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'Stop backing terrorist'

Iran has slammed Western countries’ interventionist remarks on the recent riots in the country, accusing them of harboring terrorists. In a string of tweets, the foreign ministry underlined that public security remains redline for the Islamic Republic, stressing that armed assault and vandalism are not tolerable. It said the country has shown utmost restraint in countering the rioters and employed proportionate and standard anti-riot methods. The ministry slammed the West for hypocritically lecturing the Islamic Republic. It said, instead of spreading lies through politicized statements, the West must stop hosting, backing and encouraging terrorists. Riots began following the death of a young woman in hospital days after she collapsed at a police station. Since then, some western countries have been waging psychological warfare and fueling unrest in Iran.

Russia-Ukraine war

The Russia president has reacted to reports about attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, saying they came in response to Kiev’s strikes on Russia’s power lines. Vladimir Putin also accused Ukraine of not supplying water to the Russian-controlled Donetsk region. Putin said such Ukrainian acts amounted to genocide. He also said that the international uproar over the strikes would not hinder Russia's combat missions in Ukraine. Russian authorities accuse Ukrainian forces of heavily shelling Donetsk. But the Ukrainian side denies the allegation of targeting own civil population. The war in Ukraine is in its 10th month now. Both Russia and Ukraine have stepped up their attacks in recent weeks, with each side blaming the other for targeting civilians and non-military positions.

US military aid for Taiwan

The US House of Representatives has passed a defense spending bill that includes up to 10 billion dollars in military aid to Taiwan, a move that will likely draw anger from China. The National Defense Authorization Act for 2023 now requires the approval from the Senate and the signature of President Joe Biden to become law. It authorizes Biden to provide Taiwan with military equipment or other services such as military training. The next fiscal year would see 858 billion in military spending in the US and includes pay rise for the troops, funding for weapons and support for Taiwan. China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly warned against its growing diplomatic and military nexus with the United States. In August, Beijing-Washington tensions escalated after then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed in Taiwan. China responded by staging massive military drills around the self-ruled island.

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