US, Iran fight verbal duel as truce teeters on brink
US president expressed frustration with Iran’s leadership as he awaited a ‘unified’ proposal to end the war TEHRAN/ WASHINGTON: Iran and the US appeared locked in a prolonged war of attrition, as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued near-identical statements on Thursday asserting national unity following US President Donald Trump’s […]
Crisis in Gaza exposes Western double standard on human rights
BEIJING: Following the devastating loss of over 30,000 lives in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israel’s continuous strikes since last October, the world is witnessing not only a harrowing scale of human suffering, but also the ugly truth of Western double standards regarding human rights. As government officials and representatives worldwide convene in […]
Kremlin warns of NATO conflict if its troops fight in Ukraine
MOSCOW: The Kremlin warned on Tuesday that conflict between Russia and the US-led NATO military alliance would be inevitable if European members of NATO sent troops to fight in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has triggered the worst crisis in Russia’s relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and President Vladimir Putin […]
US eyes Israel-Hamas ceasefire by next week
GAZA, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES: A new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could start as soon as Monday and last through Ramadan, US President Joe Biden said, in a deal that would also free dozens of hostages held in Gaza. In the protracted bid to broker a truce, mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the United States have […]
US blocks ceasefire call with third UN veto in Israel-Hamas war
UNITED NATIONS: The United States on Tuesday again vetoed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution on the Israel-Hamas war, blocking a demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as it instead pushes the 15-member body to call for a temporary ceasefire linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas. Thirteen council members voted in […]
US proposes UNSC oppose Rafah assault, back temporary ceasefire
UNITED NATIONS: The United States has proposed an alternative draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and opposing a major Israeli ground offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza, according to the text seen by Reuters on Monday. Washington has been averse to the word ceasefire in any […]
UN likely to vote Tuesday on Gaza ceasefire, US signals veto
UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council is likely to vote on Tuesday on an Algerian push for the 15-member body to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, said diplomats, a move the United States signalled it would veto. Algeria put forward an initial draft resolution more than two weeks ago. But […]
Blinken meets Saudi crown prince amid heightened Mideast tensions
RIYADH: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday, his first stop in a Middle East tour as Washington tries to advance negotiations on a normalisation deal between the kingdom and Israel, and make progress on talks for postwar Gaza governance. The top US diplomat’s fifth trip to the region since […]
UK PM urges Iran to de-escalate tensions after Jordan strike
LONDON: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Monday he was concerned about tensions in the Middle East and urged Iran to de-escalate, after an attack that killed three US service members in northeastern Jordan near Syria’s border. Sunak said Britain “absolutely condemned” the drone attacks which US President Joe Biden said had been carried […]
Political pressure builds on Biden to strike Iran after US deaths
WASHINGTON: The killing of three US troops and wounding of dozens more on Sunday by Iran-backed militants is piling political pressure on President Joe Biden to deal a blow directly against Iran, a move he’s been reluctant to do out of fear of igniting a broader war. Biden’s response options could range anywhere from targeting Iranian […]