Iran’s Zarif Holds Talks on Regional Issues with Omani Officials

Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood al-Busaidi during his talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Muscat, (Oman News Agency)
Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood al-Busaidi during his talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Muscat, (Oman News Agency)
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Iran’s Zarif Holds Talks on Regional Issues with Omani Officials

Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood al-Busaidi during his talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Muscat, (Oman News Agency)
Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood al-Busaidi during his talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Muscat, (Oman News Agency)

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with Omani officials in Muscat on Wednesday .

Zarif met with his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood al-Busaidi during which they touched upon latest developments in the region.

The officials discussed joint cooperation and means of promoting friendly relations on various levels. The two sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common interest.

They affirmed respect for the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, the United Nations Charter and the support of the international system based on the rule of law, equality, justice and strengthening the endeavors and means to achieve security and stability.

They also underscored the importance of resolving issues and conflicts by peaceful means and through dialogue to achieve global peace and harmony.

The two sides agreed on the importance of continuing consultations and exchanging views between them on various regional and global issues and developments, foremost of which is to address the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

They stressed the importance of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, exchanging relevant experiences and information and strengthening efforts to control and prevent its spread.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Tuesday that the purpose of Zarif’s visit to Oman is to hold talks about Tehran-Muscat relations and regional cooperation.



Ukraine Drones Set Oil Depot Ablaze in Russia’s Rostov, Governor Says 

A view from a vehicle's glass window shows a fire in the oil tanks at the Glubokinskaya oil depot, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in Kamensky district, Rostov region, Russia in this screen grab from social media video released August 28, 2024. (Video obtained by Reuters/via Reuters)
A view from a vehicle's glass window shows a fire in the oil tanks at the Glubokinskaya oil depot, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in Kamensky district, Rostov region, Russia in this screen grab from social media video released August 28, 2024. (Video obtained by Reuters/via Reuters)
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Ukraine Drones Set Oil Depot Ablaze in Russia’s Rostov, Governor Says 

A view from a vehicle's glass window shows a fire in the oil tanks at the Glubokinskaya oil depot, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in Kamensky district, Rostov region, Russia in this screen grab from social media video released August 28, 2024. (Video obtained by Reuters/via Reuters)
A view from a vehicle's glass window shows a fire in the oil tanks at the Glubokinskaya oil depot, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in Kamensky district, Rostov region, Russia in this screen grab from social media video released August 28, 2024. (Video obtained by Reuters/via Reuters)

A Ukraine drone attack sparked a fire at an oil depot in the Kamensky district of Russia's southern region of Rostov, its governor said on Wednesday, confirming media reports that several tanks were on fire.

"There are no casualties," the governor, Vasily Golubev, said on the Telegram messaging app. "Firefighters are extinguishing the fire."

Russian air defense units destroyed four drones over the region overnight, the Russian defense ministry said, without mention of an attack on the depot.

Earlier, the Baza Telegram channel, which is close to Russia's security services, said three tanks were burning at the Kamensky oil depot after two drones fell on the area.

Videos posted on Russian social media showed what looked like large tanks ablaze at night. Reuters was able to identify one of the videos as located in Rostov's Kamensky district.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

A fuel storage depot in the Kamensky district was attacked in early August as well.

The attack comes while tanks were still on fire at another oil depot in Rostov's Proletarsk district, about 10 days after a Ukrainian attack, Russian Telegram channels said.

Separately, Alexander Gusev, the governor of Voronezh, which borders Ukraine, said debris from a Ukraine-launched drone over the region sparked a fire "near explosive objects". But there was no detonation, he added.

The fire was doused, Gusev said on Telegram, and residents were returning to homes in two settlements from which they had been evacuated.

The Russian defense ministry said eight attack drones were destroyed over the Voronezh region, but gave no details.

Russian officials often do not disclose the full extent of damage inflicted by Ukrainian attacks.

Both sides deny targeting civilians in the 30-month-old war launched by Russia's full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbor. Kyiv says its air attacks aim to destroy energy, transport and military infrastructure key to Moscow's war effort.