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Iran IAEA warning

Tehran warns against any anti-Iran resolution in the upcoming high-level meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran’s foreign minister says those pushing for such a resolution will be responsible for its consequences. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks on his Twitter post a day before the meeting of the IAEA’s Board of Governors. Reports say Britain, France, Germany and the US have prepared a draft resolution which accuses Iran of lacking cooperation with the agency. The meeting comes at a time when negotiations over the revival of the 2015 Iran deal remain stalled. Amir-Abdollahian said Iran welcomes a good, strong and lasting agreement. He said such an agreement is within reach if the US and its European allies adopt a realistic approach.

Muslims condemn blasphemy

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Indian ambassador over blasphemous remarks about the Prophet of Islam during a television show in India. The Iranian nation and government’s strong protests were conveyed to the envoy who, for his part expressed regret and described any insult to the Prophet Muhammad as unacceptable. The ambassador added that the remarks do not represent the stance of the Indian government, which he said respects all religions. India’s right-wing ruling party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi says it has suspended two party spokespersons, Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal, for their sacrilegious remarks. The comments have caused an international outcry. Pakistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation strongly condemned the derogatory remarks while Qatar and Kuwait summoned Indian ambassadors to their countries. Muslims have long complained of rampant Islamophobia in India with Muslims facing systematic abuse and hate crimes.

Western support for Ukraine

With the war grinding on in its fourth month, Ukrainian and Russian forces are engaged in heavy fighting in the eastern Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk. Ukraine says its forces still control half of the city while pushing back Russia's offensive. In the meantime, Ukraine's deputy defense minister stressed that the country needed continuous military support from the West until it defeats Russian forces. Ganna Malyar said Ukraine is engaged in a protracted war and needs constant assistance. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow will hit new targets if the West supplies Ukraine with long-range missiles. The US and European countries have supplied Ukraine with millions of dollars worth of modern weaponry so far.

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