Philippine Coast Guard vessel 9701 executed multiple dangerous and provocative maneuvers against China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels 21550 and 5009 in the waters near China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea on Tuesday morning.
The Philippine Coast Guard vessel repeatedly approached the CCG vessels, sailing dangerously close at times. This act seriously threatened the navigation safety of the Chinese vessels, which were conducting rights protection and law enforcement operations in the area. Analysts said the Philippines' provocative behavior this time was more "arrogant and unreasonable", which will force China to step up rights protection and law enforcement efforts in the South China Sea.
Philippine vessel provokes tensions near China's Huangyan Dao, threatens CCG vessels' safety
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that Tehran would view the United States and Israel's military bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" should Washington take military action against Iran.
At a parliamentary session convened to review an emergency proposal on assembly regulations, Qalibaf emphasized that, at this highly sensitive juncture, Iran must accurately and thoroughly identify the schemes of its adversaries.
Qalibaf said that Iran is currently confronting Israel and the United States simultaneously on four fronts: economic, cognitive, military, and counterterrorism. Of them, the economic warfare and the cognitive and psychological warfare began many years ago and have persisted to this day, growing increasingly complex and intense in recent years.
The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran, taking advantage of its nationwide unrest.
Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.
Amid the ongoing protests, deadly clashes have been reported lately between police and what the government described as "rioters." However, no official death toll has been released.
Also on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the country's economic situation and political environment in a televised interview later that day.
Iran swears to counterattack if attacked
