⚠️ KATZ REJECTS U.S. ENVOY BARRACK’S CLAIM OVER SYRIA STRIKE, CITES TURKISH THREAT: U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Barrack claimed Israel carried out this week’s strike because of the elections. Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected that account, saying the IDF had repeatedly recommended striking the Abu al-Duhur airfield based on intelligence concerning Turkey’s intentions.
Katz said: “The IDF recommended multiple times to carry out the strike at the Abu al-Duhur airfield in Syria based on clear intelligence information received regarding Turkey's intentions to conduct operations there that would endanger the state's security. It was agreed that before granting approval, a direct warning would be given to the Syrian regime at the highest levels to try to prevent the move — and this was indeed carried out. Simultaneously, the intelligence information was passed to the authorized entities in the US. After the appeal went unanswered, the PM and I approved the IDF to carry out the strike, and it was successfully executed. Erdogan was caught with his hand in the cookie jar and was forced to retreat. The response of U.S. envoy Barrack is full of inaccuracies and positions that contradict Trump's own position regarding the Golan Heights”.
According to i24 News, the Israeli security establishment did not like Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statement taking responsibility for the Syria strike or statements made by Katz, preferring the operation to maintain a low signature.
🔸 SYRIA WEIGHS REGIONAL DEFENSE AGREEMENT, LEAVES DOOR OPEN TO IRAN TIES: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Syria is considering joining the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, but has not yet made a decision.
Al-Shaibani also said Damascus is open to restoring ties with Iran if Tehran acknowledges its role in supporting former President Bashar al-Assad.
“Diplomacy has no limits. Talks could resume if there is a genuine solution to what Iran has done to our people over the past 14 years,” he added.
⚠️ TURKEY SEEKS INTERPOL RED NOTICES FOR NETANYAHU AND ISRAELI OFFICIAL: The Turkish Justice Ministry formally requested that Interpol issue international Red Notices for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli official Afek Moskovitch over alleged “crimes against Global Sumud Flotilla activists, including genocide and crimes against humanity”.
The Prime Minister’s Office responded: “Erdogan is an antisemitic dictator who has massacred Kurds, harbors Hamas terrorists, occupies half of Cyprus, and jails record numbers of journalists and politicians who oppose him. He now seeks to extend his aggression against Israel into Syria. Israel will not tolerate it. Erdogan's pathetic attempt to intimidate the leaders and soldiers of Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East, will go nowhere”.
⚠️ IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DISMISSES LATEST ECONOMIC PRESSURE: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi said: “14 years ago: 'Most crippling sanctions in history'. Failed. 8 years ago: 'Maximum pressure'. Failed. 5 months ago: 'Unconditional surrender'. Failed. Today: 'Most crushing economic operation ever'. Bound to fail. We have seen this movie before. Same bull. Different bullies”.
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