WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, May 3, 2019 to 0800 GMT, May 4, 2019.

US warning to Turkey: S-400 or F-35

The Acting US Defense Secretary says the Pentagon will halt manufacturing support for the F-35 fighter jets in Turkey if Ankara buys a Russian missile defense system. Patrick Shanahan said the US government remained steadfast in its opposition to Turkey's adoption of Russia’s S-400 anti-aircraft technology. Washington says Turkey's adoption of the Russian missile system alongside US fighter jets would pose a threat to the F-35 and endanger Western defense. Despite threats from Washington, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country is determined to buy the Russian system.

Israeli killings

Israeli warplanes have bombed the Gaza Strip killing at least two Palestinians. Gaza's health ministry says a number of Palestinians have also sustained injuries during the air raid. The Israeli military says its fighter jets hit a target in northern Gaza. Tel Aviv says the attack came in response to alleged shots fired from Gaza. Israel claims two of its soldiers were wounded from the gunfire.

Iran reaction

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has warned Bahrain against the consequences of making controversial remarks about the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The ministry’s spokesman, Abbas Mousavi, stressed that Bahrain must know its limits when making threats against a bigger power. The reaction came after Bahrain’s foreign minister said Tehran would not be allowed to close the strategic waterway for one day. Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa also warned Iran against walking toward the abyss. The United States has pledged to cut Iran’s oil exports to zero. The decision prompted Iran to warn that it will not allow any other country to export oil through the Strait of Hormuz if Tehran cannot sell its crude.

US nuclear policy

The US announces that it will start imposing sanctions on Iranian exports of enriched uranium allowed under the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the JCPOA. Under the nuclear deal, Iran was to sell any enriched uranium above a certain amount on international markets in return for natural uranium. But in a policy change, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US would sanction anyone involved in the trade of natural for enriched uranium. Washington also issued new three-month waivers to allow the continuation of the major parts of the nuclear deal, including transfer of scrap and spent nuclear fuel out of Iran. It also refrained from imposing sanctions over work at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant. The Trump administration pulled out of the JCPOA last May, and instead vowed "maximum pressure" aimed at curbing the regional role of Iran.

North Korea missile ‘launch’

South Korea says the North has launched a short-range missile toward the East Sea. South Korea’s Joint chiefs of staff said the unidentified missile was fired from the town of Wonsan in the eastern part of North Korea. Seoul added that they are analyzing the details of the missile in coordination with the United States. The missile launch comes amid renewed tensions between North Korea and the US after the collapse of their second denuclearization summit in February. Washington has failed to offer Pyongyang any sanctions relief after North Korea suspended its missile and nuclear activities under their vague denuclearization agreement in 2018.

Libya conflict

The World Health Organization says nearly 400 people have been killed since Libya’s renegade General Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive against the capital last month. According to the UN body, nearly 2,000 people have been wounded during the armed conflict. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also expressed concern about the alarming levels of displacement near Tripoli. It said more than 50,000 people have been displaced as a direct result of the intensifying clashes there. Libya plunged into chaos after the overthrow of long-time dictator Muammar Ghaddafi in a Western intervention in 2011. The country has since had two rival administrations, a UN backed unity government in Tripoli and a rival administration based in the eastern city of Tobruk.

Countering US sanctions

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned that the United States is seeking regime change in Iran through its pressure campaign. Rouhani said US sanctions are aimed at pressuring the Iranian nation into yielding to Washington’s excessive demands. He said the US is seeking to bring down the value of the Iranian currency as well as the country's export revenues. Rouhani reiterated that Iran will continue selling its oil and will boost its not-oil exports despite US sanctions. The president called on the nation to remain united to thwart American plots as there is no way but unity and resistance. He said the Islamic Republic will stand firm against such plots and will defeat Washington in its economic war.

Kashmir tensions

Indian authorities have launched a massive crackdown on pro-independence activists in Kashmir. The region’s political leaders have condemned the move, terming it a brazen violation of the fundamental rights of Kashmiris. Press TV’s Syed Ali Safvi has more in the following report.

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