Iran to get shoulder-fired air defence missiles from China

Tehran/Washington: Iran is expected to receive the first shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defence missile launchers within weeks under a deal worth $60-70 million, sources said. According to Reuters, the contract covers 300-400 man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS), including QW-12 and FN-16 missiles. The sources said the deal was signed with Hong Kong-based Zhongqing Baoshang Interna­ti­onal Investment, acting as an intermediary between Iran and the Chinese supplier.

China’s Foreign Ministry denied the report, saying it was “completely groundless” and reiterating that Beijing has consistently worked to promote peace and end the conflict. Zhong Qing Bao Shang Group, the parent company of the intermediary, declined to comment.

Separately, an Iranian parliament national security panel member said Tehran receives intelligence support, including satellite assistance, from China but does not purchase weapons from Beijing.

at un, INDIA CONDEMNS ATTACKS in hormuz 

India has strongly condem­n­ed recent attacks on maritime vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, describing the ren­e­wed escalation in West Asia as “deeply concerning” and calling for the restoration of safe navigation and trade through international waterways.

During a UNSC debate, India’s Perm­anent Represen­tative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, urged an immediate de-escalation and condemned attacks on vessels, including GFS Galaxy, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa. He reiterated India’s support for dialogue and diplomacy to restore pea­ce, security and stability.

TRUMP REJECTS BIBI’s F-35 REMARKS

President Trump dismissed Israeli PM Benjamin Netan­ya­hu’s objections to Washington selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye, saying: “Nobody tells me what we should be selling. Turkiye has been a tremendous ally for me.”

UKRAINE, IRAN HOLD MINISTERIAL TALKS

Ukraine’s acting Foreign Min­i­ster Andrii Sybiha and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a phone call. Sybiha said Ukraine sought to avoid escalation and its actio­ns were aimed solely at defe­nding the nation. Araghchi said Ukraine had described the attack on an Iranian ship as unintentional but insisted Iran expected compensation for its losses. —Agencies

tehran clip threatens Melania, Barron Trump

Washington: Iran has released a video targeting US First Lady Melania Trump and her son, Barron Trump, escalating anti-American messaging. Titled Where to Kill Melania, the video tracks Melania Trump’s movements in New York, identifies luxury stores she is known to visit and suggests they could be targeted by “global freedom fighters”.

It proposes using a nerve agent to poison clothing she might buy. The video ends with a warning to Barron Trump: “This is just the beginning.” The threats coincide with a public campaign in Tehran, where billboards calling for revenge against President Trump and his family have appeared. Melania and Barron remain under round-the-clock protection by the US Secret Service.