ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including Iran urging Trump not to repeat June "mistake," adding Tehran is "ready" for diplomacy; Trump saying that he “can’t rely on Denmark” to defend Greenland against potential threats from Russia or China; G7 countries condemning the "deliberate use of violence, killing of protestors" in Iran, expressing readiness to impose additional measures against Tehran if a crack down on protests continue; and Trump’s special envoy announcing the start of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan.

TOP STORIES

• Iran urges Trump not to repeat June 'mistake'; Tehran 'ready' for diplomacy

Iran’s foreign minister cautioned US President Donald Trump not to repeat the "mistake" of previous military confrontations, emphasizing that Tehran is prepared for diplomacy, during an interview with an American news outlet.

"My message is, don't repeat the mistake you made in June. You know, if you try a failed experience, you will get the same result," Abbas Araghchi told Fox News, referring to American strikes against three nuclear facilities in Iran as part of a 12-day Iran-Israel war in June.

"You know, you destroyed facilities (in June), but technology cannot be bombed, determination also cannot be bombed," he said, addressing recent tensions and the US’ stance toward Tehran.

• Trump says he ‘can’t rely’ on Denmark to protect Greenland

US President Donald Trump said he “can’t rely on Denmark” to defend Greenland against potential threats from Russia or China.

“I can't rely on Denmark being able to fend themselves off. They were talking about it, they put an extra dog sled there. Last month, they entered a second dog sled that's not going to do the trick,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

“We need Greenland for national security, so we're going to see what happens,” Trump said. “If we don't go in, Russia is going to go in, and China's going to go in. And there's not a thing that Denmark can do about it, but we can do everything.”

• G7 condemns 'deliberate use of violence, killing of protestors' in Iran

G7 countries condemned the "deliberate use of violence, killing of protestors" in Iran, expressing their readiness to impose additional measures against Tehran if the crackdown on protests continues.

Protests in Iran have continued since late December over worsening economic conditions and depreciation of its currency rial.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, US and the EU foreign policy chief said they are "gravely concerned" by developments surrounding anti-government protests in Iran.

• Trump envoy says Gaza ceasefire enters 2nd phase focused on demilitarization, reconstruction

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy announced the start of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan, saying the focus will shift to demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction.

“Phase Two establishes a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), and begins the full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorized personnel,” Steve Witkoff said in a statement on the US social media platform X.

He said the US expects the Palestinian group, Hamas, to fully comply with its obligations under the agreement, including “the immediate return of the final deceased hostage.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Danish foreign minister said he "didn't manage to change American position" on Greenland during a meeting with US officials at the White House.
• Hungary's main opposition party Tisza has indicated that Polish officials currently under asylum in his country could face extradition if it wins the April parliamentary election
• Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman said the kingdom would continue supporting Yemen politically and economically, following talks with Rashad al-Alimi, the head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council.
• The Louvre Museum’s decision to raise ticket prices for visitors from outside Europe took effect, a move that has sparked criticism about dual pricing.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel has always tried to draw the US into wars fought “on its behalf.”
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he will declare a state of emergency for the energy sector due to extreme weather conditions and Russian strikes that have left much of Kyiv without power.
• Britain is pulling personnel from the al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, where the Royal Air Force (RAF) is stationed alongside US troops, as President Donald Trump weighs action against Iran, media reports said.
• Türkiye, Egypt and Qatar welcomed the formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee to administer the Gaza Strip, headed by Dr. Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, terming it an "important development" toward strengthening stability and improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
• The US State Department said it welcomed Palestinian support for President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, underscoring Washington’s commitment to ending the war in the Gaza Strip.
• Several Swedish armed forces officers have been sent to Greenland on Denmark's request to join a military exercise, Sweden's prime minister said.
• The US is pausing immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, a State Department spokesperson confirmed to Anadolu.
• US President Donald Trump’s administration has launched a new $11 billion global health initiative aimed at replacing the US Agency for International Development (USAID) with a system that delivers aid directly to foreign governments and health institutions, media reports said.
• Qatar confirmed the departure of some personnel from the Al Udeid Air Base due to rising tensions in the region.
• Russia would be open to a visit from US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for a Ukrainian settlement, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he has been told that tech billionaire Elon Musk's X social media company is taking steps to ensure full compliance with UK law.
• French President Emmanuel Macron warned that any violation of Greenland’s sovereignty would lead to “unprecedented cascading consequences,” amid renewed statements by the US about taking control of the Arctic island.
• Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it is at the “peak of defensive readiness” amid a dramatic escalation of tensions with the United States.
• Denmark has begun deploying military equipment and advanced troops to Greenland, amid rising tensions over the Arctic island’s strategic importance and renewed rhetoric from the US, according to Danish media reports.
• A group of European Parliament members from several EU countries called for the immediate freeze of the approval process of a proposed trade agreement with the US, citing renewed remarks by US President Donald Trump questioning Denmark’s territorial integrity over Greenland.
• Russia claimed another Ukrainian settlement came under the control of its forces in the last day.
• The Syrian Army deployed additional military reinforcements to the eastern countryside of Aleppo, amid rising tensions with the YPG/SDF terror organization and remnants of the former regime, according to Syrian media.
• At least 28 people were killed and nearly 80 injured after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in northeastern Thailand, according to the Thai Enquirer.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• South Korean, Japanese leaders discuss Seoul's bid to join trans-Pacific trade pact, seafood ban

South Korea reaffirmed its intention to join a trans-Pacific trade pact during summit talks between President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, an official said.

South Korean National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said the two sides will continue discussions on Seoul’s accession to the 12-member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, according to Seoul-based Yonhap News.

The two sides also discussed Seoul’s longstanding ban on seafood imports from eight Japanese provinces, imposed in 2013 in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.