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Slamming IRGC blacklisting

A senior Iranian lawmaker has slammed the European Parliament’s quote destructive decision to blacklist the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps as a terror group. The remark was made by Abolfazl Amouei, who is the spokesperson for the Iranian parliament’s committee on national security and foreign policy. He said the Iranian lawmakers will definitely show a serious reaction to the EU Parliament’s undiplomatic move. The lawmaker added that the Iranian parliament will also discuss this decision with high ranking officials from the foreign ministry and other relevant bodies. The reaction came after EU lawmakers backed the amendment to an annual foreign policy report calling on member states to blacklist the IRGC. The decision, however, does not oblige the bloc to act. The EU lawmakers cited the IRGC’s handling of the recent riots in Iran and its alleged role in supplying drones to Russia for their decision.

‘UNSC encourages Israeli crimes’

Iran has strongly criticized the United Nations’ silence on Israel’s crimes, saying it will only encourage the regime to intensify its aggressions against Palestinians. The comment was made by Iran's permanent ambassador to the world body. Amir Saeed Iravani said the Security Council’s current position has emboldened Israel to continue its occupation and savage crimes against the Palestinian people. He added that Israel has been committing criminal acts with impunity for more than seventy years. Iravani said instead of expressing sympathy, the Security Council must take immediate and decisive steps to support Palestinians and hold Israel accountable. Israel ratcheted up its crackdown on Palestinians last year, killing over two hundred and twenty people in the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip. The regime’s new far-right cabinet, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, appears poised to further escalate the crackdown on Palestinians. 

France nationwide strike

France is bracing for major disruptions ahead of a planned strike action on Thursday over the government’s widely unpopular pension reform plan. The CGT trade union says no refined oil will be shipped from a refinery run by Total-energies in northern France during the nationwide walkout. The CEO of Total-Energies also said that operations at refineries could be disrupted if the strike lasts several days. Patrick Pouyanne, however, claimed that oil companies have taken steps to mitigate any impact on customers, telling people not to panic. Major public transport disruptions are expected across France as workers are set to join the nationwide strike against the reform plan. The industrial action across different sectors will be the first of its kind in twelve years. 

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