Press TV's news headlines

US 'economic terrorism' 

Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna has downplayed US President Donald Trump's latest threat to wage a full-fledged economic war on Iran. In a social media post, Mikhail Ulyanov said Iran has remained under US sanctions for decades, and has demonstrated its ability to withstand “maximum pressure” during Trump’s first tenure. He added that if Washington wants to achieve some of its goals with regard to Iran, it has chosen the wrong way. Asserting that positive results are possible only through honest diplomacy, Ulyanov noted that the sooner the US understands that, the better. Iran's foreign minister had earlier slammed Trump's announcement of all-out economic war on Iran as a means to divert attention from America's own crisis, including unprecedented debt and surging interest costs. Iran's Foreign Ministry also condemned new US sanctions, describing them as "economic terrorism" and a "crime against humanity." It added that the perpetrators of these sanctions deserve trial and punishment, noting that any country following the UN Charter cannot remain indifferent to this issue.

Gaza humanitarian crisis 

The UN humanitarian office says 94 percent of Gaza’s population needs shelter and basic household supplies, amid Israel’s genocidal war on the Palestinian territory. According to the UN office, more than four out of five families currently face critical or catastrophic living conditions, including lack of fuel, energy and essential household items. It added that nearly two-thirds of families live in tents or makeshift shelters that rapidly deteriorate in harsh weather, as they are designed only for short-term use. The UN office noted that Israeli restrictions continue to impede essential aid deliveries and services in Gaza, from shelter-building to waste collection. It added that the regime continues to block the entry of more structured shelters into Gaza, noting that last winter, more than 70 percent of families experienced flooding. The UN humanitarian office said despite the ceasefire, it continues to receive reports of civilians in Gaza being killed, injured or otherwise affected by airstrikes, shelling and gunfire. It stressed that civilians should never be targeted or used for military purposes.

Israel settlement policy 

France, Italy, Britain and Germany have issued a joint statement, condemning a major Israeli settlement project in the occupied West Bank, which seeks to build more than 1,200 new settler units. The plan, known as the E1 settlement project, was green-lit by Israel last year and will separate the occupied East al-Quds from the rest of the West Bank. The four countries said the international community has long opposed Israeli settlement expansion and has repeatedly expressed concerns over its consequences. They stressed that the project would undermine the geographic contiguity of the Palestinian territory by effectively cutting across the occupied West Bank. The statement said at a time of grave instability in the West Bank, with unprecedented levels of settler violence against Palestinians, this decision is even more concerning. The UN chief had earlier asserted that the E1 project poses an "existential threat" to a contiguous Palestinian state. Last year, 21 countries, including Britain and France, condemned Israeli approval of the E1 project, calling it a violation of international law and urging Israel to reverse the decision.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir