Any move by Iran to close Strait of Hormuz unacceptable – senior U.S. official

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Any move by Iran to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in response to the United States ending oil waivers for purchases of Iranian oil would be unjustified and unacceptable, a senior administration official said on Monday. The official, who briefed a small group of reporters on condition of anonymity, said President […]

Shattering past conceptions of Mideast declarations

U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights is the clearest sign that the administration no longer considers the 1967 borders a sacred cow. (April 22, 2019 / Israel Hayom) Next month will mark two years since U.S. President Donald Trump’s historic visit to the Middle East. It was during that visit that discussions […]

Macron and Merkel: The Era of Jewish Servitude is Over

Daniel Krygier22/04/2019 European leaders condescendingly believe that they know better how the Jewish nation should run its affairs. A sovereign and independent Jewish state is, once again, condemned for being strong and unapologetic. PM Netanyahu and President Macron (Screenshot) In typical Orwellian European fashion, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently urged […]

US offering $10 million to disrupt finances linked to Hezbollah

The State Department’s Rewards for Justice program, which started in 1984, has given more than $150 million to more than 100 people for providing information about terrorists and potential attacks. (April 22, 2019 / JNS) Both the U.S. State and Treasury Department announced on Monday it is offering up to $10 million for information that disrupts […]

Lavrov: Russia will no longer listen to the United States lectures

The Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, in an interview with the program Main subjects with Olga Belova on the TV channel Star, announced that Russia no longer intends to attend Russia-NATO Council meetings, and will participate only at the military level. He noted that “if Washington wants serious talks, it is necessary to assemble […]

Nasrallah says Israel won’t start war with Lebanon because it is ‘unprepared’

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah terror group, says Israel will not initiate a war against Lebanon because its home front is not prepared to withstand its missiles, citing rockets fired in recent months by Hamas from the Gaza Strip. “I am leaning toward the conclusion that Israel is unlikely to carry out a […]

Iran denounces ‘illegal’ US sanctions as oil waivers set to end

Iran denounces US sanctions on its oil sector as “illegal” after the United States announced it will no longer grant exemptions to Tehran’s oil customers. “Since the sanctions in question are principally illegal, the Islamic Republic of Iran did not and does not attach any value or credibility to the waivers,” the foreign ministry says […]

Egypt is unlikely driving force behind ‘deal of the century’

Opinion: Netanyahu has apparently convinced Trump that Egyptian President Sisi should be the one representing the Arab side in the peace plan – over the White House favorites Saudi Arabia – which raises questions over who really formulates the long-delayed proposal No leader, intelligence chief, or ambassador in the Arab world knows the full extent […]

Iran’s new IRGC commander consolidates power with media support

This comes amid a growing scandal within the IRGC that has led to several high profile replacements. Seth J. Frantzman April 22, 2019 13:37 Iran’s regime appointed Hossein Salami the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday, a decision that is being closely watched across Iran, the region and the world. To […]

Netanyahu hails ‘important’ US decision to end Iran sanction waivers

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responds to US President Donald Trump’s announcement ending sanction waivers for five countries on Iranian oil imports. In a tweet, the premier says the decision “is important in increasing the pressure on the Iranian terror regime. “We stand by the US determination against Iran’s aggression and this is the right way […]

Lebanon vs. Israel on land and by sea

Israel is keeping mum on a recent U.S. proposal to solve the land and maritime border disputes between it and Lebanon. Meanwhile, the proposal has sparked conflict within Israel’s northern neighbor.   After the United Nations laid down the border between Israel and Lebanon in 2000 after the Israel Defense Forces withdrew from the security […]

Palestinian Authority: We’ll retract recognition of Israel

PA threatens to cease security coordination with Israel if freeze on terror funds continues. Arutz Sheva Staff, 22/04/19  Palestinian Authority (PA) Vice Chairman Mahmoud Aloul on Monday said that if Israel continues freezing tax funds, the PA will cease security coordination with Israel and retract its recognition of the State of Israel, Israel Hayom reported. […]

A New Era in Israel-Gulf State Relations?

By Dr. Edy Cohen April 22, 2019 BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,148, April 22, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Many in the Gulf are beginning to grasp that their support for the Palestinians is detrimental to their own interests. In addition to practical considerations, the fact that the Palestinians have grown closer to Iran has sparked […]