Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 459

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

Saudi team in Syria to discuss reopening of embassy

A Saudi technical team arrived in Syria on Saturday to discuss the reopening of Riyadh’s embassy in Damascus, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Iran president warns of western plots against OPEC

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that several Western governments are seeking to sow discord between OPEC member states, calling on the organization's members to preserve cohesion and unity in order to foil the divisive schemes.

Armenia says two military service members abducted by Azerbaijan

Two Armenian servicemen were abducted by the Azerbaijani forces, the Armenian Defense Ministry claimed Saturday.

Turkey says hundreds of thousands of Syrians returned to terror-free zones

More than 550,000 Syrian refugees in Turkey have returned to areas cleared of terrorism, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has stated.

Analyst: Talks with Europe won’t solve JCPOA case; Iran needs direct talks with US

An Iranian analyst says a revival of the Iran 2015 nuclear deal will not be possible with the Europeans, and that the Islamic Republic should engage in direct negotiations with the United States to that end.

Israeli settler kills Palestinian youth in WB

An Israeli settler has fatally shot a Palestinian youth on suspicion of attempting to carry out a stabbing attack in the south of the occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil (Hebron).

Pakistan slaps travel ban on Imran Khan, his wife and hundreds of party leaders

Pakistan’s government has restricted former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife and hundreds of leaders and members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party from travelling abroad amid a PTI standoff with the country’s military, officials have confirmed.

Armenia and Azerbaijan announce end to their territorial dispute

Yerevan and Baku are ready to end the 30-year dispute over Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced on Thursday in Moscow.

Moscow and Minsk agree on deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus

Moscow and Minsk have signed a deal on deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, that's according to the statements from both countries’ defense ministries.

Report: Iran and Egypt to exchange ambassadors in 2023

Tehran and Cairo are expected to exchange envoys within months, as part of a process mediated by Oman to normalise relations between the two regional powers, Egyptian officials told The National.

Zelensky to Iran: Why supporting Russia?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Iran to reconsider what he called its supply of combat drones to Russia in order to stop their slide into “the dark side of history”. Tehran has emphatically rejected Kiev's allegations, stressing it has not sold any weapons and drones to be used in the war against Ukraine.

OIC urges action against Israeli violations at al-Aqsa Mosque

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has reaffirmed Palestine’s right to sovereignty over al-Quds, home to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, calling on the international community to force Israel to end its violations in the occupied city.

Pakistan says considering banning Imran Khan’s party

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Islamabad is considering banning former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party for attacking the state,  a decision likely to enrage his supporters and exacerbate his confrontation with the military establishment.

President Raisi says Iran seeking cooperation with emerging Asian powers

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has stated that Tehran pursues the policy of economic convergence and multilateralism, while seeking comprehensive and balanced collaboration with the new emerging powers in the Asia region.

Russia denies fire broke out at defense ministry building in Moscow

Russia has rejected reports saying that there was a fire at the Ministry of Defense building, according to state news agency TASS on Thursday.

Oman’s sultan due in Iran on Sunday

Heading a high-ranking official delegation, Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said will visit Tehran on Sunday for a two-day visit, according to a statement issued by the Diwan of Royal Court on Wednesday.

Iran defense minister rejects reports on joint warship production with Russia

Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani dismissed “baseless” media reports about Tehran's joint production of warships with Moscow. Meantime, he did not rule out cooperation in the research process to that end.

Massive rallies held against Israeli PM’s plan to ‘loot’ public money

Thousands of Israeli settlers rallied in the occupied city of al-Quds to protest against the government’s 2023-2024 state budget. Ahead of the budget votes beginning late Tuesday and continuing on Wednesday, the drum-beating protesters marched to the parliament, accusing the ruling coalition of "looting" the state's money.

Iran-Saudi rapprochement to have positive effects on Palestine: Islamic Jihad leader

Secretary General of the Gaza-based Islamic Jihad movement has lauded the recent agreement between Tehran and Riyadh on the revival of ties. Ziad al-Nakhala added the deal has restored normality to the region and will have positive effects on the Palestinian cause.

Houthi chief: Saudi Arabia can ensure peace for itself by stopping hostilities against Yemen

Leader of Yemen's Houthi movement Abdul-Malik al-Houthi says Saudi Arabia can only secure peace for itself by stopping its hostilities against Yemen and lifting a blockade that it has been exercising alongside its allies against the war-torn country.

Report: UK special forces operated secretly in several countries, including Iraq, Yemen

Britain's special forces have carried out secret operations in 19 countries over the past 12 years, according to a report. Eleven out of the 19 target countries were Muslim nations.

Turkey disbands Mossad cell spying on people linked to Iran

Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) announced that it has dismantled an Israeli Mossad cell and arrested 11 agents found to be gathering intelligence on individuals with trade ties to Tehran.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 455

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

Turkey plan to build dams on Aras River to turn 3 Iranian provinces into deserts: Univ. professor

An Iranian university professor and researcher says regional development plans by the Turkish government, including projects to construct dams on Aras River, will result in the drying out of three Iranian provinces.

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