WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, February 17, 2019.

Fight against terrorism

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the bomb attack that killed 27 members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps on Wednesday will only increase Tehran’s resolve to fight terrorists. Rouhani said Iran will take revenge over the attack on the IRGC bus in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. The president said Iran will not allow terrorists to undermine its national security, by using the weaponry and money provided by foreign players. Rouhani also stressed that Iran seeks brotherly ties with all countries in the Middle East. He noted that some regional countries are hostile toward Iran and rely on the US and Israel for their security. Rouhani said this is a mistake and is damaging to the region, as the US and Israel want to create division among Muslim countries and inside Iran.

‘US source of instability’

Iran’s foreign minister says the Middle East has been suffering for 40 years from Washington’s insistence to make wrong choices about its policy toward Iran. Mohammad Javad Zarif made the remarks at the 55th Security Conference in Munich, Germany. Zarif added that the US is urging the remaining signatories to Iran’s nuclear deal to violate the accord after its withdrawal from the agreement. The top Iranian diplomat described the US move as ridiculous, but dangerous. Zarif underlined that Washington has been threatening the security in the Middle East under the pretext of containing the Islamic Republic. The Iranian foreign minister said the US is the single biggest source of destabilization in the region.

‘Partition plots failed’  

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says foreign plots to divide Syria have failed. President Assad says enemies of Syria were following an old strategy to create divisions in the country but are forced to accept that their plots have failed. The Syrian president also noted that terrorists and foreign-backed militants in Syria were disappointed after their supporters abandoned them. The idea of partitioning Syria was put forward by former American and Israeli officials if efforts to end the conflict were to fail. Assad also said that the victories of the Syrian forces on the ground have caused millions of people to return to their homes.

Anger at bin Salman visit

Protesters have taken to the streets in several cities across Pakistan to denounce the planned visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Demonstrators in Islamabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi called on the government not to allow the Saudi Crown Prince enter Pakistan. The protesters also slammed the Saudi war on Yemen and called bin Salman a killer and a war criminal. Security is tight across Pakistan with army, rangers and police yielding a heavy presence. Bin Salman is set to meet with Pakistan’s top government officials during the two-day visit. He will also reportedly sign multi-billion-dollar investment and loan agreements to help Pakistan survive its current economic debt crisis.

France protests

Thousands of anti-government protesters are holding a rally in the French capital, marking three months since the start of the yellow vest demonstrations. Anti-government protesters in Paris condemn President Emmanuel Macron’s economic policies and are demanding his resignation. The rallies are always held on Saturday but this is the first time the protests are being held on Sunday as well. The Yellow Vest movement emerged in November 2018 after Macron announced hikes in fuel taxes. The government suspended the increases after the protests snowballed into a general movement against the president and the high costs of living. However, protesters are still taking to the streets, demanding more concessions from the government.

Iran’s new submarine

Iran has officially unveiled a domestically-produced submarine dubbed the Fateh or the Conqueror. President Hassan Rouhani attended the inauguration ceremony in the southern province of Hormozgan. Rouhani said the launching of the submarine is indicative of the capabilities of the Iranian Navy. He said the pressures and sanctions exerted by the enemies have further pushed Iran to become self-reliant in the defense industry particularly in the navy. The Iranian president stressed that boosting the country’s military might is only aimed at defending the nation. Iran’s Defense Ministry says the Fateh is a state-of-the-art vessel equipped with torpedoes and a system capable of firing submarine-launched cruise missiles. It is also outfitted with an advanced sonic radar system that can identify enemy vessels. The submarine can operate more than 200 meters below sea level for up to five weeks. The 600-tonne vessel is the country's first semi-heavy submarine.

MbS Pakistan visit

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman has arrived in the Pakistani capital amid protests against his visit. Bin Salman was received at Islamabad’s Nour-Khani airport by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. The Crown Prince is set to meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan as well as the country’s army chief, Qamar Javed Bajwa. He will also reportedly sign multi-billion-dollar investment and loan agreements to help Pakistan survive its current economic debt crisis. Meanwhile, protesters have taken to the streets in several cities across Pakistan to denounce the crown prince’s visit.

No to ties with Israel

Tens of thousands of Yemenis hold nationwide rallies to protest attempts by some Arab states to normalize relations with Israel. The rallies were held in the capital Sana’a, the port city of Hudaydah and other major cities in response to a call made by the leader of the Ansarullah movement, Abdulmalik al-Houthi. Addressing the protesters in Sana'a, the head of the Yemeni Supreme revolution committee, Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, sharply criticized the recent US sponsored conference on the Middle East held in Poland. He called the conference a coalition against the resistance bloc in the region. Protesters also chanted anti-Israeli slogans to show their solidarity with Palestinians.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk