US Military Personnel Targeted by Drones and Rockets in Iraq for Second Consecutive Day

U.S. troops in Iraq have been targeted by Iranian-backed militias in at least two separate locations on Monday & Tuesday; Monday’s attack was aimed at a base in Baghdad, while Tuesday’s attack pursued the airport in Erbil where troops are stationed. Tuesday marked the second day in a row that Iranian-backed militia groups attacked U.S. […]

US: Iran welcome to return to negotiating table

The US State Department responded to Iran’s decision to enrich uranium up to a 20% level, saying it was an “unfortunate step backwards.” However, it also stressed that, “the window for diplomacy regarding nuclear talks with Iran remains open.”

US, Europeans warn nuclear talks in danger as Iran plans enrichment boost

Washington cautions Tehran to end its nuclear ‘brinkmanship’; Britain, France, Germany express ‘grave concern’ at latest move violating 2015 nuclear pact they are trying to save By AFP Today, 11:47 pm   The United States and Europe warned Iran to stop nuclear “brinksmanship” and European powers expressed “grave concern” over Iran’s latest moves to enrich […]

Russian government hackers breach Republican National Committee

Sources say Russian government hackers breached the computer systems of the Republican National Committee last week. Ben Ariel , Jul 07 , 2021 2:12 AM Hacker (illustration) iStock Russian government hackers breached the computer systems of the Republican National Committee last week, around the time a Russia-linked criminal group unleashed a massive ransomware attack, two […]

Iran blames Israel for sabotage at Karaj nuclear facility last month

TZVI JOFFRE JULY 6, 2021 13:48 Iran blamed Israel on Tuesday for a sabotage operation that targeted a building belonging to Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) in Karaj last month, according to the Iranian news agency IRNA. Ali Rabiee, a spokesperson for the Iranian government, said that Israel conducted the operation with the intention of […]

Russia says ready to help secure Tajik-Afghan border

By REUTERS JULY 6, 2021 12:45 Russia’s military base in Tajikistan is fully equipped to help secure its border with Afghanistan, and Moscow will take extra measures to protect it if needed, Interfax quoted Russian deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko as saying on Tuesday. Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon on Monday ordered the mobilization of 20,000 […]

Saudi-Iran talks could move to Oman, an intriguing shift for Israel

Riyadh and Tehran have held two rounds of Iraqi-hosted talks, narrowly focused on Yemen; the next session may be held in Muscat, which would signal a far broader regional agenda By Lazar Berman Today, 12:28 pm Edit As negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program trudge forward in Vienna, a parallel set of talks between Tehran and […]

ISIS targets electricity lines in Iraq to spread mayhem

“About 44 to 45 electricity towers in Iraq have been targeted by terrorists in recent days, most of which have been repaired,” say local reports. SETH J. FRANTZMAN JULY 6, 2021 11:32 Iraqi security forces have a new problem to deal with, as ISIS terrorists have been attacking electric power lines, usually the kind that […]

Lebanon is “days away” from social explosion, PM Diab warns

REUTERS JULY 6, 2021 11:05 Lebanon is a few days away from a “social explosion,” caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab said on Tuesday, calling on the international community to save the country. Diab, in a speech after a meeting with several ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in Beirut, also said his government could not […]

US forces shoot down explosive-laden drone over Baghdad embassy

US has offered a $3 million reward after at least 6 armed drone attacks on its forces in Iraq this year; no injuries reported 6 July 2021, 2:01 am BAGHDAD — US forces shot down an armed drone above their embassy in Baghdad on Monday night, Iraqi security officials said, hours after a rocket attack […]

Bennett and Putin agree to meet during first phone call

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett holds first call with Vladimir Putin, agree to face-to-face meeting. By TOVAH LAZAROFF JULY 5, 2021 21:40 Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Russian President Vladimir Putin made plans to meet in the near future, when the two leaders held their first phone call on Monday since the new government was sworn […]

Large fire reported near Tehran, background unclear – report

The fire broke out in Karaj, south of Tehran, the city where an alleged attack targeted a nuclear facility reportedly used to produce centrifuges. TZVI JOFFRE JULY 5, 2021 21:02 A large fire was reported at a warehouse or factory next to a highway near Tehran on Monday afternoon, with the purpose of the warehouse […]