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...
In a sharp policy shift, Slovenia has suspended all arms-related trade with Israel, deepening its stance on the Gaza conflict and aligning with its earlier recognition of a Palestinian state according to the state news agency STA citing a government statement on 31 July.
Slovenia has announced an embargo on the export, import and transit of arms to and from Israel, after a government session chaired by Prime Minister Robert Golob. The move comes two weeks after the country declared several Israeli ministers persona non grata.
"This is the first time a European country has taken such action," Golob was quoted as saying by the state news agency STA.
The decision adds to Slovenia's evolving policy on the Israel-Palestine conflict. In June last year, the country officially recognised a Palestinian state. Since then, it has consistently advocated for a ceasefire and stepped-up humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The arms embargo comes amid growing international friction over the Gaza conflict. Israel has criticised recent moves by France, Britain and Canada, who signalled they may soon recognise Palestinian statehood. An Israeli government spokesperson said such gestures would be seen as "rewarding Hamas" for its 7 October 2023 assault on Israeli territory.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue. On Thursday, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aimed at reviving negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and addressed the deepening humanitarian crisis.
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.
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.
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.
Russia has accused Ukraine of threatening global grain supplies after recent strikes on Black Sea agricultural infrastructure, while Moscow carried out a new overnight attack on Ukraine’s major Danube port of Izmail.
One person has been killed and six others injured after an explosion at a petroleum storage facility at the Port of Rotterdam, prompting an investigation into the cause.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday for talks focused on Gaza, Palestinian statehood and regional security.
Taiwan staged military defence drills on Wednesday as China concluded joint naval exercises with Indonesia in waters east of the island.
Washington’s counter-narcotics push is expanding as Colombia’s new conservative government backs deeper security cooperation.
Meta said it had removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16, as the country’s internet regulator weighs enforcement action over its teen social media ban.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment