WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, October 12, 2017.

Iran vigilance

Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami has slammed a US plan to designate the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps as a terrorist organization. Hatami described the IRGC as the most important anti-terrorism force in the region which is on the frontline of fighting terrorism. Hatami said the organization has made great sacrifices for security and peace in the Middle East. He noted that the US blacklisting of the IRGC is itself a terrorist act because it is aimed at helping terrorists and increasing instability in the region and beyond. Iran’s defense minister noted that Tehran will not allow Washington to disrupt the region’s stability through proxy wars. He stressed that the Islamic Republic’s three branches of government together with its armed forces are united in countering such plots.

Mogherini warning

The EU foreign policy chief has warned that Washington's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal would damage trust in US deal-making. Mogherini said President Trump’s possible decision to exit the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, could dissuade other nations from entering agreements with Washington. She made the remarks as a growing chorus has been confronting Trump against leaving the agreement. The US president is pressing ahead with threats to unravel the landmark 2015 deal. Trump is set to outline his Iran strategy on Friday. The other signatories to the nuclear agreement, namely, China, France, Russia, Germany, Britain and the European Union have all ratified the JCPOA.

Baghdad-Erbil dispute

The government of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region suggests holding talks with the central government over a host of disputes. In a statement, the KRG said it is willing to discuss the issues of airports, border posts and banks with Baghdad. The decision comes amid a bitter row between Baghdad and Erbil after a secession vote in the KRG last month. The Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for a number of Kurdish officials involved in organizing the vote. Erbil has accused Baghdad of mobilizing its forces to attack the northern region. Iraq rules out the accusation, saying the army and its allied forces are preparing for a final offensive on the al-Qaim border post still held by Daesh terrorists.

US to quit UNESCO

UNESCO’s director-general has expressed profound regret over the US decision to leave the UN’s cultural agency. Irina Bokova said the decision marks a loss for multilateralism and for the UN family. The US says it will withdraw from UNESCO on December 31, 2018 over what it calls the organization’s continued bias against Israel. The US State Department said Washington will leave the organization and will instead become a permanent observer member. The US cancelled its substantial budget contribution to UNESCO in 2011 in protest at a decision to grant the Palestinians full membership.

Palestinian reconciliation deal

Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah sign a political reconciliation deal, putting an end to a decade-long rift between the groups. Negotiators from Hamas and Fatah reached the milestone agreement after two days of intensive talks in the Egyptian capital Cairo. The two sides have agreed to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to the unity government by December. Meanwhile, the unity government will take over Gaza’s Rafah crossing on November 1. People in Gaza gathered for celebrations after Fatah and Hamas signed the agreement. Hamas has been controlling the Gaza Strip for 10 years, while the Fatah-backed government has been administrating the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

KRG secession vote fallout

Turkey says it will gradually close border gates with northern Iraq in response to last month’s secession vote in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. A spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara will press ahead with the move in coordination with the Iraqi government and Iran. Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim is expected to meet with his Iraqi counterpart Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad at the weekend to discuss the issue. Iraq as well as some other regional countries such as Iran and Turkey have condemned the referendum as illegal. Baghdad, Tehran and Ankara have also warned about the dire consequence of the vote.

Vietnam floods

At least 43 people have lost their lives and dozens are still missing as fresh floods hit the Southeast Asian nation of Vietnam. National disaster officials say heavy rains that triggered floods in the northern and central parts of Vietnam have left thousands stranded. It is estimated that more than 1,000 houses have been damaged and nearly 17,000 buildings submerged across six provinces. The province of Hoa Binh in the north was the hardest hit where at least 18 people died and 15 others were reported missing. Up to 200,000 residents have also been ordered to leave the area. The casualties included four families whose houses were buried in a landslide. Vietnam is prone to floods that kill hundreds of people every year.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir