In a statement, the Palestinian Islamist movement said it supported Iran’s right to respond to what it described as aggression but appealed to Tehran to avoid military actions that could draw additional countries into the conflict.

“While affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, the movement calls on the brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighboring countries,” Hamas said. The statement marked the group’s first public appeal of this nature directed at Tehran.

Hamas also called on the international community to work toward an immediate end to the war that has engulfed the region since late February.

The group previously condemned the killing of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, on the first day of the conflict, describing it as a “heinous crime” and crediting him with providing political, diplomatic and military backing to the Palestinian movement over many years.

Despite facing U.S. and Israeli military pressure, Iran has launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes that have reached at least 10 countries since the start of the conflict, according to statements cited by Hamas.

Authorities in Qatar said two missiles were intercepted on Saturday after explosions were heard in the capital Doha, prompting evacuations in parts of the city.

Meanwhile, NATO forces intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran in the airspace of Turkiye on Friday, Turkish officials said.

The conflict has also intensified along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, where the Iran-aligned group Hezbollah fired hundreds of rockets at Israel shortly after the war began. Lebanese authorities say nearly 800 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the escalation.

Iran has long been one of Hamas’s principal backers, with analysts estimating that Tehran provided the movement with tens of millions of dollars annually.

Under Khamenei, support for Palestinian groups formed a central element of Iran’s regional strategy against Israel and its allies. Several Sunni-majority states have also maintained ties with Hamas, including Qatar, which has funded humanitarian and reconstruction programs in Gaza, and Turkiye, which has provided political and diplomatic support under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Qatar has hosted Hamas’s political leadership in Doha, enabling the group to maintain international contacts and participate in mediation and negotiation efforts related to Gaza.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from an area near the capital Pyongyang toward waters off the country’s east coast. The launches occurred during large-scale allied military drills aimed at strengthening defense readiness against potential threats from the North.

Japan’s coast guard also detected what it said could be a ballistic missile that later fell into the sea. Public broadcaster NHK, citing Japanese military officials, reported the projectile appeared to land outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

The missile activity came as U.S. and South Korean troops conducted major annual exercises across South Korea this week. Officials from both allies say the drills are defensive in nature and designed to test military preparedness in the event of a conflict with North Korea.

On Saturday, hundreds of American and South Korean troops carried out river-crossing exercises involving tanks and armored combat vehicles. The drills were overseen by the commander of their combined forces.

The United States maintains about 28,500 troops in South Korea along with squadrons of fighter jets as part of its longstanding security commitment to the country

North Korea has routinely condemned such military exercises, describing them as rehearsals for an invasion. The country has repeatedly responded to the drills with weapons tests or military demonstrations.

For more than two decades, Pyongyang has tested a wide range of ballistic and cruise missiles as part of its effort to develop systems capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

It is widely believed to have successfully built nuclear devices.The missile and nuclear programs have prompted multiple rounds of sanctions by the United Nations Security Council since 2006, targeting the country’s trade, economy and defense sectors.

The launches came days after South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met Trump in Washington to discuss ways to revive dialogue with North Korea.

Kim told reporters that Trump remains eager to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un if an opportunity arises.

The latest missile launches underscore continuing tensions on the Korean Peninsula even as diplomatic channels remain under discussion.

In a statement, the court’s prosecutors said their preliminary examination did not establish sufficient grounds to pursue a formal investigation related to the impact of the sanctions.

The prosecutors noted that a separate investigation remains ongoing into possible crimes against humanity committed in Venezuela since 2014.

That probe focuses on alleged abuses connected to the country’s political crisis and is independent of the examination into sanctions-related claims.

,The review considered allegations that U.S. sanctions imposed on Venezuela could have contributed to humanitarian suffering and therefore might constitute crimes against humanity under the court’s jurisdiction.

However, prosecutors said the available information did not meet the legal threshold required to proceed with an investigation.

The decision means the court will not pursue further action related to the sanctions themselves while continuing its broader inquiry into alleged crimes committed within Venezuela.

The Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, was approved by Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies with 53 votes in favor, eight against and four abstentions out of 80 lawmakers, while 15 were absent. The agreement now awaits the signature of President Santiago Peña before taking effect.

The deal, signed in Washington in December, establishes the legal framework governing the presence of U.S. personnel in Paraguay for training exercises, joint operations and humanitarian assistance missions.

The agreement allows U.S. security forces to operate temporarily within Paraguay for military training, multinational exercises and disaster response efforts. It also grants the United States criminal jurisdiction over its personnel while they are stationed in the country.

Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano described the agreement in December as a measure aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in combating transnational organized crime and terrorism. He also said the agreement does not allow the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases in Paraguay.

The treaty had already been approved by Paraguay’s Senate last week following a more polarized debate that included concerns from some lawmakers about sovereignty and legal protections granted to foreign personnel.

Several legislators opposed the agreement, arguing that provisions granting immunity from local prosecution could undermine national sovereignty. Independent congressman Raúl Benítez said during the debate that while Paraguay supports international cooperation, it must also preserve “strong states, respected institutions and real democratic sovereignty.

”Civil society groups also criticized the pact ahead of the vote. The regional organization Peace and Justice Service said in a statement that security should not depend on the presence of foreign troops or legal protections equivalent to diplomatic immunity.

Washington welcomed the deal as part of broader security cooperation in the region. Marco Rubio, the U.S. secretary of state, described the agreement as “historic,” saying it would facilitate bilateral and multinational training, humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The approval comes as the Trump administration seeks to expand U.S. engagement in Latin America as part of its national security strategy, including deeper defense cooperation with regional partners.

Her remarks came as Seoul and Washington proceeded with their annual joint military exercises, which the two allies say are designed to strengthen defensive readiness against potential threats from North Korea.

Kim Yo Jong described the military exercises as provocative and warned they could undermine security in the region. Statements from North Korean officials have frequently portrayed joint U.S.-South Korean military activities as rehearsals for invasion.

The criticism reflects longstanding opposition from Pyongyang to the annual exercises, which typically involve large-scale troop deployments and coordinated operations between the two militaries.

Officials in South Korea and the United States maintain that the drills are defensive in nature and aimed at ensuring readiness and coordination between allied forces.

The exercises form a central component of the long-standing military alliance between the two countries, which maintains a substantial U.S. troop presence on the Korean Peninsula.

Analysts say North Korea’s leadership remains focused on maintaining strong deterrence capabilities amid shifting geopolitical tensions. One analyst said Pyongyang is determined not to face the same fate as Iran amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and its allies.

The comments come as regional tensions remain elevated amid global security concerns and ongoing military activity across several geopolitical flashpoints.

Rubio said in a statement that Washington had designated Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government as a “state sponsor of wrongful detention,” calling on Kabul to free all U.S. citizens currently held there, including Mahmood Habibi and Dennis Coyle.

Rubio accused the Taliban of using detention tactics to extract concessions. “The Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions,” he said, adding that the United States had concluded it was unsafe for Americans to travel to Afghanistan because of the risk of unjust detention.

Two sources familiar with the matter said Washington could restrict the use of U.S. passports for travel to Afghanistan if the Taliban authorities do not comply with U.S. demands.

Such restrictions currently apply only to travel to North Korea under U.S. regulations.

The United States is also seeking the return of the remains of Paul Overby, who was last seen near Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan in 2014, according to the sources.

Reuters was unable to reach Taliban officials for comment on the U.S. designation. The Taliban government has previously denied detaining Habibi, who formerly headed Afghanistan’s civil aviation authority.

The report that the United States was considering such a designation was first reported by CBS News earlier on Monday.

Rubio made a similar determination against Iran on Feb. 27 under an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump in September. He warned that Washington could also restrict travel to Iran over the detention of U.S. citizens, although no such restrictions have been imposed.

The United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran the day after the designation was announced.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Seoul, Lee acknowledged domestic debate over the reported transfer of U.S. military equipment from South Korea, including artillery batteries and air-defence systems.

“It appears that there is controversy recently over U.S. Forces in Korea shipping some weapons, such as artillery batteries and air-defence weapons, out of the country,” Lee said, adding that while South Korea had expressed opposition, it was not in a position to make demands regarding U.S. operational decisions.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said last week that the U.S. and South Korean militaries were discussing the possible redeployment of some Patriot missile system batteries stationed in South Korea for use in the conflict in the Middle East.

Local media reported that some of the systems were shipped from Osan Air Base and could be redeployed to U.S. military installations in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, though South Korean authorities have not confirmed the reports.

Lee said the reported removal of certain U.S. weapons would not undermine South Korea’s deterrence posture toward North Korea.

He noted that South Korea’s defence spending and conventional military capabilities exceed those of North Korea, suggesting that the country remains capable of maintaining security despite potential adjustments to U.S. deployments.

The discussions come as U.S. and Israeli forces continue strikes on strategic targets inside Iran as part of a military campaign that U.S. President Donald Trump has said is intended to cripple Iran’s nuclear weapons programme and ballistic missile capabilities.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said Britain was “finally giving serious thought” to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East but added that such support was unnecessary. He wrote that the United States did not need “people that join wars after we’ve already won.”

The remarks came as reports indicated the British government was considering deploying Royal Navy carriers, including HMS Prince of Wales, to the region amid escalating tensions linked to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. British officials said preparations were underway but that no final decision on deployment had been made. Trump has also criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over London’s earlier reluctance to allow U.S. forces to use British bases during initial strikes on Iran. Starmer said he wanted to ensure any military action was legal and properly planned before granting permission.

British officials later allowed U.S. forces to use bases for limited defensive operations against Iranian missile sites. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the government’s cautious approach, saying decisions were based on “calm and steady” judgement rather than rhetoric.The exchange highlights tensions within the long-standing U.S.–UK alliance as the conflict with Iran intensifies and Western governments debate how deeply to become involved militarily

Speaking to the newspaper on Saturday, Trump described Meloni as “a great leader” and said Italy was doing what it could to help in the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. “She always tries to help, she is an excellent leader and she is a friend of mine,” Trump said, according to the report.Italy signals support roleItaly has taken steps in recent days indicating a possible role in regional security efforts linked to the conflict.

Meloni said on Thursday that Rome was planning to send air-defence assistance to Gulf countries facing Iranian air strikes.The move reflects broader European concerns about the security implications of escalating hostilities in the Middle East.Naval deployment near eastern MediterraneanSeparately, an Italian navy vessel is preparing to sail to Cyprus, an Italian navy spokesperson said on Friday. The deployment is part of a joint European mission intended to help protect the island after it came under Iranian fire.The operation underscores growing military coordination among European countries as regional tensions intensify.

Diplomatic alignment with WashingtonTrump’s remarks highlight the close political relationship between Washington and Rome under Meloni’s leadership. Italy, a NATO member and a key European Union economy, has maintained strong security ties with the United States.Italian officials have not detailed the full scope of their potential involvement, but recent defence measures suggest Rome is positioning itself to support regional security initiatives connected to the conflict.

Caccia, 68, previously served as the Vatican’s representative to the United Nations beginning in 2020 and earlier held a diplomatic posting in the Philippines, where he represented the Holy See during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, whose controversial anti-drug campaign drew international criticism.The appointment places Caccia in one of the Vatican’s most influential diplomatic roles, overseeing relations with the United States, a key global political and economic power and home to one of the largest Catholic populations in the world.Experienced diplomat moves to key postCaccia has spent decades in the Vatican’s diplomatic service, representing the Holy See in several countries and international forums. His tenure as the Vatican’s ambassador to the United Nations placed him at the center of global discussions on humanitarian crises, conflict resolution and multilateral cooperation.Before that role, Caccia served for two years as the Vatican’s envoy in Manila, a period that overlapped with Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs.” The campaign, which Philippine authorities said targeted criminal networks, led to thousands of deaths and was widely criticized by human rights groups and international observers.During that time, the Vatican maintained diplomatic engagement with the Philippine government while continuing to emphasize the Church’s longstanding advocacy for the protection of human life and human dignity.

Caccia’s appointment comes at a moment when relations between the Vatican and Washington have been shaped by disagreements over international policy issues.The Vatican has recently criticized U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, reflecting the Holy See’s broader calls for de-escalation and dialogue in the Middle East. Vatican officials have frequently urged diplomatic solutions to conflicts and warned against actions that could intensify regional instability.Pope Leo has also voiced concern about several policy positions associated with the Trump administration, although the Holy See typically frames such comments in broader moral and humanitarian terms rather than direct political criticism.

As apostolic nuncio, Caccia will serve as the Vatican’s chief diplomatic representative to the United States and as a liaison between the Holy See and the American Catholic Church. The role typically involves managing diplomatic relations with the U.S. government while also playing a part in communication between the Vatican and U.S. bishops.The position has long been considered strategically important within the Vatican’s global diplomatic network, given the United States’ influence in international affairs and its role in shaping debates on security, economic policy and humanitarian initiatives.Caccia’s experience in multilateral diplomacy and his previous postings are expected to shape his approach as the Vatican navigates complex geopolitical developments and ongoing policy differences with Washington.