WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, February 5, 2019 to 0800 GMT, February 6, 2019.

US presence in Iraq

The Iraqi Prime Minister has denounced comments made by the US president about keeping American forces in the Arab country to keep a close eye on Iran. Adel Abdul-Mahdi says Iraq will not accept being used for any acts against neighboring countries. Mahdi’s remarks have added to a chorus of condemnation among Iraqi leaders over Donald Trump's statements. President Barham Saleh has also rebuked his US counterpart. The reactions come after Trump said in an interview that he wants to keep a US military base in Iraq to monitor neighboring Iran. Baghdad says Washington has not asked Iraq's permission to do so. Trump's remarks also contradict the official American mission in Iraq that is battling Daesh.

Taliban set conditions

Afghan peace talks have kicked off in the Russian capital Moscow. Representatives from various Afghan factions, including the Taliban, are present at the meeting, but the Afghan government is not represented. Hamid Karzai said the talks will hopefully lead to a decision that puts the people of Afghanistan in charge of their country and its government. Head of the Taliban delegation described the talks as fruitful. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai said the initiative is the first step toward peace in Afghanistan. He said the withdrawal of US forces have also been discussed at the talks.

Rejecting Trump's Syria move

The Republican-led US senate has passed an amendment that opposes any plans by President Donald Trump for an abrupt military pullout from Syria. The legislation calls on the administration to certify that conditions had been met for enduring defeat of Daesh before any significant withdrawal from Syria or Afghanistan. The non-binding amendment warns that a precipitous removal of troops could further destabilize the region. It also includes provisions to impose new sanctions on Syria in an effort to reassure concerns of US allies including Israel about any policy shift in Washington. Trump’s decision about military pull-out from Syria has raised eyebrows in and outside the States. Earlier, the head of the US military central command said he was not asked for advice on the decision.

Trump's annual speech

The US president says he has ordered some 4,000 troops to the Mexico border to prepare for what he calls the tremendous onslaught of immigrants. Donald Trump made the remarks in his second state of the union address. He urged Congress to pass a bill that will fund his government to build a wall on the country’s border with Mexico. Trump said an economic miracle is taking place in the United States. He criticized the Democrats for derailing US economy through what he called unfair investigations. On his foreign policy, Trump hailed the self-declared president of Venezuela for his “quest for freedom”.

US's anti-Iran policy

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has reacted to the US president’s State of the Union speech. Zarif said US hostility has led it to support dictators, butchers, and extremists and brought nothing but ruins to the region. His comments come after Donald Trump accused Iran of threatening genocide against the Jewish people. Zarif said Iran, along with its Jewish community, celebrates 40 years of the Islamic Revolution and the country’s progress during the past four decades despite US pressure.

EU splits on Venezuela

Divisions grow in the European Union over the bloc's position with respect to the crisis in Venezuela. Many lawmakers are calling for the EU to recognize Nicolas Maduro as the democratically elected Venezuelan President despite a resolution to the contrary passed in the European Parliament.

EU-Iran trade ties

The European Union's ambassador to the United State says the 28-nation bloc has the right to work with Iran under the 2015 nuclear deal. David O’Sullivan says legitimate commerce with Iran is a parcel of the nuclear deal, and that the EU will continue to do business with the country. He says the recent launch of a financial mechanism to facilitate trade with Iran is part of the EU efforts to that purpose. According to the outgoing envoy, Iran is entitled to enjoy the benefits of the deal as long as it lives up to the terms of the accord. O’Sullivan has urged the US to respect the EU’s decision to remain in the nuclear agreement following Washington’s withdrawal in May.