Politics

Iran VP: ‘We will not give up the Strait of Hormuz at any cost’

Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has said the Strait of Hormuz belongs to Iran, stressing that the country will “not give it up at any cost”.

15 May 2026-12:33
Sanctions row over Ukrainian children taken to North Korea Songdowon camp

A sanctions dispute has emerged over reports that Ukrainian children were taken to North Korea’s Songdowon International Children’s Camp, amid accusations that the facility is being used in Russia-linked programmes involving the “re-education” and ideological influence of minors.

15 May 2026-12:25
Iranian FM warns US, Israel against new military action

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned the United States and Israel against any renewed military action against Iran, saying previous confrontations had failed to achieve their objectives and that future attempts would produce the same outcome.

15 May 2026-12:23
India and Iran discuss Middle East conflict and Strait of Hormuz security in New Delhi talks

Top diplomats from India and Iran held discussions in New Delhi during a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting, focusing on the ongoing Middle East conflict and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz. The talks came amid heightened regional tensions linked to the wider US-Israeli war with Iran and its impact on global energy security.

15 May 2026-12:10
Iranian embassy blasts UK accusations, sanctions as “unfounded”

Iran’s embassy in London has condemned new UK sanctions and allegations against Tehran as “unfounded” and “politically motivated”.

15 May 2026-12:07
Palestine calls on world to recognize Nakba as crime of ethnic cleansing

Palestine has urged the international community to formally recognize the 1948 Nakba as a crime of ethnic cleansing and to acknowledge that it remains an ongoing process affecting Palestinians today, according to a statement from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry.

15 May 2026-12:06
Trump leaves Beijing with few wins and warm words for Xi

US President Donald Trump has left China after a high-profile visit that featured warm diplomatic exchanges with Chinese President Xi Jinping but produced limited concrete economic breakthroughs. Trump described the trip as “incredible” and said it had resulted in “a lot of good,” while both sides avoided announcing major policy shifts.

15 May 2026-12:03
Erdogan arrives in Turkistan for organization of Turkic States summit

Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in the Kazakh city of Turkistan to attend the Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, where he is joining regional leaders for high-level discussions on cooperation and integration. The visit includes participation alongside Azerbaijani, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and Turkish Cypriot representatives.

15 May 2026-11:55
Biden’s GOP ‘epiphany’ prediction fades after Trump return

Seven years after then-presidential candidate Joe Biden suggested Republicans would eventually have a political “epiphany” and move beyond Donald Trump, that expectation has largely faded as Democrats recalibrate their approach to a more confrontational political landscape.

14 May 2026-17:40
Armenia eyes joint production of Indian Pinaka missile systems, report says

Armenia is taking steps to deepen defence cooperation with India, including exploring the possibility of establishing local production lines for the Pinaka missile system and 155mm artillery ammunition, according to Indian Defence Research Wing (IDRW).

14 May 2026-16:26