logo
Sheikh Abdullah discusses regional conflict with top diplomats

Sheikh Abdullah discusses regional conflict with top diplomats

Dubai Eye17-06-2025
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held phone calls with numerous counterparts from around the globe, as the Israel-Iran conflict entered its fifth day on Tuesday.
The phone calls were conducted with Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister; Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy; Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey; Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary; and Asaad Al-Shibani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria.
During these discussions, the top diplomats examined the implications of the current situation on the region's security and stability.
The phone conversations also underscored the importance of supporting diplomatic solutions and dialogue in resolving crises in a way that contributes to maintaining regional and international peace and stability.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Most countries have major deficiencies in investigation of terrorism financing, report says
Most countries have major deficiencies in investigation of terrorism financing, report says

The National

timean hour ago

  • The National

Most countries have major deficiencies in investigation of terrorism financing, report says

A majority of countries have significant holes in how they investigate terrorism financing cases, a report has found. The report from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global money laundering watchdog, said that 69 per cent of the 194 countries assessed also had deficiencies in the prosecution of terrorism financing cases. The report is the first published by the task force since 2015. 'Over the past decade, terrorists have demonstrated a persistent ability to exploit the international financial system to support their activities and carry out attacks,' the report said. 'This continued abuse of the financial system poses a serious threat to global security and undermines international peace.' The FATF identifies countries that have weak measures against terrorism financing and money laundering. Those on its 'blacklist' – considered high risk – include North Korea, Iran and Myanmar. Lebanon, Syria and Yemen are part of a list of two dozen countries the FATF has placed under increased monitoring – its 'grey list' – and are working to address their deficiencies. The report said sub-Saharan Africa has become the global epicentre of terrorism, while the impact of terrorism financing-related flows in Syria also require monitoring. While countries have made improvements in transparency, the report said terrorists continue to use formal financial services such as wire transfers and prepaid cards. At the same time, digital payments are becoming more popular, especially if they offer a payment service that can get around 'due diligence'. 'Although the level of abuse of virtual assets (VAs) by terrorists remains difficult to measure precisely, their use is increasing, with some groups systematically leveraging VAs and employing obfuscation techniques and/or shifting towards alternatives VAs promoted as more private and secure,' the report said. Social media and crowdfunding are also becoming ways in which terrorism financing is conducted, with the former allowing for the evasion of regulatory frameworks. 'Crowdfunding, while a legitimate activity, has been exploited by various terrorist groups to raise money for [terrorism financing] purposes,' the report said. Donation-based crowdfunding is the method most likely to be abused within terrorism financing, its added. Armed conflicts, terrorist propaganda and the potential for the diversion of humanitarian aid are among the challenges, according to the report. Food insecurity could also potentially expose vulnerability to exploitation by terrorism. The FATF said countries must protect humanitarian activity, enhance support for counter-terrorist financing efforts in the private sector and expand their outreach to uncovered areas. It also said countries must address the evolving risks through multilateral responses. 'The global nature of [terrorism financing] necessitates concerted international action,' it said.

Iran receives Chinese surface-to-air-missile batteries after Israel ceasefire deal
Iran receives Chinese surface-to-air-missile batteries after Israel ceasefire deal

Middle East Eye

timean hour ago

  • Middle East Eye

Iran receives Chinese surface-to-air-missile batteries after Israel ceasefire deal

Iran has taken possession of Chinese surface-to-air missile batteries as Tehran rapidly moves to rebuild defensives destroyed by Israel during their recent 12-day conflict, sources have told Middle East Eye. The deliveries of Chinese surface-to-air missile batteries occurred after a de-facto truce was struck between Iran and Israel on 24 June, an Arab official familiar with the intelligence told MEE. Another Arab official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive intelligence, said that the US's Arab allies were aware of Tehran's efforts to "back up and reinforce" its air defences and that the White House had been informed of Iran's progress. The officials did not say how many surface-to-air missiles, or SAMs, Iran had received from China since the end of the fighting. However, one of the Arab officials said that Iran was paying for the SAMs with oil shipments. China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, and the US Energy Information Administration suggested in a report in May that nearly 90 percent of Iran's crude and condensate exports flow to Beijing. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters For several years, China has imported record amounts of Iranian oil despite US sanctions, using countries such as Malaysia as a transshipment hub to mask the crude's origin. "The Iranians engage in creative ways of trading," the second Arab official told MEE. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump are expected to discuss Iran and its nuclear programme when they meet on Monday. MEE reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication. Deepening relationship The shipments mark a deepening of Beijing's relationship with Tehran and come as some in the West noted that China and Russia appeared to keep a distance from Iran amid Israel's unprecedented attacks. Israel achieved air superiority over Iran's skies during the conflict, destroying ballistic missile launch pads and assassinating Iranian generals and scientists. Despite this, the government endured the strikes. It was also able to continue firing ballistic missiles at Israel, decimating several sensitive sites in Tel Aviv and Haifa before a ceasefire took hold. By allowing Israel to bomb Iran, Trump is pushing Tehran to go nuclear Read More » In the late 1980s, Iran received HY-2 Silkworm cruise missiles from China via North Korea when it was at war with Iraq. The Islamic Republic used the missiles to attack Kuwait and strike a US-flagged oil tanker during the so-called tanker wars. In 2010, there were reports that Iran received HQ9 anti-aircraft missiles from China. Iran is believed to use Russia's S-300, which is capable of engaging aircraft and UAVs in addition to providing some cruise and ballistic missile defence capability, as well as older Chinese systems and locally produced batteries such as the Khordad series and the Bavar-373. These systems are believed to have a limited ability to shoot down the US F-35 stealth warplane that Israel operates. China already sells its HQ-9 and HQ-16 air defence systems to Pakistan. Egypt is also understood to have China's HQ-9 system, according to reports.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store