Iranian Oil Tanker Held for Six Weeks Now Under US Sanctions and Stranded at Sea
An Iranian oil tanker detained by the British in July and since released has been blacklisted by the US Treasury Department.
Iran
Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq watching Israel-Hezbollah crisis closely
From the minute Hezbollah fired their anti-tank missiles at Israel, the entire Middle East was glued to what might happen next. This is because what is happening in northern Israel pits Iran’s ally against Israel, a key ally of the US, and that has regional implications because Iran’s allies and proxies – from Syria to Iraq and Yemen – are all impacted by how Hezbollah performs and how Israel responds.
UN says ‘general calm’ restored along Israel-Lebanon border as tensions linger
The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon said ‘general calm’ had been restored on the volatile border after a rare burst of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah sparked fears of an escalation and prompted concern from world powers.
US sanctions Lebanese bank used by Hezbollah, Gaza terror finance network
The Treasury Department on Thursday targeted a Lebanese bank the Trump administration calls the ‘bank of choice’ of Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon, as part of a maximum pressure campaign against Tehran.
As tensions spike in north, IDF cancels leave for combat brigades
The army’s Northern Command said Thursday it had canceled all leave for combat brigades on Israel’s northern border, just hours after the military’s commander in the north warned Israel would offer a ‘harsh’ response to any Hezbollah attack.
U.S. Sanctions Two Networks ‘Supporting Iran’s WMD Program’
The United States has imposed sanctions on two networks it says are engaged in ‘covert procurement activities’ benefiting Iranian military organizations and supporting Iran’s ‘missile proliferation programs,’ the Treasury Department has said.
US cyber attack said to have disabled Iran’s ability to target oil tankers
The United States attacked and disabled a critical Iranian database used to target oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, the New York Times reported Wednesday, citing several US security officials.
Kurdish bookseller sentenced to three months in prison for selling Bible
The Iranian Guardian Council has sentenced Kurdish Bookseller Mostafa Rahimi to three months in prison on charges of selling copies of the Bible in his bookstore, according to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.
EU insists Iran nuclear deal must be part of any future pact
The European Union’s top diplomat says the Iran nuclear agreement must not be sacrificed as part of any U.S. moves to build a new and broader security deal with Tehran.
Hezbollah Says ‘Calculated Strike’ Against Israel ‘Being Arranged in a Way Which Wouldn’t Lead to a War’
Hezbollah is planning retaliation against Israel for two drones that targeted its media offices and missile development program Sunday.
Egypt said to warn Hamas: End rocket fire, avoid Iran-led fight against Israel
Egypt has warned Hamas it will stop mediating truce negotiations with Israel if the Palestinian terror group does not put a lid on rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, the Al-Arabiya news site reported Tuesday.
Report: Alleged Israeli strike in Beirut targeted precision missile infrastructure
The alleged Israeli drone strike on a Hezbollah media center in Beirut over the weekend destroyed precision missile infrastructure set up by the Iran-backed Shiite terrorist group, the British Times reported Tuesday.
Tehran Not Open to Negotiating, Despite Economic Straits
US President Trump’s ‘maximum pressure policy’ against Iran does not seem to be persuading the Islamic Republic to come to the negotiating table.
Turkey Seeks Redress from Russia as Syrian Government Closes in on Last Rebel Stronghold
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow Tuesday to protest what he says is a violation of a 2017 de-escalation agreement by Syria.
Netanyahu Expands Israeli Air Campaign Against Iran to Lebanon and Iraq
Israel widened its air campaign against Iran-backed targets across the Middle East over the weekend, pitting itself against Lebanese and Iraqi leaders who have hosted the proxies.
Netanyahu Expands Israeli Air Campaign Against Iran to Lebanon and Iraq
Israel widened its air campaign against Iran-backed targets across the Middle East over the weekend, pitting itself against Lebanese and Iraqi leaders who have hosted the proxies.
Britain sends another warship to Gulf amid heightened tensions in region
A third British warship is heading to the Gulf, the Royal Navy announced Saturday, amid heightened tensions in the region.
Israel Thwarts “Killer Drone” Attack
Israeli aircraft on Saturday night struck Iranian forces near Damascus that had been planning to launch ‘killer drones’ at targets in Israel, the IDF said in a statement.
From Persian Gulf to Israel, a drone war takes flight in Mideast
From the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia to the crowded neighborhoods of Beirut, a drone war has taken flight across the wider Middle East, raising the stakes in the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.
Pompeo speaks with Netanyahu on Iran, backs Israel’s preemptive raid
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about Israel’s latest strikes in Syria, the top US diplomat’s office said on Sunday.