EU leaders to discuss sanctions against Belarus

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned a drone strike on the commercial vessel Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean. Calling it "a terrorist attack & a war crime," she detailed the crew's rescue after a gas explosion, criticised Malta's refusal to assist the injured, and denounced the European silence.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday reiterated his stance on cutting trade with Spain over the NATO ally's refusal to allow the use of its military bases for operations linked to the war with Iran.

The European Union on Wednesday moved to intensify pressure on Tehran amid the conflict in West Asia by approving new sanctions targeting 19 Iranian regime officials and entities accused of serious human rights violations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday underlined that the United States had "permitted" India to temporarily purchase Russian oil in the wake of the disruptions to global energy supplies amid the conflict in West Asia.

Baghaei's remarks came in response to statements by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas regarding the regional situation.

India's UN Ambassador, Harish Parvathaneni, has condemned Pakistan's "hypocritical" airstrikes in Afghanistan during Ramadan, which killed 185 civilians. Speaking at the UNSC, he denounced the strikes as flagrant violations of sovereignty and international law, while also slamming "trade and transit terrorism" targeting the landlocked nation.

US President Donald Trump suggested a temporary waiver of certain oil sanctions to curb soaring energy prices. He noted the US Navy could escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary. This follows recent Treasury sanctions on Iran's "shadow fleet" used to fund military programmes.

US President Donald Trump adopted a "we'll see what happens" stance following Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment as Iran's Supreme Leader. Despite prior warnings that any successor requires US approval to "last long," Tehran finalised the transition, while Israel issued threats of "elimination" against the new leadership amid heightened regional volatility.

"... Together, we will transform Indo-Mediterranean and European trade. Prime Minister Modi and your Commerce Minister, Mr Piyush Goyal, deserve a great deal of credit for making this happen...," he said.

However, historical records from the Congress-led UPA government's tenure indicate that India too had reduced oil imports from Iran following pressure linked to US sanctions.