TEHRAN: Iran on Friday dismissed as “ridiculous” allegations by Israel’s foreign minister while on a visit to Ankara that the Islamic republic was planning anti-Israeli attacks in Turkey.
“The baseless allegations... are ridiculous and part of a pre-designed plot to destroy relations between the two Muslim countries,” foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a statement.
“It is expected from Turkey not to remain silent in the face of these divisive allegations,” he said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday thanked Turkey for thwarting an alleged Iranian assassination plot against its tourists in Istanbul.
“We’re not only talking about the murder of innocent Israeli tourists, but also a clear violation of Turkish sovereignty by Iranian terror,” Lapid said.
Media outlets in Turkey have reported the arrest of eight people allegedly working for an Iranian intelligence cell that planned to kill Israeli tourists in Istanbul.
Iran and Israel have been engaged in a years-long shadow war but tensions have ratcheted up following a string of high-profile incidents that Tehran has blamed on Israel.
The Islamic republic has pointed at Israel for the killing of Revolutionary Guards Col. Sayyad Khodai at his Tehran home on May 22.
Two other senior Guard members have also died — one in a reported accident and the other in a shooting — in the past month.
The Revolutionary Guard, the ideological arm of Iran’s military, said Thursday it was replacing its veteran intelligence chief.
Khatibzadeh stressed that Iran would respond forcefully to “assassinations and acts of sabotage by the Zionist regime” but “without threatening the security of civilians and the security of other countries.”
Israel last week urged its citizens to leave Turkey because of the “real and immediate danger” coming from Iranian operatives.
It is still keeping Istanbul at its highest level of travel warning, while putting the rest of Turkey on the second-highest alert.
Iran rejects Israeli charges of attacks in Turkey
https://arab.news/n8xpu
Iran rejects Israeli charges of attacks in Turkey
- Israeli Foreign Minister on Thursday thanked Turkey for thwarting an alleged Iranian assassination plot against its tourists in Istanbul
- Media outlets in Turkey have reported the arrest of eight people allegedly working for an Iranian intelligence cell
‘Very special’ Parag powers Rajasthan Royals to IPL win over Delhi Capitals
Rishabh Pant-led Delhi won the toss and chose to field first and maintained a stranglehold over the game until the second half of the Royals’ innings.
Rajasthan lost both their explosive openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (five) and Jos Buttler (11) early and even batting mainstay, captain Sanju Samson, failed to convert his start and fell for 15.
With the team reeling at 36-3 in the eighth over, Rajasthan promoted India’s spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who built a crucial 54-run partnership with Parag.
Ashwin scored 29 off 19 balls and took the team to 90 before he was dismissed in the 14th over by India teammate Axar Patel.
Parag, who has been criticized in previous IPL seasons for his rash shot selection, kept the scoreboard ticking until after the 17th over.
The 22-year-old put together another key partnership with Indian wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel (20).
Parag, who reached his 50 off 34 balls, cracked 25 runs with three fours and two sixes off the final over bowled by South African paceman Anrich Nortje.
He was ably supported by West Indian Shimron Hetmyer, who hit an unbeaten seven-ball 14 that propelled the team to an impressive 185-5.
Samson praised player of the match Parag.
“Wherever I go, people ask me about him. There is something very special he can give to Indian cricket,” he said.
Patel was the standout bowler for Delhi and finished with 1-21 in his four over spell.
Delhi started their chase well with Australian openers Mitchell Marsh and veteran David Warner.
Marsh was removed after a 12-ball 23 in the fourth over by South African quick Nandre Burger, who also removed Ricky Bhui (0) in the same over.
But that didn’t stop Warner, who took the team to 59-2 at the end of the powerplay.
He was removed in the 12th over after a well compiled 34-ball 49, falling to young India fast bowler Avesh Khan.
Delhi subsequently fell behind the run rate before a late innings counterattack by South African Tristan Stubbs who finished with an unbeaten 23-ball 44.
Avesh bowled a tight last over to seal a 12-run victory.
Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal finished his three overs with 2-19 while Burger had 2-29.
Losing captain Pant said that he was “definitely disappointed.”
Pant, who hopes to make a comeback to the Indian team after his long injury layoff ahead of the T20 World Cup this summer, made 28 off 26 balls.
“The best thing to do from here is to learn from it,” he added.
British minister discusses Gaza with Arab League chief, Egyptian foreign minister in Cairo
- League’s secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, thanks Lord Tariq Ahmad for UK’s support in vote on UN Security Council ceasefire resolution this week
- Ahmad and Egypt’s foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, discuss ways in which their countries can work together to ensure greater amounts of aid reach the people of Gaza
LONDON: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit held talks in Cairo on Thursday with the British minister of state for the Middle East and North Africa, Lord Tariq Ahmad, about the conflict in Gaza.
Aboul Gheit thanked the UK for its “supportive vote” this week in favor of a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory, his spokesperson Gamal Roshdy said.
The secretary-general also called for the urgent implementation of the resolution on the ground to halt the Israeli military campaign, and underscored the “critical necessity of immediate humanitarian aid access to Gaza” to alleviate the dire crisis and famine affecting the people there.
“Aboul Gheit highlighted the significance of unified diplomatic endeavors, post military cessation, to capitalize on the UN Security Council’s resolution, aiming at achieving stability and outlining a political pathway toward the establishment of a Palestinian state,” Roshdy added.
Ahmad was in agreement about the important need to enact the UN resolution and deliver aid to Gaza using land routes, Roshdy said.
The British minister, who was making his third official visit to Egypt since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel, also met the Egyptian foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, to discuss ways in which their countries can work together to ensure greater amounts of lifesaving aid reach Palestinians in Gaza.
In a message posted on social media platform X, Ahmad wrote: “Pleased to meet my good friend, Foreign Minister Shoukry, during Ramadan in Cairo. We discussed the need for full implementation of (the UN Security Council resolution) to get more lifesaving aid into Gaza, get hostages out, and provide an irreversible pathway to” a two-state solution.”
He added: “Egypt is a vital partner, and boosting UK-Egypt ties will enable our nations to work towards a shared goal — bringing greater stability to the region. As my visit coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, I am also looking forward to celebrating Egypt’s unique culture.”
Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan discuss climate action cooperation ahead of COP29
- Two ministers discussed opportunities for work and cooperation between their two countries in the field of climate change
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman met with Azerbaijan’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev on Thursday.
Babayev has also been appointed president of the UN COP29 climate talks which will be held in Baku in November.
During the meeting, the two ministers discussed opportunities for work and cooperation between their two countries in the field of climate change. They also talked about joint efforts to achieve the goals of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, the Kingdom’s ministry said in a statement.
They reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts and initiatives in dealing with the effects of climate change, such as exploiting renewable energy sources, and managing, reducing and eliminating emissions through the Saudi and Middle East green initiatives.
In addition, the ministers discussed implementing the circular carbon economy approach and its technologies, which was developed by the Kingdom during its G20 presidency and endorsed by leaders, along with other national and regional programs and initiatives.
Arab League chief highlights need for Palestinian reconciliation in talks with Fatah delegation
- Spotlight on importance of prioritizing ceasefire, facilitating aid to Gaza
- Aboul Gheit emphasized the urgency of swiftly moving toward a political settlement that would pave the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state
CAIRO: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has emphasized the importance of pursuing all possible avenues to achieve Palestinian reconciliation.
He spoke as he welcomed a high-level delegation from the Palestinian Fatah movement in Cairo.
The talks followed the delegation’s separate meeting with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
Aboul Gheit also stressed the importance of prioritizing a ceasefire and facilitating the delivery of aid to Gaza.
He emphasized the urgency of swiftly moving toward a political settlement that would pave the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Aboul Gheit said that the Palestinian National Movement served as an overarching platform for all factions, adding that Fatah had played an undeniable role in the Palestinian struggle over the decades.
He reiterated that unity among Palestinian ranks was indispensable for realizing the vision of a Palestinian state.
The Fatah delegation included Mahmoud Al-Aloul, the movement’s vice president; Rawhi Fattouh, the president of the Palestinian National Council; and Azzam Al-Ahmad and Samir Al-Rifai, members of Fatah’s Central Committee.
Jamal Rushdi, a spokesperson for Aboul Gheit, said that the secretary-general had listened to a presentation by Fatah leaders on the latest developments in the region.
Discussions centered on the war against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and the violence faced by Palestinians by occupation forces and armed extremist settlers in the West Bank.
The Arab League’s chief stressed the role of the Palestinian Authority and Fatah in the struggle and spoke of the need to end the geographical and political division that had plagued Palestinians since 2007.
Aboul Gheit listened to the leaders and their strategies to bolster Palestinian resilience on their land, whether in the West Bank or Gaza.
He conveyed the Arab League’s unwavering support for the Palestinian Authority’s endeavors to harness global momentum in advocating for Palestinian rights.
He added that the Gaza catastrophe had revealed unimaginable brutality and a stark absence of humanity, which had elicited shock from conscientious people worldwide.
Aboul Gheit insisted that the world was now convinced of the inevitability of Palestinians achieving their right to self-determination and establishing an independent state.
This conviction contrasted sharply with previous notions that the Palestinian issue could be managed through “economic peace.”
Aboul Gheit spoke of the Arab League’s vision with the delegation, based on recent engagements with influential international actors close to recognizing the Palestinian state.
He stressed that the correct approach to negotiating a final settlement was to recognize statehood and attain permanent membership in the UN.
Zelensky tells US House speaker: quick passage of military aid is vital
- Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has held up a bill for months that would supply $60 billion in military and financial aid for Ukraine
- “We recognize that there are differing views in the House of Representatives on how to proceed, but the key is to keep the issue of aid to Ukraine as a unifying factor,” Zelensky said
KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky told the speaker of the US House of Representatives during a phone call on Thursday that it was vital that Congress passes a new military aid package for Kyiv rapidly.
Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has held up a bill for months that would supply $60 billion in military and financial aid for Ukraine.
“Quick passage of US aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital. We recognize that there are differing views in the House of Representatives on how to proceed, but the key is to keep the issue of aid to Ukraine as a unifying factor,” Zelensky said on X.
Ukrainian troops are on the back foot on the battlefield, facing shortages of artillery supplies with the US assistance held up in Congress and the European Union failing to deliver on time munitions that it had promised earlier.
In a statement, Zelensky said he briefed Johnson about the situation on the battlefield and also spoke about “the dramatic increase in Russia’s air terror.”
Last Friday, Russia conducted its largest air strike on Ukraine’s energy system since invading in February 2022, damaging power units at a major dam and causing blackouts for more than a million people.
Moscow has described its recent attacks as part of a series of “revenge” strikes in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian regions. Russia has increased its use of harder-to-stop ballistic missiles. It denies targeting civilians, though many have been killed in its strikes.