WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, October 29, 2017.

US IAEA pressure

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is complying with its obligations under the nuclear deal between with the P5+1 group of countries. Yukiya Amano made the comment in a joint presser with Iran’s nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi. Amano also called on other signatories to fulfill their commitments under the nuclear agreement. Salehi, in turn, said Iran wants the deal to be preserved. But he warned that in case of a US violation, Iran can resume 20 percent uranium enrichment at its Fordo site in four days. Salehi also rejected comments that the nuclear agreement authorizes inspection of Iranian military sites, adding that no such issue was raised during his meeting with Amano.

Catalonia rally

A pro-unity rally is underway in Catalonia’s capital Barcelona, two days after regional lawmakers voted to break away from Spain, plunging the country into an unprecedented political crisis. The protestors waved the Catalonian flag alongside the colors of Spain and the European Union as they marched down Barcelona’s streets. The region’s deputy president has lashed out against Madrid over the dismissal of the local authorities and the government, calling the move a coup d’etat. Oriol Junqueras went on to say that Carles Puigdemont is and will remain the leader of the regional government. Spain sacked Puigdemont and took over Catalonia's executive powers following its declaration of independence. The central government has also ordered a snap election to choose a new parliament for the region.

Taliban deadly attack

Over a dozen Afghan police officers have been killed in yet another Taliban attack on a checkpoint in the northern Kunduz province. According to a local official, only one policeman could escape after the militants stormed the checkpoint in Khan Abad district. The attack comes a day after the Taliban militant group targeted two security posts in the eastern Ghazni province, killing nine police officers. Recently, there has been an increase in militant attacks across Afghanistan. The deadliest recent attack took place in Kandahar earlier this month, when a militant raid on a military compound left over 40 Afghan soldiers dead.

Syria deadly clashes

Syrian army forces have killed at least 50 Daesh terrorists while making further advances against the Takfiri group and other militants in the country. According to a UK-based monitoring group, the Takfiris were killed during fierce clashes with Syrian troops in the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr over the past 24 hours. 23 Syrian soldiers also lost their lives in the fighting. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported major gains for the army, including two Dayr al-Zawr neighborhoods and the municipal stadium. Meanwhile in the northwestern part of the country, army forces are getting closer to a strategic airbase in Salamiyah City. The operation is aimed at recapturing the city from the Jaish al-Fatah militants and securing an alternative road between Hama and the provincial capital of Aleppo.

Iran vote of confidence

President Rouhani’s two remaining ministers have won the parliament's vote of confidence. Reza Ardakanian and Mansour Gholami have been picked respectively as minister of energy, and minister of science, research and technology. Ardakanian won 225 votes and Gholami 180 votes. Rouhani attended the Parliamentary session and defended his picks for the key cabinet posts. The positions had remained vacant for some two months. One of the nominees for minister of energy had failed to win the confidence vote. Rouhani took oath of office in early August.

Iran nuclear commitments

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani says Tehran will continue to comply with the 2015 nuclear deal with the P5+1 as long as it enjoys the benefits of the accord. Rouhani made the comment during a meeting with the visiting head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano. He described as unacceptable pressure exerted by certain governments and officials against the IAEA aimed at influencing decisions at the UN watchdog. He hailed as constructive the agency’s positive role in implementing and maintaining the nuclear agreement. Yukiya Amano reaffirmed Tehran's full compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. The IAEA head also met with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Barzani to resign

The leader of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region says he will step down from his post. In a letter read out to Kurdish lawmakers at a closed-door session of the region’s parliament, Masoud Barzani announced that he will no longer exercise his functions after November the first. The 71-year-old Kurdish politician has rejected any extension of his mandate. Barzani underlined that changing the law on the presidency of Kurdistan or prolonging the presidential term is not acceptable. He called for the distribution of his powers between the Kurdish prime minister, parliament and the judiciary. Barzani has come under growing criticism over the secession vote in the Kurdish region that triggered a deep political crisis with Baghdad.

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