World
Iran's new president asserts right to retaliation in rare phone call with major US ally
Newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed his country’s right to retaliation against Israel in a rare phone call with the United Kingdom.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made clear to Pezeshkian during the 30-minute call that “war is not in anyone’s interest” and urged Tehran to “refrain from attacking Israel.” The call followed a joint statement from the heads of the United States, the United Kingdom and three other European countries.
The Iranian president, however, insisted that a strong response to an attack “is a right of nations and a solution for stopping crimes and aggression,” Sky News reported.
“The support of some Western countries for the Zionist regime is irresponsible and contrary to international standards since it endangers regional security by encouraging the Zionist regime to continue its crimes,” Pezeshkian reportedly told Starmer.
BLINKEN POSTPONES MIDDLE EAST VISIT OVER SECURITY CONCERNS, ANTICIPATED IRANIAN RETALIATION
Tensions remain high after Israel’s alleged assassination of Hamas commander Ismail Haniyeh, who was in Tehran at the time of his death. Iran denounced Haniyeh’s murder and blamed Israel, even though Haniyeh died in what was later deemed a localized explosion that killed no Iranian citizens.
Vehicles drive past a huge billboard depicting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, right, and slain Palestinian Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at Tehran’s Valiasr Square on Aug. 12, 2024. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)
International pressure from European and Arab nations alike did not seem to dent Iran’s desire to avenge the commander of one of its most prominent proxy groups.
Regional sources this week told Fox News foreign correspondent Trey Yingst on Monday that they are concerned Iran and its proxies could attack Israel within the next 24 hours in retaliation for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran late last month. No attack materialized in that time, but it did not dampen concerns.
BIDEN FOCUSED ON ‘LEGACY’ IN FINAL MONTHS, BUT SKELETON SCHEDULE ‘SIGNALS’ AN EMPTY HOUSE TO RIVALS: EXPERT
Hamas representatives on Sunday declared they would not participate in new negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza unless mediators presented a plan based on previous talks. The representatives insisted that the group had shown “flexibility” throughout the negotiation process but that Israel – through actions such as the alleged assassination of Haniyeh – indicated it was not serious about a cease-fire agreement.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares to greet Haitham bin Tariq, the Sultan of Oman, at 10 Downing Street in London on Aug. 6, 2024. (Carl Court/Getty Images)
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered his forces to “harshly punish” Israel for the killing of Haniyeh, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps deputy commander Ali Fadavi told Iranian media last week that the orders would be “implemented in the best possible way,” according to Al Jazeera.
Israel this week conveyed to the United States and several European allies that any attack from Iran – even if it does not kill any Israelis – will lead to another retaliatory strike on Iranian territory, the Times of Israel reported.
JORDAN REMAINS ‘LAST HOLDOUT’ AS IRAN LOOKS TO CREATE NEW ‘TERROR FRONT’ ON ISRAELI BORDER
The statement aimed to preempt another round of international pressure that would try to stop Israel from responding forcefully.
Iranians pray during a ceremony commemorating assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran on Aug. 9, 2024. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Tensions continue to slowly ratchet up across the week, with Iranian banks on Wednesday suffering a major cyberattack that all but crippled the institutions, according to Israeli outlet i24 News. Hackers stole information belonging to account holders and hit several other banks.
Iran has not yet blamed Israel, and no other nation or party has claimed credit, but Iran blamed the U.S. and Israel for the last major cyberattack to hit the country.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman and Bradford Betz and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Officials on Monday revealed new details about a series of arson attacks targeting properties connected to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alleging the suspects were recruited and directed by a Russian-speaking handler.
According to police and court reporting, the suspects were promised payment to carry out a coordinated campaign in London in May 2025, including attacks involving a vehicle and two properties linked to Starmer.
A new investigation reported that the handler is believed to be a diplomat trained in information warfare and part of a broader Russian sabotage and disinformation operation directed from Moscow, according to the Kyiv Post.
Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were convicted in connection with the arson plot after Lavrynovych was recruited by a Russian-speaking Telegram handler known as “El Money,” according to police and court reporting. Kyiv Post reported that Carpiuc was also born in Ukraine. A third defendant, Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted.
BRITISH POLICE INVESTIGATE FIRE AT PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER’S LONDON HOME
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a meeting on Feb. 24, 2026. (Kin Cheung / POOL / AFP via Getty Images))
According to police, Lavrynovych was recruited through Telegram by a Russian-speaking handler saved in his phone contacts as “El Money,” who allegedly directed him through a series of increasingly serious tasks while promising payment in return.
“Look, you attacked the home of a very high-ranking person in Britain. I’ll send you the money you need to leave the city,” the handler allegedly wrote in one message cited by investigators, according to Kyiv Post.
BRITAIN INTRODUCES SWEEPING NEW POWERS TO TARGET FOREIGN STATE-LINKED GROUPS INCLUDING IRAN’S IRGC
Officials arrest a Ukrainian man who was later found guilty of setting on fire houses linked to U.K. Prime Minister Starmer. (Metropolitan Police)
The handler reportedly offered Lavrynovych Russian citizenship in exchange for carrying out the attacks and frequently voiced support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the outlet. Evidence also suggested that “El Money” was trained in information warfare by propagandists and intelligence operatives, the outlet said.
Investigators added that Russian operatives allegedly coordinated the campaign remotely through social media platforms and Telegram, using fake far-right and Muslim online communities to sow division and fear in the U.K., Kyiv Post said.
The Russian Embassy has reportedly denied any involvement, rejecting “any attempt to associate Russia or its foreign ministry with unlawful activities,” according to the report.
SYNAGOGUE IN LONDON TARGETED IN ATTEMPTED ‘ANTISEMITIC HATE CRIME,’ UK POLICE SAY
Police officers stand outside Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s private home, after it was damaged by fire in a suspected arson attack in north London, Britain, May 13, 2025. (REUTERS/Toby Melville)
According to officials, the three arson attacks occurred over a five-day period in May 2025.
The first attack took place on May 8, when a Toyota vehicle formerly owned by Starmer was set ablaze.
A second fire was set on May 11 at the entrance of a residential property that was managed by a company in which Starmer had previously served as a director and shareholder.
The third attack occurred on May 12 at a house that is owned by the prime minister.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a video conference meeting outside Moscow on April 7, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
“The actions of the two men involved in these arson attacks were incredibly reckless, and it was sheer luck that nobody was killed or injured,” Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said in a statement.
Police said Lavrynovych was arrested on May 13 last year after detectives linked the suspect to the attacks through CCTV footage and phone records indicating he had conducted reconnaissance ahead of the fires.
Authorities said Carpiuc was arrested on May 17 in the departure lounge at Luton Airport moments before boarding a flight to Romania.
Updated:
Iran outmanoeuvred US President Donald Trump “like a violin” in negotiations, walking away with far better terms after sensing his desperation for a deal to end the war, former National Security Adviser John Bolton told Euronews.
-
Lifestyle26 minutes ago‘Widow’s Bay’ is an island in the scream : Pop Culture Happy Hour
-
Technology38 minutes agoInside the fight over Claude Mythos 5
-
World41 minutes agoRussia linked to arson attacks on properties connected to UK PM Keir Starmer, police say
-
Politics46 minutes agoTrump admin puts alleged ‘birth tourism’ scheme on notice as expert delivers warning to hospitals
-
Health53 minutes agoTV news anchorman reveals he has Alzheimer’s during final night helming broadcast
-
Sports56 minutes ago2026 World Cup Golden Boot Odds: Mbappé Favored, Havertz Surges
-
Technology1 hour agoSmart street sensors could be watching your city next
-
Business1 hour agoMeet the Beverly Hills jeweler who crafted the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl ring
