WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, November 19, 2018.

‘US failed policies’

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Iran will not yield to US sanctions and economic pressure. Rouhani said the US sanctions are part of a psychological war launched by Washington. He added that the US has failed to bring Iran’s oil exports to zero and Tehran will continue selling its crude. The Iranian president said all US policies in the Middle East have failed and it is now isolated in the world. Rouhani made the remarks during a speech in the Iranian city of Khoy.

Iran-Europe trade ties  

Iran says it remains hopeful about Europe's attempts to save the 2015 nuclear deal. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Europe has fully thrown its weight behind the agreement politically. He said, however, that Tehran is waiting for Brussels to make Iran benefit from the economic aspects of the accord as well. Speaking during his weekly press briefing, Qassemi added that Tehran will rely on its domestic capabilities if Europe could not implement its special payment mechanism with regards to trade with Iran. The Foreign Ministry spokesman noted that the Islamic Republic will abide by its commitments as long as other signatories to the deal are in compliance.

Brexit controversy  

The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator says the divorce transition period can be extended to the end of 2022. Michel Barnier made the remarks at a special meeting with ambassadors from the EU’s member states. Barnier’s comments come as London and Brussels have already agreed a transition period of 21 months, which will start after the March 2019 deadline. The British government has previously suggested an extension of only a few months, but the bloc says London needs to make a formal proposal. Each year of the transition period extension would cost Britain billions of euros. Critics of Theresa May’s Brexit policy say such a move will force the UK to follow all EU laws while having no ministers or members in the European Parliament.

Taliban-US talks

Negotiations between the Taliban and the US special envoy for Afghanistan have ended with no agreement. Leaders of the militant group met Zalmay Khalilzad at their political headquarters in Qatar last week for the second time in the past month. According to the Taliban, the preliminary talks lasted for three days, but no agreement was reached on any issue. Taliban leaders also refused to accept any deadline set by Washington to wrap up talks. Khlilzad has already expressed hope to clinch a peace deal with Taliban militants before Afghanistan’s 2019 presidential election.

Brexit battle

The British prime minister pledges to press ahead with her Brexit plan as dissenting members in the Conservative party seek to trigger a leadership challenge. Theresa May added, immigration to Britain will be different after the country’s withdrawal from the European Union. She noted, the UK will be fully in control of who enters its borders after Brexit. May said, London’s post-Brexit immigration strategy will focus on talents and skills rather than nationalities. May’s remarks come as she has faced strong opposition from both Conservative and Labour parties since striking a draft deal with the EU on November 13. Reports say conservative lawmakers are six letters short of the threshold to trigger a no confidence vote on Theresa May.

Gaza Israel protest

Israeli boats have opened fire on vessels that were moving to break the siege on the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces also fired on protesters in Gaza’s north-east, injuring three Palestinians. Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces broke out after the shootings. The protest is the latest from the Great Return March weekly protests. The protesters call for lifting the blockade on Gaza. Over 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops since the protests began on March 30. Israel has been criticized by rights groups over its crackdown on the protesters.

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