EU looking to sidestep U.S. sanctions with payments system plan
Germany and France said they’re working on financing solutions to sidestep U.S. sanctions against countries such as Iran, including a possible role for central banks. The discussions, which also involve the U.K., are a signal that European powers are trying to get serious about demonstrating a greater level of independence from the U.S. as President […]
Iraq sending team to US to seek deal on transactions with Iran
Iraq will send a delegation to the United States seeking an agreement on financial transactions with Iran, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in his weekly news conference on Tuesday. According to Reuters, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Tuesday that his country will send a delegation to the United States seeking an agreement on […]
Macron slams US ‘isolationism’, calls for EU’s financial independence
The French president Emmanuel Macron criticized US President Donald Trump’s “aggressive” isolationism, calling on EU to defend itself against US extraterritorial sanctions. “Multilateralism is going through a major crisis which collides with all our diplomatic activities, above all because of US policy,” he told a gathering of French ambassadors on Monday. According to Reuters, Macron urged […]
McCain is gone now but he was hawkish to the end
Senator John McCain was one of the most influential figures in the American political and military structure. Washington’s policies on Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and other countries was influenced by McCain’s opinions. His influence on the Pentagon was also evident. His continuing violation doctrine in Afghanistan and his hostile views on Russia have restrained Trump from […]
Rohingya refugees mark one year in Bangladesh
TEHRAN – Refugees in Bangladesh held demonstrations on Saturday to mark the passing of a year since the outbreak of a conflict in western Myanmar’s Rakhine state that drove hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims from their homes. Putting up in tents in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazaar, protestors said they were living in worst conditions in […]
US, Mexico finalize trade pact; Canada to rejoin talks Tuesday
After months of intense negotiations the United States and Mexico agreed Monday on a thoroughly overhauled free trade pact, while talks with Canada begin Tuesday. Despite the milestone announcement, the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement entered a new phase of uncertainty, with Canada’s foreign ministry insisting that country’s signature was “required” while President Donald […]
German foreign minister brands Trump’s EU policy ‘irritating’
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas again took aim at US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy in a speech on Monday, branding his policies towards Europe “irritating”. “Obviously it irritates us when President Trump describes Europe as an enemy of the USA in the same breath as Russia and China or calls NATO into question almost […]
Rouhani to Macron: More transparency and speed needed to save nuclear deal
TEHRAN – In a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, President Hassan Rouhani of Iran said the remaining signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal should take more transparent steps accompanied by higher speed to save the agreement. In May the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint […]
Iraqi president pledges to bolster ties with Iran
Iraqi President Fuad Masum told Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi on Monday that Iraq is determined to bolster relations with Iran. Referring to the positive position of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards Iraq in the past years, Iraqi President Fuad Masum asserted that Baghdad attaches great importance to preserving and developing relations with […]
Yemeni Sammad-3 drones target Dubai airport
Yemeni media have reported that Yemeni Army’s Sammad-3 drones have attacked Dubai airport. The Sammad-3 drones which belonged to Yemeni Army and Popular Committees targeted Dubai airport. Al-Maseera has not given further details about any casualties or damages to the airport as a result of the attack yet. A spokesman for the Yemeni army Aziz Rashid has told […]