Iran says it has foiled an Israeli plot to sabotage its defence and missile production industry, state media reported.
Iran has the largest ballistic missile force in the world, often said to be a key component of its military deterrent, and also fields large numbers of low-flying cruise missiles, which it is constantly upgrading.
"The intelligence unit of the Defence Ministry thwarted one of the largest sabotage plots targeting Iran's missile, aviation and airspace military industry," Iranian state TV said. "This sabotage was carried out under the guidance of the Zionist intelligence services and their agents."
Citing an unnamed source, state media said a network of Israeli spies had aimed to introduce defective parts into the production of advanced missiles.
There was no immediate response from Israel.
The announcement comes a day afterIran's Foreign Minister said Israel will face retaliation for attacks on Syria.
Hossein Amirabdollahian was speaking during a visit to the Syrian capital.
His warning came two days after air strikes blamed on Israel hit the international airport in Aleppo.
Mr Amirabdollahian, who held meetings with Prime Minister Hussein Arnous and Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, described Syria as “an ally of Iran” and Iran as “a friend of Syria during the Arab country’s difficult times”.
The air strikes damaged the runway at Aleppo's airport, putting it out of service. The airport has been targeted several times this year, including two attacks in March that put it out of service.
“The criminal practices by the Zionist entity in the region will not remain without retaliation,” Mr Amirabdollahian said at a press conference with Mr Mekdad in Damascus.
Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets in government-controlled parts of Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations.
The strikes often aim at Syrian military forces or Iran-backed groups.
Tehran has been a main backer of the Syrian government since a 2011 uprising turned into a civil war.
It has sent thousands of fighters to Syria, helping to tip the balance of power in the favour of President Bashar Al Assad.
Israel has damaged air and seaports in the government-held parts of Syria in an apparent attempt to prevent arms shipments from Iran to militant groups backed by Tehran, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Mr Amirabdollahian also called for the withdrawal of US forces from Syria, describing their presence in the country as illegal. Hundreds of American troops are posted in north-east Syria to support anti-ISIS operations by allied Syrian forces.
“We advise US forces to return home, and we also advise American authorities to leave the region to the people of the region,” the Iranian minister said.
Mr Amirabdollahian also spoke about the recent string of public desecrations of the Quran by a handful of anti-Islam activists in Denmark.
He said Denmark's Foreign Minister told him that the government planned to make it illegal to desecrate any holy book.
“We welcome this move and we advise Sweden and other European countries to respect religions and holy books,” Mr Amirabdollahian said.
The desecrations of Islam's holy text sparked protests across the Muslim world, some of them violent.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), EsekaiaDranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), JaenBotes (Exiles), KristianStinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), EmosiVacanau (Harlequins), NikoVolavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), ThinusSteyn (Exiles)
Key findings of Jenkins report
Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final, first leg:
Liverpool 5
Salah (35', 45 1'), Mane (56'), Firmino (61', 68')
Roma 2
Dzeko (81'), Perotti (85' pen)
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Scoreline
Switzerland 5
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
