JCPOA revival efforts
A detailed examination of the US response to Iran’s amendments to a European Union draft proposal for the revival of the 2015 deal is ongoing in Tehran at the expert level. According to Iran’s Nour News affiliated with the Supreme National Security Council, the process is expected to last until Friday. Washington gave its response earlier this week. Tehran says it will convey its final thoughts through the EU coordinator after a thorough examination. The deal was thrown into chaos when the US unilaterally withdrew from it in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on Iran. Since last year, Iran and the remaining signatories have held multiple rounds of talks to revive the accord, with the US involved indirectly. Iran has been demanding a strong durable deal, that includes sanctions relief and economic guarantees.
US warships in Taiwan Strait
Two US warships are sailing through the Taiwan Strait in a move likely to raise tensions in the region even further. Three unnamed US officials have confirmed to the media that Navy cruisers Chancellorsville and Antietam are currently in the area. Similar operations have in the past drawn Beijing's anger. This is the first one since tensions escalated earlier this month, over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Several other US delegations have since visited the island. China reacted by launching unprecedented military drills near the island. Taiwan also conducted its own drills. Beijing considers Taiwan as part of its territory. It is strongly critical of the US diplomatic exchanges, as well as arms sales to Taipei. It says Washington is stirring separatist sentiments in Taiwan.
Pakistan deadly floods
Pakistan has been grappling with monsoon flooding that has swept much of the country. Officials say the death toll has surpassed the one-thousand mark since mid-June. The government says 119 people have died in the past 24 hours. It declared an emergency and mobilized the military. Thousands of residents in critical areas have been ordered to evacuate their homes. Pakistan has called for international assistance to cope with the aftermath of the natural disaster. Authorities say this year’s monsoon flooding has affected over 33 million people. And nearly one million homes have been destroyed or badly damaged.