(TEHRAN) – Iran has warned that the entire world will suffer following resumed United States strikes, as the two sides exchanged attacks for the first time in a month. Tehran said it targeted American air bases in Jordan after United States forces struck Iranian positions near the Strait of Hormuz.
Footage released early Monday claims to show Iran launching rockets and drones at American air bases in Jordan. Iran’s president said Tehran did not want war but threatened it could create chaos across the region.
“In the face of aggression, we will not stand by. We are capable of delivering a decisive response. Instability in this region would affect everyone and create serious problems,” the Iranian president said.
United States forces said they had struck two rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which 20 percent of the world’s oil flowed before the war. The US Central Command said its attack was aimed at mine laying forces.
On Friday, America claimed it had successfully demined the strait’s shipping lanes and that goods were getting through.
“Bottom line, today international shipping lanes are open and momentum is building,” a US official said.
The fresh military strikes have pushed oil prices up, with Brent crude jumping 2 percent to just over $90 (£71) a barrel.
After peace talks stalled, United States President Donald Trump’s team stepped up efforts to punish Iran financially, warning countries to cut business ties with Tehran or face secondary sanctions.
Iran’s president is now in Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation leaders summit. Those threats are expected to be discussed when he meets his counterpart from China, a key oil customer, and representatives from Tehran’s ally, Russia.
In other developments, Romania risks losing nearly €800 million (£684 million / $890 million) in European recovery funds after failing to pass legislation required to unlock the money. Prime Minister Ilie Bolohan, in office in a caretaking capacity since May after losing a vote of no confidence, was unable to pass a crucial public sector wages bill before the 31st August deadline.
The failure may cost Romania €770 million (£658 million / $857 million). The government has already factored the money into this year’s revenue, meaning taxpayers will have to cover the shortfall. Romania ran a deficit close to 8 percent of its economic output last year.
Polish security services are investigating a fire at a manufacturing facility in central Poland that produces drones for Ukraine’s and Poland’s armed forces. The blaze broke out overnight into Monday and has since been extinguished. No injuries were reported. Officials have not ruled out sabotage.
“We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and as a top priority. Around midnight, firefighters arrived at the scene of the fire, followed by police officers. Police are securing evidence and investigating the causes of the fire. In cases like this, the special services are always involved due to the nature of the facility’s production. We anticipate that various acts of sabotage may occur. In this case, officers from the special services are investigating whether the fire may have been caused by the actions of foreign intelligence services or whether there is an entirely different cause. We need to establish the facts thoroughly,” a Polish official said.
“We are not ruling out an act of sabotage in this case and we are aware of the risks. However, I would caution against fake news and disinformation. The special services are currently carrying out their work and we will provide information once everything has been made clear,” the official added.
Icelanders have narrowly rejected a return to European Union membership talks. In Saturday’s referendum, nearly 53 percent voted against restarting negotiations with just over 47 percent in favour. Fisheries, which account for 40 percent of all Icelandic exports, were a key factor in the result.
A corruption investigation involving the head of Poland’s Olympic Committee could have consequences for the country’s athletes. Radosław Piesiewicz is in pre-trial detention over allegations linked to cryptocurrency exchange Zonda Crypto, which he denies. He was detained over claims he accepted a €40,000 (£34,000 / $44,500) watch from the firm’s chief executive in exchange for helping resolve the company’s regulatory issues.
The death toll from a ferry that capsized off the coast of North Cyprus on Sunday has risen to eight. The ship has now sunk while the search continues for 18 people still missing. The vessel left the port of Kyrenia on Sunday afternoon and capsized minutes later around five kilometres off the northern coast. It is now lying on the seabed at a depth of over 500 metres. So far, 241 out of 267 passengers have been rescued.
African leaders are calling for faster and better coordinated funding to fight the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While international donors have pledged approximately $1.2 billion (£950 million / €1.08 billion), only $816 million (£647 million / €734 million) has actually been disbursed so far. The epidemic has already claimed more than 2,500 lives in the DRC.
Be First to Comment