Can Israel turn Turkish President Erdogan into Saddam Hussein?’ This comparison by the Israeli Foreign Minister underscores the severe implications of the current geopolitical climate that threatens a potential regional war in West Asia. Lebanon has denied responsibility for the attack on Israel's Golan Heights that claimed the lives of 12 people. Israel's security cabinet is yet to decide on the response while Iran has cautioned Israel against attacking Lebanon. Amidst all this Turkish president has threatened to enter Israel and help Palestinians evoking a response from the Israeli foreign minister.

Israel foreign minister's harsh threat: Turkey's Erdogan will end like Saddam Hussain

Foreign ministers of Iraq and Kuwait said on Sunday (July 30) that the countries will work towards reaching a definitive agreement about demarcating their land as well as the contested maritime area of the Gulf. This comes as the countries have sought to solve the decades-long issues dating back to Saddam Hussein’s 1990 invasion of the oil-rich country.

<h2>What was discussed?</h2>

The Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein following the discussions with his Kuwaiti counterpart Salem Al-Sabah in Baghdad on Sunday, said that during their talks they emphasised “on resolving the border issues”.&nbsp;

He also spoke about how the border talks would “continue through various technical committees”. Reportedly, the two countries have also sought to resolve disputes over&nbsp;joint oilfields.

The Iraqi capital city will also host a meeting of a legal committee relating to the talks on August 14 which will also reportedly be followed by a visit from Kuwaiti Oil Minister Saad Al Barrak on September 10.

Meanwhile, Al-Sabah reaffirmed that there was “complete consensus” between Kuwait and Iraq to “resolve outstanding problems between the two countries, particularly the demarcation of maritime boundaries”.&nbsp;

This comes as the Iraqi government under Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani has sought closer ties with Arab Gulf monarchies in a bid to strengthen regional economic cooperation and counter the flow of narcotics.

<h2>What is the decades-long border issue about?</h2>

The talks on Sunday also came after Iraq in 2021, made the final payment of war reparations for the damage inflicted to its neighbour amounting to $52 billion. In August 1990, Saddam’s forces invaded the oil-rich country and annexed it.&nbsp;

Months later, an international coalition led by the United States drove Saddam’s forces out of Kuwait. Since then, both countries have been meeting to solve their border issues but have made very little progress.&nbsp;

The land border between the neighbouring states was established by the United Nations in 1993, years after Iraq under Saddam invaded Kuwait. While the officials in Baghdad have previously expressed readiness to recognise Kuwait’s land border, the maritime border remains a point of contention.

This comes as Iraq says that the delineation should provide it unhindered access to Gulf waters which is said to be a lifeline for its economy as well as oil exports.&nbsp;

However, given the decades-long dispute, Kuwaiti coastguards regularly detain Iraqi fishermen and seize their vessels for entering Kuwaiti territorial waters “illegally”.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Iraqi fishermen have complained of harassment by Kuwaiti fishermen and have&nbsp;alleged that they do not respect maritime boundaries.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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Foreign ministers of Iraq and Kuwait said on Sunday (July 30) that the countries will work towards reaching a definitive agreement about demarcating their land as well as the contested maritime area of the Gulf.

Foreign ministers of Iraq and Kuwait said on Sunday (July 30) that the countries will work towards reaching a definitive agreement about demarcating their land as well as the contested maritime area of the Gulf. This comes as the countries have sought to solve the decades-long issues dating back to Saddam Hussein’s 1990 invasion of the oil-rich country. What was discussed? The Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein following the discussions with his Kuwaiti counterpart Salem Al-Sabah in Baghdad on Sunday, said that during their talks they emphasised “on resolving the border issues”. He also spoke about how the border talks would “continue through various technical committees”. Reportedly, the two countries have also sought to resolve disputes over joint oilfields. The Iraqi capital city will also host a meeting of a legal committee relating to the talks on August 14 which will also reportedly be followed by a visit from Kuwaiti Oil Minister Saad Al Barrak on September 10. Meanwhile, Al-Sabah reaffirmed that there was “complete consensus” between Kuwait and Iraq to “resolve outstanding problems between the two countries, particularly the demarcation of maritime boundaries”. This comes as the Iraqi government under Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani has sought closer ties with Arab Gulf monarchies in a bid to strengthen regional economic cooperation and counter the flow of narcotics. What is the decades-long border issue about? The talks on Sunday also came after Iraq in 2021, made the final payment of war reparations for the damage inflicted to its neighbour amounting to $52 billion. In August 1990, Saddam’s forces invaded the oil-rich country and annexed it. Months later, an international coalition led by the United States drove Saddam’s forces out of Kuwait. Since then, both countries have been meeting to solve their border issues but have made very little progress. The land border between the neighbouring states was established by the United Nations in 1993, years after Iraq under Saddam invaded Kuwait. While the officials in Baghdad have previously expressed readiness to recognise Kuwait’s land border, the maritime border remains a point of contention. This comes as Iraq says that the delineation should provide it unhindered access to Gulf waters which is said to be a lifeline for its economy as well as oil exports. However, given the decades-long dispute, Kuwaiti coastguards regularly detain Iraqi fishermen and seize their vessels for entering Kuwaiti territorial waters “illegally”. Meanwhile, Iraqi fishermen have complained of harassment by Kuwaiti fishermen and have alleged that they do not respect maritime boundaries. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iraq and Kuwait seek to resolve dispute over land, maritime borders decades after Saddam Hussein's invasion

16 March in history: First liquid-fuelled rocket, Treaty of Versailles and more!

Security forces killed a protester and wounded 91 others in Baghdad on Saturday, security and medical sources said, as tens of thousands of&nbsp;Iraqis gathered in mass anti-government protests in the capital and&nbsp;blocked&nbsp;roads&nbsp;leading to a major&nbsp;port.

Protesters&nbsp;have been congregating in the capital's central Tahrir Square for weeks,&nbsp;demanding the fall of the political elite in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iraq-protests-continue-biggest-protest-since-saddams-fall-259414">biggest wave</a> of mass demonstrations since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Protests have accelerated dramatically in recent days, drawing huge crowds from across sectarian and ethnic divides.

They have been comparatively peaceful by day, becoming more violent after dark as police use tear gas and rubber bullets to battle self-proclaimed "revolutionary" youths. More than 250 people were killed in October.

Clashes have focused on the ramparts to the Republic Bridge leading across the Tigris to the heavily fortified Green Zone of government buildings, where the&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;say out-of-touch leaders are holed up in their walled-off bastion of privilege.

Security forces on Saturday erected concrete walls on one of Baghdad's main streets which leads into Tahrir Square in an attempt to reduce the turnout but a spontaneous protest in which crowds surrounded soldiers driving bulldozers forced them to take the structures down.

"Take it down, take it down," they chanted.

The protests, driven by discontent over economic hardship and corruption, have broken nearly two years of relative stability in Iraq.

Despite the country's oil wealth, many live in poverty with limited access to clean water, electricity, health care or education. The government of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, in office for a year, has found no response to the protests.

Thousands of&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;were&nbsp;blocking all&nbsp;roads&nbsp;leading to Iraq's main Gulf&nbsp;port&nbsp;Umm Qasr near the oil-rich city of Basra, after security forces used live rounds and tear gas overnight.

Operations at the&nbsp;port, which receives the vast bulk of Iraq's imports of grain, vegetable oils and sugar, have been at a complete standstill since Wednesday.

Excessive force&nbsp;

On Friday, both the teachers' and lawyers' unions said they would extend&nbsp;strikes they declared last week. Schools had been due to reopen on Sunday after a week of cancelled classes.

Many see the political class as subservient to one or another of Baghdad's main allies, the United States and Iran, who use Iraq as a proxy in a struggle for regional influence.

"We don't want anyone interfering in our affairs, not Saudi Arabia, not Turkey, not Iran, not America. It's our country, our&nbsp;demands are clear," said protester Ahmed Abu Mariam.

The root cause of grievances is the sectarian power-sharing system of governance introduced in Iraq after 2003.

"We want an&nbsp;end&nbsp;to sectarian power-sharing, jobs should not be doled out based on whether you are Sunni or Shi'ite. We want all these parties gone and replaced with a presidential system," said 22-year-old law student Abdulrahman Saad who has been camped out in Tahrir Square for nine days.

Iraq's official rights watchdog, the&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;High Commission for Human Rights, said authorities were violating human rights and using excessive force against&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;by firing rubber bullets and tear gas canisters, which have killed scores after striking them directly in the head and chest.

A government committee investigating violence from October&nbsp;1-7 itself found that 149 civilians were killed because security forces used excessive force and live fire to quell protests.

Security forces killed a protester and wounded 91 others in Baghdad on Saturday, security and medical sources said, as tens of thousands of Iraqis gathered in mass anti-government protests in the capital and blocked roads leading to a major port.

Security forces killed a protester and wounded 91 others in Baghdad on Saturday, security and medical sources said, as tens of thousands of Iraqis gathered in mass anti-government protests in the capital and blocked roads leading to a major port. Protesters have been congregating in the capital's central Tahrir Square for weeks, demanding the fall of the political elite in the biggest wave of mass demonstrations since the fall of Saddam Hussein. Protests have accelerated dramatically in recent days, drawing huge crowds from across sectarian and ethnic divides. They have been comparatively peaceful by day, becoming more violent after dark as police use tear gas and rubber bullets to battle self-proclaimed "revolutionary" youths. More than 250 people were killed in October. Clashes have focused on the ramparts to the Republic Bridge leading across the Tigris to the heavily fortified Green Zone of government buildings, where the protesters say out-of-touch leaders are holed up in their walled-off bastion of privilege. Security forces on Saturday erected concrete walls on one of Baghdad's main streets which leads into Tahrir Square in an attempt to reduce the turnout but a spontaneous protest in which crowds surrounded soldiers driving bulldozers forced them to take the structures down. "Take it down, take it down," they chanted. The protests, driven by discontent over economic hardship and corruption, have broken nearly two years of relative stability in Iraq. Despite the country's oil wealth, many live in poverty with limited access to clean water, electricity, health care or education. The government of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, in office for a year, has found no response to the protests. Thousands of protesters were blocking all roads leading to Iraq's main Gulf port Umm Qasr near the oil-rich city of Basra, after security forces used live rounds and tear gas overnight. Operations at the port, which receives the vast bulk of Iraq's imports of grain, vegetable oils and sugar, have been at a complete standstill since Wednesday. Excessive force On Friday, both the teachers' and lawyers' unions said they would extend strikes they declared last week. Schools had been due to reopen on Sunday after a week of cancelled classes. Many see the political class as subservient to one or another of Baghdad's main allies, the United States and Iran, who use Iraq as a proxy in a struggle for regional influence. "We don't want anyone interfering in our affairs, not Saudi Arabia, not Turkey, not Iran, not America. It's our country, our demands are clear," said protester Ahmed Abu Mariam. The root cause of grievances is the sectarian power-sharing system of governance introduced in Iraq after 2003. "We want an end to sectarian power-sharing, jobs should not be doled out based on whether you are Sunni or Shi'ite. We want all these parties gone and replaced with a presidential system," said 22-year-old law student Abdulrahman Saad who has been camped out in Tahrir Square for nine days. Iraq's official rights watchdog, the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights, said authorities were violating human rights and using excessive force against protesters by firing rubber bullets and tear gas canisters, which have killed scores after striking them directly in the head and chest. A government committee investigating violence from October 1-7 itself found that 149 civilians were killed because security forces used excessive force and live fire to quell protests.

Protesters block roads to Iraqi port, demand end to 'foreign meddling'

Tens of thousands of Iraqis thronged central Baghdad on Friday demanding the root-and-branch downfall of the political elite in the biggest day of mass anti-government demonstrations since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Iraq protests continue: Biggest protest since Saddam's fall

'Downfall of regime': Iraqis pour into streets for biggest protest day since Saddam fall

Iraq's top cleric warned foreign actors on Friday against interfering in his country's anti-government protests as they entered a second month despite pledges of reform and violence that has left over 250 dead.

The demonstrations have evolved since October 1 from rage over corruption and unemployment to demands for a total government overhaul -- shunning both politicians and religious figures along the way.

They have even condemned the influence of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary factions, who have descended into the streets of the capital and elsewhere to flex their muscles.

In his weekly sermon, top Shiite religious authority Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said Iraq must not be dragged "into the "abyss of infighting".

"No person or group, no side with a particular view, no regional or international actor may seize the will of the Iraqi people and impose its will on them," he said.

Sistani's remarks, which can usually make or break a government decision in Iraq, came a day after comments by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.&nbsp;

"I seize this opportunity to tell those who care about Iraq and Lebanon to remedy insecurity as their priority," Khamenei said, without elaborating.

Iraq has close but complicated ties with both Iran, its large eastern neighbour, and the United States, which opposes Tehran's influence in the region.

On Friday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the Iraqi government to "listen to the legitimate demands made by the Iraqi people," saying an official probe last month into suppression of the protests "lacked sufficient credibility".&nbsp;

Fresh clashes

More than 250 people have died and 10,000 have been wounded in the past month as protests evolved into calls for the "downfall of the regime".

The movement is unique in Iraqi history because of its condemnation of the political and religious class wholesale.&nbsp;

"No one represents the people, not Iran, not the parties, not the clerics. We want to take back our country," said Ali Ghazi, 55, protesting in Baghdad on Thursday.

"You're all thieves. From 2003 until now, what have you done?" he said, referring to the year a US-led invasion toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.

Since then, Iraq's political system has been gripped by clientelism, corruption and sectarianism.

One in five Iraqis live below the poverty line and youth unemployment stands at 25 per cent, despite the vast oil wealth of OPEC's second-largest crude producer.

That inequality has been a rallying cry for protesters, who have occupied the capital's Tahrir Square and spilt onto adjacent bridges.&nbsp;

As night fell on Friday, skirmishes broke out between protesters and riot police deployed along the Al-Sinek bridge, leaving several apparently severely wounded, an AFP photographer there said.&nbsp;

Riot police fired tear gas to keep protesters back, a day after Amnesty International slammed Iraqi forces for using the military-grade gas canisters in an "unprecedented" way.

Amnesty said they were being shot directly at protesters, piercing their heads and chests.

The violence in response to the protests has made them Iraq's deadliest grassroots movement for decades, with 157 dying in the first week-long outburst and another 100 losing their lives in the past week.

Parliament 'useless'

They have persisted despite a string of government proposals including hiring drives and social welfare plans.

Protesters are demanding nothing short of "the fall of the regime."&nbsp;

On Thursday night, President Barham Saleh vowed to hold early elections once a new voting law and electoral commission have been agreed.

He also said embattled Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi was ready to step down once another candidate was found.

Abdel Mahdi, 77, came to power a year ago through a tenuous partnership between populist cleric Moqtada Sadr and paramilitary leader Hadi al-Ameri.

The kingmakers' alliance has frayed in recent months, as Sadr threw his weight behind the protests while Ameri and his allies backed the government.

A rapprochement built on Abdel Mahdi's ouster appeared close this week, but disagreements over a replacement and pressure by Iran seem to have caused a stalemate among parliamentary blocs.&nbsp;

Parliament has been meeting every day to pressure Abdel Mahdi to come in for questioning, but he has so far resisted.

Ameri hinted at the paralysis on Friday, saying Iraq's "parliamentary system has failed and is useless" and called for "fundamental constitutional amendments."

An Iraqi government official said that following Khamenei's comments, "Ameri did a total 180" degree turn.

Fanar Haddad, an expert at Singapore University's Middle East Institute, said the political class appeared not to see that the protests presented "the most serious challenge to the post-2003 order".

"Promises of new election laws, or the formation of constitutional reform committees and so forth fall on deaf ears," he told AFP.

"They are seen as smokescreens with which the political classes are trying to save themselves and preserve their privileges," Fanar added.

sbh/mjg/dwo

Iraq's top cleric warned foreign actors on Friday against interfering in his country's anti-government protests as they entered a second month despite pledges of reform and violence that has left over 250 dead.

Iraq's top cleric warned foreign actors on Friday against interfering in his country's anti-government protests as they entered a second month despite pledges of reform and violence that has left over 250 dead. The demonstrations have evolved since October 1 from rage over corruption and unemployment to demands for a total government overhaul -- shunning both politicians and religious figures along the way. They have even condemned the influence of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary factions, who have descended into the streets of the capital and elsewhere to flex their muscles. In his weekly sermon, top Shiite religious authority Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said Iraq must not be dragged "into the "abyss of infighting". "No person or group, no side with a particular view, no regional or international actor may seize the will of the Iraqi people and impose its will on them," he said. Sistani's remarks, which can usually make or break a government decision in Iraq, came a day after comments by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "I seize this opportunity to tell those who care about Iraq and Lebanon to remedy insecurity as their priority," Khamenei said, without elaborating. Iraq has close but complicated ties with both Iran, its large eastern neighbour, and the United States, which opposes Tehran's influence in the region. On Friday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the Iraqi government to "listen to the legitimate demands made by the Iraqi people," saying an official probe last month into suppression of the protests "lacked sufficient credibility". Fresh clashes More than 250 people have died and 10,000 have been wounded in the past month as protests evolved into calls for the "downfall of the regime". The movement is unique in Iraqi history because of its condemnation of the political and religious class wholesale. "No one represents the people, not Iran, not the parties, not the clerics. We want to take back our country," said Ali Ghazi, 55, protesting in Baghdad on Thursday. "You're all thieves. From 2003 until now, what have you done?" he said, referring to the year a US-led invasion toppled dictator Saddam Hussein. Since then, Iraq's political system has been gripped by clientelism, corruption and sectarianism. One in five Iraqis live below the poverty line and youth unemployment stands at 25 per cent, despite the vast oil wealth of OPEC's second-largest crude producer. That inequality has been a rallying cry for protesters, who have occupied the capital's Tahrir Square and spilt onto adjacent bridges. As night fell on Friday, skirmishes broke out between protesters and riot police deployed along the Al-Sinek bridge, leaving several apparently severely wounded, an AFP photographer there said. Riot police fired tear gas to keep protesters back, a day after Amnesty International slammed Iraqi forces for using the military-grade gas canisters in an "unprecedented" way. Amnesty said they were being shot directly at protesters, piercing their heads and chests. The violence in response to the protests has made them Iraq's deadliest grassroots movement for decades, with 157 dying in the first week-long outburst and another 100 losing their lives in the past week. Parliament 'useless' They have persisted despite a string of government proposals including hiring drives and social welfare plans. Protesters are demanding nothing short of "the fall of the regime." On Thursday night, President Barham Saleh vowed to hold early elections once a new voting law and electoral commission have been agreed. He also said embattled Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi was ready to step down once another candidate was found. Abdel Mahdi, 77, came to power a year ago through a tenuous partnership between populist cleric Moqtada Sadr and paramilitary leader Hadi al-Ameri. The kingmakers' alliance has frayed in recent months, as Sadr threw his weight behind the protests while Ameri and his allies backed the government. A rapprochement built on Abdel Mahdi's ouster appeared close this week, but disagreements over a replacement and pressure by Iran seem to have caused a stalemate among parliamentary blocs. Parliament has been meeting every day to pressure Abdel Mahdi to come in for questioning, but he has so far resisted. Ameri hinted at the paralysis on Friday, saying Iraq's "parliamentary system has failed and is useless" and called for "fundamental constitutional amendments." An Iraqi government official said that following Khamenei's comments, "Ameri did a total 180" degree turn. Fanar Haddad, an expert at Singapore University's Middle East Institute, said the political class appeared not to see that the protests presented "the most serious challenge to the post-2003 order". "Promises of new election laws, or the formation of constitutional reform committees and so forth fall on deaf ears," he told AFP. "They are seen as smokescreens with which the political classes are trying to save themselves and preserve their privileges," Fanar added. sbh/mjg/dwo

Iraq protests enter second month, defying pledges of reform

Since they erupted a week ago, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-violent-protests-in-iraq-at-least-100-dead-over-6000-hurt-254349">deadly protests in Iraq </a>have been tracked closely in Iran where they are seen as a plot to undermine ties between the neighbours.

Tehran has close but complicated relations with Baghdad, holding significant clout among its Shiite political groups.

The two countries fought a devastating war from 1980 to 1988 and Iran's influence in Iraq grew after the US-led invasion toppled longtime dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Clashes that broke out in Iraq last week between protesters and security forces have claimed more than 100 lives, and wounded over 6,000,&nbsp;most of them demonstrators struck by bullets.

The rallies began on Tuesday with calls to reduce corruption and unemployment but have spiralled into demands for the fall of the government and overhaul of the political system.

A string of Iranian officials have&nbsp;since come out with statements accusing their country's arch-foes of being behind the unrest.

"Enemies seek to sow discord but they've failed &amp; their conspiracy won't be effective," supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, quoted on his office's Twitter account.

"Iran and #Iraq are two nations whose hearts &amp; souls are tied together... This bond will grow stronger day by day," he added.

State news agency IRNA said the supreme leader was reacting to the violence in Iraq.

The official news agency weighed in with its own commentary, accusing the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel of stirring the Iraqi protests in order to spoil Iran's ties with Iraq and Syria.

"Unprecedented protests in Iraqi cities... show that some forces inside and outside of the region are seriously concerned about the closeness and cooperation" of Baghdad, Tehran, and Damascus, it added.

Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei opened his weekly news conference on Monday with a statement on the Iraqi crisis.

He said there "are ill-wishers who seek to sabotage any opening between us and those neighbours who've had differences of opinions in recent years".

The spokesman called on "the great people of Iraq to show more self-restraint and seek democratic and legal means to reach their demands.

"As always, the Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its readiness to stand beside Iraqi brothers and sisters and help them.

"No form of propaganda can sever the people of Iran and Iraq."

Iran has accused its foes of deliberately stirring trouble in Iraq at a time when vast numbers of pilgrims are heading there for one of the world's largest religious events.

A top military adviser to Khamenei said those behind the unrest would be unable to deter the faithful, however.

"They want to scare people into not going to Arbaeen, but even if it rains arrows and stones, Hussein's lovers will not be afraid," Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein by the forces of the Caliph Yazid.

Last week, Iran urged citizens who were planning to head to Iraq to delay their travel for the pilgrimage that culminates on October 17 with the Arbaeen commemoration.

On Monday, Iran reopened the Khosravi border crossing with Iraq following its closure last week as the protests raged.

IRNA said the fact that the "provocations" came ahead of Arbaeen showed Iran's enemies were "scared".

Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi said those responsible for the unrest in Iraq aimed to undermine Arbaeen.

"The seditionists intend to undermine and sap enthusiasm for this great event," he said, quoted by state television's website.

"The vigilant people of Iraq exposed this sedition. But everyone must be careful. The seditionists are seeking new tricks at any moment to overshadow the Arbaeen ceremony and to undermine it."

The hardline Keyhan newspaper said "evidence" pointed to the Americans, Saudis and Israelis being involved.

A columnist in the reformist Shargh daily also suggested the Americans, Israelis and Saudis might be the "hidden hands" behind the Iraqi protests.

"Even if that is not the case, the chaotic and tense situation in Iraq today can prepare the grounds for these actors to ride the wave to fulfill their objectives and demands," wrote Abdelrahman Fathollahi.

Since they erupted a week ago, deadly protests in Iraq have been tracked closely in Iran where they are seen as a plot to undermine ties between the neighbours. Tehran has close but complicated relations with Baghdad, holding significant clout among its Shiite political groups.

Since they erupted a week ago, deadly protests in Iraq have been tracked closely in Iran where they are seen as a plot to undermine ties between the neighbours. Tehran has close but complicated relations with Baghdad, holding significant clout among its Shiite political groups. The two countries fought a devastating war from 1980 to 1988 and Iran's influence in Iraq grew after the US-led invasion toppled longtime dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. Clashes that broke out in Iraq last week between protesters and security forces have claimed more than 100 lives, and wounded over 6,000, most of them demonstrators struck by bullets. The rallies began on Tuesday with calls to reduce corruption and unemployment but have spiralled into demands for the fall of the government and overhaul of the political system. A string of Iranian officials have since come out with statements accusing their country's arch-foes of being behind the unrest. "Enemies seek to sow discord but they've failed & their conspiracy won't be effective," supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, quoted on his office's Twitter account. "Iran and #Iraq are two nations whose hearts & souls are tied together... This bond will grow stronger day by day," he added. State news agency IRNA said the supreme leader was reacting to the violence in Iraq. The official news agency weighed in with its own commentary, accusing the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel of stirring the Iraqi protests in order to spoil Iran's ties with Iraq and Syria. "Unprecedented protests in Iraqi cities... show that some forces inside and outside of the region are seriously concerned about the closeness and cooperation" of Baghdad, Tehran, and Damascus, it added. Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei opened his weekly news conference on Monday with a statement on the Iraqi crisis. He said there "are ill-wishers who seek to sabotage any opening between us and those neighbours who've had differences of opinions in recent years". The spokesman called on "the great people of Iraq to show more self-restraint and seek democratic and legal means to reach their demands. "As always, the Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its readiness to stand beside Iraqi brothers and sisters and help them. "No form of propaganda can sever the people of Iran and Iraq." Iran has accused its foes of deliberately stirring trouble in Iraq at a time when vast numbers of pilgrims are heading there for one of the world's largest religious events. A top military adviser to Khamenei said those behind the unrest would be unable to deter the faithful, however. "They want to scare people into not going to Arbaeen, but even if it rains arrows and stones, Hussein's lovers will not be afraid," Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein by the forces of the Caliph Yazid. Last week, Iran urged citizens who were planning to head to Iraq to delay their travel for the pilgrimage that culminates on October 17 with the Arbaeen commemoration. On Monday, Iran reopened the Khosravi border crossing with Iraq following its closure last week as the protests raged. IRNA said the fact that the "provocations" came ahead of Arbaeen showed Iran's enemies were "scared". Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi said those responsible for the unrest in Iraq aimed to undermine Arbaeen. "The seditionists intend to undermine and sap enthusiasm for this great event," he said, quoted by state television's website. "The vigilant people of Iraq exposed this sedition. But everyone must be careful. The seditionists are seeking new tricks at any moment to overshadow the Arbaeen ceremony and to undermine it." The hardline Keyhan newspaper said "evidence" pointed to the Americans, Saudis and Israelis being involved. A columnist in the reformist Shargh daily also suggested the Americans, Israelis and Saudis might be the "hidden hands" behind the Iraqi protests. "Even if that is not the case, the chaotic and tense situation in Iraq today can prepare the grounds for these actors to ride the wave to fulfill their objectives and demands," wrote Abdelrahman Fathollahi.

For Iran, Iraq's unrest is plot to undo bilateral ties

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-sending-military-to-venezuela-an-option-cbs-194884">US President Donald Trump</a> has said he does not always agree with the conclusions of his intelligence chiefs and pointed out past intelligence failures as a reason to reject their assessments of the threats posed by Iran and North Korea.

Trump rebuked his intelligence chiefs last week after his director of national intelligence and leaders of the CIA and FBI testified before Congress on global threats and contradicted the president on Iran, North Korea and ISIS.&nbsp;

During a Congressional hearing last week, top American spymasters Dan Coats, National Intelligence Director, and Gina Haspel, CIA Director, told lawmakers that Iran was abiding by the 2015 nuclear deal.&nbsp;

Trump said he disagrees with the assessment of his intelligence leaders that Iran is abiding by the nuclear deal. He claimed that Iran is going ahead with its nuclear weapons programme.&nbsp;

He also said the national security advisers' false assessment on Iraq led the US to engage in a war that it should never have been.&nbsp;

The US' intelligence services had said that the then Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction that became the basis of the American invasion in the Middle East nation. However, the assessment was later proven wrong, he said.&nbsp;

"I have intel people, but that does not mean I have to agree (with their assessments)...People that said, Saddam Hussein...In Iraq had nuclear weapons...Those intel people didn't know what the hell they were doing, and they got us tied up in a war that we should have never been in," Trump told CBS News in an interview.&nbsp;

As a result of that intelligence assessment under the Bush administration, Trump said the US spent $7 trillion in the Middle East and lost hundreds of lives.

Trump said he disagrees with the assessment of his intelligence leaders that Iran is abiding by the nuclear deal. He claimed that Iran is going ahead with its nuclear weapons programme.&nbsp;

"When I look at Iran, I look at it as a nation that has caused tremendous problems," he said.

In 2015, Iran agreed to a long-term deal on its nuclear programme with the P5+1 group of world powers - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany.

It came after years of tension over Iran's alleged efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran insisted that its nuclear programme was entirely peaceful, but the international community did not believe that.

Under the accord, Iran agreed to limit its sensitive nuclear activities and allow in international inspectors in return for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions.

Trump in May last year withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal, calling it "defective at its core".

Trump also indicated that he is not in sync with the assessment of his intelligence chief on the nuclear weapons programme of North Korea.&nbsp;

North Korea is unlikely to fully give up its nuclear weapons, the US intelligence report said.

Asserting that there has been tremendous progress in the ties between the US and North Korea, Trump said both he and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are looking forward to the scheduled meeting between them, the exact date and venue of which will be announced in the next few days.&nbsp;

"He (Kim) is looking forward to it. I am looking forward to it. We have made tremendous progress...(Kim) has a chance to have North Korea becoming an economic behemoth. (North Korea) has a chance to be one of the great economic countries in the world. (Kim) He can't do that with nuclear weapons," he said.&nbsp;

Trump and Kim met in Singapore last June to discuss denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

At the time, Mr Trump claimed this meeting had ended the North Korean nuclear threat.

The two leaders signed an agreement pledging to "work toward complete denuclearisation" but there was no agreed pathway and little progress has been made since then on the issue.

US President Donald Trump has said he does not always agree with the conclusions of his intelligence chiefs and pointed out past intelligence failures as a reason to reject their assessments of the threats posed by Iran and North Korea.

US President Donald Trump has said he does not always agree with the conclusions of his intelligence chiefs and pointed out past intelligence failures as a reason to reject their assessments of the threats posed by Iran and North Korea. Trump rebuked his intelligence chiefs last week after his director of national intelligence and leaders of the CIA and FBI testified before Congress on global threats and contradicted the president on Iran, North Korea and ISIS. During a Congressional hearing last week, top American spymasters Dan Coats, National Intelligence Director, and Gina Haspel, CIA Director, told lawmakers that Iran was abiding by the 2015 nuclear deal. Trump said he disagrees with the assessment of his intelligence leaders that Iran is abiding by the nuclear deal. He claimed that Iran is going ahead with its nuclear weapons programme. He also said the national security advisers' false assessment on Iraq led the US to engage in a war that it should never have been. The US' intelligence services had said that the then Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction that became the basis of the American invasion in the Middle East nation. However, the assessment was later proven wrong, he said. "I have intel people, but that does not mean I have to agree (with their assessments)...People that said, Saddam Hussein...In Iraq had nuclear weapons...Those intel people didn't know what the hell they were doing, and they got us tied up in a war that we should have never been in," Trump told CBS News in an interview. As a result of that intelligence assessment under the Bush administration, Trump said the US spent $7 trillion in the Middle East and lost hundreds of lives. Trump said he disagrees with the assessment of his intelligence leaders that Iran is abiding by the nuclear deal. He claimed that Iran is going ahead with its nuclear weapons programme. "When I look at Iran, I look at it as a nation that has caused tremendous problems," he said. In 2015, Iran agreed to a long-term deal on its nuclear programme with the P5+1 group of world powers - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany. It came after years of tension over Iran's alleged efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran insisted that its nuclear programme was entirely peaceful, but the international community did not believe that. Under the accord, Iran agreed to limit its sensitive nuclear activities and allow in international inspectors in return for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions. Trump in May last year withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal, calling it "defective at its core". Trump also indicated that he is not in sync with the assessment of his intelligence chief on the nuclear weapons programme of North Korea. North Korea is unlikely to fully give up its nuclear weapons, the US intelligence report said. Asserting that there has been tremendous progress in the ties between the US and North Korea, Trump said both he and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are looking forward to the scheduled meeting between them, the exact date and venue of which will be announced in the next few days. "He (Kim) is looking forward to it. I am looking forward to it. We have made tremendous progress...(Kim) has a chance to have North Korea becoming an economic behemoth. (North Korea) has a chance to be one of the great economic countries in the world. (Kim) He can't do that with nuclear weapons," he said. Trump and Kim met in Singapore last June to discuss denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. At the time, Mr Trump claimed this meeting had ended the North Korean nuclear threat. The two leaders signed an agreement pledging to "work toward complete denuclearisation" but there was no agreed pathway and little progress has been made since then on the issue.

Trump says he 'does not necessarily agree' with intelligence agencies

US President Donald Trump will fail in his confrontation with Iran, just like Iraq's Saddam Hussein, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday, referring to the war between the two Middle Eastern powers and vowing that Tehran will not abandon its missiles.

Tensions have ramped up between Iran and the United States after Trump withdrew from a landmark multilateral nuclear deal in May and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic last month.

As Rouhani spoke, Iran began displaying its naval power in the Gulf during annual parades in the capital Tehran and the port of Bandar Abbas on the Gulf marking the start of the country’s 1980-88 war with Iraq.

Iran has suggested in recent weeks that it could take military action in the Gulf to block other countries’ oil exports in retaliation for US sanctions intended to halt its sales of crude.

Washington maintains a fleet in the Gulf that protects oil shipping routes.

"The same will happen to Trump. America will suffer the same fate as Saddam Hussein," Rouhani said in a speech carried live by state television.

"Iran will not abandon its defensive weapons ... including its missiles that make America so angry," Rouhani said.

State media said about 600 vessels took part in the Gulf naval drill on Saturday, a day after Iran held aerial exercises in the waterway, vowing that a "pounding reply" awaited the country's enemies.

US President Donald Trump will fail in his confrontation with Iran, just like Iraq's Saddam Hussein, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday, referring to the war between the two Middle Eastern powers and vowing that Tehran will not abandon its missiles.

US President Donald Trump will fail in his confrontation with Iran, just like Iraq's Saddam Hussein, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday, referring to the war between the two Middle Eastern powers and vowing that Tehran will not abandon its missiles. Tensions have ramped up between Iran and the United States after Trump withdrew from a landmark multilateral nuclear deal in May and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic last month. As Rouhani spoke, Iran began displaying its naval power in the Gulf during annual parades in the capital Tehran and the port of Bandar Abbas on the Gulf marking the start of the country’s 1980-88 war with Iraq. Iran has suggested in recent weeks that it could take military action in the Gulf to block other countries’ oil exports in retaliation for US sanctions intended to halt its sales of crude. Washington maintains a fleet in the Gulf that protects oil shipping routes. "The same will happen to Trump. America will suffer the same fate as Saddam Hussein," Rouhani said in a speech carried live by state television. "Iran will not abandon its defensive weapons ... including its missiles that make America so angry," Rouhani said. State media said about 600 vessels took part in the Gulf naval drill on Saturday, a day after Iran held aerial exercises in the waterway, vowing that a "pounding reply" awaited the country's enemies.

Iran will defeat Trump just like it did Saddam, won't abandon missiles: Hassan Rouhani

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/manu-bhaker-all-of-16-runs-away-with-10m-pistol-gold-at-cwg-129058">CWG 2018: Manu </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/manu-bhaker-all-of-16-runs-away-with-10m-pistol-gold-at-cwg-129058">Bhaker</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/manu-bhaker-all-of-16-runs-away-with-10m-pistol-gold-at-cwg-129058">, all of 16, runs away with 10m pistol gold</a>

India's 16-year-old Manu Bhaker comfortably won the gold in women's 10 air pistol while Heena Sidhu staged a remarkable recovery to secure silver at the 21st Commonwealth Games here today.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ramming-attack-in-germany-what-we-know-129043">Ramming attack in Germany: what we know</a>

German authorities have for now ruled out a connection to Islamist terrorism after a man rammed customers on a restaurant terrace, killing two people, but much remains unclear about the incident.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/baghdads-infrastructure-in-ruins-15-years-after-saddam-fell-129057">Baghdad's infrastructure in ruins 15 years after Saddam fell</a>

After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were hopes its millennium-old capital Baghdad could rise again from the ashes, but construction sites have remained idle as if time stood still.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-rises-to-15-in-canada-bus-crash--129046">Death toll rises to 15 in Canada bus crash</a>

The death toll for the Canadian bus crash, carrying 28 people, rose to 15 on Sunday. The bus was also carrying players of a junior league hockey team have died too.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/dozens-dead-in-deadly-gas-attack-reported-on-syrian-rebel-enclave-damascus-denies-129040">Dozens dead in deadly gas attack reported on Syrian rebel enclave, Damascus denies</a>

Video posted to a social media website shows people, including several children, being treated with medicine via inhaler in an emergency clinic, in what is said to be Douma, Syria. Many were being hosed down with water.

CWG 2018: Manu Bhaker, all of 16, runs away with 10m pistol gold India's 16-year-old Manu Bhaker comfortably won the gold in women's 10 air pistol while Heena Sidhu staged a remarkable recovery to secure silver at the 21st Commonwealth Games here today. Ramming attack in Germany: what we know German authorities have for now ruled out a connection to Islamist terrorism after a man rammed customers on a restaurant terrace, killing two people, but much remains unclear about the incident. Baghdad's infrastructure in ruins 15 years after Saddam fell After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were hopes its millennium-old capital Baghdad could rise again from the ashes, but construction sites have remained idle as if time stood still. Death toll rises to 15 in Canada bus crash The death toll for the Canadian bus crash, carrying 28 people, rose to 15 on Sunday. The bus was also carrying players of a junior league hockey team have died too. Dozens dead in deadly gas attack reported on Syrian rebel enclave, Damascus denies Video posted to a social media website shows people, including several children, being treated with medicine via inhaler in an emergency clinic, in what is said to be Douma, Syria. Many were being hosed down with water.

News brief: Top stories of the day

After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were hopes its millennium-old capital Baghdad could rise again from the ashes, but construction sites have remained idle as if time stood still.

For 15 years promises of rebuilding infrastructure in the second most populous Arab capital have fallen through and a multitude of projects have been shelved.

Baghdad's skyline is dotted with the desolate sights of rusting cranes, while roads and bridges are gutted with potholes and craters from lack of maintenance.

Even the emblematic Fardous (paradise) Square, where a giant effigy of dictator Saddam Hussein was symbolically pulled down with the help of US Marines, remains to be revamped.

Infrastructure across Baghdad, a city of 900 square kilometres (350 square miles), is in dire need of repairs.

"Industry, education, health, agriculture... everything is now worse than it was during Saddam's rule," said businessman Sadeq al-Shomari.&nbsp

In 2004 and again in 2007, international conferences were organised to rebuild Iraq and donors pledged massive funds for projects that have never materialised.

Some of the funds allocated to rebuilding Baghdad have disappeared, according to Transparency International which ranks Iraq as the 12th most corrupt country in the world.

40,000 thieves

Teacher Zuheir Ouasmi blames it on corrupt officials who he says have pilfered Iraqi coffers, comparing his country's woes to the folktale "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves".

Before 2003 "the wealth of Ali Baba was in the hands of the dictator but now 40,000 thieves have take over Ali Baba's cave and the treasure", he said.

As Baghdad's infrastructure worsens, its population has swelled mainly due to an influx of people who fled conflict zones elsewhere in Iraq to settle in the capital.

In 2003, the capital was home to 4.7 million but now the population of Baghdad is 7.2 million strong.

During that same period, the number of cars in the congested city also grew from 250,000 to more than two million vehicles.

Daily power cuts plague the population who, in order to keep their refrigerators working and mobile phones charged, must rely on privately-owned generators.

The streets of the capital -- wracked by years of sectarian violence after the US-led invasion that ousted Saddam and car bomb attacks -- are some of the most congested in the world.

Cement blocks have been erected to block off roads and render them more secure from 2003 onwards, and restaurants, cafes and shops have also used cement walls and sandbags as protection.

Now that the violence has decreased, hundreds of streets have been reopened but roadblocks manned by security forces are still an obstacle course for motorists and pedestrians alike.

The iconic Rashid Street, which was built during World War I and until the 1970s was Baghdad's answer to the Champs-Elysees in Paris, is now dotted with "cement walls and roadblocks and rubble", &nbspbemoaned US-Iraqi architect Raya Alanie.

"It is sad. Everything must be renovated," she said of Baghdad's heritage.

City within a city

Alanie recalled the heyday of the city, heart of the Abassid Caliphate and the centre of Arab and Muslim civilisation for five centuries.

Baghdad "was the first city to equip homes" along Abu Nawas Avenue which girds the Tigris River, "with solar energy" in the 1980s, when Saddam ruled over the country, she said.

The Tigris is the city's green lung and on the other bank, behind barbed wire and cement fortifications, a small island can be seen.

There, in what is known as Baghdad's Green Zone, the grass is green and traffic along its wide avenues is rare.

The fortified area houses the country's key institutions and it is where the US troops that invaded Baghdad in 2003 had set up their headquarters in Saddam's palace.

The Green Zone is out of bounds for most Iraqis and only a few are privileged enough to have a pass to enter the area, which is also home to the US and British embassies.

After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were hopes its millennium-old capital Baghdad could rise again from the ashes, but construction sites have remained idle as if time stood still

After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were hopes its millennium-old capital Baghdad could rise again from the ashes, but construction sites have remained idle as if time stood still. For 15 years promises of rebuilding infrastructure in the second most populous Arab capital have fallen through and a multitude of projects have been shelved. Baghdad's skyline is dotted with the desolate sights of rusting cranes, while roads and bridges are gutted with potholes and craters from lack of maintenance. Even the emblematic Fardous (paradise) Square, where a giant effigy of dictator Saddam Hussein was symbolically pulled down with the help of US Marines, remains to be revamped. Infrastructure across Baghdad, a city of 900 square kilometres (350 square miles), is in dire need of repairs. "Industry, education, health, agriculture... everything is now worse than it was during Saddam's rule," said businessman Sadeq al-Shomari. In 2004 and again in 2007, international conferences were organised to rebuild Iraq and donors pledged massive funds for projects that have never materialised. Some of the funds allocated to rebuilding Baghdad have disappeared, according to Transparency International which ranks Iraq as the 12th most corrupt country in the world. 40,000 thieves Teacher Zuheir Ouasmi blames it on corrupt officials who he says have pilfered Iraqi coffers, comparing his country's woes to the folktale "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves". Before 2003 "the wealth of Ali Baba was in the hands of the dictator but now 40,000 thieves have take over Ali Baba's cave and the treasure", he said. As Baghdad's infrastructure worsens, its population has swelled mainly due to an influx of people who fled conflict zones elsewhere in Iraq to settle in the capital. In 2003, the capital was home to 4.7 million but now the population of Baghdad is 7.2 million strong. During that same period, the number of cars in the congested city also grew from 250,000 to more than two million vehicles. Daily power cuts plague the population who, in order to keep their refrigerators working and mobile phones charged, must rely on privately-owned generators. The streets of the capital -- wracked by years of sectarian violence after the US-led invasion that ousted Saddam and car bomb attacks -- are some of the most congested in the world. Cement blocks have been erected to block off roads and render them more secure from 2003 onwards, and restaurants, cafes and shops have also used cement walls and sandbags as protection. Now that the violence has decreased, hundreds of streets have been reopened but roadblocks manned by security forces are still an obstacle course for motorists and pedestrians alike. The iconic Rashid Street, which was built during World War I and until the 1970s was Baghdad's answer to the Champs-Elysees in Paris, is now dotted with "cement walls and roadblocks and rubble", &nbspbemoaned US-Iraqi architect Raya Alanie. "It is sad. Everything must be renovated," she said of Baghdad's heritage. City within a city Alanie recalled the heyday of the city, heart of the Abassid Caliphate and the centre of Arab and Muslim civilisation for five centuries. Baghdad "was the first city to equip homes" along Abu Nawas Avenue which girds the Tigris River, "with solar energy" in the 1980s, when Saddam ruled over the country, she said. The Tigris is the city's green lung and on the other bank, behind barbed wire and cement fortifications, a small island can be seen. There, in what is known as Baghdad's Green Zone, the grass is green and traffic along its wide avenues is rare. The fortified area houses the country's key institutions and it is where the US troops that invaded Baghdad in 2003 had set up their headquarters in Saddam's palace. The Green Zone is out of bounds for most Iraqis and only a few are privileged enough to have a pass to enter the area, which is also home to the US and British embassies.

Baghdad's infrastructure in ruins 15 years after Saddam fell

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