Rubio and Iraqi PM speak about Iran, energy, US business investments
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani on Tuesday and the two discussed Iranian influence in the region, the need for Iraq to be energy independent, and US business investments, the Statement Department said.
'The two agreed on the need for Iraq to become energy independent, to quickly reopen the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline, and to honor contractual terms for US companies working in Iraq to attract additional investment,' State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
The two 'also discussed reducing Iran's malign influence and continuing efforts to prevent ISIS from resurging and destabilizing the broader region,' the spokesperson said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
UN is removing some international staff from Iran, spokesperson says
The United Nations is moving some of its international staff and their dependents out of Iran temporarily due to safety concerns, a UN spokesperson said on Tuesday, after Israel ordered new military strikes on Tehran. 'The UN has decided to temporarily move some non-program critical international personnel as well as the dependents of international personnel,' Alessandra Vellucci, Director of United Nations Information Service in Geneva, told reporters. She declined to comment on how many people were affected.
Leaders
2 hours ago
- Leaders
Trump Announces Iran-Israel Ceasefire after Tehran Targeted US Base in Qatar
The US President, Donald Trump, announced that Iran and Israel reached a ceasefire agreement to end their 12-day war. The announcement followed an Iranian missile attack on a US military base in Qatar on Monday, in response to the US strikes on key nuclear facilities in Iran. Both Iran and Israel exchanged heavy strikes into early Tuesday morning. Iran-Israel Ceasefire Announcement On a post on Truth Social, Trump said that Iran and Israel agreed to a 'complete and total ceasefire' to end what he called the '12 Day War.' The ceasefire was set to start at 4 am on Tuesday morning Iran time. 'CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!' the US President announced. Ceasefire Details Trump said that Iran will start the ceasefire for 12 hours, followed by Israel which will halt its military operations. After 24 hours, the war will come to an end. However, there was no confirmation regarding the exact timings of the ceasefire. 'Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World. During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL,' Trump explained. Qatar has played a role in mediating talks with Iran to agree on a ceasefire proposal, CNN reported citing US officials who also said that Trump brokered the deal with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in a phone call. Accepting Ceasefire The US President declared that the ceasefire has come into effect, urging both parties not to violate it. Shortly after, Netanyahu announced that Israel had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran, in coordination with Trump, reported the Associated Press (AP). He also said that his country had achieved its war goals, including eliminating Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, undermining Tehran's military leadership and damaging key government sites. As for Tehran, the Iranian state TV reported that the ceasefire came into force on 7 am local time, without commenting of Trump's announcement. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, wrote on X: 'As of now, there is NO 'agreement' on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards. The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.' Afterwards, he followed with another post saying: 'The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am. Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute.' Striking US Base The ceasefire announcement came after Iran sent a wave of ballistic missiles toward the US Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar, according to AP. Tehran said the attack was in retaliation for the US strikes that hit 3 key nuclear facilities in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. The Iranian state-run TV called the attack a 'mighty and successful response' to 'America's aggression.' Moreover, Iran said that the number of missiles launched at the US military base matched the number of bombs that the US dropped on Iranian nuclear sites. It also confirmed that the missile salvo was not directed at Qatar itself, which it called a 'friendly and brotherly' nation. After the Iranian attack, Trump said that Tehran had given Washington 'early notice,' dismissing Iran's retaliation as 'a very weak response.' On its part, Qatar strongly condemned the attack as 'a flagrant violation' of its sovereignty, airspace and international law. It also said that all missiles but one were intercepted, with no casualties reported. Short link : Post Views: 94
Leaders
2 hours ago
- Leaders
Israel Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Breach, Tehran Denies
Israel accused Iran of violating the recently-announced ceasefire agreement, ordering its military to resume attacks. Meanwhile, the Iranian military denied the Israeli claim, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Shortly after the ceasefire took effect on Tuesday, the Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, said that he instructed the military to 'respond forcefully' with striking targets in Tehran, after Iran had 'completely violated' the bilateral ceasefire. Less than three hours after announcing the ceasefire, sirens sounded across northern Israel as air defenses were activated to intercept projectiles. Israel said that Iran launched two ballistic missiles, with no injuries reported. In response, the Israeli military Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, said that Israel 'will strike with force' against the Iranian 'grave violation' of the ceasefire agreement, according to the Times of Israel. On its part, the general staff of Iran's armed forces denied firing missiles at Israel after the agreement took effect, the AP reported citing the Iranian state TV. Early on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, Iran and Israel accepted a ceasefire agreement announced by the US President, Donald Trump, that brought their 12-day war to an end. 'CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. He then said: 'THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!' Shortly after, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced that Israel had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran, in coordination with Trump, saying that Israel achieved its war goals. Meanwhile, Iranian officials did not comment on Trump's announcement. However, Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, said Tehran was ready to halt airstrikes if Israel stopped its aggression. Short link : Post Views: 11
