BAGHDAD -- Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on Thursday denied claims it sent Kurdish groups to infiltrate Iran, saying it is not involved in any campaign to escalate regional conflicts.
KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani called reports suggesting the region is arming and sending Kurdish parties into Iran "completely false." He said the KRG and its political parties are committed to peace and stability. (Iraq-Kurdistan-Infiltration)
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TEHRAN -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said Thursday its air defense has shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet near the country's southeastern border.
In a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC said the American fighter jet was brought down early Wednesday by "modern" air defense systems of its Aerospace Division.
However, the U.S. Central Command soon denied Iran's claim, calling it "baseless and not true." (Iran-US-Fighter Jet)
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TEHRAN -- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said that his country is not requesting a ceasefire with the United States and Israel, and does not see any reason to negotiate with Washington.
He made the remarks in an interview with U.S. broadcaster NBC News aired on Thursday. (Iran-US-Conflict)
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BEIRUT -- The death toll from Israeli attacks in Lebanon since early Monday has risen to 123, with 683 others wounded, Lebanon's authorities said Thursday.
In a statement, the Public Health Emergency Operations Center at the Ministry of Public Health said the toll is expected to rise as hospitals continue to receive more injured people. (Lebanon-Israeli Strikes-Hezbollah) ■
