Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prays at the coffin of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps military adviser Razi Mousavi, in Tehran on December 28. Iranian supreme leader's office
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prays at the coffin of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps military adviser Razi Mousavi, in Tehran on December 28. Iranian supreme leader's office
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prays at the coffin of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps military adviser Razi Mousavi, in Tehran on December 28. Iranian supreme leader's office
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prays at the coffin of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps military adviser Razi Mousavi, in Tehran on December 28. Iranian supreme leader's office

Iran’s Khamenei calls for vigilance and readiness after US warnings


Sinan Mahmoud
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Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged the “Resistance Front” on Wednesday to stay vigilant and to continue their attacks amid fears of Gaza war escalation.

Mr Khamenei’s statement came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it had been made clear to Iran that support to the Houthis in Yemen, who have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea, must end.

“Let the ‘Resistance Front’ on alert while facing the usurpation and arrogance,” Mr Khamenei said on the X social platform.

He was referring to the Tehran-backed network that encompasses militant groups in Palestine, Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Syrian government.

“Do not neglect the enemy’s deception and strike where its hand reaches with the help of Allah,” Mr Khamenei said.

During his visit to Bahrain, the latest stop in a Middle East tour seeking to calm the region, Mr Blinken said that there will be consequences for continued attacks on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea by the Houthis.

"We've also repeatedly tried to make clear to Iran, as other countries have as well, that the support that they're providing to the Houthis, including for these actions, needs to stop," Mr Blinken told reporters.

"These attacks have been aided and abetted by Iran with technology, equipment, intelligence, information, and they are having a real-life impact on people."

The Houthis, who control much of Yemen, have disrupted world trade for weeks with attacks on ships passing through the Bab Al Mandeb strait at the southern end of the Red Sea in what they say is a response to Israel's war in Gaza.

Several shipping lines have suspended operations through the Red Sea in response to the attacks, instead taking the longer journey around Africa.

The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel halts the conflict in Gaza, and warned that they would attack US warships if the militia group was targeted.

A mock Houthi-made drone on display at a square in Sanaa, Yemen. EPA
A mock Houthi-made drone on display at a square in Sanaa, Yemen. EPA

On Tuesday night, Houthis fired their largest barrage of drones and missiles at shipping in the Red Sea, forcing the US and British navies to shoot them down in a major naval engagement.

The US military’s Central Command said the “complex attack” launched by the Houthis included bomb-carrying drones, anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile.

It said 18 drones, two cruise missiles and the anti-ship missile were shot down.

“This is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since November 19,” Central Command said. “There were no injuries or damage reported.”

Iran's proxy groups have increased attacks in the region to show solidarity with Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment since Hamas's attack that killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, in Israel on October 7.

Gaza's Health Ministry says more than 23,000 people have been killed in the strip since then.

In Iraq, Tehran-allied Shiite militias have been attacking US forces in the country and in neighbouring Syria with drones and rockets because of Washington's support for Israel in the war.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah has been engaging with Israeli troops on the borders.

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Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

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Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

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While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

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Updated: January 10, 2024, 9:42 PM