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Libyan Foreign Minister in Iran to Expand Ties

Iranian FM Hossein Amirabdollahian meets with his Libyan counterpart, Najla Mangoush, in Tehran on Tuesday (Iranian Foreign Ministry)
Iranian FM Hossein Amirabdollahian meets with his Libyan counterpart, Najla Mangoush, in Tehran on Tuesday (Iranian Foreign Ministry)
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Libyan Foreign Minister in Iran to Expand Ties

Iranian FM Hossein Amirabdollahian meets with his Libyan counterpart, Najla Mangoush, in Tehran on Tuesday (Iranian Foreign Ministry)
Iranian FM Hossein Amirabdollahian meets with his Libyan counterpart, Najla Mangoush, in Tehran on Tuesday (Iranian Foreign Ministry)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian expressed Tuesday to his Libyan counterpart, Najla Mangoush, Tehran’s readiness to expand relations with Libya, and help in the reconstruction of the country, Iranian news agencies reported.

The two ministers met in the Iranian capital to discuss and exchange views on issues of mutual interest.

This is the first visit of a Libyan foreign minister to Iran in 17 years, which came at the official invitation of Amir Abdollahian.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed the establishment of a Joint High Commission, the formation of a political consultation committee, the strengthening of economic and trade ties, scientific and technological collaboration, as well as organizing special exhibitions.

While expressing his satisfaction with the establishment of security and stability in Libya, the Iranian Foreign Minister expressed Tehran’s readiness to expand relations with the friendly country, Libya, and help in the reconstruction of the country, according to a statement issued by the ministry.

Abdollahian further touched upon the actual status of women in Iran and criticized the West’s double standards and politicization of women's rights, the Ministry said, in an implicit reference to the feminist movement and the protests that shook Iran after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini who was detained by Iran's so-called morality police.

Mangoush’ visit to Iran comes after the elevation of Libya's diplomatic mission in Tehran to ambassadorial status, the reopening of Iran's embassy in Tripoli and the resumption of shipping services between the two countries.

Last week, Iranian news agencies said the first Iranian ship docked at Libya's Misrata Port, nearly ten years after the last Iranian ship left the Libyan ports.

The head of Iran's diplomatic delegation in the North African country, Einollah Souri, told the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), that the Iranian embassy in Libya is ready to provide consular services.

“Given the closure of the Iranian embassy in Libya over the past years, we are currently preparing and organizing its building. Fortunately, the embassy is ready to accept clients,” Souri said.

He added that meetings are held with officials of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

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Taiwan Demonstrates Sea Defenses against Potential Chinese Attack as Tensions Rise with Beijing

A Taiwan navy Tuo Chiang-class corvette(rear) and Kuang Hua VI-class missile boat (front) maneuver during a drill in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 09 January 2025. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO
A Taiwan navy Tuo Chiang-class corvette(rear) and Kuang Hua VI-class missile boat (front) maneuver during a drill in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 09 January 2025. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO
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Taiwan Demonstrates Sea Defenses against Potential Chinese Attack as Tensions Rise with Beijing

A Taiwan navy Tuo Chiang-class corvette(rear) and Kuang Hua VI-class missile boat (front) maneuver during a drill in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 09 January 2025. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO
A Taiwan navy Tuo Chiang-class corvette(rear) and Kuang Hua VI-class missile boat (front) maneuver during a drill in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 09 January 2025. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO

Taiwan on Thursday demonstrated its sea defenses against a potential Chinese attack as tensions rise with Beijing, part of a multitiered strategy to deter an invasion from the mainland.
The island’s navy highlighted its Kuang Hua VI fast attack missile boats and Tuo Chiang-class corvettes in waters near Taiwan’s largest port of Kaohsiung, a major hub for international trade considered key to resupplying Chinese forces should they establish a beachhead on the island.
The Kuang Hua VI boats, with a crew of 19, carry indigenously developed Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missiles and displayed their ability to take to the sea in an emergency to intercept enemy ships about to cross the 44-kilometer (24-nautical mile) limit of Taiwan’s contiguous zone, within which governments are permitted to take defensive action.
China routinely sends ships and planes to challenge Taiwan’s willingness and ability to counter intruders, prompting Taiwan to scramble jets, activate missile systems and dispatch warships. Taiwan demanded on Wednesday that China end its ongoing military activity in nearby waters, which it said is undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and disrupting international shipping and trade.
Mountainous Taiwan's strategy is to counter the much larger Chinese military with a relatively flexible defense that can prevent Chinese troops from crossing the strait. Landing sites are few on Taiwan's west coast facing China, forcing Beijing to focus on the east coast.
Hsiao Shun-ming, captain of a Tuo Chiang-class corvette, said his ship’s relatively small size still allows it to “deliver a formidable competitive power” against larger Chinese ships. The Tuo Chiang has a catamaran design and boasts high speeds and considerable stealth ability.
Taiwan has in recent years reinvigorated its domestic defense industry, although it still relies heavily on US technology such as upgraded fighter jets, missiles, tanks and detection equipment. US law requires it to consider threats to the island as matters of “grave concern,” and American and allied forces are expected to be a major factor in any conflict.
Thursday's exercise “demonstrates the effectiveness of asymmetric warfare, and Taiwan’s commitment to defense self-reliance,” said Chen Ming-feng, rear admiral and commander of the navy’s 192 Fleet specializing in mine detection. “We are always ready to respond quickly and can handle any kind of maritime situation.”
China's authoritarian one-party Communist government has refused almost all communication with Taiwan's pro-independence governments since 2016, and some in Washington and elsewhere say Beijing is growing closer to taking military action.
China considers Taiwan a part of its territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary, while most Taiwanese favor their de facto independence and democratic status.