Middle East & North Africa

ANKARA, December 11. /TASS/: The only Russian tanker with crude oil currently stuck near the Bosphorus will enter the strait on Monday, the Turkish Transport Ministry’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety said on Sunday.

"The oily Russian oil tanker staying in Turkey’s territorial waters has presented a letter confirming its insurance coverage and tomorrow it will enter the Bosphorus. There are no other Russian tankers with crude oil waiting for a permit to pass the straits," it wrote on its Twitter account.

DUBAI, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said on Sunday that Iran's Gulf Arab neighbours would act to shore up their security if Tehran were to obtain nuclear weapons.

Indirect U.S.-Iranian talks to salvage a 2015 nuclear pact between global powers and Iran, which Washington exited in 2018, stalled in September. The U.N. nuclear chief has voiced concern over a recent announcement by Tehran that it was boosting enrichment capacity.

TEHRAN, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Saturday condemned Australia's sanctions on Iranian individuals and institutions, saying they represent the country's interference in Iran's internal affairs.

The Australian government "has for years been violating the basic rights of indigenous Australians, prisoners and refugees," said Nasser Kanaani, the foreign ministry spokesman, in a ministry statement.

"Australia has also given sanctuary to anti-Iran terrorist and separatist groups," he added.

ANKARA, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Sunday discussed Türkiye-Russia relations, including the exports through the Black Sea grain corridor and the fight against terrorism along the Turkish-Syrian border, Türkiye's presidency said in a statement.

CAIRO (AP) — Iran’s currency fell to a record low against the dollar on Sunday, with nationwide anti-government protests now in their third month. A breakdown in negotiations to restore Tehran’s nuclear deal has also hurt the value of the rial.

Traders in Tehran were exchanging the rial at around 370,000 to the dollar on Sunday, up from 368,000 on Thursday. Iran’s currency was trading at 32,000 rials to the dollar at the time of the 2015 nuclear accord that dropped international sanctions in exchange for tight controls on Iran’s nuclear program.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo choked up with emotion as the tears ran down his cheeks. He momentarily covered his face with his hand, but couldn’t hide his disappointment.

This moment was too big.

It was likely the last World Cup match for the 37-year-old Ronaldo, and probably his last chance to win soccer’s biggest prize.

When it mattered most, he couldn’t conjure up the kind of soccer magic that has made him one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.

AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — France’s players reacted as if they had already won the World Cup. What they were actually celebrating, though, was Harry Kane’s missed penalty.

The match wasn’t over yet, but France was leading 2-1 when Kane, England’s captain and its best player, stepped up to take a penalty that would even the score in the 84th minute of Saturday’s match at Al Bayt Stadium.

He sent his shot high over the bar and defending champion France held on to win 2-1 for a spot in the semifinals.

Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with Serbia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Jelena Tanasković as he continued his visit to the European country.

Amir-Abdollahian was briefed by Ms. Tanasković on the expanding cooperation between Tehran and Belgrade in the field of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and the views of the Serbian official about ways of boosting relations.

Tehran (ISNA) - Upon completion of Urmia-Sero Highway in the northwest of Iran, this strategic highway will facilitate road transit between Iran and Turkey.

Iran is to inaugurate Urmia-Sero Highway in the northwest that facilitate cross-border road transit through Turkey.

Construction of Urmia-Sero Highway in the West Azerbaijan Province in Iran as part of the country's west road network plays an important role in developing economic transactions and freight and passenger transit between Iran and Turkey.  

Tehran (ISNA) - Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani condemned the baseless allegations in the final communiqué issued at the 43rd session of the Supreme Council of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).