WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, May 23, 2017 to 08:00 GMT, May 24, 2018.

Iran's JCPOA conditions

Iran’s Leader sets out several conditions for European signatories if they want Tehran to stay in the 2015 nuclear deal. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said France, Germany and Britain must protect Iranian oil sales from the US pressure and continue buying crude from Iran. He added that European banks must also safeguard trade with Tehran. Ayatollah Khamenei said Europeans must submit an anti-US resolution to the UN Security Council to protest the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Iran’s leader noted that if the European countries fail to meet Iran’s demands, Tehran has the right to resume suspended nuclear activities.

Syria attacked

Syrian media says the US-led coalition has bombarded several Syrian army positions in the country’s east. According to Syria's national TV, the air raids happened in Dayr al-Zawr province, between Bukamal and Hmeimeh. Syrian media reports that the attacks have caused no deaths. Since 2014, the US and its allies have been bombarding Syria with the stated goal of driving out Daesh terrorists. The strikes have resulted in many civilian casualties. Syria has repeatedly complained to the United Nations that the air raids violate its sovereignty. The US-led coalition is operating in Syria without the country’s consent or a UN mandate.

Italian politics

Italy’s prime minister designate says his government will be a government of change and will represent the interests of all Italians. Conte will head a coalition government made up of the far-right League and anti-establishment 5-Star Movement. The coalition says it will challenge the EU’s rules on monetary union, fiscal rigor and immigration. Conte has received President Sergio Mattarella’s blessings to form his government.

Israel pushing US to recognize Golan Heights

Israel's intelligence minister says Tel Aviv is pressing the US to recognize its sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights. Yisrael Katz also says the proposal tops the agenda in bilateral talks with the United States. According to the Israeli official, the plan is under discussion at various levels of the US government and Congress. Katz says there is a high probability a decision will be made within a year. Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967. It has occupied two-thirds of the territory ever since. The international community does not recognize Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights.

Ukraine paid Trump lawyer to land meeting

A media report says Ukraine paid the US president’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen, at least 400,000 dollars to set up talks with Donald Trump. Intermediaries acting for Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko arranged the payment. The sum could be as high as 600,000. Cohen did not register as a representative for Ukraine, as it’s legally required. A Ukrainian intelligence officer is said to have enlisted Cohen's help because Ukraine’s embassy in Washington was unable to arrange a meeting with Trump. Cohen has denied the allegations. Poroshenko met Trump in June last year. Last month the FBI raided Cohen's office and residence over a scandal involving the US president and a film actress.

Iran nuclear deal

Germany and China have reiterated their support for the 2015 nuclear deal signed between Iran and the P5+1 group. German Chancellor Angela Merkel made the comment during a joint news briefing with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. She is in Beijing for a two-day visit. It comes as the Joint Commission of the parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will meet on Friday in Vienna to discuss the future of the nuclear agreement. The meeting will be held for the first time without the United States that withdrew from the accord earlier this month.

US-North Korea summit

North Korea says the future of the planned summit between Pyongyang and Washington is entirely up to the United States. The foreign ministry said North Korea will neither “beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade US officials if they do not want to sit together with the North”. Vice foreign minister Choe Son Hui said she would recommend leader Kim Jong-un cancel the summit if the US continues to make threats. US Vice President Mike Pence earlier said if Kim doesn't make a deal, North Korea could end up like Libya. Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed during a 2011 US-led invasion years after giving up nuclear weapons. Pyongyang called Pence ignorant and stupid for his warning.

Argentina strike  

Striking teachers in Argentina hold a demonstration, demanding higher pay in the latest wave of protests sweeping the country. The two-day nationwide walkout began on Tuesday. The industrial action was called by unions. Protesters demand a 24 percent raise and a trigger clause in their contracts that increases salaries to match inflation. The government says it can increase the salaries up to 15 percent but teachers have rejected the proposal. The striking teachers held a rally in the capital Buenos Aires, slamming what they called government-imposed austerity policies.