Russian military planes carrying troops and Moscow defense official land in Venezuela
Two Russian air force planes arrived in Venezuela over the weekend, carrying about 100 troops and nearly 40 tons of cargo.
Iran
Alongside PM, Trump signs proclamation recognizing Israeli sovereignty on Golan
US President Donald Trump on Monday formally recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, saying the dramatic shift in American policy will help Israel defend itself against regional threats.
Pompeo says Trump may have been sent by God to save Jews from Iran
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested in an interview that President Donald Trump may have been sent by God to save the Jewish people, and said he was ‘confident that the Lord is at work here.’
Britain Uses Violent Bible Verses to Deny Iranian Convert Asylum
The British government has been using the Bible against Christians seeking asylum after converting from Islam — most recently, citing verses from Leviticus, Exodus, and Revelation as evidence that the faith was not more peaceful, as one Iranian convert claimed in his application.
Pompeo Urges Lebanese to ‘Stand Up to Hezbollah’s Criminality, Terror, and Threats’
On his weekend visit to Lebanon, which he portrayed beforehand as ‘cleaning up for what the previous administration failed to do,’ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo repeatedly and unequivocally spoke out against Hezbollah and the Shi’ite terrorist group’s sponsor, Iran.
U.S. Concerned Sale of American Warplanes to Turkey Could Boost Russian Intel Ops
The Pentagon is urging caution surrounding a contested military deal with Turkey that would see it purchase several American-made F-35 warplanes that U.S. officials fear could be exploited for intelligence purposes by Russia, which has parallel military deals with Turkey.
Pompeo and Netanyahu Take Aim at Iran During Key Middle East Tour
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is traveling in the Middle East this week and CBN News is with him. He has an extensive agenda, but one item looms very large: find a way to halt Iran’s growing power in this volatile region.
Syria, Russia and Iran condemn US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan
Syria and its allies Russia and Iran on Friday condemned US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which the Jewish state captured from its northern neighbor in the 1967 Six Day War.
Pompeo heads to Lebanon, where Hezbollah is at peak strength
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hopes to use his first visit to Lebanon this week to step up pressure on Iran and its local ally, Hezbollah. But he could face resistance even from America’s local allies, who fear that pushing too hard could spark a backlash and endanger the tiny country’s fragile peace.
Trump Marks Persian New Year With Call for ‘Rebirth of Liberty in Iran’
Amid talk of possible terror blacklisting of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, President Trump greeted Iranians around the world on the Persian new year (Nowruz), on Thursday, while condemning the ‘dictatorial’ regime in Tehran, and saying he joined those praying for ‘the rebirth of liberty in Iran.’
Construction of new Iranian nuclear plants going well, atomic chief says
Construction of two new nuclear plants in the southern Iranian city of Bushehr, home to the country’s only current working nuclear power station, is on schedule and going to plan, the Islamic Republic’s atomic chief said on Monday.
Israel was a ‘hair’s breadth’ from war with Hezbollah, ex-IDF chief says
Recently retired IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot said Monday that Israel came close to all-out conflict with Hezbollah during his tenure.
Pentagon Wants to Test A Space-Based Weapon in 2023
Defense officials want to test a neutral particle-beam in orbit in fiscal 2023 as part of a ramped-up effort to explore various types of space-based weaponry. They’ve asked for $304 million in the 2020 budget to develop such beams, more powerful lasers, and other new tech for next-generation missile defense. Such weapons are needed, they say, to counter new missiles from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. But just figuring out what might work is a difficult technical challenge.
Iran Building Two New Nuclear Plants
Iranian leaders announced on Monday the construction of two new nuclear plants, and it remains unclear if the Trump administration views this as crossing a red line since its abandonment of the landmark nuclear deal, which included provisions permitting Iran to work on heavy water nuclear reactors that could provide a plutonium-based pathway to a bomb.
Iran Executes Massive Drone Exercise With the Code Name ‘Towards Jerusalem’
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) reportedly launched a massive military drone exercise codenamed ‘Towards Jerusalem 1.’
Secret Mossad files show underground Iran nuke facility older than admitted
New evidence disclosed in Iran’s secret nuclear files taken by the Mossad show that its underground Fordow nuclear facility is older than it has admitted, according to a think-tank report.
Iran warns Israel of ‘crushing response’ to any naval intervention
Iran’s defense minister warned Wednesday that the Islamic Republic would give a ‘crushing response’ if Israel followed through on a threat by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stymie Iranian oil shipments.
Iranian president meets Iraqi leader in historic bid for ‘new start’
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani began a historic three-day visit to Iraq Monday to strengthen the nations’ relationship amid sanctions and isolation efforts by the United States.
Shi’ite militia leader in Iraq threatens U.S., slams ‘Zionist regime’
Two Shi’ite militia leaders spoke out over the weekend, with one threatening the US, and the other demanding American troops leave Iraq.
Germany Fails to Classify Hezbollah as a Terrorist Organization
Germany will not designate Hezbollah, an Iranian-back Shiite group, as a terrorist organization according to various news reports.