TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that Iran's interaction with the United Nations nuclear watchdog will continue in accordance with the current procedure.
He made the remarks in an interview with the official news agency IRNA, while reacting to U.S. officials' claims that Iran has agreed to invite inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the country. (Iran-IAEA)
- - - -
JERUSALEM -- Israeli leaders said on Monday that the Israel Defense Forces will continue to act to neutralize "threats" in southern Lebanon, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to facilitate U.S.-Iran talks and de-escalate regional tensions.
According to a joint statement, issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir, the military will continue to act to neutralize "threats against Israeli soldiers and citizens," demolish militant infrastructure, and maintain the "security zone" it established in southern Lebanon. (Israel-Lebanon-Security zone)
- - - -
DOHA -- At least 13 people were killed and 66 others injured in an explosion Sunday at the Barzan gas supply facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City, a Qatari industrial hub north of the capital Doha, Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi said Monday.
Speaking at a press conference in Doha, al-Kaabi said the dead were Indian and Pakistani nationals, adding the blast was accidental and not the result of sabotage or hostile action.
The fire was swiftly brought under control and fully extinguished, he said. (Qatar-Explosion)
- - - -
LONDON -- Andy Burnham has been sworn in as Labour Member of Parliament (MP) in Britain, the Parliament said Monday.
He took the oath after newly elected Scottish National Party MP Lara Bird and Conservative MP Douglas Lumsden.
Earlier in the day, Burnham signaled his intention to take part in the process of choosing a successor to Keir Starmer, while former Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced his support for Burnham. (Britain-Burnham-MP)
- - - -
OTTAWA -- Three people -- a police officer, a civilian and a suspect -- were killed in a shooting in Montreal, Canada on Monday, local police said.
Montreal police said they responded to a call at around 11:30 a.m. local time at the intersection of De Courtrai and Trans Island avenues in the Cote-des-Neiges neighborhood.
Police later confirmed on X the death of one of the responding officers while on duty. (Canada-Shooting) ■
