Russia says prospect for JCPOA revival dim

Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov has declared that the prospects for restoring Iran's nuclear deal are currently extremely dim. He made the remarks in an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia published on Friday.

US dispatching Marines, more warships to ME amid rising tension with Iran

The United States is sending marines and additional warships to Middle Eastern waters amid rising tensions with Iran, the military announced Thursday.

Hezbollah chief calls on Muslims to expel Swedish ambassadors after Quran desecration

The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah has urged all Arab and Muslim countries to expel the Swedish envoys from their capitals in reaction to a fresh desecration of the holy Quran in the European country.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 513

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:

Iraq expels Sweden envoy over Quran burning

Iraq has expelled the Swedish ambassador hours after protesters angered by the burning of copies of the holy Quran in the European country, stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, scaling the walls of the compound and setting it on fire.

Moscow says Russia-Iran strategic partnership treaty still in the works

The preparation for a new international treaty on strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran continues, and the sides reaffirm their interest in signing this document, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing Thursday.

Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian, injure 4 in West Bank

Israeli soldiers have shot dead a Palestinian and injured at least four others – two in serious condition – in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, the Palestinian health ministry and the Red Crescent have confirmed.

Turkey inks $50 billion in deals with UAE during Erdogan’s visit

The United Arab Emirates and Turkey signed several deals worth $50.7 billion during a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Abu Dhabi as he toured wealthy Persian Gulf Arab nations for investment and funds.

Herzog in US a ‘palatable’ cover for Israeli violence against Palestinians: Jewish American groups

Israeli President Isaac Herzog may not be an ally to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or an official part of the Israeli government, but as a representative of Israel, he is complicit in the occupation of and discrimination against Palestinians. This is the message from several progressive Jewish American groups to US politicians as Herzog visits Washington.

Protesters storm Swedish embassy in Iraq over Quran burning

Demonstrators angered by the recent burning of a copy of the holy Quran in Sweden, stormed the Swedish embassy in central Baghdad, scaling the walls of the compound and setting it on fire.

Video appears to show Wagner chief in public for first time since “uprising”

A video has emerged purportedly showing Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin greeting his fighters in Belarus, in what would be his first public appearance since he led an “armed rebellion” in Russia last month.

US blacklists over a dozen Iraqi banks in dollar smuggling crackdown: Report

The US has banned 14 Iraqi banks from conducting dollar transactions as part of its crackdown on corruption and “dollar smuggling to Iran.”

Persian Gulf Council says willing to hold ‘deep talks’ with Iran

The Persian Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC) has announced that the normalization of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia has contributed to the region’s stability and security, expressing willingness to engage in serious discussions with Tehran.

Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 512: EU warns Russia pulling out of grain deal will create ‘huge food crisis’

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:

Iran foreign minister says Tehran’s choices not limited to Russia, China

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said in a televised interview that Tehran would maintain its relations with countries while pursuing its “Look to Asia” policy, but hastened to add that the Islamic Republic “will never allow Russia or China to think that they are our only choices.”

UN experts urge Bahrain to release students “tortured into confessions”

UN experts called for the release of six imprisoned Bahraini students who they say are being held arbitrarily after “confessing to crimes under torture and undergoing unfair trials.”

South Africa says Putin won’t attend BRICS summit in person

The office of South African President has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the summit of BRICS leaders in Johannesburg next month. The decision was taken by the two nations, it added.

Central Bank says Iran’s foreign debt shrank by 27%

Iran’s foreign debts were reduced to $6.282 billion in the last Persian calendar year (ended on March 20), showing a 27.6 percent decrease compared to a year before, according to a report by the Central Bank of Iran (CBI).

US can’t threaten Iran by military deployment: Defense minister

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani has shrugged off the US’ decision to dispatch a new fleet of fighter jets and a navy destroyer to the Persian Gulf. He stressed that Iran is projecting power in the region and beyond without feeling any threat.

Report: MbS threatened to place UAE under blockade

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had threatened to place sanctions on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a private conversation with journalists last year, the Wall Street Journal reported. The threat had come amid a growing rift between bin Salman and the UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan due to differences over regional policies and OPEC limits.

Official says EU likely to keep missile sanctions on Iran

A European official has stated he expects no difficulty persuading EU states to maintain ballistic missile sanctions on Tehran that are due to expire in October. Iran says keeping the bans in place beyond that time, runs counter to international law.

“US issues new waiver letting Baghdad pay Tehran for electricity”

The United States has moved to let Iraq pay Iran for electricity via non-Iraqi banks, a US official said on Tuesday. Iraq owes billions of dollars to Iran for importing gas and electricity which has continued despite US sanctions, but Tehran has been unable to obtain its assets frozen in Iraqi banks under US pressure.

Arresting Putin would be declaration of war with Russia: South Africa president

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that arresting Russian President Vladimir Putin when he visits the country next month for the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg would be a declaration of war with Moscow.

2 Syrian soldiers wounded in Israeli air attack against Damascus

Israel has carried out airstrikes near Syria’s capital Damascus, wounding two Syrian soldiers, Syrian state news agency has reported. The missiles were reportedly fired from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and most were shot down by Syrian air defences.

Turkey, Qatar to bolster bilateral relations after Erdogan visit

Turkey and Qatar have agreed to further boost bilateral ties in various fields, according to a joint statement issued after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the Persian Gulf country on Tuesday.

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