Iran says Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until U.S. meets deal terms
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade ...
Lebanon plans to transfer more than 300 Syrian prisoners to Syria under a bilateral agreement between the two countries, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri said on Friday.
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in Baabda, Mitri said ministers approved a deal that allows convicted Syrian inmates to complete the remainder of their sentences in their home country.
The agreement applies to prisoners who have spent more than 10 years in Lebanese jails, which Mitri said is equivalent to about seven years of effective imprisonment. He did not provide further details on how or when the transfers would take place.
The Cabinet session was chaired by President Joseph Aoun and attended by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Damascus said on 10 October 2025 that it had reached an earlier agreement with Beirut to receive Syrian detainees who were not convicted of murder, following a visit to Lebanon by a delegation led by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
Lebanese officials estimate that around 2,500 Syrians are currently held in Lebanese prisons, accounting for roughly one-third of the country’s total prison population.
The move comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between the two neighbours following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024, including Mitri’s official visit to Syria in November 2025 for talks with President Ahmad al-Sharaa and other senior officials.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Ukraine has targeted at least 20 Wildberries warehouses across Russia since 18 July, disrupting a major logistics network. Kyiv says the strikes aim to disrupt alleged military-linked supplies, while the attacks have caused billions of dollars in losses and wider economic pressure.
South Korea's presidential Blue House said on Monday it was reviewing U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on scaling back joint military drills. It added that it hoped a favourable relationship between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks.
Azerbaijan exported goods worth $17.372 million to Armenia between January and July 2026, according to data from the State Customs Committee, as commercial ties between the two South Caucasus neighbours showed signs of expansion.
Kyrgyzstan is seeking to boost fuel imports from China as it looks to diversify supplies and reduce the risks of its heavy reliance on Russia.
At least 42 children were injured in an explosion at an educational centre in western Kabul on Monday, sparking international calls for a full investigation.
Uzbekistan could lose up to $1.5 billion if escalating Middle East tensions disrupt vital trade and logistics routes through Iran, putting pressure on supply chains and the wider economy.
Azerbaijan has summoned Russia’s ambassador in Baku over recent Russian media comments it described as insulting, provocative and threatening towards the country, its people and leadership.
Israel and the United States have agreed to establish two working groups on Gaza’s future as Washington pushes to turn a fragile ceasefire into a broader political and security arrangement.
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