BAGHDAD -- Iraqi President Nizar Amedi officially named Ali al-Zaidi as the prime minister-designate Monday night, tasking him with forming a new government within 30 days.
According to the official Iraqi News Agency (INA), Amedi assigned the mandate to al-Zaidi after he was nominated by the Coordination Framework (CF), the largest parliamentary bloc and an umbrella alliance of Shiite parties. (Iraq-PM-Designate)
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TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday blamed the slow progress of diplomacy between Iran and the United States on the latter's continuation of its "destructive habits."
He made the remarks in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, which was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, among others, read a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. (Iran-Russia-Meeting)
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TEHRAN -- A senior Iranian lawmaker said on Monday the general staff of Iran's armed forces has been decided to be the authority responsible for taking action in the Strait of Hormuz in the draft of a parliamentary plan to ensure security in the waterway.
Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy committee, made the remarks in an interview with state-run IRIB TV while elaborating on the articles of the finalized draft of the "Strategic Action Plan to Ensure Security and Progress in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf," which is set to be voted on by the legislative body. (Iran-Hormuz Strait-Armed Forces)
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BEIRUT -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Hezbollah on Monday of betraying Lebanon by dragging the country into wars, while emphasizing his rejection of a "humiliating deal" in negotiations with Israel aimed at ending hostilities.
"What we are doing is not betrayal. Betrayal is committed by those who take their country to war in pursuit of foreign interests," Aoun told a delegation from southern Lebanon, according to a statement released by Lebanon's Presidency. (Lebanon-Israel-Deal) ■
