News

Diplomatic face-off: US, UK, France, Germany Stop All Iran Flights As Allies Step Up Sanctions

Published

3 months ago

September 11, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The US, UK, France and Germany have imposed fresh sanctions on Iran for supplying Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine.

The measures include restrictions on national carrier Iran Air’s ability to fly to the UK and Europe, and travel bans and asset freezes on a number of Iranians accused of facilitating military support for Russia.

Visiting London, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russians had been trained by Iranian forces to use short-range ballistic missiles and that they could be deployed against Ukrainians within weeks.

Iran has repeatedly denied supplying such self-guided weapons to Russia.

At a joint news conference with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Tuesday, Blinken asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “increasingly relying on support” from Iran and North Korea to help “wage his war of aggression on Ukraine” in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

He said the US had recently shared intelligence with its partners showing that dozens of military personnel had been trained in Iran to use the Fath-360 ballistic missile system, which has a maximum range of 75 miles (120km).

Lammy said the move was “a significant and dangerous escalation”.

The missiles are likely to boost Russia’s arsenal, enabling it to hit Ukrainian cities close to Russia’s borders or areas it already controls at the same time as it deploys its longer-range missiles deeper into Ukrainian territory.

The UK Foreign Office said the US and UK sanctions targeted several key individuals heavily involved in the ballistic missile and drone supply chains.

They included Brig Gen Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari, who it said was director general for international relations at Iran’s defence ministry and was linked to its exports of defence products to its partners.

Sanctions have also been imposed on five Russian cargo ships for transporting the military supplies from Iran, despite what the UK said were repeated warnings not to do so.

Additionally, several organisations, including some allegedly involved in the production of Iran’s kamikaze-style Shahed drones – which Russia has used consistently in attacks on Ukrainian cities – have been sanctioned.

In a statement, the UK, France and Germany – known as the E3 – said Iran’s supply of missiles represented a “a direct threat to European security”.

But Iran called the Western statements “false and misleading”.

Iran has long supplied Shahed drones to Russia, but European officials say the sale of missiles represented an “escalation”
The Western sanctions come as Russia has continued to make gains in eastern Ukraine, with Moscow’s forces rapidly approaching the key settlement of Pokrovsk – an essential transport hub.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has made clear the UK government will continue to back Ukraine for as long as needed.

But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised the pace of weapons deliveries, and asked for authorisation to strike targets deep inside Russia with Western-supplied missiles – a move the US has thus far resisted.

Blinken and Lammy also announced a joint trip to Ukraine this week, the first such trip in years as UK diplomats seek to frame the secretary of state’s visit as a reaffirmation of a close partnership between the two countries, often described as the “special relationship”.

Blinken said one of their goals ahead of the visit was to “hear directly from the Ukrainian leadership” about their “objectives and what we can do to support those needs”.

News

SEE Black Market Exchange Rate: USD to NGN

Published

34 minutes ago

December 21, 2024

Naijablitznews

As of Friday, December 20, 2024, the exchange rate for the US Dollar to the Nigerian Naira at the Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) stands at:

Buying Rate: ₦1,656
Selling Rate: ₦1,660
These rates reflect the prices at which players in the Bureau De Change (BDC) sector are buying and selling US dollars.

It is important to note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market, as the official directive encourages individuals wishing to engage in foreign exchange transactions to approach their respective banks for the official rates.

Official Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today:

Highest Rate: ₦1,570
Lowest Rate: ₦1,532
Please bear in mind that the exchange rates at the black market or any other exchange point may vary based on market dynamics and fluctuations, so the rates you encounter might be different from those mentioned in this article.

News

Tinubu condoles with NUJ , IPI over Rafat Salami’s passage

Published

36 minutes ago

December 21, 2024

Naijablitznews

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) following the passing of Hajiya Rafat Onyeche Salami, the recently elected Treasurer of the International Press Institute (IPI).

Her loss has been deeply felt across the journalistic community and beyond.

Hajiya Salami also served as the Secretary of the NUJ, Abuja Council, dedicating her talents and passion to advancing journalism in Nigeria.

President Tinubu commiserates with the leadership and members of the IPI, the Voice of Nigeria (VON) staff, and the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), acknowledging Salami’s unwavering commitment to her profession and nation.

In her career as a reporter, broadcaster, and producer, Hajiya Salami tried to keep the public informed on crucial developmental issues.

Her advocacy for women’s and children’s rights was a testament to her strong voice and compassionate spirit.

President Tinubu calls upon her colleagues, friends, and family to honour her by continuing the impactful work she championed as they bid farewell to the multilingual and multitalented journalist.

News

Just in: Again, NNPC Reportedly Reduces Petrol Price

Published

1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has reduced its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly referred to as petrol, from N1,020 to N899 per litre.

This decision, coming days after the Dangote Refinery reduced its price to N899, was confirmed by the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria in a statement released on Saturday.

The statement signed by the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Dr Joseph Obele, and quoting a document released by NNPCL’s Commercial Department indicates a reduction based on the regional pricing scheme.

The price indicated that marketers would buy the product at N899 per litre, matching the price offered by the Dangote refinery a few days ago.

Marketers purchasing from Warri, Oghara, Port Harcourt and Calabar will, however, pay N970 per litre to offtake products.

The statement read, “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has taken a significant step in response to the competitive impact of deregulation in the downstream sector.

“The company recently reduced the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit from N1,020 to N899 per litre.

“The price reduction by NNPCL is seen as a response to the competitive impact of deregulation, which has led to increased competition in the downstream sector.”

Obele noted that the price reduction by the national oil firm is seen as a response to the competitive impact of deregulation, which has led to increased competition in the downstream sector.

He also expressed optimism that PMS prices will drop further before the end of January 2025, given the global decline in crude oil prices and the naira’s recent gain against the dollar.

Obele described the trend as a price war while he emphasized that the price reduction by Dangote Refinery and NNPCL demonstrates the benefits of competition and advocates for the immediate privatization of government-owned refineries.

The move is expected to spark a price war among oil marketers, ultimately benefiting consumers.

However, the NNPCL spokesperson, Femi Soneye, is yet to confirm this development.

Reacting to this development, the National President of PETROAN, Billy Harry, said the price reduction is a welcome development that will bring relief to motorists and Nigerians during the holiday season.

He said, “The reduction in PMS price by NNPCL is a demonstration of the company’s commitment to making petroleum products more affordable for Nigerians.

“We commend NNPCL for responding to our call for affordable PMS prices.”

He also listed the benefits of the price reduction to consumers, including “Reduced transportation costs: With lower PMS prices, motorists will spend less on fuel, leading to increased disposable income.

“Increased economic activity: Lower fuel prices will stimulate economic growth by reducing production costs and increasing demand for goods and services.

“Improved standard of living: The price reduction will lead to a decrease in the cost of living, enabling Nigerians to afford necessities and enjoy a better quality of life.”

Harry also commended Dangote Refinery for its earlier price reduction, which he said had helped to stimulate competition in the downstream sector.

The PETROAN national official also hinted at a report submitted by PETROAN’s technical pricing team, warning that competitive pricing can lead to compromised product quality.

He further urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to ensure compliance with quality assurance standards.

“PETROAN is calling on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to ensure compliance with quality assurance standards which may arise due to competitive pricing,” he added.