US-Iran and Israel-Iran tensions timeline 2020

Updated: 5 hours ago Updated: 5 hours ago This timeline is the second part of a timeline that goes back to 2017, see the first part here. It seeks to include details about rising US-Iran tensions and also Israel-Iran tensions. 2020 January 1 US deploys 100 Marines to Baghdad and sends 750 paratroopers to Middle East. Trump […]

Rockets make “direct hit” on US embassy, Baghdad

At least one rocket hit a dining facility or cafeteria at the site. Sirens sounded in the compound directing people to seek shelter. SETH J. FRANTZMAN JANUARY 27, 2020 00:12 Three rockets struck the US embassy compound in Baghdad on Sunday evening. At least one made a direct hit on a dining facility or cafeteria […]

Nikki Haley, Kochavi meet to discuss Iran, regional threats

The two’s relationship arose from a 2017 helicopter tour Kochavi, then the deputy chief of staff, gave Haley when she visited Israel as the UN ambassador. JERUSALEM POST STAFF JANUARY 26, 2020 20:23 Nikki Haley, the former US ambassador to the United Nations where she was known for her staunch defense of Israel, met on […]

France reports 27% increase last year in anti-Semitic acts

PARIS — Anti-Semitic acts increased in France last year by 27 percent, acts against Muslims inched higher while anti-Christian acts remained stable. France’s interior minister denounced the rising acts of anti-Semitism as an intolerable situation. On top of that, acts described as bearing a racist and xenophobic character, mostly threats, more than doubled between 2018 […]

PM invites settler leaders to join him in DC for rollout of Trump peace plan

West Bank mayors will stay at same hotel as Netanyahu in order to receive updates in real time on his meetings at White House Jacob MagidToday, 7:38 pm Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited a group of senior settler leaders to join him this week in Washington, where he will meet with US President Donald Trump […]

Bennett on Trump Plan: Bennett: We won’t allow even a centimeter of land to be surrendered

Defense Minister Bennett says he will back Trump peace plan if it includes annexation, but won’t support establishment of Palestinian state. Arutz Sheva Staff, 26/01/20 19:51 Bennett Hillel Meir Defense Minister Naftali Bennett responded Sunday evening to the planned release of the much-anticipated “Deal of the Century” – the Trump administration’s Middle East peace plan. […]

ANALYSIS: Is the US losing Iraq after Soleimani’s assassination?

After elimination of top Iranian military leaders in Baghdad, Iraq increasingly aligning itself with Iran – and against American interests.   Yochanan Visser, 26/01/20 18:40   Qassem Soleimani (left), head of the IRGC Quds Force Reuters More than three weeks after the American drone strike on Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of […]

Unidentified aircraft target Iranian militias in east Syria – report

No details were available on the extent of damages or injuries. By TZVI JOFFRE JANUARY 26, 2020 12:54 Unidentified aircraft targeted Iranian militias near the Syrian-Iraqi border in the Deir Ezzor area of eastern Syria on Saturday, according to Deir Ezzor 24. Two sites were targeted in villages outside the city of Al-Mayadeen, according to […]

Hundreds of employees fired from Turkey’s Incirlik air base

More than 420 people working at Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey have lost their jobs. (File/AFP) Incirlik Air Base is located in Turkey’s Adana province, near the Syrian border, and it has been a strategic element in ties between Ankara and Washington It has also played a key role for the US-led Operation Inherent […]

5 rockets hit near US embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone (VIDEOS)

The missiles hit Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone, AFP said, citing security sources. One of the sources said that five ‘Katyusha rockets’ have landed near the compound, while another put the number of projectiles at three. Incoming#USEmbassy#Baghdad now – 5 reported as of now #Iraqpic.twitter.com/GRasqQkO5b — Logiko Iko (@IkoAfortiori) January 26, 2020 The unguided volley landed not far […]

Iran’s claim of crossing low uranium enrichment threshold ‘preposterous’

Officials’ non-responses also to keep focus on sanctions YONAH JEREMY BOB JANUARY 26, 2020 19:12 A variety of officials expressed doubt on Sunday about Iran’s Saturday claim to have crossed the low enriched uranium threshold for a nuclear bomb, with one calling it “preposterous” and many avoiding responding. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization deputy director Ali […]