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Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei speaks during a meeting with a group of Iranian academic elites (unseen) in Tehran, October 18, 2018. (Photo by khamenei.ir)

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, October 18, 2017.

Iran Leader warning

Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the country will not tear up its nuclear deal with the P5+1 group. But, it will shred the accord, if the other side tears it up. Ayatollah Khamenei said he welcomes Europeans’ condemnation of the recent US remarks against the nuclear deal. Iran’s Leader, however, noted that Europeans should also resist practical measures by Washington, because the nuclear deal benefits them as well. He also urged European states not to interfere in Iran’s defense affairs. Ayatollah Khamenei was addressing Iranian elite students in Tehran. He also said that the US is the agent of international Zionism and the creator of Daesh and Takfirism. Ayatollah Khamenei added that the US is angry at Iran, because the Islamic Republic is confronting Daesh and has foiled Washington’s plots in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. Iran’s Leader emphasized that the Iranian nation will once again defeat the US.

Israel media crackdown

The Israeli military has arrested two Palestinians and closed eight media production companies in the occupied West Bank for six months. Israeli officials say the offices were shut because of inciting violence and terrorism against Israelis. They say the companies provided information to media outlets belonging to the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas. The arrested individuals are reportedly employees of the shuttered companies. Equipment and documents were also seized in the large-scale overnight operation. Palestinian officials have condemned the closures as a blatant violation of the freedom of the Palestinian press.

Madrid ultimatum

The Spanish Prime Minister has once again urged the Catalan president to clarify his stance on the region’s declaration of independence. Addressing the Spanish parliament, Rajoy urged the Catalan leader to act sensibly and put the interest of all citizens first. Spain's deputy prime minister also underlined that Madrid will seek to suspend Catalonia's autonomy unless Puigdemont abandons his push for independence. Soraya Saenz de Santamaria warned that if the separatist leader does not provide a satisfactory response by the Thursday deadline, the application of article 155 of the constitution will be provoked. The article allows Madrid to intervene in the running of Catalonia. The region’s government, however, says that it will not back down from its secession plans despite Madrid’s warnings.

Tehran-Damascus ties

A senior Iranian military official has slammed the Israeli regime for launching aggression against Syria. Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Baqeri told his Syrian counterpart General Ali Abdullah Ayyoub that Tel Aviv’s encroachment upon the Syrian territory is not acceptable. He added that Iran and Syria will continue to work together in the fight against terrorism. The top commander further stressed the need to respect the territorial integrity of the regional countries. The top Syrian general, in turn, said terrorist groups in Syria are on the verge of annihilation, and that Washington’s assistance will do them no good. He said Tehran and Damascus both agree that Syria must be purged of terrorists.

EU Israel call

The European Union has called on Israel to stop its settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories. In a statement, the 28-nation bloc said the new Israeli building plans in the occupied West Bank threaten any future peace deal with the Palestinians. The EU also described the settlement expansions as illegal, saying they undermine the viability of the two-state solution. The European Union maintains that Israel doesn’t have the rights over the land it occupied during the 1967 war. This comes as the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to go ahead with constructions across the occupied territories, defying international calls as well as last year’s UN resolution asking Tel Aviv to halt such plans.

US-Turkey tensions

Turkey says it won’t submit to impositions from the United States as officials from the countries hold discussions in Ankara to resolve an on-going visa crisis. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara would reject any conditions it could not meet. He supported his county’s cooperation with the US but said that’s possible only if Washington’s demands meet the rules of Turkish constitution. Cavusoglu decried what he called an immature diplomatic approach by Washington and criticized the effect of the visa crisis on Turkish citizens. The two countries suspended visa operations in a tit-for-tat move earlier this month, after Ankara detained two Turkish nationals employed by the US consulates. They were arrested on their suspicious links to last year's failed coup, allegations the United States reject.

Israeli settlements

Israel has approved the construction of over thirteen-hundred new settler units in the occupied Palestinian territories despite international criticism. According to a settlement watchdog, the plan brings to over two-thousand six hundred the total number of settler units approved this week. Israeli officials have been quoted as saying that around 12,000 housing units will be approved this year. The new approval comes despite the European Union’s call for Israel to stop its settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. The EU said the new Israeli plans in the occupied territories threaten any future peace deal with the Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed, however, to go ahead with constructions, defying international calls as well as last year’s UN resolution asking Tel Aviv to halt such plans.


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