Arrogant powers declining
Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, says the world is on the verge of a transformation, which will see arrogant powers falter. Ayatollah Khamenei says the hegemonic power of the US and some European countries has weakened and will further weaken. The Leader also says new regional and international powers will also emerge as part of the transformation. He made the comments in a meeting with the people of the two southeastern provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan and South Khorasan. Ayatollah Khamenei also said Washington is plotting to foment crisis in Iran by focusing on ethnic and religious differences as well as the issue of gender and women. The leader, however, dismissed such plots as wishful thinking. He said Iran is very serious in confronting the enemy even as it seriously pursues its plots against the nation.
US illegal presence in Syria
Damascus says Washington together with US-backed terrorist organizations and militia continues to plunder Syria’s wealth and strategic resources. Syria has demanded the US government be held accountable and compensate for that. The Syrian government has also called on the US to end the illegal presence of American forces on Syrian soil and return to Damascus the land it has occupied and the oil and gas it has looted. Syria has dismissed Washington’s looting of its riches as a violation of the country’s sovereignty. Damascus also sent a letter to the UN chief, asking the world body to take action to end the United States’ aggressive practices and breaches of international law and the UN Charter.
Russia-Ukraine war
Russia says its air defenses have downed two Ukrainian drones over the southwestern Belgorod region. The regional governor says there were no injuries and drone debris fell on a road near the border with Ukraine. In recent weeks, several Ukrainian drones have been intercepted in Belgorod and the surrounding region, and their debris have damaged electrical lines and buildings. Meanwhile, Kiev has claimed its troops have further advanced on the eastern and southern fronts. Ukraine’s defense ministry says forces have taken two square kilometers of land around the flashpoint city of Bakhmut. Russia has not confirmed the Ukrainian advances.