Yemen's Houthi rebels say Israeli airstrikes targeting the rebels in Yeman have killed at least 35 people and wounded over 130 others. Most of those killed in the strikes Wednesday were in Sanaa, the capital, where a military headquarters and a fuel station were among the sites hit, the health ministry said. Israel’s military carried out the strikes just days after Houthi rebels launched a drone attack that struck an Israeli airport. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, meanwhile, plans to seek sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel over the war in the Gaza Strip. The move adds to Israel’s already unprecedented isolation as it grapples with the fallout from its strike targeting Hamas leaders in U.S.-allied Qatar.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced plans to seek sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel over the war in Gaza. The European Union is divided on the issue, and it's uncertain if a majority will support her proposal. Meanwhile, Israel conducted heavy airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen’s capital Wednesday. The Houthis said the strikes hit a fuel station in Sanaa and a government facility outside the city and that at least 35 people were killed and more than 130 were wounded. Israel confirmed the airstrikes and said it was targeting the Houthis.
Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have signed an agreement in Cairo to open the way for resuming cooperation, including on ways of resuming inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met Tuesday with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi. They discussed developments involving Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The meeting came at a sensitive time as France, Germany and the United Kingdom on Aug. 28 began the process of reimposing sanctions on Iran. Iran’s president had signed a law July 2 suspending all cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog. It followed Israel's 12-day war on Iran in June, during which Israel and the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear sites.
Iran's foreign minister has spoken with his French, German, and British counterparts, trying to stop the reimposition of U.N. sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program. The call Friday came as these countries threaten to use the "snapback" mechanism from the 2015 nuclear deal. Concerns have grown since Iran cut off cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency after its war with Israel. Iran insists its program is peaceful but it enriches uranium at near weapons-grade levels. The European nations have set an Aug. 31 deadline for Iran to reach a “satisfactory solution” for allowing IAEA inspections and easing the crisis over its nuclear program.