U.N. Chief Warns of Nightmare Scenario if Israel, Hezbollah Clash
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was worried about the possibility of a direct confrontation between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.
Iran
Russia knocks Iran over vow to destroy Israel
Russia admonished Tehran on Monday for calls by Iranian leaders to destroy Israel, marking rare criticism of Moscow’s ally in the Syrian civil war.
Top IDF general warns of increased chance of war in 2018
The chances of war breaking out on the northern border in 2018 are greater than ever before due to the victories of Syrian President Bashar Assad backed by Iran and Hezbollah, a senior IDF general said Monday.
Islamic State kills 27 Iraqi security personnel in Kirkuk
Islamic State militants ambushed a convoy and killed at least 27 Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces fighters in Iraq, the militia said.
Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel will attack Iran if necessary
Israel is prepared for a direct conflict with Iran if the threat of the regime’s terrorist proxies increases, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned.
Israeli PM Netanyahu to Iran: Don’t test Israel’s resolve
The nuclear deal with Iran has emboldened Tehran to become increasingly aggressive in the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, warning that Iran should ‘not test Israel’s resolve’ as he showed off what he said was part of a downed Iranian drone.
Israel said to fear Assad chemical weapons spillover into Golan Heights
The Foreign Ministry fears poison gas may leak into Israel if the Assad regime uses chemical weapons against rebels near the Golan Heights, and has reported warned of a punishing response should such a situation unfold.
Iran and Hezbollah Intend to Remain in Syria, US Ambassador Nikki Haley Warns UN Security Council
The US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, eviscerated Iran’s rulers before the Security Council on Wednesday as the global body debated the ongoing civil war in Syria.
Tillerson demands Iran-backed militias leave Syria
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday called for Iranian-backed militias to withdraw from Syria after meeting with opposition negotiators from the war-torn nation during a visit to Jordan.
Russia planning a replay for 2018 vote, intel chiefs warn
Top U.S. intelligence officials said Tuesday that Russia is laying the online groundwork to meddle in this year’s midterm elections, and they warned that both Russia and China are barreling toward weapons designed to take out American satellites in space.
Abbas to Putin: We refuse to cooperate with U.S. mediation
Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday he could no longer accept the role of the United States as a mediator in talks with Israel because of Washington’s behavior, Reuters reported.
Russia becomes a player on critical Israeli fronts
Facing Iranian adventurism across its northern borders and an irritated Palestinian leader seeking to internationalize his cause, Israel has found itself increasingly reliant on Russia to quell its most pressing diplomatic and national security concerns.
Iran Unveils New Homemade Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missiles Amid Massive War Celebrations
Iran unveiled a series of new homemade nuclear-capable ballistic missiles during military parades held over the weekend, a move that experts view as a bid to bolster the hardline ruling regime as dissidents continue efforts to stir protest.
Russia, Iran, Turkey foreign ministers to discuss Syria in Astana next month
The foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Turkey plan to meet next month to discuss the situation in Syria, Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov said on Tuesday.
IDF reveals UAV launched from Iran-operated Syrian base
Photos published by the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit on Saturday show the Syrian Tiyas Military Airbase from which the UAV that infiltrated Israel.
US secretary of state kicks off Mideast tour in Egypt
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson flew into Egypt on Sunday at the start of a five-nation tour that coincides with heightened regional tension, as well as unease over the Trump administration’s Mideast policies.
Putin’s Phone Call With Netanyahu Blew Whistle on Further Israeli Strikes in Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin blew the whistle to stop the confrontation between Israel and Iran in Syria and both sides accepted his decision. That’s the apparent conclusion to be reached from the chain of events this past weekend.
Hamas ready to respond to ‘any Zionist aggression’ after Israeli-Syrian tensions escalate
Hamas’s armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, announced on Saturday evening that it is prepared to respond to ‘any Zionist aggression’ in light of the escalated tensions between Israel and Syria. The spokesperson for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades to Twitter to relay the message, according to Hamas’s English website.
Israel warns Iran, Syria ‘playing with fire’ as fighter jet crashes during airstrikes
The Israeli military shot down an Iranian drone launched from Syria into Israeli airspace early Saturday in what the military described as a ‘severe and irregular violation of Israeli sovereignty.’
Obama-era cash traced to Iran-backed terrorists
The U.S. government has traced some of the $1.7 billion released to Iran by the Obama administration to Iranian-backed terrorists in the two years since the cash was transferred.