The US House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to block an effort to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over his handling of the war on Iran, referring the resolution to a committee in a move that effectively halted the proceedings.
The Republican-controlled House voted 211-204 to send the impeachment resolution to the Judiciary Committee, preventing a planned vote on Wednesday on whether to bring formal charges against Hegseth.
The resolution was introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie and included allegations relating to the war on Iran, military operations in Venezuela and US strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels.
Massie was the only Republican to oppose referring the resolution to the committee. Republicans are due to retain control of the House until January, making further action on the impeachment effort unlikely before Democrats assume control.
The Pentagon welcomed the decision. Spokesperson Sean Parnell described the vote as a victory for Hegseth, the department and US troops, dismissing the impeachment effort as politically motivated.
President Donald Trump also praised Hegseth, describing him as a patriot and saying the impeachment effort had failed. Senate Republican leader John Thune said Trump retained confidence in the defence secretary.
Democratic lawmakers criticised the outcome and vowed to pursue accountability, with some calling for renewed impeachment efforts when the party takes control of the House.
Iran rejects claims of ongoing negotiations
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Israel of seeking to draw the United States into a prolonged conflict with Iran, saying Israelis were working to push Washington towards an endless war.
Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei dismissed reports that negotiations were continuing between Tehran and Washington.
Ghalibaf has also said China could play a significant role in ending the conflict and the current state of neither war nor peace in the region, citing Beijing’s relations with Iran and Arab countries.
Meanwhile, Russian and Iranian diplomats held consultations in Moscow on regional tensions, including the Gulf and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
Yemen urges OIC to designate Houthis as terrorists
Yemen’s Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba urged members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to designate the Houthis as a terrorist organisation, cut off their financing and stop arms supplies to the group.
In a telephone call with OIC Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, al-Zouba discussed Houthi attacks on civilians and threats to shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb, according to Yemen’s Foreign Ministry.
She also briefed him on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, including the effects of the Houthi siege of Taiz.
UNIFIL patrol comes under fire in southern Lebanon
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said one of its patrols came under fire near Wadi Jilu in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon.
About a dozen rounds were fired at the patrol, which returned fire before the shooting stopped. No casualties were reported.
UNIFIL called for an investigation, saying deliberate attacks on peacekeepers violated international law and a UN Security Council resolution.
The incident comes amid uncertainty over the force’s future, with its mandate due to expire on December 31. G7 foreign ministers have called for a new security arrangement to prevent a vacuum after its departure, but have yet to agree on a replacement.
