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...
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday that the initial stage of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the conflict in Gaza must be implemented by the beginning of next week at the latest, while acknowledging that other elements of the proposal would take longer to resolve.
Wadephul explained that the first phase, involving a ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, de-escalation of military actions, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza was achievable.
Speaking at a news conference in Tel Aviv following his meeting with Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar, Wadephul said Israel would need to make compromises to secure the hostages' release while emphasizing that Trump's plan would provide security assurances for Israel.
"We are now in the first phase of the US plan, which aims for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and restraint in military operations," he said, adding that this will also enable sufficient humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip.
“We must complete this first phase this week, or at the latest by the beginning of next week. This is feasible, and it must be our goal. After that, we should address all other issues, and these other issues will also take a certain amount of time,” he added.
Germany's top diplomat reiterated that Berlin is ready to make financial contributions for the reconstruction of Gaza and provide personnel to implement US President Trump's ceasefire plan. He also said Germany is willing to organize a reconstruction conference alongside Egypt.
Prior to arriving in Israel on Monday, Wadephul visited Qatar and Kuwait over the weekend. He plans to travel to Egypt on Tuesday to discuss the Gaza ceasefire with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel Aaty.
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.
Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing on Wednesday to witness a rare total solar eclipse, when the moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, briefly turning daylight into darkness along a narrow path.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 12th of August, covering the latest developments.
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.
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.
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.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has used Pacific Fleet drills to criticise Japan, NATO and possible Western moves against Russian commercial ships. He made the comments during his first visit to Iturup, a Japan-claimed island at the end of the Kuril chain near the island of Hokkaido.
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