Iran's Revolutionary Guard has called on Americans to take to the streets and protest President Donald Trump's policies, claiming that Washington's war in the Middle East has failed, as fresh developments unfolded across the region on Tuesday.
Guard spokesman Gen. Hossein Mohebbi delivered what he described as a “letter to the American people” at a news conference in Tehran, urging them to reconsider their choice of leaders ahead of the US midterm elections.
He said the conflict could end only if Washington acknowledged defeat and withdrew, while accusing the US of using Iran's nuclear programme as a pretext to “plunder Iran's wealth” and turn the country “back into a colony.”
In remarks to The Associated Press later, Mohebbi encouraged Americans to stage street protests against Trump's policies and denounce what he described as the US government's war-mongering approach.
He said military action and economic sanctions would not force Tehran to surrender.
The message came weeks ahead of the Nov. 3 US midterm elections, in which Trump's Republican Party is seeking to retain control of Congress.
Meanwhile, Iran's currency fell to a new record low on Tuesday, with the US dollar trading at more than 2.5 million rials in Tehran, reflecting further economic deterioration amid the conflict.
The rial had previously reached a record low of 2.2 million to the dollar on Sept. 2 and has repeatedly weakened since the war began in February.
Settlers prevent Palestinian family from returning home
In the occupied West Bank, more than 100 Israeli settlers clashed with Israeli soldiers who were escorting a Palestinian man back to his home in the village of Jalud.
Mahmoud Tubasi, the homeowner, said soldiers initially took him to the house but rioting settlers forced him and his family to leave in a military vehicle. He said settlers have surrounded the property for about two months, preventing the family from returning.
The Israeli military said the overnight effort to return the family “was not completed” and that three officers were injured after settlers threw rocks, blocked roads and set Palestinian property on fire.
Israeli police said three settlers suspected of involvement in the violence were arrested.
The incident drew condemnation from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gidon Saar and President Isaac Herzog.
The latest violence comes as the Israeli military faces difficulties in containing an escalation in settler attacks. Rights groups have accused the military of cooperating with settlers.
Israeli strike kills Hamas commander, two others
An Israeli airstrike on an apartment west of Gaza City killed two people, including a Hamas commander, according to the Israeli military.
The military said Izz al-Din Bik, a commander in Hamas' northern Gaza brigade, was involved in planning attacks and recruiting members for the militant group. Hamas did not immediately confirm his death.
Officials at Shifa Hospital said five other people were wounded in the overnight strike.
More than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed since a ceasefire took effect nearly a year ago, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
The ministry, which maintains detailed casualty records generally considered reliable, does not distinguish between civilians and militants. It says women and children account for about half of those killed.