TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking to reporters on Tuesday local time, after the briefing session for senior Congress members with Trump’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jeffries referred to Trump’s previous claim that last year’s strikes had “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

“Clearly he was lying to the American people, or he’s lying right now,” he added.

“I plan to press them on the claim that Donald Trump himself made about the Iranian nuclear program and what the great urgency is right now,” he added.

Rubio held a meeting on Tuesday evening local time, before Trump’s annual speech to Congress, with the leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate, along with the chairs and senior members of the intelligence committees of both chambers also known as the “Gang of Eight”.

The “Gang of Eight” refers to the eight senior US Congress officials who, by law, are briefed on the latest and most sensitive security and intelligence information.

Following the 12-day war involving the US and Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities, indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington have resumed, despite US’ contradictory statements and threats.

The first round of indirect Tehran-Washington talks after the 12-day war was held on Friday, February 6, 2026, in Muscat.

The Iranian and American negotiating teams exchanged a set of views through Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, the Omani Foreign Minister.

The second round of nuclear talks took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 17, 2026, concluding after approximately three hours and thirty minutes of intensive diplomatic consultations.

These talks, like previous rounds, were held indirectly with the mediation of the Sultanate of Oman. A new round of talks is scheduled to be held on Thursday in Geneva.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) The Palestinian group issued a statement on Monday, the same day Israeli settlers set fire to the Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Mosque, located between the towns of Sarra and Tal, near Nablus in the northern West Bank. The settlers also spray-painted racist slogans on the mosque’s walls.

“The action carried out on Monday by Zionist settlers is a fascist and organized crime, and a blatant assault on places of worship and Islamic holy sites. This act constitutes a clear violation of all international laws and norms that guarantee the protection of religious and sacred sites,” Hamas said in the statement.

The movement called on the Palestinian people to take measures to protect mosques and other religious sites in the face of settler attacks and to counter these aggressive acts.

Hamas also urged the United Nations and all human rights organizations to condemn “this criminal fascist behavior,” prosecute its perpetrators, and hold Israeli officials accountable for encouraging such brutal crimes against the Palestinian people, as well as Islamic and Christian holy sites.

“The action carried out on Monday by Zionist settlers is a fascist and organized crime, and a blatant assault on places of worship and Islamic holy sites. This act constitutes a clear violation of all international laws and norms that guarantee the protection of religious and sacred sites,” Hamas said in the statement.

The movement called on the Palestinian people to take measures to protect mosques and other religious sites in the face of settler attacks and to counter these aggressive acts.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) In his letter sent on Sunday, Darwish congratulated Araghchi on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan and wished prosperity for the Islamic Republic of Iran.

He referred to Hamas’s full commitment to the Gaza ceasefire agreement with the Israeli regime and outlined clear and flagrant violations of the truce by the occupying entity.

These included daily attacks on Palestinian areas, the continued killing of Palestinians — especially women and children — detention of Palestinians, severe restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, obstruction of operations at the Rafah crossing and movement of Palestinian citizens, and prevention of the reconstruction of vital infrastructure.

In the final part of his letter, Darwish stressed the need for serious efforts by mediators and the international community to compel the occupying regime to fulfill its commitments, including “the immediate cessation of killing, massacre and violation of the rights of the Palestinian people,” adherence to provisions on humanitarian aid, lifting restrictions at the Rafah crossing, allowing fuel and equipment for reconstruction, observing humanitarian rules, and halting torture and mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners.

He referred to Hamas’s full commitment to the Gaza ceasefire agreement with the Israeli regime and outlined clear and flagrant violations of the truce by the occupying entity.

These included daily attacks on Palestinian areas, the continued killing of Palestinians — especially women and children — detention of Palestinians, severe restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, obstruction of operations at the Rafah crossing and movement of Palestinian citizens, and prevention of the reconstruction of vital infrastructure.

In the final part of his letter, Darwish stressed the need for serious efforts by mediators and the international community to compel the occupying regime to fulfill its commitments, including “the immediate cessation of killing, massacre and violation of the rights of the Palestinian people,” adherence to provisions on humanitarian aid, lifting restrictions at the Rafah crossing, allowing fuel and equipment for reconstruction, observing humanitarian rules, and halting torture and mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Huckabee made the remarks in an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, which aired on Friday. Carlson said that, according to the Bible, the descendants of Abraham would receive land including the area between the Euphrates River in Iraq and the Nile River in Egypt, encompassing modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Saudi Arabia.

“It would be fine if they took it all,” Huckabee responded when asked whether Israel had a right to that land.

OIC condemns ‘dangerous’ comments by US envoy

In a statement on Saturday, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the US ambassador’s comments, describing them as “dangerous and irresponsible.”

Such comments are “an unacceptable call for the expansion of Israel, the occupying power, and its seizure of more Palestinian and Arab lands, based on a false and rejected historical and ideological narrative and claims that violate the sovereignty of states, diplomatic norms, principles of international law, UN resolutions, and the UN Charter,” the OIC said in a statement shared on its official website.

The organization warned that “such extremist ideological rhetoric would fuel extremism and encourage the Israeli occupation to continue its illegal measures based on displacement, settlement activity, and attempts to impose annexation on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which threatens security and stability in the entire region.”

Arab League calls Huckabee’s comments illogical

Also on Saturday, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmad Abu al-Gheit strongly condemned the US ambassador’s remarks, describing them as inconsistent with the fundamental principles and established norms of diplomacy.

In addition to being contrary to logic and reason, the comments appear to be aimed at appealing to right-wing audiences in Israel, Abu al-Gheit further said, according to Kuwait’s KUNA news agency.

Egypt: Huckabee’s comments a blatant violation of int’l law

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday, condemning Huckabee’s comments as a blatant violation of the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

Egypt reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories or other Arab lands, stressing its categorical rejection of any attempts to annex the West Bank or separate it from the Gaza Strip, the ministry added.

Jordan: US envoy’s comments ‘reckless’

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Saturday, described the US ambassador’s comments as “reckless and provocative,” saying they constitute a violation of diplomatic norms, an infringement on the sovereignty of states in the region, and a blatant breach of international law and the UN Charter.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) In a statement on Friday, Hamas said the attack constitutes “a new crime added to the series of ongoing assaults on our Palestinian people and a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.”

The movement stated that targeting a camp housing thousands of Palestinian refugees and densely populated with civilians “represents a dangerous escalation and a flagrant disregard for all international laws and norms.”

Hamas added that the move reflects the Israeli regime’s “determination to expand the scope of its aggression and destabilize the region’s security and stability.”

Rejecting Israeli claims about the reasons behind the strike, Hamas said the allegations are “flimsy pretexts,” noting that the targeted site belonged to the “Joint Security Force,” which is tasked with maintaining security and stability inside the camp.

It is necessary to “move urgently to halt these assaults, hold the occupation accountable for its crimes, and provide protection for our Palestinian people in all their place,” the statement said.

Media reports on Friday night said an Israeli missile strike on the Ain al-Helweh camp killed three people. Al-Mayadeen network reported that several missiles targeted the Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon.

The movement stated that targeting a camp housing thousands of Palestinian refugees and densely populated with civilians “represents a dangerous escalation and a flagrant disregard for all international laws and norms.”

Hamas added that the move reflects the Israeli regime’s “determination to expand the scope of its aggression and destabilize the region’s security and stability.”

Rejecting Israeli claims about the reasons behind the strike, Hamas said the allegations are “flimsy pretexts,” noting that the targeted site belonged to the “Joint Security Force,” which is tasked with maintaining security and stability inside the camp.

It is necessary to “move urgently to halt these assaults, hold the occupation accountable for its crimes, and provide protection for our Palestinian people in all their place,” the statement said.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) UN Secretary‑General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the Israeli regime’s recent decisions are intended to facilitate the expulsion of Palestinians from the West Bank and undermine stability in the territory. Speaking to Al Jazeera early Wednesday, Dujarric said such measures run counter to international legal obligations.

He added that statements by Israeli ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet openly call for the destruction of the “two‑state solution.”

There is no alternative to the “two‑state solution,” Dujarric said, stressing that UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres will continue pressing UN member states to take political steps to make that solution viable.

The Israeli regime’s cabinet has recently approved a decision allowing, for the first time since 1967, the seizure of Palestinian land in the West Bank by registering it as “state property.”

The move has triggered widespread international criticism and raised concerns about escalating tensions in the occupied territories.

Guterres has previously condemned the decision, warning that it would lead to the dispossession of Palestinians and the expansion of Israeli control over occupied land. “Israel ”

Finland also denounced the decision by the Israeli regime. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said the regime’s decision to register West Bank land violates international law and further distances prospects for a “two‑state solution,” which Finland has long supported.

The decision has intensified diplomatic pressure on the Israeli regime amid growing global concern over the future of Palestinian statehood.

He added that statements by Israeli ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet openly call for the destruction of the “two‑state solution.”

There is no alternative to the “two‑state solution,” Dujarric said, stressing that UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres will continue pressing UN member states to take political steps to make that solution viable.

The Israeli regime’s cabinet has recently approved a decision allowing, for the first time since 1967, the seizure of Palestinian land in the West Bank by registering it as “state property.”

The move has triggered widespread international criticism and raised concerns about escalating tensions in the occupied territories.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Heads of Shia groups, some prominent Sunni, Christian, and Hindu figures participated the event on Sunday.

They strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a Shia mosque in Islamabad last week, as well as the collusion of Takfiri elements with the US and Israel to harm global unity.

Prominent figures from the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, Shia Ulema Council, Imamia Students Organization Pakistan (ISO), and some Sunni groups called for maintaining unity and strengthening Islamic front in repudiating the evil conspiracies of the US and Israel.

The participants voiced their support for the people of Gaza and the Palestinian struggle against the Israeli occupation and set fire to flags of the US and Israel.

They also met with Akbar Isazadeh, Iran’s Consul General in Karachi and presented him a petition, signed by hundreds of participants in Karachi rally.

They strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a Shia mosque in Islamabad last week, as well as the collusion of Takfiri elements with the US and Israel to harm global unity.

Prominent figures from the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, Shia Ulema Council, Imamia Students Organization Pakistan (ISO), and some Sunni groups called for maintaining unity and strengthening Islamic front in repudiating the evil conspiracies of the US and Israel.

The participants voiced their support for the people of Gaza and the Palestinian struggle against the Israeli occupation and set fire to flags of the US and Israel.

They strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a Shia mosque in Islamabad last week, as well as the collusion of Takfiri elements with the US and Israel to harm global unity.

Prominent figures from the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, Shia Ulema Council, Imamia Students Organization Pakistan (ISO), and some Sunni groups called for maintaining unity and strengthening Islamic front in repudiating the evil conspiracies of the US and Israel.

The participants voiced their support for the people of Gaza and the Palestinian struggle against the Israeli occupation and set fire to flags of the US and Israel.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking to Al-Nujaba network, Sheikh Maher Hammoud said, “The general and prevailing assessment and view is that America will not commit the folly of attacking Iran because the Israeli regime cannot withstand confronting the missiles of Iran, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon.”

“Any new aggression against Iran will set the entire region on fire,” he warned.

Hammoud stressed that Iran possesses vast and extensive security and military experience that goes beyond that of other countries.

He noted that Iranian military forces had previously succeeded in downing “the most advanced American drone,” at a time when Americans did not imagine such an action or capability on the part of Iran.

He further pointed to Iran’s technological advances, saying that during the 12-day war last June, all Iranians united, and that solidarity became one of the factors behind victory.

The Resistance cleric described Iran’s most important component of power as the presence of an unparalleled, sincere, faithful, powerful and humble leadership, adding that the enemy knows this leader is the source of Iran’s strength.

On Iran’s support for the Palestinian people, Hammoud said that since 1963, when Imam Khomeini began his anti-Zionism and anti-Arrogance struggle, Iran has never ceased supporting and assisting Palestine, and that this backing will continue “until the destruction of the Israeli regime.”

“Any new aggression against Iran will set the entire region on fire,” he warned.

Hammoud stressed that Iran possesses vast and extensive security and military experience that goes beyond that of other countries.

He noted that Iranian military forces had previously succeeded in downing “the most advanced American drone,” at a time when Americans did not imagine such an action or capability on the part of Iran.

He further pointed to Iran’s technological advances, saying that during the 12-day war last June, all Iranians united, and that solidarity became one of the factors behind victory.

The Resistance cleric described Iran’s most important component of power as the presence of an unparalleled, sincere, faithful, powerful and humble leadership, adding that the enemy knows this leader is the source of Iran’s strength.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) The members of the NAM expressed their deep concern regarding the escalation of tensions and the increase in threatening rhetoric in the region, particularly the threat to use force against Iran.

The full text of the statement is as follows:

1. The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) expresses its deep concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East and the growing use of threatening rhetoric in international relations, particularly threats involving the use of force against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

2. The Movement also rejects the politicization of the fight against terrorism including through the unilateral preparation of lists accusing States and their constitutionally-established institutions of allegedly supporting terrorism.

3. While firmly condemning such pronouncements and conducts, which threaten regional peace and stability and clearly violate the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, the Movement reiterates the need for full respect for the sovereignty, sovereign equality, and territorial integrity of States, as well as the strict obligation of non‑interference in their internal affairs, and emphasizes that all disputes must be resolved through peaceful means in accordance with the UN Charter.

4. The Movement voices grave concerns that any military escalation would carry far-reaching and unpredictable consequences for regional and international peace and security, global economic stability, and energy security, with especially grave effects on developing countries through disruptions to the realization of the right to development.

5. In this regard, the Movement welcomes the resumption of talks between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, and commends the efforts of regional States—particularly the Sultanate of Oman, as host—for facilitating diplomatic solutions and dialogue. “Middle East”

6. Accordingly, the Movement stresses the urgent need to strengthen mutual trust and confidence and calls on all parties to pursue diplomacy as the only viable path to de-escalation. The Movement further urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to refrain from any action—including provocative military deployments or posturing beyond national territory—that could further inflame tensions and undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) The group said in a statement on Monday that Atwi Atwi was abducted by Israeli forces after they raided his home overnight in the town of Habbariyeh, southern Lebanon.

Atwi was forcibly taken to an undisclosed location after Israeli soldiers assaulted his family during the raid, the group said, holding the regime “responsible for any harm that may befall him,” according to the statement carried by Israeli media.

The statement also described the kidnapping as part of ongoing Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty, saying that the abduction aimed to intimidate local residents and pressure them to abandon their lands.

The Islamic Group called on the Lebanese government to press parties monitoring the ongoing ceasefire to secure Atwi’s release and to halt all Israeli incursions into Lebanon.

The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into force in late November 2024 to stop months-long clashes that had later expanded into intense airstrikes on areas across Lebanon, including the capital Beirut. Israel, however, has violated the ceasefire on a daily basis, conducting attacks on Lebanon, particularly the south. The ceasefire was mediated by France and the United States.

Atwi was forcibly taken to an undisclosed location after Israeli soldiers assaulted his family during the raid, the group said, holding the regime “responsible for any harm that may befall him,” according to the statement carried by Israeli media.

The statement also described the kidnapping as part of ongoing Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty, saying that the abduction aimed to intimidate local residents and pressure them to abandon their lands.

The Islamic Group called on the Lebanese government to press parties monitoring the ongoing ceasefire to secure Atwi’s release and to halt all Israeli incursions into Lebanon.

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