Jordanian, Iranian foreign ministers discuss Gaza and West Bank crises

Jordan’s foreign minister and his Iranian counterpart on Friday discussed increased Israeli aggression in the occupied West Bank as well as measures to end hostilities in Gaza. (Petra)
Jordan’s foreign minister and his Iranian counterpart on Friday discussed increased Israeli aggression in the occupied West Bank as well as measures to end hostilities in Gaza. (Petra)
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Updated 30 August 2024
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Jordanian, Iranian foreign ministers discuss Gaza and West Bank crises

Jordanian, Iranian foreign ministers discuss Gaza and West Bank crises
  • Safadi emphasized that halting Israeli aggression in Gaza was the first step in preventing a regional war

LONDON: Jordan’s foreign minister and his Iranian counterpart on Friday discussed increased Israeli aggression in the occupied West Bank as well as measures to end hostilities in Gaza.

Ayman Safadi and Abbas Araghchi spoke over the phone, Jordan News Agency reported.

During their conversation, Safadi emphasized that halting Israeli aggression in Gaza was the first step in preventing a regional war.

Safadi also congratulated Araghchi on his appointment and wished him well in his new position.

The two ministers followed up on the talks held by Safadi with the Araghchi’s acting predecessor Ali Bagheri Kani in Tehran on Aug. 4.

They also spoke on a variety of other topics, while emphasizing the “need to maintain open communication between the two countries in order to address any unresolved matters and build partnerships based on respect and cooperation,” Jordan News Agency added.

The two ministers agreed to meet next month at the UN General Assembly sessions in New York City.


Kremlin says it is deeply concerned about Israeli raids in Lebanon

Kremlin says it is deeply concerned about Israeli raids in Lebanon
Updated 5 sec ago
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Kremlin says it is deeply concerned about Israeli raids in Lebanon

Kremlin says it is deeply concerned about Israeli raids in Lebanon

MOSCOW: The Kremlin said on Tuesday it was deeply concerned about Israel’s military activity in Lebanon and a strike on the Syrian capital, Damascus.
Israel said intense fighting had erupted with the Hezbollah movement in south Lebanon on Tuesday after its paratroops and commandos launched raids there, at the start of a ground incursion that followed airstrikes against Hezbollah’s leadership.


Syria state media says 3 civilians killed in Israel strikes

Syria state media says 3 civilians killed in Israel strikes
Updated 20 min 39 sec ago
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Syria state media says 3 civilians killed in Israel strikes

Syria state media says 3 civilians killed in Israel strikes
  • Since Syria’s civil war erupted in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in the country, mainly targeting army positions and Iran-backed fighters, including Hezbollah

DAMASCUS: Syrian state media said three civilians were killed in Israeli air strikes on Damascus early Tuesday and nine others wounded, citing a military source.
“The Israeli enemy launched an air aggression with warplanes and drones from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting several points in Damascus,” the official news agency SANA said.
“Three civilians were killed and nine others injured,” it added.
AFP correspondents heard four rounds of heavy bombardment over around half an hour, whose sound resonated across the Syrian capital.
In the Mezzeh neighborhood that is home to Syrian security headquarters and embassies, an AFP correspondent saw two mini-buses burnt to cinders in the area that was hit.
A resident of a building that was hit, a 57-year-old who gave his name as Abu Mohammad, told AFP: “We heard the sound of strong blast that threw me out of bed onto the floor, and seconds later we heard people scream and cry.”
“From our balcony, we saw fire everywhere,” he said of himself and his family.
“We found a dead lady on the first floor with her children screaming beside her, but we couldn’t do anything for her.”
State television said one of its anchors had also been killed.
Safaa Ahmad was “martyred in the Israeli aggression on the capital Damascus,” it said.
Since Syria’s civil war erupted in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in the country, mainly targeting army positions and Iran-backed fighters, including Hezbollah.
Israeli authorities rarely comment on individual strikes in Syria, but have repeatedly said they will not allow arch-enemy Iran to expand its presence there.
These strikes have increased in recent days, including on areas near the border with Lebanon.
Tens of thousands of people have been crossing over into Syria during the past week, fleeing heavy Israeli air strikes on Lebanon.


Lebanon and UN launch $426 million appeal for humanitarian aid

Lebanon and UN launch $426 million appeal for humanitarian aid
Updated 01 October 2024
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Lebanon and UN launch $426 million appeal for humanitarian aid

Lebanon and UN launch $426 million appeal for humanitarian aid
  • Joint call to help civilians affected by the escalating conflict

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, and UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza launched on Tuesday a $426 million appeal to help civilians affected by the escalating conflict, the UN said in a statement.


France says it is sending helicopter carrier to eastern Mediterranean

France says it is sending helicopter carrier to eastern Mediterranean
Updated 01 October 2024
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France says it is sending helicopter carrier to eastern Mediterranean

France says it is sending helicopter carrier to eastern Mediterranean

PARIS: A French helicopter carrier will arrive in the eastern Mediterranean in the next five to six days and take up position in case a decision is taken to evacuate foreign nationals from Lebanon, a French army spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Western nations have been weighing their options on how to get nationals out of Lebanon safely if a full-scale war breaks out there, with Cyprus and possibly Turkey seen as offering sanctuary to tens of thousands of people.
Israel said intense fighting had erupted with the Hezbollah movement in south Lebanon after its paratroops and commandos launched raids there, at the start of a ground incursion that followed airstrikes against Hezbollah's leadership.
France, which has about 20,000 citizens in Lebanon, sent its Dixmude helicopter carrier from the naval port of Toulon to the region on Monday, the French army spokesperson said.


Flash flood kills 15 in Iran

Flash flood kills 15 in Iran
Updated 01 October 2024
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Flash flood kills 15 in Iran

Flash flood kills 15 in Iran
  • Almost all of those killed in Monday’s flood were Afghan nationals living in the Islamic republic

Tehran: A flash flood that swept through a southern city of Iran killed 15 people, state media reported on Tuesday, updating an earlier toll of six dead.
“After finding the last body of Halil River flood incident in Jiroft, a total of 15 are pronounced dead,” said the official IRNA news agency.
The search and rescue operation had been brought to an end, it added.
Almost all of those killed in Monday’s flood were Afghan nationals living in the Islamic republic, Iran’s ISNA news agency reported.
Jiroft is a city located in the normally dry southern province of Kerman.
Scientists say climate change amplifies extreme weather, including droughts as well as the potential for the increased intensity of rainstorms.
Iran has endured repeated droughts in the past decade, but also regular floods, a phenomenon made worse when torrential rain falls on sun-baked earth.
In 2022, heavy rains in Iran’s south left at least 80 people dead and caused damage estimated at about $200 million.