Iran

Expressing his sentiments through a published message on his official website, Khamenei extended condolences for the tragic loss of at least 95 lives, including three police officers, and the injury of 211 others in what he termed as "terrorist blasts" near the burial site of the late Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

According to IRNA, the initial explosion occurred approximately 700 meters away from Soleimani's mausoleum, followed by a second blast a kilometer distant. Rahman Jalali, Kerman province's deputy governor for political and security affairs, attributed these explosions to "terrorists," as stated in the IRNA report.

The incident occurred on December 25, 2023, when Seyyed Razi Mousavi, a "military adviser" serving in Syria, fell victim to a missile attack.

Brigadier General Mousavi, laid to rest in Tehran's central Imam Hossein square, held close ties with the late IRGC officer and Quads Force Commander Qasim Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in 2022.

The Supreme Leader honored the late Brig Gen Mousavi for his unwavering dedication and urged his alignment with the defenders of Islam, as per Iranian media accounts.

In a statement quoted by The Times of Israel, Austin emphasized that these precision strikes aimed at Kataeb Hezbollah facilities signify the US's commitment to safeguarding its personnel, interests, and troops.

The airstrike, which claimed the life of Brig Gen Mousavi, occurred in the Sayeda Zeinab area near Damascus, Syria. Mousavi, a high-ranking IRGC officer, held a crucial role in coordinating Iran's military operations in Syria.

During the meeting, the German envoy was reminded that Iran "has a very brilliant track record in promoting the principle of coexistence, as respecting Abrahamic religions has a valuable status in Islam and the Iranian culture." The Iranian Foreign Ministry considers the accusation unacceptable.

Raisi expressed satisfaction with the growing relations, underlining the significance of cooperation with Russia in alignment with Iran's neighbor-oriented policy. Addressing regional and global developments, Raisi decried unilateralism and an unjust world order, citing ongoing concerns in Gaza as a manifestation of these issues. He condemned Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide and crimes against humanity," urging an end to the bombardments and crimes against Palestinians.

The upgraded Fattah II features a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), enabling the missile to achieve maximum speeds.