Iran Thanks Türkiye for Assistance in Opening an Interests Section in Albania

An Albanian policeman in front of the Iranian embassy in Tirana last September. (AFP)
An Albanian policeman in front of the Iranian embassy in Tirana last September. (AFP)
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Iran Thanks Türkiye for Assistance in Opening an Interests Section in Albania

An Albanian policeman in front of the Iranian embassy in Tirana last September. (AFP)
An Albanian policeman in front of the Iranian embassy in Tirana last September. (AFP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian announced that Tehran has agreed to open an interests section through Türkiye in Albania, six months after severing diplomatic relations with Tirana.

During a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, Amirabdollahian said the Foreign Ministry would open a section of Iranian interests in Albania, thanking Ankara for its assistance regard.

Last September, the Albanian government expelled the Iranian embassy staff from the country over a major cyberattack that the government blamed on Iran. It is the first known case of a country cutting diplomatic relations over a cyberattack.

Relations between Tehran and Tirana had been strained in recent years after the Balkan country agreed to receive 3,000 members of the People's Mojahedin Organization, the Iranian opposition group in exile, at the request of the US and the UN in 2013.

In July, the Mojahedin postponed the "Free Iran World Summit" global conference in Albania that was dedicated to advocating regime change, due to security threats, upon recommendations by the Albanian government.

Before canceling the conference, the US embassy in Tirana separately warned of a "potential threat" targeting the summit and warned its citizens in Albania to avoid the event and keep a low profile.



Truck Carrying Lithium Batteries Sparks Fire, Snarls Operations at Los Angeles Port

The sun sets behind high tension power lines, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The sun sets behind high tension power lines, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Truck Carrying Lithium Batteries Sparks Fire, Snarls Operations at Los Angeles Port

The sun sets behind high tension power lines, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The sun sets behind high tension power lines, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

A Southern California bridge critical for getting goods to and from the Port of Los Angeles remained closed to traffic Friday after a big rig carrying lithium batteries overturned and sparked a fire.
The crash occurred before noon Thursday in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles, TV station KTLA-5 reported. No injuries were reported, The Associated Press reported.
Officials said the Vincent Thomas Bridge could stay closed into Saturday as they monitor the fire. Several terminals at the Port of Los Angeles were closed Friday.
Firefighters decided to let the fire burn itself out because water "could be dangerous to the environment and actually water would not be effective,” Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Adam Van Gerpen said.