John Irish

France's defence ministry said on Tuesday it had conducted the ​first test launch of its latest-generation M51.3 submarine-launched ballistic missile, underscoring its nuclear deterrent ‌amid heightened tensions with Russia.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mounted a forceful defense of Israel's actions in the region at the UN on Thursday, seeking to counter growing international isolation ahead of elections he could lose, as dozens of delegates streamed out.

Some 80 countries demanded the urgent reopening of ​the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday ‌and condemned Iran and its Houthi allies for attacks in the region and ​disruption to international trade and ​energy security.

Russia is intensifying sabotage, cyberattacks and other hybrid attacks across Europe to undermine support for Ukraine, European ministers said, while ​dismissing concerns that Moscow is capable of launching a direct assault on NATO.

France has started drafting a UN Security Council resolution in coordination with the United States on setting up an ​international mission to restore movement in the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats ‌said on Tuesday.

France's President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday dismissed US President Donald Trump's claims of having ​secured peace in Gaza, saying not a single humanitarian corridor had been reopened in the enclave despite the proclaimed peace.

The European Union's naval mission to protect shipping in the Red Sea would need to boost its numbers to more ​than 10 warships, its foreign policy chief said on Monday, adding that for ‌now there were not that many in the area.

France's President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that he had discussed ​with US President Donald Trump initiatives aimed ‌at securing a moratorium between Ukraine and Russia on attacks linked to the energy sector.

Canada could pursue an energy partnership with France involving liquefied natural gas from its Pacific coast, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on Monday, a day ​after leaders of the two countries met and discussed energy cooperation.

France will summon Iran's ambassador ‌and take appropriate measures, the Foreign Ministry said.