'Ready to respond immediately,' Iran warns as U.S. naval buildup reaches region
Iran’s armed forces are prepared to “immediately and powerfully” respond to any U.S. attack, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said, as Amer...
The 27 European Union member states have approved €20 million (approximately $23.3 million) in assistance for Armenia from the European Peace Facility, following Hungary’s decision to lift its earlier veto, European media reported on Wednesday (28 January).
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó had stated that Hungary would approve assistance for Armenia if a comparable amount was also granted to Azerbaijan.
Following diplomatic engagements, Hungary revised its position.
The funding is the second allocation for Armenia from the European Peace Facility. The fund, established in 2021, aims to prevent conflicts worldwide and provide non-lethal military equipment to countries in need.
The first tranche, provided in July 2024, amounted to €10 million and supported the establishment of a field modular camp, including a medical facility.
The current allocation, which will be disbursed over the next 35 months, is intended to strengthen Armenia’s Armed Forces and defence capabilities through medical equipment and technical training.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said the EU and Armenia should reassess the future role of the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA) in light of progress in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process.
Speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Mirzoyan noted that the mission had contributed to regional stability but suggested a review to determine how it could support regional development.
“We now have peace, and we should consider how this mission can further contribute to the development of the region,” Mirzoyan said, referring to the normalization of relations with Azerbaijan.
EUMA head Markus Ritter previously indicated that the mission would conclude operations in border areas once a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia is signed.
The mission, which began on 20 February 2023, had its mandate extended by the EU Council in January 2025 to remain active until 19 February 2027.
The latest funding and statements reflect ongoing EU engagement in Armenia, including security, defence and post-conflict regional stability efforts.
The S&P 500 edged to a record closing high on Tuesday, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, as strong advances in technology stocks offset a sharp selloff in healthcare shares and a mixed batch of corporate earnings.
Residents in Syria’s Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli have stepped up volunteer patrols amid growing pressure from the country’s Islamist-led government, expressing deep mistrust of Damascus despite a fragile U.S.-backed ceasefire.
Liverpool confirmed direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with a 6-0 win over Qarabağ at Anfield in their final league-phase match. Despite the setback, Qarabağ secured a play-off spot, with results elsewhere going in the Azerbaijani champions’ favour on the final matchday.
Iraq's former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said on Wednesday that he rejects U.S. interference in Iraq's internal affairs, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut off support to the country if Maliki was picked as prime minister.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stressed to U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call on Tuesday the importance of unifying international efforts to prevent the return of "terrorist groups", including Islamic State.
Iran’s armed forces are prepared to “immediately and powerfully” respond to any U.S. attack, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said, as American military assets arrived in the Middle East amid renewed tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program.
“The decision is made that the Qamishli air base is not needed anymore,” political analyst Dmitry Bridzhe said, as Russia begins withdrawing forces from its facility in northeastern Syria amid shifts in the country’s political and security landscape.
Kazakhstan lost around 3.8 million tonnes of oil exports following an attack on facilities of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said, stressing that it is still too early to assess the losses in monetary terms.
Afghanistan is seeking Azerbaijan’s support to help secure its official participation in the upcoming United Nations COP31 global climate change conference, scheduled to be held in Türkiye, as Kabul looks to strengthen its engagement on climate diplomacy and technical cooperation.
Armenia’s current peace rhetoric sends a dual message, balancing signals of readiness for reconciliation with Azerbaijan while maintaining a hard line on security amid an election period, says political analyst.
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