Iran Navy seizes US oil tanker, Germany criticizes China's activities in the East Sea, Russian and Turkish presidents are about to have a phone call...

Consecutive explosions in Kabul, Afghanistan, US disagreement with Israel over Gaza plan “after Hamas”, Hezbollah may attack inside the US, Israel foils terrorist plot related to IS… are some notable international news in the past 24 hours.

A Tomahawk cruise missile is launched from the US destroyer USS Barry in the Mediterranean Sea. (Source: AFP/VNA)

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.

Middle East-Africa

*Iranian Navy seizes US oil tanker: Iranian media reported on January 11 that the country's Navy had seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, following a "court order." According to IRNA news agency, the seized ship was an Iraqi crude oil tanker destined for Turkey.

However, according to Reuters, the oil tanker seized by Iran was identified as the ship formerly named Suez Rajan, which was at the center of a dispute between the US and Iran after the ship was seized by US authorities in 2023 on suspicion of transporting sanctioned Iranian oil to China.

Iranian state media claimed the same day that the tanker had been “stolen and renamed by the US,” while tracking data later showed the ship was likely headed to Iran. (IRNA)

*Iran arrests 35 people in connection with deadly bombing in Kerman: Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on January 11 that authorities had arrested 35 suspects in connection with the January 3 bombing in Kerman province that killed 94 people.

Tasnim quoted an announcement from Iran's Interior Ministry saying that so far only one of the two suspects who carried out the suicide bombing has been identified, a Tajik citizen who illegally entered Iran on December 19.

A terrorist bombing in Kerman, southeastern Iran, occurred at a memorial service for General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike on January 3, 2020. The self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) organization has claimed responsibility for the bombing. (Tasnim)

*US hopes to ease Lebanon-Israel tensions through diplomacy : US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein on January 11 expressed hope to ease tensions on the border between Lebanon and Israel through diplomatic means, in the context of a three-month conflict between the Israeli army and the armed group Hezbollah.

“I hope we can continue to make efforts to reach a solution together that allows all people in Lebanon and Israel to live in a secure environment and return to a better future,” Hochstein told reporters after meeting Lebanese officials. (Reuters)

*Consecutive explosions in Kabul, Afghanistan: On January 11, an explosion occurred in the western part of Kabul, Afghanistan, killing 2 people and injuring 12 others. This is the third explosion in this city in less than a week.

Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said a grenade exploded outside a shopping mall in the Dasht-e-Barchi area, "initial information suggests that two people were killed and 12 others were injured". (AFP)

*US disagrees with Israel on “post-Hamas” Gaza plan: According to the Jerusalem Post on January 11, Israel's War Cabinet met on the evening of January 10 to discuss the plan to manage the Gaza Strip in the “post-Hamas” period, right after the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the same day.

Accordingly, Israel and the US have agreed in principle that the Hamas Islamist movement will not be able to continue to manage the Gaza Strip. However, the Israeli Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, maintains its opposition to the formation of a unified Palestinian state, and the Israeli army will take control of security in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State stressed the need for a Palestinian state to govern Gaza after Hamas is overthrown as well as to sustain the regional peace process, including establishing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. (Jerusalem Post)

*Israel foils terrorist plot involving IS: Israeli police and the Internal Security Agency announced on January 11 that they had just arrested two people believed to be linked to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) organization, who were plotting terrorist attacks against Israeli security forces.

The two suspects, aged 21 and 23, from the Jabel Mukaber area of East Jerusalem, were in the process of making explosives based on videos released by IS online. Both are in police custody for further investigation. (AFP)

Asia-Pacific

*South Korea worries that North Korea may sell new missiles to Russia: Yonhap news agency on January 10 quoted South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik as saying that North Korea may be ready to provide a new type of missile to Russia and may conduct further weapons tests to escalate tensions ahead of elections in South Korea and the United States.

“North Korea needs money and is actively selling new weapons that Russia wants,” Minister Shin Won-sik said. According to Shin, North Korea could sell at least some of the missiles – previously announced for deployment to frontline troops – to Russia amid recent suspicions of selling short-range ballistic missiles.

In addition, Mr. Shin said North Korea could also test a solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile as early as January and launch a long-range missile to further escalate tensions ahead of important elections in South Korea in April and the United States in November . (Yonhap)

*Germany criticizes China's activities in the East Sea: Speaking during a visit to the Philippines on January 11, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized the activities of the Chinese coast guard in the East Sea, including the use of lasers and water cannons, noting that these actions also raised concerns in Europe.

Tensions have flared between China and the Philippines in recent months as both sides have accused each other of several collisions in the waterway, including an alleged Chinese ship ramming a vessel carrying the Philippine armed forces chief of staff last month.

In a joint press conference with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, Ms. Baerbock stated: “Such dangerous actions violate the rights and economic development opportunities of your country and other neighboring countries… For countries around the world, they question the freedom guaranteed under international law on sea lanes in the region, through which one-third of the global trade volume is transported by sea.”

Ms. Baerbock arrived in Manila for a two-day official visit, marking the first time a German foreign minister has visited the Philippines in more than a decade, as the two countries celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations. (Strait Times)

*Papua New Guinea declares state of emergency: On January 11, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape declared a 14-day state of emergency in the capital Port Moresby, after riots occurred on January 10 in two cities that killed 15 people. Prime Minister Marape declared that more than 1,000 soldiers were ready to "storm wherever necessary" under the emergency decree.

A surge in violent crime in Papua New Guinea in 2023 has put further pressure on the country's police force. However, recent reports that the government's imposition of additional taxes has led to a drop in police salaries led to protests on January 10. In this regard, Prime Minister Marape affirmed that the administrative errors that led to the reduction in police salaries will be quickly resolved. (AFP)

Europe

*Russian and Turkish presidents to hold phone talks: RIA Novosti on January 11 quoted a source from the Turkish President's office as saying that talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may take place soon.

“Regarding the talks, we have informed you that a private meeting between the two leaders is being agreed upon. Telephone conversations in the near future are likely to take place, but we will not announce a specific date,” the source was quoted as saying.

Earlier, President Erdogan had repeatedly stated that he planned to meet with the Russian President and discuss with him a number of key issues. According to the Turkish leader, it is necessary to discuss the resumption of the grain corridor to supply grain to the countries of the African continent. The corresponding agreement between Russia, Turkey and Qatar on ensuring grain supplies to African countries was reached earlier. (RIA Novosti)

*Ukraine admits it will be difficult to survive without aid from Europe: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on January 11 that the country will find it difficult to survive unless it receives a long-delayed financial aid package from the European Union.

The statement was made by Mr. Zelensky in Estonia during a tour of the Baltic region, in the context of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine that has lasted nearly 2 years. (TASS)

*Finland extends border closure with Russia: Finland's Interior Ministry announced on January 11 that the country will continue to close its border with Russia for another four weeks until February 11, confirming earlier reports that all border crossings would remain closed.

On January 10, in an interview with national broadcaster YLE, Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah said that the border gates, which were originally scheduled to reopen on January 15, would remain closed.

Finland closed its border with Russia late last year to cope with a surge in asylum seekers, saying it was a move orchestrated by Moscow, a claim the Kremlin denies.

When two border crossings were briefly reopened in December, more than 300 asylum seekers entered from Russia within two days, according to Finnish border guards, after which the country closed its entire border for another month. (Reuters)

America-Latin America

*Hezbollah could attack inside the US: Politico quoted intelligence sources as saying that US intelligence agencies believe Hezbollah could carry out attacks inside the US or target US diplomats abroad.

US officials have warned that “the Iran-backed militant group is likely to target US personnel in the Middle East first.” However, the officials declined to detail what specific type of attack Hezbollah might carry out. They said Hezbollah “has an extensive international network that would allow it to use its members to launch an attack on the United States.” Meanwhile, intelligence agencies say other armed groups in the region do not have such capabilities. (TASS)

*US approves arms sales to Australia and Egypt: On January 10, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that the US State Department has approved a $250 million deal to sell Tomahawk weapon system support services and related equipment to Australia.

The Australian Government will decide on the prime contractor, the announcement said. The deal will enable Australia to better utilise the Tomahawk Weapon System it is acquiring and ensure the ability to match weapons to better detect targets.

The Pentagon also said on the same day that the US State Department had approved a potential sale to Egypt of light tactical vehicle chassis and related equipment and 28-meter patrol boat kits. The Pentagon said the estimated cost of the sale of light tactical vehicle chassis and related equipment is $200 million, while the cost of providing patrol boat kits is $129 million. (Reuters)

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