If Russia can’t curb Iran in Syria, the Saudis ask: How can Israel?

Feb 16, 2020 @ 13:04 The Saudi paper Sharq al-Awsat reported on Feb. 15 that the Russians had given up on curbing Iran’s military presence in Syria. It cited Saudi intelligence sources in eastern Syria where the Saudis took control of Syria’s eastern oil region in December under the US aegis. Those sources wonder how […]

Iran’s Hajizadeh: We must unite to expel the Zionists and Americans

Hajizadeh was speaking to pro-Houthi media in Yemen, which means his comments were also directed at Saudi Arabia. Iran has sent technology to the Houthis to aid their fight against Riyadh. SETH J. FRANTZMAN FEBRUARY 15, 2020 10:15 Iran’s Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the  Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps elite Aerospace force has said the region […]

Iran calls US killing of General Soleimani ‘miscalculated’

The US killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was a miscalculation that has had the effect of bolstering support in Iraq for the , a longtime goal of Tehran, Iran’s foreign minister said on Friday. The US killed Soleimani, the chief commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in a drone strike on 3 […]

Iran could reverse nuclear breaches if Europe acts: Zarif

Iran would be willing to move back towards the 2015 nuclear deal if Europe provides “meaningful” economic benefits, the country’s foreign minister said Friday “We have said that we are prepared to slow down or reverse these measures commensurate with what Europe does” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters at the Munich Security Conference. […]

‘Hard Revenge’ to continue until expulsion of US forces from region

MNA – Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh vowed on Friday that Iran’s ‘hard revenge’ in retaliation for the assassination of Lt. Gen. Soleimani will continue until the US pulls out its forces from the Middle East region. “Our strong revenge continues until the removal of American forces from the […]

Syrian Air Defenses Down Several Missiles From Israel, State TV Claims

by Reuters and Algemeiner Staff Syrian air defenses intercepted several Israeli missiles before they hit their targets in the capital Damascus, Syrian state television claimed on Thursday. “The hostile missiles came from the occupied Golan … and they were downed before they reached their targets,” a Syrian army statement said. Damascus earlier this month accused Israel of […]

“Qassem Soleimani’s death will lead to Jerusalem’s liberation”: IRGC

2020-02-13   TEHRAN, IRAN – SEPTEMBER 18 : Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani attends Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s (not seen) meeting with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Tehran, Iran on September 18, 2016. (Photo by Pool / Press Office of Iranian Supreme Leader/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /* custom css */ .td_uid_6_5e466b146e077_rand.td-a-rec-img […]

Syria says airstrikes hit targets near Damascus

State media says country’s air defenses respond to attack, which appears to target weapons shipment flown in from Iran By TOI staff Today, 12:50 am   Airstrikes targeted sites around the Syrian capital of Damascus late Thursday, according to Syrian state media. “Our air defenses are responding to hostile targets in the sky over Damascus,” […]

Report in Syria: Israel carried out air strike in Damascus

s Syrian media says country’s anti-aircraft systems were activated against “hostile targets” over the capital.   Elad Benari, 14/02/20 00:02   Missile seen over Damascus Reuters [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQK-hSuNLZY?autohide=1&rel=0] Syrian media reported on Thursday evening that Israeli aircraft carried out an air strike in the Damascus area. The reports said the country’s anti-aircraft systems had been […]

In first, US Jewish umbrella group sends delegation to Saudi Arabia

Conference of Presidents members meet with senior Saudi officials, sheikh who visited Auschwitz; talks focus on counter-terror, regional stability By Ron Kampeas Today, 10:51 pm NEW YORK (JTA) — A delegation of members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations visited Saudi Arabia this week, a first for the umbrella body for […]

US seizes ship carrying 150 Iranian missiles

USS Normandy seizes ship carrying Iranian weapons to Yemen in Arabian Sea. Gary Willig, 13/02/20 22:01 [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb4iILRK7BA?autohide=1&rel=0] The US Navy seized a ship carrying 150 Iranian missiles, the American military announced Thursday. The USS Normandy warship found the weapons after boarding a dhow in the Arabian Sea on Sunday, Reuters reported. The weapons were […]

Former Israeli defense official calls for joining of US and Russia to roll back Iran’s influence

Professor Rear Adm. (ret.) Shaul Chorev, former director-general of Israel’s Atomic Energy Commission, tells JNS that new types of diplomatic action could help prevent Tehran from turning Syria into a new battle front against Israel and expanding its influence across the region. Yaakov Lappin (February 12, 2020 / JNS) The next Israeli government should aim […]

Diplomacy Alone Won’t End the Iranian Threat

Seth J. FrantzmanFebruary 12, 2020 10:34 AM Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran. January 17, 2020. (Official Khamenei website/Handout via Reuters) A regime such as the Islamic Republic’s must be countered with a more-holistic approach. Supporters of the Obama administration’s Iran deal have tended to argue that “diplomacy” is the only answer […]