Daily News Brief - 11/09/2022
Iran: Tehran seizes foreign tanker carrying smuggled fuel in the Persian Gulf
The naval forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized a foreign tanker carrying 757,000 liters of smuggled fuel while on its way out of the country’s territorial waters. According to senior IRGC Navy Commander Ramezan Zirrahi, the vessel was detected and confiscated 60 miles off the Iranian coast. He added that the seven crew members, all foreign nationals, were taken into custody.
Iran | Albania: Tirana blames Tehran for renewed cyberattacks shortly after the US imposed sanctions on Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence
On Friday, the US Treasury Department announced the imposition of sanctions on Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and its minister Esmail Khatib, following accusations from Albania claiming that Tehran was behind a series of disruptive cyberattacks suffered by Tirana in July. The Albanian government announced on Wednesday that it cuts diplomatic relations with Iran and gave the diplomatic personnel 24 hours to leave the country. On Saturday, Albania’s Interior Ministry announced that “the national police’s computer systems were hit Friday by a cyberattack which, according to initial information, was committed by the same actors who in July attacked the country’s public and government service systems.”
Iran | France | Germany | UK: The three European parties to the nuclear deal express doubts regarding Iran’s stance
On Saturday, France, Germany, and the UK expressed “serious doubts” regarding Iran’s intentions to revive a nuclear deal, adding that “Iran’s position contradicts its legally binding obligations and jeopardizes prospects of restoring the JCPOA.” The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Nasser Kanaani called the three countries’ statement “unconstructive.” It comes after Tehran submitted earlier this month its latest response to an EU draft agreement. The comments by France, Germany, and the UK were welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid who added that “they were presented with up-to-date intelligence information on Iranian activity at the nuclear sites.”
Iraq: Eleven ISIS militants were killed in airstrikes in western and eastern Iraq
According to the Iraqi military, eleven ISIS militants were killed in airstrikes on Saturday in the western province of Anbar and the eastern province of Diyala.
Israel | Germany: Israeli prime minister heads to Berlin for top-level meetings on Iran and bilateral relations
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid departed on Sunday for Germany for a series of top-level meetings during which he will present Israel’s position against signing a new nuclear deal with Iran. Lapid is expected to meet on Monday with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. The agenda will also include bilateral ties, Israel-EU relations, energy security, and the war in Ukraine.
Lebanon | Israel: US envoy says progress has been made in maritime border negotiations
According to local media, the US Envoy Amos Hochstein told the Lebanese officials he met on Friday that a point of contention needs to be resolved in order for the negotiations to move towards a quick agreement, namely fixing the “maritime Blue Line,” which is marked by the line of buoys on the surface of the sea off the coasts of Lebanon. The reports also claimed that Hochstein said that Beirut’s demands will be met and an agreement would be signed within the next three weeks.
Libya | Qatar: Libyan speaker of the parliament and warlord’s son arrive in Doha
Libya’s Parliament Speaker Aquila Saleh and warlord Khalifa Haftar’s son, Belgassem Haftar, arrived in Doha on Saturday, two days after the visit of Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. According to media reports, the two are in Doha to discuss Libya’s political situation and the conflict between the country’s rival governments.
Palestine | Russia: Hamas top delegation arrives in Russia
A top delegation of Hamas headed by the group’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Moscow on Saturday for a meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. According to Hamas, the discussions with Russian officials will focus on “mutual ties” and “other issues relating to the situation in Palestine.”
Tunisia: Dozens protest in the capital against the arrest of a journalist on ‘terrorism’ suspicions
Dozens of Tunisians took to the capital's streets on Friday to protest against the arrest of journalist Ghassen Ben Khalifa, detained on suspicion of “terrorism.” According to media reports, the authorities searched his house and seized two computers. On Sunday, Ben Khalifa was released on bail for the duration of the investigation.
Turkey | Greece: Greek prime minister says he is open to meeting with Turkish president despite inflammatory speeches
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated during a press conference on Sunday that he remains open to meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding that he will not force a meeting upon him. He also pointed to Prague as a potential location. Asked to comment on the possibility of open hostilities with Ankara, Mitsotakis said that he cannot even imagine a military confrontation but stressed that Greece will respond decisively if this is the route Turkey chooses.
UAE | Serbia: Serbian president arrives in Abu Dhabi for an official visit
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic arrived in Abu Dhabi on Saturday for an official visit that aims at strengthening the growing economic ties between Belgrade and the Emirates. The UAE is among the largest foreign direct investors in Serbia.