Iran water rights
Iran's foreign minister urges the Taliban government in Afghanistan to remove all artificial barriers that prevent realization of Iran’s water rights from the Helmand River. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the comment in a phone call with acting Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. He said realizing Iran's water rights would be an indication of the Taliban government’s commitment to its international obligations. The top Iranian diplomat added that a delay in resolving this problem would have negative impacts on other areas of cooperation between the two countries. Amir-Abdollahian said a high-ranking delegation will soon visit Kabul for consultations with Afghan officials on the issue. On Wednesday, President Ebrahim Raeisi also called for “serious” pursuit of the country’s water rights from the Helmand River. He said Iran has to secure its rights in order to meet its water needs, especially in the border province of Sistan and Baluchistan.
Israel spyware scandal
The spyware Pegasus is in controversy again. An investigation by the European Commission has reportedly found signs indicating that phones of some top EU officials were hacked using the Israeli malware. No further details are available as the investigation is still ongoing. But the media have cited a letter by the EU Justice Commissioner that he was alerted by Apple last year of a possible hacking of his smartphone by Pegasus. The letter, which was sent to a Dutch member of the European parliament, however said that an initial probe did not confirm the malware succeeded in infecting the devices of he or other staff. Pegasus is produced by an Israeli firm NSO and can switch on a phone’s camera or microphone. The company is known for selling Pegasus to government clients worldwide to spy on activists, politicians, journalists and even heads of states.
Palestinian journalist killing
Activists and the family of slain Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh have gathered in front of the US Congress, calling on Washington to hold Israel accountable for her killing. Abu Akleh was shot dead by Israeli fire in May while she was covering the regime’s military raid in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. International lawyers, Shireen's family and a group of House representatives have censured the US administration for inaction on the assassination.