Israel accuses Turkey of helping Iran get cash to Hezbollah

"Operation True Promise 3 will occur at the right time," IRGC deputy commander Ali Fadavi said. Iran previously hit Israel with missile salvos in April and October.

15-months of warfare has seen Israel gain the upper hand in a region-wide confrontation with Iran and its regional armed allies. An Oct. 26 Israeli attack on Iran has been hailed by US and Israeli leaders for allegedly weakening Iran's defenses.

Fadavi added that the Islamic Republic had successfully weathered threats from adversaries since its inception.

"Not a single day has passed without the world's evil-doers waging war against us. Though the form of their actions may have changed, there has not been a day without it. Who stands on the other side, confronting us? The Great Satan, America, and those who fought with it against us."

The phrase Great Satan, used to describe the United States, originates from the rhetoric of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic.

Khomeini famously declared the US "the Great Satan, a wounded snake" on November 5, 1979. The trope is commonly used by Iranian officials to frame the conflict in cosmic religious terms.

Fadavi offered no specifics on the threatened attack against Israel, which Iran has codenamed True Promise. His comments followed by only one day after the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stood alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and spoke about containing Iran and limiting its nuclear development.

Netanyahu said Israel had dealt a significant blow to Iran since the start of the war in Gaza and that with the support of US President Donald Trump "I have no doubt we can and will finish the job".

Earlier on Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei denounced their remarks, saying: "When it comes to a country like Iran, they cannot do a damn thing."

"You cannot threaten Iran on one hand and claim to support dialogue on the other." 

Trump has expressed openness to a deal with Tehran but also reinstated the "maximum pressure" campaign that was applied during his first term to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Iran's first direct attack on Israel, Operation True Promise 1 on Apr. 13 involved 300+ missiles and drones targeting military installations with minimal damage, retaliating for the killing of two Iranian generals in Damascus.

Operation True Promise 2 on Oct. 1, 2024 followed, with around 200 missiles targeting Israeli military facilities after the assassination of Iran-aligned militant leaders, including former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Earlier on Monday, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that Iran could fend off an attack by its enemies, days after US newspapers reported Israel was considering strikes this year on Iran’s nuclear sites.

"The government will be accountable for any problems these centers may cause," said Alireza Rahimi, Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs. He added that an expert group has been formed to evaluate the effectiveness of these websites in increasing marriage rates.

While Rahimi acknowledged what he called “some abuses" at these centers, he did not elaborate on the details of possible problems and oversight mechanisms. He added that the police are responsible for dealing with unlicensed matchmaking services.

The move comes as Iran faces a declining marriage rate and rising divorce rate. Government efforts to encourage higher birth rates have failed to produce results, according to data from the National Organization for Civil Registration.

According to the latest data from Iran's Civil Registration Organization, nearly 39% of marriages in the first seven months of the Iranian year 1403 (March to September 2024) ended in divorce. Data from the Statistical Center of Iran also reveals a 46% decrease in marriages between 2010 and 2023.

Economic hardship, rising awareness of individual and family rights, and access to legal and counseling services are among the factors contributing to young people's reluctance to marry.

In January, Iran's Science Ministry announced it is removing educational content discouraging childbearing and offering new incentives to boost declining fertility rates. These include more married student dorms, on-campus kindergartens, and increased financial aid for housing, loans, and other benefits for married students with children.

A leading article in the Jomhouri Eslami newspaper, a conservative outlet owned by Supreme Leader Khamenei's office, noted last week that 46 years after its establishment, the Islamic Republic has yet to restore justice in Iranian society. "The people are still suffering from injustice and discrimination," the daily wrote.

The article also criticized the governing system for undermining the independence and freedom it has long promoted. Highlighting "the divide between the people and the ruling clerics," the newspaper stressed that "the people should be the driving force and focal point in the Islamic Republic" and posed a pointed question: "What is the people's role and status in the government?"

Although Iran holds regular elections, political parties and the media face severe restrictions, and only approved candidates are allowed to run.

Jomhouri Eslami also criticized the stark contrast between officials leading lavish lifestyles—driving luxury cars under tight security to pay respects at the mausoleum of the Islamic Republic's founder—and ordinary people who struggle to reach them to voice their concerns.

The daily criticized the disparity between officials and the public, noting that officials earn several times more than ordinary citizens and enjoy government-funded travel and luxury while advocating austerity. The daily warned that such a lifestyle and governance approach could undermine the political system's stability.

Meanwhile, the pro-reform website Fararu warned, "A catastrophe is on its way as half of the population in Iran is getting poorer on a day-to-day basis."

It cautioned that the situation is becoming increasingly dire, particularly for low-income groups, due to rising inflation, soaring exchange rates, price fluctuations, and ongoing economic crises. The website argued that many Iranians are struggling to make ends meet amid the financial turmoil.

"At the same time, all initiatives aimed at improving the situation have failed and remained futile. This has caused a general dissatisfaction among the public and has led to serious questions about the government's ability to tackle the current crisis," the website wrote.

Fararu cited market expert Hamid Haj Esmaili, who attributed the worsening economic situation over the past two decades not only to sanctions but also to government inefficiency in resource distribution, which has exacerbated the crisis.

Haj Esmaili noted that nearly half of Iran's population relies on government support to survive, while the government must take stronger action against corruption. He emphasized that these challenges are all linked, in some way, to the impact of sanctions and urged authorities to engage with other countries to address the crisis.

Meanwhile, the pro-reform daily Setareh Sobh published a commentary last week by former lawmaker Yadollah Eslami, who highlighted "the wide gap between the people and the government." He argued that "the officials' indifference to people's increasing problems has made many people distance themselves from the government."

Eslami also criticized officials "for the arrogance in their rhetoric when they address the nation," describing their tone as "a mixture of insult and violence." He warned that "unfortunately, some Iranian officials believe that insults and violence are a virtue for them; and in this situation, what is being sacrificed is truth, justice, and freedom."

“The G7 members unequivocally condemned Iran’s destabilizing actions, including its rapid advancement of uranium enrichment without credible civil justification, its facilitation of terrorism organizations and armed groups across the Middle East and Red Sea, its proliferation of ballistic missiles and drones, and its transnational repression and violation of fundamental human rights,” read the statement issued on Saturday.

The G7 ministers held a meeting on the sideline of the Munich Security Conference.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei on Monday and during his weekly briefing rejected the statement as politically motivated, arguing that Western powers themselves were responsible for fueling instability.

“The return of stability and security to West Asia requires these countries to stop their interventionist policies in regional affairs,” he said, referring to the United States, Canada, and three European members of the G7.

Iran pushes back on military, nuclear criticism

In response to criticism concerning the military capabilities of Iran, Baghaei said that Iran’s defense facilities follow all prevailing international laws.

“Iran’s military and defense advancements are necessary for national security and contribute to stability in West Asia,” he added.

Over the nuclear issue he dismissed concerns raised over enrichment of uranium as being politically driven.

“Our peaceful nuclear activities are fully in line with the Non-Proliferation Treaty and international safeguards,” he said, adding that Iran would continue its program based on its technical and industrial needs.

Baghaei accused the G7 of ignoring Israel’s nuclear capabilities. “The biggest obstacle to a nuclear-free Middle East is the Zionist regime, which has stockpiled weapons of mass destruction while enjoying full support from the same G7 countries,” he said.

Diplomatic outreach continues despite tensions

Despite Western pressure, Baghaei highlighted Iran’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, pointing to high-level meetings in Oman by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. “These engagements are part of a broader strategy to enhance economic and political cooperation,” he noted.

On restrictions faced by Iranian flights to Beirut, he said discussions are underway with Lebanese officials. “We will not allow external forces to disrupt the strong historical ties between Iran and Lebanon,” he said.

Last week two flights from Tehran were banned from landing in Lebanon's only international airport.

On Friday, the second flight banned from taking off from Iran triggered protests in Lebanon from supporters of the Iran-backed group who blocked the road to the airport. The Lebanese army fired tear gas at protesters.

Responding to Israeli threats, Hezbollah funeral plans

Baghaei also addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent comments on a possible attack on Iran.

“Such statements are a blatant violation of international law, and those who issue these threats should be held accountable,” he said.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his intention on Sunday "to finish the job against Iran" with the support of US President Donald Trump.

Regarding Iran’s involvement in the funeral of the assassinated Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, killed by Israel last year, Baghaei said Tehran will be participating at a high level.

Iran's former ambassador to Doha Hamid Dehghani on Sunday described the emir's visit as "very important".

"The visit of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Tehran at this stage, and his discussions with our country's officials regarding bilateral relations, regional and global developments, especially consultations on the issue of Palestine, are considered highly significant," Dehghani said in a post on his X account.

On February 5, the Qatari foreign ministry spokesman told Fox News the Arab country was prepared to serve as a mediator between Tehran and Washington in settling the crisis over Iran's disputed nuclear program, as it did in the past.

“It is through mediation and through the negotiations that we have done this in the past,” Majed Al-Ansari said. “And we had been even during the first Trump administration working with the administration over getting an arrangement with Iran."

“We are hopeful that we can be instrumental for the United States with this,” the diplomat added.

On Sunday, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump is willing to engage in talks with Iran only on condition that Tehran fully abandon its nuclear program.

"The President has also expressed a willingness to take whatever action is necessary. All options are on the table," Waltz told Fox News on Sunday, leaving the option of diplomatic channels open.

Trump's state secretary Marco Rubio told CBS later in the day that the US administration does not "have any outreach from Iran."

"Ideally, yeah, I would love to wake up one day and hear the news that Iran has decided not to pursue a nuclear weapon, not to sponsor terrorism, and re-engage in the world as a normal government. We've had no indication of any of that, not just now, but for 30 years," he said.