Israel Signs Three-billion-euro Arms Export Deal with Greece
Israel's defense ministry announced Monday it had signed a deal with Athens worth approximately three billion euros (almost $3.5 billion) to set up the "Achilles Shield" aerial defense system for Greece.
"Under the deal, Israel will build Greece a comprehensive, multi-layered air defense array, drawing entirely on Israeli-made systems and on the extensive operational experience Israel's defense establishment has gained during the war," the ministry said in a statement.
"This is the largest defense export deal in the history of Israel-Greece relations, and one of the largest in the history of the State of Israel," it added.
The deal was signed by the Israeli defense ministry's director general, Major General (Res.) Amir Baram, and his Greek counterpart, Ioannis Bouras, in Tel Aviv.
A Greek defense ministry source had told AFP in late July about an upcoming purchase of Israeli-made anti-missile, anti-aircraft and anti-drone systems, part of a broader defense investment for the Achilles Shield of 4.2 billion euro ($4.8 billion).
In a statement, the Greek Defense Ministry said the multi-billion euro purchase was part of "the greatest reform of its armed forces in its history".
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias was quoted in the statement as saying that recent technological developments "have long rendered existing defense doctrines completely obsolete".
"Greece is the first country in the European Union to adopt" a multi-layered air defense system such as the Israeli one, he added.
According to the Israeli Defense Ministry, the export deal includes the David's Sling, Barak MX and SPYDER interception systems, air surveillance radars, and "a new national command and control system".
All the equipment is manufactured by Israeli defense contractors Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries and its subsidiary ELTA Systems.
A supplementary 26 million euro deal was also signed to provide Greece with Rafael's defense systems against drones, the ministry said.
"Israel and Greece share common strategic interests and face shared regional challenges," said Defense Minister Israel Katz, quoted in the statement.
"At a time when actors with hegemonic ambitions are seeking to expand their influence and undermine stability in the region, Israel and Greece will continue to deepen their defense and strategic cooperation," he said, in a likely reference to Türkiye.
Greece is now one of only four European NATO members to spend at least three percent of GDP on its military, amid decades of tensions with neighboring Türkiye.
Israel has also increasingly locked horns with Türkiye, having struck a disused military base in northwest Syria, claiming it wanted to avert Turkish troops deploying to the facility.
In 2023, Israel signed a deal with Germany to provide the Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile defense system, which was expanded in December for a total value of $6.5 billion, the country's largest-ever military export contract.
Trump Denies Offering Iran Sanctions Relief for Nuclear Concessions
US President Donald Trump on Monday denied offering Iran sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds in return for nuclear concessions from Tehran.
"This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING," Trump wrote on Truth Social, responding to an Axios report that cited US officials as saying that he was willing to give Iran sanctions relief and release Iranian frozen funds in return for "concrete" Iranian steps regarding the nuclear program.
CNN also reported, citing an unidentified US official, that Trump was willing to give Iran sanctions relief and release frozen funds as part of a final deal on the condition that Iran offered "concrete progress" on the nuclear issue.
Trump has offered shifting goals and timelines for the Iran war that began on February 28 when the US and Israel attacked Iran and Tehran responded with its own strikes on Israel and other states.
US and Iranian officials spoke separately with mediators on Monday as part of a renewed effort to end seven months of war, according to officials of both countries.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he expected a formal answer on Tuesday from the US to Tehran's proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported.
Qatari intermediaries "presented ideas, and we discussed them; they are set to raise the matter with the American side once more, after which the final US response will be conveyed to us," Araghchi said late Monday.
Iran's top diplomat, who is in New York for the UN General Assembly, said "the Qataris hope this will be done by tomorrow.”
"The current focus is solely on the Strait of Hormuz, and the reopening of the strait is contingent upon the fulfilment of certain conditions that we have communicated to the other side," he added.
The Strait of Hormuz lies at the heart of the conflict between the United States and Iran.
CNN, MS NOW, Politico Ask Judge to Extend Block on White House Ban
CNN, MS NOW and Politico asked a federal judge late on Monday to issue a court order preserving their White House access while they fight US President Donald Trump's move to ban them over coverage he dislikes.
The news outlets asked a judge overseeing their case in Washington, DC, federal court to grant a preliminary injunction blocking Trump's bans until there is a final ruling in the case, Reuters reported.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly previously issued a 14-day temporary restraining order blocking the bans, finding they likely violated the news outlets' rights to fair legal treatment.
The outlets said in their September 21 lawsuit that Trump's bans were unlawful viewpoint discrimination under the First Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees free speech and free press rights.
