In the daily newsletter, we introduce the most important events and news that happened in the world during the past day.
The US-Iran agreement is close
On Wednesday, Iran said it was considering a US peace offer. According to sources, this proposal would mean an official end to the war. However, the main demands of the USA are to stop Iran’s nuclear program and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Tehran will deliver its answer soon. US President Donald Trump has said he believes Iran wants to reach a deal.
“They want to make an agreement. “We’ve had very good negotiations over the last 24 hours, and there’s a very high chance we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
Trump has repeatedly praised the prospect of a deal to end the war, which began on February 28, but has so far been unsuccessful.
Pakistani sources also said they were close to agreeing on a one-page memorandum that would formally end the conflict.
Representative of the Foreign Policy and National Security Committee of the Iranian Parliament, Deputy Ibrahim Rezai described the text of the document as “more of an American dream list than reality.”
According to the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqir Ghalibof, such reports are another “propaganda game” after the US failed to open the Strait of Hormuz.
China-Iran negotiations
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yin in Beijing on Wednesday.
After the meeting, Arakchi informed the Chinese diplomat about the ongoing negotiations with the United States. Araqchi said that Iran will do its best to protect its legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations.
China’s Foreign Ministry said after the talks that it was at a “crucial stage in the transition to peace”:
“China considers a complete cessation of hostilities necessary. A resumption of conflict is unacceptable, and it is especially important to continue negotiations.”
China also made a statement on the nuclear issue. “China appreciates Iran’s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons. At the same time, it recognizes Iran’s legal right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” the statement said.
Trump and Xi Jinping are expected to exchange views on the Iran issue at a meeting in Beijing on May 14-15.
Tribunal against Kremlin leadership in Europe
The Council of the European Union approved the signing of the agreement on the Special Tribunal established under it for the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. This tribunal will concern the number one figures of Russia, including the President Vladimir Putin.
Because Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court does not have the legal authority to prosecute its leadership, no other existing court currently has jurisdiction over this crime. The document notes that the Special Tribunal will now have a mandate to prosecute Russia for waging an aggressive war.
The Netherlands has expressed its readiness to host the court on its territory. The European Union transferred the first 10 million euros to finance the work of the Special Tribunal.
After the special tribunal begins work, in addition to Putin, other high-ranking military and political leaders of Russia may be indicted. In addition, the court’s jurisdiction will extend to Belarus and North Korea, which are using Moscow in the war.
As part of this investigation, not only the large-scale war that began in 2022, but also the events that took place from February 2014 will be investigated.
A French aircraft carrier arrived in the Red Sea
The French aircraft carrier “Charles de Gaulle” in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea passed through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea. Currently, he is preparing to participate in the mission to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
“This should show that we are not only ready, but also able to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz,” said official Paris on May 6.
Now “Charles de Gaulle” is on its way to the southern part of the Red Sea. This serves to reduce the time of preparation for the operation, which begins “depending on the situation”. The aircraft carrier carries about 20 Rafale fighter jets and is accompanied by several frigates.
The German armed forces also plan to participate in this mission: they will provide a minesweeper.
According to the Elysee Palace, France offers Iran and the United States to consider the issue of the restoration of Hormuz activities separately from the ongoing military conflict. The mission of the Europeans will begin only after the military operations in Iran are fully completed.
Change in the constitution of the DPRK
North Korea has removed all mention of unification with South Korea from its constitution. According to the document released on Wednesday, it marks an abrupt end to a decade of policy that Pyongyang has pursued since 1948.
This change became known after a document presented to the media by the Ministry of Unification of South Korea.
In particular, a new clause defining the territory of North Korea appeared in the updated constitution adopted in March. It states that the territory of the country includes bordering regions with China and Russia in the north, and “in the south with the Republic of Korea.”
Also, according to the amendment, Kim Jong Un’s authority to command the DPRK’s nuclear forces as chairman of the State Affairs Commission was strengthened.
According to analysts, the new policy can be a basis for “peaceful coexistence” between the two countries on the Korean Peninsula.
But Pyongyang has been pursuing an increasingly “tough policy” toward Seoul in recent years.
Israel strikes Beirut
Israel attacked Beirut for the first time since agreeing to a ceasefire with Lebanon. This increased pressure on the accord, which had failed to end the conflict.
The air strike was carried out in the Dahiya district, on the southern outskirts of the city, where Hezbollah’s headquarters are located. Pictures shared online show huge flames and at least one building badly damaged.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that the commander of the group’s elite “Radvan” forces was targeted and that he personally approved the strike. According to local media reports, the attack happened while the members of the unit were holding a meeting. “Hezbollah” has not yet expressed any reaction.
This is the first attack on the Dahiya district since the announcement of a cease-fire agreement between the Israeli and Lebanese governments on April 16. The Hezbollah group, which did not directly participate in the ceasefire negotiations, said that if Israel adheres to the agreement, they will also adhere to it.
Despite the agreement, Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other of violating the terms and continue the attacks.
