WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, August 13, 2018.

‘Talks with US forbidden’

Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei prohibits any negotiations with the United States. Ayatollah Khamenei said the latest US offer for talks with Iran is not something new. He added, Iran will not negotiate, because the US backpedals on promises it makes during talks. Iran’s leader noted, Washington’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal is a clear proof of the US untrustworthiness. Ayatollah Khamenei also ruled out the possibility of a war with the US. He said the existing economic problems in Iran are caused mostly by internal issues, not the US-imposed sanctions. Ayatollah Khamenei stressed, the sanctions have a limited impact, if officials perform better. He made the comments in an address to different groups of people in Tehran.

Iran missile power

Iran has unveiled a new generation of domestically-manufactured missile. The short-range ballistic missile, called Fateh Mobin, has been advanced with an upgraded surveillance head. It can be used to detect specific targets on land and sea in different environmental and weather conditions. The missile has been successfully tested and introduced into the cycle of production. Iran's Defense Minister says Tehran will spare no effort to increase its missile capabilities. Brigadier General Amir Hatami said the missile is among the most advanced of its kind.

Turkish lira plunge

An escalating diplomatic row between Turkey and the United States over the past few weeks has sent the Turkish currency, lira to an all-time low against the dollar. The two nations are at loggerheads over the fate of an American pastor, jailed in Turkey. Defying US pressures, Ankara now says it is ready to take all necessary measures to ensure financial stability. We have a report.

Russia reaction to US

Russia once again rejects as groundless, Western claims that it was involved in the poisoning of a former spy in the UK. The Russian Foreign Ministry says the accusations are aimed at painting Moscow as being irresponsible toward its international obligations. This comes following the imposition of fresh sanctions against Russia by the United States. Washington says it’s convinced Moscow used a nerve agent against former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain. Sergei and Yulia Skripal were found unconscious in the southern English city of Salisbury in March. It was later discovered the two had been poisoned with an unknown substance. The incident triggered a diplomatic spat between London and Moscow.

Yemen angry with US Saudi support

Yemenis attending the funeral of dozens of children killed in a recent Saudi airstrike denounce the US for what they call its complicity in the massacre. The funeral happened in the northern Yemeni city of Sa’ada where the deadly raid took place last week. A long convoy of vehicles carried the bodies of the victims to their burial place. The Yemeni kids lost their lives in an attack that targeted a school bus. The UN chief condemned the airstrike and the Security Council called for a credible and transparent investigation into the air raid. The UN children's fund, UNICEF, said Saudi Arabia was behind the single biggest attack on children during its ongoing war on Yemen. Riyadh has denied its involvement in the massacre.

Afghanistan fighting Taliban

Afghan officials say at least 100 security forces were killed during four days of fighting with Taliban militants in the city of Ghazni. The Afghan government described the militants fighting in the city as isolated and disparate and said they pose no threat to Ghazni. The city is strategically important as it links the capital Kabul to Southern Afghanistan. The Taliban has surged their attacks on foreign and Afghan troops countrywide recently. Large numbers of people have died on both sides.

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