WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, March 4, 2019.

Downgrading Palestine mission

Washington has merged its diplomatic mission to the Palestinians into the new US embassy in Jerusalem al-Quds. The move was carried out following an announcement by the US administration in October. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the merger will not constitute a shift in policy and is intended to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Palestine Liberation Organization officials have slammed the act as an anti-Palestinian move. PLO executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi says the move leaves no doubt about Washington’s hostility toward the Palestinian people. The organization’s Secretary General Saeb Erekat also reacted to the issue and described it as the final nail in the coffin for the US peacemaking role. US President Donald Trump sparked worldwide condemnation after he recognized al-Quds as the Israeli capital in December 2017.

Iran-Syria ties

Iran’s Foreign Ministry says Iranian advisers will stay in Syria as long as Damascus wants them to. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Iranian advisers are helping Syrian forces in their fight against terrorists. Referring to the recent remarks by the Israeli premier regarding getting foreign forces out of Syria, Qassemi reiterated that Iran’s presence in Syria is at the request of the Syrian government. He added that Tel Aviv is playing a psychological warfare on this issue. Speaking of the recent trip by the Syrian president to Iran, Qassemi described it as an important visit during which a number of bilateral issues were discussed.

Kashmir displacement

Terrified Kashmiris along the line of control between India and Pakistan-held Himalayan region continue to flee their homes amid cross-border shelling. Pakistani officials say over 400 families have so far arrived at the makeshift camp. They say the local administration has provided refugees with blankets, food and medical provision, but that numbers are still increasing. Shelling in recent days has killed seven people on the Pakistani side and four on the Indian side of Kashmir. Tensions escalated between India and Pakistan last week after a deadly militant attack on Indian forces in Kashmir sparked tit-for-tat aerial strikes by the two countries. Tensions continue despite the release of a downed Indian fighter pilot by Pakistan on Friday.

Russia suspends INF participation

Russia has officially suspended its participation in the Cold War-era nuclear treaty with the United States. The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to suspend the INF treaty. It added, the president ordered the treaty to be suspended until Washington stops violating the agreement. According to the Kremlin, Putin has told the Russian foreign ministry to inform signatories to the accord of Russia’s move. The treaty was signed in 1987 between the US and the former Soviet Union. Under the deal, the US and the Soviets would scrap all their intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles. But, last year, Washington said it would withdraw from the accord, accusing Russia of violating the agreement. Moscow strongly denies the allegation.

Iran nuclear program

The International Atomic Energy Agency once again confirms Iran is living up to its obligations under the 2015 nuclear agreement. IAEA chief Yukiya Amano said any attempt to micro-manage or put pressure on the agency in its nuclear verification efforts is counter-productive. Amano, without naming a country, warned against attempts to throw the credibility of the agency into question. His remarks come as the US intelligence agencies have acknowledged Tehran’s compliance with the terms of the JCPOA. But US President Donald Trump has slammed his country’s intelligence agencies, saying they are extremely passive, naive and wrong about Iran. Tehran has on several occasions warned it will not remain under the nuclear deal unless its interests are safeguarded.

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