Germany says there is ‘strong evidence’ Iran behind tanker attacks

Chancellor Angela Merkel has said there is “strong evidence” Iran carried out attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman. She also warned Iran of consequences if it violated the 2015 international nuclear deal. Watch video 00:27 German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday there is “strong evidence” Iran was behind the twin tanker attacks near […]

Kuwait emir to visit Iraq amid tensions over oil tankers attack

By REUTERS June 18, 2019 13:05   DUBAI – Kuwait’s ruler will visit Iraq on Wednesday, state news agency KUNA reported, saying the trip comes amid unprecedented regional tensions after attacks on tankers in the Gulf. Sheik Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah’s visit will discuss bi-lateral relations and “comes amid unprecedented tensions and developments witnessed by the […]

Kuwait emir to visit Iraq amid tensions over oil tankers attack

By REUTERS June 18, 2019 13:05   DUBAI – Kuwait’s ruler will visit Iraq on Wednesday, state news agency KUNA reported, saying the trip comes amid unprecedented regional tensions after attacks on tankers in the Gulf. Sheik Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah’s visit will discuss bi-lateral relations and “comes amid unprecedented tensions and developments witnessed by the […]

Moscow tells U.S. to drop Middle East troop plans or risk war with Iran

REUTERS June 18, 2019 12:09 MOSCOW – Russia told the United States on Tuesday that it should drop what it called provocative plans to deploy more troops to the Middle East or risk war with Iran.   The comments, from Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov to Russian news agencies, followed an announcement from Acting US […]

Kremlin: Putin and Trump may meet before G20 Summit

 Monday, June 17, 2019 5:00:23 PM   In an interview with a program “Moscow. Kremlin. Putin” on Russia 1 TV channel the Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov said that a full-format meeting between Vladimir Putin and the US President Donald Trump might take place a day before the G20 Summit in Osaka. Peskov […]

US Preparing to Send Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Iranian ‘Threat’ – Report

The Pentagon has recently stepped up its forces in the Middle East. The US deployments in the region include an aircraft carrier strike group, Patriot missiles, B-52 bombers, and F-15 fighters, according to the US Defence Department. The United States is preparing to send additional forces to the Middle East in response to mounting concerns […]

Report: Rockets fired at U.S. military base in Iraq

The rocket fire comes amid tensions between the US and Iran and as Islamic State continues to threaten Iraq months after its defeat in Syria. By Seth J. Frantzman June 18, 2019 00:47   1 minute read. Rockets were fired at Camp Taji, where US soldiers are based in Iraq, according to numerous reports on […]

Egypt’s ousted president Morsi dies in court during trial

The Muslim Brotherhood accused the government of “assassinating” Morsi through years of poor prison conditions during which he was often kept in solitary confinement. By Samy Magdy, AP and World Israel News Staff Egypt’s former president, Mohammed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood leader who rose to office in the country’s first free elections in 2012 and […]

White House confirms Israeli officials not invited to Bahrain workshop

After weeks of uncertainty, American official says US wants ‘focus to be on the economic aspect, not the political’ By ERIC CORTELLESSA Today, 9:57 pm     White House adviser Jared Kushner in Washington on Aug. 29, 2018. (AP /Jacquelyn Martin) WASHINGTON — The White House confirmed on Monday that Israeli officials and ministers will not participate […]

Is Saudi visit to eastern Syria prelude to greater U.S., Saudi role?

The US said it would leave Syria in December 2018, reversing what had seemed like policy commitment to Syria. Seth J. Frantzman June 17, 2019 17:47 U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shakes hands with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir during a news conference, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 29, 2018.. (photo credit: FAISAL AL […]

Iran: We will stop all export of oil in Gulf if we want

Bagheri’s comments come as Iran has said it will break uranium enrichment limits imposed by the Iran Deal and amid tensions with the US. Seth J. Frantzman June 17, 2019 14:37 Iranian submarines participate in a naval parade on the last day of the Velayat-90 war game in the Sea of Oman near the Strait […]

Israel urges more sanctions on Iran if it breaches uranium limit

Published:  06.17.19 , 14:14 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urges world powers to swiftly step up sanctions against Iran should it go through with a plan to exceed an enriched uranium limit set by a 2015 nuclear deal.   “Should Iran deliver on its threats, the international community will have to implement, immediately, the pre-set sanctions […]

Will US and Iranian officials be at Russia’s Ufa meeting together?

In March, the Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, Nikolai Patrushev, said that Moscow is working with many states to “build mutually beneficial terms.” Seth J. Frantzman June 17, 2019 14:06 Russia is hosting a meeting in Ufa this week that brings together dozens of countries to discuss security issues. In 2018 in Sochi, […]