VFI News Report: At Least 40 Killed and 1000 Injured in Explosion of Missile Fuel in Iran

Report: At Least 40 Killed and 1000 Injured in Explosion of Missile Fuel in Iran . . .

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Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered a thorough investigation on Sunday, April 27, into the causes of a major blast at a key southern port that killed at least 40 people and injured more than 1,000.

His instructions came after President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the blast scene in Shahid Rajaee Port near the strategic Strait of Hormuz where a fire still blazed on Sunday more than 24 hours after the explosion.

“Security and judicial officials are obliged to thoroughly investigate, uncover any negligence or intent, and follow up in accordance with regulations,” Khamenei said in a message carried by state television. The Russian embassy said Moscow was sending multiple “aircraft carrying specialists” to help fight the blaze.

Renowned American media quoted a person with ties to IRGC, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss security matters, as saying that what exploded was sodium perchlorate — a major ingredient in solid fuel for missiles.

Defense ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik later told State TV that “there has been no imported or exported cargo for military fuel or military use in the area”. The port’s customs office said in a statement carried by state television that the explosion probably resulted from a fire that broke out at the hazardous and chemical materials storage depot. (BB/VFI News)

“Our Heavenly Father, we pray for the Iranian people who lost their loved ones in this horrifying explosion. We pray that You comfort them and bring them close to You so they have hope in their hearts. We also pray in Yeshua's Name for all the injured citizens to recover fully as soon as possible, and for the hospitals to be able to work properly. We ask You to stop all nuclear and offensive activities in Iran, and soften the hearts of its leaders so that they repent and lead the people in love, servitude and humility.”

Iran insists it will not comply with the administration’s demand for it to suspend all uranium enrichment. US President Donald Trump said military action could be imminent if Iran does make a deal.

The non-profit Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) said satellite imagery showed Iran building a security perimeter around Mt. Kolang Gaz La, a mountain that sits atop two large underground tunnel complexes linked to the nearby Natanz nuclear facility. 

The massive security perimeter, which includes road grading and wall panels, isolates a sizable chunk of the mountain to limit access to the tunnel complex entrances. The north side of the new perimeter joins up with the existing barriers around the Natanz facility.

“If Iran wants a civil nuclear program, they can have one just like many other countries can have one, and that is they import enriched material,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. Such an arrangement is commonplace for countries that have a legitimate need for below-weapons-grade nuclear material.

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that “the core issue of enrichment itself is not negotiable.” (BB/VFI News)

“Dear Lord, we thank You for protecting us and the whole world from a nuclear war. We pray that You continue to protect us and show your unfailing Love to us through all generations. We ask in Yeshua's Name that You inspire the leaders of the United States and Iran to have fruitful negotiations and for Iran to halt its nuclear plans once and for all.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Sunday, April 27, for Iran’s entire nuclear infrastructure to be dismantled, as talks between the US and Iran appeared to move in a positive direction following a third round of indirect negotiations in Oman over the weekend 

Netanyahu also specified that Iran must not be allowed to enrich uranium or even to retain the capacity to do so, and told a conference that he had presented his position on the matter to US President Donald Trump, and was in close contact with the US on the subject. 

It was unclear, however, exactly how much Netanyahu’s position aligns with that of the US. Speaking to reporters, also on Sunday, Trump did not appear to share his concerns. “On the Iran situation, I think we’re doing very well,” said Trump. 

“I think a deal is going to be made there. It’s going to happen. Pretty sure it’s going to happen.” “We’ll have something without having to start dropping bombs all over the place,” Trump added. 

Speaking at the Jewish News Syndicate policy conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu stressed that Tehran could not be allowed to continue enriching uranium. He elaborated, predicting that if the two sides were to agree on a deal that is too lenient, Iran would simply run out the clock and wait for the end of Trump’s term before picking back up where it left off. (TOI/VFI News) 

“He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it” - 1 Peter 3:10-11

New Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said that Damascus seeks to normalize ties with Israel, US Congressman Cory Mills told American media on Thursday, April 24, after a meeting with him in Syria. Sharaa is still under US and UN sanctions for his previous ties to al-Qaeda, and the two discussed for some 90 minutes.

Mills said he talked with Sharaa about the conditions for removing US-imposed economic sanctions, as well as the possibility of peace with Israel, according to the report. 

Sharaa told Mills during their meeting that Syria is interested “under the right conditions” in joining the Abraham Accords — the series of normalization agreements that US President Donald Trump’s previous administration negotiated between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco.

According to Mills, Sharaa is also open to clarifying how he plans to address the presence of foreign fighters still operating in Syria and offer guarantees to Israel, which remains deeply distrustful of the Syrian leader and opposes any easing of sanctions.

Mills and Stutzman, both members of Trump’s Republican party, toured parts of the Syrian capital destroyed by the war, met with Christian religious leaders, and said they planned to meet other Syrian government ministers. (TOI/VFI News) 

“Dear God, we pray for peace with Syria and in the Middle East. We pray for our Syrian Christian brothers and sisters to not be persecuted by the new leaders, but to enjoy peace and safety in their land. We also pray that You reveal Your Son to the new leaders so they can turn to Him, repent and lead the country according to Your Will. In Yeshua's name we pray.”

Embark on a soul-stirring journey with our lyric video, 'The Last Frontier.' Immerse yourself in a harmonious blend of country and Western vibes, echoing themes of discovering a home in the heart of Jerusalem—the last frontier for the Kingdom of God as we approach the end of the age. This uplifting song beautifully encapsulates the spirit of leaving everything behind, following in the footsteps of Yeshua, and ultimately finding solace and belonging in the holy city of Jerusalem. Experience the profound message of finding home, purpose, and divine fulfillment in the heart of Jerusalem. 

The US Department of Justice informed the Southern District Court of New York on Thursday, April 24, that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) does not possess legal immunity, signaling a major departure from previous American policy, media reported.

This statement marks a key development in a lawsuit launched last year by the families of individuals murdered or abducted during the brutal Hamas invasion of southern Israel on October 7, 2023. 

The plaintiffs accuse UNRWA of complicity in the massacre, with Israel asserting that at least 18 employees of the agency were directly involved in the assault. The legal challenge also claims that billions of dollars in aid funneled through UNRWA to Gaza were misused, alleging the funds ended up in the hands of Hamas and allied terrorist factions. 

The Justice Department acknowledged a shift in its interpretation of the law. “Previously, the government expressed the view that certain immunities shielded UNRWA from having to answer those allegations in American courts,” the filing noted. “The government has since re-evaluated that position and now concludes that UNRWA is not immune from this litigation. Nor are the bulk of other defendants.”

The government’s filing emphasized that UNRWA, although established through a UN General Assembly resolution, does not meet the legal threshold to be considered an organ of the United Nations itself. 

Furthermore, the Justice Department questioned whether the General Assembly even had the authority to create such a body under international law. (INN/VFI News)  

“It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.” - Proverbs 21:15

Antisemitic social media posts of a Gazan reporter who has consistently appeared on BBC Arabic have been uncovered, British media reports.

Samer Elzaenen, 33, has made several antisemitic comments, including a 2011 Facebook post reading: “My message to the Zionist Jews: We are going to take our land back … We shall burn you as Hitler did, but this time we won’t have a single one of you left.” In July 2022, he wrote: “When things go awry for us, shoot the Jews, it fixes everything.” He has also described the October 7, 2023, massacre perpetrators as “resistance fighters.”

According to the British news outlet, Elzaenen has further praised over 30 separate terror attacks against Israeli civilians, including a February 2023 car-ramming attack that killed two boys and a 20-year-old man in Jerusalem, saying the victims “will soon go to hell.”

A BBC spokesperson told the British news agency reporting this that the BBC news service uses “a range of eyewitness accounts from the Strip” since its journalists are not allowed to enter.

“These are not BBC members of staff or part of the BBC’s reporting team. We were not aware of the individuals’ social media activity prior to hearing from them on air. We are absolutely clear that there is no place for antisemitism on our services.” (TOI/VFI News)

“He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” - 1 John 2:9-11

Antisemitism in Canada has exploded in the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, reaching record numbers last year and becoming a central issue for the country’s Jewish community ahead of today's federal election.

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, the main challenger to Prime Minister Mark Carney, recently accused pro-Hamas protesters of staging "hate marches" and vowing to deport antisemitic foreigners from Canada.

"The rampaging chaos that we see in our streets, the targeting of synagogues and Jewish schools with hate, vandalism, violence, fire bombings ... these things were unheard of 10 years ago," Poilievre said.

He also had a warning for foreign agitators. "Anyone who is here on a visitor visa who carries out lawbreaking will be deported from this country," Poilievre said.

To Canada's Jewish community, Poilievre added, "You are not alone, you have friends. Canadians stand with you. You have the right to wear your Star of David, your kippah, and have your mezuzah on your door. You should feel proud to be Jewish and should never have to hide your Jewishness in order to stay safe." (FN/VFI News)

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” - Matthew 5:44-45

Israeli windsurfer Tamar Steinberg on Friday, April 25, won the gold medal at the World Cup in Hyeres, France. It marked the second gold medal in a row for Steinberg, who won first place at a competition in Cadiz, Spain, last month.

Sharon Kantor, also an Israeli competitor, won bronze at the competition. The final day of the competition was marred by heavy winds, leading organizers to cancel the quarter and semi-final rounds, opting for one single final round, which included Steinberg, Kantor and fellow Israeli Shahar Tibi.

In a close race, Steinberg and Kantor both finished on the podium, with Chinese surfer Zheng Yan finishing in second place, taking home the silver medal. 

“There were really varied conditions throughout the competition with the medal race in such light winds after a few days of crazy winds,” Steinberg told the media, as reported by an Israeli news site. “I feel confident today in my ability to withstand the different conditions and it gives me a lot of confidence.” (TOI/VFI News) 

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Praise the Lord!” - Psalm 106:48

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.

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