Zarif: Iran to Open Consulate in Syria’s Aleppo

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Damascus on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. (The Syrian Presidency)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Damascus on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. (The Syrian Presidency)
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Zarif: Iran to Open Consulate in Syria’s Aleppo

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Damascus on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. (The Syrian Presidency)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Damascus on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. (The Syrian Presidency)

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday his country will open a consulate in Aleppo, as approved by the Syrian President to improve trade and economic ties between both countries.

This came during Zarif's visit to Damascus where he met with Assad.

According to SANA news agency, the two figures discussed bilateral relations and the ongoing coordination and consultation at all levels. They further tackled means of bolstering joint cooperation in various fields to serve both countries’ interests.

“Talks further touched on regional developments, the recent Israeli aggression on the Palestinian territories and its practices aimed at changing the status of the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem.”

Zarif also briefed Assad on the “developments regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, details of the current negotiations with relevant parties and the attempts by some parties to impede progress in this regard.”

The FM said he discussed with Assad and his Syrian counterpart Faisal al-Mekdad bilateral, regional and international issues.

He stressed the importance of the upcoming elections and its impact on Syria’s future, stability, and security.

“We are ready to participate in the elections as observers, and we hope that the Syrian people ensure their future, order and security by participating in these elections.”

Zarif also discussed with Syrian officials the latest developments in “Jerusalem and the occupied Palestine,” while highlighting Palestinian people’s need for international support, IRNA reported.



Iran Says Foreign Tanker Carrying Smuggled Fuel Seized in Gulf

St Nikolas ship X1 oil tanker involved in US-Iran dispute in the Gulf of Oman which state media says was seized is seen in the Tokyo bay, Japan, October 4, 2020, in this handout picture. Daisuke Nimura/Handout via REUTERS
St Nikolas ship X1 oil tanker involved in US-Iran dispute in the Gulf of Oman which state media says was seized is seen in the Tokyo bay, Japan, October 4, 2020, in this handout picture. Daisuke Nimura/Handout via REUTERS
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Iran Says Foreign Tanker Carrying Smuggled Fuel Seized in Gulf

St Nikolas ship X1 oil tanker involved in US-Iran dispute in the Gulf of Oman which state media says was seized is seen in the Tokyo bay, Japan, October 4, 2020, in this handout picture. Daisuke Nimura/Handout via REUTERS
St Nikolas ship X1 oil tanker involved in US-Iran dispute in the Gulf of Oman which state media says was seized is seen in the Tokyo bay, Japan, October 4, 2020, in this handout picture. Daisuke Nimura/Handout via REUTERS

Iran has seized a foreign oil tanker near the Iranian island of Qeshm in the Gulf, saying it was carrying 4 million liters of smuggled fuel, state media reported on ‌Friday.

Authorities did not ‌name the ‌vessel ⁠or disclose ‌its nationality. They said 16 foreign crew members had been detained on criminal charges. State TV said the tanker was seized on Wednesday.

Iranian news websites ⁠published video footage and photographs of ‌what they said was ‍the seized ‍tanker.

Iran said last week ‍it had seized another foreign tanker carrying 6 million liters of what it described as smuggled diesel in the Gulf of Oman without identifying the ⁠vessel or its nationality.


Cambodia Says Thailand Escalated Strikes During Border Talks

Members of a Thai Explosive Ordnance Disposal team inspect the site of a rocket attack during clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in Kantharalak district of Sisaket province, Thailand, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Members of a Thai Explosive Ordnance Disposal team inspect the site of a rocket attack during clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in Kantharalak district of Sisaket province, Thailand, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
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Cambodia Says Thailand Escalated Strikes During Border Talks

Members of a Thai Explosive Ordnance Disposal team inspect the site of a rocket attack during clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in Kantharalak district of Sisaket province, Thailand, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Members of a Thai Explosive Ordnance Disposal team inspect the site of a rocket attack during clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in Kantharalak district of Sisaket province, Thailand, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Cambodia accused Thailand on Friday of intensifying its bombardment of disputed border areas, even as officials from the two countries attend a multi-day meeting aimed at negotiating an end to deadly clashes.

The neighbors' long-standing border conflict reignited this month, shattering an earlier truce and killing more than 40 people, according to official counts. Around a million people have also been displaced.

Cambodian and Thai officials were in their third day of talks at a border checkpoint on Friday, with defense ministers from both countries scheduled to meet on Saturday.

However, Cambodia's defense ministry said Thailand's military carried out a heavy bombardment of disputed border areas in Banteay Meanchey province Friday morning.

"From 6:08 am to 7:15 am, the Thai military deployed F-16 fighter jets to drop as many as 40 bombs, to intensify its bombardment in the area of Chok Chey village," it said in a statement.

Thai media said Friday that Cambodian forces had launched heavy attacks overnight along the border in Sa Kaeo province, where several homes were damaged by shelling.

The two countries blame each other for instigating the fresh fighting, which has spread to nearly every province along their border.

Both countries also claim to have acted in self-defense and accuse the other of attacking civilians.

The United States, China and Malaysia brokered a truce to end five days of deadly clashes in July, but the ceasefire was short-lived.

Earlier Friday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Facebook that he had spoken by phone with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the two discussed "ways to secure a ceasefire along the Cambodia–Thailand border".

The conflict stems from a territorial dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometer (500-mile) frontier and a collection of temple ruins situated there.


Ukraine's Zelensky Says to Meet Trump in 'Near Future'

(FILES) US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 28, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
(FILES) US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 28, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
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Ukraine's Zelensky Says to Meet Trump in 'Near Future'

(FILES) US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 28, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
(FILES) US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 28, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that he would soon meet US leader Donald Trump, as part of efforts to end the Russian invasion.

"We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level –- with President Trump in the near future. A lot can be decided before the New Year," Zelensky said on social media.

The comments came after the latest round of negotiations between US and Ukrainian teams produced a 20-point plan to end the war, which has been sent to Moscow for feedback, said AFP.

The latest plan would freeze the frontline and remove a requirement for Kyiv to legally renounce its bid to join NATO, Zelensky said in a briefing Wednesday.

Moscow has up to now shown little inclination that it would abandon its hardline territorial demands that Ukraine withdraw from the eastern Donbas and relinquish its NATO ambitions.

Moscow has said it was "formulating its position" and declined to comment on the specifics of the latest plan.

On Thursday Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said progress to end the war was "slow but regular."