Iran Rejects Ceasefire In Formal Reply To US, As Israel Attacks Key Petrochemical Plants

Iran Rejects Ceasefire In Formal Reply To US, As Israel Attacks Key Petrochemical Plants

TYLER DURDEN

Iran Issues 10-Point Rejection of 'Simple Ceasefire'

Per PressTV: "The ten-point plan rejects a simple ceasefire, stressing the need for a permanent resolution that safeguards Iran’s interests. Key demands include ending regional hostilities, ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, lifting sanctions, and rebuilding affected areas." It's no secret that Iran is seeking a permanent end to the war on terms that would ensure it is never attacked again.

• "According to IRNA's foreign policy correspondent, in this response, which consists of ten paragraphs, Iran has emphasized the need for a permanent end to the war, taking into account Iran's considerations, while rejecting a ceasefire".
• "This answer includes a set of demands from Iran, including the end of conflicts in the region, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reconstruction and lifting of sanctions".

It appears similar to the outline that Iran issued some two weeks ago. At every turn, Tehran has rejected that direct talks with Washington are even taking place. Tehran also keeps rejecting White House ceasefire overtures. And yet the same Monday little dance keeps repeating itself...

Israel Attacks Petrochemical Plant At South Pars Gas Field

Iranian state media is reporting a Monday attack which targeted the South Pars petrochemical facility in Asaluyeh. "A few minutes ago, the sound of several explosions was heard from the South Pars Petrochemical complex in Asaluyeh," according to the Fars report. Also Tasnim describes an attack on two utilities companies in Assaluyeh which have cut off electricity supply to petrochemical units. Later Israel claimed a second attack on another chemical plant in Iran. The same outlet revealed the following details:

• Petrochemical plants in Asaluyeh, including Jam and Damavand, were targeted.
• Mobin and Damavand companies, which supplied electricity, water, and oxygen to the Assaluyeh petrochemical plants, have been targeted.
• Pars Petrochemical is safe and has not been damaged.

Israel has announced it was behind the attack, per Washington Post. Does this violate Israel's prior pledge to Trump to not take unilateral action against South Pars? This as the threatened major US escalation against vital energy and civilian infrastructure looms:

Israel attacked a key petrochemical plant at Iran’s massive South Pars natural gas field and killed a top Revolutionary Guard commander, putting into question the negotiations aimed at getting the U.S. and Tehran to reach a ceasefire.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed what he called "a powerful strike on the largest petrochemical facility in Iran" that’s responsible for half of the country’s petrochemical production. Israel’s military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, said there would be “no immunity” for Iran as talks progress.

In Israel, Iranian missiles have continued to fall at steady pace, with Israel's emergency services reporting that at least 28 impact sites in central Israel on Monday, describing that cluster munitions have resulted in damage. Ramat Gan, Bnei Brak, and Givatayim were struck, and a man in his 40s was "moderately wounded" - according to local reports.

Iran Rejects Any Ceasefire That is Temporary: 'Normalization of War Crimes'

Iran rejected a temporary ceasefire in the US-Israeli war, stating it would give adversaries time to regroup and prepare for continued conflict; however, a foreign ministry statement did not specifically reference the 45-day proposal being reported by Axios.

"We are calling for an end to the war and for preventing its recurrence," foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. Analysts have long understood that Tehran's retaliation on Gulf states and Israel has been so fierce because it seeks to deter any potential future attack. Iranian leaders fear that without proper and final resolution, the country will just get attacked again, be it a year from now, or even several years down the road.

The foreign ministry also on Monday stated that Iran has prepared a response to US demands to end the war and will announce it "when necessary," referring to the 15-point list conveyed by Washington to Tehran through Pakistan - which Baghaei reiterated is "extremely excessive and unusual and illogical." He further reminded the world that Tehran has a "very bitter experience of negotiating with the US." The idea of talks at this moment remain "absolutely incompatible with ultimatums, crimes, and threats to commit war crimes," Baghaei continued.

Separately, Iranian Armed Forces spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari stated Monday that if attacks on civilian targets continue, Iran’s retaliation will expand significantly and losses will be "several times greater," according to Tasnim.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his French counterpart on Monday related to Trump's threats to wipe out civilian infrastructure, "This threat amounts to the normalization of war crimes and genocide."

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The 'New Syria': Same Old Jihad Why the US Should Not Trust Syria's Ahmed al-Sharaa

The 'New Syria': Same Old Jihad Why the US Should Not Trust Syria's Ahmed al-Sharaa (or Iran's Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf)

Khaled Abu Toameh

• Recent footage from Aleppo and other parts of Syria should serve as a wake-up call to anyone in Washington and European capitals still clinging to the illusion of a "moderate" new Syria under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

• It is crucial to understand what the anti-Israel demonstrations mean. Soldiers and tens of thousands of people do not chant such slogans unless these ideas are supported, if not encouraged, by their leaders.

• That such rhetoric and massacres openly take place within formal military units as well as among many Syrians indicates that extremist thinking remains deeply embedded in the system al-Sharaa leads.

• There is a recurring pattern in Western policy toward the Middle East: the tendency to mistake tactical shifts for genuine ideological transformation. Leaders rebrand themselves, adopt more polished rhetoric and wardrobe, and present a moderate face to the outside world, while the underlying worldview remains unchanged.

• At a minimum, al-Sharaa needs to demonstrate a clear commitment to restraining extremist elements inside Syria and ending incitement against Israel. Until then, the talk about a "moderate" Syria -- or, for that matter, a "new, moderate" Iran under Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf -- is premature at best and dangerous at worst.

• The scenes from Syria -- and the current intransigence from both Iran and Hamas -- are not aberrations. They are a glimpse into the true nature of the forces now shaping the future of Syria, Gaza and Iran -- a future the Trump Administration and the West need to view with skeptical open eyes, not illusions.

  
  

  Recent footage from Aleppo and other parts of Syria should serve as a wake-up call to anyone in Washington and European capitals still clinging to the illusion of a "moderate" new Syria under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

  In the video, soldiers from Brigade 60, a unit affiliated with the Syrian Army, are seen chanting slogans that openly threaten Israel: "O my enemy [Israel], I'm coming after you!"

  The message is neither subtle nor ambiguous: the struggle of the soldiers does not end inside Syria's borders. It extends to Israel and, by implication, to its allies, especially the US.

  This is not the language of moderation. It is the language of jihad (holy war).

  For months, some Western officials, including US President Donald J. Trump, have expressed optimism about Syria's new leadership under al-Sharaa. Last year, Trump described al-Sharaa as an "attractive, tough guy."

  The argument goes that Syria has entered a new phase, that its leadership has evolved, become more pragmatic, and is ready to engage constructively with the international community.

  Such assessments, however, are dangerously detached from reality. They ignore a central, deeply troubling fact: al-Sharaa's past is not merely controversial. It is steeped in jihadist militancy.

  Before attempting to rebrand himself as a statesman, al-Sharaa was known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the longtime leader of Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda's branch in Syria. Under his leadership, the group pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and played a central role in Syria's jihadist insurgency.

  Al-Sharaa's network later evolved into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a dominant force in parts of Syria that has continued to espouse Islamist governance and maintain authoritarian control. While as president of Syria, al-Sharaa has sought to present a more pragmatic face to the outside world, his regime's roots remain firmly anchored in jihadist ideology. Rebranding is not the same as reform.

  Against this backdrop, the chants from Brigade 60 are not surprising. They are consistent with the ideological environment that figures like al-Sharaa cultivate over many years.

  The chants of the Syrian soldiers are not an isolated incident. Instead, they reflect a deeper ideological current running through Syria and other Arab and Islamic countries. This is an ideology that glorifies confrontation with Israel, romanticizes armed struggle, and frames regional conflicts through a jihadist lens.

  Recently, several demonstrations took place across parts of Syria in which participants voiced support for Hamas, called for jihad, and threatened Israel.

  "Millions of martyrs are marching to Jerusalem," chanted the spokesman for the Syrian Ministry of Interior, Nour al-Dina al-Baba, who led one of the anti-Israel demonstrations.

  These rallies, whether spontaneous or tolerated, offer further evidence that the ideological climate inside "new Syria" remains deeply hostile, radicalized, and shaped by Islamist narratives: the use of Islam to justify intolerant, extremist governance; military conflict; glorification of jihad as armed struggle -- not just "spiritual striving" or promoting the idea that Muslims must unite against perceived enemies such as Israel and the West -- and the legitimization of terror groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Houthis, including proxies led by Iran's regime.

  
  

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Is Canada About to Make Christianity Illegal?

Is Canada About to Make Christianity Illegal?

Caldron Pool

Canada’s Bill C-9 marks a worrying development in the country’s legal approach to speech and “hate-motivated” crimes. Introduced in September 2025 by the Minister of Justice, the bill passed third reading in the House of Commons last month by a vote of 186-137, with support from the Liberals and Bloc Québécois, and opposition from the Conservatives, NDP, and Greens.

The legislation is framed as a response to “rising incidents of hatred,” including antisemitism, which accounts for almost 70% of all police-reported religious hate crimes in Canada. It proposes amendments to the Criminal Code that expand offences related to hate-motivated conduct, including intimidation or obstruction of access to places of worship and other cultural or religious sites.

It also introduces standalone hate crime offences where an underlying criminal act is motivated by hatred toward identifiable groups, and it criminalises the public display of certain symbols associated with terrorist organisations or the Nazi swastika. In addition, the bill codifies a definition of “hatred” as involving “detestation or vilification” that goes beyond mere dislike, drawing from existing Supreme Court jurisprudence but applying it more broadly across the law.

The bill also makes structural changes that have raised genuine concern among Christian communities. Most notably, it removes the longstanding “good faith” religious defence found in section 319(3) of the Criminal Code. 

That provision had historically protected individuals who expressed opinions based on sincerely held religious beliefs or sacred texts, provided those expressions were made in “good faith.” 

Yet for many, its removal reflects a worrying shift in how Christian speech may now be treated under Canadian law. Without this explicit safeguard, expressions of biblical teaching, particularly concerning Christian morality and sexual ethics, may be more vulnerable to prosecution.

The bill also eliminates the requirement that the Attorney General approve certain hate propaganda charges before they proceed. This change lowers a procedural safeguard that previously acted as a check against inappropriate or overly broad prosecutions. Even if the legal threshold for conviction remains high, the pathway to investigation and charge becomes easier, and that alone has implications for how individuals assess legal risk.

A fundamental concern among Christian leaders and organisations is how these changes may affect the public expression of Christianity and its core doctrines. Biblical teaching on matters such as human sexuality, sin, repentance, conversion, and moral order—drawn, in particular, from passages such as Romans 1 or 1 Corinthians 6—has long been part of Christian preaching and discipleship.

Under the framework proposed in the bill, such teachings could be evaluated in light of whether they are perceived to involve “detestation” or “vilification,” particularly if they are understood as applying to protected identity groups. As such, the legislation will introduce a dangerously subjective element to the law, which could see people prosecuted because somebody else chose to take offence.

Even where no incitement to violence exists, the determination of whether speech crosses a legal line would rest with prosecutors and courts, taking into account context, intent, and audience receptions—much of which is largely subjectively evaluated.

This introduces a level of legal ambiguity and uncertainty that will, undoubtedly, have a chilling effect on Christian expression. Individuals may refrain from lawful expression, not because it is prohibited, but because the cost of testing that boundary is too high. In effect, the bill will indirectly undermine the notion of democracy, which hinges on the free expression of the people. The terrifying possibility of complaints, police involvement, costly legal proceedings, and public scrutiny can be enough to discourage even lawful speech.

For clergy, educators, and lay Christians, this could translate into a reluctance to preach certain texts of Scripture, teach particular doctrines of the faith, or engage in public moral discourse. The result may not be widespread prosecution of Christians, but rather, a gradual relegation and ultimate silencing of public Christianity.

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Erdogan reaffirms Palestinian support in meeting with Hamas leaders

Erdogan reaffirms Palestinian support in meeting with Hamas leaders

Elad Benari

Hamas announced on Sunday that a delegation from the terrorist group held a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul, reported the Xinhua news agency.

The meeting focused on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem, according to the report.

A statement issued by Hamas said the delegation was headed by Muhammad Darwish, chairman of its leadership council. It also included senior Hamas leaders Khaled Mashaal, Khalil al-Hayya, and Zaher Jabarin.

In the statement, Darwish praised Erdogan's support for the “Palestinian cause" and his efforts to “safeguard Palestinian rights, land, and holy sites."

The two sides stressed the need to implement the ceasefire, ensure the entry of humanitarian aid, and restore normal life in the Gaza Strip.

Erdogan reiterated Turkey's support for the Palestinian Arab people and their legitimate rights, the statement said.

A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect on October 10, 2025, in accordance with US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza. The plan called for Hamas to disarm, but the terrorist organization has repeatedly refused to disarm, claiming its weapons are “essential" for defense against Israel.

Turkey has enjoyed close relations with Hamas and has not been shy about boasting about them. Erdogan’s intelligence chief has several times hosted delegations from the terrorist organization.

Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israel’s war in Gaza and has expressed support for Hamas. In April of 2024, he met then-Hamas political bureau leader Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul. Haniyeh was later eliminated by Israel.

Erdogan said after the meeting that Palestinian Arab unity was “vital" and added, “The strongest response to Israel and the path to victory lie in unity and integrity."

Turkey has expressed interest in joining the stabilization force which is to be formed under Trump’s Gaza plan. However, Israel has firmly rejected any Turkish involvement in post-war Gaza.

'Tuesday, 8pm EST': US President Trump delays Iran ultimatum

'Tuesday, 8pm EST': US President Trump delays Iran ultimatum

i24NEWS

US and Israel finalized joint Iranian target list, operational coordination completed ahead of Trump’s deadline, i24NEWS learns

US President Donald Trump has extended his ultimatum to Iran by 24 hours, setting a new deadline of Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, in a move that underscores escalating pressure on Tehran.

In comments to The Wall Street Journal, Trump reiterated his warning that failure to reach an agreement would trigger strikes on key infrastructure. “If they don’t do anything by Tuesday night, they won’t have any power plants left, and no bridge will be left standing,” he said, signaling potential attacks on strategic targets across Iran.

The ultimatum is part of a US effort to force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil shipments. Iran’s partial closure of the strait has become a central flashpoint in the ongoing conflict, raising concerns over energy supplies and regional stability.

Trump has previously adjusted his deadlines, including a 10-day extension granted in late March. 

This is the plan to bring down the Iranian regime

Danny Zaken

As President Donald Trump's ultimatum nears its end, there are almost no contacts between Washington and Tehran. Israeli officials believe the failure of the talks is pushing the war into a decisive economic phase. The goal: hitting the Iranian oil and transport sectors until the economy is paralyzed and the  regime collapses.

With just two days left before the end of Trump's latest 10-day ultimatum to Iran, there are almost no contacts between the sides after most of the countries involved in the talks stepped back. Pakistan, the surprise mediator, concluded that the gaps between the parties were too wide. The US sent a 15-point document that Iran viewed as a surrender note, and even the bare minimum needed for indirect negotiations under fire failed to materialize.

As Israel Hayom reported, the US informed Israel that those talks had failed and that dialogue with Iran had reached a dead end. The main reason for the impasse is an internal dispute within Iran's leadership over how to end the war. On one side, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi received backing from former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in an article proposing a framework for an agreement.

On the other side, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, led by Ahmad Vahidi, believes that despite the enormous damage, the regime can survive, that Trump will eventually lose patience, and that the Gulf states and Israel will not be able to sustain the economic paralysis for long. Trump tried to cultivate an alternative leadership, but apparently did not succeed, and at this stage there is no legitimacy within the regime for negotiations.

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