Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, April 20

TEHRAN -- Iran's foreign minister said on Friday that Tehran has a variety of countermeasures if Washington decides to pull out of the 2015 landmark nuclear deal, Press TV reported Friday.

"Iran has a wide range of options both inside and outside of the JCPOA (the nuclear deal), and surely the reaction from Iran and the international community will be unpleasant for the Americans," Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters upon arrival in New York City. (Iran-U.S.-Nuke Deal)

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RIYADH -- Saudi Arabia highlighted on Friday the global market capacity for higher oil price after the crude price hit its highest level in over three years, Al Arabiya reported.

"Energy intensity, as you know has declined significantly ... this and higher productivity of energy input leads me to think that the global market has the capacity to absorb higher price," said Khalid al-Falih, Saudi Energy Minister, at an oil meeting in Jeddah. (Saudi Arabia-Oil Price)

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ANKARA --Turkish parliament on Friday ratified a bill to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on June 24, more than one year earlier than the scheduled date.

The bill received 386 votes in favor, with support from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and two opposition parties, namely Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). (Turkey-Early Election)

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JERUSALEM -- Approximately 3,000 Palestinians on Friday participated in the riots in five locations along the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, according to a statement issued by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

The IDF troops responded with riot dispersal means and fired in accordance with the rules of engagement, said the Israeli military. "The IDF will not allow any harm to security infrastructure that protects Israeli civilians, and will act against the violent rioters and terrorists." (Palestinians-Gaza) Enditem