Eyeing Iran, Bennett says military undergoing largest rearmament in years
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told the Knesset on Monday that the country’s military and other security services were undergoing their largest rearming in years.
Iran
U.S. softens position on Iranian sanctions threat, opting to impose them only at 90% enrichment
The United States reportedly wants to apply “snapback sanctions” to deter Iran from continuing to enrich weapons-grade-uranium, a strategy that was part of the original JCPOA established in 2015.
UN fingers Iranian port as key weapons conduit for Yemen rebels
The United Nations found thousands of weapons recently seized in the Arabian Sea likely came from a single port in Iran, evidence Tehran is exporting arms to Yemen and elsewhere, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.
Iran Revolutionary Guard commander says ‘revenge’ coming for Soleimani strike from ‘within’ US
The leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that revenge for Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani’s death will come for the United States from “within” the country itself.
Lapid speaks to Macron, calls for pressure on Iran as Vienna nuclear talks continue
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday about the ongoing nuclear talks in Vienna between world powers and Iran.
Syrian and Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops attacked on anniversary of Soleimani strike; none killed
Bases housing U.S. forces across Iraq and Syria were attacked Wednesday as part of a series of assaults that began Monday on the two-year anniversary of the American airstrike that killed Iranian general Qassim Soleimani. No Americans were killed in the Wednesday strikes, according to reports.
Iran Frees Nine Christian Converts
Iran released nine Christian converts from prison, including a pastor, after the Islamic nation’s Supreme Court said their involvement in house churches doesn’t threaten national security, well-informed Christians told Worthy News Tuesday.
Iran Grants New Year’s Leave To Jailed Convert And Other Christian Prisoners
Iranian authorities have temporarily released another jailed Christian convert after an order to free Christian prisoners for Christmas and the New Year, Worthy News learned Wednesday.
US-led coalition: Attack with 2 armed drones foiled in Iraq
Two explosives-laden drones targeting an Iraqi military base housing U.S. troops in western Anbar province were destroyed on Tuesday, a coalition official said.
Iran Nuclear Negotiations to Continue in Vienna
Negotiations resume Monday in Vienna about restoring the 2015 international agreement that limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, after the parties took a break for the new year.
Saudi defenses intercept, destroy five drones targeting the kingdom
Saudi Arabian air defenses intercepted and destroyed five drones launched by the Yemeni Iran-aligned Houthi movement toward the kingdom, the state news Agency (SPA) reported on Monday.
Russian, US Presidents Talk Amid Ukraine Invasion Fears (Worthy News In-Depth)
Talks were underway Thursday between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russia’s Vladimir Putin amid international fears that Moscow plans a military invasion into Ukraine.
Iran Frees Christian House Church Pastor
Iran released a pastor from prison Thursday after the Iranian Supreme Court ruled that involvement in house churches “should not be considered a crime against national security,” Worthy News learned.
U.S. Navy seizes $4 million worth of heroin in Arabian Sea
U.S. Navy vessels seized 385 kilograms (849 pounds) of heroin in the Arabian Sea worth some $4 million, in a major bust by the international maritime operation in the region, officials said Thursday.
Russia, U.S. officials say they’re coordinating on Iran nuclear talks in Vienna
Top U.S. and Russian officials for Iran have met in Vienna, a Russian envoy said on Wednesday, and delegates on both sides said Moscow and Washington were coordinating in a bid to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
Iranian judiciary grants Christian prisoners 10 days’ holiday
Christian prisoners in Iran were treated to a rare act of mercy by the state as the country’s judiciary granted them 10 days’ leave to be with their families during the Christmas holidays, Radio Free Europe (RFE) reports.
Biden not expected to challenge Israel’s development of Golan Heights for increased Israeli residency
The Biden administration is not expected to dispute Israel’s announcement Sunday that it plans to invest $317.3 million in developing the controversial Golan Heights for increased Israeli residency, the Jewish News Syndicate reports.
‘Campaign Between Wars’: Israel Struck ‘Dozens’ of Syrian Targets in 2021 to Disrupt Weapons Transfer to Iranian Proxies
The Israeli army said Tuesday that airstrike operations carried out this year hit “dozens” of targets in Syria and have limited the ability of Iran to funnel arms to its proxies in the region.
Iran nuclear talks resume in Vienna; EU diplomat warns of ‘difficult’ work ahead
Negotiators trying to save the landmark Iran nuclear deal resumed discussions on Monday with the EU chair warning of “difficult” work ahead.
‘Iran deal put us on cruise control heading over a cliff,’ former envoy warns
Former Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer this week defended his government’s positions that encouraged the United States to leave the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and supported Israel’s current position that the US must leave a military option on the table and signal that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons