Israeli strike killing of Ali Larijani, Iran’s top security official, will not collapse the country’s political system, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Al Jazeera. The minister emphasized that Iran’s government operates through a robust institutional framework, not dependent on any single individual. Larijani, 67, was killed in an Israeli attack on Monday, marking the removal of the highest-ranking figure in Tehran’s leadership since the war began 19 days ago. His death follows the earlier assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, during US-Israeli strikes on February 28. Araghchi noted that despite the loss of Khamenei, the system “continued its work” and swiftly replaced him, suggesting a similar outcome if other officials were targeted. The foreign minister criticized the US and Israel for failing to grasp the resilience of Iran’s political structure. “The Islamic Republic has a strong political, economic, and social system,” he said, arguing that the absence of one leader would not destabilize the regime. Araghchi also highlighted the role of institutions like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Basij paramilitary forces, which have been central to Iran’s response to the conflict. Iranian state media confirmed the death of Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij, in the same attack. Soleimani, a key figure in Iran’s military strategy, had emerged as a central leader in the country’s defense against the US-Israeli campaign. Al Jazeera’s political analyst Marwan Bishara described the pattern of targeted killings as “gangster” and “terrorism,” noting that assassinating political leaders is not standard in warfare.#al_jazeera #islamic_revolutionary_guard_corps #iranian_foreign_minister_abbas_araghchi #israeli_strike #iranian_supreme_leader_ayatollah_ali_khamenei
Israeli Strike in Beirut Reduces Building to Rubble in Seconds A powerful Israeli airstrike in Beirut on March 12 caused a residential building to collapse into rubble within seconds, according to reports from Al Jazeera. The attack, which targeted a structure previously struck earlier in the month, marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Israeli forces had initially hit the building’s basement on March 12, and a second strike later that day completely destroyed the site. The incident highlights the intensifying violence in the region, with civilian areas increasingly becoming targets. The strike was part of a broader campaign of attacks across Beirut, where multiple locations in central areas were hit by smaller munitions aimed at specific apartments within residential buildings. Residents in the vicinity had received prior warnings, with Israeli military spokespersons urging people to evacuate the area at least 300 meters away. The attack underscored the challenges of civilian safety amid the conflict, as the city remains a focal point of military operations. Meanwhile, the United States has intensified its military actions against Iran, striking missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz with 5,000-pound munitions. The U.S. military described the strikes as targeting Iranian infrastructure critical to regional security. In response, Iran has escalated its own attacks, launching cluster munitions at Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities. The exchange of heavy weaponry has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation, with both sides accusing each other of provocative actions. The conflict has also drawn international attention, with leaders from various countries weighing their responses. U.S.#strait_of_hormuz #al_jazeera #israeli_military #beirut_residential_building #iranian_missile_sites
Iran-linked hackers launch cyberattack on medical giant Stryker amid escalating regional tensions A major cyberattack has disrupted the global operations of Stryker, a leading medical device manufacturer, with an Iran-linked hacking group claiming responsibility and framing the incident as a retaliatory strike against the US-Israeli military campaign targeting Iran. The attack, attributed to a hacking persona named Handala with ties to Tehran, reportedly crippled Stryker’s network systems and seized 50 terabytes of data, which the group stated was now accessible to “the free people of the world.” The breach coincided with the aftermath of a deadly strike on a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, where over 170 people, including schoolgirls, were killed on the first day of the US-Israeli military conflict. Al Jazeera’s Digital Investigations Unit analyzed satellite imagery and suggested the school may have been deliberately targeted. Six senior Democratic senators in the United States have demanded an investigation into the strike, expressing “horrified” reactions to the incident. The hacking group’s claim of responsibility was tied to the attack on the school, which it described as a catalyst for the cyber retaliation. The cyberattack began shortly after midnight on the US East Coast, disrupting Windows-based devices connected to Stryker’s systems. The Michigan-based company confirmed the incident, stating it was experiencing a “global network disruption to our Microsoft environment” due to the attack. However, it emphasized that no ransomware or malware was detected and that the situation was contained. Staff reported the appearance of Handala’s logo on login pages, while calls to Stryker’s headquarters in Portage, Michigan, were met with a recorded message about a “building emergency.#iran #al_jazeera #minab #stryker #handala
India vs New Zealand: T20 World Cup Final Set for March 6 India and New Zealand will face off in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final on Sunday, March 6, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match, scheduled for 7pm local time (13:30 GMT), will be broadcast live by Al Jazeera, with coverage starting at 08:30 GMT. Defending champions India aim to secure their third title, while New Zealand seek their first T20 World Cup victory. India, the tournament co-hosts, enter the final as favorites, bolstered by their depth in batting and bowling. Key players like Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah have been instrumental in their run to the final. Samson’s recent form, including two fifties in his last two innings, has been crucial, while Bumrah’s accuracy under pressure, highlighted by his critical performance in the semifinal against England, remains a major asset. The team’s spin attack, led by Varun Chakravarthy, and the support of a massive 132,000-strong crowd are also factors in their favor. However, inconsistencies in the top order, particularly with Abhishek Sharma’s struggles, could pose challenges. New Zealand, the underdogs, have shown resilience throughout the tournament. Their balanced squad, led by Mitchell Santner, includes all-rounders like Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra, as well as explosive openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen. Allen’s century in the semifinal against South Africa showcased their power-hitting ability. The team’s strength lies in their fielding, with Phillips often cited as the world’s best, and their ability to adapt under pressure. However, their lack of a standout finisher in the middle order could be a weakness in the final. India’s journey to the final has been mixed.#india #new_zealand #icc_men_s_t20_world_cup #narendra_modi_stadium #al_jazeera
