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Vance warns US withdrawal from Middle East would trigger \u2018worldwide energy crisis\u2019<\/p>\n
Vice President JD Vance <\/a>warned Wednesday that a U.S. withdrawal from the Middle East would trigger a \u201cworldwide energy crisis\u201d as Iran continues targeting commercial shipping.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I would say to anybody who\u2019s frustrated right now is the alternative here, which is the United States effectively says to the Middle East, \u2018You\u2019re on your own,\u2019 would mean necessarily a worldwide energy crisis, so long as the Iranians keep on shooting at shipping, which we know that\u2019s exactly what they would do,\u201d Vance said during an appearance at the All-In Summit<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe president came in, and yes, he wanted to keep the United States out of foreign entanglements,\u201d Vance said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe also said that he was committed to Iran not having a nuclear weapon, and I think that wanting to keep the United States out of foreign entanglements does not mean that you can never use the military in order to accomplish the American people\u2019s objectives.\u201d<\/p>\n Vance said the U.S. had achieved \u201csubstantial destruction\u201d of Iran\u2019s nuclear program and conventional military but that Iranian forces continued targeting commercial shipping \u201ceven in the midst of peace negotiations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think the president has actually done the responsible thing here, which is to try to ensure that world energy markets, despite Iranian terrorism, continue to get that flow of oil and gas,\u201d Vance added.<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 3 hours agoUS denies visas to Palestinian President, dozens of PA officials ahead of UNGA<\/p>\n The U.S. Department of State<\/a> has denied visas to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation, barring them from attending next week\u2019s U.N. General Assembly in New York in person. <\/p>\n The State Department cited the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and PA\u2019s failure to meet commitments under U.S. law, including unilateral statehood efforts, legal actions against Israel and what it described as the glorification of terrorism. <\/p>\n \u201cIt is in our national interest to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for glorifying terrorism,\u201d the State Department said in a statement<\/a>. <\/p>\n Abbas could address the General Assembly virtually. According to The Jerusalem Post<\/a>, the U.N. is considering allowing Abbas to address the General Assembly remotely.<\/p>\n If approved, it would mark the second consecutive year Abbas has been unable to travel to New York for the annual gathering.<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 4 hours agoTrump declares Iran\u2019s military \u2018decimated,\u2019 159 ships \u2018at bottom of sea<\/p>\n President Donald Trump<\/a> declared Wednesday that Iran’s navy and air force have been “decimated,” praising U.S. troops for sinking nearly 160 hostile vessels. <\/p>\n \u201cWe have the Strait open, we have all this thing and they’ve been decimated,\u201d he said of Iran. \u201cTheir navy is gone, their air force is gone. Think of it, their navy, 159 ships.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cEvery one of them is at the bottom of the sea.\u201d \u201cIn all the months that has been, not one ship going to Iran has gotten through that blockade, not one,\u201d he said of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cSo I just want to thank our military, say, God bless our military because they’re the greatest, the greatest in the world. And that will end soon,\u201d he said of the conflict.<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 4 hours agoTrump says Iran war could reach ‘really good conclusion’ before November election<\/p>\n President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the war with Iran<\/a> could reach what he called \u201ca really good conclusion\u201d even before the November election, suggesting the conflict could end sooner than he previously expected. <\/p>\n \u201cSo now they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon,\u201d Trump said at a rally in North Carolina. <\/p>\n \u201cWe took out the nuclear capacity, but then we had to go back in them again,\u201d Trump said before describing conversations with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and others. <\/p>\n \u201cI told my guys, all of my people. Todd, everybody. \u201cI said, we got to make a little journey down to the Middle East<\/a> because we can’t let this crazy nation have a nuclear weapon, and we stopped them. <\/p>\n \u201cTheir nation is destroyed,\u201d Trump said of Iran. <\/p>\n \u201cIt’s a very inexpensive price to pay for what we’ve done. It’s going to be a really good conclusion.”<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s going to and it’s going to happen. It’s going to I say it’s going to be a little bit after the election, but maybe not. Maybe it’s before the election,\u201d Trump added.<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n Breaking News6 hours agoHouse passes Lindsey Graham sanctions bill targeting Russia, Iran in 262-159 vote<\/p>\n The House voted 262-159 Wednesday to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran<\/a> Act of 2026, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump\u2019s desk for his signature.<\/p>\n The legislation includes measures targeting Russia\u2019s<\/a> energy sector and countries that buy Russian oil and gas, a source of revenue for Moscow\u2019s war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n The 61-page bill passed the Senate in an 86-11 vote last month.<\/p>\n The legislation was named in honor of the late South Carolina senator, who died in July.<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 6 hours agoTrump says US dealing ‘directly’ with Tehran as Iran \u2018very much\u2019 wants deal<\/p>\n President Donald Trump<\/a> said Wednesday that Iran is seeking a deal with Washington as his administration works toward ending the war, telling reporters in North Carolina that Tehran \u201cvery much\u201d wants an agreement. <\/p>\n \u201cWe’ll hopefully work toward the end of the war,\u201d Trump said. <\/p>\n \u201cThey want to make a deal. We’ll see how that works out,\u201d Trump said before stating that Iran was \u201cvery much wanting to make a deal\u201d and that Washington was dealing \u201cdirectly\u201d with Tehran.<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 7 hours agoUS-bound energy tankers hit by cyberattacks as Iran war fuels new concerns: report<\/p>\n At least two foreign tankers bound for the United States were targeted in cyberattacks that are now under investigation by the U.S. government, The Wall Street Journal<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n Citing U.S. officials, the outlet said the attacks came amid concerns that Iran or other adversaries could be looking to widen the conflict in the Middle East<\/a>.<\/p>\n U.S. Coast Guard and FBI agents boarded the tankers on Aug. 21 and Aug. 24 after the vessels arrived in the Gulf of America.<\/p>\n The inspections of the foreign-flagged ships \u201cwere designed to ensure integrity of the vessel\u2019s operational and information technology systems following indications that the networks of both vessels were compromised,\u201d according to statements from the Coast Guard and FBI.<\/p>\n The tankers were attacked while transiting the Strait of Gibraltar<\/a>, a critical chokepoint for global energy markets, earlier in August. <\/p>\n The attacks raised concerns that hackers were attempting to disrupt the maritime passage or target a U.S. port, with a cyberattack potentially causing risks for fire, explosions or an oil spill.<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 7 hours agoIran hits back at Germany over nuclear program, proxy claims<\/p>\n Iran<\/a> on Wednesday accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of distorting Tehran\u2019s regional role after he called for an end to what he described as Iran\u2019s military nuclear program and its support for regional proxies.<\/p>\n “The German chancellor speaks of Iran\u2019s ‘war,’ its ‘military nuclear program,’ and Iran\u2019s ‘proxies,'” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei wrote on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n “It was #USrael \u2014 not Iran \u2014 that launched a war of aggression, and Germany failed to show even the minimum moral courage required to deplore that.”<\/p>\n “Those Berlin labels ‘proxies’ are independent actors with their own clear causes and calculations,” he added.<\/p>\n “They are fighting for self-determination, freedom, and dignity against occupation, aggression and subjugation.”<\/p>\n He further insisted that Iran has no “military” nuclear program “no matter how often the Israeli <\/a>fabricated ‘big lie’ is repeated by Israeli apologists.”<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 7 hours agoUS diplomats meet with Houthis in Oman as Red Sea tensions escalate<\/p>\n American diplomats recently met with Houthi<\/a> representatives at the U.S. Embassy in Oman to discuss escalating tensions in the Red Sea, according to reports. <\/p>\n Axios<\/a> reported that the meeting was organized with the assistance of the Omani government and was aimed at preserving the 2025 ceasefire and ensuring that the Bab al-Mandeb Strait remains open. <\/p>\n The source said U.S. Embassy diplomats represented Washington at the meeting in Muscat, but the ambassador did not attend. <\/p>\n Houthi representatives also made clear that they want the ceasefire with the U.S. to continue and said their attacks were aimed only at Saudi<\/a> vessels amid renewed fighting. <\/p>\n Despite Saudi Arabia\u2019s calls for military intervention, the United States has so far refused to act.<\/p>\n On Monday, speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews and Vice President JD Vance<\/a> said: \u201cWe\u2019ve been in constant contact with the Emiratis, the Saudis, and others who are affected in the region.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something the United States administration is very much on top of, We\u2019ve also been engaged in direct conversations with the Houthis themselves, so we actually feel like we are on top of the situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very fluid and dynamic thing, but we\u2019re going to keep on monitoring it, making sure that America\u2019s best interests are represented,\u201d Vance added.<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 8 hours agoCENTCOM showcases maintainers keeping US military assets mission-ready<\/p>\n U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM<\/a>) showcased its military maintainers keeping aircraft, vessels and vehicles mission-ready on Wednesday.<\/p>\n \u201cSkilled maintainers across all branches of the U.S. military keep aircraft, ships, land-based vehicles and more at peak readiness,\u201d CENTCOM said in a post shared on X.\u00a0<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 8 hours agoMeeks refuses to clear Trump $2.8B Israel bomb sale over use of powerful weapons<\/p>\n U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee<\/a>, said Wednesday he would not clear the Trump administration\u2019s proposed $2.8 billion sale of bombs to Israel.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Trump administration\u2019s proposed sale of 40,000 2,000-pound bombs, some of the most destructive munitions in our arsenal, raises grave, unresolved concerns about how these munitions could be used in densely populated areas of Gaza <\/a>and Lebanon,\u201d Meeks said.<\/p>\n Meeks said the administration had not provided sufficient assurances that the Israeli government would use the weapons in accordance with U.S. and international law.<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 9 hours agoIran claims 200 nights of resistance have forced nation’s enemies ‘to their knees’<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s<\/a> deputy foreign minister praised the Iranian people\u2019s resilience Wednesday, saying their opposition to its adversaries had protected the country\u2019s sovereignty and forced its enemies \u201cto their knees.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwo hundred nights have passed since the streets of Iran have borne witness to the presence of a people who have not bowed before the enemy,\u201d Kazem Gharibabadi said in a post shared on X.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo hundred nights, a narrative of the solidarity and steadfastness of a nation<\/a> that has kept the name and prestige of Iran alive through its resilience,\u201d he added, before stating that this is \u201ctwo hundred pages from the history of a nation that has brought its enemies to their knees.\u201d<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 9 hours agoTurkey condemns Houthi drone attack on Mecca as \u2018vile,\u2019 pledges solidarity with Saudis<\/p>\n Turkey condemned a Houthi drone attack targeting Mecca on Wednesday, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n “I strongly condemn the vile attack attempt targeting the sanctity and security of Mecca al-Mukarramah using an unmanned aerial vehicle,” said Burhanettin Duran, communications director for the Turkish presidency in a post shared on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Every attempt to attack the Haramayn al-Sharifayn, the sacred value of the Islamic world, wounds the collective conscience of us all,” Duran added, saying that protecting the peace and security of Mecca is a matter of utmost sensitivity for all Muslims.<\/p>\n “As our President, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan<\/a>, has always stated, the Islamic world needs sound judgment, dialogue, and lasting peace, not new conflicts,” he said.<\/p>\n Duran also reaffirmed that Turkey stands firmly with Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 10 hours agoIran lands seat on UN nuclear watchdog committee despite US opposition<\/p>\n Iran<\/a> secured a seat on the General Committee of the International Atomic Energy Agency\u2019s General Conference over U.S. objections Sept. 15, creating hurdles for international diplomacy at the U.N. over the country\u2019s nuclear program.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite U.S. efforts to obstruct Iran\u2019s participation in the General Committee, #IAEA Member States made their choice: they voted in favor of Iran,\u201d Iran\u2019s Mission to the United Nations in Vienna said in a post shared on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a clear reminder that the international community will not allow unilateral pressure to dictate the collective decisions of the IAEA,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 10 hours agoTreasury rallies global banks to cut off Iran’s illicit cash, weapons networks<\/p>\n The Treasury\u2019s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network<\/a> (FinCEN) announced Wednesday that it had hosted a meeting with global financial institutions to advance Operation Economic Outcast.<\/p>\n In a statement, it said the meeting focused on sharing actionable intelligence to shut down illicit revenue streams, weapon procurement and money laundering networks linked to Iran and that exploit U.S. correspondent banking.<\/p>\n \u201cTreasury continues to sever every economic lifeline Tehran<\/a> has left. Financial institutions are in lockstep with the U.S. government in support of Operation Economic Outcast, and we will continue to work closely with the private sector in the fight against the murderous Iranian regime,\u201d Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.<\/p>\n Posted by Emma Bussey<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 11 hours agoIranian official trolls Fed: \u2018You can’t 25bp a chokepoint\u2019<\/p>\n Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf took a swipe at the Federal Reserve on Wednesday, writing on X “Let\u2019s see if a hike could open [the] Strait of Hormuz or produce a single barrel.”\u00a0<\/p>\n The remark comes as the Federal Reserve is holding<\/a> a closely watched monetary policy meeting this week as the market expects the central bank to hike interest rates amid concerns about stubborn inflation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Persistent inflation above the Fed’s 2% long-run target has prompted concern among policymakers and has shifted the market’s outlook to anticipating a rate increase this week, with the CME FedWatch tool showing a 92.5% chance of a 25-basis-point hike versus a 7.5% probability of rates staying at their current level.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t 25bp a chokepoint and r* isn\u2019t neutral. It\u2019s Strait of Hormuz risk premium, and We set it,\u201d Ghalibaf added. \u201cStay unanchored!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n He titled his post \u201cStraits Taylor Rule\u201d in an apparent reference to Taylor rules, which the Fed describes<\/a> as \u201csimple monetary policy rules that prescribe how a central bank should adjust its interest rate policy instrument in a systematic manner in response to developments in inflation and macroeconomic activity.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n FOX Business\u2019 Eric Revell contributed to this post.\u00a0<\/p>\n Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 12 hours agoIDF: Hamas commander involved in abduction of Israelis killed<\/p>\n The Israel Defense Forces<\/a> announced Wednesday that it killed Jihad Samih Mahmoud Ismail, a Hamas Nukhba commander who invaded Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n The IDF said Ismail \u201ctook part\u201d in the abduction of \u201cCaptain Omer Neutra, Staff Sergeant Oz Daniel and Sergeant Nimrod Cohen,\u201d the first two of whom are deceased..\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cRecently and throughout the war, the terrorist was involved in ambushes and attacks against IDF troops intended to harm them,\u201d the IDF also said. \u201cHe was eliminated in order to remove the threat he posed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 13 hours ago2 pumping stations along Saudi Arabia\u2019s East-West oil pipeline damaged in attack: report<\/p>\n Two pumping stations linked to Saudi Arabia\u2019s<\/a> East-West oil pipeline were damaged in an attack last week, three oil and security sources told Reuters on Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n Saudi Arabia said Friday that drones launched from Iraqi territory struck the East-West Pipeline, prompting the kingdom to shut down the pipeline as a precaution.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n President Donald Trump then said Saturday that he believes Iran is behind the attacks, which unfolded as Yemen\u2019s Iran-backed Houthi rebels are clashing with Saudi Arabia.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fox News Digital’s Brittany Miller contributed to this post.\u00a0<\/p>\n Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 14 hours agoIran’s foreign minister says Tehran wants ‘restoration of calm to the region’<\/p>\n Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi<\/a> said Wednesday that Tehran seeks \u201cthe restoration of calm to the region and friendly and peaceful relations with our neighbors,” following a meeting in Beijing with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this regard we have begun dialogue with the countries of the region,\u201d Araghchi added, according to The Associated Press.<\/p>\n Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the U.S. and Iran to exercise restraint and reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible, and expressed China\u2019s concern about the spread of the fighting to Yemen and the Red Sea, according to China\u2019s Foreign Ministry.<\/p>\n The Associated Press contributed to this post.<\/p>\n Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 15 hours agoSweden expels Iranian embassy official, describes alleged threats to Jewish, Israeli interests<\/p>\n Sweden\u2019s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that it has expelled an official at the Iranian embassy<\/a> near Stockholm, according to Reuters.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n The ministry reportedly cited activity that was incompatible with the Vienna Convention on \u200cDiplomatic \u2060Relations.\u00a0<\/p>\n “We know that Iran, over a long period of time, has conducted activities that threaten security in and against Sweden, targeting both individuals who oppose the Iranian regime and various Jewish and Israeli interests in our country,” Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer told AFP.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n “We can confirm that Iran continues to engage in activities that pose security threats in and against Sweden. This includes, among other things, attempts to use proxies, such as criminal networks, to carry out attacks or acts of violence,”\u00a0 added Jonathan Svensson, the spokesperson for the Swedish Security Service.\u00a0<\/p>\n Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 15 hours agoJordan, Kuwait join condemnation of Houthi drone attack on Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n The foreign ministries of Jordan and Kuwait issued statements Wednesday ripping Yemen\u2019s Iran-backed Houthis<\/a> for targeting Mecca, Saudi Arabia, with a drone attack.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jordan described the incident Tuesday as a \u201cflagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sister Arab Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a threat to its security and stability and the safety of its lands, a blatant breach of international law, and an unacceptable aggression that constitutes contempt for the status and sanctity of Mecca Al-Mukarramah [Mecca] and an assault on the feelings of Muslims.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Kuwait said it \u201ccommends the vigilance and efficiency of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces in confronting this attempt, and emphasizes that the security of the Kingdom is an inseparable part of the security of the State of Kuwait and the security of the States of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 16 hours agoUS-contracted ship struck by Iran \u2018around the Strait of Hormuz,\u2019 sources say<\/p>\n A U.S.-contracted vessel was hit during an Iranian attack<\/a> earlier this week, two sources told Fox News on Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n The incident occurred “around the Strait of Hormuz,” and involved four Iranian drones, and at least one missile, according to Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n One of the projectiles struck the vessel and caused minor injuries, including smoke inhalation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The injured are now being treated in a Gulf country.<\/p>\n Some “U.S. personnel” were onboard, the sources said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fox News\u2019 Trey Yingst contributed to this post.\u00a0<\/p>\n Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 16 hours agoPakistan rips Houthi\u2019s \u2018reprehensible drone attack\u2019 against Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar said Wednesday that his country \u201ccondemns in the strongest possible terms the Houthi militia\u2019s reprehensible drone attack targeting\u201d Mecca, Saudi Arabia.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Saudi air defenses had destroyed a Houthi drone that attempted to enter the airspace near Mecca on Tuesday, according to the Saudi-led coalition.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted and destroyed a drone that attempted to enter the airspace of the Holy Capital,\u201d coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said in a statement posted on X.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dar said in his own statement that \u201csuch a provocative act violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, gravely offends the religious sentiments of the Muslims worldwide, and threatens regional peace and security.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Fox News Digital\u2019s Emma Bussey contributed to this post.\u00a0<\/p>\n Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 17 hours agoChina wants US, Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz \u2018at an early date\u2019: report<\/p>\n Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday that the U.S. and Iran<\/a> should \u201ctake effective measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at an early date,\u201d a report said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Iranian regime and the Trump administration also should “rebuild the negotiation mechanism based on the consensus reached so far,” Wang told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting in Beijing, according to Reuters.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wang reportedly added that China “does not want to see regional tensions to spill over further into Yemen and the Red Sea.”\u00a0<\/p>\n The remarks come as Iran-backed Houthi rebels are targeting Saudi infrastructure.\u00a0<\/p>\n President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet in Washington next week.\u00a0<\/p>\n Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 18 hours agoIranian regime committed \u2018crimes against humanity\u2019 during protest crackdown, report says<\/p>\n A new report from Amnesty International warned Wednesday that \u201cthose responsible for crimes against humanity committed to brutally crush nationwide protests in 2022 continue to control Iran\u2019s<\/a> deadly state machinery of repression today.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe report, Architects of Atrocities: State Machinery Orchestrating Crimes Against Humanity in Iran\u2019s 2022 Woman Life Freedom Uprising \u2013more than 1,000 pages long \u2013 details how Iranian authorities committed the crimes against humanity of murder, torture, enforced disappearance, imprisonment, rape and persecution on political, gender, ethnic and religious grounds in order to crush the uprising,\u201d Amnesty International said<\/a> in a statement. \u201cIt also documents deadly protest repression operations and command structures, identifying 87 officials who should be criminally investigated for crimes against humanity.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Protests erupted in Iran<\/a> following the Sept. 16, 2022, death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman who was detained three days earlier by Iran\u2019s morality police over what authorities described as “improper hijab.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Her death sparked nationwide demonstrations that became known internationally as the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. The U.N. said reports that Amini had been beaten in custody warranted an independent investigation, while Iranian authorities maintained that she died of “natural causes.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Amnesty International said Wednesday that it is \u201ccalling for an international criminal justice mechanism to be established urgently by the U.N. General Assembly to ensure Iranian authorities responsible for crimes against humanity are held to account and to deter further atrocities such as the large-scale protest massacres committed on January 8-9, 2026.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The organization said in 2022, agents from the Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps \u201crepeatedly fired into crowds, using military-grade assault rifles, handguns and shotguns loaded with metal pellets.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIn addition to firing into crowds, they chased fleeing protesters and bystanders, closing in on unarmed victims who posed no threat to the security forces or others and fatally shooting them at close range,\u201d it added.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fox News Digital\u2019s Efrat Lachter contributed to this post.\u00a0<\/p>\n Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond<\/p>\n Share <\/p>\n 18 hours agoVance outlines \u2018second phase\u2019 of Iran war as conflict approaches major shift<\/p>\n Vice President JD Vance said the Iran war<\/a> will enter a \u201cmuch different phase\u201d in the coming months during an interview with the New York Post aboard Air Force Two on Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t predict the future, but I think the president is right to say that this thing will enter a much different phase in a couple of months,\u201d Vance told the outlet.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s also the commander in chief, so he\u2019s the person who determines \u2026 when conflicts start and when they stop,\u201d he said of President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n \u201cI certainly understand there\u2019s some impatience from the American people, but fundamentally what\u2019s happening right now is that the United States is not engaged in aggressive operations. We\u2019re just not,\u201d Vance said.<\/a><\/p>\n Vance said what is happening is that the Iranians are occasionally shooting at commercial shipping, \u201cusually not successfully.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe first phase was destroy the nuclear program, destroy their conventional military, destroy their ability to project power in a way that they were able to even a couple of years ago,\u201d Vance said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then the second phase of this is ensure that they\u2019re not able to rebuild and try to maintain as much global stability in the wake of that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n