live Iran, U.S. make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
Türkiye and Armenia have agreed to restore the historic Ani Bridge, in a move described as “symbolic and concrete cooperation” by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday (4 May) on the sidelines of the 8th European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, following talks between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz.
The agreement was formalised by the countries’ special envoys for normalisation, Serdar Kilic and Ruben Rubinyan.
It centres on the restoration of the Ani Bridge, which stands on the border and once connected the medieval city of Ani with surrounding regions.
For many, the structure carries both historical and emotional weight. Its restoration is being seen as more than a technical project, offering a rare point of cooperation after decades of strained ties.
In a statement, Yilmaz said the two sides had “comprehensively evaluated” their relationship and explored cooperation in transport, customs, energy and digital infrastructure.
He described the bridge agreement as an example of “symbolic and concrete cooperation” that could help build “lasting peace and an environment of trust.”
Yilmaz added that Türkiye would continue efforts to normalise relations with Armenia, with a focus on expanding economic links and encouraging contact between people across the South Caucasus.
The meeting in Yerevan marked Türkiye’s highest-level representation in Armenia since 2008, underlining a shift in diplomatic engagement.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
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