ynetnews - Mideast News

ynetnews on Facebook

Weather:

World powers, Iran hold 'constructive' talks on reviving nuclear deal

While neither Washington nor Tehran say they expect any quick breakthroughs from the talks, both they and the EU describe the early exchanges in positive terms; Islamic Republic still insists on lifting sanctions

Reuters , 11:16 , 04.07.21

Report: Iranian ship struck by missile in the Red Sea

Foreign media says 'Israel might have been involved' in attack on Revolutionary Guards intelligence-gathering vessel as both nations are believed to have been locked in a maritime shadow standoff in recent months

Daniel Salami , 22:18 , 04.06.21

New audio undermines Jordan's claims of foreign plot

Recording unveils convo between Prince Hamzah and chief of staff, with Gen. Yousef Huneiti saying he's being punished over meetings with those who 'started talking more than they should'

Associated Press , 13:11 , 04.06.21

U.S. expects 'difficult' Iran talks, sees no quick breakthrough

Tehran says only complete removal of all sanctions could jumpstart negotiations with the U.S., while Washington sources say the administration will take a pragmatic approach and not let the argument over who goes first to be an obstacle

Reuters , 08:46 , 04.06.21

Jordan's king, half-brother 'accept mediation' to heal rift, palace says

In signed letter, Prince Hamzah pledges his allegiance to King Abdullah, crown prince after his involvement in an alleged conspiracy to destabilize the Hashemite Kingdom's security

AFP , 22:54 , 04.05.21

Jordan's Prince Hamzah says he will disobey army orders to keep silent

Half-brother of King Abdullah and former heir to the throne says in recording released by Jordanian opposition that he would not comply after being barred from any activities and told to remain quiet

Reuters , 12:20 , 04.05.21

In show of Pharaonic heritage, Egypt parades royal mummies

22 pharaohs and royals, among them Ramses II and Queen Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh, are transported on decorated trucks to the new south Cairo museum in event meant to showcase the country's rich history and spur tourism

Associated Press , 19:13 , 04.04.21

Jordan says prince liaised with 'foreign parties' over plot to destabilize country

Deputy PM Safadi says communications included a foreign intelligence agency contacting Prince Hamzah's wife to organize a plane for the couple to leave Jordan

Reuters , 17:34 , 04.04.21

Gantz: Alleged Jordan coup plot is 'an internal matter'

After round-up of suspected conspirators, Jordanian media warns of 'security and stability' red lines that cannot be crossed; mother of former crown prince slams claims he was involved in plans to overthrow king as 'wicked slander'

Ynet, AFP , 13:56 , 04.04.21

Jordanian military warns king's half-brother to stop actions undermining stability

Though palace denies reports of arrest, Prince Hamza claims in a video he was told to stay at home and not contact anybody; Jordanian authorities are increasingly concerned with efforts by King's half brother to build ties with disgruntled figures within powerful tribes

Reuters , 07:21 , 04.04.21

Lebanon's top Christian cleric criticizes Hezbollah in leaked video

Head of the Maronite church calls for Lebanon to remain neutral in regional conflicts, referring to Hezbollah's deployment of fighters to neighboring Syria alongside Shi'ite Muslim militias and its alliance with Iran

Reuters , 19:54 , 04.01.21

Iran adds advanced machines enriching underground at Natanz, nuclear watchdog says

In latest breach of nuclear agreement, Tehran keeps mounting pressure on U.S., with both sides locked in a standoff over who should move first to salvage deal meant to curb Iran's race for the bomb

Reuters , 18:26 , 04.01.21

U.S. open to discussing wider nuclear deal road map if Iran wishes

Tehran rejects reported Washington plan to ask it to halt work on advanced centrifuges and the enrichment of uranium to 20% purity in return for undefined U.S. sanctions relief, as Western diplomat says proposals on a return to nuclear deal are being made by both sides

Reuters , 07:11 , 03.31.21

UN seeks $10 billion for Syrians as humanitarian needs soar

Some 24 million people in the war-torn nation are in need of basic aid, the highest number yet since a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters by Syrian President Bashar Assad in 2011 led to civil war

Reuters , 22:20 , 03.30.21

EU to sanction Iranians for rights abuses in first since 2013

European bloc set to impose travel bans and asset freezes after recent similar moves against China, North Korea, Libya and Russia as part of effort to take tougher stance on human rights

Reuters , 21:40 , 03.30.21

Iran rejects ending 20% enrichment before U.S. lifts sanctions, state TV says

Following reports Washington would offer new proposal to jump-start talks, Tehran threatens to further reduce its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal if U.S. fails to comply with demands while window of opportunity is fast closing

Reuters , 08:55 , 03.30.21

U.S. offers $10 million reward for info on Hezbollah operative

Salim Jamil Ayyash, a senior member of Shi'ite terror group's assassination squad, was sentenced in absentia by an international tribunal to five life sentences over his role in the 2005 killing of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri

Associated Press , 22:46 , 03.29.21

Suez Canal jam ends after stranded ship refloated

After dredging and excavation work over weekend, rescue teams succeed in partially refloating MV 'Ever Given' using tugboats; At least 369 vessels await transit after traffic through global shipping lane halted for over a week

Reuters , 18:56 , 03.29.21

Stranded Suez Canal ship re-floated, undergoing checks

Reports say the breakthrough in Suez Canal came after intensive efforts to push and pull the Ever Given ship with 10 tugboats and vacuum up sand with several dredgers at spring tide after skyscraper-sized vessel became stuck last Tuesday

News agencies , 07:59 , 03.29.21

U.S. senators push for broader Iran deal, not return to nuclear pact

Letter, signed by 43 Democrat and Republican lawmakers, says a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to the natural security interests of the U.S. and its allies in the region

Reuters , 22:58 , 03.25.21

Beirut neighborhood gets vision of hope after blast

Offre Joie (Joy of Giving) NGO has repaired Lebanese districts hit by war and violence since 1985 and now it is working to rebuild a low-income area devastated by deadly explosion in capital's port

Reuters , 21:57 , 03.25.21

'Beached whale' ship could block Suez Canal for weeks

The 400-meter-long MV Ever Given is blocking transit in both directions through one of the world's busiest channels, with a total of 206 various large vessels backing up, creating one of the worst shipping jams seen for years

Reuters , 20:50 , 03.25.21

Jordan cemetery struggles amid COVID-19 surge

Recent hike in morbidity, which is attributed to UK variant, has put Jordan's virus cases and deaths above most of its neighbors, undoing months of success in containing the outbreak

Reuters , 19:19 , 03.24.21

Suez Canal blocked as rogue cargo ship stuck after sideways spin

Panama-flagged vessel grounded in narrow waterway after its owners say it was overcome by strong winds; closure of canal could have major impact on global shipping

Associated Press , 11:09 , 03.24.21

Saudi Arabia proposes ceasefire to Yemen's Houthis

Riyadh's outline includes reopening of sea and air links to allow import of fuel and food to famine-stricken nation; U.S. and UN welcome initiative while Iranian proxy remains skeptical of any talks

Reuters , 23:52 , 03.22.21

Lebanon crisis escalates after failure to agree on government

For over five months, Lebanese leaders have quarreled to end the political deadlock, plunging the Levantine country further down a spiral of economic collapse as foreign donations dry up until a reform-minded cabinet is formed

Reuters , 23:22 , 03.22.21

Swedish scientist near death after months in solitary confinement in Iran, say UN experts

Experts say conviction and sentence of man — accused of providing information to Israel to help it assassinate nuclear scientists — based on confession extracted under torture, after unfair trial

Reuters , 14:01 , 03.18.21

Lebanon's president asks PM-designate to form government or go

Ailing nation's leaders have been at loggerheads over formation of a government for almost five months, needed to implement urgently-needed reforms and unlock international aid

Reuters , 22:52 , 03.17.21

In war-torn Syria, uprising birthplace seethes 10 years on

After a decade of bloodshed, Daraa is back under Assad's rule and has been seeing frequent mass protests against the government and Iran, reflecting a growing concern over Tehran's expanding influence

Associated Press , 11:43 , 03.17.21

Syrians in rebel-held Idlib mark 10 years since uprising

The protest in Idlib city was the largest in years, and aimed at recreating the early days of peaceful protests in which tens of thousands called for Assad's downfall, after the civil war killed more than half a million people and displaced half the country's pre-war population of 23 million

Associated Press , 21:35 , 03.15.21

Iran releases footage of Revolutionary Guards 'missile city' base

Paramilitary group boasts rows of missiles in a depot with cement walls, says bolstered missile capability of its navy while not providing any details on location nor how many missiles are stored there

News Agencies , 17:22 , 03.15.21

With burning tires, Lebanon protesters send dark, angry message

The tactic has become the hallmark of a new flare-up of demonstrations in the Levantine nation as its political class refuses to cooperate while the country slides further toward the political and economic abyss

Associated Press , 23:02 , 03.10.21

Syria's Assad and his wife test positive for coronavirus

President's office says the couple have only minor symptoms and are in 'good health and stable condition'; Syria last week began its vaccination drive with jabs allegedly paid for by Israel as part of the prisoner swap deal

Associated Press , Ynet , 15:04 , 03.08.21

IAF joins U.S. B-52s in aerial warning to Iran

U.S. Army's Central Command says the two heavy bombers were also accompanied by military aircraft from Saudi Arabia and Qatar as they carried out fourth such deployment this year and second since Biden took office

Associated Press , 16:51 , 03.07.21

Egypt's Aboul Gheit reappointed as Arab League chief

78-year-old veteran diplomat known to be pragmatist with strong enmity for political Islam factions like Muslim Brotherhood; was sole nominee for post that is traditionally nominated by Cairo

Associated Press , 19:17 , 03.03.21

10 rockets land at Iraqi airbase hosting U.S. forces

Attack on military base, the second within a month, comes just days before Pope Francis's visit in Iraq on Friday and a week after U.S. carried out retaliatory airstrike in eastern Syria that killed one fighter in an Iranian-backed militia

Reuters , 11:46 , 03.03.21

Iran rejects offer of direct talks with U.S., EU on nuclear deal

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman says the Islamic Republic 'does not consider this the time' to hold negotiations, hinting U.S. must first lift sanctions; WSJ reports Israel was made aware of the negotiations

i24NEWS, Reuters , 21:34 , 02.28.21

U.S. strikes Iranian-backed militia in Syria after Baghdad attack

Pentagon spokesperson says calibrated response to rocket attacks against American targets in Iraq destroyed multiple facilities at border control point used by number of Iranian-backed militant groups

Reuters , 10:12 , 02.26.21

Ex-Syria secret policeman convicted in groundbreaking war crimes case

Assad regime agent convicted of facilitating torture of prisoners; German trial marks first time a foreign court has ruled on allegations that Syrian government officials committed crimes against humanity during decade-long civil war

Associated Press , 14:39 , 02.24.21

Iran says U.S. must first lift sanctions before talks to revive nuclear deal

In light of legislation that will block snap inspections of Islamic Republic's atomic facilities, UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi arrives in Tehran to meet with the Iranian nuclear minister

Reuters , 21:20 , 02.21.21

IAEA found uranium traces at two sites Iran barred it from, sources say

A surprise inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency found remnants of the material required for nuclear weapons in two previously unreported Iranian nuclear facilities

Reuters , 00:23 , 02.20.21

Europe to meet U.S. on Iran as nuclear deadline looms

While Islamic Republic announces plans to restrict UN inspections if Washington does not lift sanctions by February 21, Biden administration reaffirms it would only rejoin talks if Tehran returns to full compliance with nuclear deal

AFP , 09:53 , 02.18.21

Lebanon's Hariri sees no way out of crisis without Arab support

Premier says Lebanon cannot be staging point for Gulf attacks, blames President Aoun for delays to government as country seeks rescue from financial meltdown

Reuters , 23:03 , 02.14.21

Iran produces uranium metal, IAEA says, in latest breach of deal

Atomic watchdog's report confirms Islamic Republic produced 3.6 grams of uranium metal, which can be used to make core of nuclear weapon, at a facility in Esfahan

Reuters , 23:09 , 02.10.21

Trump's trial starting: 'Grievous crime' or just 'theater'?

Becoming the first U.S. president to face charges after leaving office, Trump hit with accusations of inciting deadly Capitol riot in a motion that is highly unlikely to garner the two-thirds majority needed to convict the former Republican commander-in-chief

Associated Press , 13:38 , 02.09.21

Lebanese group gives a home away from home to health workers

NGO Baytna Baytak arose with the coronavirus pandemic and has been finding new avenues to help those in need as the country's crises expand while housing numerous front-line workers who were worried about exposing their families to the virus

Associated Press , 12:22 , 02.09.21

Egypt says concrete wall will protect Red Sea resort

Authorities in southern Sinai hope 36-kilometer defense rampart could revitalize tourism in the area after it has been dented by Islamist militants and COVID-19 pandemic

Reuters , 23:12 , 02.08.21

Vaccines offer China increased leverage in the Middle East

Sinovac jabs have been approved or used by several countries in the region, including Bahrain, Egypt, the UAE and Turkey, despite their efficacy against the virus still unclear

The Media Line , 22:55 , 02.07.21

Biden: U.S. will not lift sanctions to get Iran to negotiating table

American president indicates that Tehran must first stop enriching uranium in violation of nuclear deal brokered while he was VP; comments recorded Friday released hours after Iranian leader insists on end to restrictions before country returns to agreement

Associated Press , 18:22 , 02.07.21

Iran says U.S. must lift sanctions before it lives up to nuke deal

In first comments on issue since Biden took office, Khamenei says decision is 'definitive and irreversible policy of the Islamic Republic'; stance creates contest of wills after U.S. president says he wants to revive deal, but Tehran must first reverse nuclear steps

Associated Press , 14:33 , 02.07.21

Prominent Lebanese Hezbollah critic found shot dead in his car

Shiite activist Lokman Slim had been missing for hours when his body was discovered in southern Lebanon; without directly naming the terror group, his sister alludes to its culpability, saying 'killing for them is a habit'

Associated Press , 14:50 , 02.04.21

Iran's Zarif hints at way to bridge nuclear deal impasse

Speaking to CNN, Islamic Republic's top diplomat says that joint commission, created in 2015 and headed by EU foreign policy chief Borrell, could 'choreograph' actions between Tehran and Washington

Reuters , 13:50 , 02.02.21

Biden pauses foreign arms sales, including F-35s to UAE

State Dept. calls move 'routine action' that most incoming administrations take on large-scale arms sales, declines to say if halt is permanent; sale of fighter jets had been criticized in Israel due to fears of erosion of regional military superiority

Associated Press, Ynet , 21:58 , 01.27.21

Amid crisis, Hezbollah 'bank' is lifeline for some Lebanese

As Lebanon's economic crisis continues to deepen, an increasing number of people are turning to the financial arm of the Iranian-backed militant group for help, receiving small, interest-free loans in dollars at a time of desperate need for hard currency

Associated Press , 10:59 , 01.27.21

Iran says Biden won't have infinite time to rejoin nuclear deal

In a further step away from the 2015 agreement, Islamic Republic spokesman Ali Rabiei threatens Tehran will begin to blocking short-notice inspections of its nuclear facilities by the UN's atomic agency

Associated Press , 15:30 , 01.26.21

Pfizer or Sinopharm? 'vaccine diplomacy' in the Middle East

While U.S. allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia opted for the American-made vaccine, experts say Trump's isolationist attitude during pandemic and cost-effectiveness pushed others, like the PA and Iraq, towards Chinese- or Russian-developed jab

AFP , 10:49 , 01.26.21

Arab Spring to Egyptian exile: Activists reflect 10 years on

Dr. Mohamed Aboelgheit fled to London after joining calls for revolt, Taqadum al-Khatib was an academic who left to avoid prosecution, while journalist Asma Khatib escaped to Malaysia after fellow reporters started getting arrested

Associated Press , 10:02 , 01.24.21

White House says Biden will be discussing Iran with foreign partners

Blinken tells Senate that quick return to nuclear deal not on the table; Netanyahu urges POTUS to 'confront common challenges, chief among them being Iran' in his congratulatory speech to Biden

Reuters , 09:33 , 01.21.21

Diary shows how quest for love landed U.S. Navy vet in Iran jail

Held on dubious allegations of 'collaborating with U.S. and disrespecting Islamic Republic's supreme leader', Michael White catalogs years of physical abuse from his jailers and taunts from fellow inmates

Associated Press , 22:55 , 01.17.21

Report: Beirut blast chemicals possibly linked to Syrian businessmen

Trading firm behind purchase of chemicals that devastated Lebanese capital shares London address with companies linked to Syrian-Russian nationals sanctioned by U.S. for supporting Assad's war effort

Reuters , 19:08 , 01.17.21