Iran on Wednesday condemned a new round of US sanctions as a “clear sign of hostility” after Washington blacklisted more than 30 people and vessels linked to its oil trade. Washington announced the measures on Monday, targeting the head of the national oil company and others accused of brokering oil sales. It was the second wave of…
Taiwan dispatched forces on Wednesday after China announced “live-fire” drills off the self-ruled island, Taipei’s defense ministry said, condemning the exercises as dangerous. China deployed 32 aircraft around Taiwan as part of a joint combat drill and announced “live-fire exercises” in an area about 40 nautical miles (74 kilometers) off the island’s south, the ministry said….
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday welcomed the convening of Syria’s national dialogue conference, expressing hope that it would help fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people and strengthen national unity. In a statement carried by state news agency SPA, the Saudi foreign ministry emphasized the Kingdom’s support for rebuilding Syrian state institutions and achieving stability and prosperity…
Israeli warplanes hit a town south of Syria’s capital as well as the southern province of Daraa late on Tuesday, residents, security sources and local broadcaster Syria TV said. Israeli planes struck the town of Kisweh approximately 12 miles south of Damascus, a Syrian security source and Syria TV said. The security source said a…
Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades, a Gaza-based militant group allied to Hamas, said on its Telegram channel on Wednesday it will release the body of Israeli hostage Ohad Yahalomi on Thursday. Ohad’s body is one of four bodies set to be released by Hamas in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal.
The acting top US military general reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the security of Saudi Arabia during a meeting at the Pentagon this week. Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Chris Grady met Saudi Arabia’s Chief of the General Staff Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili after a meeting between Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Prince…
In briefing with Pakistani media, Ambassador of Russia to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev has said that the Western countries deliberately ignored Russia’s security concerns, pursued a policy of continuous eastward expansion of NATO, and dragged Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic anti-Russian camp. With the active support of the United States and the EU, an armed coup…
During his regular media briefing this morning, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov appeared to dispute Donald Trump’s claim that Russia would accept European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. Addressing reporters, Peskov said the Kremlin had nothing to add to the foreign ministry’s position on the unacceptability of Nato peacekeepers in Ukraine. On Monday, in a joint appearance with…
Pope Francis, in a critical condition with pneumonia since he was hospitalized on February 14, had a good night and was resting, the Vatican said Monday. “The night passed well, the pope slept and is resting,” it said in a brief statement as Francis, 88, entered his 11th day at the Gemelli hospital in Rome,…
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, an ally of President Vladimir Putin, has started a working visit to Indonesia and Malaysia on Monday to discuss security and defense issues, Russian news agencies reported. RIA state news agency cited the press office of the Security Council as saying the trip will last until February 28. “During…
The heads of the European Union arrived in Kyiv on Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s February 2022 invasion, a show of solidarity amid a rift between Ukraine and new US President Donald Trump. “We are in Kyiv today, because Ukraine is Europe. In this fight for survival, it is not only the…
The White House said on Sunday that it supports Israel’s decision to delay releasing 600 Palestinian prisoners, citing the “barbaric treatment” of Israeli hostages by Hamas. Delaying the prisoner release is an “appropriate response” to the Palestinian militant group’s treatment of the hostages, a statement from National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said. President Donald…
Russia wants a long-term peace deal over Ukraine that tackles what it regards as the root causes of the conflict and not a quick US-backed ceasefire followed by a swift restart of fighting, a senior Russian diplomat told the RIA news agency. In an interview released on Monday, the third anniversary of tens of thousands…
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed his country’s “resistance” and “heroism” on Monday on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion as EU leaders arrived in Kyiv in a show of solidarity. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch what he called a “special military operation” set off the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. Tens…
