Iran and Russia close in on deal as Tehran threatens revenge against Israel

Iran and Russia are closing in on a deal that will bolster their defensive cooperation and strengthen military ties at a time when Western nations are increasingly concerned about regional wars in Europe and the Middle East. 

"The treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran that is being prepared will become a serious factor in strengthening Russian-Iranian relations," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday, according to a Reuters report. 

The foreign minister, who said the treaty would be signed "in the near future," claimed that the deal will "confirm" both Iran and Russia’s "interests of peace and security at the regional and global levels."

PENTAGON SAYS IRAN SUPPLYING RUSSIA WITH BALLISTIC MISSILES

The details of the treaty remain unclear and Lavrov did not expand on what form this defensive partnership would take.

A similar agreement signed between Russia and North Korea earlier this year was followed by Pyongyang’s decision to send some 10,000 soldiers to its warring neighbor, which may potentially be deployed to fight in Ukraine, according to concerns signaled by the Pentagon. 

But given that Iran already supplies Russia with defensive aid to propel its brutal war in Ukraine, it’s not only the repercussions this partnership could have for the war in Europe that concern Western security officials.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who once shared a solid relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has not appeared to be overtly involved in the unfolding fight in the Middle East, unlike Russia’s top adversary, the U.S.

But a report by the Wall Street Journal earlier this month found that Moscow has been providing the Houthi terrorist group with satellite data to assist it in its repeated attacks on Western ships in the Red Sea. According to the report, the information was passed from Russia to "members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)… embedded with the Houthis in Yemen." 

PENTAGON THREATENS NO NEW LIMITS ON UKRAINE WEAPONS IF NORTH KOREA JOINS RUSSIA'S WAR

Russia has also increasingly called on Israel to show "restraint" when it comes to escalating tensions in the Middle East as it launched an incursion into Lebanon and struck Iran – which directly funds and arms the terrorist organizations, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, warring with Jerusalem.

Tehran has once again threatened Jerusalem with a retaliatory hit after Israel launched aerial strikes on Friday. The series of tit-for-tat attacks continue as Israel pushes to eliminate Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, chief of the general staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), on Tuesday responded to these threats and said, "If Iran makes the mistake of launching another missile barrage at Israel, we will once again know how to reach Iran."

Halevi warned Israel will continue to escalate its attack "capabilities and locations" previously "set aside" if Iran responds with another strike on the Jewish state.

"We did this for a very simple reason, because we may be required to [strike] again. This event is not over, we are still in the midst of it," he said while speaking from the Ramon Airbase in Israel. "I say this to you: we are highly prepared across all fronts." 

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5 killed in Israel by Hezbollah airstrike as IDF eliminates terrorist group's special forces commander

Five people have died in a Hezbollah rocket attack in northern Israel on Thursday, one day after an Israel Defense Forces airstrike killed a commander within the terrorist group's special forces unit.

The Hezbollah attack in Metula – a town located along the Israel-Lebanon border – left an Israeli farmer and four foreign agricultural workers dead, while a fifth foreign worker was seriously injured, a local official told the TPS news agency.

The strike that eliminated Mustafa Ahmad Shahadi of Hezbollah's Radwan Forces was carried out near the city of Nabatieh, south of Beirut, according to the Israel Defense Forces. 

"Mustafa Ahmad Shahadi advanced numerous terror attacks against the State of Israel," the IDF said in a statement. "His targeting is part of the effort to degrade Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces' capabilities to direct and execute terror activities against IDF troops and communities in the northern border, in particular the ‘Conquer the Galilee’ plan." 

TRUMP GIVES NETANYAHU DEADLINE TO END ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR BY JANUARY IF HE TAKES OFFICE: REPORT 

Israel’s military has described the plan as Hezbollah’s "own October 7th massacre on Israel's northern border, but on an even larger scale." 

"Shahadi was previously responsible for the Radwan Forces' operations during combat in Syria between 2012 and 2017, and additionally oversaw terror attacks in southern Lebanon," the IDF also said. "The IDF will continue to operate against the terrorists and commanders of the Hezbollah terrorist organization and any threat posed to the citizens of Israel." 

Lebanon’s health ministry also said Wednesday that 19 people were killed by Israeli strikes near the city of Baalbek, including eight women. 

The IDF says it was carrying out strikes targeting "command and control centers and terrorist infrastructure that were used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization" in that region. 

ISRAEL CEASE-FIRE PLAN FOR LEBANON SEEKS TO BYPASS UN, AS US MEDIATORS TRAVEL TO JERUSALEM FOR TALKS 

"Hezbollah systematically abuses civilian infrastructure and areas throughout Lebanon to plan and execute terrorist activities, deliberately endangering the lives of Lebanese civilians," according to the IDF. 

Prior to those strikes, the Israeli military had warned residents to evacuate their homes for their own safety. 

"You are in a combat zone where the IDF intends to attack and target Hezbollah infrastructure, interests, installations and combat equipment and does not intend to harm you," IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X. 

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Trump gives Netanyahu deadline to end Israel-Hamas war by January if he takes office: report

Former President Trump reportedly asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to wrap up the Israel-Hamas war by the time he gets inaugurated, if he is elected, according to the Times of Israel.

The Israeli outlet was told about the exchange by an anonymous source familiar with the situation. Either Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, depending on how voters cast their ballots on Nov. 5.

The Times of Israel's source said that Trump initially gave the message to Netanyahu when the Israeli leader visited him at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, this past July.

While Trump has expressed a desire to end the war, which has been ongoing since Oct. 7, 2023, the fact that the request had a timeline was previously unknown.

SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING POLICE OFFICER OUTSIDE OF KAMALA HARRIS RALLY IN D.C.

Trump, who has not spoken about the Israel-Hamas war extensively on the campaign trail, has shown support for Israel's targeting of Iranian nuclear sites.

"That's the thing you wanna hit," Trump said at a rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The Biden-Harris administration has been largely supportive of Israel, though the White House has spoken out against the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) recent military operations. Earlier this month, President Biden demanded a ceasefire shortly before Israel invaded Lebanon.

BATTLEGROUND STATE OFFICIALS SAY FOREIGN ENEMIES USING MISINFORMATION TO ‘UNDERMINE’ DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

During a CNN town hall last week, Harris dodged Anderson Cooper's question about whether she was more "pro-Israel" than her Republican opponent.

"I believe that Donald Trump is dangerous," Harris said, not addressing the question. "I believe that when you have a president of the United States who has said to his generals who worked for him because he is Commander in Chief — these conversations, I assume, many of them took place in the Oval Office — if the president of the United States, the Commander in Chief, is saying to his generals, in essence, 'Why can't you be more like Hitler's generals?' Anderson, come on." 

Fox News Digital reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

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Israel's strike on Iran took out missile defense systems, Islamic Republic 'is essentially naked'

Israel took out three of Iran's Russian-made S-300 missile defense systems during last week's retaliatory strike against the Islamic Republic, Fox News has learned. 

Israel carried out the strategic airstrike on Oct. 26, marking a significant escalation in the conflict between the two countries during the operation’s chosen name, "Days of Repentance." The strikes targeted critical military infrastructure, delivering both a symbolic and tactical blow to Iran’s strategic capabilities following Tehran's attack on Israel weeks earlier.

ISRAEL BEGINS RETALIATORY STRIKES AGAINST IRAN FOLLOWING MISSILE BARRAGE TARGETING ISRAELIS

The Biden administration was informed about Israel's strike in advance. The targets were chosen in an effort to send a pinpoint message to Iran and to degrade its ability to fire ballistic missiles at Israel anytime soon.

At the start of the year, Iran only had four S300 surface-to-air missile systems. In April, Israel took out one of the missile systems in response to Iran's first ballistic missile attack. A senior U.S. official confirmed the airstrikes took out the three S-300 missile systems. 

"The majority of Iran’s air defense was taken out." a senior Israeli official told Fox News. 

On an internal call, President Biden's adviser for the Middle East, Amos Hochstein, said "Iran is essentially naked" with no more missile defense. 

IT WAS 'WISE' FOR ISRAEL TO NOT STRIKE IRANIAN OIL, NUCLEAR FACILITIES, SAYS FORMER USS COLE COMMANDER

Israeli warplanes also took out multiple radar systems that are needed to guide the same ballistic missiles that were fired at Israel in April and on Oct. 1 when Iran fired 181 ballistic missiles at the Jewish state. Many of the missiles were destroyed before reaching their target, and others caused minimal damage, the Department of Defense said. 

Removing the radar systems prevents Iran from firing those missiles in the future, a senior official said. 

"Our message is very, very clear… ‘Any threat, anywhere, at any time, we will know how to reach it, we will know how to strike,’" said Israel Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi. 

Halevi emphasized that Israel had only deployed a portion of its capabilities, suggesting that further actions could be taken should Iran escalate.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has urged Iran not to respond to Israel's strikes. 

"We believe that this should be the end of this tit-for-tat," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said during a meeting today with reporters. "We don't think that Iran should or needs to respond. On Oct. 1, Iran launched the 200 ballistic missiles that were targeting civilian population centers. Israel's response was targeted at military targets."

"We see this as a way to off-ramp," she added. 

Fox News Digital's Efrat Lachter contributed to this report. 

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Pentagon says 'small number' of North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk region; Biden concerned

The Pentagon confirmed Tuesday that a "small number" of North Korean troops are in Russia’s Kursk region near the Ukrainian border, adding that a couple of thousand more soldiers are expected to arrive at any time.

Last week, White House National Security communications director John Kirby confirmed that between early to mid-October, North Korea moved at least 3,000 troops into eastern Russia.

Now, the Pentagon says about 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia, and they are preparing to be sent to the battle lines alongside Russian troops in their fight against Ukraine.

"We believe that the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] has sent approximately 10,000 soldiers in total to train in eastern Russia, and that these troops will probably augment Russian forces near Ukraine over the next several weeks," Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters during a news briefing Tuesday. "A portion of those soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine towards Russia's Kursk Oblast, near the border with Ukraine."

NORTH KOREA SENDS WARNING TO SOUTH KOREA, SAYING TROOPS READY TO STRIKE IF MORE DRONES APPEAR

Ryder said the troops are in addition to a couple of thousand others already in the Kursk region, adding the Department of Defense (DoD) is concerned that Russia intends to use the soldiers in combat or to support combat operations against Ukraine.

"Indications that there's already a small number [of North Korean troops] that are actually in the Kursk Oblast, with a couple of thousand more that are either almost there, or due to arrive imminently," he said.

The Pentagon could not confirm whether the North Korean soldiers were in fact inside Ukraine, yet.

"Initial indications are that these troops will be employed in some type of infantry role," Ryder reiterated. "But again, what that could be remains to be seen. So, we're going to continue to monitor closely."

NORTH KOREA HAS SENT TROOPS TO RUSSIA, PENTAGON CONFIRMS

Like the DoD, President Biden expressed concerns about North Korean soldiers preparing for battle against Ukraine in Russia.

After speaking about infrastructure in Baltimore on Tuesday, a reporter asked Biden if he was worried about North Korean troops in Russia.

"I am concerned about it, yes," he said.

Biden was then asked if Ukrainians should strike back.

NORTH KOREA BLOWS UP PARTS OF INTER-KOREAN ROAD AND RAIL LINKS IN SYMBOLIC DISPLAY OF ANGER

"If they cross into Ukraine, yes," Biden said.

Intelligence officials in both South Korea and Ukraine had previously stated that North Korean troops were being transferred to Russia.

"What exactly are they doing? Left to be seen. These are things that we need to sort out," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said.

SOUTH KOREAN INTELLIGENCE SAYS NORTH HAS SENT TROOPS TO AID RUSSIA'S WAR IN UKRAINE

Russia and North Korea have denied the troop movements.

South Korean National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong told lawmakers that North Korea plans to deploy 10,000 troops to Russia by December, a number that lines up with claims from Ukrainian intelligence.

South Korea said last week that it may start sending weapons to Ukraine in reaction to the deployment. Officials said their response would come in phases linked to the depth of cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

North Korea and Russia, locked in separate confrontations with the West, have sharply boosted their cooperation in the past two years. The U.S., South Korea and their partners have accused North Korea of supplying artillery shells, missiles and other conventional arms to Russia to help fuel its war against Ukraine in return for economic and military assistance. 

In June, Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pact stipulating mutual military assistance if either country is attacked.

Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Greg Norman, as well as The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Canada's Trudeau facing revolt from within as popular conservative leader looks to capitalize

Justin Trudeau is up against perhaps his toughest challenge yet as the Canadian prime minister is facing mounting calls for his resignation.

Pierre Poilievre, leader of the opposition Conservative Party, would be the obvious candidate to replace Trudeau if his party can win the next general election, not slated until October 2025. A year out from the election, a CBC News poll finds that the Conservative Party holds a 20-point lead over Trudeau’s Liberals, dropping to a new low.

Poilievre, appealing to both traditional conservatives and the more populist elements of society, is looking to capitalize on Canada’s post-pandemic social and economic issues.

CANADA'S TRUDEAU TO REMAIN IN OFFICE DESPITE LOSS OF KEY SEAT IN SPECIAL ELECTION

Trudeau, who’s been in power since 2015 and is looking for a fourth term as prime minister, is facing a minor revolt from within his own party. The Liberal Party holds 153 seats in Canada’s House of Commons. Several lawmakers within the party sent a letter to Trudeau asking him to step down from party leader as his popularity has diminished and could affect the outcome of the next election. 

The prime minister faced a no confidence vote in parliament in September introduced by opposition leader Poilievre, but his conservatives failed to garner enough support from other political parties to oust Trudeau.

With Trudeau’s approval rating dipping below 30%, Poilievre and the Conservative Party could still call for more votes of no confidence. The Conservative Party holds 119 seats in the House of Commons but, along with several other opposition parties, could oust Trudeau.

Some Members of Parliament in Trudeau’s party dismissed the calls for his resignation as a distraction and only a small but vocal minority of the party.

"Realistically, there is little chance of Trudeau stepping down," Jamie Tronnes Executive Director at the Center for North American Prosperity and Security, told Fox News Digital.

"Historically, when leaders have been pushed out by Canadian political parties, it has been due to a systematic and organized effort, usually led by an heir apparent or their supporters.  There is no such person in this case, at least, not one who is organized and supported by the Liberal caucus," Tronnes added.

Against the backdrop of Trudeau’s mounting unpopularity and calls for his resignation, there have been growing concerns since the pandemic over the rising cost of living and a shortage of affordable housing that many people feel is exacerbated by the rise of the foreign-born population.

Tronnes said the rapid onset of newcomers has severely strained what the Canadian economy, housing, healthcare and other institutions can support. If the election were held now, Tronnes said, Poilievre would become Canada's next prime minister.

CANADA MOVES TO LIMIT IMMIGRATION AMID STRAINED RELATIONS WITH US

In an effort to stave off criticism from the right, Trudeau announced that Canada will reduce the number of permanent residents in the country from an initial target of 500,000 to 395,000 permanent residents in 2025. The figures will drop significantly in 2026 and 2027. 

"While it’s clear our economy needs newcomers, we see the pressures facing our country, and we must adapt our policies accordingly," Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said in a statement.

"These changes will make immigration work for our country so that everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes and support they need to thrive. We have listened to Canadians, and we will continue to protect the integrity of our system and grow our population responsibly," Miller added.

Reducing the number of immigrants will help alleviate pressure in the housing market, with the housing supply gap expected to decrease by approximately 670,000 units by the end of 2027, according to the Government of Canada.

Trudeau’s flip on immigration would be a major shift for the prime minister and historic Canadian immigration policy. Canada’s immigration policies have typically welcomed newcomers to foster economic growth and have also been supportive of asylum seekers. 

Canada’s population has grown in recent years, reaching 41 million in April 2024. Immigration accounted for almost 98% of this growth in 2023, according to official data from the Canadian government.

Trudeau has said Canada’s population rise needs to stabilize and that adjustments need to be made to social programs before they can welcome new immigrants in the future.

Tronnes told Fox News Digital that, "There is an old saying in Canadian politics — governments defeat themselves. In this case, Trudeau's reluctance to leave may prove it true."

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Hezbollah names new leader to succeed Nasrallah

The Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah announced on Wednesday that it had selected a new leader to succeed Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in September.

The new leader, Naim Qassem, had served for decades as Nasrallah's second in command. He has also served as a major spokesman for the group this year as Hezbollah's conflict with Israel has grown more severe.

Nasrallah was killed on Sept. 27, and the man considered his most likely successor, Hashem Safieddine, was killed in another strike just weeks later.

Israel wasted no time in threatening Qassem and calling on him to cease hostilities in a statement.

HEZBOLLAH HIDING MORE THAN $500M IN GOLD, CASH UNDER HOSPITAL IN LEBANON, IDF SAYS

"His tenure in this position may be the shortest in the history of this terrorist organization if he follows in the footsteps of his predecessors Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine," the Israeli government's Arabic account wrote on X.

"There is no solution in Lebanon except to dismantle this organization as a military force," it added.

HEZBOLLAH GENERATES FUNDS FOR ACTIVITIES UNDER THE GUISE OF A NON-PROFIT: ISRAELI OFFICIALS

Qassem's appointment comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, who have exchanged several direct attacks in recent weeks. Hezbollah has long served as an Iranian proxy group and has suffered months of airstrikes by Israeli forces.

Meanwhile, Iran vowed on Monday to "use all available tools" in response to Israel’s strategic airstrikes against the country despite a warning from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to stand down or pay a "heavy price."

ISRAEL’S ‘DAYS OF REPENTANCE’ STRIKES AGAINST IRAN WILL CONTINUE IF TERROR REGIME RESPONDS, IDF WARNS

"[Iran] will use all available tools to deliver a definite and effective response to the Zionist regime," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei declared during a televised news conference, according to Reuters.

Israeli air force jets struck 20 targets across Iran early Saturday during the operation, named "Days of Repentance." The operation unfolded with an initial assault on Iran’s air defense systems, followed by targeted strikes by more than 100 airplanes on missile and drone bases and weapons production sites.

President Biden told reporters Saturday that he met with intelligence community officials following the Israeli strikes, saying in a statement, "my hope is this is the end." 

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Israeli parliament bans UNRWA over terrorism ties, faces international backlash

The Israeli Knesset has passed legislation aimed at halting the operations of the terror-linked United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) within Israel.

"Finally, the iron curtain has fallen on this terrorist organization that we have been fighting against for almost a year," said Knesset member Yulia Malinovsky from the Yisrael Beiteinu Party, one of the bill's sponsors.  

She expressed her satisfaction with the bill’s passage, telling Fox News Digital she credited the courage of Knesset leadership for facilitating the bill's success and dedicated the law to the victims of the violence linked to UNRWA to include "Aner Shapira, Jonathan Samrano, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the hostages Or Levy, Elia Cohen, Alon Ehal, and all the hostages and victims harmed by UNRWA terrorists."

IDF KILLS HAMAS TERRORIST IT SAYS WORKED FOR UNRWA, LED CHARGE ON REIM BOMB SHELTER MASSACRE

The legislation includes two complementary bills that were passed one after the other: one from the coalition, which received overwhelming support with 92 votes in favor and only 10 against, and another from the opposition, which also received a significant majority of 87 votes. Both bills seek to terminate an agreement established in 1967 that allowed UNRWA to operate in Israel and to sever all relations between UNRWA and the Jewish state, including diplomatic visas granted to UNRWA workers and other services provided by the state of Israel.

The legislation passed after evidence was presented to Knesset members indicating that UNRWA had been infiltrated by Hamas, with some employees suspected of involvement in terrorist activities, particularly during the Oct. 7 attacks.

VICTIMS OF OCTOBER 7 MASSACRE FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST UNRWA FOR AIDING HAMAS TERRORISTS

This decision comes despite significant objections from the Biden-Harris administration, which has expressed deep concern that the legislation could force UNRWA to cease all operations in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. 

As reported by Fox News Digital, U.S. pressure on Israeli politicians to stop the bill was unprecedented, involving direct calls from the U.S. ambassador to Israel to leaders of the major parties in the Knesset.

ISRAEL SHARES DOSSIER SPELLING OUT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST 12 UN EMPLOYEES ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN HAMAS ATTACK

A State Department spokesperson said on Monday after the bill's passage, "Implementing the legislation risks catastrophe for the more than 3 million Palestinians who rely on UNRWA for essential services, including healthcare and education," further emphasizing that UNRWA is indispensable for humanitarian efforts in Gaza, especially amid the ongoing crisis, as quoted by The Times of Israel.

When asked about a solution to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where nearly 2 million people have been displaced since the war began, Malinovsky replied, "We gave three months to prepare before the law takes effect."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable. While avoiding a humanitarian crisis is essential, sustained humanitarian aid must remain available in Gaza now and in the future." He added that Israel is committed to working with international partners to facilitate humanitarian assistance while ensuring its security.

UN FORCED TO FIRE 9 EMPLOYEES OVER LIKELY INVOLVEMENT IN HAMAS MASSACRE: 'TIP OF THE ICEBERG'

Israel's United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon told reporters late Monday that, "UNRWA was infiltrated by Hamas many years ago. We have warned the Security Council. That is why today we are taking action that will limit UNRWA capabilities to function in Israel, and we will continue to work with U.N. organs that want to support humanitarian efforts," adding that "We are doing it with the WHO, with UNICEF, on the polio vaccination campaign and on other campaigns."

A statement released by the U.N. Secretary General António Guterres condemned the legislation, noting that, "The implementation of the laws could have devastating consequences for Palestine refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which is unacceptable. I call on Israel to act consistently with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and its other obligations under international law, including under international humanitarian law and those concerning privileges and immunities of the United Nations. National legislation cannot alter those obligations."

International reactions have been swift, especially from governments that have been hostile to the Jewish state, including Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and Norway, all condemning the Knesset's decision. The Spanish Foreign Ministry issued a statement highlighting concerns that the legislation would significantly impact humanitarian efforts in the region.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini described the Knesset vote as "unprecedented" and warned it sets a dangerous precedent, violating Israel's obligations under international law.

Before the legislation passed, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller urged Israel not to suspend UNRWA's operations in Gaza, noting that doing so could have legal implications affecting U.S. security assistance to Israel. He emphasized that UNRWA provides vital humanitarian support and warned of the consequences for the already dire situation in Gaza.

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World awaits Iran regime change as fight with Israel escalates; key lies in uniting minorities: report

The threat posed by Iran to the global community has been on the rise in recent years and security concerns remain heightened just days after Israel hit Tehran. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested last month that a regime change in Tehran was on the horizon.

But it is not just Iran’s involvement in state-sponsored terrorism, its apparent push to develop nuclear weapons, its increased ties with major Western adversaries or its direct attacks on Israel that could prompt the fall of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran’s oppressive practices within its own borders could be the key to the regime’s demise, says one analysis for the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

IRAN VOWS RESPONSE TO ISRAEL ATTACK WITH 'ALL AVAILABLE TOOLS'

Himdad Mustafa, researcher and expert on Iranian and Kurdish affairs for MEMRI, has argued that minority groups within Iran make up roughly 50% of the nation’s population, and though they are often the target of extreme oppression with some living in conditions he described as "open-air prisons," they are uniquely positioned to unite against Tehran.

Mustafa said ethnic minority groups like the Kurds, who make up 10%-15% of Iran’s population and who live primarily in the border regions near nations like Iraq and Turkey, as well as the Baloch people, who make up roughly 5% of the population and live on Iran’s shared border with Pakistan, could play a significant role in overturning the oppressive regime. 

"If the whole country rises up, the regime will withdraw its forces from border regions like Kurdistan to central Iran and Tehran," he wrote in a report this month. "That is the time when the West should support the Kurds, Balochs, and other ethnic groups to topple the regime."

The expert told Fox News Digital that these groups sit in resource-rich areas that are not only important to Iran but to the U.S.’s other chief adversaries: Russia and China.

"If there is prolonged war and instability inside Iran, countries like Turkey, Russia, and China would intervene, either directly or through proxies, to seize territories in Iran they consider important for their national interests," Mustafa said. 

ISRAEL’S TARGETED RESPONSE AGAINST IRAN SENDS NEW WARNINGS TO REGIME ABOUT IDF'S CAPABILITIES, EXPERTS SAY

The expert explained that Beijing has long viewed Balochistan, which extends into Pakistan and Afghanistan, as an important strategic region for its Belt and Road Initiative. 

"In the case of a regime change in Iran it’s highly likely that Pakistan and China would intervene in Iranian Balochistan to prevent the establishment of a Baloch state and to secure the region for their interests," Mustafa said. "Therefore, the U.S. should support these minorities both militarily and politically to secure their regions, which would, in turn, protect the interest of the West.

"If Balochistan remains under the control of U.S.-backed Baloch forces, they could safeguard the interests of the U.S. and its mega project the India-Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor," he said.

Mustafa said there is a rising concern among political elites in the Islamic Republic that the groundwork for a "hybrid war" may be being laid, a scenario in which internal dissidence could collide with external military threats.

Though the 2022 mass protests were brutally brought to a stop by the regime, they revealed the level of discontent across Iran.

The death of Jina Amini, a Kurdish woman, who in September 2022 was arrested by Iran's morality police and later died in a hospital due to her injuries, sparked not only outrage over the institutional discrimination against women across Iran, it also reportedly drove a unified response from oppressed minority groups.

Just days after the initial demonstrations broke out, one of the bloodiest events of the months-long protest occurred in Iranian-Balochestan in which the Baloch people took to the streets in the city of Zahedan to further protest the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl by police commander Col. Ebrahim Khouchakzai.

But the event, which has been dubbed "Bloody Friday" or the "Zahedan Massacre," turned violent after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps showed up to stop the demonstrations and more than 100 people, including 17 children, were killed. 

Despite the immense danger that standing against the regime poses, Mustafa said there remains a desire to unite to overturn the regime. 

"They have a common enemy that persecutes, imprisons, and executes them, and even denies minority students the right to education in their mother tongues," he said. "This has led them to view their fight for self-determination as a common struggle for national liberation against this common enemy, and this shared struggle is what unites these minority groups."

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Egyptian president proposes new cease-fire truce as CIA chief in Mideast for talks

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is pushing Israel and Hamas to agree to a two-day cease-fire in a move to get hostages released amid top international talks on the conflict in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday.

Neither side appears to have agreed to any temporary cease-fire deal or hostage release despite the limited proposal that was pushed for the freeing of four Israelis – abducted by Hamas over a year ago – and some Palestinian prisoners, though the exact number remains unclear, reported Reuters.

Al-Sisi, who spoke during a press conference in Cairo alongside Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, further suggested that if Israel and Hamas agree to the temporary truce, talks on a permanent cease-fire should then continue 10 days after.

US MADE AWARE OF ISRAEL'S STRIKE ON IRAN DAYS IN ADVANCE; IDF SAYS MISSION COMPLETE

His proposal coincided with a major meeting Sunday in Doha where CIA Director William Burns and Mossad Chief David Barnea met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammad Al-Thani. 

It is unclear why the Egyptian leader was not included in the Doha talks, as Egypt, alongside Qatar, has been working in coordination with the U.S. to end the fighting that is estimated by the Hamas-run Ministry of Health and backed up by the United Nations to have killed up to 43,000 Palestinians in the last year and bring home the 101 Israeli and American hostages still in captivity. 

An official with knowledge of the cease-fire talks told Fox News Digital the focus of the Doha meeting involving the heads of the U.S. and Israeli spy agencies, was to discuss plans involving "a short-term cease-fire in Gaza that would last less than a month."

"U.S. officials believe that if a short-term deal can be reached, it could lead to a more permanent agreement," the official said. 

Details regarding any short-term truce remain nil, though the official said they will likely include a hostage release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, as well as an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. 

"It is too early to say what the ratio of hostages to prisoners would be or what category of Israeli hostages would be for release," the official told Fox News. "Last week, during his trip, [Secretary of State Antony] Blinken got agreement from the Israelis to attend this round of talks and pitched it in Doha."

"The Americans hope is that after [former Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar’s death, Hamas will be more willing to reach an agreement," the official added. 

IDF KILLS HAMAS TERRORIST IT SAYS WORKED FOR UNRWA, LED CHARGE ON REIM BOMB SHELTER MASSACRE

Finding a deal that both Israel and Hamas will agree to has become nearly insurmountable given that neither side appears willing to give up security interests in Gaza. 

However, according to a statement released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Monday, the officials in Doha "discussed a new unified outline that combines previous proposals and also takes into account the main issues and recent developments in the region."

"In the coming days, the discussions between the mediators and Hamas will continue to examine the feasibility of talks and a continued attempt to promote a deal," the prime minister's office said.

Qatari and Egyptian mediators will continue to work with Hamas to address the "feasibility of a deal and work to close the gap between the two sides," an official with knowledge of the Sunday talks told Fox News Digital.

Humanitarian aid to Palestinians has become increasingly precarious as Israel has once again escalated its offensive operations in Northern Gaza with the aim of rooting out Hamas attempts to regroup.

The Israeli Defense Force reportedly said soldiers captured around 100 suspected Hamas terrorists following a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Jabalia refugee camp, reported Reuters. 

However, as the operations once again escalate, civilians continue to find themselves caught in the middle. According to the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service, roughly 100,000 people have become trapped in Jabalia, and the nearby cities of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun are without medical or food supplies, though Fox News Digital could not independently verify these figures.

The U.N. – which has come under fire recently after more Hamas fighters were found to have embedded themselves in the humanitarian agency – once again condemned Israel’s violence against civilian populations.

U.N. Secretary General António Guterres’ office called Israel’s recent attacks in northern Gaza "unbearable" and said the conflict is being "waged with little regard for the requirements of international humanitarian law."

"The Secretary-General is shocked by the harrowing levels of death, injury and destruction in the north, with civilians trapped under rubble, the sick and wounded going without life-saving health care, and families lacking food and shelter, amid reports of families being separated, and many people detained," U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement reported by Reuters. 

Israel, for its part, has denied outwardly blocking humanitarian shipments and argued that Hamas chooses to embed itself in civilian life, using Palestinians as human shields. 

Yonat Friling contributed to this report.

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Iran vows response to Israel attack with 'all available tools'

Iran is vowing on Monday to "use all available tools" in response to Israel’s strategic airstrikes against the country despite a warning from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to stand down or pay a "heavy price." 

"[Iran] will use all available tools to deliver a definite and effective response to the Zionist regime," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei declared during a televised news conference, according to Reuters. 

Israeli air force jets struck 20 targets across Iran early Saturday during the operation, named "Days of Repentance." The operation unfolded with an initial assault on Iran’s air defense systems, followed by targeted strikes by more than 100 airplanes on missile and drone bases and weapons production sites.  

The IDF then announced later in the day that it is prepared to target Iran again if it responds to the strikes. 

ISRAEL’S ‘DAYS OF REPENTANCE’ STRIKES AGAINST IRAN WILL CONTINUE IF TERROR REGIME RESPONDS, IDF WARNS 

"If the regime in Iran were to make the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation -- we will be obligated to respond. Our message is clear: All those who threaten the State of Israel and seek to drag the region into a wider escalation -- will pay a heavy price," IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said. 

"We demonstrated today that we have both the capability and the resolve to act decisively -- and we are prepared -- on offense and defense -- to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel," Hagari added. 

ISRAEL’S TARGETED RESPONSE AGAINST IRAN SENDS NEW WARNINGS TO REGIME ABOUT IDF’S CAPABILITIES, EXPERTS SAY 

President Biden told reporters Saturday that he met with intelligence community officials following the Israeli strikes and that "my hope is this is the end." 

"We maintain the importance of supporting Israel’s right to defend itself," Vice President Kamala Harris also said following the strikes. "We are also very adamant that we must see de-escalation in the region going forward, and that will be our focus." 

Fox News’ Benjamin Weinthal and Efrat Lachter contributed to this report. 

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Israel’s targeted response against Iran sends new warnings to regime about IDF's capabilities, experts say

In its largest operation ever conducted in Iran, Israel carried out a strategic airstrike on Oct. 26, marking a significant escalation in the conflict between the two countries. The airstrikes targeted critical military infrastructure, delivering both a symbolic and tactical blow to Iran’s strategic capabilities.

"We showed them we could reach any point in Iran. We neutralized air defenses and flew over them, hitting exactly what we wanted without detection," Ram Ben-Barak, former deputy director of the Mossad, told Fox News Digital. 

In the early hours of Saturday morning (Israel time), Israeli air force jets struck 20 targets across Iran during the operation’s chosen name, "Days of Repentance." After about four hours, all aircraft returned safely to Israel, marking the operation's successful completion. The air force embarked on a complex mission involving dozens of aircraft, including fighter jets, intelligence, refueling and rescue units. The strikes were conducted at a distance of just under 1,000 miles.

ISRAEL BEGINS RETALIATORY STRIKES AGAINST IRAN FOLLOWING MISSILE BARRAGE TARGETING ISRAELIS

The operation unfolded in three waves: an initial assault on Iran’s air defense systems, followed by targeted strikes by more than 100 airplanes on missile and drone bases and weapons production sites. 

Ben-Barak, now an opposition member of Yesh Atid in Israel's Parliament, also noted Israel’s technological and operational superiority, contrasting this strike with Iran’s prior attacks on Israeli territory, many of which were intercepted or missed their targets.

Iranian officials, however, downplayed the impact, claiming that only "limited damage" was inflicted on military sites. Yet, according to Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amos Gilad, head of the Institute for Policy and Strategy at Reichman University, "There was an added element of wisdom in this strike; we didn’t humiliate the Iranians. The market in Tehran was open on Saturday as usual, just hours after the attack, because no civilian areas were hit."

A former Israeli senior security official, who asked for their name to be withheld due to security concerns, told Fox News Digital, "There was strategic thought behind the targeted sites: a drone manufacturing facility was hit, along with a missile factory, SA-300 air defense systems, and planetary mixers that Iran likely acquires from China to produce solid fuel for missiles. While not all of Iran’s air defenses were taken down, three or four SA-300 batteries were struck. So their air defense was hit severely, although Iran likely has one S-400 system from Russia and additional simpler air defense systems they built themselves."

IT WAS 'WISE' FOR ISRAEL TO NOT STRIKE IRANIAN OIL, NUCLEAR FACILITIES, SAYS FORMER USS COLE COMMANDER

While Israel focused exclusively on military and intelligence sites, satellite imagery and independent analysis reveal extensive damage to Iranian installations, particularly missile and drone production centers. 

According to Israeli intelligence analyst Ronen Solomon, additional strikes targeted storage and assembly points in Khojir, near Tehran, a site long associated with Iran’s missile development. Solomon told Fox News Digital Israel "neutralized components of Iran’s missile production pipeline," cutting off access to vital parts for future production.

Additional strikes hit near Parchin, where Israeli intelligence has long suspected nuclear-related tests. "Israel didn’t strike Iran’s nuclear facilities directly but targeted the infrastructure supporting it," Solomon noted, explaining that this approach allowed Israel to sidestep political barriers while delivering a strong blow to Iran’s military operations.

Solomon added that Israel’s attack impacted Iran’s satellite-launch capabilities, a significant component in Iran’s military satellite program, saying, "Beyond impacting their missile program, their ability to launch satellites for military purposes was damaged."

US MADE AWARE OF ISRAEL'S STRIKE ON IRAN DAYS IN ADVANCE; IDF SAYS MISSION COMPLETE

While Israel acted independently, coordination with Washington played a significant role in shaping the mission’s scope. Gilad underscored the extensive diplomatic communication between Israel and the U.S. before the strike. "There was impressive coordination, even though the U.S. didn’t participate in the attack itself," Gilad noted. 

According to a former senior intelligence official, this cooperation included the establishment of air corridors over Iraqi airspace.

Gilad noted that, "The American F-35 jets involved represent fifth-generation capabilities, which add an essential layer of defense against Iran. The U.S. has shown exceptional support, including sending THAAD defense batteries. The U.S.-Israel alliance is crucial, and I say it isn’t ironclad; it’s steelclad, because steel doesn’t rust."

Both nations shared the objective of limiting Iran’s retaliatory options, particularly given the upcoming U.S. elections. The former senior intelligence official observed, "The Americans had concerns about hitting nuclear or energy sites directly, and we respected that." 

Gilad added that the attack’s selective targeting reflected well-calculated restraint: "Some in Israel criticized the lack of direct hits on oil or nuclear facilities," Gilad stated, "but targeting such sites could destabilize global markets, strengthen Russia, or lead to attacks on Arab states."

ISRAEL’S 'DAYS OF REPENTANCE' STRIKES AGAINST IRAN WILL CONTINUE IF TERROR REGIME RESPONDS, IDF WARNS

The former senior intelligence official added that Iran, aware of the political stakes in Washington, might hold back from an immediate response to avoid escalating tensions that could influence the elections in favor of former President Donald Trump, whom Iran perceives as a threat.

In a public statement, Chief of the General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi affirmed, "Our message is very, very clear… ‘any threat, anywhere, at any time, we will know how to reach it, we will know how to strike.’" Halevi emphasized that Israel had only deployed a portion of its capabilities, suggesting that further actions could be taken should Iran escalate.

Despite the tactical success, Israeli officials remain cautious about the operation’s long-term impact. Ben-Barak commented, "Ultimately, Iran has learned that Israel can strike at will within its borders, but the challenge remains stopping them from obtaining nuclear weapons. Iran wants to eliminate Israel; we can’t let them have nuclear weapons. That is also U.S. policy. I always tell my American counterparts, ‘You have nothing to fear from the Iranians.’ We need to work together to remove the threat."

Gilad concluded, "With the U.S. committed to preventing a nuclear Iran, these strikes should give Iran pause. Still, political coordination with the U.S. post-election will be key to sustaining the pressure."

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Truck ramming attack near Israeli army base injures dozens; suspect killed

A suspect rammed a truck into a bus stop near the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, injuring at least 35 people in what local authorities are investigating as a possible terror attack, according to reports. 

In the city of Ramat Hasharon, in the area of Glilot northeast of Tel Aviv, the truck slammed into a bus that had stopped to drop off passengers, as Israelis were returning to work after a week-long holiday. 

The bus stop is near an army base and the headquarters of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. 

ISRAEL BEGINS RETALIATORY STRIKES AGAINST IRAN FOLLOWING MISSILE BARRAGE TARGETING ISRAELIS

Some victims were left trapped under the truck. Civilians shot and killed the truck driver, who allegedly got out with a knife, Tazpit Press Service (TPS), an international Israeli news agency, reported.  

The truck driver was a resident of the Israeli-Arab town of Qalansawe, police sources told TPS. 

Hamas and the Islamic Jihad terrorist group praised the suspected attack but did not claim it, according to the Associated Press. TPS reported that many of those hurt were elderly retirees who were traveling to a museum. At least one victim sustained life-threatening injuries, according to TPS. 

ISRAEL’S 'DAYS OF REPENTANCE' STRIKES AGAINST IRAN WILL CONTINUE IF TERROR REGIME RESPONDS, IDF WARNS

Also near the scene are several army intelligence units that have been targeted by missile strikes from the Lebanese-based terrorist group Hezbollah. 

Iran's supreme leader, meanwhile, said Israeli strikes on the country over the weekend "should not be exaggerated nor downplayed," while stopping short of calling for retaliation, suggesting Iran is carefully weighing its response to the attack.

On Saturday, Israeli warplanes attacked military targets in Iran in response to an Iranian ballistic missile attack earlier this month.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the strikes "severely harmed" Iran and achieved all of Israel’s goals.

"The air force struck throughout Iran. We severely harmed Iran’s defense capabilities and its ability to produce missiles that are aimed toward us," Netanyahu said in his first public comments on the strikes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Fraudsters wheel away huge haul of artisan cheddar worth an eye-popping $400,000

Cheese bandits wheeled away an eye-popping amount of cheddar cheese from one of the UK’s most famous cheese stores.

Neal’s Yard Dairy announced in a social media post that thieves, "posing as a legitimate wholesale distributor for a major French retailer," ordered over 950 wheels of the clothbound Hafod, Westcombe and Pitchfork cheddar.

The cheese was worth about $390,000, the company revealed.

RESTAURANT VISITORS INSTRUCTED ON STRICT BEHAVIOR BY 21 SIGNS: ‘RULES ARE RULES’

Neal’s Yard Dairy reportedly delivered 22 metric tons (48,488 pounds) of cheddar before realizing the wholesale distributor was a fake. 

The dairy retailer said that they covered the cost from the theft that impacted the smaller cheesemakers.

A MAN WHO ABUSED UP TO 3,500 GIRLS ONLINE HAS BEEN SENTENCED FOR CRIMES INCLUDING MANSLAUGHTER

"Despite the significant financial blow, we have honoured our commitment to our small-scale suppliers and paid all three artisan cheesemakers in full," they said.

The dairy retailer said they are working with law enforcement and asked residents to be on the lookout for "clothbound Cheddars in a [22-pound] or [52-pound] format with the tags detached"

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A man who abused up to 3,500 girls online has been sentenced for crimes including manslaughter

A "relentless and cruel" online predator who blackmailed girls around the world was sentenced to at least 20 years in prison on Friday after being convicted of the manslaughter of a victim who took her own life.

Prosecutors say 26-year-old Alexander McCartney, from Newry in Northern Ireland, pretended to be a teenage girl and carried out catfishing attacks on 3,500 female victims he contacted on platforms including Snapchat.

MASS RAPE TRIAL LAYS BARE FRANCE'S DISTURBING CULTURE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, CRITICS ALLEGE

Catfishing is using a fake online identity to deceive victims. Authorities said McCartney encouraged his victims to send intimate photos or engage in sex acts, then extorted them by threatening to share the images.

A 12-year-old in West Virginia killed herself in May 2018 during an online chat with McCartney as he demanded sex acts. The victim’s father died by suicide 18 months later.

Prosecutors said they believe this is the first time someone has been convicted of manslaughter in a case where victim and perpetrator never met.

"Working closely with police, the prosecution team was able to establish to the criminal standard that McCartney’s actions had caused the girl’s death, and he had a case to answer for manslaughter," said Catherine Kieran, acting Head of the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service Serious Crime Unit.

Police have identified victims in 30 countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

McCartney, who carried out his crimes from the bedroom of his childhood home, pleaded guilty to 185 charges involving 70 children, including the manslaughter charge. At Belfast Crown Court, judge John O’Hara sentenced him to life with no chance of parole for 20 years.

"To my knowledge there has not been a case such as the present where a defendant has used social media on an industrial scale to inflict such terrible and catastrophic damage," the judge said.

Detective Chief Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said outside court that McCartney was a "relentless and cruel" pedophile.

"We cannot underestimate the devastation that he has caused and the childhoods he has stolen," the officer said. "There was nothing that was going to stop him, apart from putting him in jail."

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US made aware of Israel's strike on Iran days in advance; IDF says mission complete

The Biden administration was made aware of Israel’s plans to strike Iran in retaliation for the Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack days in advance of the strike Friday night. 

A source familiar with the proceeding confirmed to Fox News that multiple conversations were held between U.S. and Israeli officials, and the exact time of attack was communicated to Washington on Friday. 

Speculation surfaced earlier in the day that the long-awaited attack – which Israel vowed to hit Tehran with immediately following the Oct. 1 attack – was imminent given the announcement by U.S. Central Command confirming the deployment of more F-16’s to the region. 

ISRAEL BEGINS RETALIATORY STRIKES AGAINST IRAN FOLLOWING MISSILE BARRAGE TARGETING ISRAELIS

White House National Security Council (NSC) communications director John Kirby would not confirm whether the reinforcement of U.S. defenses in the region signified that an Israeli-led attack was forthcoming, but said it showed an "ironclad" commitment to Jerusalem. 

Following Israel’s strikes on Iran early Saturday morning local time under a mission dubbed "Days of Repentance," NSC spokesman Sean Savett confirmed the operation had begun "against military targets in Iran as an exercise of self-defense and in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on Oct. 1."

Roughly three hours after the Israeli attack started – in which some 140 Air Force planes were reportedly sent to the skies for the assault, according to Israeli local news outlet Channel 12 – the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the operation was "completed."

"The retaliatory strike has been completed and the mission was fulfilled," the IDF said in a statement." "Our planes have safely returned home." 

IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari addressed Iran directly in a statement once the mission was over. "If the regime in Iran were to make the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation — we will be obligated to respond."

He continued, "Our message is clear: All those who threaten the State of Israel and seek to drag the region into a wider escalation — will pay a heavy price.

We demonstrated today that we have both the capability and the resolve to act decisively — and we are prepared — on offense and defense — to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel," Hagari concluded.

Strikes on military bases in Syria and Iraq were also reported Friday by Israeli news outlets, though the IDF did not mention these locations in their release. 

US REINFORCES CENTRAL COMMAND WITH FRESH SUPPLY OF F-16S IN 'IRONCLAD' COMMITMENT TO DEFEND ISRAEL

Senior Israeli defense source told Fox News Digital the targets of the attack were "solely military and intelligence targets."

Iranian news outlet Tasnim news agency, which has known ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), cited a senior source who said, "We reserve the right to respond to any attack."

"Israel will undoubtedly receive a proportional response to any action," the source added, suggesting the aggressive volley between Israel and Iran will continue. 

Neither U.S. nor Israeli officials have yet commented on the effectiveness of Israel’s strikes, though local Israeli news outlet Channel 12 reported that Iran’s air defense system had been damaged.

The IRGC headquarters in Tehran was also reported to have allegedly been hit by strikes, though Fox News has not been able to independently verify this. 

Al-Mayadeen channel, a Lebanese pro-Hezbollah and Iran-aligned network, claimed, "Air defense systems intercepted all hostile targets in Tehran. Israel’s attempt to strike air defense bases around Tehran has failed."

The IDF said its Air Force "struck missile manufacturing facilities used to produce the missiles that Iran fired at the State of Israel over the last year." 

"These missiles posed a direct and immediate threat to the citizens of the State of Israel," the IDF added. "Simultaneously, the IDF struck surface-to-air missile arrays and additional Iranian aerial capabilities, that were intended to restrict Israel's aerial freedom of operation in Iran." 

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Rare tool dating back 3,500 years found in the UK

Archaeologists with Wessex Archaeology were working through an excavation ahead of a habitat project when they came across a wooden tool that turned out to be one of the oldest and most complete ever discovered in Britain.

Wessex Archaeology announced the ancient find in a news release published this week. 

During the early stages of the excavation near Poole Harbour at a construction site in a diverse wetlands habitat, there wasn't much to be found other than a few shards of pottery and some flint, Environment Agency archaeologist Greg Chuter said in a video posted by Wessex Archaeology. 

GROUP OF METAL DETECTORISTS UNCOVER HOARD OF COIN IN ENGLAND

The finds weren't of much significance until the wooden tool was uncovered. 

Preliminary scientific dating of the tool dated it to the Bronze Age, roughly between 1500 and 1400 B.C., according to Wessex Archaeology's Ed Treasure, who spoke about the find in the video posted by the archaeological company. Radiocarbon dating was used to date the tool to between 3,400 and 3,500 years old. 

"This is an incredibly exciting moment, and we’re looking forward to finding out more as the process unfolds," Treasure said of the find. 

The tool, made from just a single piece of wood, likely took many hours to create, according to Wessex Archaeology, and it was a valuable tool over 3,000 years ago. 

"We're working across a vast landscape that is dominated by nature with very little to suggest to the naked eye that much human activity has taken place here," Chuter said in a news release. 

THE HISTORY OF THE HOXNE HOARD, THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF ROMAN TREASURE FOUND IN BRITAIN

"However, just beneath the surface, we've uncovered evidence of the ways humans have cleverly adapted to the challenges presented by this particular environment for over 3,000 years. The spade is a fascinating part of the story and, as research continues, we're looking forward to exploring the relationship between the spade and the ditch and what else they can tell us about life at Arne Moors 3,000 years ago."

Ancient wooden tools like these aren't discovered often. Its age and preservation both play a role in its uniqueness. 

The last time a Bronze Age wooden tool was discovered in Britain with similar qualities was when the Brynlow shovel was found in a Cheshire mine in 1875. 

The wooden tool most recently unearthed by archaeologists is also rare in its well-kept condition. 

Tools made of organic material, like wood, don't often survive in the ground for so long, according to the news release from Wessex Archaeology. 

The reason this tool remained in such great condition was due to its waterlogged environment. 

The wooden tool remains under special care and is undergoing full conservation and further studies. 

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Israel begins retaliatory strikes against Iran following missile barrage targeting Israelis

Israel on Friday launched a wave of retaliatory airstrikes against Iran after the Islamic Republic fired a barrage of missiles toward Israelis earlier this month. 

Explosions were heard near Iran's capital of Tehran and nearby Karaj, Reuters reported, citing local media. 

"In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel – right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. "The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7th – on seven fronts – including direct attacks from Iranian soil. Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond. Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized. We will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel."

The Israeli military action comes after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed a "precise and deadly" response to the more than 180 missiles Iran targeted Israel with on Oct. 1, some of which were intercepted with the help of the U.S. 

ISRAEL'S UN AMBASSADOR: RESPONSE TO IRAN WILL BE ‘VERY PAINFUL’

Last week, during the leadup to the Israeli attack, reports emerged that the Israeli Defense Forces presented a list of potential targets to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gallant as officials conducted "sensitive coordination" with other countries in the Middle East. 

"The regime is vulnerable, and it's up to us to decide which message we want to send to them," Israeli ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon also told Fox News Digital. "It will be very painful for the Iranian regime, and they will think twice in the future whether to attack Israel or not." 

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the barrage of missiles it fired at Israel on Oct. 1 was in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, Lebanon, in an Israeli airstrike and the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July. Israel later eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in a military operation in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 16.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously called Nasrallah "the flag-bearer of resistance" in the region. 

"The blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged," Khamenei said following Nasrallah’s death, according to Reuters. 

ISRAEL DECIDES ON POSSIBLE IRAN TARGETS: ‘PRECISE AND DEADLY'

During the Oct. 1 attack by Iran, no casualties were reported in Israel, though one Palestinian was killed in the West Bank. 

The U.S. Navy later released video showing the USS Cole and USS Bulkeley firing about a dozen ballistic missile interceptors to help thwart Iranian aggression. 

Iran also attacked Israel in April of this year, during which it levied some 300 missiles and drones. Jerusalem then responded to Western calls for restraint by hitting Iran’s air defenses and destroying part of an S-300 long-range air defense system. 

To bolster Israel's defenses against potential future attacks from Iran, a U.S. missile defense system is being sent to the Middle East.

Fox News’ Morgan Phillips, Caitlin McFall, Stephen Sorace and Liz Friden contributed to this report. 

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US reinforces Central Command with fresh supply of F-16s in 'ironclad' commitment to defend Israel

American F-16 fighter jets have been deployed to the Middle East, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Friday, in a show of an "ironclad" commitment to Israel as tensions mount with Iran. 

CENTCOM did not detail how many F-16s had been sent to the "area of responsibility," but said they had been deployed from the 480th Fighter Squadron based at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany.

When pressed by reporters about whether the move signaled Jerusalem was preparing to launch its promised retaliatory attack on Iran for the 180-missile strike it levied at Israel earlier this month, White House National Security Council communications director John Kirby said he could not go into any detail on the issue.

IDF KILLS HAMAS TERRORIST IT SAYS WORKED FOR UNRWA, LED CHARGE ON REIM BOMB SHELTER MASSACRE

"Our commitment to Israel's security remains ironclad," he said. "And that means, as appropriate, making force posture changes that we think need to be made to help Israel defend itself."

The U.S., which has been increasingly bolstering its regional defenses for months, has played a critical role in defending Israel from two substantial missile attacks, the first incident occurring in April when some 300 missiles and drones were fired and the second having played out earlier this month.

According to a report by Bloomberg on Friday, the U.S. has also signaled to Saudi Arabia that it will help defend the kingdom should it come under attack by Iran, once its chief adversary in the region, or its proxy forces. 

The promise allegedly served as some comfort to the U.S. partner as many Gulf states remain on high alert over concerns of a regional war. 

The international community has been anxiously watching Israel's fight against Iranian proxy forces, Hamas and Hezbollah, as the U.S., as well as other regional partners, hustle to de-escalate the situation from becoming an all-out war between Israel and Iran — both of which have sophisticated military capabilities. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in the Middle East this week before traveling to London on Thursday, met with United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday to discuss efforts to bring an end to the war in Gaza and to secure the release of the hostages who have been in Hamas captivity for more than a year. 

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Blinken and his UAE counterpart also discussed "the post-conflict period" and what a "vision for governance, security and reconstruction that establishes lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike" could look like.

US READINESS PLAYS 'SIGNIFICANT' ROLE IN FENDING OFF IRANIAN ATTACK ON ISRAEL

While the Biden administration holds tight to a two-state solution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the idea long pushed by many in the international community. 

But the war in Gaza wasn’t the only issue up for discussion with the top regional ally. The pair also looked to Israel’s operations in Lebanon in its push to eradicate the threat Hezbollah poses there. 

"The Secretary underscored the importance of a diplomatic solution that fully implements United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701," Miller said, though he did not go into detail on how the U.S. and its allies will look to ensure Hezbollah, which has embedded itself in the everyday life of many in Lebanon, will be stamped out. 

While Blinken also spoke with Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday, their discussions appeared to concentrate on the humanitarian toll Israel’s operations have taken, including mounting civilian casualties.

"He emphasized Iran and Hezbollah must not stand in the way of Lebanon’s security and stability," Miller said in a readout. "He also expressed support for the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon and underscored that the safety and security of their personnel is essential."

"They discussed Lebanon’s presidential vacancy and the need to empower leadership that reflects the will of the people," he added. Blinken also met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.

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Ukraine, others furious at UN chief for meeting Putin at BRICS summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday clapped back at the decision by U.N. Secretary General António Guterres to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on United Nations Day — a day that officially solidified the body's dedication to the promotion of peace and to "uphold international law."

"On this United Nations Day, it’s crucial to emphasize that the world must not forget the goals and principles of the U.N. Charter and the reason this organization was created," he said. "Even though some of its officials may choose the temptations of Kazan over the substance of the U.N. Charter, the world remains structured in such a way that the rights of nations and the norms of international law will always matter." 

"I am grateful to everyone who supports Ukraine in this," Zelenskyy added.

UKRAINE BLASTS UN CHIEF OVER POTENTIAL MEETING WITH PUTIN AT BRICS, SAYS STAYED AWAY FROM KYIV'S PEACE SUMMIT

Zelenskyy’s comments were in direct response to Guterres' decision to meet with Putin on the sidelines of the international BRICS summit hosted by Russia in Kazan.

BRICS, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is an intergovernmental body that was established in 2009 to counter Western influence and bolster economic partnerships, and it has increasingly become an alliance made up of authoritarian leaders.

Nations like Russia, China, Iran and potentially, North Korea, united under the alliance, not only sit as the West’s top adversaries, they are also all involved in international conflicts that violate the U.N. Charter — including Russia’s war in Ukraine. 

The U.N. has yet to respond to Fox News Digital’s repeated questions over the secretary general’s decision to meet with Putin for the first time since 2022 amid the deadly war in Ukraine. 

In response to reporters' questions over the merits of the meeting with Putin, just months after Ukraine held a peace summit in Switzerland that Guterres did not attend, U.N. deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said, "The Secretary-General does look forward to visiting Ukraine at a mutually convenient time, as previously discussed with President Zelenskyy in September when they met."

A report by AFP on Friday suggested that Zelenskyy now has no intention of meeting with Guterres, though Fox News Digital could not independently verify this information. 

The Guterres-Putin meeting sparked outrage across Ukraine, and in a statement Friday, the Crimean Human Rights Group, which is based out of Kyiv, argued the secretary general’s decision to meet with Putin, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes relating to the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine, "undermines" the U.N. and the ICC.

"The visit of the U.N. Secretary-General to Russia is not only politically controversial but also devalues the fundamental principles that should guide the U.N., the organization that Mr. Guterres heads," the statement said. "This is especially true of Mr. Guterres’ personal meeting with Mr. Putin."

UKRAINE'S POPULATION HAS FALLEN BY 10 MILLION SINCE RUSSIA'S INVASION, UN SAYS

The statement pointed to U.N. guidelines that note "as a general rule, there should be no meetings between United Nations officials and persons who are the subject of warrants of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court". 

The guidelines further state that such a meeting should only be conducted when it is "imperative" for U.N. "mandated activities."

The body called on the ICC to demand Guterres hands over all information he obtained in speaking with Putin, as directed under "Article 18 of the Relationship Agreement between the United Nations and the ICC."

According to a read-out from the U.N. detailing Guterres’ visit, "The Secretary-General reiterated his position that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was in violation of the United Nations Charter and international law."

Guterres further emphasized the U.N.’s support for a "just peace" in Ukraine "in line with the U.N. Charter, international law, and [a U.N.] General Assembly resolution."  

But despite his words calling for an end to the war, his meeting with Putin, as well as his warm embrace with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko — an ardent supporter of the Kremlin chief — were a step too far for NATO ally Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.

Landsbergis, a vocal supporter of Ukraine, suggested the meeting signified the fall of the top international body in a message posted to X that said, "This is the UeNd." 

"If [Guterres] decides to resign, Lithuania won't try to talk him out of it," Landsbergis added.

Fox News Digital could not immediately reach the State Department for reaction to the meeting between Guterres and Putin. 

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Putin looks to halt neighboring Georgia's Western ambitions in vital election

Georgians go to the polls on Saturday in crucial parliamentary elections as the country struggles to move closer to the West, all while under the watchful eye of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The stakes could not be higher for the small nation that sits in the troubled Caucasus region. Georgia, once part of the Soviet Union, has been caught between heavy Russian influence since it declared independence in 1991 and trying to join the European Union and move closer to the West.

"It is within Russia’s interest to ensure Georgia’s alienation from its allies and halting of the EU integration process," Natia Seskuria, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, told Fox News Digital.

HISTORIC RUSSIAN ALLY SNUBS PUTIN IN GROWING SHIFT TO EUROPEAN UNION

For Russia, the upcoming elections present an opportunity for Putin to keep Georgia in its orbit. If Georgia manages to conduct free and fair elections and restore relations with the European Union (EU), Seskuria says, this will be a defeat for Russia.

A group of bipartisan senators, led by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Jim Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, put forth legislation that would hold Georgian government officials and individuals responsible for corruption, human rights abuses and efforts to advance the foreign influence law or facilitate its passage. 

"The United States stands with the Georgian people and their pursuit of a Euro-Atlantic future. The Georgian government’s recent efforts to align with Russia reject the desires of Georgians and pose a significant threat," the bipartisan group of senators said in a press release.

Many observers of the region believe the parliamentary elections will be one of the closest and most significant elections since its independence. For Putin, it will be Russia’s first opportunity to exert influence in a Georgian election since his country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

"What we see right now is that the Georgian government has made this election as a choice between war and peace. They have tried to say that casting a vote for the opposition would be casting a vote for the war with Russia," Ani Chkhikvadze, a journalist with Voice of America based in Tbilisi, told Fox News Digital.

Ivana Stradner, an expert on Russian disinformation with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that Putin is waging an ideological war against the West.

"He is trying to reshape the world order and in order to accomplish his goals he does not need to send tanks and jets in the West. He is using proxies, such as the Georgian Dream Party, to spoil Georgia's EU path and challenge the West," Stradner said.

ZELENSKYY WARNS RUSSIA WANTS TO CAUSE 'EXPLOSION' IN THE BALKANS

Fox News Digital also spoke with opposition politician and former secretary of the national security council, Giga Bokeria of Georgia’s pro-European Federalist Party. Bokeria said that Russia’s strategic interest is to keep the current Georgian Dream government led by the oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili in power.

"Ivanishvili’s government has embraced the Russian propaganda line that the U.S. is an ‘imperialist power’ and has instigated the war in Ukraine."

Bokeria also alleged that Ivanishvili facilitated the infiltration of Georgia's political system, economy and security structures by those sympathetic to Russia. 

Russia plans to use these close contacts to influence politics and society in Georgia. Statements from the Russian security services about Georgia are closely aligned with the narratives coming from Georgian Dream politicians. These entities praise the Georgian government and accuse the West and Europe of trying to drag Georgia into war with Ukraine.

While Georgia’s elite political class in the Georgian Dream Party want close ties with Russia, everyday Georgians know where they stand, firmly with the EU.

RUSSIAN INFLUENCE PEDDLING ADDS TO FEARS AFTER ELECTION OF UNTESTED PRESIDENT IN EUROPEAN NATION

Georgians have strong aspirations to join the EU, with polls showing up to 83% of Georgians in support. The Georgian Dream Party stalled Georgia’s efforts of joining the EU since it became a candidate member in 2023. The EU subsequently put Georgia’s process on hold after a controversial "foreign agent" law that required citizens, non-governmental organizations, media outlets and other civil society organizations that receive over 20% in funding from abroad to register as a foreign agent with the Justice Ministry.

If the Georgian Dream Party cements its hold on power, it could be catastrophic for its EU prospects. A Georgian Dream victory, FDD's Stradner says, would be a victory for Putin.

Civic IDEA, a pro-Western nonprofit in Georgia, released a report outlining the Georgia Dream party’s dependency on Russian money, including those coming from people connected to sanctioned businesses. The report notes that most of the party’s major donors are backed by Russian funds and individuals whose interests are closely aligned with the Kremlin. 

Civic IDEA also reveals that not only do individuals have socio-political ties with Russia, but some are listed as "international sponsors of war." 

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