Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

In the wake of Iran's recent drone and missile assault on Israel, the European Union (EU) and the United States are gearing up to expand sanctions against Tehran. The move, driven by mounting concerns over Iran's aggressive military actions, marks a significant escalation in international pressure on the Iranian regime.

Iran has issued a warning of a robust retaliation should Israel respond to the recent attack with drones and missiles. Mohammad Bagheri, head of Iran's Armed Forces, conveyed this message on state television, cautioning against any support from Washington for Israeli retaliation, which could lead to attacks on US bases.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, days after Tehran said it could close the crucial shipping route and warned it would retaliate for an Israeli strike on its Syria consulate.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy seized the MSC ARIES container ship, reportedly linked to Israel, near the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, registered under the Portuguese flag and owned by Zodiac Maritime, was last spotted heading towards the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, with US President Biden anticipating an Iranian attack on Israel soon.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Saturday seized a container ship "related to the Zionist regime (Israel) in the Gulf," state media reported, as tensions soar in the region.

"A container ship named 'MCS Aries' was seized by the Sepah (Guards) Navy Special Forces by carrying out a heliborne operation," IRNA state news agency reported.

Thousands of people chanted against Israel and the United States at Friday's funeral for seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals, who were killed in an air strike in Syria, which Iran blamed on Israel.

An Israeli airstrike targeted the Iranian consulate in Damascus, resulting in fatalities, including Mohammed Zahedi, a high-ranking commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guards, according to Tehran's state media. The consulate, situated in Damascus' Mezeh district, was completely demolished in the attack.

An Israeli airstrike that demolished Iran's consulate in Syria on Monday killed two Iranian generals and five officers, according to Iranian officials. The strike appeared to signify an escalation of Israel's targeting of military officials from Iran, which supports militant groups fighting Israel in Gaza, and along its border with Lebanon.

Khamenei called on citizens to vote as soon as possible, stating that, as he said, "both friends and enemies of Iran are watching the turnout," reports Arab News. "Make your friends happy and make your enemies hopeless," Khamenei added.
Preliminary results of the Iranian elections are expected on Saturday.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro lashed out at his Argentine counterpart Thursday, three days after the United States completed the seizure of a Venezuelan plane held in Buenos Aires since June 2022.