Author: Steven Sahiounie

Following his inauguration from August 2–5, Iranian President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian is anticipated to create Iran’s new administration by the end of August, according to a spokesman for the Iranian Parliament’s presiding board, Alireza Salimi. The Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) news agency quoted Salimi as saying: “The inauguration ceremony will take place between August 2 and 5 … After the ceremony, the president has two weeks to present his government”. Within 15 days, Pezeshkian is expected to appoint ministers for his upcoming government, who will then undergo a vote of confidence. The Guardian Council responsible for overseeing the elections has confirmed the legitimacy…

India favors resolving the Ukraine conflict peacefully and is ready to contribute to the process, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ahead of official talks between the Russian and Indian delegations at the Kremlin. “We are ready to make any contribution to resolving” the conflict, Modi said as he recounted that at an informal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday the two leaders “agreed that peace should be established as soon as possible.” According to Modi, India is confident that any conflicts globally can only be resolved by peaceful means and through dialogue. “Rockets, shells or guns cannot…

El-Sisi made his remarks in a meeting with CIA Director William Burns in Cairo on Tuesday. Burns and the White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa arrived in Cairo earlier this week to engage in a new round of talks with Egyptian and Israeli officials to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. During their meeting, El-Sisi underlined the need to ensure adequate delivery of relief aid to Gaza in a way that truly alleviates the humanitarian suffering of Palestinian people in the strip. The president called for effective and serious steps to prevent the conflict spillover across the…

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Akbar Ahmadian has congratulated Masoud Pezeshkian on his victory in the presidential election. Ahmadian made the remarks during a meeting with President-elect Pezeshkian on Tuesday. He said the SNSC is ready to use all its capacities to sincerely assist him in securing the Iranian nation’s interests. The top Iranian security official said Pezeshkian’s election is an “asset” in the pursuit of the goals and interests of the nation as well as resolving people’s problems. Pezeshkian, for his part, stressed the importance of receiving expert advice from the SNSC to make the best decisions at the…

Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that Moscow and New Delhi maintain a privileged strategic partnership. “Our countries have enjoyed decades of a good friendship,” Putin said at talks with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Kremlin. “Today, our relations have the nature of a privileged strategic partnership,” he added. The Russian leader expressed satisfaction with growing trade between the two countries which he said saw a 66% increase last year “and rose by another 20% in the first quarter of this year.” Putin once again congratulated Modi on his re-election as Indian premier as he noted that Modi…

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Russia on an official visit, as his flight landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo-2 airport, according to a TASS reporter. Exiting the plane, Modi greeted the welcoming party with the traditional Indian gesture of namaste. He was met by a Russian delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. Narendra Modi then proceeded to the red carpet, where he was met by a guard of honor, and a military band played the Russian and Indian anthems. He is scheduled to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the trip, which will last from…

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has called on Japan to recognize a Palestinian state. He told a press conference in Tokyo: “That is the only solution; the apartheid, annexation and oppression committed by Israel are not feasible solutions.” Aboul Gheit was speaking at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, where he will attend the 5th Japan-Arab Economic Forum. He said that the Israeli occupation, oppression and persecution of Palestinians and Arabs since 1967 caused Hamas to attack Israel on Oct. 7. “Israel has the urge and desire to suppress Palestinian hopes of independence,” he added. “We, however, are…

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit the US this week to attend a three-day NATO summit starting Tuesday in Washington, DC. “At the summit, which will coincide with NATO’s 75th anniversary, views will be exchanged on the organization’s endeavors regarding deterrence and defense in the face of challenges and risks to the Alliance’s geography, as well as the situation in Ukraine and assistance for that country,” Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said in a statement. Terrorism, one of the main threats to the alliance, will also be discussed, it added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Union representatives, and leaders of NATO’s…

An Emirati ship carrying 5,340 tonnes of humanitarian aid destined for Gaza set sail on Monday, heading for the Egyptian city of Al-Arish, the UAE state news agency reported. The aid mission is part of the UAE’s “Operation Chivalrous Knight 3,” which is aimed at supporting the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip during Israel’s war against Hamas in the enclave. The vessel left the Port of Fujairah with 4,750 tonnes of food and 590 tonnes of shelter materials. The cargo has been provided by the Emirates Red Crescent, the Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and the…

“Masoud Pezeshkian’s victory reflects the confidence of the Iranian people in his ability to serve his country and steer it toward prosperity and development,” according to Fahmy. President El-Sisi wished the new Iranian President success in his duties and expressed his appreciation for the good relations between the Egyptian and Iranian peoples, added the statement. On Saturday, Masoud Pezeshkian won a runoff presidential election against Saeed Jalili, succeeding late President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May. The new Iranian President will be sworn in before parliament in early August as the Islamic Republic’s ninth president. Source: Ahram Online