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Iran, China, Russia cooperate to undermine “snapback” mechanism

Abbas Araghchi

Araghchi highlighted growing international support for Iran’s position, noting that 121 member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) voiced backing during the Kampala summit, which he attended.

He said a new global polarization is emerging between Western nations and a larger group of countries, including Iran, Russia, and China, that advocate independence, multilateralism, and international justice.

His remarks came a day after the expiration of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, JCPOA.

The ambassadors of Iran, Russia, and China sent a joint letter to the UN Secretary General and the Security Council president, declaring that European efforts to reactivate sanctions against Iran through the “snapback” mechanism lack legal validity.

In a separate letter, Araghchi stated that Resolution 2231 has officially expired and that any attempt to revive previous sanctions resolutions is “null and void,” carrying no legal or binding effect.

US says Ukraine will have to concede territory

Trump made the remarks on Sunday when speaking to Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo. Asked whether it was possible to end the hostilities between Moscow and Kiev “without taking significant property from Ukraine,” Trump suggested that Kiev was bound to make some concessions.

“Well, [Russian President Vladimir Putin] is going to take something. I mean, they fought, and he has a lot of property. I mean, he has won certain property,” Trump stated.

While Kiev has repeatedly ruled out making any territorial concessions, Moscow has outlined the withdrawal of the Ukrainian troops from the new Russian regions among the key issues to be resolved in order to establish a lasting peace.

Trump has also signaled he was still considering supplying US-made long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. The potential delivery of the missiles was among the key topics of the meeting between Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky this week. However, the US president abstained from pledging any weaponry, stating it would not be “easy” to give such munitions to Kiev.

Trump reiterated his position that Washington has already supplied Kiev with a lot of weaponry during the conflict and cannot hand over its entire arsenal to prop up the Ukrainian military.

“You know, we can’t give all of our weapons to Ukraine. We just can’t do that. And I’ve been very good to President Zelensky and to Ukraine, but we can’t give, you know, if we’re going to be short, I don’t want to do that. I can’t jeopardize the United States,” he stressed.

Ahead of meeting Zelensky on Friday, Trump spoke with Putin on the phone. According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, the Russian leader told Trump that supplying Ukraine with the long-range missiles would not change the course of the conflict but would derail relations between Moscow and Washington.

Such a move would also “severely undermine the prospects of a peaceful settlement,” Putin stated, according to Ushakov.

 

Gaza ceasefire remains in place despite Israeli attacks: US

Gaza War

“We’re going to have to see what’s happening. We want to make sure that it’s going to be very peaceful with Hamas,” Trump told reporters when asked about Israel’s latest attacks.

“As you know, they’ve been quite rambunctious. They’ve been doing some shooting. And we think maybe the leadership isn’t involved in that…you know, some rebels within,” he said.

“But either way, it’s going to be handled properly. It’s going to be handled toughly, but properly,” he added.

Asked whether the ceasefire remains in place, the president replied: “Yes.”

Earlier in the day, the Gaza government said at least 97 Palestinians have been killed and 230 injured by the Israeli army since the ceasefire took effect in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 10.

In a statement, the Gaza Government Media Office added the “Israeli occupation committed 80 documented violations since the declaration of the ceasefire, in flagrant breach of international humanitarian law.”

 

Ukraine claims US ‘ready’ to replace Russian oil, gas supplies to Europe

Russia Gas

“There should be zero Russian energy resources in Europe, and the signals from America are clear now – they are ready to supply Europe with as much gas and oil as is needed to replace Russian supplies,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky’s comments come as European allies, in recent months, began pushing for stricter measures against Russian energy, particularly after former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sept. 13 that Washington would impose sanctions on Russia if all NATO members halted imports of Russian oil.

While neither Trump nor the White House have publicly commented on any details to supply Europe with additional oil and gas, the U.S. president did meet with European leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September in an attempt to persuade them to stop buying Russian oil and gas.

On Oct. 8, EU ambassadors agreed on a plan to phase out Russian gas and oil by 2028, despite opposition from Hungary and Slovakia who still rely heavily on Russian energy imports. The draft legislation was initially set to be put to a vote during a meeting scheduled for Oct. 20.

“In our region there is the necessary infrastructure, there is the necessary potential that can help Europe’s energy independence much more,” Zelensky stated, adding that Kyiv has made proposal to the U.S. on the development of gas infrastructure, nuclear generation, and other “projects.”

Zelensky did not offer specifics on the proposed projects and the Trump administration has not shared any details on the conversations being held.

The comments from the Ukrainian president comes just days Zelensky held his sixth meeting with Trump in the White House on Friday.

Slovakia and Hungary have previously said they will not bow to pressure from Trump to reduce imports of Russian oil and gas unless the European Union secures sufficient alternative energy supplies.

Iranian volleyball star still in induced coma

His medical team reported slight improvement in his level of consciousness, offering a cautious note of hope.

Kazemi was admitted to a hospital in Qatar following a serious health event.
On the previous day his Glasgow Coma Scale score was recorded as 3. This Sunday, the score has increased to between 4 and 5, prompting optimism among the treating physicians.

A specially assembled medical committee comprised of Iranian and Qatari specialists is overseeing his treatment. Additional diagnostic tests are scheduled to determine the optimal therapeutic strategy for the 29-year-old outside-hitter.

Kazemi is a key member of Iran’s men’s national volleyball team known for his powerful serve and athleticism.

No detailed information has been released about the exact cause of Kazemi’s hospitalization or the nature of the induced coma, consistent with the family’s request for privacy.

Trusted Baluch community leader shot dead in southeastern Iran; IRGC vows response

Crime Scene

Local sources reported that unidentified armed groups carried out the attack.

Salahi Zehi had played a visible role in resolving tribal disputes and was described by authorities as a defender of the state who opposed “anti-national and mercenary” currents.

His killing follows a string of recent targeted attacks against Sunni tribal figures in the province.

The IRGC’s Quds Corps released a statement condemning the murders, saying perpetrators “will soon be brought to justice” and promising a decisive security response.

The statement added that such attacks “will not undermine the exemplary unity of Shia and Sunni communities in Sistan and Baluchestan.”

Provincial security forces have launched an investigation.

Iran executes convicted Israel spy

Iran Prison

According to the Judiciary’s statement, the convicted spy began collaborating with the Israeli intelligence service (Mossad) in October 2023 and was arrested four months later, in February 2024. Investigations found that he had transmitted classified information to Israeli intelligence websites and maintained contact with a Mossad officer.

Qom Judiciary Chief Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Kazem Mousavi stated that the convict was charged under Article 6 of Iran’s Law on Countering Hostile Acts of the Zionist Regime Against Peace and Security, as well as for cooperation with hostile foreign governments, including the U.S. Department of State.

Mousavi said the man had met with Israeli intelligence agents for personal and professional motives and had begun transferring sensitive information through online platforms before being identified by Iranian intelligence services.

“Timely action by intelligence and judicial authorities prevented the leakage of sensitive national data,” he added.

The judiciary official urged citizens to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity through official and secure channels to relevant intelligence and security agencies, emphasizing that “public cooperation and awareness are vital to ensuring the continued peace and security of the Islamic community.”

Syrian FM to make first official visit to China in November

Hassan al-Shaibani

“We have redefined our relationship with China, which had politically supported the former regime of Bashar al-Assad and used its veto power on his behalf,” Shaibani said during an interview with the state-run Alikhbaria TV.

“In early November, there will be the first official visit to China, based on an invitation from Beijing,” he added.

Shaibani stressed that Syria needs China’s support at this stage for reconstruction, noting that this development reflects a shift in bilateral relations, as Beijing had previously supported the former government and even upgraded ties to a “strategic partnership” during Bashar al-Assad’s visit to China in Sept. 2023.

Commenting on Syrian-Russian relations, particularly after President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited Moscow, the minister said: “Our engagement with Russia has been gradual. No new agreements have been signed, and the agreements concluded between Russia and the former regime remain suspended—we do not accept them.”

He also expressed Syria’s intention to restore relations with Lebanon, saying: “There is a legacy we are not part of and for which we bear no responsibility.”

On the Syrian refugee issue in Lebanon, the minister added it “has been a source of pressure on both the Lebanese state and Syria.”

Speaking about the country’s new foreign policy, Shaibani stated: “We have launched an external policy free of polarization, without aligning Syria to any bloc or placing it in a state of hostility with any country.”

Addressing the issue of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), whose backbone is PKK/YPG terrorist groups, he said: “We have succeeded in convincing the countries concerned that the only solution is the March 10 agreement, because the absence of SDF representation within state institutions deepens the divide between them and the state.”

“There is a historic opportunity for northeastern Syria to play an active role at this stage,” the minister added, emphasizing that “partnership with the SDF should be finalized as soon as possible.”

Regarding Israel’s repeated attacks on Syria, Shaibani said: “Tel Aviv sought to impose a new reality and an expansionist project, exploiting the political changes in the country.”

He added that “Israel has an expansionist agenda, and its actions only reinforce instability in Syria and the wider region.”

He concluded by affirming, “We reject any form of partition or federalization—this is not a matter open for discussion or negotiation.”

 

Two Russian banks agree to accept letters of credit from Iranian banks

Iran Central Bank

He said the move will help expand financial cooperation and enable new payment mechanisms between Iran and Russia, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Speaking at a meeting with members of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Commission, Bandani said discussions with several Russian banks are ongoing and a third bank may soon join the arrangement.

The new mechanism is expected to facilitate imports and the supply of essential goods under bilateral financial frameworks.

He noted that, despite budgetary limits, more than $9 billion in foreign currency has been allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture this year, exceeding the legal ceiling, in coordination with senior authorities. The Central Bank has also provided $5.5 billion in preferential-rate currency to support the sector.

Officials at the meeting emphasized the need for efficient foreign exchange management, timely supply of agricultural inputs, and better oversight to prevent market disruptions.

They called the collaboration with Russian banks a strategic step toward stabilizing trade and securing Iran’s food supply.

20 European states demand measures to return Afghans either voluntarily or forcibly

Afghan Refugees

 

Many EU countries say that the fact that they cannot currently deport Afghans, even those convicted of crimes, due to no formal return agreement with Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in 2021 poses a threat to EU countries security and “undermines public trust in asylum policy”.

The initiative, led by Belgium’s Minister for Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, is supported by 18 other countries across the EU and Norway: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden.

They are demanding the European Commission bring the return of Afghans to the top of its agenda, including negotiating with the Taliban regime to agree upon a return policy.

Van Bossuyt has suggested giving the EU’s border agency Frontex a stronger role in organising and supporting voluntary returns through the EU Reintegration Programme. Meanwhile, for forced returns, the letter suggests that those deemed dangerous or criminal should be prioritised, through a joint mission to Afghanistan between the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States wishing to take part.

Since the fall of Kabul in 2021, the only country to recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan has been Russia. Despite this, Germany, led by Friedrich Merz’s conservative government, has been close to cutting a deal with the Taliban on the return of Afghans, who form the second-largest group of asylum seekers in Germany.

However, Germany’s actions have previously been criticised by the UN, as Afghanistan is still under a “non-return advisory”, according to Ravina Shamdasani, a UN refugee agency spokesperson.

Meanwhile, another worker for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), Arafat Jamal, said: “We have been documenting continuing human rights violations in Afghanistan.”