Iranian nuclear deal must be restored soon, UN atomic watchdog warns
The United Nations’ atomic watchdog chief stressed urgency Monday in reviving an Obama-era nuclear deal aimed at thwarting Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, a report says.
Iran
Pompeo, in Tuesday speech, to accuse Iran of al Qaeda links
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to use newly declassified U.S. intelligence on Tuesday to publicly accuse Iran of ties to al Qaeda, two people familiar with the matter said, as part of his last-minute offensive against Tehran before handing over to the incoming Biden administration.
Cuba re-added to U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism
The outgoing Trump administration, in one of its last foreign policy acts, is putting Cuba back on the official list of state sponsors of terrorism, reversing an Obama-era decision that aimed to normalize diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the communist island.
Thousands of Refugees Stuck in Bitter Balkan Winter
The United Nations says thousands of migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty urgently need proper shelter and care in Bosnia-Herzegovina after weeks outdoors in the freezing cold. With authorities declining to open more adequate facilities, many are now sleeping in unheated tents or rough near the northern town of Bihac.
Iran threatens to start enriching uranium to 90 percent: report
Iran warned Thursday that the country could ramp up its uranium enrichment to 90 percent — just around the weapons-grade level.
Syria claims “enemy” Israel conducted airstrikes near Damascus
Syrian media outlets have said Israel carried out a number of targeted airstrikes around Damascus late Wednesday night, the Times of Israel reports. Following standard policy about commenting on operations in Syria, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied the reports.
Alleged Israeli airstrike reported in southern Syria
An alleged Israeli airstrike targeted locations in southern Syria as explosions were heard in the skies over Damascus on Wednesday night, according to Syrian state media SANA.
Iran says it is rolling out 1,000 additional centrifuges
Having just announced it plans to enrich uranium at a level far above that allowed by the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the Iranian regime said Tuesday that it is installing 1,000 additional centrifuges and increasing its supply of yellowcake, a uranium concentrate powder used for enrichment.
Iran confirms it has begun enriching uranium to 20% in breach of nuclear pact
Iran confirmed Tuesday that it was now enriching uranium to 20 percent purity, well beyond the threshold set by its 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, sparking international concern.
Iran launches massive ‘drone combat wargames’
The Iranian military on Tuesday launched a massive series of “drone combat wargames” and boasted that its new generation of aircraft — including ominous “suicide drones” — will give Tehran a battlefield edge over its enemies.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar resume diplomatic relations through US-brokered deal
Saudi Arabia restored its severed ties with Qatar on Tuesday, as the two countries signed a US-brokered agreement to end their dispute and resolve the Gulf crisis that broke out three years ago, Axios reports. A Saudi-led coalition cut diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2017 on the grounds of alleged Qatari support for Iran and terrorist organizations.
South Korea, U.S. Demand Iran Release Tanker Seized In Strait Of Hormuz
South Korea and the United States have demanded the release of a South Korean-flagged oil tanker seized by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Aircraft Carrier to remain in Persian Gulf because of “recent threats” by Iran
The Pentagon announced Sunday that the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz will stay in the Persian Gulf because of “recent threats” by Iran, the Times of Israel reported. The announcement came after reports that the vessel would be returning to the US after having patrolled the Gulf since the end of November.
Former Mossad chiefs: Iran unlikely to avenge Soleimani assassination until after Biden inauguration
Two former Mossad directors and a former Israeli National Security Council director have each stated that Iran will likely wait until after American President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated on January 20 to seek revenge for the US assassination of Quds Force Chief Qasem Soleimani a year ago, the Jerusalem Post reported Sunday.
Iran to enrich uranium to 20% as anniversary of Soleimani killing approaches
Iran announced a day before the one-year anniversary of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani’s death that it is planning to enrich uranium to 20% in an apparent violation of the nuclear deal.
More Fatal Plane Crashes Despite Drop in Flights
More people were killed in plane crashes last year than in 2019 despite a massive drop in fights due to the coronavirus pandemic, a Dutch aviation consultancy firm says.
U.S. sees some indications of possible Iranian attack in Mideast
The U.S. has seen increasing indications that Iran could be planning an attack against American forces or interests in the Middle East, according to a U.S. official.
Iran tells IAEA it will move to enrich uranium to 20% purity, Russian envoy says
Iran has notified the International Atomic Energy Agency it will start enriching uranium to 20 percent purity, Russia’s Ambassador to the IAEA Mikhail Ulyanov said Friday.
Israel, Saudi Arabia reportedly pressuring Trump to strike Iran in final days
Israel and Saudi Arabia are pressuring the Trump administration to carry out a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities before President-elect Joe Biden takes office, the Arabic-language newspaper Dar Al-Hayat reported on Thursday.
Iran Says Trump Threatening War
Iran has accused U.S. President Donald J. Trump of seeking a “pretext for war” amid mounting tensions between the two nations.