US faces uphill battle to extend UN arms embargo on Iran

A ban on conventional weapons sales to the Islamic Republic is slated to be lifted in October in accordance with stipulations in the nuclear deal CHARLES BYBELEZER/THE MEDIA LINE MAY 3, 2020 02:09 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to extend an arms embargo on Iran that […]

Iran condemns Germany’s ban on Hezbollah activity

“It appears that certain countries in Europe are paying regard only to the objectives of the propaganda machine of the Zionist regime and the confused US regime.” MAY 2, 2020 20:22 Iran has condemned Berlin’s ban of Hezbollah activity in Germany and its designation of the Iranian-backed Lebanese group as a terrorist organisation, saying the […]

Large explosion rocks southern district in Idlib city

BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:00 P.M.) – A powerful explosion has been reported in the heart of Idlib city’s southern district this evening, opposition activists reported from the administrative capital. According to the reports, a big explosion hit the large Al-Qusour District, causing a shock wave throughout the city. The cause of the explosion is unknown and […]

High Court to rule if PM can form next gov’t in live televised hearings

High Court to rule if PM can form next gov’t in live televised hearings On Thursday, Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit green-lighted Netanyahu despite significant misgivings regarding the bribery indictment pending against him. By YONAH JEREMY BOB MAY 2, 2020 21:22 The High Court of Justice will hold hearings on Sunday and Monday on whether Prime Minister […]

Mossad gave Berlin intel on Hezbollah ops on German soil ahead of ban — report

Unnamed Israeli official tells TV Germans were provided info on warehouses where terror group stashed materials for explosives, as well as money laundering networks By TOI staff and Agencies Today, 5:32 pm Israel’s Mossad spy agency gave information to Germany on Hezbollah’s activities on its soil ahead of the country banning the Lebanese terror group […]

ISIS is on track to double its attacks in Iraq and Syria

With US-Iran tensions rising and the US-led Coalition withdrawing from around six military posts in Iraq, ISIS appears to be on the offensive. SETH J. FRANTZMAN ISIS in Iraq is regrouping and carrying out more sophisticated attacks, as illustrated by assaults on numerous locations around Samarra overnight that lasted into Saturday morning. The Popular Mobilization […]

Hezbollah’s new offensive – cutting holes in border fence raises tensions

Hezbollah’s new offensive – cutting holes in border fence raises tensions Hezbollah knows that it is sitting on a powder keg, in a Lebanon that is financially strapped. By SETH J. FRANTZMAN APRIL 30, 2020 14:04 UNIFIL PEACEKEEPERS deploy at the Lebanese-Israeli border in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila in 2012, when parts […]

Iran warns US of ‘harsh response’ if arms embargo is extended

    /* custom css */ .td_uid_4_5ead7952de715_rand.td-a-rec-img { text-align: left; } .td_uid_4_5ead7952de715_rand.td-a-rec-img img { margin: 0 auto 0 0; } BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:30 P.M.) – The Iranian government said it had informed Washington that an extension of the U.S. arms embargo would “face a severe response.” According to Iranian state media, government spokesperson, Ali Rabei, […]

UK lawmakers urge Johnson to sanction Israel if West Bank annexation goes ahead

130 signatories from both major parties say Britain sanctioned Russia over Crimea grab, so any move by Netanyahu must be met with the same response TOI staffToday, 1:57 pm Nearly 130 current and former British lawmakers wrote to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and urged him to impose economic sanctions if Israel moves ahead with […]

Germany’s Partial Ban of Hezbollah: A Half-Measure

by Soeren Kern May 2, 2020 at 5:00 am The ban is in fact a compromise measure between German lawmakers who want to take a harder line against Iran and those who do not. As a result, the ban falls far short of a complete prohibition on Hezbollah and appears aimed at providing the German […]

Report: Second wave of airstrikes attributed to Israel in Syria

After series of Israeli airstrikes in southwestern Syria, observer group reports explosions targeting Hezbollah positions in northern Syria. David Rosenberg , 01/05/20  Explosions were reported in northern Syria Friday morning, hours after airstrikes attributed to Israel rocked southwestern Syria, near the Israeli border. The latest explosions were again attributed to Israeli warplanes, which reportedly struck […]