Following their Emmy win for Outstanding Animated Program, South Park is making a big change. Creators Trey Parker & Matt Stone announce:

“Inspired by the bravery and patriotism of Apple and Google, we are changing the name of South Park to SOUTH AMERICA. We especially want to thank our parent company Paramount -- a Skydance Capitulation.”

The 29th Season of the award-winning series will premiere Wednesday, September 16th, at 10pm ET/PT on Comedy Central.

New episodes will be available to stream on Paramount+ around the world, with next-day availability in the U.S., Canada and Australia.

https://x.com/SouthPark/status/2097364141237539116#m

Iran has strongly condemned a joint statement by Canada’s foreign and finance ministers as a distortion of facts, an act of appeasement toward Washington, and a display of strategic confusion that aligns Ottawa with US military aggression and economic warfare against the Islamic Republic.

In a post on X on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei noted the timing of the Canadian statement: “On the very day the U.S. president, in blatant contempt for Canada’s sovereignty and independence, portrayed the entire country as part of the United States, Canada’s foreign and finance ministers chose to further appease their bullying neighbor—this time by targeting Iran with a statement that distorts every fact about the situation in our region.”

He emphasized that Ottawa is fully aware of the facts on the ground. “Canada knows full well that the Strait of Hormuz was open and secure before USrael launched a war of aggression against Iran on 28 February.”

Baghaei rejected Canada’s self-portrayal as a defender of international norms. “Canada cannot credibly present itself as a champion of ‘peace and security,’ ‘freedom of navigation,’ and ‘international law’ while simultaneously backing U.S. military aggression and Washington’s illegal, interventionist actions in our region.”

The spokesperson questioned Ottawa’s priorities: “If freedom of navigation is truly the issue, why does Canada—having itself experienced American bad faith and knowing that U.S. signatures are ‘written in pencil’—choose to support U.S. military aggression and economic terrorism instead of calling for an end to American aggression, blockade, and economic warfare?”

He concluded that the Canadian position “is neither ‘diplomacy’ nor ‘responsible statecraft’. It is a display of strategic confusion and submission to intimidation—a choice that will not even shield Canada itself from American bullying and aggression.”

The remarks came in response to a September 6 statement by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne that condemned what they called Iran’s “destabilizing activities,” including alleged threats to vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, and voiced support for US-led efforts to “reopen” the waterway along with additional sanctions.

Iranian officials have consistently pointed out that the Strait of Hormuz remained open and secure for commercial shipping until the United States and the Israeli regime launched an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran on February 28. Subsequent disruptions, they stress, are the direct consequence of that illegal attack, the ensuing US naval blockade, and Washington’s attempts to impose its will on a sovereign nation.

Baghaei’s statement underscores Tehran’s longstanding position that true respect for freedom of navigation and international law requires an end to US military adventurism, the illegal blockade of Iranian ports, and economic terrorism, not the parroting of Washington’s narrative by countries that themselves face American pressure.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the security of the strategic waterway as a coastal state while reserving its legitimate right to self-defense against aggression. Ottawa’s decision to join the campaign of aggression, Iranian officials argue, neither serves peace nor protects Canada from the very bullying it claims to oppose.

On the very day the U.S. president, in blatant contempt for Canada’s sovereignty and independence, portrayed the entire country as part of the United States, Canada’s foreign and finance ministers chose to further appease their bullying neighbor—this time by targeting Iran with a statement that distorts every fact about the situation in our region.

Canada knows full well that the Strait of Hormuz was open and secure before USrael launched a war of aggression against Iran on 28 February.

Canada cannot credibly present itself as a champion of “peace and security,” “freedom of navigation,” and “international law” while simultaneously backing U.S. military aggression and Washington’s illegal, interventionist actions in our region.

If freedom of navigation is truly the issue, why does Canada - having itself experienced American bad faith and knowing that U.S. signatures are 'written in pencil' - choose to support U.S. military aggression and economic terrorism instead of calling for an end to American aggression, blockade, and economic warfare?

This is neither 'diplomacy' nor 'responsible statecraft'. It is a display of strategic confusion and submission to intimidation - a choice that will not even shield Canada itself from American bullying and aggression.

https://x.com/IRIMFA_SPOX/status/2097064744838439206#m

https://archive.is/moSBE (juul website)

https://archive.is/0tdTZ (fda gov)

German sportswear company Adidas apologized Monday after an advertising campaign featuring a former Israeli soldier prompted a backlash and calls for a boycott, Anadolu reports.

The campaign featured Shalev Biton, whose left leg was amputated after he was wounded while serving in the Israeli army in 2021, to promote Adidas’s Single Shoe service.

“We recognize that an image used in a recent local activation by the local team has raised concerns and strong reactions,” Adidas said in a statement.

“It was never our intent to cause offense and we apologize for anyone affected,” the company added, describing the promotion as a local initiative rather than part of a global campaign.

Biton was one of 11 disabled athletes featured on posters displayed at Adidas stores in Israel.

Pro-Palestinian activists criticized the decision to include a former Israeli soldier in a campaign centered on amputees, contrasting the promotion with the thousands of Palestinians who have lost limbs during Israel’s war on the Gaza.

World Health Organization estimates published in May said that Gaza had recorded more than 5,000 traumatic limb amputations and over 22,000 major extremity injuries since October 2023. Up to a quarter of those with life-changing injuries were children, according to the organization.

Spanish actor Javier Bardem was among those who urged consumers to boycott the company over the promotion.

Adidas said its Single Shoe service was intended to promote inclusion by allowing people with limb differences to only purchase the shoe they need.

The company introduced the service in 23 European countries in January, offering individual shoes for 50% of the price of a pair at Adidas-owned stores and outlets. It was developed in consultation with disability groups and organizations, including ParalympicsGB.

Adidas said the program was expanding across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, including Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Egypt.

The company said it would “continue to listen, learn and work to ensure that our actions reflect the inclusive values we stand for.”

Ceremony for Marking Commissioning of Destroyer Kang Kon Held with Splendor

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- At a time when the era of eye-opening transformation in strengthening the Juche-oriented naval forces is being ushered in thanks to the outstanding military strategic ideas and energetic leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea, another powerful warship, which will reliably defend the inviolable maritime sovereignty and interests of our state, was commissioned into the Navy of the Korean People's Army.

The destroyer Kang Kon is the second Choe Hyon-class destroyer possessed of the complex combat capability to perfectly complete the operational mission assigned to it even in any waters by accepting the original conceptions for bolstering the naval combat power in a Korean way. Its commissioning serves as a significant occasion in demonstrating the steadfast will of the Party Central Committee to build an ocean fleet with the ardent desire and aspiration for a rich country with a strong army and its nonstop progress towards the modernization of the Navy.

A ceremony took place at Wonsan Port on September 6 to commemorate the commissioning of the destroyer Kang Kon.

The port, which shows the past and present development of our naval forces as a whole, was filled with the boundless gratitude to Comrade Kim Jong Un who is translating into the present reality the long-cherished desire of the people who had longed for the powerful navy and is injecting the vitality of sure victory into our navy.

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, attended the ceremony.

When Comrade Kim Jong Un arrived at the venue of the ceremony amid the welcome music, the participants broke into enthusiastic cheers out of their absolute trust and boundless reverence for him who set forth the original development orientation for building the modern naval forces and has powerfully guided the struggle for its realization to usher in a new stirring heyday of the navy capable of fully demonstrating the strong strength and spirit of the DPRK in ocean.

The KPA Navy courteously greeted Comrade Kim Jong Un, the outstanding leader and great defender of our state and people, with the highest respect.

There took place a ceremony of greeting the head of state.

Comrade Kim Jong Un reviewed the glorious flag and guard of honor of the KPA Navy.

There was a march-past of the guard of honor of the Navy.

Present there were senior Party and government officials including members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, officials of the WPK Central Committee, leading officials of ministries and national agencies, commanding officers of the Ministry of National Defence and the KPA large combined units, officers and men of the Navy, sailors of the destroyer Kang Kon, naval generals of the former generation, workers, scientists, technicians and officials in the field of shipbuilding industry and citizens, youth and students in Wonsan City.

The sacred flag of the DPRK was hoisted amid the solemn playing of the national anthem.

An art performance was given to commemorate the commissioning of the new-type destroyer.

Put on the stage were pieces of music dealing with the militant course of the Navy of the Republic, which has demonstrated the matchless heroism, bravery and spirit of annihilating enemies to defend the inviolable sea of the motherland, and the life of sailors shining on the voyage of loyalty and songs on the theme of patriotism.

The performance showed through wonderful artistic depiction the high ideological and moral world of the officers and men of the Navy, who are determined to invariably remain faithful to their sacred mission assigned by the Party and the country, setting the coordinates of their life on the voyage of defending the country forever and adding eternal shine to the immortal ennobling name of Comrade Kim Jong Un's navy and its history of victory. It added pleasure to the significant and auspicious event in September.

Then followed a commissioning ceremony of the destroyer.

Jo Chun Ryong, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the WPK Central Committee, made a report on the preparations for the commissioning of the destroyer Kang Kon.

He said that the destroyer Kang Kon will be formally commissioned into the KPA Navy at a historic time when a new heyday of strengthening the Juche-oriented naval forces is being put on a higher stage, adding that after its launching, the destroyer's combat efficiency and reliability have been comprehensively verified through several-stage professional assessment and test.

On behalf of the workers, scientists and officials in the field of defence industry including Chongjin Shipyard and Rajin Shipyard, he courteously declared that the destroyer Kang Kon with the mission to defend the sea of the DPRK was ready to be delivered to the Navy of the KPA.

Thanks to the outstanding and correct guidance of the Party Central Committee, the rapid growth and development of the naval forces of the Republic has been put on a firm track, he stressed.

Saying that it is the firm faith and high enthusiasm of the workers in the shipbuilding industry and the national defence scientific research group to glorify the great era by building and launching more powerful warships every year, he expressed the determination to ensure the radical development of the naval forces of the DPRK by making more responsible efforts and struggles true to the line of developing the national defence clarified by the Party Congress.

Minister of Shipbuilding Kim Kwang Il handed over the document of delivery of the destroyer Kang Kon to the Navy of the KPA.

Comrade Kim Jong Un made a meaningful speech.

Expressing his historic emotion over the fact that with the high ambition for ocean navigation the destroyer of a new generation came to commence its operation at the port, where the anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters led by President Kim Il Sung dropped anchor of liberation to return home in triumph in September eighty one years ago, he said that the great ambition to build a rich country with a strong army reflected in the small boat "Kaeson(triumphal entry)" has now come to reach the ocean from this memorable port with the latest warship.

Noting that now when everything is insufficient, we have appreciated the requirements of history and present era from the responsible attitude and viewpoint on security in the present and future and courageously challenged with our own style system of calculation, and it was started from the consciousness and mission of the generation never to shift to rising generations the historic great cause of building a powerful navy in conformity with the geographical conditions of a maritime country, he said that the destroyer Kang Kon is an outcome of the DPRK's self-respect, will and strong spirit to defend its rights and interests before being an aggregate of its economic, defence and scientific and technological capabilities.

We should make sure that the diversified and effective operation of nuclear combat systems is conducted for an actual war through developing our navy into a nuclear armed force and military activities for maritime defence and war deterrence are more clearly conducted, and this is the constitutional duty of the armed forces of the DPRK, he said, stating that the responsible activities and important role of the Navy of the DPRK will strictly restrain the enemies' aggression fleets and definitely bring about a result of making them retreat strategically.

Saying that there is no other guarantee for defending peace but to ensure the balance of force and we will show our principled and responsible will to defend the maritime sovereignty of the Republic, the security environment in Northeast Asia and the world peace by deploying the most powerful strategic assets in the most important waters, he clarified again the invariable stand of the WPK and the DPRK government to continuously develop the overwhelming military muscle feared by the hostile forces.

When Comrade Kim Jong Un finished his speech, all the participants expressed their firm pledge to uphold with the most thoroughgoing practical successes the unshakable will of the Party Central Committee to defend the national sovereignty and its policy of building a powerful army, breaking into thunderous cheers of "Hurrah!"

Upon authorization, Pak Jong Chon, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK, read out the order of the WPK Central Military Commission on commissioning the destroyer Kang Kon into the KPA Navy, and handed it to Senior Vice Admiral Pak Kwang Sop, commander of the KPA Navy.

On the order of the WPK Central Military Commission, the destroyer will be commissioned into the East Sea Fleet of the KPA Navy to fulfill the responsible mission of defending the maritime sovereignty of the DPRK as the nuclear war deterrent.

On behalf of the sailors of the destroyer, Senior Commander Choe Chol Jin, captain of the destroyer, made an oath-taking speech.

Referring to the great honor and pride of commanding the powerful new-type warship, the captain extended high tribute and thanks on behalf of the warship to the workers of the Chongjin and Rajin shipyards and the relevant sectors of defence industry faithfully upholding the Party Central Committee's grand plan for building the naval forces.

He said that they will sail along the course indicated by the Party Central Committee without an inch of deviation as befits the sailors of the destroyer Kang Kon, a capital ship of the Navy in the new era which shoulders a heavy responsibility of defending the maritime sovereignty with the immortal soul of the army-founding generation, and exercise in a responsible manner the invincible defence capability and tremendous deterrent assigned by the country and the people to the warship.

The captain expressed the will of sure victory of the sailors of the destroyer to vigorously make the voyage of ocean the course of the most brilliant feats, always cherishing the pledge made before Comrade Kim Jong Un and the country and its people at the commissioning ceremony, and thus more highly and fully demonstrate the dignity and honor of the glorious DPRK.

Then, amid the enthusiastic encouragement and cheers of the participants in the ceremony, the sailors of the destroyer got on the warship with the honor of being sailors of the Republic, holding high the fleet flag and the ensign in the van.

There took place a ceremony of hoisting the ensign of the destroyer Kang Kon of the KPA Navy.

Amid the boom of a 9 gun-salute, the ensign was solemnly hoisted on the warship with the wish and militant salute of all the participants.

Comrade Kim Jong Un got on the destroyer.

The captain greeted Comrade Kim Jong Un with the great honor of having the head of state on his warship again before leaving the port.

Going round various combat spaces of the warship, Comrade Kim Jong Un extended warm congratulations and militant encouragement to all the commanding officers and sailors who start their honorable military service together with the DPRK's new-generation destroyer No. 2, which was named after the anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter, with the sacred and important mission of defending the inviolable national sovereignty.

Comrade Kim Jong Un met the sailors on the bow of the destroyer.

The destroyer Kang Kon was awarded the binocular in the name of Comrade Kim Jong Un.

Comrade Kim Jong Un said that today's ceremony of transferring the warship held with splendor amid the blessing of the country and the people constitutes a historic event of making another step forward in improving the operational capability of our navy to the strategic level and a clear proof of the inevitability of our cause of ushering in a heyday of the navy.

He said that once ordered anytime, the new-generation destroyer should deal a deadly retaliatory blow at the enemies as it is a force involved in the state nuclear counteraction system. He expressed belief and expectation that the commanding officers and sailors of the destroyer Kang Kon possessed of the might, spirit and courage of the DPRK would win only victory, covering the militant course of the Navy of the Republic with greater glory, and had a significant photo taken with them.

All the commanding officers and sailors of the destroyer solemnly pledged to glorify the honor of the Navy of the Republic with a record of proud victory, holding fast to the steering of invariable faith and sailing the ocean along the course indicated by the Party Central Committee.

Comrade Kim Jong Un got off the warship and met with the navy commanding officers of the former generation who took part in the ceremony.

The commander of the Navy ordered the destroyer Kang Kon to leave the port.

All the warships of the Navy staying in the port raised the code flags of congratulation at once amid the gong of departure of the destroyer and the let-off of fireworks and balloons.

The participants extended their warmest and enthusiastic congratulations to the sailors of the destroyer, waving their hands.

Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a militant salute to the destroyer, hoping that it would demonstrate only the honor of invincibility.

On the same day, senior Party and government officials and other participants went round the venues of the exhibition of warship military hardware and the photo exhibition of the history of the Navy and realized with deep emotion the rapid development of our Navy being accelerated beyond precedent and limits thanks to the energetic around-the-clock leadership of Comrade Kim Jong Un.

The KPA Navy hosted a reception in commemoration of the commissioning of the destroyer.

The commissioning of the destroyer Kang Kon clearly proved the epoch-making progress and development of the building of the modern naval forces led by Comrade Kim Jong Un and gave redoubled strength and encouragement to the ranks of the all-people general advance working heart and soul for the successful implementation of the grand revolutionary programme set forth by the historic Ninth Congress of the WPK.

Only traces of victory and glory will always be recorded in the future of our Navy thanks to Comrade Kim Jong Un, the symbol of the mightiness of the great DPRK and the invincible and iron-willed commander. -0-

http://kcna.kp/en/article/detail/129b41de634ece5c27ce9b0f39d3bcf2 (35 photos)

https://archive.is/Ktlte

The Strait of #Hormuz was wide open until 28 February, when the #USrael attacked Iran. Washington unleashed an unlawful and savage war on the region and disrupted the normal flow of commercial shipping; tankers are halted, trade is disrupted, and energy prices are rising.

The US is now trying to present the world with the bill for a disruption of its own making—and put Iran’s name on it. In Washington’s narrative, a war started by the United States must somehow be recast as the cost of Iran’s behavior to the world.

America started the war but expects the whole world to pay the bill, while portraying Iran as the one that caused this chaos.

That is utterly preposterous!

https://x.com/IRIMFA_SPOX/status/2096708900393197802#m

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)’s Aerospace Force has launched several ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and an American destroyer participating in Washington’s illegal naval blockade against the Islamic Republic, forcing the vessels to flee.

The force staged the reprisal against the vessels “belonging to the child-killing, aggressor US military that had been harassing Iranian vessels and participating in the blockade,” the Corps said in a statement on Saturday.

“After sustaining damage and fearing another reprisal, the two warships were forced to flee the area of engagement,” it added.

‘US admission proof of IRGC’s capability’

The US Central Command, meanwhile, acknowledged that the vessels had come under “multiple” Iranian strikes.

Referring to the admission, the IRGC noted how the “aggressor enemy, which for years had swaggered around the region with false pride and hollow claims, was today forced to officially acknowledge that two US Navy warships had come under strikes.”

“CENTCOM's acknowledgment confirming this operation is living evidence of the enemy's strategic defeat and proof of the IRGC’s offensive capabilities.”

IRGC vows further responses

The IRGC, meanwhile, asserted that the Corps and the rest of Iran’s Armed Forces remained committed to defending the Islamic Republic’s sovereignty and security.

“Should the hostile and aggressive actions continue, the US regime must expect devastating responses from the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic. We stand stronger than ever. Victory belongs to the resilient people of Islamic Iran, while defeat and regret are the inevitable fate of the aggressors.”

The Corps expressed confidence that the bravery displayed by the Armed Forces alongside the strong nationwide popular support for the country’s defensive and retaliatory operations would “prevent the enemy from achieving its sinister objectives.”

Earlier, the IRGC had unveiled previously unreleased footage of its decisive action against non-compliant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, debunking the United States’ allegations of effectively supporting trespassing vessels’ transit through the waterway.

“The United States is the greatest threat to the security of regional countries and maritime trade; US support and escort operations are nothing but a big lie!” the IRGC had cautioned.

Prior to the release of the footage, the Corps had also announced striking three United States-linked vessels and three trespassing oil tankers in retaliation for earlier American attacks on Iranian tankers.

Development of Juche-oriented Education

Pyongyang, September 5 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung made public the immortal classic work "Theses on Socialist Education" on September 5, 1977.

The work comprehensively deals with all problems arising in education, including the basic principles of pedagogy and the contents and methods of socialist education.

The publication of the theses was an epoch-making event that brought about a new turning point in the development of education in the DPRK.

True to the noble intention of respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un to train the rising generations into reliable pillars of the socialist country, the DPRK's education is now writing a proud history of its development as the most advantageous and ideal one that can be entrusted with guaranteeing the future of the country.

The universal 12-year compulsory education has been enforced, the optional curriculum and the system of voluntarily selecting subjects introduced at senior middle schools and the educational contents put on a more concrete, diversified and practical basis. Like this, a great change has been made in the education of the DPRK.

Amid the nationwide and social attention and support, many school buildings have been newly built across the country and education has been put on an IT and modern basis to radically improve the appearance of educational institutions. And the tele-education system was established to consolidate the solid foundation for making all the people well versed in science and technology.

Schoolchildren's palaces, children's camps and primary and middle schools for orphans were successfully built in different parts of the country. And homemade school uniforms, things, bags and shoes are supplied to the schoolchildren across the country. This is the proud reality that can be found only in the socialist system of the DPRK which gives priority to education and puts it forward as the first state affair.

The DPRK brings earlier the future of a powerful socialist country and guarantees the eternal future by making a new turn in education. It is developing into an educational power and talent power with each passing day. -0-

http://kcna.kp/en/article/detail/859489bd88bc49fd7f4247c0cf22dc6d

https://archive.is/wgMO2 (11 photos)

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)’s Navy announces striking three United States-linked vessels and three trespassing oil tankers in retaliation for earlier American attacks on Iranian tankers.

“This morning, the terrorist and aggressor US military, in a brutal act born of desperation from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, attacked three oil tankers belonging to the Islamic Republic, causing damage,” the force said in a statement on Saturday.

In response, “the fighters of the IRGC Navy targeted three oil tankers traveling along an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as three vessels affiliated with the child-killing United States, in other areas,” it added.

Iran closed the chokepoint following the launch of the latest bout of unprovoked American-Israeli aggression against the country on February 28.

The Islamic Republic and the United States agreed on a 60-day reopening period as part of a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding in June.

Iran devised the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), a mechanism aimed at ensuring safe and legal transit through the chokepoint, towards implementation of the understanding, but American violations forced the country to reestablish the closure.

Tehran has conditioned reopening of the waterway on realization of a number of prerequisites, including the complete lifting of the US’s illegal naval and economic blockade against the Islamic Republic, durable cessation of aggression on all fronts, including Lebanon, and clarification of the situation concerning the blockade of Yemen.

The Islamic Republic has, meanwhile, sternly warned vessels against buying into Washington’s claims that the strait remains open, asserting that any vessel attempting to transit the waterway in reliance on such claims would do so at its own risk and would be targeted.

The IRGC Navy reiterated the warning to all vessels present in the Persian Gulf and in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, urging them not to “fall for the deception of the terrorist US military, and refrain from any suspicious movement aimed at transiting unauthorized waterways.”

“Otherwise, you will be targeted,” the statement concluded.

The United States military says its forces struck three Iranian crude oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, as tensions remain high between Tehran and Washington.

In a statement released on Saturday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said two crude oil carriers that it linked to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), identified as M/T Downy and M/T Stark 1, were struck off the coast of Kharg Island and near the southeastern port of Jask.

It added that the vessels were rendered inoperable.

CENTCOM added that a third vessel, the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo, also known as Noxen, was hit in the Gulf of Oman after its crew was instructed to abandon ship. According to the US military, the tanker was struck at multiple locations to prevent it from returning to service.

The US military alleged that the three vessels were part of a “multibillion-dollar shadow network” used to generate revenue for the IRGC and its allies operating in the region.

CENTCOM also said a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer had come under Iranian attacks.

Earlier on Saturday, Iranian media reported that a tanker near Kharg Island had come under attack by US forces.

A local source said the Iranian tanker was struck by four projectiles about six nautical miles from the island.

The attack caused no casualties, while the tanker’s crew was evacuated from the vessel.

The latest developments came days after Iran and the United States exchanged attacks earlier this week, marking the first direct military confrontation between the two sides in more than a month.

Audio reviewed by CNN reportedly captured a US military aircraft warning the ship via an emergency channel before the strike. According to the report, the aircraft instructed the crew of Motor Tanker STARK 1 to abandon the vessel within 10 minutes. A person believed to be aboard the tanker was later heard appealing for the firing to stop, saying the ship had already been destroyed.

Marine traffic data cited by media reports showed that the Stark 1 tanker, built in 2000, has a carrying capacity of 159,681 tonnes and was last tracked near Kharg Island about a week earlier.

On Monday, US armed forces attacked Iran’s Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, martyring three people.

On Tuesday, US missile strikes hit three locations near Ahvaz and Aghajari in Khuzestan Province, martyring seven people and wounding eight others, according to Khuzestan provincial officials.

On the same day, US forces struck a residential building in Kuhestak in Hormozgan Province while a wedding reception was taking place, martyring at least five people and wounding 68 others, including women and children.

In response to the attacks, Iran’s Armed Forces launched a series of retaliatory missile and drone strikes against US military positions in Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain.

https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2096231596449767452#m

CENTCOM Destroys 3 IRGC Oil Tankers After Iran Targets 2 U.S. Navy Warships

AMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers, Sept. 5, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships patrolling regional waters.

A U.S. aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks. No American personnel were harmed.

Following Iran’s failed attacks, CENTCOM permanently disabled the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask. American forces also completely destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo (also known as the “Noxen”) in the Gulf of Oman, striking the vessel in multiple critical locations to render it inoperable after the crew was directed to abandon ship.

The three Iranian crude oil tankers are part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. Iran has no means by which to defend them.

“Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost —taking out three of yours,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.”

video

https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2096247889366290840#m

National Sculpture and Craftwork Festival Opens in DPRK

Pyongyang, September 4 (KCNA) -- The Seventh National Sculpture and Craftwork Festival opened with due ceremony at the Pyongyang International House of Culture on September 3 in celebration of the 78th birthday of the DPRK.

On show at the festival are more than 300 works created by sculptors and craftsmen from art studios, amateurs and schoolchildren across the country.

Those works represent the reality of the country, which is being transformed every day under the leadership of the great Workers' Party of Korea, and the happy people enjoying a new civilization and life.

They include sculptures and craftworks of various themes which portrayed the bright and cheerful looks of the younger generations realizing their dreams and cultivating talents under the benefits of the grateful socialist system.

Present at the opening ceremony were officials concerned, the festival participants and citizens. -0-

http://kcna.kp/en/article/detail/b86f14aed9e21d05d629ec913574cecf

https://archive.is/AucaO