Iran reserves right to retaliate against "aggression" while IDF monitors Iran, Hezbollah

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Monday that Iran reserves the right to defend itself and respond to any act of aggression, including a response to Israel regarding the assassination of Hamas Politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, according to Iranian media reports.

Pezeshkian stated that according to international regulations and protocols, Iran reserves the right to self-defense and to respond to the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran. He reaffirmed Iran's core stance, emphasizing the need to prevent war and bloodshed while promoting global peace and security, but also reiterated that Iran has the right to protect itself from any acts of aggression.

In a message on social media platform X posted the same day, Acting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani also emphasized that Iran has the legal right to respond appropriately and in deterrence to ensure the stability and security of the region.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement on Monday evening, saying that the IDF has made the highest level of preparations for both offense and defense. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi approved the related operational plans on the same day.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said that the IDF is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, particularly the actions of Iran and Hezbollah. He stated that the Israeli Air Force has intensified its patrols over Lebanese airspace to detect and intercept threats. He added that there has been no change in the Home Front Command's instructions to civilians.

The Israeli Air Force on Monday suspended overseas travel for its personnel amid heightened alert over potential retaliatory attacks from Iran and Hezbollah.

Israeli Air Force Commander Tomer Bar issued "an immediate ban" on vacations abroad for permanent staff in the Air Force following a situational assessment. Bar also noted that official overseas trips, including meetings and training, would be reevaluated.

On Monday, John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, stated that Iran and other countries might launch an attack on Israel as early as this week, though it is currently difficult to determine the form and scale of such an attack. The United States and its allies are preparing for "what could be a significant set of attacks", he said.

In light of the continued tensions in the Middle East, several airlines have announced that they will continue to suspend flights to multiple cities in the region.

Air France and the French division of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced on Monday to extend the suspension of flights to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, until Aug 14.

Germany's flagship airline Lufthansa also announced on Monday that it will extend its flight suspension to the Middle East until Aug 21 due to ongoing regional tensions.

Iran reserves right to retaliate against "aggression" while IDF monitors Iran, Hezbollah

Iran reserves right to retaliate against "aggression" while IDF monitors Iran, Hezbollah

China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes U.S. abuse of Section 301 to hike tariffs on some Chinese goods, the Ministry of Commerce said Saturday.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative on Friday announced final modifications concerning the statutory review of the tariff actions toward China under Section 301.

China has repeatedly lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side concerning the Section 301 tariffs, said a spokesperson for the ministry.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has already ruled that the Section 301 tariffs violate WTO rules. However, instead of rectifying its wrongdoings, the U.S. side further increases tariffs on Chinese products, adding one mistake to another, said the spokesperson.

The move is a typical practice of unilateralism and trade protectionism, said the spokesperson, adding that it seriously undermines the international trade order, as well as the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

Moreover, the move not only fails to solve the United States' own problems concerning trade deficits and industrial competitiveness, but also pushes up prices of U.S. imports and forces U.S. companies and consumers to bear the additional costs.

The 2024 Report on WTO Compliance of the United States, which was released Thursday by the ministry, once again expressed serious concern over the U.S. abuse of Section 301, and pointed out that the United States is a "disrupter of global industrial and supply chains."

The U.S. side had previously sought public opinions on the results of the Section 301 tariff review. The majority of opinions either opposed the imposition of additional tariffs or requested broader tariff exemptions.

This shows the Section 301 tariffs are unpopular among the U.S. public, said the spokesperson.

The United States should rectify its wrongdoings immediately and remove all additional tariffs on Chinese goods, the spokesperson said, adding that China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the interests of Chinese enterprises.

China firmly opposes U.S. tariff hikes on Chinese goods: commerce ministry