Australian PM Terms China Laser Incident 'Intimidation'

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during the opening of Raytheon Australia's Center for Joint Integration in Adelaide, Australia, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo)

Asharq Al Awsat

07:37-20 February 2022 AD ـ 18 Rajab 1443 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

07:37-20 February 2022 AD ـ 18 Rajab 1443 AH

Australian PM Terms China Laser Incident 'Intimidation'

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during the opening of Raytheon Australia's Center for Joint Integration in Adelaide, Australia, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo)

Australia's prime minister accused China of an "act of intimidation" on Sunday after Canberra said a Chinese naval vessel shone a laser at one of the country's defense aircraft.

The ship was one of two Chinese navy vessels sailing through waters off Australia's northern coast on Thursday when it illuminated a surveillance aircraft in an incident that had "the potential to endanger lives," the defense department said.

"I can see it no other way than an act of intimidation," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, terming the act "unwarranted and unprovoked".

Australia's Defense Minister Peter Dutton echoed his concerns, saying it was "a very aggressive act", reported AFP.

"I think the Chinese government is hoping that nobody talks about these aggressive bullying acts," Dutton told Sky News on Sunday.

According to the defense ministry, the ships were sailing east through the Arafura Sea, just north of Australia.

The Chinese government has not responded to the allegations from Australia.

China last faced accusations of targeting Australian aircraft using military-grade lasers in 2019, when Australian Defense Force helicopters were illuminated over the South China Sea.

Energy Secretary: US to Stop Iran's Nuclear Ambitions 'One Way or the Other'

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright speaks during a press conference after a meeting with Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas on February 11, 2026. (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP)

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11:05-18 February 2026 AD ـ 01 Ramadan 1447 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

11:05-18 February 2026 AD ـ 01 Ramadan 1447 AH

Energy Secretary: US to Stop Iran's Nuclear Ambitions 'One Way or the Other'

The United States will deter Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons "one way or the other", US Energy Secretary Chris Wright warned on Wednesday.

"They've been very clear about what they would do with nuclear weapons. It's entirely unacceptable," Wright told reporters in Paris on the sidelines of meetings of the International Energy Agency.

"So one way or the other, we are going to end, deter Iran's march towards a nuclear weapon," Wright said.

US and Iranian officials held talks in Geneva on Tuesday aimed at averting the possibility of US military intervention to curb Tehran's nuclear program.

Iran said following the talks that they had agreed on "guiding principles" for a deal to avoid conflict.

US Vice President JD Vance, however, said Tehran had not yet acknowledged all of Washington's red lines.

World

Iran, Russia to Conduct Joint Drills in the Sea of Oman

This handout photo released by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)'s official website Sepanews on February 17, 2026, shows boats maneuvering around a tanker vessel during a military exercise by members of the IRGC and navy in the Strait of Hormuz. (Sepahnews / AFP)

10:57-18 February 2026 AD ـ 01 Ramadan 1447 AH

Iran, Russia to Conduct Joint Drills in the Sea of Oman

Iran and Russia will conduct naval maneuvers in the Sea of Oman on Thursday, following the latest round of talks between Tehran and Washington in Geneva, Iranian media reported.

On Monday, the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of Iran's military, also launched exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a challenge to US naval forces deployed in the region.

"The joint naval exercise of Iran and Russia will take place tomorrow (Thursday) in the Sea of Oman and in the northern Indian Ocean," the ISNA agency reported, citing drill spokesman, Rear Admiral Hassan Maghsoudloo.

"The aim is to strengthen maritime security and to deepen relations between the navies of the two countries," he said, without specifying the duration of the drill.

The war games come as Iran struck an upbeat tone following the second round of Oman-mediated negotiations in Geneva on Tuesday.

Previous talks between the two foes collapsed following the unprecedented Israeli strike on Iran in June 2025, which sparked a 12-day war that the United States briefly joined.

US President Donald Trump has deployed a significant naval force in the region, which he has described as an "armada."

Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, particularly during periods of tension with the United States, but it has never been closed.

A key passageway for global shipments of oil and liquefied natural gas, the Strait of Hormuz has been the scene of several incidents in the past and has returned to the spotlight as pressure has ratcheted amid the US-Iran talks.

Iran announced on Tuesday that it would partially close it for a few hours for "security" reasons during its own drills in the strait.

World

First European Flight Lands in Venezuela Since Maduro’s Ouster

A man holds up a Venezuelan flag while taking part in a march calling for amnesty for political prisoners and to mark Youth Day, in Caracas, Venezuela, February 12, 2026. (Reuters)

10:40-18 February 2026 AD ـ 01 Ramadan 1447 AH

First European Flight Lands in Venezuela Since Maduro’s Ouster

A man holds up a Venezuelan flag while taking part in a march calling for amnesty for political prisoners and to mark Youth Day, in Caracas, Venezuela, February 12, 2026. (Reuters)

A plane from Spain's Air Europa landed in Venezuela Tuesday, according to a flight tracking monitor, the first European commercial flight to arrive in the country since the United States toppled president Nicolas Maduro.

A slew of international carriers stopped flying to Venezuela after the United States warned of possible military activity there in late November -- a prelude to its surprise attack on January 3.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner landed at Simon Bolivar International Airport, which serves the Venezuelan capital Caracas, at 9:00 pm (0100 GMT).

Since US forces raided Venezuela and captured Maduro, US President Donald Trump has struck a cooperative relationship with interim president Delcy Rodriguez.

Late last month he called for flights to resume to the country.

Spanish airline Iberia is evaluating security guarantees before announcing a return, according to the Spanish press.

Portugal's TAP has said it will resume flights. Colombian airline Avianca and Panama's Copa have already restarted operations.

Hoping to prompt US flights, the Trump administration has lifted a 2019 ban on US airlines flying to the country.

Australian PM Terms China Laser Incident 'Intimidation'

Australian PM Terms China Laser Incident 'Intimidation'

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Energy Secretary: US to Stop Iran's Nuclear Ambitions 'One Way or the Other'

Energy Secretary: US to Stop Iran's Nuclear Ambitions 'One Way or the Other'

Iran, Russia to Conduct Joint Drills in the Sea of Oman

Iran, Russia to Conduct Joint Drills in the Sea of Oman

First European Flight Lands in Venezuela Since Maduro’s Ouster

First European Flight Lands in Venezuela Since Maduro’s Ouster

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