Month: March 2021

Report: Security Officials Expect More Iranian Attacks on Israeli Ships, Believe IRGC Wants to Avenge Soleimani

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by Benjamin Kerstein Israel’s security establishment believes Iran will attempt more attacks like Friday’s explosion on an Israeli-owned ship in the Gulf of Oman, and that Israel will have to retaliate. Israeli news site Walla reported Sunday that security officials have concluded that Friday’s attack was intended as a warning. The attackers “did not intend […]

Israeli ex-officials round up European lawmakers to pressure Israel on West Bank

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Letter signed by nearly 450 EU politicians urges bloc to take advantage of opportunities presented by new Biden administration to prevent ‘de facto annexation’ of territory By TOI staff Today, 10:47 am A letter initiated by four Israeli public figures and signed by hundreds of European Parliament members has been sent to the bloc’s foreign […]

UAE’s first ambassador to Israel arrives at Ben Gurion Airport for three-day official visit

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i24NEWS March 01, 2021, 03:49 AM Flash90The Israeli and United Arab Emirates flags seen on the side of a road in the city of Netanya, August 16, 2020 “For Emiratis and Israelis, a new chapter of openness, understanding and prosperity is beginning” The United Arab Emirates’ first ambassador to Israel, Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja, arrived […]

Iran insists U.S. lift sanctions first to revive nuclear deal talks

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By Reuters Staff     FILE PHOTO: An Iranian flag flutters in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna, Austria, September 9, 2019. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran said on Monday the United States should lift sanctions first if it wants to hold talks with Tehran to salvage the […]

Iran says it was not behind blast on Israeli-owned ship

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By Reuters Staff 1 Min Read DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran strongly rejects Israel’s claim that Tehran was behind a blast aboard an Israeli-owned ship in the Gulf of Oman last week, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said in a televised news conference on Monday. “We strongly reject this accusation… the security of the Persian Gulf […]

US ‘disappointed,’ but still open to Iran nuclear talks after Tehran’s rejection

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Senior official says Iran’s refusal to join EU-brokered talks was expected and part of posturing by the Islamic Republic; US to consult other parties on way forward By Matt Lee Today, 12:49 am WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration said Sunday it remains open to talks with Iran over the 2015 nuclear deal despite Tehran’s […]

Israel said to hit Iranian targets in Syria after Tehran blamed for ship blast

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Syrian state media claims air defenses shot down several missiles; Hebrew media outlets indicate raid a retaliation for explosion that hit Israeli-owned vessel in Gulf of Oman By TOI staff 28 February 2021, 11:07 pmUpdated at 11:57 pm   Syrian state media reported Sunday that air defense systems were activated around Damascus due to an […]

Former US secretary of state Pompeo: Many Saudis want normalization with Israel

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America’s erstwhile top diplomat asserts killing of top Iranian general enabled the Abraham Accords between the Jewish state and 4 Arab countries AFP28 February 2021, 7:13 pm Former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has said “many” people in Saudi Arabia want normalized relations with Israel, voicing hope the kingdom will join the Abraham Accords […]

Will Iran shift its railway network to a Europe-China axis?

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Why does this matter today? SETH J. FRANTZMAN MARCH 1, 2021 09:32 Iran has been stagnated by failed railway schemes for many years, according to an article in Tasnim News. The article explores why foreign planners, particularly the British, allegedly sought for Iran to have a north-south railway network that was strategic, but not helpful […]

Netanyahu: Iran clearly behind blast that hit Israeli-owned ship in Gulf

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In media blitz, PM says Israel striking Iran across region, won’t permit Tehran to get nuclear weapons; refuses to rule out future bid for immunity, denies trying to delay trial TOI staffToday, 8:41 am Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview broadcast on Monday that Iran was behind the explosion that hit an Israeli-owned […]