Syria consultations has began in Nur Sultan

On Wednesday, the US authorities added Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign Minister, to the SDN List — «Interfax» reports. The sanctions block all the assets of the Iranian minister in the USA, if there are any. Also, the US Treasury Department reserves the right to impose sanctions against the persons who make any transactions with Javad Zarif. The US Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin called Javad Zarif «the main voice of the Iranian regime in the world». He called his recent behavior «completely unacceptable.» Later, the US Presidential Adviser on the Homeland Security John Bolton said that the sanctions, imposed against Javad Zarif, signal that Washington considers him to be an illegitimate representative of Iran, and his activities are illegal. Javad Zarif announced that the American sanctions against him will do no harm, since he has no property outside of Iran.

Korea’s Central Telegraph Agency revealed the details of the missile launches on 31st of July. The agency reported that the North Korean officials, scientists, and engineers proudly conducted »the first test launch of a new type of guided missile» which will «play a major role in the ground-based military operations». It was reported that “North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally controlled the test launch from the newly developed large-caliber multi-purpose missile system”. He was allegedly pleased with the test results. During the launches, the tactical and technical characteristics of the new missile were tested. As well as »the combat effectiveness of the entire missile system». According to the North Korean leader, the new weapon will become an “imminent disaster” for the enemies of the DPRK.

The consultations of a high-level meeting on the Syrian settlement has began in the capital of Kazakhstan, the city of Nur-Sultan — TASS reports. On the first day of the negotiations, bilateral and trilateral consultations took place between the guarantor countries of the Astana process — Russia, Iran and Turkey, with the other participants from the Syrian government, and their armed opposition. The special envoy of the UN Secretary General for Syria took part in the talks as well. The main topics of the negotiations will be formation and start of a constitutional committee, the exchange of prisoners, and the general situation in the Syrian province of Idlib, and in the north-east of the country.

Large-scale exercises of the Russian Baltic Fleet «Ocean Shield-2019» has began in the Baltic Sea — RIA NEWS reports with a reference to the statement of the Russian Ministry of Defense. From 1st to 9th of August, 49 warships and gunboats, 20 support vessels, 58 naval and air-space aircraft will be involved in the exercises. As well as more than 10,000 troops. During the exercises, it is planned to check the readiness of the Russian Baltic Fleet to protect the national interests, and to improve the «fleet management skills.»

About 800 settlements in Siberia and the Russian Far East region are in smoke due to the large-scale forest fires — the press service of the Russian Emergency Ministry announced. “The most difficult situation is developing on the territory of Yakutia, Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk regions. 804 settlements in 38 districts are in smoke.” — the representative of the Ministry of Emergencies told to the TASS agency. Earlier, the Ministry of Emergency Situations stated that the situation with the forest fires is developing according to the worst case scenario, since no sufficient measures, aimed to eliminate the forest fires, have been taken locally. The forest fires engulfed about 3 millions of hectares by now. An emergency mode was declared in 5 regions.

Donald Trump has designated Brazil as the main non-NATO ally — interfax reports while citing the White House. «In accordance with the authority granted to me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, as well as the section 517 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, with amendments — I designate the Federal Republic of Brazil as the main non-NATO ally of the United States» — Donald Trump announced. This status determines the priority of the United States that aimed to develop the relations with Brazil. The parties can participate in joint defense initiatives, in space projects, can conduct joint military research, carry out some counter-terrorism measures, as well as sell limited types of weapons.