Tensions between the United States and Iran continue to rise as reports emerge about a possible deployment of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush to West Asia. Iranian sources claimed that Washington is preparing to send another carrier strike group to the region, but the United States has pushed back against these claims. According to recent defense reports, the USS George H.W. Bush has completed its pre-deployment training and could soon be sent toward the Eastern Mediterranean. If deployed, it would become the third U.S. aircraft carrier operating near Iran, alongside the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Red Sea and USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea


Israel-Iran War: US To Deploy Third Aircraft Carrier To West Asia?

Unmanned assault vessel ‘ULAQ’: Turkey's gamechanger in eastern Mediterranean

Populations of marine molluscs have collapsed in recent decades in parts of the eastern Mediterranean as warming waters have made conditions unsuitable for native species, new research showed Wednesday.

The waters off the coast of Israel -- among the hottest in the Mediterranean -- have already warmed three degrees Celsius within four decades, with water temperatures regularly topping 30C (86 Fahrenheit) in summer.

An international team of researchers, writing in the journal Proceedings of Royal Society B, investigated the effect these warmer waters was having on local populations of marine molluscs, as well as the arrival of invasive species from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal.

Paolo Albano, from the University of Vienna's Department of Paleontology, initially set out to contrast populations of local and non-native species along the Israeli shelf in the eastern Mediterranean.

But he quickly realised the extent to which local mollusc populations had declined.&nbsp;

"My expectation was to find a Mediterranean ecosystem with these 'newcomers'," he told AFP.&nbsp;

"However, after the first dive, I immediately realised that the problem was another one: the lack of the native Mediterranean species, even the most common ones that you would find everywhere in the Mediterranean."

- Local 'eradication of species' -

Albano and his colleagues compared mollusc populations identified from more than 100 seabed samples with historical records, finding that only 12 percent of the molluscs historically present in shallow sediment were still there.

On rocky reefs, that figure stood at just five percent.

The team also estimated that 60 percent of the remaining mollusc populations studied do not reach reproductive size, rendering the region a "demographic sink" for some species.&nbsp;

Albano said that while other factors could be playing a role in these population collapses, not least the impact of non-native species and pollution, the overall trend was likely caused by warming seas.

"Tolerance to temperature is what really matters here and most of the native Mediterranean species are in the easternmost Mediterranean Sea at the limits of their tolerance to temperature," he said.

In contrast to local molluscs, populations of tropical species entering the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal were thriving.&nbsp;

This species turnover is causing the onset of a "novel ecosystem", the authors said, and the massive loss of native species is likely too significant to rectify.

Albano said the Eastern Mediterranean was "paradigmatic of what is happening in marine ecosystems due to global warming: species respond to warming by shifting their ranges and in some areas this means local eradication of species."

Populations of marine molluscs have collapsed in recent decades in parts of the eastern Mediterranean as warming waters have made conditions unsuitable for native species, new research showed Wednesday.

Populations of marine molluscs have collapsed in recent decades in parts of the eastern Mediterranean as warming waters have made conditions unsuitable for native species, new research showed Wednesday. The waters off the coast of Israel -- among the hottest in the Mediterranean -- have already warmed three degrees Celsius within four decades, with water temperatures regularly topping 30C (86 Fahrenheit) in summer. An international team of researchers, writing in the journal Proceedings of Royal Society B, investigated the effect these warmer waters was having on local populations of marine molluscs, as well as the arrival of invasive species from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. Paolo Albano, from the University of Vienna's Department of Paleontology, initially set out to contrast populations of local and non-native species along the Israeli shelf in the eastern Mediterranean. But he quickly realised the extent to which local mollusc populations had declined. "My expectation was to find a Mediterranean ecosystem with these 'newcomers'," he told AFP. "However, after the first dive, I immediately realised that the problem was another one: the lack of the native Mediterranean species, even the most common ones that you would find everywhere in the Mediterranean." - Local 'eradication of species' - Albano and his colleagues compared mollusc populations identified from more than 100 seabed samples with historical records, finding that only 12 percent of the molluscs historically present in shallow sediment were still there. On rocky reefs, that figure stood at just five percent. The team also estimated that 60 percent of the remaining mollusc populations studied do not reach reproductive size, rendering the region a "demographic sink" for some species. Albano said that while other factors could be playing a role in these population collapses, not least the impact of non-native species and pollution, the overall trend was likely caused by warming seas. "Tolerance to temperature is what really matters here and most of the native Mediterranean species are in the easternmost Mediterranean Sea at the limits of their tolerance to temperature," he said. In contrast to local molluscs, populations of tropical species entering the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal were thriving. This species turnover is causing the onset of a "novel ecosystem", the authors said, and the massive loss of native species is likely too significant to rectify. Albano said the Eastern Mediterranean was "paradigmatic of what is happening in marine ecosystems due to global warming: species respond to warming by shifting their ranges and in some areas this means local eradication of species."

Warming driving Eastern Mediterranean species collapse: study

Greece has briefed India about the current situation in the eastern Mediterranean. The foreign ministers of India and Greece met virtually on Thursday.&nbsp;

The situation has been tensed in the eastern Mediterranean as Greece and Turkey have been embroiled in a dispute over energy exploration rights and maritime boundaries in the area. The situation is getting worrisome as Ankara plans to conduct a seismic survey in the region.

A tweet by Greece's foreign minister Nikos Dendias said, "In a video conference with India FM Dr S Jaishankar. Strengthening Greek, India relations &amp; developments in Eastern Mediterranean &amp; South Asia in focus."

Delhi's ties with Turkey are not at their best -- given the support by Turkish President Recep Erdogan to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Erdogan had also raked the Kashmir issue at the United Nations.

During the virtual meet, the two ministers undertook a detailed review of bilateral ties, underpinned by long-standing historical and friendly relations as well as commonality of views on major international issues of the day, a minister of external affairs release said.&nbsp;

They also "discussed a wide range of regional and multilateral issues" especially in the context of India’s upcoming membership of the UNSC, the release added.&nbsp;

Greece has briefed India about the current situation in the eastern Mediterranean. The foreign ministers of India and Greece met virtually on Thursday. The situation has been tensed in the eastern Mediterranean as Greece and Turkey have been embroiled in a dispute over energy exploration rights and maritime boundaries in the area.

Greece has briefed India about the current situation in the eastern Mediterranean. The foreign ministers of India and Greece met virtually on Thursday. The situation has been tensed in the eastern Mediterranean as Greece and Turkey have been embroiled in a dispute over energy exploration rights and maritime boundaries in the area. The situation is getting worrisome as Ankara plans to conduct a seismic survey in the region. A tweet by Greece's foreign minister Nikos Dendias said, "In a video conference with India FM Dr S Jaishankar. Strengthening Greek, India relations & developments in Eastern Mediterranean & South Asia in focus." Delhi's ties with Turkey are not at their best -- given the support by Turkish President Recep Erdogan to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Erdogan had also raked the Kashmir issue at the United Nations. During the virtual meet, the two ministers undertook a detailed review of bilateral ties, underpinned by long-standing historical and friendly relations as well as commonality of views on major international issues of the day, a minister of external affairs release said. They also "discussed a wide range of regional and multilateral issues" especially in the context of India’s upcoming membership of the UNSC, the release added.

Greece briefs India about situation in eastern Mediterranean

Tensions continue to escalate between Greece and Turkey over the latter's gas exploration initiatives in the eastern Mediterranean. Watch report.

Greece-Turkey crisis continues: Hotline will be set up to avoid clashes

Greece and Turkey have agreed to talks to avoid accidental clashes in the Eastern Mediterranean, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

NATO: Greece, Turkey agree to talks over Eastern Mediterranean

Now, Turkey stages military exercises in eastern Mediterranean amid tensions with Greece

A new geopolitical storm brewing in the Mediterranean threatens to become a multinational conflict and it could engulf Europe.

Currently, there are two factions, on one hand, there are European countries like France, Cyprus and Greece, one the other there's Turkey - a country that wants to establish a modern-day Islamic Caliphate and is taking a cue from China's expansionism.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been militarising the eastern Mediterranean region where several geopolitical faultlines converge. There are maritime boundary disputes, claims and counterclaims of sovereignty which were local affairs but in the last five years it has become serious due to the strategic value of the area and the discovery of offshore natural gas reserves which is estimated to be worth trillions of dollars and therefore conflicts over these reserves have began.

Earlier this month, Greek and Turkish vessels collided in the eastern Mediterranean region as both sides called the collision an "accident", however, what followed&nbsp;tells a different story.

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It was not an accident but was a deliberate move. It was Turkey's way of flexing its naval muscle while declaring that the de facto boundaries that exist in these waters were illegitimate.

The Turkish vessel Oruc Reis that collided remains stationed not far from the collision site. Erdogan says the vessel is exploring oil and gas in the Mediterranean and that it will continue to do so till August 23 if attempts are made to stop it from doing so then Turkey will retaliate.

"They will receive their answer in kind," said the Turkish president.

Meanwhile, Greece has asked the European Union to respond to Turkey's aggression. Greece says Turkey's actions are illegal and it has exclusive economic rights in the disputed waters, Cyprus says the same and alleges that Turkey wants to destabilise the Mediterranean region and that it is trying to blackmail and threaten European countries into submission.

However, the European Union remains divided on how to handle Turkey. The six Mediterranean based European countries are evenly split. Greece, Cyprus and France want strong action against Turkey while Italy, Malta and Spain don't want to get involved probably because they share commercial interests with Turkey.

Now, all eyes are now on Germany which holds the EU presidency till July next year. It can lead the way and break the deadlock but Berlin is known to keep Ankara close to the European Union and right now it is looking the other way.&nbsp;

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been accused of appeasing Erdogan for Germany's energy interests since it relies on external sources to get natural gas and ties with Turkey come in handy.

A new geopolitical storm brewing in the Mediterranean threatens to become a multinational conflict and it could engulf Europe. Currently, there are two factions, on one hand, there are European countries like France, Cyprus and Greece, one the other there's Turkey - a country that wants to establish a modern-day Islamic Caliphate and is taking a cue from China's expansionism.

A new geopolitical storm brewing in the Mediterranean threatens to become a multinational conflict and it could engulf Europe. Currently, there are two factions, on one hand, there are European countries like France, Cyprus and Greece, one the other there's Turkey - a country that wants to establish a modern-day Islamic Caliphate and is taking a cue from China's expansionism. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been militarising the eastern Mediterranean region where several geopolitical faultlines converge. There are maritime boundary disputes, claims and counterclaims of sovereignty which were local affairs but in the last five years it has become serious due to the strategic value of the area and the discovery of offshore natural gas reserves which is estimated to be worth trillions of dollars and therefore conflicts over these reserves have began. Earlier this month, Greek and Turkish vessels collided in the eastern Mediterranean region as both sides called the collision an "accident", however, what followed tells a different story. × It was not an accident but was a deliberate move. It was Turkey's way of flexing its naval muscle while declaring that the de facto boundaries that exist in these waters were illegitimate. The Turkish vessel Oruc Reis that collided remains stationed not far from the collision site. Erdogan says the vessel is exploring oil and gas in the Mediterranean and that it will continue to do so till August 23 if attempts are made to stop it from doing so then Turkey will retaliate. "They will receive their answer in kind," said the Turkish president. Meanwhile, Greece has asked the European Union to respond to Turkey's aggression. Greece says Turkey's actions are illegal and it has exclusive economic rights in the disputed waters, Cyprus says the same and alleges that Turkey wants to destabilise the Mediterranean region and that it is trying to blackmail and threaten European countries into submission. However, the European Union remains divided on how to handle Turkey. The six Mediterranean based European countries are evenly split. Greece, Cyprus and France want strong action against Turkey while Italy, Malta and Spain don't want to get involved probably because they share commercial interests with Turkey. Now, all eyes are now on Germany which holds the EU presidency till July next year. It can lead the way and break the deadlock but Berlin is known to keep Ankara close to the European Union and right now it is looking the other way. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been accused of appeasing Erdogan for Germany's energy interests since it relies on external sources to get natural gas and ties with Turkey come in handy.

Why eastern Mediterranean has become a crisis centre for Europe

A fight between two countries is generating political high waves in the Mediterranean.

Greece and Turkey are involved in a political tsunami. They are united by NATO and separated by the Mediterranean Sea. Both nations are fighting over hydrocarbon resources.

Hydrocarbons are principal constituents of petroleum and natural gas. They are also used in the production of plastic, fibres, rubbers, solvents, explosives and industrial chemicals.

Both Turkey and Greece claim hydrocarbon resources in the gas-rich eastern Mediterranean. Greece and Turkey have conflicting views on how far their continental shelves extend.

Last week Greece and Egypt signed an agreement to set up an exclusive economic zone in the disputed waters. Turkey called the agreement null and void. Soon Turkey dispatched its seismic survey vessel Oruc Reis which was accompanied by naval warships.

The Orus Reis is exploring an area close to Greek island Kastell-Orizo. Greece has responded by deploying warships. On August 12, Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis dialled French President Macron. France sent a warship and two Rafale jets to the eastern Mediterranean.

Greece also called for an emergency EU meeting which will take place on Friday. The foreign minister of Greece, Nikos Dendias met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as the US urged both sides to talk.

"The path to a solution in the eastern Mediterranean is via dialogue and negotiation. We are not chasing any unnecessary adventures or seeking tensions," President Tayyip Erdogan said.

A fight between two countries is generating political high waves in the Mediterranean. Greece and Turkey are involved in a political tsunami. They are united by NATO and separated by the Mediterranean Sea.

A fight between two countries is generating political high waves in the Mediterranean. Greece and Turkey are involved in a political tsunami. They are united by NATO and separated by the Mediterranean Sea. Both nations are fighting over hydrocarbon resources. Hydrocarbons are principal constituents of petroleum and natural gas. They are also used in the production of plastic, fibres, rubbers, solvents, explosives and industrial chemicals. Both Turkey and Greece claim hydrocarbon resources in the gas-rich eastern Mediterranean. Greece and Turkey have conflicting views on how far their continental shelves extend. Last week Greece and Egypt signed an agreement to set up an exclusive economic zone in the disputed waters. Turkey called the agreement null and void. Soon Turkey dispatched its seismic survey vessel Oruc Reis which was accompanied by naval warships. The Orus Reis is exploring an area close to Greek island Kastell-Orizo. Greece has responded by deploying warships. On August 12, Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis dialled French President Macron. France sent a warship and two Rafale jets to the eastern Mediterranean. Greece also called for an emergency EU meeting which will take place on Friday. The foreign minister of Greece, Nikos Dendias met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as the US urged both sides to talk. "The path to a solution in the eastern Mediterranean is via dialogue and negotiation. We are not chasing any unnecessary adventures or seeking tensions," President Tayyip Erdogan said.

Why Greece, Turkey are fighting over hydrocarbons in Mediterranean Sea

Greece will be requesting an emergency meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council, the prime minister’s office announced following a meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.

Tension high between Turkey, Greece in eastern Mediterranean

Israel&nbsp;voiced&nbsp;openness on Monday to&nbsp;US-mediated&nbsp;talks&nbsp;with&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;on resolving a dispute over the neighbours' maritime&nbsp;border&nbsp;that has dogged Mediterranean oil and gas exploration.

Such&nbsp;talks,&nbsp;Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz's office said in a statement after he met&nbsp;US&nbsp;envoy David Satterfield, could be "for the good of both countries' interests in developing natural gas reserves and oil" by agreeing on a&nbsp;border.

There was no immediate comment from Lebanese or&nbsp;US&nbsp;officials.

Technically at war since&nbsp;Israel's founding in 1948,&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;have long disagreed on&nbsp;border&nbsp;demarcations, a dispute affecting a&nbsp;sea&nbsp;area of about 860 sq km (330 square miles) extending along the edge of three of&nbsp;Lebanon's southern energy blocks.

Waters in one of those blocks are also claimed by&nbsp;Israel, which kicked off a gas bonanza in the eastern Mediterranean almost a decade ago with the discovery of two huge gas fields.

The dispute has led to years of brinkmanship with both sides promising to protect their resources and warning about encroachment.

Israel voiced openness on Monday to US-mediated talks with Lebanon on resolving a dispute over the neighbours' maritime border that has dogged Mediterranean oil and gas exploration.

Israel voiced openness on Monday to US-mediated talks with Lebanon on resolving a dispute over the neighbours' maritime border that has dogged Mediterranean oil and gas exploration. Such talks, Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz's office said in a statement after he met US envoy David Satterfield, could be "for the good of both countries' interests in developing natural gas reserves and oil" by agreeing on a border. There was no immediate comment from Lebanese or US officials. Technically at war since Israel's founding in 1948, Israel and Lebanon have long disagreed on border demarcations, a dispute affecting a sea area of about 860 sq km (330 square miles) extending along the edge of three of Lebanon's southern energy blocks. Waters in one of those blocks are also claimed by Israel, which kicked off a gas bonanza in the eastern Mediterranean almost a decade ago with the discovery of two huge gas fields. The dispute has led to years of brinkmanship with both sides promising to protect their resources and warning about encroachment.

Israel open to US-mediated talks with Lebanon on sea border