Missile program not open to negotiations: Iran FM

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has emphasized that Tehran’s missile program is non-negotiable. He said terrorism in the region is the result of the US occupation of Iraq and urged Washington to stop the flow of arms into countries that use them to kill civilians.
• A top adviser to Iran's Leader says the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a red-line for Iran. Ali Akbar Velayati added that the future of Assad can only be decided by the Syrian people. He also blamed the US for the creation of terrorist groups in the region.
• The US Navy is leading a multi-national military exercise in the Middle East. Part of the drills are being held in the Persian Gulf waters. The US Navy says the maneuvers aim to protect trade routes from possible terrorist threats. Some 30 countries are taking part in the military exercises.
• Non-governmental organizations have written a letter to US President Barack Obama, urging him to help release human rights activists jailed in the Persian Gulf Arab countries for their peaceful activities. Obama is to attend a summit of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council later this month.
• US Secretary of State John Kerry visits the site of an American nuclear bomb attack in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The trip marks the first-ever visit to the city by a senior US official. The 1945 nuclear attack killed tens of thousands of people in Hiroshima.
• Egyptian experts and opposition figures reject Cairo's decision to hand the ownership of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. They described the move as unconstitutional, saying President Abdelfattah el-Sissi has given up national territory for Saudi money. The islands were handed over following multi-billion dollar investment deals with Riyadh.
• UK Prime Minister David Cameron has released his income tax records amid controversial reports linking him to the Panama Papers scandal. The records show that Cameron’s mother gave him a gift of 200,000 pounds, allowing the family to dodge inheritance tax. The money scandal has provoked protests, calling for Cameron’s resignation.
• The head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has warned about Daesh plans to conduct attacks in the country. Hans-Georg Maassen said the security situation is very serious, but that he isn't aware of any concrete terrorist plots. Daesh recently released a video, suggesting that it may attack London, Berlin and Rome.

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