WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, December 16, 2018 to 0800 GMT, December 17, 2018.

'US sanctions targeting ordinary Iranians'

The Iranian foreign minister says anti-Iran sanctions only hurt ordinary people and won't force a change of policy. In a tweet, Mohammad Javad Zarif said other signatories to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal are at the table. He added that it was the United States that decided to walk away from the negotiations and cause violence and chaos. Zarif stressed that it was a U-turn by Washington that allowed the negotiations to proceed, adding that the same dynamic still holds. In May, US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled his country out of the landmark nuclear accord and re-imposed the anti-Iran sanctions which had been lifted under the deal.

Bashir's visit to Syria

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has met with his Sudanese counterpart Omar al-Bashir in the capital Damascus. Assad called for improvement of ties between the Arab countries and finding new approaches based on non-interference in their internal affairs and respect for their sovereignty. He said what is happening in the region, and particularly in the Arab countries, requires the regional nations to uphold their Arab cause to confront the Western plots. Bashir also said a weakened Syria means a weakened Arab cause, noting that despite years of war, the country has continued to adhere to the standards of Arab nations. Bashir added the Syrian people must decide their future without any foreign interference, hoping that peace and security will be restored in the country soon. This is the first visit by an Arab head of state to Syria since the outbreak of war in the country in 2011.

Hudaydah truce

A senior Houthi official says a ceasefire will soon go into effect in Yemen’s port city of Hudaydah, following a week of United Nations-brokered talks in Sweden. Yahya Sarea made the announcement in the Yemeni capital city, Sana’a. Meanwhile, airstrikes and fierce clashes continue in the outskirts of Hudaydah. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have made several unsuccessful attempts to capture the port city over the past months. Riyadh and some of its regional allies launched a devastating war against Yemen in 2015. So far over 15,000 Yemenis have been killed in the onslaught.

US-Saudi ties

Saudi Arabia has slammed as interference two anti-Riyadh resolutions approved by the US Senate several days ago. One of the resolutions called for an end to American military support for the Saudi war in Yemen. The other held Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the kingdom condemns the latest position of the US Senate. The Senate votes send a strong message to President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly signaled his support for the Saudis amid anger over the war on Yemen and the slaying of Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia buys the bulk of its weapons used in the Yemen war from the US.

Israel arrests in West Bank

Israel has intensified its crackdown against Palestinians since last Sunday’s drive-by shooting near a settlement in the occupied West Bank. Over 300 Palestinians have been arrested since then. Eighteen Palestinians were detained only on Monday. Israeli troops claim that the shooting suspects are among those arrested. Our correspondent is here with more details.

Syria hails Iran, Russia

The Syrian president has hailed efforts of his country’s allies, Iran and Russia, in consolidating the establishment of a political process in Syria. Bashar al-Assad appreciated Iran’s efforts for the formation of a constitutional committee in spite of the obstacles put up by certain countries that support terrorists in Syria. He was speaking in a meeting with senior assistant to Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari in Damascus. Assad noted that Iran and Russia prevented the interference of some Western countries in Syria’s political process. Jaberi Ansari also discussed with Assad the upcoming Syria talks in Geneva following the agreement on the final structure of the constitutional committee. Jaberi Ansari reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to finding a political solution to restore peace and security in Syria.

Saudi war on Yemen

Saudi-led air raids continue to rock outskirts of the Yemeni province of Hudaydah despite a UN-brokered ceasefire deal with the Ansarullah movement. The two sides also engaged in fierce clashes in the al-Dowar area. Sources say the overnight attacks have left at least 29 people dead and many others injured from both sides. UN special envoy Martin Griffiths has urged the warring parties to respect the hard-won ceasefire deal reached in Sweden on Thursday. The truce agreement called for a halt in fighting in Hudaydah and the withdrawal of all troops in and around the port city.

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