhD thesis at Princeton University that was about Zionism has “proven beyond a shadow of the doubt: Israel is a lunatic state.”

“I call it a serial terrorist state,” the analyst said, adding, that the regime is “addicted to its own state based terror,” despite the fact that the world is largely composed of people concerned with cost of living, careers and finding a caring home or country.

The wars in the region will continue as long as “Israel believes all their neighbors only understand the language of force,” Nawawi stressed.

Lebanese PM calls Israel’s evacuation orders a ‘war crime’

Lebanon's prime minister, Najib Mikati, has blasted Israel for its evacuation orders, the latest of which came on Thursday and displaced people in 10 towns and villages, as residents of Baalbek, Ain Bourday and Duris received renewed evacuation orders.

“The threats issued by the Israeli enemy against Lebanese civilians to evacuate entire cities and displace them from their areas and homes is an additional war crime, added to the series of crimes committed by the Israeli enemy, including killing, destruction and sabotage,” he said, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

Mikati said he has conveyed this position to all diplomatic bodies, calling for intensifying political pressure to stop the deadly Israeli aggression. He also met with US Ambassador Lisa Johnson and Egyptian envoy Alaa Moussa as part of his efforts to reach a ceasefire for Lebanon.

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• Najib Mikati
 
• Lebanon’s Prime Minister
 
• war crimes
 
• Baalbek
 
• US ambassador
 
• Lisa Johnson

Nabih Berri affirms Lebanon's commitment to 'unchanged' resolution 1701

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri emphasized that Lebanese leaders are not prepared to change the terms of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

In an interview published Wednesday by the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat, Berri asserted that the resolution, which ended the 2006 war in Lebanon but remains unimplemented, is among the options under consideration to secure a cease-fire in the ongoing war.

“There is no intention to change the text of resolution 1701. What has been written has been written, and we are not ready to change even one letter,” said Berri, who also serves as the head of the Amal Movement, an ally of Hezbollah.

Berri denied claims that U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein had discussed resolution 1559, which calls for the disarmament of all militias in Lebanon, or proposed replacing the International Force south of the Litani River with multinational forces.

Hochstein visited Beirut last week as part of efforts to de-escalate violence between Hezbollah and Israel, which has intensified since September.

“All the points relating to the cease-fire, the deployment of the Lebanese army and the implementation of resolution 1701 have been finalized, and we are waiting for Amos Hochstein to reach an agreement with [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] on what has been achieved,” Berri said.

"Lebanon is ready to respect the agreements once Amos Hochstein and Benjamin Netanyahu have reached an agreement," he added, stressing "the need to provide the necessary guarantees for the implementation of the agreement."

“Lebanon is ready to respect the agreements once Amos Hochstein and Benjamin Netanyahu have reached an agreement,” he added, stressing"the need to provide the necessary guarantees for the implementation of the agreement."

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• Nabih Berri
 
• Lebanon
 
• unchanged
 
• Resolution 1701
 
• U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein

Iranian Ambassador Tours King Fahd Quran Printing Complex in Medina

IQNA – Alireza Enayati, Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, visited the King Fahd Quran Printing Complex in Medina.

During the Monday visit, the Iranian ambassador and his delegation were given a detailed tour of the facility, where they observed the various stages of Quran printing and the technology employed in the process, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Enayati commended the efforts and dedication involved in producing the Holy Quran.

The King Fahd Quran Printing Complex, located in Medina, is renowned for its extensive production of the Holy Quran.

Established in 1984, the complex produces approximately 10 million copies of the Quran annually, including translations in numerous languages such as English, Indonesian, Russian, Japanese, Persian, Urdu, Bengali, and Korean.

Insights into Apadana Palace of Persepolis

Located in the ancient city of Persepolis in Marvdasht, Fars Province, the Apadana Palace stands as a remarkable testament to the grandeur of the Achaemenid Empire. This architectural masterpiece, dating back to the 6th century BCE, offers a fascinating journey through history and unique insights into the artistic and cultural achievements of ancient Persia.

The term ‘Apadana’ is derived from Old Persian and refers to a type of monumental audience hall or palace. Within the context of the Achaemenid Empire, an Apadana served as a grand reception hall where the king could receive nobles, officials, and foreign dignitaries. These structures were often adorned with elaborate artworks and architectural features that symbolized the wealth and power of the empire. The term is closely associated with the opulence and grandeur of ancient Persian architecture and royal customs, destinationiran.com wrote.
As you approach Apadana Palace, the sheer scale and intricate design immediately captivate visitors. The grand staircase, adorned with detailed reliefs depicting scenes from ancient Persian life and mythology, leads to the imposing entrance. The colossal gate and impressive façade create a monumental and awe-inspiring sight.
The grand staircase is particularly notable for its intricate reliefs, showcasing tribute-bearing representatives from various nations of the Achaemenid Empire. These artworks highlight the empire’s diversity and dominance, celebrating the different cultures and peoples within the Achaemenid realm. The staircase itself is a marvel of engineering, designed to accommodate large processions and ceremonies.
Inside, the palace continues to amaze. The grand hall, with its towering columns and elaborately decorated capitals, exudes regal splendor. The walls feature mesmerizing carvings and bas-reliefs that narrate stories of conquests, royal ceremonies, and the diverse peoples of the Achaemenid Empire. Every inch of the palace showcases the artistic and architectural prowess of its creators.
The grand hall, known as the Apadana Hall, was used for official audiences and ceremonies, accommodating thousands of people and reflecting the power and wealth of the Achaemenid kings. Each of the24-meter-tall columns is topped with capitals depicting twin-headed bulls, lions, or eagles—symbols of strength and protection. These capitals are masterpieces of Achaemenid art, combining elements of Persian, Median, and Mesopotamian styles.
The walls of the grand hall are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting various scenes from the empire’s life, including royal processions, battles, and religious rituals. One of the most famous reliefs illustrates Darius the Great seated on his throne, receiving tribute from representatives of subject nations — a powerful symbol of the unity and diversity of the Achaemenid Empire.

Architectural features

The Apadana Palace is a large hypostyle hall, meaning its roof is supported by columns. Originally consisting of 72 columns, only 13 still stand today, offering a glimpse into the palace’s former glory. These columns are topped with elaborately carved capitals depicting twin-headed bulls, lions, or eagles, each a symbol of strength and protection.
The palace walls, constructed of clay with a brick façade, feature inner walls covered in glazed brick reliefs that showcase soldiers, mythical creatures, and floral motifs. The monumental stairways on the north and east sides are adorned with beautifully executed reliefs depicting scenes from the New Year’s festival and processions of representatives from23 subject nations of the Achaemenid Empire.
The architectural design of the Apadana Palace reflects the Achaemenid emphasis on grandeur and symmetry. The layout is based on a grid pattern, with the grand hall at the center and smaller rooms and courtyards arranged around it. This design facilitated efficient movement during ceremonies and allowed for effective control of the space.

Historical significance

Beyond its architectural beauty, Apadana Palace serves as a living history book, with intricate carvings and inscriptions offering invaluable insights into the customs, traditions, and beliefs of ancient Persia. Visitors can explore the religious practices, governance, and daily life of the Achaemenid Empire, gaining a deeper understanding of this rich and culturally diverse civilization.
The inscriptions found at the Apadana Palace provide a wealth of information about the Achaemenid Empire. Written in Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian, these inscriptions record the achievements of the kings, the extent of their empire, and their beliefs. One notable inscription lists the territories under Darius the Great’s control.
The reliefs and inscriptions also illuminate the administrative structure of the Achaemenid Empire, depicting the various officials and dignitaries who served the king, as well as the diverse ethnic groups that made up the empire. This diversity is a testament to the Achaemenid policy of tolerance and inclusion, which enabled them to govern a vast and multicultural realm.

Archaeological expeditions

The history of archaeological expeditions at Apadana Palace is as fascinating as the site itself. The first significant excavation was conducted by German archaeologist Ernst Herzfeld between 1931 and 1934. Herzfeld’s work was instrumental in uncovering the layout and intricate details of the palace, assisted by Friedrich Krefter and later Erich Schmidt, who meticulously documented their findings.
During these early excavations, Herzfeld and his team discovered numerous artifacts, including fragments of the palace’s decorative elements and inscriptions. These findings provided crucial insights into the construction techniques and artistic styles of the Achaemenid period.
In the 1970s, Iranian archaeologists conducted further excavations focused on preserving and restoring the site, stabilizing the remaining columns and protecting the intricate reliefs from erosion. Their efforts have been essential in ensuring that Apadana Palace remains a valuable resource for understanding the Achaemenid Empire.
One of the most significant discoveries from these excavations was the uncovering of foundation tablets belonging to Darius the Great. Made of gold and silver, these tablets were buried at the corners of the palace and inscribed with texts dedicating the building to the god Ahura Mazda. Their discovery confirmed the significance of the palace and provided valuable information about the construction techniques used by the Achaemenids.

Iranian Armaments Superior to Western Technology

By: Kayhan Int’l

Kudos to Iranian scientists, engineers, technicians, inventors, and experts, including ulema, statesmen, politicians, and the dedicated masses, for turning the Islamic Republic into a formidable fortress equipped with state-of-the art means of defence that not only protect the country from attackers but penetrate with shattering effect the so-called iron domes of the enemies.

If Iran had not learned valuable lessons from the 8-year US-imposed war of the 1980s by reducing its dependence on weapons imports and launching its own arms manufacturing factories, the nation would have long been exposed to the evil designs of aggressors and perhaps lost its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Saturday’s cowardly attempt by the illegal Zionist entity for an aerial attack on Iran with the most sophisticated US aircraft, missiles, and logistic support, was repulsed with only minor damage at certain sites that were quickly repaired.

Iran now reserves the right to retaliate with greater strength, far exceeding the October First avenging with 180 missiles, of the dastardly assassination in Tehran of Hamas leader, Ismael Haniyeh, by agents of the Zionist entity, or the April shower of some 300 drones and projectiles as “True Promise” vengeance for Israel’s murder of Iranian advisors in Damascus.

This is ample proof of the power and precision of Iranian manufactured armaments that are superior to the offensive and defensive US-European supplied weaponry of usurper Israel.

No wonder, Iranian arms are in great demand and effectively used by the various members of the Axis of Resistance to shatter the so-called iron domes of the Zionist entity and the American-supplied ‘Patriot’ and ‘Thad’ air defence systems.

In view of these undeniable facts, it is unfortunate of most of our Muslim Arab neighbours to squander their wealth by recycling billions of petrodollars to the US and Europe for purchase of 2nd or 3rd grade and even obsolete weapons on the assumption of protection against aggression.

The weapons they have stocked in their arsenals are no match for Israeli weapons or the superior quality aircraft, missiles, and bombs supplied to the Zionist entity the US and West European regimes for the genocide in Gaza, for aerial attacks on Syria, and for the killing of the people of Lebanon.

This explains the ominous silence of the unrepresentative Arab regimes towards the mass massacre of the Palestinian people, whose liberation organizations have at least some means of defence modelled on Iranian designs to frustrate the Zionist entity and prevent the fall of the tiny Gaza Strip to the Israeli soldiers despite more than a year of warfare.

Roosevelt Street Station: revisiting ‘Hostage Crisis’ through Iran’s perspective

 By Mohammad Mahboubi

TEHRAN – One of the most controversial episodes in Iran-U.S. relations is the takeover and detention of American Embassy staff in Tehran in November 1979.

Known in Western discourse as the “Iran Hostage Crisis,” it is commonly referred to in Iran as the “Seizure of the U.S. Espionage Den.” This incident was so polarizing that debate and analysis continue in academic and political circles even today, with some Western international relations experts linking the current state of U.S.-Iran relations directly back to it.

American and European writers have published numerous books and articles on the subject. Some are memoirs by people directly involved, like American officials or detainees, while others are second-hand accounts based on available records and documents. 

A common theme across these works is their singular focus on the American perspective, often framing Iranian actions as irrational within an Orientalist view of “Iranian Muslim barbarians.” 

In response, “Roosevelt Street Station: A Documentative Narrative of Seizing U.S. Embassy in Tehran” aims to challenge these Western stereotypes. By critiquing such Orientalist analyses, it offers a perspective on the event from an Iranian point of view.

One of the most notable aspects of the book Roosevelt Street Station is its diverse range of sources. Unlike similar works that rely exclusively on American sources—such as government documents and the memoirs of American political figures—this book draws from a wide array of materials. 

It examines Iranian organizational records, correspondence between Iranian officials at the time, and even internal documents from the Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line –Iranian student group that seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran on November 1979– for the first time, offering a unique perspective on the event and its aftermath. Additionally, interviews with several individuals involved in the incident provide a clearer view of the Iranian standpoint.

Through the study of these Iranian sources, a distinctly different account of the U.S. embassy seizure in Tehran emerges. For example, we see that the beginning of the Iran-U.S. conflict, which persists today, was not the embassy takeover itself. Instead, the November 1979 incident was a response to decades of American involvement in Iran, especially the CIA-led coup against the legitimate government of Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953. 

After the Islamic Revolution in February 1979, U.S. embassy activities in Tehran took on a new direction, aimed primarily at opposing—or at least reshaping and undermining—the revolution forces. Iranian society understood this antagonistic stance toward its revolution and feared a repeat of a coup like the one in 1953.

Iranian society’s view of the U.S. embassy’s activities in Tehran was neither a paranoid delusion nor an “Iranian Sèvres syndrome.” 

Documents later retrieved from the U.S. embassy and the CIA station in Tehran confirmed this perspective. These CIA documents made it clear that the U.S. embassy was not merely “gathering information as part of its mission”; it frequently conducted “operations within its mission scope.”

Activities included forming political alliances through CIA officers, funding specific political groups, attempting to re-establish electronic surveillance bases known as Tacksman in northeastern Iran, and even organizing military officers for a potential coup—all actions undertaken by the U.S. embassy in Tehran in the months following the Islamic Revolution.

In this light, contrary to the dominant Western narrative that labels the November 1979 event an “illegal attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Iran,” Iranians saw it as a “preemptive operation.” The Iranian public, aware that the U.S. embassy was working to counter the Iranian Revolution and potentially repeat the 1953 coup, took preemptive action to protect the survival of their Revolution.

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• Iran
 
• U.S. embassy
 
• U.S.

October 7; Day That Changed Regional Equations

IQNA – The Israeli regime has had no tangible achievements in Gaza since October 7 last year other than killing some 42,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

A field analysis of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood reveals that despite significant damage, Gaza has now become a pivotal point in the seven-decade-long struggle of Islamic nations against the Israeli regime.

Throughout history, there have been nations that fought for decades against colonizers, looters, and foreign aggressors for their freedom and dignity and ultimately emerged victorious.

Examples include the Iranian nation during the eight-year Iran-Iraq war, Algeria in its fight against French colonizers, and Vietnam against the United States. These nations paid a heavy price but never surrendered. Gaza is now in a similar situation, and the victory of its people will undoubtedly play a crucial role in changing the regional dynamics and contributing to the collapse of the oppressive regime.

The siege of Gaza, the destruction of its infrastructure, and the forced displacement of its residents by the Israeli regime, unfortunately, took place amid the silence of the international community and the Arab countries in the region.

Despite regional and international pressures, the resistance axis, as the only supporter of the oppressed Palestinian people, has come to Gaza's aid with all its resources over the past year, inflicting significant damage on the Israeli military. In reality, Operation Al-Aqsa Flood disrupted many established strategies and scenarios designed to eliminate resistance and implement the so-called Abraham Accords.

If this plan had been implemented in the region, the issue of Palestine and the Islamic resistance would have been permanently sidelined, and the regime would have gained control over the fate of Islamic nations. This would have meant the realization of the strategy of Shimon Peres, the former Israeli prime minister, for a "New Middle East" under Israeli leadership.

Operation Al-Aqsa Flood exposed the true nature of some compromising Arab regimes and set the stage for Israel to enter a gradual decline. Just as Hezbollah's 33-day war with Israel, which ended in victory for the Islamic resistance, boosted the popularity of the resistance axis among freedom-loving people worldwide.

Reports indicate that Israel has suffered significant losses and casualties over the past year, losses that are almost unprecedented in its 76-year history. The heavy toll on the Israeli military reportedly includes 2,000 dead, 9,000 wounded, and the desertion of 15,000 soldiers, along with the destruction of hundreds of tanks and a financial cost of $100 billion during the Gaza war.

In an attempt to escape the Gaza crisis and shift the dynamics of the conflict, the regime resorted to provocative actions against Iran and the resistance axis. This included assassinations of influential resistance figures like Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, aiming to transfer the Gaza crisis beyond the occupied territories. However, the decisive response of the Islamic Republic in two operations, True Promise I and II, demonstrated that Iran possesses a strong deterrence capability, making it clear that no crisis can be resolved without first passing through Tehran's gates.

Now, facing military and political defeats, the regime has resorted to reckless actions, launching airstrikes against the people of southern Lebanon in an attempt to secure a quick military victory. However, the bombing of defenseless civilians in Lebanon and Gaza will not deliver a military achievement for Benjamin Netanyahu; instead, it will only amplify the global wave of hatred towards the regime.

The recent Friday prayers in Tehran, led by Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, attended by all Iranian officials and millions of people, sent a clear message to the world.

The message from the Leader emphasized that if the Israeli regime dares to take any action against Iran, it will face an even more decisive response. The massive turnout of the Iranian people in prayers and the powerful sermon delivered by the Leader in both Persian and Arabic demonstrated Iran's national and Islamic strength to the world.

As a result, a year after Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, despite the silence of the international community and the compromising Arab regimes, the region stands on the brink of a transformative and historic shift.

The resistance axis, despite the assassination of influential figures like Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, will continue its confrontation with the Israeli regime with even greater cohesion and tactical precision. The days ahead will undoubtedly be challenging; if the regime continues its provocations, the resistance axis will respond with even greater strength and new strategies, paving the way for the eventual collapse of the occupying regime.

Original article in Persian by Hassan Hanizadeh, an Iranian expert on regional affairs, published on Jam-e Jam Daily on October 7, 2024 

Naim Qassem is known for his encyclopedic knowledge

 By Sondoss Al Asaad 

BEIRUT - Hezbollah’s Shura Council announced the election of Sheikh Naim Qassem as the new Secretary-General of Hezbollah on Tuesday, succeeding its martyred leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

In his first speech after the martyrdom of Sayyed Nasrallah, Sheikh Qassem reassured the Hezbollah loyalists of the goals being sought by the Resistance movement. 

He underscored the jihadist - moral and religious- responsibility of Hezbollah to protect achievements.

Naim Qassem highlighted the experience of the Resistance movement in facing all challenges and overcoming all difficulties under the inspiring guidance of the previous leaders over long years.

For example, he said, the inspiring speeches of these successive leaders - Sayyed Abdul Hussein Sharaf al-Din, Sayyed Musa al-Sadr, Sheikh Ragheb Harb, Sayyed Abbas al-Moussawi, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah – were characterized with firmness, rationality, and steadfastness in confronting the disastrous imperialism.

Sheikh Qassem was born in 1953.  His study of chemistry at the Lebanese University coincided with his seminary studies under Lebanon’s prominent religious scholars. As a young man, he was highly influenced by Martyr Sayyed Musa al-Sadr. 

He then contributed to the founding of Hezbollah in 1982. In 1991, he was elected as deputy secretary-general of Hezbollah and led its parliamentary bloc. 

Known for his encyclopedic knowledge, Sheikh Qassem has published about 20 books in different fields that have been translated into several languages. His most important work is “Hezbollah: Methodology, Experience, and the Future”. It embodies the essence of his Islamic political philosophy. 

Among his other notable books are “Imam Khomeini: Authenticity and Renewal”; “Society of Resistance: The Will to Martyrdom and Making Victory”; and “Youth, a Flame that Burns or Lights”.

Sheikh Naim Qassem also believes that the Zionist occupation regime needed Washington to fuel several wars in the region to perform its functional colonial role. This mission, he said, was done in partnership with major powers and the Security Council. Naim Qassem said Israel 
pursued this policy since its establishment in 1948.

“The goal of the American project is to expand the Zionist entity, legitimize it and harness the capabilities of the region to serve it,” Sheikh Qassem stated. 

He added, “Since Lebanon and its resistance constitute a permanent state of concern for it (Israel), due to its effective resistance that defeated it in May 2000, Lebanon’s power must be neutralized.”

Sheikh Qassem was referring to Hezbollah’s success in forcing Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon in May 2000.

The basis of the American project, according to Sheikh Qassem, is to disarm Hezbollah as a pivotal supporter of the Palestinian cause. 

He noted, “Whoever thinks that Lebanon’s fate will be orchestrated based on what America decides and what comforts Israel is mistaken.”
The Hezbollah official added, “The road is long. Lebanon’s complexities cannot be simplified.” 

This logic fully applies to the current reality.

In conjunction with the heroic operations and diplomatic steadfastness of Hezbollah fighters, undoubtedly, the upcoming days will witness achieving a new historical victory for the entire Lebanese nation. 
This will bring more misery to the ill-fated Netanyahu and other Zionist bloodsuckers. And with the policies that Sheikh Naim Qassem will follow the Zionists’ inevitable end will accelerate.

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• Sheikh Naim Qassem
 
• Hezbollah
 
• Lebanon

Iran condemns Israeli obstruction of UNRWA aid to Palestinian refugees

TEHRAN – The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, has condemned Israel's recent actions aimed at hindering the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine refugees in the occupied territories. 

Addressing the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Iravani described UNRWA as the "foundation for all humanitarian efforts in Gaza," a region he described as facing "an unyielding wave of destruction and hardship" due to Israeli actions. 

UNRWA, established in 1949, provides essential services to Palestinian refugees, including education, healthcare, and social services. The agency operates primarily in the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, with a significant presence in Gaza. 

UNRWA's mandate stems from the ongoing plight of Palestinian refugees displaced following the Nakba in 1948.  

Iravani's statement also highlighted that Israel is waging a "genocidal campaign" against the Palestinian population in Gaza, specifically citing the current siege of the northern Gaza Strip and the obstruction of humanitarian aid.
 
He emphasized that the Israeli regime is violating international humanitarian law and intentionally weaponizing starvation against the civilian population.

The Iranian ambassador further criticized the international community, particularly the United States, for providing unwavering support to Israel, enabling its continued aggression in the region. 

“The unchecked impunity exhibited by Israel for its widespread and systematic violations in the Gaza Strip, coupled with the unwavering political, military, and economic backing it receives from certain Western allies, particularly the United States, has only strengthened its aggressive and expansionist strategies throughout the region,” the envoy said. 

He also condemned Israel's recent strikes in Lebanon, noting that it poses a significant threat to regional and global peace and security. “Israel has ignored the provisional measures set forth by the ICJ to cease its unlawful actions. It persists in its atrocities in Gaza and Lebanon, actions that amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and potentially genocide.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, Iravani urged the UN Security Council to take decisive action to halt Israeli military aggressions and avert further violence and aggression. 

“The UN must either take decisive action to halt the Israeli military operations and avert further genocide, war, and aggression or allow these atrocities to persist.”

The Israeli regime passed a law on Monday banning the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA from operating in the occupied territories – a move that is also expected to significantly impact its work in war-torn Gaza.

The Israeli officials who drafted the law cited what they described as the involvement of some UNRWA staffers in Operation Al-Aqsa Storm on southern occupied territories and staffers having membership in Hamas and other Resistance groups. None of the Israeli claims have been proven so far. 

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• Iran
 
• United Nations
 
• Lebanon
 
• Palestine

How Iran’s Oil Quest Unearthed Ancient Treasure

TEHRAN (National Geographic) -- Flying a reconnaissance mission in 1935 over the Khuzestan region in southwestern Iran, oil prospectors noted an odd looking hill on the landscape.

The Iranian Archaeological Service was notified of the sighting. They in turn contacted the French archaeological delegation to Iran, which was excavating at nearby Susa, the ancient capital of the Elamite kingdom. When French archaeologists led by Roland de Mecquenem inspected the mound, they found it contained the ruins of a city. Later studies would reveal a ziggurat at its heart, the largest outside of Mesopotamia.

Local people knew the hill as Chogha Zanbil, meaning “basket-shaped mound.” It became the official name for the site whose excavation began in 1936, under the direction of Mecquenem.

The French team identified the mound as ancient Dur Untash, “the city of Untash,” built by Untash-Napirisha, an Elamite king. Untash-Napirisha, who descended from a long line of Elamite kings who had dominated the region for centuries, reigned around the start of the 13th century B.C.

Extending across the plateau east and north of the Persian Gulf, Elam straddled today’s border of Iran and Iraq. It comprised a loose federation of leaders, whose chief monarch ruled from the ancient city of Susa.

“I, King Untash-Naprisha” is inscribed along the blade of an axe from Chogha Zanbil, now displayed in the Louvre Museum, Paris. Elamite artisans were famed for ceremonial weapons, used either as royal gifts to favored subjects or as votive offerings to the gods. Topped by a boar, the handle is shaped like a lion’s head, and the blade emerges from its mouth. Although the site was looted in the mid-seventh century B.C., the silver-alloy axe was not taken. Buried near the ziggurat, it was unearthed in the 20th century.

The people of this region called themselves the Hatami. The name Elam fell into popular use when archaeologists adopted the Hebrew term from the Old Testament, in which there are numerous references to the kingdom. A king of Elam in Genesis (14:1) is named as Chedorlaomer, and according to tradition ruled Elam and the wider region at the same time as the Sumerian king Hammurabi, in the 18th century B.C. Historians do not know if Chedorlaomer was a historical figure, but the biblical references reflect Elam’s regional importance.

Revealing the Ziggurat

Untash-Napirisha’s reign produced magnificent Elamite artworks, like this circa 1300 B.C. bronze statue of Queen Napirasu.

In 1939 the outbreak of World War II suspended the work of the French archaeologists at Chogha Zanbil and the mother site at Susa. More than a decade would pass before work finally resumed. The newly appointed head of the French archaeological delegation in Iran, Roman Ghirshman, would now continue the excavations at the site.

Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Ghirshman emigrated following the Russian Revolution of 1917 and established a career in archaeology in France. He chalked up a series of successful projects, including excavations at the Sassanian-Persian city of Bishapur (Iran) and the ancient Kushan city of Begram in Afghanistan. His 1946 appointment to France’s archaeological delegation in Iran centered on the ongoing excavation at Susa, and from this base, Ghirshman restarted the excavation at Chogha Zanbil in 1951.

Turning their attention to the mound, his team peeled away the earth to reveal a stepped pyramid, or ziggurat. Ghirshman established that the three-story structure once had five stories (including the temple on top) and originally stood more than 170 feet tall by some estimates, double the height of the existing ruins.

The ziggurat was the highest expression of Mesopotamian architecture. Because these structures were built with mud-baked bricks, most Mesopotamian ziggurats have been unearthed in a poor state of preservation. Chogha Zanbil is an exception. It is the largest outside Mesopotamia, and the best preserved of its kind.

Ghirshman and his team of archaeologists would spend nine seasons at the Choga Zanbil site, methodically working to uncover the remains of the Elamite structures there. A royal quarter had been built near the protective city walls, which surrounded several smaller temples and the towering ziggurat.

Holy City

The ziggurat dominates the central, sacred area of Dur Untashi where Ghirshman uncovered temples dedicated to Elamite gods, including Pinikir, the mother goddess. Beyond the sacred area lay the royal quarter consisting of richly decorated palaces, built using brick, plaster stucco, majolica, and glass. Underground, a hypogeum contains vaulted burial chambers.

The ziggurat was dedicated to Inshushinak (god of the earth) and Napirisha (god of Susa), the two principal Elamite deities. Choosing these gods, Untash-Napirisha may have intended the new city to transcend the role of a local religious center and become an equal to (or even outshine) Susa. Coinciding with a surge of Elamite regional power and confidence, Untash-Napirisha’s reign produced notable artworks such as the magnificent detailed bronze statue of his queen, Napirasu, found at Susa, along with the works of art found at Chogha Zanbil.

After Untash-Napirisha’s death, however, the complex was not finished. Tiles were stacked unused, and the royal burial vaults remained empty. The site was spared plundering and became a place of pilgrimage until around 1000 B.C., when it was abandoned.

By the first millennium B.C., Elam was a worthy competitor to the great powers of the region. It was no match, however, for Ashurbanipal and the Assyrians, whose troops sacked (but did not destroy) Chogha Zanbil in the mid-seventh century B.C. One hundred years later, Elam was absorbed into the Persian Empire. Its treasures were entombed and forgotten until its rediscovery, 2,500 years later, in the age of colonialism and oil.