Iran’s chief negotiator says it’s up to the United States to prevent renewed war after what he described as a “firm and rational response” to Washington. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf did not elaborate. His comments came after the U.S. conducted defensive strikes on some Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump says his administration will stop providing $4 billion in aid each year to Israel but still sell arms to its ally. India reports that an attack on a commercial vessel off Oman killed an Indian national while 13 others were rescued.
Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Tuesday. Read our full coverage here.
Iranian parliament speaker says the ball is in the US court to prevent renewed war
Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker says it's up to the United States to prevent new fighting after Tehran delivered what he called a “firm and rational response” to the U.S., state TV reported.
In an address to parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Iran remained ready “for battle with its finger on the trigger.”
He did not elaborate and it was unclear what “response” he referred to. His comment came after a U.S. official said the military conducted defensive strikes on some Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the official, the strikes targeted Iranians using surface-to-air missiles. The official wasn’t authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Iranian state television reported that explosions were heard on Qeshm Island.
— By Michelle L. Price
Trump cuts aid to Israel
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that stopping $4 billion in aid each year to Israel came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approached him about the idea.
Trump told Fox News Channel they have been talking about it for a couple of years.
“You can consider it barter. You can consider military aid or cash,” Trump said. “Look, we give them $4 billion of things and money, and they don’t need it.”
An Indian national is killed in an attack on a vessel off Oman
A commercial vessel was attacked and hit by an unidentified aerial object off the coast of Oman on Monday, India’s foreign ministry said, killing one Indian national while 13 other people were rescued.
There was no claim of responsibility, but Iran previously has claimed attacks on vessels it says took unauthorized routes through the strait. It also has claimed some vessels have struck mines.
Iran plans to train 1 million paramilitary volunteers
Iran opened its third military training center in Tehran as authorities announced plans to train 1 million paramilitary volunteers nationwide, amid fears of renewed conflict with the United States and Israel.
Members of the Basij, a paramilitary force affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, attended the opening, the semiofficial ISNA news agency reported. Two similar centers in Tehran opened in August and September.
UN says displaced Yemeni women and children are losing services
Women and children displaced by the fighting in Yemen are losing access to essential services, including maternity care and protection from sexual violence and exploitation, the U.N. said.
Renewed fighting between the Iran-backed Houthis and the Saudi-backed government forces has displaced some 300,000 people over the past few months. The conflict, mainly concentrated on the west coast and in the southern province of Taiz, broke a four-year truce and exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation.
Israeli opposition parties meet for first time since election
The leaders of Israel’s political parties opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met for the first time since last week’s election, as the country is mired in political deadlock from results that do not show either side with a conclusive win.
The opposition parties agreed to recommend former general Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, to form the first coalition. Israel’s president, who holds a largely ceremonial position, chooses which party will have the first attempt to build a majority coalition of 61 seats after the election.
Jordan charges church attackers with ‘acts of terrorism’
Jordan has charged three gunmen who allegedly killed nine people at a Greek Orthodox Church in the city of Karak last month with committing acts of terrorism.
The Public Security Directorate identified the three Jordanian suspects as two brothers and their brother-in-law. The agency’s chief said the gunmen were not tied to an organized group, but described them as “takfiri,” a term used for Sunni militants.
Saudi Aramco reports boost in profits
Majority state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco reported a 35% increase in third-quarter net profit, boosted by higher oil prices and the sale of a stake in a Malaysian company.
Oil prices surged after the Iran war began in February, disrupting supply. Saudi Aramco was able to use its East-West pipeline to a Red Sea port to maintain a significant share of its oil exports despite the disruption of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
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This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.
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