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US-Iran war

Iraq closes border with Iran, dismisses military commander after drone attacks against Saudi Arabia

  • US, Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb 28, with Trump declaring “major combat operations”
  • Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei martyred in the strikes, and his son Mojtaba succeeded him in March
  • A 2-week ceasefire agreed on April 8, followed by US-Iran face-to-face talks in Pakistan
  • A preliminary agreement reached in June, but renewed fighting and disputes over Strait of Hormuz continued through July
  • The war has now entered its 7th month, with Hormuz remaining at the centre of the crisis

Saudi Arabia condemns drone attack on East-West pipeline by drones launched from Iraq

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses in the strongest terms the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the targeting of the East-West Pipeline in Riyadh and Madinah regions by several drones launched from Iraq, resulting in injuries and some damage that is currently being addressed, SPA reported.

In a statement, the ministry stated: “The Kingdom clarifies that, following a request from the prime minister of Iraq to give the brotherly Iraqi government the opportunity to take the necessary measures to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory against Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries, the Kingdom has opted not to respond at this stage and to support the efforts of the Iraqi government.” 

Saudi Arabia condemns drone attack on East-West pipeline by drones launched from Iraq

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses in the strongest terms the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the targeting of the East-West Pipeline in Riyadh and Madinah regions by several drones launched from Iraq, resulting in injuries and some damage that is currently being addressed, SPA reported.

In a statement, the ministry stated: “The Kingdom clarifies that, following a request from the prime minister of Iraq to give the brotherly Iraqi government the opportunity to take the necessary measures to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory against Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries, the Kingdom has opted not to respond at this stage and to support the efforts of the Iraqi government.” 

Iraq orders closure of Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran, sources say

Iraq ordered the closure of the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran as a precautionary measure after the latest drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, Reuters reportdc.

The sources said a wide-scale operation was underway to pursue perpetrators of the attack on Saudi Arabia. 

Iraqi PM dismisses military commander after drone attacks against Saudi Arabia

An Iraqi military commander was dismissed after investigations confirmed the latest drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia originated from Iraq, Reuters reports, citing a statement by Iraq’s prime minister’s office.

The commander led operations in Maysan province in southern Iraq, according to the statement. 

Saudi Arabia says drones launched from Iraq hit oil pipeline

Saudi Arabia said drones launched from Iraq hit the East-West pipeline and led to its closure, AFP reported.

The foreign ministry condemned “the targeting of the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions by several drones coming from Iraq, which caused human injuries and damage”.

“The pipeline was stopped as a precaution, and the attacks resulted in some injuries,” an energy ministry official told the SPA news agency earlier. 

Saudi FM holds separate calls with Turkish, Qatari counterparts to discuss regional tensions

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held separate phone calls with his Turkish and Qatari counterparts to discuss regional developments and efforts to ease tensions.

During a call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the two ministers discussed bilateral cooperation aimed at supporting regional stability. They also reviewed joint efforts to de-escalate the situation and contain rising tensions in the region.

Later, Prince Faisal spoke by phone with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

The two officials discussed the latest developments in the region and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions while preserving regional security and stability. 

Iran's Pezeshkian urges BRICS to expand use of national currencies: state media

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for expanding the use of national currencies in intra-Brics trade, according to state news agency IRNA.

In a speech at the BRICS Economic Summit of Heads of State in New Delhi, Pezeshkian said the use of national currencies must come with systems to manage currency risk and mutual settlement, as the current financial system is “vulnerable to political shocks due to its focus on a limited number of currencies”, it adds.

According to the agency, he adds that US and Israeli aggression has “once again revealed that economic security is inseparable from national and regional security and could affect regional stability and even the global economy”.

Trump says US continuing 'war on terror' in Iran

President Donald Trump vows that the United States will never forget the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and suggests the country is continuing the “war on terror” 25 years later by fighting Iran, AFP reports.

During a speech commemorating the anniversary of the attacks at the Pentagon, Trump has linked the fight against Al-Qaeda launched by his Republican predecessor George W Bush to the US-Israeli war on Iran, which is now in its seventh month.

“Today we salute every member of the United States military who served in the ‘War on Terror.’ It is a war on sick, horrible terror,” Trump says. “And we salute the service members working right now to ensure the world’s number one sponsor of terror, the Islamic Republic of Iran, will never ever have a nuclear weapon.”

Modi stresses need to protect navigation, seafarers in talks with Pezeshkian

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday and underscored the need to protect the freedom of navigation and commerce, and the safety and well-being of seafarers, India's foreign ministry said.

He also emphasised the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region, the ministry said in a statement.

The leaders met in New Delhi on the eve of the Brics leaders' summit.

Houthis seize Yemen's entire Red Sea coast: govt military official

Yemen's Houthis have seized control of the country's entire Red Sea coast, a military official from the internationally recognised government told AFP on Friday, consolidating the group's control of the vital waterway.

The official said that all territory under government control "on the western coast has fallen", after the Houthis seized the strategic Mayyun Island and the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the Bab al-Mandab strait as they seek to choke off Saudi oil exports.

Houthis say Bab al-Mandab navigation 'safe' for all except Saudi Arabia

The Houthi military spokesman said on Friday that navigation through the Bab al-Mandab strait is "safe" for all but Saudi Arabia, after the group sealed its takeover of the vital shipping corridor.

"Maritime navigation is safe for all companies except Saudi ships, which have already been banned," Yahya Saree said in a statement.

Iran says Gulf states to meet in Oman to discuss safe Hormuz shipping routes

Iran is planning a meeting of the foreign ministers of Iraq and other Arab states bordering the Gulf in Oman on Monday to discuss safe commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.

Six missiles hit Yemen's Red Sea Mocha port: local official

Six missiles struck the port on Friday in Yemen's strategic Red Sea city of Mocha, now under Houthi control, a local official told AFP, without specifying where they came from.

"Six missiles targeted the Mocha port," the Yemeni government official said.