Trump administration claims Iran war ‘terminated’ before 60-day deadline for Congress’s approval

The Associated Press (AP) and Reuters news agencies are reporting that the Trump administration is arguing that the war in Iran has ended – due to the ceasefire that began in early April – meaning that the president does not need to seek congressional approval for military action.

White House Officials to Travel to Venezuela for Oil, Mining Agreements

White House officials are set to visit Venezuela today to announce several agreements that could create opportunities for oil and mining companies to operate in the country, Politico reported on Thursday, citing sources.

Finland to be legitimate target for Russian missile forces if it imports nuke arms

Nuclear weapons, if deployed to Finland, will make it a legitimate target for Russian strategic missile troops, Hero of Russia Major General Sergey Lipovoy, chairman of the Officers of Russia organization, told TASS.

Trump eyeing Iran blockade lasting ‘months if needed,’ White House official says

The United States could extend its naval blockade of Iran for months more, oil executives were told in a meeting with President Donald Trump, a White House official said Wednesday.

War with US not over yet, Iran holding defensive positions — FM

 Iran believes the conflict with the United States and Israel is not over, so the Islamic Republic is taking a defensive position in all directions, said Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh.

Iran denounces US ‘piracy’ in protest letter to UN chief

Iran’s UN envoy, Amir Saeid Iravani, has sent a letter to the UN secretary-general and the president of the Security Council, strongly protesting the US’s capture of Iranian vessels and describing the acts as “piracy”.

Ukraine accuses Israel of receiving shipments of grain 'stolen' by Russia

A diplomatic row has broken out over allegations that Israel is receiving shipments of grain from Donbass region.

Mali PM urges 'not to panic' after coordinated attack by jihadists, separatists

An alliance of al-Qaida-linked militants and separatists carried out the largest coordinated attack in over a decade in Mali, marking a dangerous escalation in what is widely considered one of the world’s deadliest regions for extremist violence.