Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Kazakhstan's capital city Astana on Monday to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit.
After Xi's plane entered Kazakh airspace, fighter jets of Kazakhstan's air defense forces took off to escort it.
At the invitation of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President Xi will attend the summit in Astana from June 16 to 18.
Xi will deliver a keynote speech, and exchange views with the leaders of the five Central Asian countries on the achievements of the China-Central Asia mechanism, mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework, as well as international and regional hotspot issues. The leaders will together attend relevant activities.
On the sidelines of the summit, Xi will also hold separate meetings with the leaders of Central Asian countries.
The inaugural China-Central Asia Summit was successfully held in Xi'an, the capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, in May 2023.
Xi arrives in Astana for 2nd China-Central Asia Summit
Xi arrives in Astana for 2nd China-Central Asia Summit
Xi arrives in Astana for 2nd China-Central Asia Summit
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that Tehran would view the United States and Israel's military bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" should Washington take military action against Iran.
At a parliamentary session convened to review an emergency proposal on assembly regulations, Qalibaf emphasized that, at this highly sensitive juncture, Iran must accurately and thoroughly identify the schemes of its adversaries.
Qalibaf said that Iran is currently confronting Israel and the United States simultaneously on four fronts: economic, cognitive, military, and counterterrorism. Of them, the economic warfare and the cognitive and psychological warfare began many years ago and have persisted to this day, growing increasingly complex and intense in recent years.
The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran, taking advantage of its nationwide unrest.
Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.
Amid the ongoing protests, deadly clashes have been reported lately between police and what the government described as "rioters." However, no official death toll has been released.
Also on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the country's economic situation and political environment in a televised interview later that day.
Iran swears to counterattack if attacked
