WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, September 22, 2018.

Attack on military parade

Local officials say the death toll from a terror attack in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz has risen to twelve. The officials said dozens of other people, including women and children were injured in the attack during a military parade. They added that three of the four assailants were killed by security forces while another one arrested. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps blamed the attack on a Takfiri terrorist group which calls itself al-Ahvaziya. The IRGC spokesperson said Iran’s foreign adversaries including Saudi Arabia support the terror group which had carried out another deadly attack in Ahvaz some 13 years ago.

UK-EU Brexit row

The UK foreign secretary says the European Union should end its blanket refusal of British proposals in Brexit talks. Jeremy Hunt said if the EU misjudges the British people if it thinks its rejection of London’s proposals will eventually make the country capitulate and stay in the bloc. He said Britons were increasingly content to leave the bloc without a deal. The top diplomat called on the EU to engage with Britain seriously. The comments came after EU leaders rejected British Prime Minister Theresa May’s so-called Chequers plan at a meeting in Salzburg. On Friday, May said the Brexit talks had hit an impasse and demanded new proposals as well as respect from EU leaders.

‘Trump will fail’: Rouhani

Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani says his country will never abandon its missile and defense capabilities, in the face of US pressures. President Rouhani dismissed the United States’ accusations that Iran interferes in the affairs of regional countries. He stressed that Iran is an influential power that protects regional states against aggression. The Iranian president also blasted his American counterpart for withdrawing from the international nuclear accord. Rouhani said Donald Trump has launched an economic and psychological war against the Iranian nation. But, he added, Trump will fail against Iran, just as former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein failed during his eight-year-long war on the Islamic Republic. Rouhani was speaking in Tehran, at a military parade marking the 38th anniversary of the Iraqi imposed war.

Zarif condemns attack on military parade

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has condemned the deadly attack in Ahvaz. In a twitter post, Zarif said the assailants were terrorists who’d been trained, armed and paid by a foreign regime. Zarif did not name any country. However, he said Iran holds regional terror sponsors and the US accountable for the bloodshed. The top diplomat stressed that Iran will respond swiftly and decisively in defense of its nationals. International reactions poured in following the assault. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences, saying Moscow is ready to boost cooperation in fight against terrorism. Pakistan and Iraq also condemned the gun attack.

US-China trade war

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose further tariffs on Chinese exports if Beijing retaliates in response to Washington’s latest duties. Trump has warned China to give it a second thought before engaging in a trade war, saying the US has “far more bullets”. He says the US is cracking down on what he calls China’s unfair trade practices. The recent package of US tariffs has targeted 200 billion dollars of Chinese goods. China has hit back at the new levies by adding 60 billion dollars of US products which will go into effect on Monday. In response, China has also cancelled upcoming trade talks with the US scheduled for next week.

US puppets ‘seeking insecurity in Iran’: Leader

Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the terrorist attack in Ahvaz is the continuation of conspiracies by the US puppets in the region. In a message, Ayatollah Khamenei strongly condemned the act of terror, saying it once again shows the cruelty of the Iranian nation’s enemies. Iran’s leader described the attackers as mercenaries linked to the same governments that keep speaking about human rights hypocritically. Ayatollah Khamenei warned that such terrorist acts are aimed at destabilizing Iran. He however said the Iranian nation will overcome all difficulties to the dismay of its enemies. The leader all offered condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the terrorist attack in Ahvaz which left over two dozen people dead.

China US warning

China has summoned the US ambassador to protest sanctions on Beijing for buying weapons from Russia. The Chinese government warned the US of consequences if it fails to cancel the sanctions. A spokesman for the Chinese defense ministry said, Beijing’s decision to buy fighter jets and missile systems from Moscow is a normal act of cooperation between sovereign states. China slammed that US approach as a blatant violation of the basic norms of international relations. It said the US has no right to interfere in China’s decisions. On Thursday, the US State Department imposed sanctions on a branch of the Chinese military for what it called significant transactions with Russia’s main arms exporter.

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