live U.S. confirms troop deaths: All the latest news on Middle East conflict
The widening war between Iran, U.S. and Israel is leaving civilians and soldiers caught in its wake. Thousands of people are stranded across the Gu...
Türkiye and Armenia have agreed to ease visa procedures for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports, marking another step in their ongoing normalisation process.
In a statement on Monday, Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry said that from 1 January, eligible passport holders from both countries will be able to obtain free electronic visas, simplifying official travel between Ankara and Yerevan.
The move follows discussions between the two countries’ special envoys as part of efforts to rebuild ties after decades of strained relations. Both sides said the agreement reflects their shared commitment to advancing the normalisation process without preconditions, with the goal of full diplomatic normalisation.
According to Turkish state broadcaster TRT Haber, the visa facilitation arrangement was detailed in a joint announcement by Ankara and Yerevan, which said the decision would make e-visas free for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports from 1 January 2026. TRT Haber also quoted the joint statement confirming that both countries had reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the normalisation process unconditionally.
Armenia and Türkiye have taken several cautious steps towards reconciliation in recent years, including the appointment of special representatives in 2021 and agreements on limited confidence-building measures. However, the shared land border between the two countries has remained closed since 1993.
Officials described the visa facilitation as a practical confidence-building measure, though broader issues, including border reopening and the establishment of full diplomatic relations, remain unresolved.
Both governments reiterated that talks would continue with the objective of achieving comprehensive normalisation between the two countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. military has enough stockpiled weapons to fight wars "forever"; in a social media post late on Monday. The remarks came hours before conflict in Iran and the Middle East entered its fourth day.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov following recent military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
U.S. first lady, Melania Trump chaired a UN Security Council meeting on children and education in conflict on Monday (2 March), a move criticised by Iran as hypocritical following U.S. and Israeli strikes that triggered a UN warning about risks to children.
The U.S. embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones resulting in a limited fire and some material damage, the kingdom's defence ministry said in a post on X on Tuesday, citing an initial assessment.
Türkiye and Iran have suspended day-trip passenger crossings at their shared border, Türkiye's trade minister said Monday, as a U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran entered its third day.
How do political narratives travel from Moscow to Westminster?
At least 30,000 displaced people have sought protection in shelters across Lebanon following an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday, and added that many more were expected to join them.
The widening war between Iran, U.S. and Israel is leaving civilians and soldiers caught in its wake. Thousands of people are stranded across the Gulf, flights are grounded, and Washington has confirmed the first American troops killed as fears grow of further casualties.
Azerbaijan's Astara border has become a key corridor for people wanting to leave Iran. More than 600 foreign nationals have been walking through the frontier this week amid the war in the Middle East.
Türkiye has suspended day-trip crossings at its Kapıköy border and two others with Iran as regional tensions escalate following strikes involving the United States and Israel on Tehran. AnewZ's Alisultan Sultanzade was on the ground at the crossing before the restrictions came into force.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment