WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, November 6, 2017.

Saudi Yemen blockade

Yemen’s national airline has cancelled all flights to the country’s only two functioning airports after Saudi Arabia tightened its blockade on the impoverished country. Yemenia says the Saudi-led coalition, which control’s Yemen airspace, has not allowed the airline to use Aden and Sayoun airports in the country’s south. The airports are the only two functioning ones in Yemen after the main international airport in the capital Sana’a was shut down in August 2016. Saudi Arabia closed Yemen’s air, land and sea access routes after Ansarullah forces targeted Riyadh’s airport with a ballistic missile on Saturday. The Kingdom has also put 40 senior Ansarullah officials on its list of terror and offered financial rewards for any information leading to their arrest.

Arba’een march

Millions of Muslims from across the world continue to March toward the Iraqi city of Karbala to attend the annual Araba’een ceremonies. Most of the mourners start their journey from the city of Najaf, where they have to walk for about three days to reach the holy city. Many people offer free food to the pilgrims on their way to Karbala. Iraqi forces have also beefed up security in the holy cities and along the route. Arba’een marks the fortieth day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein, Prophet Mohammad’s grandson and the third Shia Imam.

Trump Asia tour

US President Donald Trump describes North Korea's nuclear missile program a threat to the world, saying the era of strategic patience is over. Trump made the comments during a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. Trump added that the US will stand with Japan against North Korea’s menace. For his part, the Japanese Prime minister expressed support for the US policy of all options on the table regarding Pyongyang.

Lebanon PM resignation

Lebanon’s president hails the country’s political factions for responding positively to his call for calm in the wake of a surprise resignation by Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Michel Aoun said the political leaders have attempted to strengthen security and national unity after Hariri quit his post. Lebanon’s justice minister has also reacted to the premier’s resignation. Salim Jreissati says the president won’t take any steps regarding the move before Hariri returns from Saudi Arabia. He quoted President Aoun as saying that Lebanon’s security and economic, financial, and political stability were red lines. Meanwhile, Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV said Saad Hariri has visited Saudi King Salman without offering further details. The Lebanese premier announced his decision to leave office by issuing a statement on al-Arabiyah TV on Saturday. He has been criticized for disrespecting the Lebanese nation by resigning in another country.

US Afghanistan operation  

In Afghanistan, an inquiry is underway to investigate reports of over a dozen civilian deaths at the hands of American armed forces in Kunduz. Afghan authorities say an investigation will be launched to look into allegations of 13 civilian deaths during a US military operation. The offensive, which took place on Friday, reportedly targeted insurgents in the district of Chahardara. The NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Kabul confirmed the attack, but gave no further details. The mission did, however, acknowledge that the facts surrounding the episode were being assessed. Washington and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of the so-called war on terror. Reports indicate that over 26,000 Afghan civilians have been killed by US military operations since then.

Rejecting anti-Iran accusation

Iran has strongly condemned Saudi Arabia for blaming the Islamic Republic over Saturday’s missile strike on the Arab kingdom. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghassemi rejected the allegation as provocative and irresponsible. Ghassemi says Yemeni forces carried out the missile strike on their own. He added that the attack which hit an airport in Riyadh was a response to the Saudi aggression and war crimes in Yemen. The Iranian diplomat added that the Saudi-led coalition has failed to reach any of its declared goals in Yemen, and it’s now trying to begin a psychological war by leveling unfounded accusations against others. Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of giving missiles to Yemen’s Ansarullah forces and said that it could consider the strike as an act of war.

Saudi blames Iran for its own wars of aggression: Zarif

Iran’s foreign minister has responded to the recent Saudi allegations against the Islamic Republic. Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a tweet that Saudi Arabia is blaming Iran for the kingdom’s own wars of aggression and destabilizing behavior. Zarif added that Riyadh has killed thousands of Yemeni civilians and spread diseases in the country but it blames Iran. He made the comments after Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir accused Iran of harming its neighboring countries and international peace and security. Jubeir said his country reserves the right to respond to what he called Iran's hostile actions. The Saudi regime has blamed Iran for Yemen’s missile strike on an airport in Riyadh. Tehran has rejected the accusation.

Iran nuclear deal

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry has defended the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, saying the US president has decertified Tehran’s compliance based on no fact. Kerry, who was speaking at the London-based think tank Chatham House, also said the US congress is in no position to fix the deal or end it. He warned that it would be “extraordinarily dangerous” for Congress to reject the Iran nuclear deal. Meanwhile, the former EU foreign policy chief, who was part of the nuclear negotiations, also warned the US against withdrawing from the agreement. Catherine Ashton said such a move will send a message to the world that the US cannot abide by its commitments. US President Donald Trump decertified Iran’s compliance last month but did not pull the US out of the agreement. Trump said Congress should decide on the deal.

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