Op-Ed: Israel just showed what a ‘red line’ is really supposed to mean
A red line’s a red line. That was Israel’s message Wednesday, when it struck a major Syrian arms facility from the air.
Iran
Iranian militia vows to turn against U.S. troops once Islamic State is defeated in Iraq
The U.S. military is keeping a wary eye on Iran’s most violent proxy militia in Iraq, which has vowed to start killing Americans again once the Islamic State is expelled.
Nikki Haley: Trump Has Grounds to Declare Iran in Violation of Nuclear Deal
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Tuesday said President Donald Trump would be justified if he denied Iranian compliance to the nuclear accord when it comes up for a quarterly review next month, though she said she does not know what Trump will decide.
Trump reportedly to meet with Abbas, Netanyahu on sidelines of UN gathering
US President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month, Haaretz reported Wednesday citing local officials.
Thousands of troops to stage mock war with Hezbollah in largest drill in years
Tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers will stage a mock 10-day war against the Hezbollah terrorist group in northern Israel beginning Tuesday, marking the IDF’s largest exercise in nearly 20 years, the army announced Monday, amid tensions over growing Iranian influence in Syria and Lebanon.
North Korea Nuclear Progress Puts Iran on Renewed Pathway to Bomb
U.S. officials are closely monitoring an ongoing meeting between senior North Korean and Iranian officials that comes on the heels of a nuclear test by Pyongyang, according to senior Trump administration officials and other sources who expressed concern that North Korea is helping to put the Islamic Republic back on the pathway to a functional nuclear weapon.
Russian FM Sergei Lavrov Scorns Israeli Concerns Over Iranian Build-Up in Syria
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov went on a PR offensive this week to counter Israeli warnings that a ceasefire imposed by Moscow in Syria is enabling Iran and its terror proxy, Hezbollah, to amass fighters and weapons near the Jewish state’s northern border in preparation for a future war.
Iran’s new weapons facilities in Lebanon ‘cross a red line,’ Israel says
Israel’s intensive diplomatic campaign in recent weeks, which included Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, trips by senior Israeli defense officials to the United States and more, comes on the heels of updated situation assessments within the defense establishment suggesting that if nothing is done, the weapon manufacturing facilities Iran is building in Syria and Lebanon, Israel’s neighbors to the north, will become operational in the foreseeable future.
Russia stations S-400 batteries near Iranian arms factory in Syria
Russia has reportedly stationed its advanced S-400 anti-missile defense system near an Iranian arms factory in Syria, which allegedly manufactures long-range guided missiles for Hezbollah to use against Israel.
US to let Iranian-backed militias within 10 km of Golan Heights
US officials have agreed to let Iranian-backed militias take up positions in Syria less than ten kilometers from the Israeli Golan Heights, the Arabic daily Asharq Al Awsat reported Thursday.
UN atomic energy agency: Iran complying with nuclear deal
The top UN official monitoring Iran’s nuclear program on Thursday noted no violations by Tehran in its latest quarterly Iran monitoring report. At the same time, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano’s report said that the agency continues to hunt for ‘undeclared nuclear material and activities.’
Al Qaeda affiliate mining uranium to send to Iran, Somali official warns US ambassador
An Al Qaeda affiliate has seized control of uranium mines in Africa with the intent of supplying the material to Iran, according to a diplomatic letter from a top Somali official appealing to the U.S. for ‘immediate military assistance.’
Friedman to ‘Post’: US, Israel of ‘same mind’ on stopping Iran in Syria
The US and Israel are ‘of the same mind’ when it comes to opposition to any Iranian military presence in Syria, US Ambassador David Friedman told The Jerusalem Post in an exclusive interview this week.
Obama Admin Hid Intel on Iranian Militants in Syria to Push Nuclear Deal
The Obama administration likely hid information about Iran illicitly ferrying militants into Syria on commercial aircraft in order to promote the landmark nuclear deal and foster multi-billion dollar business deals with Tehran’s state-controlled airline sector, according to lawmakers and other sources familiar with the matter.
US changes proposed anti-Hezbollah sanctions to ease Lebanon’s fears
Proposed tighter U.S. sanctions on Hezbollah have been altered enough to allay fears of major damage to Lebanon’s economy, a sign Washington is taking concerns about Lebanese stability seriously, banking and political sources said Sunday.
Hamas leader: Iran helping Hamas prepare for war with Israel
Iran is helping terrorists in Gaza prepare for war with Israel, according to a leading Hamas official.
Israel: We’ll Bomb Assad’s Palace if Iran Expands in Syria
A senior Israeli official has issued a warning to Russia that the Israeli military will bomb Syrian President Bashar Assad’s palace in Damascus if Russia allows Iran to make military advances in Syria.
Netanyahu to UN Chief: Iran Building Precision Missile Factories in Syria and Lebanon
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told visiting UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday that Iran is building sites to produce precision guided missiles in Syria and Lebanon.
Hamas leader hails Iranian military support
The Gaza head of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas said on Monday (Aug 28) it had increased its military capabilities thanks to newly improved relations with Iran.
Iran says S-300 air defense system now ‘fully integrated’
Iran’s advanced S-300 air defense system, delivered by Russia after years of delay, is now ‘fully integrated’ into the country’s air defense network, a senior Iranian air force commander told the country’s state media Sunday.