ABU DHABI -- The second round of U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine concluded here on Thursday, with both sides agreeing to a large-scale prisoner exchange but failing to achieve substantive breakthroughs on core issues such as territorial arrangements and a ceasefire.
According to Ukraine, the talks were conducted trilaterally before moving to group consultations. Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said the Ukrainian delegation sought a "dignified and lasting peace," without disclosing specific outcomes. (UAE-US-Russia-Ukraine)
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CAIRO -- Iran has deployed one of its largest missiles at an underground facility unveiled Wednesday, Iran's Fars News Agency reported Thursday.
Fars said the Khorramshahr-4 long-range ballistic missile was among the operational assets displayed during the opening of the site, which is operated by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). (Iran-Missile)
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TEHRAN -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said Thursday its naval forces have seized two vessels carrying smuggled fuel near the Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf.
In a statement on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC said that after seizing the vessels with a judicial order and transferring them to the southern port city of Bushehr, its forces detained 15 foreign crew members on board the ships and handed them over to the country's judicial authorities for legal proceedings. (Iran-Vessel-Oil)
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DAMASCUS -- Visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot voiced France's support for Syria's transition and reconstruction efforts here on Thursday during a meeting with Syrian foreign chief Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Syria's state news agency SANA reported.
Barrot said France has stood by the Syrian people and will continue supporting efforts to build a better future for Syria, SANA reported. (France-Syria-Meeting) ■
