(July 19, 2026)
Für den einigermaßen wachen Beobachter erscheint es, als ob Mossad, CIA, MI6 und BND in Teheran an der Macht wären und sich einen ihren üblichen grausamen Scherze erlauben.
Archiv: Popularität / Ansehen / Glaubwürdigkeit von Staaten / internationalen Institutionen / popularity / reputation / trustworthiness of nation states / international institutions
Iran Threatens to Attack US Bases in European Countries
“There is no justification for any country to fear Iran unless that country opens its territory to the United States for aggression against Iran,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday. “It is Iran’s right to target the source and origin of any aggressive action against the Islamic Republic.”
Carney says trade deal became untenable when U.S. ‚asked too much and offered too little‘
In a departure from his usual diplomatic language, Carney suggested the U.S. sometimes signs trade deals in „pencil,“ and while Canada‘s government is united and working together, the same is not true of the Trump administration.
„We cannot accept what they‘ve offered, and we will not give what they‘ve asked,“ Carney said on Saturday in Ottawa, adding that the United States ‚asked too much and offered too little.‘
Kanada widersteht, Europa kapitulierte: Zwei Antworten auf denselben Druck
Im Juli 2025 stand die EU vor derselben Drohung: US-Zölle von bis zu 50 Prozent auf praktisch alle Warengruppen. Kommissionspräsidentin von der Leyen reiste dafür auf den schottischen Golfplatz Trumps in Turnberry – ein Umstand, den selbst wohlwollende Kommentatoren als Affront werteten. Das Ergebnis: ein Pauschalzoll von 15 Prozent auf die meisten EU-Exporte in die USA, während die EU im Gegenzug ihre Zölle auf US-Industriegüter auf null senkte – zusätzlich zu Investitionszusagen in Höhe von 600 Milliarden Dollar und Energiekäufen von 750 Milliarden Dollar.
Der Rechtswissenschaftler-Fachdienst LTO brachte die Debatte auf den Punkt: Während Trump vom größten Handelsdeal aller Zeiten sprach, werteten Kritiker die Einigung als Unterwerfung und Kapitulation der EU gegenüber einer irrationalen US-Handelspolitik.
World is amazed by Iran’s ‘resistance, solidarity and cohesion’: Pezeshkian
Iran’s president says Washington falsely predicted before the war that the country would fall amid US aggression and become like Venezuela.
“The enemy had assessed that if Iran falls, it will become Venezuela,” he said in a televised speech.
“Not only did it not happen, but it became a power that amazed the world with its resistance, solidarity and cohesion.”
Pezeshkian said Iran’s enemies hope to “create division and rift in society through problems”.
“We will try with all our might to avoid division, rift, conflicts and egos,” he concluded.
„Position der Stärke“: Iran Präsident will Krieg beenden
Früher oder später müsse der Krieg beendet werden, sagte Massoud Pezeshkian laut der staatlichen Nachrichtenagentur IRNA. „Es ist besser, ihn heute zu beenden, da wir in einer Position der Stärke und Würde sind.“ Die USA seien durch den Krieg in der ganzen Welt verhasst, meinte der Präsident, der im Iran das Amt des Regierungschefs ausübt.
Red lines not red carpets: Why Italy & Germany must support suspending EU-Israel Agreement
(May 11, 2026)
Millions of people around the world are demanding that their leaders act to stop Israel’s violations. Humanity must win.
Deutschland muss Aussetzung des EU-Israel-Abkommens zustimmen
(May 8, 2026)
„Die Aussetzung des EU-Israel Assoziierungsabkommens, gegen dessen Menschenrechtsklausel die israelische Regierung permanent verstößt, ist eine juristische und moralische Verpflichtung. Außenminister Wadephul hat die Wahl, Menschenrechte zum Eckpfeiler europäischer Israel-Politik zu machen – oder mit Doppelstandards weiter die EU zu spalten und internationales Recht auszuhöhlen,“ sagt Julia Duchrow, Generalsekretärin von Amnesty International in Deutschland.
„Deutschland sollte nicht länger dazu beitragen, dass Israels Gräueltaten folgenlos bleiben. Stattdessen sollte sich Außenminister Wadephul der Mehrheit der EU-Staaten anschließen und die überfälligen Schritte mittragen: die Aussetzung des Abkommens, ein Verbot des Handels mit illegalen Siedlungen sowie ein Ende sämtlicher Waffenlieferungen nach Israel“, sagt Philipp Frisch, Direktor von Human Rights Watch Deutschland.
The Guardian view on Israel’s death penalty: capital punishment is always wrong. This new law is doubly so
(March 31, 2026)
Execution will be the default for Palestinians found guilty of lethal attacks deemed as terrorist acts in the West Bank’s military courts – which have a conviction rate of around 96%. Amnesty International says that the system routinely relies on evidence extracted through torture and abuse. The death sentence will be imposed even if prosecutors do not seek it. Convictions need no longer be unanimous. There is no possibility of pardon. Executions must take place within 90 days. Within Israeli civilian courts, the new law imposes the death penalty for deliberately killing a person with the intention of “negating the existence of the State of Israel”. Life imprisonment can only substitute in unspecified “special” circumstances.
There could hardly be a more shocking contrast with the near-total impunity of Israelis killing Palestinians in the West Bank, amid increasing – and increasingly systematic – state-backed settler violence.
Israel’s Ben Gvir boasts of planned execution facility for Palestinian prisoners
“In this place, the terrorists will be executed,” Ben Gvir said in a video posted on Instagram, where he has around 150,000 followers.
In the video, Ben Gvir points towards what appears to be an active construction site and says the complex will include “viewing chambers where crime victims will be able to come and watch” Palestinians being hanged.
„We are fulfilling what we promised,“ the minister added.
The ICC strongly rejects new US sanctions designations
The International Criminal Court deplores the announcement of new designations for sanctions by the US administration against Judge Tomoko Akane (Japan), the President of the Court, and Mr Abdoulaye Seye (Senegal), Senior Trial Lawyer at the Office of the Prosecutor.
These sanctions are a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution which operates pursuant to the mandate conferred by its States Parties from across regions. As a result of these designations, at present, nine of the eighteen Judges, both of the two Deputy-Prosecutors, the former Prosecutor and one staff member have been sanctioned by the United States.
Such measures targeting judges, prosecutors and staff who work towards the fulfilment of the mandate that was conferred to the ICC by States undermine the rule of law. When judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk.
Vorgehen gegen IStGH: USA sanktionieren Präsidentin des Strafgerichtshofs
Rubio begründete den Schritt damit, dass die beiden Juristen an Bemühungen des Gerichts beteiligt gewesen seien, gegen Regierungsvertreter von Staaten zu ermitteln, die dessen Zuständigkeit nicht anerkennen. Zu diesen Staaten zählen neben den USA auch Israel und Russland.
‘Deranged Behavior’: Marco Rubio Slammed for US Sanctions on ICC President
The social media account of Drop Site News accused Rubio of attacking the court solely to protect Netanyahu from war crimes prosecution, pointing out that “there is currently not a single American citizen under indictment, investigation, or facing an arrest warrant” from the ICC.
The sanctions earned the praise of the Israeli American Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which accused the ICC of conducting “politically motivated investigations and prosecutions targeting America and Israel.”
Rutgers Law School professor Adil Haque said the ICC sanctions showed the US was acting like a “rogue government” and engaged in “deranged behavior.”
US sanctions International Criminal Court’s president, official
Akane, a Japanese national who has served as ICC president since 2024, and Seye, a Senegalese national, were added to the Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List, according to the agency’s website.
Both designations were made pursuant to Executive Order 14203, „Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court,“ which US President Donald Trump signed on Feb. 6, 2025, and which has since been used to designate 10 ICC officials, including former Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan and eight judges.
German lawmakers call for EU sanctions on Israel’s Ben-Gvir over Gaza killing remarks
From Merz’s conservatives to Alternative for Germany and the Left, condemnation cut across the Bundestag’s political spectrum.
EU faces criticism for secret police data talks with Israel: Report
(August 15, 2026)
The European Commission has been negotiating a secret agreement to share sensitive personal data with Israel’s police service, despite internal legal warnings that the deal could violate international law and put Palestinians at risk, according to a new report by civil rights group Statewatch published by Novara Media, Anadolu reports.
The draft agreement, originally negotiated with the European police agency Europol, would allow the exchange of biometric data, genetic information, location data, political views, and personal details.
Critical research indicates the deal has progressed despite a 2022 ruling by the Council of the EU’s Legal Service which deemed the proposal legally untenable.
EU Moves to Share Data With Israel That ‘Could Be Used to Kill Palestinians’
(August 4, 2026)
Under the plans, the bloc’s law enforcement agency, Europol, would exchange sensitive personal information about Palestinians with Israel’s police force, which is headquartered in the illegally occupied West Bank.
There is also concern the deal could harm members of the Palestinian diaspora, with a risk that activists in Europe could be targeted.
The data would include names, identification numbers, locations, genetic and biometric information and details about people’s political views, beliefs and personal lives.
Deutschland muss Aussetzung des EU-Israel-Abkommens zustimmen
(May 8, 2026)
„Die Aussetzung des EU-Israel Assoziierungsabkommens, gegen dessen Menschenrechtsklausel die israelische Regierung permanent verstößt, ist eine juristische und moralische Verpflichtung. Außenminister Wadephul hat die Wahl, Menschenrechte zum Eckpfeiler europäischer Israel-Politik zu machen – oder mit Doppelstandards weiter die EU zu spalten und internationales Recht auszuhöhlen,“ sagt Julia Duchrow, Generalsekretärin von Amnesty International in Deutschland.
„Deutschland sollte nicht länger dazu beitragen, dass Israels Gräueltaten folgenlos bleiben. Stattdessen sollte sich Außenminister Wadephul der Mehrheit der EU-Staaten anschließen und die überfälligen Schritte mittragen: die Aussetzung des Abkommens, ein Verbot des Handels mit illegalen Siedlungen sowie ein Ende sämtlicher Waffenlieferungen nach Israel“, sagt Philipp Frisch, Direktor von Human Rights Watch Deutschland.
Extremist Israeli minister calls for killing ’30 to 40′ Palestinians in Gaza each night
“It’s no secret, I disagree with the prime minister,“ he said. “I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night,” said the far-right Israeli minister.
“Not just those who pose an immediate threat, there are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn’t live. They’re not even people,” added Ben-Gvir.
Ben-Gvir also promised Braslavski that he would seek to allow him to personally take part if prisoners are executed under Israel’s recently enacted death penalty law for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks on Israelis.
Israeli minister calls for hanging Palestinian prisoners ‚one by one‘
Speaking with former Israeli captive Rom Braslavski, Ben-Gvir said that hanging would be the primary method of execution under the death penalty legislation he has been actively promoting.
„I will do the impossible when the time comes,“ the minister remarked during the conversation. „I promise you that I will do everything in my power and turn the world upside down to make this happen“.
In addition to his comments on the death penalty, Ben-Gvir expressed satisfaction regarding the harsher conditions Palestinian prisoners are currently facing within the Israeli penal system.
Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it „gets in the way“
President Trump told Fox News on Monday that the U.S. would bomb Oman if the country „gets in the way“ of U.S. efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war with Iran, according to the network‘s Trey Yingst.
„If Oman gets in the way, we‘ll bomb the s*** out of them,“ Trump said, according to Yingst‘s recounting of his conversation with the president.
Iran‘s new Security Council shake-up reveals growing divisions over US deal
In the mid-1980s, Rezaei became involved in secret contacts with the United States during the Iran-Contra affair, in which Iran received American weapons while proceeds from the arms sales were diverted to support the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.
Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani once told local media that his nephew, Ali Hashemi, a key intermediary in contacts with the administration of then-US President Ronald Reagan, had informed him and, subsequently, Rezaei about meetings with American officials.
Reopening Strait of Hormuz is a humanitarian imperative
It is worth recalling that the conflict did not begin over disputes about the Strait of Hormuz. As recently as February 28, commercial ships transited the waterway without restriction.
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With the US maintaining the naval blockade during the ceasefire period, Iran responded by stopping and, in several cases, attacking vessels attempting to cross the Strait without its approval. Insurance rates spiked, shipping lines rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, and transit times increased by up to three weeks.
Wars of this nature benefit no party in the long term, and they rarely reach a logical conclusion. Their primary victims are innocent civilians who have no role in the conflict. Many civilians in Iran and Lebanon have lost their lives directly to strikes.
Inside the growing rift between Iran’s dealmakers and ultraconservatives
It was in this climate that a leaked video of Mohammad-Bagher Kharrazi, the brother-in-law of Masoud Khamenei, the younger brother of Iran’s supreme leader, emerged as part of what critics describe as a broader hard-line campaign.
In the video, Kharrazi claimed that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had “formally and publicly announced” that if Pezeshkian attempts to resign one more time, his resignation would be accepted.
(…)
Soon afterward, however, another audio file surfaced in which Ali Saeedi, a conservative senior figure close to the Khamenei‘s office, claimed that the supreme leader had expressed support for the negotiations and criticised hard-line opposition to diplomacy.
According to Saeedi, Khamenei told one of his brothers: “I have never opposed negotiations, and I still do not. I was the one who authorised the negotiations, and I am not satisfied with the hard-line positions adopted by some people.”
Saeedi also claimed that Khamenei supports Ghalibaf, saying: “He is like [the late Quds Force commander] Haj Qassem Soleimani.”
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issues drastic new demands of the US, as conditions for reopening Hormuz
Iran’s politburo-like body known as the Supreme National Security Council says the Strait of Hormuz will not open until the United States “corrects its behavior,” and issues drastic new demands that could shake up talks on a deal to manage the waterway and traffic on it.
Iran’s state broadcaster publishes the statement by the council’s secretary, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who is also a commander in the powerful Revolutionary Guard.
Vessel struck off coast of Oman: UKMTO
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre has received a report of a vessel being struck about 18 nautical miles (33 km) off the coast of the Omani town of Khasab.
UKMTO cited a “verified source” as saying an “unknown projectile” hit the vessel, causing a fire.
UAE says ADNOC tanker attacked in Hormuz
Dubai: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday said Iran had targeted a tanker belonging to the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The foreign ministry in a statement condemned „the hostile Iranian attack that targeted a tanker belonging to ADNOC with a missile while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, without causing casualties“.
Exclusive: EU Commission still seeking controversial police agreement with Israel, despite warnings
(July 30, 2026)
Documents obtained by Statewatch through transparency requests show that Europol nevertheless hosted Israeli delegations—including representatives of the Israeli National Police—on at least four occasions between August 2024 and March 2026. The meetings, involving several departments within the agency, were facilitated by Israel’s liaison officer at Europol and culminated in a visit by Israel’s ambassador to the Netherlands to the agency’s headquarters in March 2026.
Red lines not red carpets: Why Italy & Germany must support suspending EU-Israel Agreement
(May 11, 2026)
Millions of people around the world are demanding that their leaders act to stop Israel’s violations. Humanity must win.
Pakistan, Qatar to Host Next Round of US-Iran Talks as back door talks underway
Pakistan and Qatar are under consideration to host upcoming negotiations, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, citing Pakistani government sources.
The report said the date and location for the resumption of direct talks have yet to be finalized, but mediators from Islamabad and Doha are actively engaging with both sides to pave the way for renewed dialogue.
Iran’s leaders show a united front over the war but are divided over what the goal is
On one side, the ultra-hardliners who oppose any negotiations with the United States are pressing for total victory in the war. Known as the “Paydari” movement – Persian for “stability” – they are hard-core ideologues who want to enforce the Islamic Republic’s control over society.
On the other, those who support President Masoud Pezeshkian and powerful parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf — who doubles as Iran’s chief negotiator — see military pressure as a way to win a negotiated deal with the United States. This camp is also spurred by concern over the economic toll Iran is suffering from the war and the need to adapt to social change in the country.