Israel FM Tells French, British Counterparts He Expects Allies to Attack Iran if it Strikes

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting at National Convention Center, in Vientiane, Laos, July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting at National Convention Center, in Vientiane, Laos, July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Israel FM Tells French, British Counterparts He Expects Allies to Attack Iran if it Strikes

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting at National Convention Center, in Vientiane, Laos, July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting at National Convention Center, in Vientiane, Laos, July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told his French and British counterparts Friday that his country expects support "in attacking" Iran if it strikes Israel.

"If Iran attacks, we expect the coalition to join Israel not only in defense but also in attacking significant targets in Iran," Katz told his French and UK counterparts during their visit to Israel.

The visit by Britain's David Lammy and France's Stephane Sejourne to Israel comes as a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks was underway in Doha, an effort to end 10 months of fighting in the Palestinian enclave and bring 115 Israeli and foreign hostages home.

The talks came as Iran appeared on the point of retaliating against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.

"This is a dangerous moment for the Middle East," Lammy said in a statement. "The risk of the situation spiralling out of control is rising. Any Iranian attack would have devastating consequences for the region."

Britain and France are calling for a diplomatic solution to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and restore peace along the Israeli-Lebanese border, the British foreign ministry said.

"It's never too late for peace. We must at all costs avoid a regional war, which would have terrible consequences," French foreign minister Sejourne said in a statement.

The visit by the duo marks the first UK-France joint visit to Israel in more than 10 years.



EU Announces a Further $2.3 Million in Humanitarian Aid for Cuba

FILE - An ice cream street vendor shows his Cuban pesos in Havana, Cuba, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Ley, File)
FILE - An ice cream street vendor shows his Cuban pesos in Havana, Cuba, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Ley, File)
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EU Announces a Further $2.3 Million in Humanitarian Aid for Cuba

FILE - An ice cream street vendor shows his Cuban pesos in Havana, Cuba, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Ley, File)
FILE - An ice cream street vendor shows his Cuban pesos in Havana, Cuba, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Ley, File)

The European Commission has released a further 2 million euros ($2.3 million) in aid for Cuba, it said on Wednesday, to tackle what it described as worsening humanitarian conditions in the country.

The US cut off Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba after toppling Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3.

This has resulted in an energy crisis in Cuba and blackouts across ⁠the country, whose ⁠population stands at 10 million. Cuban health officials say the crisis has increased the mortality risk for Cuban cancer patients, especially children.

"The EU stands with the people of Cuba in ⁠their hour of need. After Hurricane Melissa, we were there. And today, we are stepping up again with €2 million in humanitarian aid to help deliver food and safe drinking water to those who need it most. In a country facing an energy crisis and growing shortages, this support will help keep life-saving aid flowing ⁠to ⁠up to two million people in need," Reuters quoted Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, as saying in a statement.

On March 31, a Russian-flagged tanker carrying some 700,000 barrels of crude docked in Cuba's Matanzas oil terminal, shipping data showed, marking the first significant oil delivery to the island since US President Donald Trump's administration cut off its fuel supply.


Pakistan Says Holding Talks with Afghan Govt in China

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, poses for photos with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, poses for photos with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Xinhua via AP)
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Pakistan Says Holding Talks with Afghan Govt in China

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, poses for photos with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, poses for photos with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Xinhua via AP)

Pakistan and Afghanistan are holding talks in China to end months of conflict, two officials from Islamabad told AFP on Wednesday.

The meeting in the northwestern city of Urumqi comes after Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, travelled to Beijing on Tuesday to meet his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

The pair discussed Islamabad's role in trying to get the United States and Iran to the negotiating table, and set out a joint five-point plan for an end to the conflict.

Dar had been due to return to Islamabad on Wednesday.

China has sought to mediate in the escalating conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Pakistan says it is targeting extremists who have carried out cross-border attacks, but authorities in Kabul deny harboring militants.

There was no immediate comment from Pakistan's foreign ministry and military when contacted by AFP, or from the Afghan government.

But a senior Pakistani security official said: "A delegation led by an official from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in Urumqi to hold talks with the Afghan Taliban

"The meeting is taking place at the request of our Chinese friends."

A second senior government official also confirmed the talks, adding: "The meeting is to set a base for full-scale dialogue."

The first official said Pakistan's demands from Afghanistan "remain unchanged", urging Kabul to "take verifiable action" against extremists and "end any support for the group".

It also wants to "ensure that Afghan territory is not used as a base for launching attacks against Pakistan".


Trump Says US Strongly Considering NATO Exit

FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump signs documents at the White House in Washington, US, January 20, 2025.  REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump signs documents at the White House in Washington, US, January 20, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
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Trump Says US Strongly Considering NATO Exit

FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump signs documents at the White House in Washington, US, January 20, 2025.  REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump signs documents at the White House in Washington, US, January 20, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

President Donald Trump said he was strongly considering pulling the United States out of NATO after allies failed to back US military action against Iran, according to an interview with Britain's Daily ⁠Telegraph.

Trump described the ⁠alliance as a "paper tiger" and said removing the United States from the defense pact was ⁠now "beyond reconsideration," the newspaper reported. He said he had long held doubts about NATO's credibility.

"Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration," Trump told the newspaper when asked about whether he would reconsider US ⁠membership ⁠of the alliance after the conflict.

"I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin knows that too, by the way."

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday other countries needed to "be prepared to stand up" and help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, echoing criticism from Trump, who has singled out NATO members Britain and France.

Rubio told Fox News Washington would not overlook the lack of assistance from other NATO members. "After this conflict is concluded, we ⁠are going to have to reexamine ⁠that relationship," he said.