WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, May 13, 2018.

Iran to remain in JCPOA if given guarantees: Rouhani

Iran’s president says European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal should give guarantees to keep Tehran in the agreement. Hassan Rouhani made the comment in a joint press conference with his Sri Lankan counterpart in Tehran. He emphasized that Iran will consider staying in the nuclear deal only if its national interests are safeguarded. Rouhani condemned the US withdrawal from the agreement as a violation of all principles of diplomacy and international law. The Iranian president also hailed constructive talks with President Maithripala Sirisena as a step to further boost bilateral ties. Sirisena, for his part, expressed gratitude for Iran’s assistance in the development of his country. He vowed to make utmost efforts to expand mutual cooperation in all fields, including economy and trade. The two countries also signed several memoranda of understanding in medicine, art, science and technology.

US embassy move tensions

Dozens of Israelis and Palestinians have come together to protest the upcoming re-location of the US embassy to Jerusalem al-Quds. Dozens of protestors marched through a main street in al-Quds towards the iconic Jaffa Gate in the historic walls of the Old City. Activists from the Israeli group Peace Now were among the organizers of the protest. Critics of the relocation of the American embassy also took to the streets in the Italian cities of Rome, Naples and Milan. They called on the Italian government and other EU members not to follow the US move and raised concerns about the US policy.

Afghanistan militant attack

At least 6 people are killed and 20 wounded in a series of explosions followed by a gun battle in eastern Afghanistan. According to officials, at least three blasts were heard in the city of Jalalabad in what appeared to be a coordinated attack. The explosions were followed by a gunfight between Afghan security forces and militants in a government building. This comes two days after another attack by the Taliban militants killed dozens of police officers in the western province of Farah.

Iran nuclear deal

The Iranian foreign minister says the 2015 nuclear deal will remain in place ONLY if Tehran’s interests are safeguarded. Mohammad Javad Zarif made the comments in the Chinese capital after meeting his counterpart Wang Yi. He expressed hope that Beijing and other signatories to the international accord construct a clear future design for the nuclear agreement. He stressed that the Islamic Republic is ready for any possible scenario. Zarif further described as important his three-leg tour, which will also take him to Moscow and Brussels. The top diplomat said he will sit down with European officials. They're set to discuss how Europe is going to secure the benefits of the nuclear deal for Iran now that the US is out of the agreement.

Catalonia politics

A small Catalan party has decided to abstain in a vote to elect the pro-independence presidential candidate to secure a majority. The move by the Popular Unity Candidacy Party will now pave the way for Quim Torra form a government. Torra who was suggested by the former self-exiled Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont failed to secure enough vote to run for the post in the first round of the parliament voting. Madrid had given the Catalonia region until May 22 to elect a new leader or hold new elections. The northern region has been grappling with a political crisis since the government in Madrid imposed a direct rule over it last year.

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