Author: DW

As the United States and European Union (EU) consider new economic measures against Iran, the Islamic Republic is touting its resilience to Western boycotts. According to the government in Tehran, the country has exported more oil than ever in the last six years, despite massive sanctions imposed byformer US president Donald Trump in 2018. Last month, Iran’s Oil Minister Javad Owji said oil exports had “generated more than $35 billion [€32.8 billion]” in 2023. The British business daily Financial Times quoted him as saying that while Iran’s enemies wanted to stop its exports, “today, we can export oil anywhere we want, and with minimal discounts.”…

Russian national Oleg Ponomaryov’s asylum application was turned down by Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) at the end of February. BAMF said he was at no risk in Russia and should leave Germany within 30 days. If not, he could expect to be deported. Ponomaryov’s despair is palpable. He fears he will be arrested as soon as he arrives in Russia and be sent to fight against Ukraine. “The situation in Russia is getting worse and worse, a total mobilization is on the cards and my fitness level and driving license allow me to drive military vehicles,” says…

If this Israeli attack on Iran is no more than it presently appears to be, then it is rather well modulated.If the airbase at Isfahan has been attacked – home to the 8th Tactical Air Wing of the Iranian Air Force, and not a Revolutionary Guard installation – then the Israelis are making their point against a conventional military target. But Isfahan is an important city and home to the biggest nuclear research establishment in the country.It is not an enrichment plant or a reactor, but the wide-ranging nuclear research conducted there involves some 3,000 Iranian nuclear scientists.Middle East latest…

A 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing two clerics during a church service in the eastern Australian city of Sydney has been charged with committing a terrorist offense. The boy, who is in hospital after treatment for injuries, spoke about the Prophet Muhammad having been insulted after he stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and the Reverend Isaac Royel at an Assyrian Orthodox service on Monday. The charge of terrorism means police will gain more powers to investigate whether the suspect acted alone or as part of a wider network. The boy’s family has previously said he had perhaps displayed “anger management and behavioral issues” and a…

More than two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukrainian army is still under attack by the Russian infantry, artillery and air force, particularly on the eastern and southern fronts. Ukraine would not be able to manage without military aid from other countries and makes frequent appeals to its allies for more ammunition and air defense systems. Which countries are supporting Ukraine the most? The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IFW) lists and quantifies humanitarian, financial and military aid, which includes arms, ammunition, and equipment, that have been pledged and allocated to Ukraine, providing regular reports. United…

The overnight events do not reflect well on President Biden.He had signalled so emphatically just days ago for Israel not to retaliate.”Take the win,” the American president told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the early hours of Sunday morning.Middle East latest – follow live Image: Benjamin Netanyahu has ignored Biden’s pleas. Pic: Reuters It was a message made public and combined with back-channel briefings we were getting from the White House and the State Department.Washington’s message to the Israeli government was that the spectacular failure of the Iranian attack, combined with the diplomatic first of having the Jordanians and…

04/18/2024April 18, 2024’Urgent need’ for Congress to pass aid package — US and Ukraine foreign ministersUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba have both stressed the need for the US Congress to pass a new military aid package for Kyiv as it fights against a Russian invasion. “At this moment, it is urgent that all of the friends and supporters of Ukraine maximize their efforts to provide … Ukraine with what it needs to continue to effectively defend itself against the Russian aggression,” Blinken said, speaking on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting on the…

Iran has grounded commercial flights across parts of the country after reports of explosions.State media also said Iran fired its air defence systems after reports of blasts near the city of Isfahan. Middle East latest – follow live updates after reports of explosionsIran’s state-run IRNA news agency said its air defences fired across several provinces – but did not elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire.State television noted a “loud noise” in the area. A major airbase for the Iranian military is in Isfahan, where there were reports of blasts, as well as sites associated with its nuclear program.Iranian…

Israel has vowed a response to Iran’s massive missile and drone attack over the weekend, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying in a meeting of Israel’s war cabinet on Wednesday that the country will do “everything necessary to defend itself.” In the early hours of Sunday morning, Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel in an unprecedented strike launched directly from Iranian territory. Almost all of the drones, rockets and cruise missiles launched by Iran were intercepted by Israeli air defenses with the help of the US, UK, and several Arab countries. Iran has said the attack was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli…

Myanmar officials have confirmed that ousted democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi is now under house arrest after spending years in prison. Former Myanmar President Win Myint has also been transported out of prison. Their present whereabouts were not clear. According to a representative of the Myanmar’s State Administrative Council (SAC), the two politicians were moved to shelter them from sweltering temperatures, which recently hit 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in the capital, Naypyidaw. But some are now speculating that the ruling junta might use Suu Kyi in a bid to sow disunity among its opponents, as it faces escalating…