Middle East live: Iran's president says country facing 'many problems' as US sanctions loom

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill two people, including a 4-year-old boy, medics say

Two Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday killed at least two people, including a 4-year-old boy, and wounded seven others, Palestinian health officials said.

One of the strikes hit a building in Zawayda ​town in the centre ‌of the enclave and followed a warning by the Israeli army for the owners of ⁠the property to leave the area, residents said.

Medics said flying debris and shrapnel that spread for dozens of metres around had wounded at least six people, including the 4-year-old, Mohammad ‌Abdel-Salam Taha, who was later pronounced dead at hospital.

• Iran says Pakistan's army chief to visit Tehran on Monday

South Korea tests Arctic route to avoid Middle East blockade

Reaching Europe from Asia via the Arctic is nothing new... Russia and China have used this route for years. But yesterday, South Korea sent its first container ship along this path to avoid the traffic blockade in the Middle East. Experts warn the shift could further accelerate the melting of polar ice.

Iran discovers over 7.5 trillion cubic feet of gas, oil minister says

⁠Iran ​has ​discovered over 7.5 trillion ​cubic ‌feet ⁠of ‌gas in ⁠a field south ​of ‌its Fars Province, Iran's ‌oil ​minister Mohsen Paknejad said ​in ​comments carried by ​state ​media on Sunday.

How Israel reduced Iran’s historic Rafi-Nia synagogue to rubble

Iran escalates threats as US pushes economic isolation

Tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate. Tehran is threatening to regard as enemies any countries that join the US sanctions, in response to Washington’s calls to isolate its economy. A press conference is scheduled for Monday to outline the US strategy. Story by Camille Corcoran.

Iran president admits country facing 'many problems'

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged on Sunday that his country's citizens face "many problems", after the United States launched a new wave of sanctions seeking to further isolate its economy.

"I understand we have many problems in society right now. We are trying to prevent these as much as we can," Pezeshkian said in a speech broadcast on state television. 

His comments came after the United States vowed last week to bring about the "collapse" of the Iranian regime through a newly announced sanctions campaign, nearly six months after the start of their war.

"We are striving with all our hearts to overcome inflation, livelihood problems, unemployment, and to secure the future of the people, so that they can live with dignity and pride," Pezeshkian said on Sunday.

Syria foreign minister sees Israel security talks resuming despite no trust

Syria expects negotiations to resume soon with Israel over a security deal it hopes will lead to Israel's withdrawal from Syrian land, a top Syrian minister said, urging Israel to seize a "historic opportunity" as the door for diplomacy is open.

In a Reuters interview in Damascus on Saturday, days after Israel bombed a Syrian airbase, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also ​stressed that Damascus' priority is ‌to halt Israeli attacks, saying confidence-building steps were needed in this direction.

Washington has been seeking to forge a security deal between Israel and the government ⁠of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a new US ally in the Middle East, for over a year. But it has

proven elusive as Israel has sent troops into Syrian territory and attacked government assets, citing threats to its security.

Iran executes man accused of aiding US, Israel in anti-govt protests

Iran on Sunday executed a man accused of carrying a chainsaw during January anti-government protests who was charged with acting as an agent of Israel and the United States.

The judiciary said Majid Adineh had been convicted of "operational action in favour of hostile groups" in nationwide rallies that broke out late last year.

He is one of a string of people put to death over the protests, which were sparked by economic hardships in Iran.

Iran says Pakistan's army chief to visit Tehran on Monday

⁠Pakistan's ​army chief ​Asim Munir will visit Tehran on Monday, ​Iran's ‌foreign ⁠ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei ‌said on Sunday, according ⁠to a statement by the ministry.

Baghaei ​said the ‌visit was in continuation of ‌Pakistan's efforts to strengthen ​peace and security in the region.

Pakistan ​has taken ​on the ​mediator role in negotiations between ​Iran and the U.S. aimed at ending ⁠their war.

Iran’s president says his country needs to get past current stall

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a recent memorandum of understanding as the best way for the country to move beyond what he described as a situation of “neither war nor peace.”

In a speech published by state-run IRNA early on Sunday, said members of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council believed the memorandum represented the best possible agreement based on what he described as dignity, wisdom and the national interest.

“There is not a single provision in this agreement that amounts to capitulation,” Pezeshkian said. “The supreme leader sets the policies, and we will follow that path.”

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