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Hezbollah leader declares his group has 100,000 fighters

In first address since seven people were killed in gunbattles on the streets of Beirut last week, Nasrallah blames Christian Lebanese Forces for confrontations that erupted over long-running probe into last year's massive port blast in city

Associated Press , 22:42, 10.18.21

Syria buries former lawmaker shot near Israeli border

Midhat Saleh was fatally shot Saturday in a village along the Golan Heights, allegedly by IDF snipers; hundreds of people attended funeral, including senior officials and Druze clerics

Associated Press , 16:34, 10.18.21

6 killed in Beirut clashes as tensions over blast probe soar

Dozens wounded after unknown assailants open fire on members of Iranian proxy outside Justice Palace, who were demanding ouster of judge who may implicate Shi'ite group in 2020 port blast

Associated Press , 16:44, 10.14.21

Hezbollah accuses U.S. of meddling in Lebanon's port probe

Accusations are the first directed at Washington, claiming it is dictating how the probe of the massive 2020 blast in the Beirut port, should go; Rights groups claim Hezbollah aims to discredit judge and investigation into the explosion

Associated Press , 19:10, 10.13.21

U.S. says it won't normalize or upgrade diplomatic ties with Syria's Assad

Comments come after Jordan fully reopens main border crossing with Syria in move to boost countries' struggling economies and reinforce push by Arab states to reintegrate Damascus after shunning it during civil war

Reuters , 08:47, 09.30.21

Angry relatives of Beirut blast victims protest probe delays

Outcry comes after decision to freeze probe into Beirut port blast that killed 200 and wounded thousands following smear campaign against lead investigating judge by Lebanon's political class as well as terrorist group Hezbollah

Reuters , 19:03, 09.29.21

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says 2 members killed in fire

Group say blaze erupted in a warehouse at what it described as a 'research self-sufficiency center' west of Tehran; At least three members hurt, two of whom later succumbed to injuries

Associated Press , 17:49, 09.27.21

Iran's president slams U.S. in first speech to UN

Ebrahim Raisi calls U.S. sanctions on Iran during a pandemic 'crimes against humanity'; says Tehran not against returning to the 2015 nuclear agreement despite mistrust of 'any promises made by the U.S.'

Associated Press , 09:32, 09.22.21

Iran says ready to sell Lebanon fuel if Beirut asks

PM Mikati says Hezbollah orchestrated shipment not approved by government, adding he was 'saddened' by what he called 'a violation of Lebanese sovereignty'

AFP , 17:39, 09.19.21

Lebanon's Hezbollah says Iranian fuel oil to arrive Thursday

Opponents say move could spur further sanctions on country already facing massive economic crunch, especially as Washington has designated the Iranian proxy a terror group and is working to bring in Egyptian gas

Reuters , 22:32, 09.13.21

Hezbollah hammered with criticism amid Lebanon's crises

The once feared terrorist organization has now become the subject of heavy criticism over its provocations against Israel, inability to support the people's needs, and partnership with Iran, which many fear would bring further sanctions

Associated Press , 17:58, 09.01.21

Beirut blast judge issues subpoena for PM Diab after no-show

Over a year after explosion that killed hundreds, injured thousands and destroyed large swathes of the capital - no senior official has been held accountable, angering many Lebanese

Reuters , 14:27, 08.26.21

CIA head meets Taliban leader as fears for Afghanistan grow

Despite Islamist group's promises to restore security and attempts to project moderate image, UN rights chief says there are credible reports of 'summary executions' and restrictions on women, urging council take 'bold and vigorous action'

Associated Press , 16:28, 08.24.21

Iran is ready to ship more fuel to Lebanon if needed, says Iranian official

Hezbollah leader Nasrallah - who organized the first shipment - insists group was not trying to step in and replace the state as it further deteriorates into economic turmoil

Reuters , 11:39, 08.23.21

Lebanon's Hezbollah says Iranian fuel vessels setting off soon

Nasrallah insists group not trying to step in and replace state by purchasing fuel; Shi'ite leader previously warned U.S. and Israel against interfering with shipment, which violates U.S.-imposed embargo on Iran

Reuters , 21:51, 08.22.21

France, Germany, UK very worried about Iran's uranium enrichment

Report by UN nuclear watchdog confirms Tehran has produced uranium metal-enriched up to 20% fissile purity for the first time and lifted production capacity of uranium enriched to 60%, both key steps in weapon development

Reuters , 18:10, 08.19.21

Algeria accuses Morocco, Israel of setting wildfires

Algiers says responsibility for deadly blazes lays with Islamist Rashad group and MAK, an autonomy movement for the mostly Amazigh-speaking Kabylie region — which it alleges are backed by Rabat and Jerusalem

Reuters , 16:54, 08.19.21

UN nuclear watchdog: Iran producing more uranium metal

U.S. says move 'unconstructive, inconsistent' with a return to mutual compliance of JCPOA, warns that 'such escalations will not provide any negotiating leverage in any renewed talks' and only further isolate Tehran

Associated Press , 11:43, 08.17.21

Pressure builds for new Lebanon government as chaos deepens

Country's financial meltdown hit a crunch point last week when shortages of imported fuel forced hospitals and other essential services to scale back or shut down; Hezbollah says it will begin importing diesel and gasoline from Iran

Reuters , 14:57, 08.16.21

Red Cross: At least 20 killed in Lebanon fuel tank explosion

Military and a security source say the Lebanese army seized a hidden fuel storage tank, and was in the midst of handing out gasoline to residents when the explosion took place; at least 79 people taken to hospital

Ynet, Reuters , 09:00, 08.15.21

Iran's Raisi names anti-Western hardliner as new foreign minister

New top diplomat Hossein Amirabdollahian is believed to have close ties with Lebanon's powerful Shi'ite terror group Hezbollah; Iranian leader also appoints ex-Quds Force commander wanted for 1994 Buenos Aires Jewish Center bombing

Reuters , 20:12, 08.11.21

Lebanon's Aoun shields patriarch after he urged halt to rockets

Following cross-border salvo between Israel and Hezbollah, Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai slammed the Iranian proxy, saying no group should decide on war and peace, urging the army to halt missile fire from the south

Reuters , 17:47, 08.10.21

Brawls in Lebanon's north over rationed fuel leave 3 dead

Man shot at gas station following fight when a motorist tried to cut long queue; in separate incident, two young people killed with live fire and hand grenades over gasoline purchases

AFP , 18:17, 08.09.21

Macron urges Iran to halt nuclear violations 'without delay' in Raisi talks

Newly sworn-in Iranian president tells French leader any new deal with the West must guarantee Islamic Republic's 'rights,' adds that Tehran is determined to maintain 'deterrence' in Gulf waters

i24NEWS , 18:07, 08.09.21

Hardline cleric Raisi sworn in as Iran president amid tensions with West

Former judiciary official and protege of Supreme Leader Khamenei is expected to take tougher stance in talks to resume the defunct 2015 nuclear deal, vowing to parliament he will have U.S. sanctions lifted

Reuters , 17:48, 08.05.21

Syrian man arrested in Berlin over Damascus war crimes

Mouafak Al D. - suspected of being a member of the Syrian proxy Free Palestine Movement - is accused of firing a grenade into a crowd of civilians in Yarmouk in 2014 while government forces were besieging the Palestinian refugee camp close to Syrian capital

Reuters , 14:58, 08.04.21

British agency: Boarders exit tanker off UAE coast, ship safe

Maritime security forces say the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess was seized by suspected Iranian-backed forces, which Tehran denies; UK gives no further details surrounding incident

Reuters , 09:17, 08.04.21

Iran-backed forces believed to have seized tanker off UAE coast, maritime security sources say

Revolutionary Guard rejects claims as 'hostile action' by Israel and West; British paper says London working on assumption that 'Iranian military or proxies' boarded Asphalt Princess off Fujairah, where Israeli-managed tanker attacked last week is now docked

Ynet, News Agencies , 22:12, 08.03.21

A year later, Beirut blast victims push leaders for justice

On eve of anniversary of devastating 2020 port explosion, critics say Lebanon's political leadership has succeeded in stonewalling the judicial investigation that was launched to uncover what happened in the explosion and who was responsible

Associated Press , 22:10, 08.03.21

HRW concludes some officials saw risk of Beirut blast, failed to act

Report shows warnings to various official bodies from 2014 onwards regarding dangers posed by chemical shipment being ignored, with president and PM suspected of being alerted two weeks ahead of disaster

Reuters , 11:16, 08.03.21

Iran ultraconservative Raisi inaugurated as president

The former judiciary chief - criticized by the West for his human rights record - says his government will seek to lift 'tyrannical' U.S. sanctions, but not succumb to the 'will of foreigners'

AFP , 10:55, 08.03.21

Hezbollah operatives among five dead in south Beirut shooting, sources say

Ambush takes place during the funeral of a member of the Iranian-backed terror group who was killed a day earlier in a revenge killing as the Lebanese town of Khaldeh descends further into sectarian violence between Shi'ite and Sunni residents

News agencies , 19:47, 08.01.21

Iranian government not always truthful, says departing president

Rouhani’s comments, aired on state television, come as officials in his government have appeared rudderless in recent months amid a series of crises ranging from the coronavirus pandemic to parching droughts fueling public protests

Associated Press , 14:55, 08.01.21

Iran's supreme leader criticizes U.S. as nuclear talks stalled

Claiming outgoing president Hassan Rouhani was naïve in his negotiations with world powers over return to the 2015 nuclear deal, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the West were enemies of Iran intent on harm wherever possible

Associated Press , 19:59, 07.28.21

Leaked secret Iran docs expose plans for civilian cyber strikes

Five leaked documents include explanations on how ship's internal systems can be used against it, how fuel pumps could be exploited to cause explosion and how smart systems can be hacked to destroy building air filtration mechanism

i24NEWS, Ynet , 12:33, 07.27.21

Hezbollah-backed candidate named Lebanon's premier-designate

Najib Mikati, a billionaire businessman and former prime minister, was backed by most of Lebanon's political parties, including the Iran-backed terror group; he faces Christian opposition which did not name anyone as their candidate

Associated Press , 18:02, 07.26.21

Lebanese president prospected PM-designate Mikati

Sunni tycoon and twice former prime minister will have to face a major challenge in navigating country's power-sharing structure to secure agreement on a cabinet and tackle crippling financial crisis

Reuters , 12:14, 07.26.21

Tunisian democracy in crisis after president ousts government

President Kais Saied says he would assume executive authority with assistance of new premier in move critics call a coup after mass protests erupt nationwide over chronic political dysfunction and economic malaise

Reuters , 09:22, 07.26.21

Iran opens oil terminal in Gulf of Oman to bypass Strait of Hormuz

President Rouhani hails 'failure' of U.S. sanctions, says Islamic Republic aims to export 1 million barrels a day through new passageway and avoid contentious and strategic shipping route

Reuters , 14:18, 07.22.21

Biden calls Jordan king a loyal ally in 'tough neighborhood'

As U.S. leader focuses efforts on Russia and China, officials say Amman could showcase leadership role in promoting peace and stability in region after rocky relationship with Trump administration

Associated Press , 23:14, 07.19.21

Saudi Arabia stages second scaled-down Hajj of coronavirus era

Pilgrimage sees only 60,000 fully vaccinated citizens and residents of the kingdom, far fewer than the vast crowds of 2.5 million that every year descend on Mecca

AFP , 14:48, 07.18.21

U.S. drone strikes truck in Syria used by Iran-backed militia

Attack comes amid increasing tensions between U.S. military and Iraqi militias, with Iranian regional proxies targeting bases housing American soldiers

Associated Press , 14:48, 07.18.21

Lebanon PM-designate steps down after months of deadlock

Saad Hariri cites 'key differences' with Lebanese President Michel Aoun; step likely to plunge stricken state into further uncertainty as it struggles to overcome political, economic, health crises

Assoicated Press , 16:46, 07.15.21

Iran not ready for nuclear talks until Raisi takes over, source says

The source says Iran had told the European officials the current round of talks to revive the 2015 deal will not resume until mid-August; U.S. State Department says they 'remain interested in seeking mutual return' to JCPOA

Reuters , 08:42, 07.15.21

Rouhani says Iran can enrich uranium to 90% purity if needed

Outgoing Iranian president in rare criticism lambasts Islamic Republic's top decision-makers for 'not allowing' his government to revive 2015 nuclear deal, according to which Tehran can refine uranium only at 3.67%

Reuters , 13:19, 07.14.21

EU to adopt sanctions regime for Lebanon leaders, France says

Reeling under political and financial turmoil, French Foreign Minister Le Drian says Levantine state has been in 'self-destruct mode' for several months

News agencies , 21:25, 07.12.21

Iran angered over U.S., European support for opposition group

Tehran slams Western politicians taking part in Berlin event called by National Council of Resistance of Iran, which it considers a terror organization for its opposition to the regime and recent election of Ebrahim Raisi as president

Associated Press , 20:50, 07.11.21

Iraqi militia commander vows to avenge deaths in U.S. strike

Abu Alaa al-Walae, commander of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, says in interview retaliation for the death of four militants in airstrike along Iraq-Syria border last month will be a 'military operation everyone will talk about'

Associated Press , 10:56, 07.06.21

France, Germany, China push to revive Iran nuclear talks

With a date for restart of negotiations in Vienna unclear, countries' leaders agree on the need to get a deal 'as soon as possible' and avoid the risk of nuclear proliferation

Associated Press , 21:24, 07.05.21

Iran's sole nuclear power plant up and running after 'technical overhaul'

Spokesperson for the country's energy ministry is quoted by state TV as saying the Bushehr power plant is back online after being unexpectedly shut down 2 weeks ago 'for repairs'; Iran earlier said it lacked tools for repairs due to U.S. sanctions

Associated Press, Reuters , 13:47, 07.03.21

Iran restricts IAEA access to main enrichment plant after attack, diplomats say

Officials say weeks-long standoff in course of being resolved but it has also raised tensions with the West as indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal have adjourned without a date set for their resumption

Reuters , 16:33, 07.01.21

UN expert backs probe into Iran's 1988 killings, Raisi's role

Iranian president-elect already under U.S. sanctions and seen as responsible for thousands of executions while serving as deputy prosecutor; investigator says mass graves destroyed in cover-up

Reuters , 18:26, 06.29.21

Undeclared conflict? America's battles with Iran-backed militia escalate, again

While White House stresses Sunday's airstrikes were designed to limit escalation and deter future operations against U.S. personnel, American officials worry country could be dragged into a direct war with Tehran

Reuters , 09:06, 06.29.21

Iran: No decision on camera deal with UN nuclear inspectors

Foreign Ministry spokesman says no decision 'either positive or negative' was made regarding the move that would limit nuclear watchdog and complicate diplomatic efforts by superpowers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal

Associated Press , 16:31, 06.28.21

Iran has drones with range of 7,000 km, Guards commander says

Though Western military analysts note Tehran's propensity to exaggerate its capabilities, Islamic Republic and regional proxies increasingly rely on UAVs across Middle East

Reuters , 22:29, 06.27.21

Sisi makes first Iraq visit by Egyptian leader in decades

Egyptian president, Jordan's King Abdullah and Iraqi leaders meet in Baghdad to discuss strengthening security, economic, trade and investment cooperation between the three nations

Reuters , 17:11, 06.27.21

Iran says nuclear site images won't be given to IAEA as deal has expired

Tehran's announcement could further complicate talks with world powers on reviving nuclear deal as it shows no haste to extend lapsed monitoring agreement

Reuters , 16:34, 06.27.21

Report: Iran says it foiled drone attack on main centrifuge plant

New York Times, quoting Iranian official, reports the targeted facility on the outskirts of Tehran was used to produce new top-of-the-line centrifuges that can enrich more uranium in a shorter time; site was named by Israeli officials during talks with Trump

Ynet , 09:32, 06.24.21

Iran says U.S. to lift oil sanctions, Germany, France cautious on matter

Rouhani's chief of staff says deal has been reached to remove 'all insurance, oil and shipping sanctions' imposed by Trump; Germany's FM in press conference with Blinken says Tehran and the powers 'still have to overcome significant hurdles'

Reuters , 17:30, 06.23.21

Iran says it foiled 'sabotage attack' on civilian nuclear center

State media says no 'loss of life or property damage' in incident at Iranian Atomic Energy Organization compound; incident comes days after country's sole nuclear power plant shut down due to 'technical fault', with repairs expected to continue at least until end of week

Reuters , 14:30, 06.23.21