Middle East & North Africa

16 July 2019; AFP: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned Monday that the United States is "playing with fire," echoing remarks by President Donald Trump as the two sides are locked in a standoff over Tehran's nuclear program.

The United States quit an international deal aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program last year, hitting Tehran with crippling sanctions.

16 July 2019; DW: Brussels is to impose punitive measures on Ankara over its offshore gas drilling activities near Cyprus. "Targeted measures" on transport and bank lending are part of the EU package.

The European Union agreed political and financial sanctions against Turkey on Monday as a punishment for Ankara's persistence in gas drilling operations off Cyprus, despite repeated warnings from the bloc.

16 July 2019; DW: Facing the risk of exploitation, violence and torture, aid groups warn Libya is not a safe country for refugees. They argue that is reason enough for the EU not to send asylum-seekers back to the country.

16 July 2019; DW: Foreign ministers have met in Brussels hoping to reduce tensions between the US and Iran. Britain has suggested there is a "small window" to keep the nuclear deal alive with the EU echoing those sentiments.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt voiced optimism on Monday that the diplomatic impasse over the Iran nuclear deal could be resolved.

RAMALLAH, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Head of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Detainees Affairs Commission said Tuesday that Nassar Majed Taqatqa, 31, who has been held in solitary confinement in the Israeli prison of Nitzan in the city of Ramleh, central Israel, was declared dead.

ISTANBUL, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that the Russian S-400 air defense system would be fully installed by April 2020.

Speaking at a commemoration event in Istanbul, Erdogan said eight planes carrying parts of the missiles have so far arrived in the country and the others are ready to be deployed.

He noted the installation process has already begun as planned and it is expected to be "fully completed by April 2020."

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s foreign minister has for the first time suggested his country’s ballistic missile program could be on the table for negotiations with the U.S. — if America stops selling arms to its Gulf allies in the Mideast.

Mohammad Javad Zarif’s comments came in an NBC News interview that aired Monday night.

Iran long has maintained its ballistic missile program, under the control of its Revolutionary Guard, is for defensive purposes only. The 2015 nuclear deal that Tehran struck with world powers did not include its missile program.

15 July 2019; MEMO: Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani said his country’s foreign debt has fallen by 25 per cent to $9.5 billion down from $12.4 billion reported more than two years earlier.

Iran’s Fars news agency quoted Rouhani during a public event in the northeastern city of Shirvan, sayint that the 25 per cent drop in foreign debt “indicates that, despite US pressure, we did not ask for outside help, we depended on ourselves, reduced expenses and paid back part of the debt”.

15 July 2019; MEMO: Troops loyal to Retired General Khalifa Haftar are preparing to launch a decisive attack on Tripoli to seize Tripoli from the forces of the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

Haftar forces’ War Information Division, announced on Facebook, Saturday: “General Haftar is expected to deliver a speech announcing the launch of the latest operations to liberate Tripoli”, adding that: “the next hours will mark the victory of Haftar troops in God’s will.”

15 July 2019; MEMO: Saudi Aramco announced, Saturday, that domestic gasoline prices will increase on Sunday, July 14.

The company said in a statement that the price for Octane 95 gasoline will be increased to SR2.18 from SR 2.10 last quarter and Octane 91 to SR1.53 from SR1.44 per litre.

Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, explained its decision citing plans to reform energy prices sold in the domestic market.