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♦️ Breaking & exclusive stories, analysis, opinions 👉 About Africa in other languages: Amharic: @sputnik_ethiopia French: @sputnik_afrique 💬 Contact us https://t.me/Africa_Sputnik_bot
'An Act of High Moral Treason': A Former Military Intelligence Officer on the Situation Surrounding Samvel Karapetyan’s Arrest in Armenia
The persecution of the influential businessman, who also holds Russian citizenship, has rightly outraged the Armenian Apostolic Church, noted François Meylan in an interview with Sputnik Africa.
According to him, the Church "has not yet reached the stage of open revolt." However, it "is mobilizing its members, both in Armenia and within the diaspora… in France, Lebanon, the United States, as well as in Russia."
"But above all, for his own credibility and for the stability of his own regime, he is making a major mistake," Meylan insisted.
Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt Condemn Iran’s 'Aggression' Against Qatar
▪️Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned Iran’s recent attack on Qatar, calling it a blatant violation of international law and regional norms. The Kingdom affirmed full solidarity with Qatar and pledged all necessary support.
▪️The UAE also denounced Iran’s targeting of the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, describing it as a clear breach of Qatari sovereignty. It urged immediate de-escalation, warning of dire consequences for regional and global security.
▪️Egypt joined in condemning the attacks, citing violations of Qatari sovereignty and the UN Charter. Cairo stressed the need for a ceasefire and dialogue to prevent further instability in the region.
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❗️Bahrain urges citizens to remain calm and head to the nearest safe location — authorities
Bahrain is home to the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which is responsible for the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Bahraini authorities announced that the country's airspace has been temporarily closed due to concerns over a potential Iranian response to US strikes.
The video from social media show air raid sirens sounding in Bahrain.
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❗️Footage of missiles flying over the sky above Qatar
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The Persecution of Karapetyan in Armenia is Similar to the Situation in Ukraine, Where an Artificial Ecclesiastical Schism Was Created
"It is about the arbitrary arrest of a person who actively supports the Armenian [Apostolic] Church, which for some reason was considered incompatible with the framework of a secular state, now being promoted and corrupted by Washington," French human rights activist Arnaud Develay told RT.
Iran Vows Severe Consequences for US After Strikes on Nuclear Facilities
This was stated by the Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, which is engaged in coordination in the Iranian military
According to the statement, during "powerful and targeted operations," the US will face" severe consequences" that "go beyond your imagination and will make you regret."
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📹 Russian forces launch an Iskander missile attack on a Ukrainian military training facility in the Sumy region
According to the Defense Ministry, up to 100 people and up to 14 pieces of equipment were destroyed.
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◾️ Fearless John - @European_dissident is a free lance journalist covering geopolitical conflicts of the "new cold war" between the main world powers.
◾️His channel focuses on exposing war crimes and the manipulation and propaganda of the Western media and is full of subtitled videos and posts about the wars in Ukraine, Israel and the different issues affecting the relations between countries like migration crisis and Western neo-colonial practices.
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❗️ Tehran considers US and Israeli actions against Iran illegitimate, Iran has right to defense, Foreign Minister Araghchi said at meeting with Putin
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Key Developments in Iran-Israel Escalation by Monday Morning
▪️The Israeli army claimed it attacked six airfields in western, eastern and central parts of Iran and destroyed 15 combat aircraft and helicopters;
▪️The US would not have intervened in the Middle East conflict if Israel had not been on the brink of defeat, Iranian ex-ambassador to Germany told Sputnik;
▪️Donald Trump destroyed diplomacy by striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, the ex-diplomat added;
▪️Trump insists that the US military destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities, saying that "obliteration" is an accurate term to describe the impact;
▪️Trump questioned the Iranian leadership, suggesting a "regime change" since they cannot "Make Iran Great Again;"
▪️UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan discussed the escalation of the situation around Iran by phone with Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, France's Macron and Italian PM Meloni, Emirati media reported;
▪️The possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran will not spare the US, no one is immune from the oil shock, Russia special envoy Kirill Dmitriev said;
▪️Iran removed equipment and uranium from the Fordow nuclear facility days before US strikes, a US newspaper reported, citing two Israeli officials;
▪️Israel used diplomacy to mislead the international community as it was preparing for an attack on Iran, the Iranian UN envoy said;
▪️Russia urges an immediate cessation of Israel and the US' aggressive actions, UN envoy Nebenzia said, adding that the US opened "Pandora’s Box," and no one can predict the scale of the disaster that may follow;
▪️Iranian FM Araghchi arrived in Moscow to hold talks with the Russian leadership, MFA spokeswoman Zakharova confirmed;
▪️Tehran appreciates Russia’s stance on the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, which condemned attacks on Iran, Araghchi said;
▪️Contacts between Russia and the US are ongoing, including on Iran, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said.
📹 Footage from social media allegedly shows Israeli strikes on western Iran's Kermanshah city on Monday
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❗️ Iran will respond decisively to Washington's attack – security source to Sputnik
Iran is not afraid of a potential U.S. response, a source in Iran’s security sector told Sputnik.
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South Africa Concerned About US Entry Into Israel-Iran Conflict
"It was South Africa’s sincerest hope that President Donald Trump would use his influence and that of the US government to prevail on the parties to pursue a dialogue path in resolving their issues of dispute," the presidency said in a statement.
#viral | Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the building of the state broadcaster IRIB, which was damaged in an Israeli attack
"The voice of truth cannot be silenced," the president said.
Three employees of the broadcaster were killed in the attack.
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"Irresponsible Decision": Russia Speaks Out Against US Strikes on Iran
Washington acted in "a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter," the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement.
"The consequences of this action, including potential radioactive effects, have yet to be determined. However, it is already evident that a dangerous escalation is underway, one that threatens to further destabilise security both in the region and globally," it added.
❗️❗️❗️ South Africa's Deputy President Paul Mashatile Sits Down With Sputnik Africa for an Exclusive Interview
The Deputy President was in Russia on an official visit, during which he held several high-level meetings with Russian officials, including President Putin, and participated in the #SPIEF2025.
📹 Stay tuned and be among the first to watch as we bring you his insights on various issues — coming soon!
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📹 Russian Navy Conducts Exercise in the Baltic Sea to Destroy Enemy Ships, Defense Ministry Says
The exercises showed that the range of the Russian Navy's missile systems allows them to control enemy ships anywhere in the Baltic Sea, the military department added.
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Al Udeid under Iranian attack: What is known about the largest US military base in the Middle East?
Located 30 km southwest of Qatar’s capital, Doha, this base was built in the 1990s at a cost exceeding $1 billion and opened in 2001. It currently houses Qatari, US, and British troops, as well as military units from other countries.
What features set it apart from other US military bases?
🔶 It serves as the forward headquarters for US Central Command (CENTCOM) and US Air Forces Central Command in the region.
🔶 It hosts the Combined Air Operations Center, coordinating operations across 21 countries.
🔶 It is home to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest in the world (over 100 aircraft).
🔶 It can accommodate over 10,000 US troops and 13,000 coalition forces.
🔶 It features a 5,000-meter runway capable of handling 120 aircraft (F-16, C-17, MQ-9).
🔶 In 2017, it housed 11,000 troops and 100 aircraft for operations against ISIS*.
🔶 Qatar has invested $8 billion in modernizing the base since 2003.
🔶 It is a key logistical hub for US operations in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
🔶 It supported operations Desert Storm (1991), Enduring Freedom, and coalition missions against ISIS.
*Terrorist group banned in Russia
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❗️Qatari Foreign Ministry: Qatar strongly condemns the attack on Al Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
▫️ The attack on Al Udeid Air Base is a blatant violation of Qatar's sovereignty, airspace, and international law.
▫️ Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner proportionate to the nature and scale of the blatant aggression and in accordance with international law.
▫️ Our air defenses thwarted the attack and successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles. A statement will be issued regarding the circumstances of the attack.
▫️ We emphasize that the continuation of such escalatory military actions will undermine security and stability in the region.
▫️ We call for an immediate cessation of all military actions and a serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue.
▫️ Al Udeid Air Base had been evacuated earlier in accordance with security and precautionary measures.
▫️ All measures have been taken to ensure the safety of personnel at Al Udeid Air Base, including members of Qatari and friendly forces.
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Russia Can Help Stem Youth Radicalization Through Education in AES, Official Says
Cooperation with Russia is already addressing youth challenges at the national level in the AES, said Hawa Aw, Executive Secretary of the Authority of Liptako–Gourma—a region shared by AES states.
At the same time, educational empowerment must also be strengthened at the local level to reach vulnerable communities, the official told Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of #SPIEF2025.
According to Aw, Sahel youth face a range of pressing challenges, including:
⚫️limited access to education, especially in remote areas;
⚫️lack of employment opportunities and prospects;
⚫️exposure to trafficking and criminal networks;
⚫️mass migration due to poor living conditions;
⚫️risk of radicalization and terrorism.
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❗️❗️❗️Time to Build a New Global Financial System — Trade in Local Currencies, SA Deputy President Says
"We don't need dollars to trade with Russia. So, it is important that we must develop our local currencies to be able to operate in the system that will allow us to trade with one another," Paul Mashatile told Sputnik Africa.
❗️ West has come up with spooky story about supposed 'Russian invasion' to scare people, Putin declares
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❗️ Hungary and Slovakia have blocked the adoption of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, FM Szijjarto says
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❗️❗️❗️Africa Wants to Be Part of 'Where Decisions Are Made,' SA Deputy President Says
Africa seeks greater inclusion in global governance because it is not looking for "handouts" — it wants to get resources for development,
Paul Mashatile told Sputnik Africa.
"We want the reform of multilateral institutions. We want to be in the Security Council. We want the World Bank to be reformed, the IMF," the high-level official pointed out.
📹Motorcade of Malian President Goita Rolls Through Heart of Moscow
Stay tuned for important updates on the high-level meeting between Goita and Putin!
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🇷🇺🇮🇷 Talks with Putin to focus on urgent regional issues, closer Iran–Russia coordination – Iran’s FM Araqchi
💬 "Given the current situation in the region, consultations between Iran and Russia should be more serious and closer," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
💬 "During our meeting with Putin, we will hold serious and important discussions, and I am certain they will serve the interests of both countries," he added.
US Must Get Response to Its Attack on Iran, Iranian President Says
"The US attacked us. If you were in such conditions, what would you do? Naturally, they must get a response to their aggression," Masoud Pezeshkian said during his conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.
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Can BRICS Free Africa From Eurocentric Trade Systems?
"BRICS […] is going to be quite instrumental in ensuring that the voice of Africans is heard, […] that trade is facilitated between big economies and African economies," Keith Khoza, acting spokesman to SA's deputy president, said.
"BRICS is a solution to a long-standing problem that Africans set to endure by being locked outside and development happens everywhere in the world except in Africa," the official stated.
❗️❗️❗️Is New, Universally Respected Court Essential for Global Justice?
South Africa's Deputy President Paul Mashatile recalled that while the ICJ must act on behalf of ordinary people suffering in crises like Gaza, Israel has ignored its ruling in the case brought by Pretoria.
Thus, the world needs an alternative: "an institution that is respected by all," the official stated to Sputnik Africa.
"Because otherwise it won't make sense that we go to the court, complain, and nothing happens," he emphasized.
The Pentagon said the operation to strike Iran was prepared for weeks with precision and secrecy
The US strikes on Iran involved seven B-2 bombers, which took off from the US mainland - the longest mission they have undertaken since 2001.
In total, more than 125 aircraft were involved in the operation.
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Russia-Africa Relations Must Go Beyond Trade – Time to Move to Tech Partnerships, Joint Enterprises, Russian Official Says
Russia demonstrated at #SPIEF2025 what can be achieved through cooperation with Africa, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Alexander Babakov told a Russian media outlet.
"This should be a joint movement forward, based on the understanding that we do not take a selective approach to cooperation — we see these [African] countries as equal partners," the official explained.