Russia, Oman stress need for continued Iran-US talks, Moscow says

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei did not attend the annual February 8 meeting with army air force commanders, breaking a 37-year precedent since assuming leadership.

Instead, chief of staff of the armed forces Abdolrahim Mousavi met with the army air force commanders on Sunday.

The annual meeting marks the anniversary of February 8, 1979, when a group of air force officers pledged allegiance to Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic and Khamenei’s predecessor as Supreme Leader. The encounter became a symbolic event, and air force personnel and commanders have met Iran’s leader on the same date each year since.

Khamenei has observed the tradition annually since becoming Supreme Leader in 1989. He had previously maintained the annual meeting even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His absence comes as tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated, with the US expanding its military presence in the region.

A large mural displaying a map of potential targets in Israel’s Tel Aviv metropolitan area has been unveiled in Tehran’s Palestine Square.

Hebrew-language text appears on the mural reading: “Facing a rain of missiles, this is a small area!” alongside an English slogan that says: “YOU START … WE FINISH IT!”

A 15-year-old footballer was killed by security forces during nationwide protests in the city of Isfahan, central Iran, people familiar with the matter told Iran International.

Pedram Khalouei, a teenage player in Sepahan’s development team — affiliated with Sepahan, one of Iran’s leading professional football clubs — was shot dead on the evening of January 9, at the Simin three-way junction in Isfahan, the sources said.

They said security forces fired live ammunition, striking him in the heart in front of his father.

Khalouei had been due to take part three weeks later in selection trials at Sepahan’s academy for a place in the club’s youth team, according to the sources.

A 65-year-old man was killed after being shot by security forces during nationwide protests in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran, people familiar with the matter told Iran International.

Khodadad Alftati, originally from Kermanshah province, was fatally shot on the evening of January 8, in the Fardis area of the city, the sources said.

Alftati was laid to rest on January 12, according to the sources.

A 19-year-old detained protester is facing charges that could carry the death penalty, people familiar with the matter told Iran International.

Mohammad Karimkhani has been accused of “espionage” and “collaboration with Israel” in connection with nationwide protests and allegations that he “made Molotov cocktails and possessed wartime ammunition,” according to the indictment.

Karimkhani is at risk of being issued a death sentence, the sources told Iran International.

Sources told Iran International that judicial authorities have so far prevented Karimkhani from accessing legal counsel.