Latest news with #regionalTensions
News24
12 hours ago
- Politics
- News24
Iraq in contact with Iran, US in bid to stay out of conflict
Iraq has sought diplomatic intervention from both Iran and the US to avoid being drawn into escalating regional tensions. Baghdad filed a formal complaint to the United Nations over Israel's use of Iraqi airspace for strikes on Iran. Pro-Iranian factions in Iraq are calling for a faster withdrawal of US forces, amid concerns of heightened conflict following Israeli attacks on Iranian sites and growing tensions during the Gaza conflict. Iraq has approached the Iranian and US governments in a bid to prevent being caught up in a regional escalation, officials said on Saturday, as Washington's ally Israel and Iran traded blows. The government in Baghdad is a close ally of Tehran, but also a strategic partner of Iran's arch-foe the United States, which has some 2 500 troops in Iraq as part of an anti-jihadist coalition. A senior Iraqi security official told AFP that Baghdad had asked Tehran not to strike US targets in its territory. "The request was made. They promised us positive things," the official said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. An Iraqi government official, also requesting anonymity, said "Iraq officially asked the United States of America not to allow Israeli aircraft to violate Iraqi airspace". Baghdad on Friday lodged a complaint with the United Nations over Israel's use of its airspace to attack Iran. "The United States... is required to assume its responsibilities and prevent any violations that affect Iraq's security or endanger its stability," the government official said, citing Washington's role as the leader of the international coalition against the Islamic State group. Before the current escalation, which began early Friday with a series of Israeli attacks on military and nuclear sites in Iran, Tehran had threatened to strike military bases hosting US forces in the region in the event of any conflict should nuclear talks with Washington fail. Throughout the Gaza war, which began in October 2023 and has pitted Israel against Iran-backed Palestinian group Hamas, Tehran-aligned armed factions have launched dozens of rocket and drone attacks targeting US forces in Iraq and in neighbouring Syria. Before the wave of attacks on Iran began, the United States on Wednesday announced it was reducing staffing at its Baghdad embassy, citing security reasons. Several pro-Iran groups in Iraq called on Friday for the accelerated departure of US forces from the country, with the powerful Kataeb Hezbollah warning of "additional wars in the region".
LBCI
a day ago
- Politics
- LBCI
LBCI sources: Lebanon closes its airspace until 6 a.m.
Lebanon's Civil Aviation Authority has decided to shut down the country's airspace until 6 a.m., LBCI has learned, amid heightened regional tensions and evolving security concerns.
LBCI
a day ago
- Politics
- LBCI
PM Salam meets ministers and Army chief to assess fallout from Israeli strikes on Iran
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam followed up on the repercussions of the Israeli strikes on Iran with Defense Minister Michel Menassa, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar, Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, and Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny, in addition to Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal. Salam stressed 'the need to take all necessary measures to maintain stability, especially amid the current regional tensions.' The meeting also included a review of emergency plans prepared by the relevant security agencies and ministries to deal with any direct or indirect impact on the domestic situation.
Arab News
10-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss regional tensions after Indian strikes, Islamabad's response
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, has spoken with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and discussed with him escalating regional tensions, the Pakistani foreign ministry said on Saturday, following Pakistan's retaliation to Indian military strikes on three of its air bases. Pakistan said India conducted drone strikes on its Nur Khan, Murid and Shorkot air bases early Saturday, adding that most of them were intercepted by the country's air defense systems. India said Pakistan had overnight launched several high-speed missiles targeting multiple air bases and civilian infrastructure in the northern Indian state of Punjab and Indian-administered Kashmir. The situation has alarmed world powers and friendly countries that the hostilities, sparked by a massacre in Indian-administered Kashmir, may lead to a full-blown war, if not intervened. 'Dar today spoke with the Foreign Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HH Faisal bin Farhan. The DPM/FM apprised him on the current situation in the region following last night's Indian attacks and Pakistan's subsequent response,' the Pakistani foreign ministry said. 'Both leaders agreed to maintain close contact.' Tensions between the two neighbors escalated after India on Wednesday conducted missile strikes deep inside Pakistan, which officials said killed 31 civilians in multiple cities. Drone and missile incursions and munition fire between the two sides have since killed around 20 more people, mostly on the Indian side, sparking diplomatic calls for restraint. 'Saudi FM expressed condolences over the loss of innocent lives and appreciated Pakistan's measured and restrained response,' Islamabad's foreign ministry said. The statement came a day after Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir's daylong visit to Pakistan, which followed his surprise stop in New Delhi for talks with Indian officials. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share close diplomatic and strategic relations. The Kingdom has extended significant support to Pakistan during prolonged economic challenges faced by Islamabad in recent years, including external financing and assistance with International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programs. Saudi Arabia has also contributed to global peacemaking efforts by hosting talks and mediating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine. New Delhi has accused Pakistan of backing the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. Islamabad denies it and has offered to participate in a credible, international probe. Pakistan and India have fought multiple wars, including two of them over the disputed region of Kashmir, since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both rule the region in part but claim it in full. New Delhi routinely accuses Pakistan of supporting armed separatist militants in Kashmir. Islamabad denies the allegations and says it supports the Kashmiri people diplomatically and politically.
