Iran’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations in New York, Saeed Agha Jani, has been expelled from the United States due to security concerns. According to an American news website, the US State Department had previously expelled the Iranian diplomat in December last year on national security grounds. However, the US had kept the decision on hold, and in the beginning of December, the US State Department had asked the Iranian ambassador to leave immediately through the ‘Section 13 procedure,’ which is a formal process for quietly expelling diplomats found to be involved in espionage, compromising American interests, or threatening national security. The US news website reports that no specific allegations were made against Agha Jani.
The US State Department has confirmed that they had asked the Iranian diplomat’s children to leave the country in February. The Iranian mission in New York has refused to comment on the expulsion of its ambassador.
In a separate incident, the Kuwaiti government has confirmed that it was attacked by drones on its Ministry of Oil, Ministry of Finance, power plants, and desalination plants. Iran has denied allegations that the daughter of the commander-in-chief of its Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, was arrested in the US. The Iranian media office has stated that the Emergency Services have quickly brought the situation under control, with no casualties reported. Damage was incurred at the location of the impact, and an investigation is underway.
According to Iranian television sources, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has stated that the US rescue operation to recover the American pilot was unsuccessful. In the occupied city of Jerusalem, a protest against the Israeli army’s forced conscription was held by the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, with protesters attempting to block train services. In the meantime, protesters and police clashed.
US President Donald Trump has announced that the US has successfully recovered a severely injured and brave F-15 pilot from the Iranian mountains. The UAE’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed that the UAE’s air defense system has destroyed nine ballistic and one cruise missiles in 24 hours.
Israeli security officials have stated that the Israeli intelligence agency helped the US in its rescue mission to recover the American pilot from Iran. Israeli officials have confirmed that Israel’s drone and chemical factory production facilities were damaged in the attacks.
A video of a suspected helicopter crash at the location of the pilot’s search has been released by Russian television. Social media users have been circulating false claims that Pakistani state agencies are involved in the situation.
According to a report by the Indian media, the Iranian rial has gained value in Pakistan due to the ongoing conflict between the US, Iran, and Israel. Israeli security officials have stated that the Israeli intelligence agency helped the US in its rescue mission to recover the American pilot from Iran.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that Pakistan will participate in an emergency meeting of foreign ministers of four countries, which is seen as a diplomatic success for Pakistan.
In a separate incident, US President Donald Trump has announced that he is considering a plan to seize control of Iran’s oil. Iran has responded to Trump’s threatening remarks, calling them an affront to the Iranian people.
The ongoing conflict between the US, Iran, and Israel has led to a surge in air travel costs worldwide, with airlines increasing their prices due to the Kharg Island crisis.
