Malgré l’annonce d’un accord entre les Etats-Unis et l’Iran incluant la guerre opposant Israël au Hezbollah, mouvement pro-iranien, des attaques de drones ont visé deux véhicules dans la localité de Mayfadoun et un autre dans la ville voisine de Choukine, dans la région de Nabatiyé, selon l’Agence nationale de l’information.

Des frappes israéliennes ont tué au moins quatre personnes mardi dans le sud du Liban, a rapporté un média d’État. De son côté, l’armée israélienne a affirmé avoir riposté après avoir intercepté des roquettes du Hezbollah.

L’armée iranienne menace d’une « réponse sévère » aux attaques israéliennes au Liban

L’armée iranienne a menacé d’une « réponse sévère » aux frappes israéliennes dans le sud du Liban qui ont fait quatre morts mardi, en dépit de l’annonce d’un accord entre les États-Unis et la République islamique pour mettre mettre fin à la guerre, selon un média d’État.

« Si l’armée infanticide du régime sioniste ne met pas un terme à ses agressions dans le sud du Liban, elle devra s’attendre à une sévère réponse de la part des puissantes forces armées de la République islamique d’Iran », a prévenu le commandement des forces armées, Khatam al-Anbiya, dans un communiqué cité par la télévision d’État Irib.

Selon son décompte, Israël aurait violé le cessez-le-feu au Liban 84 fois depuis l’annonce de l’accord lundi.

L’accord prévoit un fonds de 300 milliards de dollars pour des investissements privés en Iran, selon Reuters

Un fonds privé de 300 milliards de dollars destiné à stimuler les investissements en Iran est prévu dans l’accord-cadre entre les États-Unis et l’Iran, et plus de la moitié de cette somme a déjà été engagée, a déclaré à Reuters une source ayant une connaissance directe de l’accord.

Ce fonds est destiné à offrir aux deux parties une incitation économique à conclure un accord définitif, a déclaré cette source, qui s’est exprimée sous couvert d’anonymat car le projet n’a pas encore été annoncé, alors que Washington et Téhéran s’apprêtent à signer vendredi.

World Opinion + Agences

L’article Quatre morts dans des frappes israéliennes dans le sud du Liban, selon un média d’État est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

Iran confirms it has reached a deal with the US to end fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump announces an end to Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports and says the Strait of Hormuz will reopen on Friday when the agreement is signed in Switzerland.

Trump slams Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for nearly derailing the deal and says the Israeli leader “should be very thankful” for the US diplomatic efforts.

World leaders welcome the agreement as oil prices drop and markets rally in Asia.

Israeli defence chief vows to occupy southern Lebanon despite deal

⁠Israel will not withdraw ⁠from territory it ⁠seized in Lebanon and if ‌Iran attacks it over events in Lebanon Israel ⁠will retaliate, says Israel’s ⁠Defence Minister Israel Katz. ⁠

Lebanon was drawn into the conflict when fighting broke out between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2. An April ceasefire in Lebanon was never observed, and the fighting has continued despite a new conditional truce deal announced last week after Lebanese-Israeli talks in Washington.

Israel’s Ben-Gvir says ‘Trump’s agreement does not bind us’

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says Israel is not a “subordinate of the United States”.

“We are an independent and sovereign nation,” he said on X, adding: “We are not partners to this agreement that does not ensure our security, and it does not bind us in any way.”

“We must not compromise on anything less than the dismantling of Hezbollah, we must not withdraw from any territory that our fighters have captured and cleared of terror infrastructure, we must not return to a situation where thousands of terrorists sit on the fences of northern settlements, and certainly we must not remain silent for a moment in the face of fire directed at the State of Israel,” the minister added.

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L’article Analysis. Tehran says ‘peace deal’ ends US blockade, war on all fronts est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

President Donald Trump says he has cancelled planned strikes and bombings against Iran after discussions were allegedly approved by the “highest level” of the Iranian leadership. There has been no confirmation from Iran.

Earlier, he has warned the US will be hitting Iran “very hard” tonight, adding that Washington will take over Iran’s Kharg ⁠island and ⁠other oil ⁠infrastructure points.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the US strikes on the country, saying that it has rendered the ceasefire “practically meaningless”.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) launched retaliatory strikes on US forces in the region, including in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, according to Iranian news reports. Iran’s military also ordered the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels.

Trump says deal signing could take place this weekend in Europe

Continuing his remarks in the White House, the US president said the signing of a deal could take place somewhere in Europe as soon as this weekend.

Trump said he would not be able to attend, but VP JD Vance would be there.

Qatar says emir and Trump spoke about the deal

Qatar’s emir and Trump spoke about the deal and Trump “affirmed that the understandings reached had the approval of all concerned parties”, the Qatari emir’s office says.

“During the call, the two leaders discussed the close strategic relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, in addition to the latest regional and international developments, particularly those related to diplomatic efforts for de-escalation in the region,” the statement said.

It added that Qatar welcomes the efforts made to reach a deal and supports “everything that would consolidate regional and international security and stability, and enhance opportunities for peace and cooperation among the countries of the region”.

World Opinion + Agencies

L’article Trump ‘cancels scheduled strikes’ against Iran est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

A total of 3,666 people have been killed and 11,321 have been injured since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon’s National News Agency reports, citing figures from the country’s Ministry of Public Health.

This latest figure, which covers the period from 2 March to 9 June, rose from 3,637 deaths and 11,188 injuries reported by the health ministry on Monday.

Israeli forces kill nine people in Tyre city after issuing forced displacement orders, as it continues deadly attacks on southern Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump says he’s in the “final throes” of a deal with Iran after a dangerous escalation with Israel and suggests an agreement will be done in days.

Iran warns fighting will resume if Israel continues its “aggression”, including bombing Lebanon.

US Vice President JD Vance says any deal with Iran would be good for people in the US, whether Israel likes it or not.

China calls for ‘concrete actions to cool down situation’ in Middle East

Beijing has urged all sides to avoid escalating the US-Israel war on Iran stressing military action cannot resolve disputes among nations.

“The three-month-long US-Israel-Iran conflict has hit countries in the Gulf and the wider Middle East region hard,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian in a statement.

“At this critical juncture of Iran-US negotiations, no one should reignite military conflict. Regional countries’ sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected and upheld.”

The three-month-long U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict has hit countries in the Gulf and the wider Middle East region hard. Facts have proven that military means provide no solution, and arbitrary use of force will only complicate the issue.

At this critical juncture of Iran-U.S.… pic.twitter.com/UV210yrrc8

— Lin Jian 林剑 (@SpoxCHN_LinJian) June 9, 2026

Iran ‘unwilling to let go of’ Hezbollah security role in Lebanon

Ronnie Chatah, host of the Beirut Banyan podcast, says continued Iranian influence over Lebanon through its ally Hezbollah – a relationship Iran appears unwilling to relinquish – remains a major obstacle to stability in Lebanon.

“Lebanon cannot function, Lebanon cannot be governable so long as this security arrangement exists,” Chatah told Al Jazeera. “Lebanon is a battlefield for the Iranian regime.”

He argued that Hezbollah’s popularity “has diminished significantly” during Israel’s attacks on the country.

“The Lebanese government has made gestures towards sovereignty, it has delegitimised Hezbollah’s weapons, it deems all IRGC activity in this country illegal. Yet until now, Iran is unwilling to let go of this country,” said Chatah.

“I think the Iranian regime can negotiate on everything else – it can negotiate on the Strait of Hormuz, it can negotiate on nuclear technology, but up until now it is refusing to negotiate on Hezbollah.”

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L’article Analysis . Israel pounds Lebanon; Trump says deal may come within days.. Video est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

The United States military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces conducted “self-defence” strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island and “defeated multiple” Iranian missiles and drones, as civilian vessels and regional allies Kuwait and Bahrain came under attack.

Kuwait’s military said air defence systems intercepted incoming drones and missiles, while Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said warning sirens were activated.

Iran’s Tasnim new agency cited the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirming it launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks on US bases in the region, but did not name Kuwait or Bahrain, following the Qeshm strikes.

US President Donald Trump has hit back at reports that negotiations with Iran to end the war have stalled, saying that “conversations between us have been going on continuously”.

Israel continues its deadly bombing campaign in southern Lebanon a day after Trump said that Israel’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, had agreed to call off planned attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs.

At least 3,468 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2, with 10,577 injured, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports.

US military says Iran attacks on Kuwait ‘failed to impact targets’

US Central Command (CENTCOM) has posted more information about the overnight tit-for-tat strikes with Iranian forces.

The command earlier said it launched “self defence” fire “in response to attempted attacks by Iran across the Middle East”.

“Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward regional neighbors; however, all failed to hit their intended targets. Two Iranian missiles fired at Kuwait fell short or broke apart enroute, and three missiles launched at Bahrain were immediately intercepted by US and Bahrain air defense forces,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

An additional wave of Iranian drones attempting to attack U.S. forces in Kuwait failed to impact intended targets tonight. U.S. Central Command air defenses successfully downed multiple drones and ensured no American personnel or assets were harmed.

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 3, 2026

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L’article US hits Iran’s Qeshm, says Tehran targeted Kuwait, Bahrain.. Video est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

US President Donald Trump says he spoke to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah for the Lebanon ceasefire, adding that both sides agreed to stop their attacks.

Earlier, Netanyahu ordered Israeli attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned residents of northern Israel to leave the area if Israel carries out threats to expand attacks on Beirut and its southern suburbs.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the ceasefire between Iran and the US “is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts”.

Iran has asked Pakistan to continue playing a diplomatic role in helping reduce regional tensions and support efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Lebanon, according to a statement issued from Islamabad.

Qatari source says officials working towards de-escalation in southern Lebanon

The US has informed Qatar that strikes threatened by Israel on Beirut’s southern suburbs have been cancelled following a call between Trump and Netanyahu, a Qatari diplomatic source has told Al Jazeera.

The official added that Qatar initiated contact with the US last Sunday to push for de-escalation in southern Lebanon, and since then, its officials have been engaged in mediation efforts to reinforce the ceasefire.

What is happening in the occupied West Bank?

The Israeli army and settlers have continued their attacks across the occupied West Bank.

Here is a round-up of what happened today, according to reports collected by the Wafa news agency:

Settlers carried out a series of attacks on agricultural land in the Nablus and Ramallah governorates, including setting fire to olive plantations and causing widespread damage through livestock grazing.

Settlers erected sheds and moved caravans onto previously bulldozed land in the town of Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah, where olive trees had earlier been uprooted.

Israeli forces stormed the Kafr Aqab neighbourhood, north of occupied East Jerusalem, firing tear gas and stun grenades.

Israeli authorities issued a demolition order against a Palestinian’s home and commercial facility in the town of Jaba, north of Jerusalem. It houses two families of 13 people.

World Opinion + Agencies

L’article Trump says he spoke to Netanyahu, Hezbollah about Lebanon est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

Donald Trump a déclaré dimanche que les Etats-Unis n’entendaient pas « se précipiter » en vue de conclure un accord avec l’Iran, semblant tempérer l’espoir d’une finalisation rapide pour mettre fin à la guerre au Moyen-Orient.

Le secrétaire d’Etat américain Marco Rubio a déclaré un peu plus tôt qu’une annonce était possible dans la journée de dimanche concernant un accord avec l’Iran.

L’Iran et les Etats-Unis avaient évoqué dans la journée de samedi une percée dans les négociations pour mettre durablement fin à la guerre au Moyen-Orient, après des semaines de tensions et de consultations diplomatiques. Donald Trump avait confirmé à CBS News qu’un accord entre les Etats-Unis et l’Iran « se rapprochait grandement ».

Avant cela, le négociateur iranien avait promis une réponse « écrasante » si les Etats-Unis reprenaient leur guerre contre l’Iran. Selon des médias américains, Washington aurait envisagé de nouvelles frappes contre Téhéran.

Benjamin Netanyahu dit avoir reçu l’assurance que l’accord final avec l’Iran inclurait le dossier nucléaire

Le Premier ministre israélien Benjamin Netanyahu a affirmé dimanche être convenu avec Donald Trump que tout accord final avec l’Iran devait « éliminer entièrement la menace nucléaire ».

« Ma politique, comme celle du président Trump, reste inchangée: l’Iran n’obtiendra pas d’armes nucléaires », a déclaré Benjamin Netanyahu dans un communiqué, au lendemain d’une conversation téléphonique entre les deux hommes.

« Droit » d’Israël à se défendre

« Le président Trump et moi sommes convenus que tout accord final avec l’Iran devait éliminer entièrement la menace nucléaire. Cela signifie démanteler les installations d’enrichissement d’uranium de l’Iran et retirer de son territoire les matières nucléaires enrichies », a-t-il ajouté.

Benjamin Netanyahu a également affirmé que Donald Trump avait, lors de cet appel, réitéré « le droit » d’Israël à combattre au Liban, où l’armée israélienne vise le Hezbollah pro-iranien.

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L’article Débats. Après des annonces d’accord imminent avec l’Iran, Donald Trump dit qu’il n’entend pas « se précipiter » est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has held “highly productive talks” with the Iranian leadership in Tehran, resulting in “encouraging progress towards a final understanding” between the United States and Iran, according to the Pakistani army.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said “some progress” had been made through the Pakistani mediation, adding that “there is ⁠a chance that, whether it’s ⁠later today, ⁠tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to ‌say”.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei says that Iran “decided to focus the negotiations on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon”, refusing to discuss its nuclear programme.

Israel continues to launch air strikes on southern Lebanon after killing at least 3,123 people since March 2, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Setareh Sadeqi, assistant professor at the University of Tehran, spoke to Al Jazeera about the seemingly encouraging signs emerging from Pakistan towards a final understanding between Iran and the United States.

“I think there is a clear message that there is a regional desire to come to an agreement and make it happen between the United States and Iran,” said Sadeqi.

But she cautioned the messaging from all sides remains “very contradictory”.

“We’re seeing both parties talking about being very close, but at the same time being far and that the military option is on the table and it could happen within even hours, if not days,” she added.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said he was close to restarting the war before Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE urged him not to and to continue negotiations.

“The Pakistani officials are also saying that there are still points that need to be settled, and that means that it has actually not been finalised,” added Sadeqi.

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L’article Pakistan. Iran-US talks show progress but statements ‘very contradictory’.. Video est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

À seulement quelques jours de l’Aïd El-Kébir, les Marocains se ruent sur les marchés de bétail pour acheter le mouton destiné au sacrifice rituel. Mais comme dans d’autres pays du Maghreb, les habitants se plaignent de la hausse vertigineuse des prix, à tel point que le magazine “TelQuel” y consacre sa une.

Le magazine marocain TelQuel consacre la une de son édition du 15 mai à la fête de l’Aïd El-Kébir, célébrée le 27 mai. On y voit trois hommes en costume sombre au premier plan, entourés de moutons. Il s’agit en l’occurrence du chef du gouvernement, Aziz Akhannouch, et des deux ministres de l’Agriculture qui se sont succédé à ce poste. “Comment Akhannouch & Co ont tondu les Marocains”, titre l’hebdomadaire, qui dénonce un “scandale d’État” ayant permis à certains “opportunistes” de s’enrichir sur le dos des habitants.

En seulement quelques années, le prix de la viande de mouton est passé de 80 à 200 dirhams le kilo (de 7,50 euros à 18,50 euros). Si la pandémie de Covid-19, qui a fortement amoindri le cheptel, n’y est pas étrangère, le titre estime qu’une cascade de décisions politiques douteuses et les largesses de l’État ont fortement contribué à cette augmentation.

Depuis 2015, l’État a consacré quelque 13,1 milliards de dirhams (environ 1,2 milliard d’euros) d’argent public à diverses “subventions et exonérations au profit de 277 importateurs de bétail” : exonérations de droits de douane, de TVA sur les importations et même subventions directes pour chaque tête de bétail importée à hauteur de 500 dirhams (46 euros). Le but affiché était d’assurer l’approvisionnement en viande, à des prix abordables.

Problème, de nombreuses entreprises impliquées dans le commerce de bétail auraient profité de conflits d’intérêts et du manque de contrôle pour tirer profit de cette manne financière.

“Sur les 80 dossiers que TelQuel a vérifiés indépendamment du registre du commerce, plus de quatre sociétés sur dix ont été soit créées, soit reconfigurées dans leurs statuts entre l’automne 2022 et la fin 2024”, écrit l’hebdomadaire, laissant entendre que certaines entités avaient été créées uniquement dans le but de profiter du système mis en place par le gouvernement.

Grand acteur de cette politique en tant que ministre de l’Agriculture (2007-2021), puis chef du gouvernement, Aziz Akhannouch est pointé du doigt comme l’un des principaux responsables de ce fiasco. L’exécutif n’aurait pas d’idée claire de l’état du cheptel et n’a pas su enrayer la hausse des prix.

Il y a un an, le roi du Maroc, Mohammed VI, avait appelé de manière exceptionnelle à renoncer au sacrifice de l’Aïd face à la forte diminution du cheptel national.

Par Malik Ben Salem + courrierinternational.com

L’article Maroc : qui est responsable de la flambée des prix du mouton avant l’Aïd ? est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

Hate speech against religious minorities in India rose last year. Experts say far-right RSS is doing ‘damage control’.

India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological fountainhead of the Hindu far right, says it is organising visits to the United States and other Western countries to bolster its public image globally and dispel claims it is involved in violence against religious minority groups in India.

The visits announced on Tuesday come amid international criticism regarding minority rights in India and a few months after a US federal agency published a report accusing the group of carrying out acts of violence against minorities for decades.

Here is more about the RSS, and what’s behind the visits to Western nations.

What is the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh?

The RSS is a right-wing Hindu volunteer organisation founded in 1925 by physician and Hindu nationalist Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, modern-day Maharashtra.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, sometimes called the Sangh for short, is Hindi for National Volunteer Organisation.

The RSS works across society, operating schools, hospitals, magazines and publishing houses, to advocate for the idea of Hindutva, a Hindu supremacist idea that aims to turn India from a constitutionally secular state into a Hindu one.

The RSS describes itself as a “Hindu-centric civilisational, cultural movement” that aims to “carry the nation to the pinnacle of glory”. It leads a network of more than 2,500 right-wing Hindu organisations called the Sangh Parivar, Hindi for RSS family.

“RSS is known as a fascist organisation because if you look at the writings of the first ideologues of RSS, they bring inspiration from Mussolini and Hitler,” Apoorvanand, a Hindi professor at the University of Delhi who writes literary and cultural criticism, told Al Jazeera.

BS Moonje, a Hindu Mahasabha party leader and mentor to Hedgewar, met Italian dictator Benito Mussolini in 1931, openly admired fascist youth and military organisations and saw them as a model for organising Hindu society.

MS Golwalkar, the second RSS chief, wrote a book in 1939 titled We, or Our Nationhood Defined, in which he cited Nazi Germany’s treatment of minorities as an example of preserving racial or national purity.

“You will find admiration towards the policies of Hitler. This is how they wanted to deal with the Muslims and Christians in India,” Apoorvanand, who goes by his first name, said.

“In the present times, their source of inspiration is Israel because Israel is also following the same policy towards Muslims and Christians – to eliminate them completely.”

The RSS has been banned in India several times, including in 1948 after a former member assassinated independence leader Mahatma Gandhi.

Does the RSS have ties to the government?

The RSS is often described as the ideological mothership of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP was formed in 1980 by former leaders of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), including Hindu nationalist leader and poet Atal Bihari Vajpayee, after their split from the Janata Party coalition.

The BJP first came to power briefly in 1996 with Vajpayee as prime minister, but he resigned after 13 days when he failed to gain support for his government from a majority of members of parliament. He won again in 1998 and served as prime minister for 13 months before losing a no-confidence vote. Vajpayee later served a stable term from 1999 to 2004.

Current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been a member of the RSS since 1972, began his first term in 2014, marking the first time the BJP had won a single-party majority in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament. In June 2024, Modi was sworn in as India’s prime minister for a third term. Modi, 75, joined the BJP in 1987.

Are hate crimes against minorities on the rise in India?

In 2025, incidents of hate speech against minorities in India, including Muslims and Christians, rose by 13 percent, according to the India Hate Lab, a United States-based research group. The majority of these instances occurred in states and union territories governed by the BJP.

Since 2015, a number of Muslims in India have been lynched by mobs during disputes about herding cattle or over allegations of eating beef. They have also fallen victim to targeted attacks.

Besides hate crime against Indian Muslims, there has been a marked spike in hate crimes against Christians in India recently. According to the India Hate Lab report, hate speech events targeting Christians rose from 115 in 2024 to 162 in 2025, a 41 percent increase.

Christian churches and prayer meetings have also been subjected to attacks in India.

Many observers lay the blame for this rise at the feet of the BJP and the RSS, which deny that they are responsible.

“What we’re seeing is a disturbing escalation in hate crimes, violence, bulldozer demolitions, discriminatory laws and hate speech targeting minorities along with the state using its full might, including the SIR, to systematically disenfranchise minority communities,” Raqib Hameed Naik, founder and executive director of the US think tank, the Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH), told Al Jazeera.

The SIR, or special intensive revision, is a revision of voter rolls that began last year. Critics of the exercise have said it has disproportionately removed Muslims and other minority communities from the rolls.

“What RSS General Secretary [Dattatreya] Hosabale has been saying, including denying any persecution of minorities, directly contradicts facts on the ground. It contradicts research and data from numerous international human rights organisations, including ours,” Naik said.

How is the RSS lobbying the West?

Hosabale said at a rare briefing with foreign media in New Delhi on Tuesday that he had been speaking to gatherings in the US, Germany and the United Kingdom to “dispel certain misgivings and misconceptions about the RSS”.

Speaking from the new 12-storey RSS office in New Delhi, Hosabale said the main allegations against the RSS were that the organisation was a “paramilitary organisation” that promotes “Hindu supremacist things” and “others have become second-class citizens”.

“The fact is entirely different,” he said.

Hosabale met with academics, policymakers and business leaders during his trips to the UK, US and Germany in April.

He spent six days in London and Rugby in central England, engaging with organisations including Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs and the International Centre for Sustainability in the City of London, according to the RSS website.

The website said a dinner with members of parliament was held that was attended by representatives of the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats.

After this, he visited the US, where he engaged with the Indian American community in multiple cities over 10 days. Hosabale also conducted discussions with the Hudson Institute, a Washington, DC-based conservative think tank.

Apoorvanand told Al Jazeera that the Indian Hindu diaspora is becoming financially powerful in the US and other countries. Diaspora supporters of the RSS help fund the organisation.

“While enjoying all the rights in the country they’re in where they have citizenship, they want India as a Hindu country,” he said.

After the US trip in April, Hosabale went to Germany for two days, where he met with German policy institutions and the Indian community. These included the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, a Berlin-based foreign policy think tank advising the German government, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a political foundation linked to Germany’s centre-right Christian Democratic Union party.

“It is a dream of the RSS to create a network of right-wing conservative organisations worldwide,” Apoorvanand said.

Hosabale said on Tuesday that RSS leaders would continue to visit Europe as well as Southeast Asia and other regions to raise awareness about the organisation.

Why is the RSS conducting this outreach?

The RSS visits followed the publication of a report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in November. It said the RSS “has been involved in acts of extreme violence and intolerance against members of minority groups for decades”.

“RSS’s international outreach is essentially a knee-jerk reaction to the USCIRF recommendation to impose targeted sanctions against the organisation and its leaders for their role in the systematic persecution of minorities,” Naik told Al Jazeera.

The USCIRF is a bipartisan US federal body that tracks religious freedom worldwide and advises the president, the secretary of state and Congress on related policy.

“This recommendation came from a bipartisan body. That’s what makes it such a significant blow,” said Naik, who founded HindutvaWatch.org, a real-time database tracking hate crimes and human rights abuses in India.

Apoorvanand said several organisations within the European Union and the US have been investigating the state of minority rights in India.

If recommended sanctions against the RSS and its leaders are enacted, that could spell the collapse of its network, Naik added.

“It would make the RSS a pariah, including among diasporic Indians, some of whom have played a major role in funding and sustaining the organisation, especially before Modi came to power in 2014,” he said.

The RSS has “no option but to send their leaders to the US and other countries to do damage control and to push a counternarrative against the sanctions discourse that’s been gaining ground in policy circles,” he added.

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