TEHRAN -- A new round of talks on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers began in Vienna on Thursday after a 150-day hiatus, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA.

The Iranian negotiating team, headed by Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani, held a meeting with the Russian delegation led by Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna and chief negotiator to the Vienna talks. (Iran-Nuclear Talks-Begin)

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BEIRUT -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday reiterated his commitment to achieving justice for the victims of the explosions that rocked the Beirut port in 2020.

"I assure the families of the victims that I am committed to achieving justice by revealing the complete truth through an impartial judicial process away from any fraud, discretion or injustice, to hold accountable all those who are involved, because no one is above the law," Aoun said on the second anniversary of the tragic explosions. (Lebanon-Port Blasts-Justice)

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JERUSALEM -- Israel on Thursday deployed attack drones over the Gaza Strip and continued to close major roads in the south amid rising tensions with the Palestinians.

The Israeli Air Force deployed "dozens" of attack drones over Gaza as part of its preparations for locating and intercepting possible rockets or anti-tank fire launched by Palestinian militants in Gaza, the Hebrew-language Ynet news website reported. (Israel-Gaza-Drones)

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ANKARA -- Three ships loaded with grain and other food supplies that have been waiting in Ukrainian ports are scheduled to set sail on Friday, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported on Thursday, quoting Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.

Akar spoke on the phone separately with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov on Thursday to discuss the export of grain from Ukraine.(Türkiye-Ukraine-Grain Vessels)