Tehran, July 31: The Iranian army said it launched drone strikes against US facilities and assets at Sheikh Isa Air Base in southern Bahrain.

In a statement published on its website, the army said the strikes targeted the US military’s power generators, navigation systems, and office and backup buildings at the base on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported..

Earlier in the day, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said it had launched attacks against US assets at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, in response to fresh US strikes against Iran on Wednesday night.

The latest clashes came after days of pause in hostilities between the United States and Iran.

Before the pause, the United States had launched multiple waves of strikes against Iranian targets, saying they were in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and aimed at “degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping.” Iran had responded with missile and drone attacks targeting US military bases and facilities across the region.

Earlier Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday urged Bulgaria and Cyprus not to allow the United States to use military bases on their territories for attacks against Iran, according to ministry statements.

In a phone call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova, Araghchi said Bulgaria’s parliamentary approval of US tanker aircraft deployment at Bezmer Air Base to support “aggressive operations against Iran” violates international law and friendly bilateral ties.

He cited UN General Assembly Resolution 3314, which considers making territory available for aggression against a third state as an act of aggression.

Petrova said Bulgaria has no intention of participating in war against Iran, and supports diplomacy to reduce regional tensions.

In a separate call with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Araghchi stressed the need to prevent “abuse” of foreign bases in Cyprus for “aggression” against Iran.

Kombos said Cyprus has contacted Britain to ensure that British bases on Cypriot territory would not be used against any country.

Islamabad, July 30: The international community must take note of the continued suffering of the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) who have been living under Islamabad’s unauthorised and illegal occupation for decades with their suffering concealed by the occupying authorities through censorship, intimidation, and political repression, a report has detailed.

Pakistan’s ongoing crackdown on people of the occupied region in which dozens of civilians have been killed, injured and arrested has once again showcased the difficult conditions faced by the locals who have repeatedly held protests demanding basic rights, economic justice, transparent governance and accountability, an opinion piece in ‘Rising Kashmir’ mentioned.

Instead of addressing the legitimate concerns of people of PoK, the Pakistani authorities have Instead placed restrictions on the assembly of people, imposed a communication blackout and arrested people. Thousands in PoK have called for freedom from Pakistan and also expressed their desire to become part of India considering the huge development that has been taking place in Jammu and Kashmir under the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The report said that the international community must not remain silent at a time when the fundamental rights of the people of PoK are being eroded. An impartial investigation should be conducted into the allegations of killing, arbitrary detention of people, suppression of protests and violence against people and those responsible for violations of human rights must be held accountable.

According to the report, the demands of the people of PoK should not be ignored or suppressed and sustainable peace can only be achieved through respect for democratic values, human dignity, the rule of law and not force or intimidation.

“It is imperative that international human rights institutions, including the UN, not only condemn the illegalities happening in PoJK but also ensure that Pakistan stops all types of brutalities. Action must be taken against all those involved in the killing of civilians,” Parimoksh Seth wrote in the ‘Rising Kashmir’.

“The people of PoJK deserve justice, dignity, the opportunity to live in peace and freedom to decide which country they want to be part of. UN has to ensure that people in PoJK are at liberty to decide their future. However, the UN has failed to act and has just become a puppet organisation,” he added.

Over 40 people have been killed and dozens injured in PoK during the ongoing brutal crackdown by Pakistani forces amid escalating unrest in the region.

Citing reports, the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) on Wednesday said that around 40 civilians were killed, while several others were injured and arbitrarily arrested between July 27 and 28 in Rawalakot, Mirpur, and other areas of the occupied territory.

Expressing grave concern, the group alleged that more than 100 people have been killed since June 5, several hundred have been critically injured, and hundreds have reportedly been subjected to enforced disappearance by the Pakistani security forces.

Condemning the atrocities by Pakistani forces, the UKPNP said that the “use of excessive or unlawful force against peaceful civilians would constitute serious violations of international human rights law and may amount to crimes under international law.”

The group called on the UN, the European Union and the wider international community to take immediate steps to “help protect civilians, support impartial and independent investigations into the reported incidents, and encourage respect for international human rights obligations.”

Tehran, July 30: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday warned of a harsh and firm response to nations involved in the US attacks and crimes against Iran, local media reported.

In a statement released on Thursday, the IRGC’s Public Relations warned the US’ accomplices in West Asia and beyond to change their behaviour to avoid retaliation from Iran.

The IRGC said that Iran’s determination and steadfastness have destroyed the enemy front. It also announced the explosion of two more oil tankers that were trying to pass through an unsafe shipping route south of the Strait of Hormuz. It said that the two vessels turned back after fire erupted in one of them, Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.

Speaking about the US actions in the Strait of Hormuz, the IRGC said that the waterway is part of Iran and is in its full control and vowed to not allow a stranger from thousands of kilometres away to intervene.

The IRGC warned of a harsh response to nations that are involved in helping the US if they do not change their behaviour. It said that the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until the threats and interference of US officials end in maritime activities.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, carrying oil and liquefied natural gas exports from major Gulf producers to international markets.

The IRGC’s statement comes amid renewed tensions in West Asia following the military exchanges between Iran and the US.

On Wednesday, the IRGC claimed that its Aerospace Force has attacked a US air base and the US Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters in Jordan, local media reported.

Highlighting that the action was taken in response to attacks carried out by the US military against Iran, the IRGC vowed to continue resistance until Iran faces “threats, illegal and hostile moves” from the US forces.

Last week, Iran and Oman held technical talks in Tehran to discuss arrangements for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to reporters on July 26, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei described the talks between Oman and Iran regarding safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as “useful and forward-looking” and noted that progress had been made.

Baqaei said the talks were held on July 24-25 at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers, during which they discussed common principles and practical mechanisms for ensuring safe maritime traffic movement through the waterway while respecting the sovereign rights of the two littoral states.