Russia launches blockbuster on the front, Hungary gets used to EU's "attack", Iran dismisses accusations of Trump's assassination

The conflict in Ukraine, relations between the European Union (EU) and its member state Hungary, the Security Council's open session on multilateralism, US-China and US-Iran relations... are some of the day's outstanding international events.

An image from a video released by the Russian Defense Ministry shows an Air Force Su-34 bomber dropping a guided FAB-3000 bomb during an airstrike in Ukraine. (Source: Russian Defense Ministry)

Europe

* Russia-Ukraine conflict: The Russian Defense Ministry reported the first use of the 3-ton FAB-3000 super bomb in the war zone with Ukraine on July 14. Accordingly, the Su-34 fighter bomber used this bomb to accurately attack the temporary deployment point of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

On the Ukrainian side, on July 16, the Commander-in-Chief of the country's armed forces released footage of the military conducting an ATACMS ballistic missile attack on Russia's S-300 air defense system in the Donetsk region.

Ukrainian missile launchers used at least four M39 cluster ballistic missiles to attack the firing positions of Russian air defense gunners located on the outskirts of Mariupol. (The Eurasian Times, Militarnyi)

* Russia is trying to prevent a devastating global conflict, according to Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev on July 17.

Mr. Medvedev affirmed: "In any case, Russia will act in accordance with the United Nations Charter and other important documents, as well as in accordance with widely accepted norms of international law. If it can prevent a global catastrophe, Russia will try to do so."

The Russian official also noted that Moscow has moral and legal grounds to respond proportionately or asymmetrically to any direct threat to its security and sovereignty. (TASS)

* Belarus is committed to practical cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and looks forward to "a very deep and practical interaction" with the organization, Deputy Foreign Minister Yury Ambrazevich said on July 17.

Emphasizing the prospect of Belarus becoming a member of the SCO, Ambrazevich assessed that this is not only a political structure that expands influence and membership to the European continent, but also includes a whole network of very practical formats for interaction. (Sputnik)

* Belgium and Ukraine have signed a reconstruction deal , with Brussels investing 150 million euros over four years in Kiev and allowing the Belgian Cooperation Agency Enabel to carry out its activities in the Eastern European country mired in conflict with Russia.

Operations will take place mainly in the capital Kiev and the Chernihiv region in northern Ukraine, focusing on rebuilding critical infrastructure and providing underground shelters in schools.

The first tranche of 20 million euros will be allocated to restore energy facilities in Kiev and the surrounding area, especially hospitals, before the coming winter. The aim is to build decentralized and sustainable energy systems, thereby ensuring services and care in hospitals. (Pravda)

* Hungary is too familiar with the boycott of the European Union (EU): On July 17, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called on the EU to reopen communication channels with Russia while maintaining contact with Ukraine under the peace initiative proposed by Prime Minister of the Central European country Viktor Orban.

According to Mr. Szijjarto, most European politicians "gave up" immediately after Prime Minister Orban raised the initiative, emphasizing that, despite the EU's threats of boycott, non-negotiation and abandonment of Hungary, attacks of this kind did not discourage Budapest in its peace mission in Ukraine.

"Budapest has become accustomed to such attacks since Prime Minister Orban came to power in 2010," said Hungary's foreign minister. (RT)

* The French President accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on July 16, in the context that France is still deadlocked in forming a new government after the recent National Assembly (Lower House) election and the country is busy preparing to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The French President made the decision at a Cabinet meeting, but he asked Mr. Attal to temporarily assume the job of prime minister until a new government is formed. (AFP)

Asia-Pacific

* South Korea prepares for future conflicts: South Korea's defense ministry and science ministry held their first policy consultation meeting on July 17 to better prepare for future conflicts, as the country seeks to build a smarter and leaner military.

During the meeting, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and Science Minister Lee Jong-ho identified 10 common goals to promote science and defense technology, and also mentioned verifying the feasibility of sharing sixth-generation (6G) spectrum between civilian and military sectors. (Yonhap)

* China has suspended consultations with the United States on arms control and nuclear non-proliferation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on July 17.

Beijing said that despite strong protests, Washington continued to sell arms to Taiwan (China) and "took a number of actions that seriously violated China's fundamental interests and destroyed bilateral political trust".

"The responsibility for the current situation lies with the US," Lam asserted. (Sputnik)

* A Thai court has set a date for a ruling on whether to dissolve the main opposition March Forward Party (MFP) over its pledge to reform the lese majeste law on August 7. (AFP)

* India will receive two stealth destroyers from Russia after several delays due to Covid-19, the conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions.

The first Tushil is ready for acceptance by the Indian Navy and will be handed over in early September, an Indian defense official said. The commissioning team arrived in Russia earlier this month. The second Tamal is expected to be delivered in February 2025. (IAS GYAN)

* Bangladesh has closed all high schools , universities and Islamic seminaries across the country from July 16 until further notice, after six students were killed in protests that prompted authorities to call in paramilitary forces to maintain order.

Protests in Bangladesh over the country’s civil service recruitment policy have escalated into violence on July 16, with protesters and pro-government student groups attacking each other.

In light of developments in Bangladesh, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the country's government to protect protesters from any threats or violence. (DW)

Middle East-Africa

* Iran has denied allegations of involvement in the assassination of Donald Trump , calling it “dangerous” by the US media to suggest Tehran plotted to kill the former US President.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said the country “categorically denies any involvement in the recent attack on Mr. Trump.”

Meanwhile, Iran's mission to the United Nations called the earlier allegations of a plot to assassinate the former US president "baseless and malicious." (AFP)

* Attack on Shi'ite mosque in Oman: On July 16, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the attack on a Shi'ite mosque in Oman the day before, killing at least 9 people, including 3 terrorists.

IS released a video of the attack on its Telegram page, saying that the incident injured more than 30 Shi'ite Muslims and killed five members of the Omani security forces, including a police officer.

The US Embassy in Oman said it was monitoring reports of the incident. (Reuters)

* Israel will replace the temporary US dock in Gaza with a dedicated facility in the southern Israeli port of Ashdod, Defense Minister Yoav Galant said, without specifying when the dock would begin operations.

The Israeli Defense Minister announced the decision after a meeting with General Erik Kurilla, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Mr. Galant also directed the military to set up a field hospital in Israel to treat Palestinian children who cannot leave Gaza for medical care abroad. (Times of Israel)

* Iran is ready to resume nuclear talks with the United States , while seeking to strengthen relations with China, Russia and neighboring countries, according to Iran's acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani on July 16.

In an interview with Newsweek during a visit to New York, Mr. Kani stated: "Iran welcomes the resumption of negotiations with the United States to restore the participation of both sides in the nuclear deal."

America

* The UN Security Council's open debate on multilateral cooperation for the sake of creating a more just and sustainable world order took place on July 16 in New York, USA.

At the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow is ready to seek a balance of interests to resolve the current crisis in Ukraine, emphasizing the need to take into account new geostrategic realities on the Eurasian continent.

Meanwhile, Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Yury Ambrazevich said that at the session, the country "shared its assessments of the role of multilateralism in the modern world, or more precisely, of its collapse."

According to him, Belarus is working with those who are considered to be able to visit Minsk in the near future on the topics of Eurasian security and sustainable development, as this is a good support in the context of promoting the interests of this Eastern European country, especially on a multilateral platform.

On Iran's side, Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani said that the foreign policy of the new administration in the country will emphasize supporting initiatives to promote multilateralism in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, which is the diplomatic stance of Iranian President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to him, Iran will focus on opening new horizons for cooperation, expanding friendly relations with other governments “based on dialogue, cooperation, equality and mutual respect.” (Sputnik, IRNA)

* The US has indicted former CIA expert Sue Mi Terry, who is accused of working for the South Korean government. According to the indictment, the senior researcher at the US Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) was treated to expensive dinners and received designer handbags as gifts in exchange for working for Seoul.

In the indictment, Sue Mi Terry, a Korean immigrant, worked at the CIA from 2001 to 2008, and then acted as a representative of the South Korean government from June 2013. However, Sue Mi Terry's lawyer denied the allegations. (Reuters)

* The US-Israel Strategic Advisory Group meeting , including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, Minister of Strategy Ron Dermer and a high-level interagency delegation from Israel.

The meeting focused on countering Iranian threats to Israel and the region. The US reaffirmed its commitment to Israel's security and announced its support for a diplomatic solution that would allow Israeli and Lebanese families to return safely to their homes.

The two sides also discussed developments in Gaza and progress toward a ceasefire and hostage release. Israel said it fully supports the agreement President Biden has made. (Times of Israel)
US President Joe Biden considers proposal to reform US Supreme Court

* Former US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez , a Democrat, was convicted of 16 counts, ranging from accepting bribes in exchange for political influence to acting as a foreign agent for Egypt and a host of other crimes.

Mr. Menendez now faces decades in prison. (NBC News)

* The Colombian government suspended the ceasefire with the EMC armed group , except for three small groups: Gentil Duarte, Jorge Suárez Briceño, and Raúl Reyes, whose ceasefire will be extended until October 15.

According to Colombian Defense Minister Ivan Velásquez, the government of this country ended the ceasefire with the EMC because some rebel groups of this force have violated the ceasefire in recent months with terrorist acts targeting government soldiers and civilians.

Along with the above announcement, the Colombian Ministry of Defense instructed military units to quickly deploy operations to attack EMC. (Reuters)

* Kenya is deploying 200 more police to Haiti , joining a UN-backed mission trying to quell rampant gang violence in the troubled Caribbean nation.

In June, Kenya sent about 400 officers to Haiti's violence-torn capital Port-au-Prince. (AP)

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