Christians in Iraq Struggle to Reclaim Ancestral Homeland in Nineveh Plains
Christians in Iraq are struggling to reclaim their ancestral territory, according to a new report by International Christian Concern (ICC).
Iran
US hits Iran with new sanctions targeting petrochemicals
The Trump administration on Friday hit Iran with new sanctions that target its largest petrochemical company for providing support to the Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iran says EU has failed to salvage 2015 nuclear deal – state TV
Iran criticized on Monday the European signatories of its 2015 nuclear deal for failing to salvage the pact after President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of it last year and reimposed sanctions, state television reported.
Trump, Macron agree Iran must not develop nukes
President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday they agree on the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and hope to renew talks with Tehran.
Iran Continues Quest for Nukes in Spite of International Agreements
The Iranian quest for nuclear weapons continues unabated, according to Olli Heinonen, former director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that monitors nuclear developments worldwide.
Iran could make nuclear weapon in 6-8 months, says former IAEA deputy
A former deputy head of the UN’s atomic watchdog said Wednesday that Iran is capable of producing a nuclear bomb in six to eight months.
Republican, Democratic Senators Seek to Block Trump Saudi Arms Sales
Republican and Democratic US senators said on Wednesday they would try to pass 22 separate joint resolutions that, if passed, would block President Donald Trump’s plan to complete $8 billion in military sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates without congressional review.
US to press Russia for help countering Iran in Syria
A senior official in the Trump administration on Tuesday said that the US was going to tell Russia that Iran should withdraw from Syria, and ask for Moscow’s suggestions on how to counter Tehran’s influence in the region.
Syria: Iran is not leaving, despite U.S. and Israeli pressure
A Syrian official told Russian media that there are no plans for Iran to reduce its troop levels in the country, even if the US and Israel seek to offer Russia a deal.
Trump prepared to talk to Iran but says always a chance of military action
U.S. President Donald Trump said he was prepared to talk to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani but that there was always a chance of U.S. military action against the Islamic Republic.
German intel: Iran buying illegal technology for weapons of mass destruction
The Islamic Republic of Iran is involved in the illicit procurement of technology for weapons of mass destruction, the German intelligence agency for the northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern wrote in its May report.
Mossad intelligence helped link Iran to UAE tanker sabotage — report
Intelligence materials collected by Israel’s Mossad agency played a role in linking Iran to the sabotaging of four oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates last month, prompting the United States to accuse Tehran of carrying out the attack, according to a report on Monday.
Report: For 2nd straight day, Israel strikes military targets in Syria
Israel fired missiles at a Syrian military air base in the country’s center late Sunday, killing at least one soldier and wounding two others, hours after another Israeli strike in southern Syria, which came in response to a rocket attack on the Israeli Golan Heights. Sunday’s strike killed three soldiers and wounded seven, Syria’s state-run media said.
B-52, aircraft carrier in Mideast over Iran conduct exercise
The U.S. military says a B-52 bomber and an aircraft carrier dispatched to the Mideast over a perceived threat from Iran have conducted a joint exercise together in the Arabian Sea.
Pompeo: Trump admin willing to talk to Iran ‘with no preconditions’ as tensions hit boiling point
Just weeks after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a renewed ‘pressure campaign’ targeting Iran’s energy sector, America’s top diplomat said Sunday the Trump administration is willing to talk with Iran ‘with no preconditions’ — but he added that debilitating sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy will remain in effect.
In seeking to deter Israel and the US, Hezbollah may be risking regional war
The rockets fired at Mount Hermon on Saturday are an indication as to what Iran is trying to push Syria to become: a testing ground for experiments in the battle against Israel and the United States, with the help of the pro-Iranian militias it has established there.
Saudi king says will reject US measures that ‘prejudice’ Jerusalem
A Saudi-hosted Islamic summit on Saturday threw its support behind Palestinians ahead of a US-led peace plan Arab leaders suspect to be skewed in favor of Israel, as Muslim states rallied around Saudi Arabia over tensions with Iran.
UN atomic agency says Iran nuclear stockpiles growing, but still within limits
The UN atomic watchdog said Friday Iran continues to stay within the limitations set by the nuclear deal reached in 2015 with major powers, though its stockpiles of low-enriched uranium and heavy water are growing.
Trump tells Syria, Russia and Iran to stop ‘bombing the hell’ out of Idlib
US President Donald Trump on Sunday told Syria and Russia to stop ‘bombing the hell’ out of Syria’s last jihadist stronghold Idlib.
Syria says Israeli missiles target Iran-linked base near Homs; 5 reported killed
Syrian state media reported that Israel attacked the T-4 airbase near the northern city of Homs just after midnight Sunday, killing one soldier and wounding two others. A watchdog group said 5 people were killed.