Category: Azer News

Iran and Oman have reached a final agreement on a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement is expected to be announced soon in the presence of the foreign ministers of the Gulf countries.

According to Tasnim news agency, the agreement was reached only between Iran and Oman, while other countries will take part in the meeting only to familiarize themselves with the details of the route and shipping regulations.

It was noted that under the agreement, the entire inbound route through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf lies within Iranian territorial waters, while part of the outbound route also passes through Iranian territorial waters.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, holding significant strategic importance as approximately 20% of global oil supplies and around 25% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports pass through it. Essentially, it serves as an energy artery for countries in Asia, Europe, and even the United States.

The strait separates Iran from Oman, and in some areas, the width of the shipping channel is only two miles on each side. Given its critical role in global energy supply chains, ensuring the safety and security of this vital waterway is paramount for international trade and economic stability.

US military forces have redirected 100 commercial vessels since July, when the United States reimposed its naval blockade of Iran.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced this on the social media platform X.

“In the 60 days since the US reimposed the blockade, CENTCOM forces have redirected 100 commercial vessels,” the statement said.

CENTCOM added that US forces are focused on enforcing the blockade.

The latest escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran began on July 8, when U.S. forces launched several rounds of strikes against targets inside Iran for the first time since Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding. U.S. officials said the attacks were carried out in response to an assault on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Later that day, President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire with Iran had come to an end.

In response, Tehran launched strikes against U.S. facilities across the Middle East. The attacks targeted American facilities in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, further heightening tensions across the region.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said peaceful nuclear facilities must be safeguarded against threats.

“BRICS member states can stand against the normalization of attacks on non-military and critical infrastructure. This also applies to peaceful nuclear facilities. Such facilities must remain protected from attacks and threats of attack. Putting them at risk does not affect only one country and poses a threat to international peace and security,” Pezeshkian stated at a non-plenary meeting of the BRICS leaders held in New Delhi.

The Iranian president noted that Iran supports three processes within BRICS: strengthening political coordination among member states to uphold the UN Charter; developing financial and economic cooperation beyond monopolistic mechanisms; and strengthening cooperation among all members, particularly countries of the Global South, in science, technology, energy and food security.

“The world currently needs greater cooperation. However, sustainable cooperation is impossible without justice,” he emphasized.

According to Pezeshkian, international law must be implemented without discrimination, and the sovereignty of countries must be mutually respected. No country should be exempted from rules that are considered binding for all because of its economic or military power.

He said the UN Security Council and international institutions should reflect the real role of countries of the Global South and the new realities of the world.

The Iranian president added that Iran was ready to cooperate to achieve the goals set within BRICS.

A new Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of diaspora policy has been signed between the State Committee for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities under Trkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Chairman of the State Committee for Diaspora Affairs Fuad Muradov held a number of important meetings during his working visit to Trkiye.

One of the key highlights of the visit was the signing of the memorandum.

The document was signed by Fuad Muradov and Abdulhadi Turus, Chairman of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities.

According to the statement, the memorandum creates new opportunities for regular exchanges of views between the diaspora institutions of the two countries, the implementation of joint events, projects and initiatives, increased mutual support on international platforms, and more effective use of the potential of communities living abroad.

One of the main objectives of the document is to preserve and promote the national and cultural values of compatriots living abroad, support the organization of communities, encourage greater involvement of young people in diaspora activities, and develop state-diaspora relations through modern and effective mechanisms.

The parties expressed confidence that the implementation of the memorandum would further strengthen the institutional foundations of mutual cooperation in the diaspora field, contribute to the sharing of successful practices and development of new initiatives, and help strengthen solidarity among communities living abroad.

It was noted that the first Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in diaspora policy between the State Committee for Diaspora Affairs of Azerbaijan and Trkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities was signed on November 10, 2018. The memorandum established an important legal and institutional framework for developing relations between the diaspora institutions of the two brotherly countries in a more systematic and sustainable manner.

As part of efforts to expand international cooperation and strengthen the exchange of experience in diaspora activities, the State Committee signed memorandums of understanding on cooperation in the diaspora field with relevant government institutions of Romania, Trkiye, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Mexico between 2018 and 2025.

The signed documents are of significant importance for expanding the State Committee’s cooperation with international partners, promoting Azerbaijan’s diaspora policy more systematically at the global level, and more effectively coordinating the capabilities and potential of Azerbaijani communities living abroad.

Saudi Arabia’s key East-West oil pipeline has temporarily suspended operations as a precautionary measure, the Saudi Ministry of Energy’s press service reported.

The ministry also confirmed that a section of the pipeline in the Medina and Riyadh areas was attacked on the morning of September 10.

Several people were injured in the attacks. Emergency teams took safety measures shortly afterward, the ministry said, adding that further details would be provided later.

The East-West pipeline allows Saudi Arabia to export oil that the kingdom cannot transport through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked amid the conflict between Iran and the United States.

With a daily capacity of 7 million barrels, the pipeline plays an important role in transporting Saudi oil from the eastern part of the country to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast.

In August, Houthi forces struck a Saudi Aramco refinery in Jizan, in southwestern Saudi Arabia. A fire broke out at the facility following the attack.

Ukraine is preparing for the next round of peace talks, which is expected to be held in October 2026 in a trilateral format.

According to RBC-Ukraine, Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov stated this on the sidelines of the YES Annual Meeting 2026, organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation.

“We are preparing. For October,” Budanov said in response to journalists’ questions.

He confirmed that the talks would take place in a trilateral format.

Budanov did not specify whether the meeting would be held in the Middle East or reveal a possible venue.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was in a strong position in negotiations on ending the war.

Armenia may increase the rent charged for the Russian military base stationed in the country if Russia raises the price of gas supplied to Armenia, Vilen Gabrielyan, head of the Armenian parliament’s Defense and Security Committee and a member of the ruling Civil Contract party, said in an interview with online outlet Factor.TV.

According to Gabrielyan, revising the financial terms of the base’s presence could become one of the tools available to Yerevan in its relations with Moscow. He noted that Armenia covers a significant share of the costs related to the territory and maintenance of the base.

“If the price of gas is to be increased, we also need to understand what instruments we have in the negotiation process with our partners to contain the increase as much as possible,” Gabrielyan added.

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said there was no need for the Russian military base in Gyumri. He also emphasized that Yerevan would not object if Moscow decided to withdraw its troops from the city.

The 102nd Russian Military Base is Russia’s largest military base outside the country. Located in Gyumri in northern Armenia, it is Russia’s only military base in the South Caucasus and was established in 1995.

Greece recorded the highest number of asylum applications per capita among European Union (EU) countries in the first half of this year.

According to Kathimerini, around 23,000 international protection applications were registered in Greece during the first six months of the year.

Calculations show that this amounts to 2,254 applications per 1 million inhabitants. In other words, there was roughly one asylum application for every 444 residents. The average across EU+ countries was around 710 applications per 1 million people.

Greece’s per-capita application rate was therefore more than three times the European average. The country’s position as one of the main entry points along Mediterranean migration routes is considered one of the key factors behind the high figure.

Greece has for years been one of the main destinations for irregular migration and asylum seekers entering the EU. The continued high level of arrivals has again raised questions about the capacity of reception centers, the processing time for applications, border security and the sharing of responsibility among EU member states.

Representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan will visit Aghdara and Kalbajar on the second day of their trip to Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur.

As part of the visit, the diplomats will tour the Gandzasar Monastery Complex in Vangli village of the Aghdara district. They will also visit the Yukhari Vang Hydroelectric Power Station and the Dadivank Monastery Complex.

According to the program, the delegation will visit the Istisu mineral water bottling plant in Kalbajar and inspect reconstruction work underway in Zar village.

The diplomatic representatives are also scheduled to attend the Honey Festival in Kalbajar city.

At the end of the visit, the delegation will travel toward Goygol through the newly constructed Murovdag Tunnel before returning to Baku.

The representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan are visiting Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur accompanied by Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration.

A total of 150 representatives from 58 countries and nine international organizations are taking part in the visit.

On September 11, the diplomatic representatives visited Khankendi and Shusha. In Khankendi, they first inspected ongoing work at the Khankendi Railway and Bus Station Complex. They then visited the Cultural Center in Khankendi, followed by a visit to the Victory Park, where they took a commemorative photo in front of the Victory Arch. The delegation also visited Karabakh University.

In Shusha, the delegation inspected ongoing reconstruction and restoration projects and visited the First Residential Quarter, the site of the new Shusha Mosque, the Molla Panah Vagif Museum-Mausoleum Complex, Jidir Duzu, Karabakh Street, Sadigjan’s House, the Ashagi Govhar Agha Mosque, Shusha Central Square, the Shusha Creative Center and the Uzeyir Hajibeyli House Museum.

The diplomats also took a commemorative photo in front of the Shusha Fortress walls and attended a reception held in honor of the Independence Day of the United Mexican States.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Miami during the G20 summit.

“Yes, of course. We have to come. We have to meet, talk and make a decision,” Zelensky said in an interview with Deutsche Welle conducted at a Canadian military base in North Bay.

According to the Ukrainian leader, the outcome of such a meeting would be the only thing that matters.

In addition, on September 7, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia could resume. However, no final decision has yet been made on holding another round of such talks.

There is currently no confirmed information on whether Vladimir Putin will attend the summit in the United States. The Russian president last personally attended a G20 summit seven years ago.

The G20 summit is scheduled to take place on December 14-15.