New york: Iran's ambassador to the United Nations has issued a formal appeal to top UN officials, urging them to denounce what he termed "reckless and provocative statements" made by US President Donald Trump. This call comes amid ongoing protests in Iran related to the rising cost of living, which have resulted in widespread unrest.
According to Anadolu Agency, Amir Saeed Iravani sent a letter on Friday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the president of the UN Security Council. This correspondence followed remarks made by President Trump, who stated that the United States was "locked and loaded and ready to go" should any further harm come to protesters in Iran. Iran's government asserted its right to defend its sovereignty and promised to exercise its rights decisively and proportionately.
In another significant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his proposal for Mykhailo Fedorov to take over as the country's new defense chief. Fedorov, who currently serves as Ukraine's digital transformation minister, has been notably involved in issues related to drones and the digitalization of state services. Zelenskyy conveyed this decision via a video message on the social media platform X.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has expressed support for a call from Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi for comprehensive talks in Riyadh. These talks aim to address the southern Yemen issue and bring together all southern factions to seek just solutions. The situation in Yemen has intensified since the Southern Transitional Council forces took control of key provinces, raising tensions with neighboring Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has accused the United Arab Emirates of encouraging military operations along its southern borders, a claim that Abu Dhabi has denied.
In business news, Chinese automaker BYD has surpassed Tesla as the leading global seller of electric vehicles for 2025, selling 2.26 million fully electric cars. Meanwhile, Turkish Aerospace Industries' subsidiary TUSAS Engine Industries has secured a $2.95 billion order in high value-added engine production, marking a significant export success for Turkey in 2026.