Foreign ministers warn against renewed strikes on Iran at Istanbul talks
Foreign ministers meeting in Istanbul on Friday warned that renewed military strikes on Iran could deepen the regional conflict, urging diplomatic ...
Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), said on Wednesday that the U.S. had “clearly made a mistake” in launching strikes on Iran, arguing Washington misjudged the resilience of the Iranian regime.
“What I see is that the United States clearly made a mistake, thinking the Iranian regime would fall within a few days. It has not fallen. The Iranian regime is extremely strong,” she told France Inter radio.
Le Pen criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s war aims as “erratic”, questioning the overall objective of the campaign and adding that “no one knows” what he seeks to achieve.
She warned the conflict has destabilised parts of the Gulf and disrupted global energy supplies, creating wider economic uncertainty.
The RN leader also reiterated her support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, describing him as a “symbol of resistance” to the European Commission, while insisting her engagement in Hungary was limited to backing political allies during elections.
Her remarks come amid heightened regional tensions following a joint U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran launched on 28 February. The escalation has reportedly killed more than 1,300 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as countries hosting U.S. military assets, including Jordan, Iraq and several Gulf states, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting aviation and global markets.
Separately, Le Pen’s RN recently underperformed in France’s municipal elections, failing to secure control of major cities - an outcome seen as a setback ahead of future national contests.
Le Pen is awaiting a ruling in her appeal against an embezzlement conviction, which could affect her eligibility to run in future elections.
Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on Dammam airport, while Iran's IRGC Navy claimed strikes on seven vessels and warned the U.S. of a wider response.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people and injured 15 others, including two children, Ukrainian authorities said. Meanwhile, Russia said it had intercepted the vast majority of 630 Ukrainian drones launched towards Moscow.
Russia is willing in principle to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the United States in November, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said after President Vladimir Putin met U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Super typhoon Champi is set to batter Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture from Friday (23 October), bringing violent winds, torrential rain and waves up to 11 metres high, as airlines cancel flights and organisers scrap a major festival.
Armenian authorities have detained 10 more people in a vote-buying investigation involving the opposition Strong Armenia party, just two days before local elections in the northern town of Stepanavan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met India’s Minister of External Affairs in Baku for talks on strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on trade, investment, energy and technology.
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Greece’s parliament has passed a bill banning under-15s from using social media from 1 January 2027, as the country steps up efforts to protect children online. The new law will require platforms to enforce age restrictions.
France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Friday that 70,000 security forces would be mobilised throughout the country to keep order on Saturday, adding there have been calls for looting and violence from the ultra-left.
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