IRAN: Tehran does not want war with Israel or the United States but is ready to fight back if attacked again, the Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said today.

Speaking on arrival in Beirut, Mr Aragchi told reporters that Iran was also ready for negotiations with the US over its nuclear programme as long as the talks are based on mutual respect, rather than “dictation” by Washington.

Many fear that the US and Israel will take renewed military action against Iran again, following their attacks on the country last June.

FRANCE: Dozens of angry farmers demonstrated today in front of the National Assembly after driving about a hundred tractors into Paris in protest at the European Union’s intention to move forward with a free trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The protesters said that plans that would hurt farmers’ livelihoods and accuse the French government of not showing strong enough opposition to the deal.

LEBANON: The military said today it had concluded the first phase of a plan to fully deploy across southern Lebanon and disarm non-state groups, notably Hezbollah.

Israel said the development was encouraging but “far from sufficient” and its Foreign Ministry said Hezbollah still had dozens of compounds and other infrastructure.

UNITED STATES: The United States Senate has passed a resolution demanding an end to US hostilities against Venezuela by a vote of 52-47. This comes after President Donald Trump ordered a weekend raid against Venezuela and kidnapped the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro.

All Democrats voted for the measure, as did Republicans Rand Paul, Todd Young, Lisa Murkowski, Josh Hawley and Susan Collins.