Middle Orient

Saudi agents who killed Khashoggi received training in the US: NYT

The New York Times reports that four members of the Saudi team that killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi received training under a contract approved by the State Department. Four members of the Saudi hit team that killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi reportedly received paramilitary training in the United States, The New York …

Read More »

US government seizes news sites linked to Iran

The US government seized several websites affiliated with Iran and its allies, including Press TV. The US has government seized several news websites linked to Iran. Domains for the Iranian state-owned Press TV and Al Alam as well as the Yemeni website Al Masirah took visitors to a notice from …

Read More »

Netanyahu tries to sabotage new government’s relations with Washington

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu falsely accuses Foreign Minister Yair Lapid of giving up on Israel’s freedom of action against Iran. In his bid to undermine the legitimacy of Israel’s new government, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no qualms about torpedoing its efforts to forge a solid working relationship …

Read More »

Yemen rebels claim downing of US-made drones, US denies it

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed they brought down two U.S.-made drones this week over central Marib province, the scene of heavy fighting between the Iran-backed rebels and forces loyal to the internationally recognized government. The U.S. military said it wasn’t aware of any lost drones in the Mideast and added that …

Read More »

U.N. chief warns no Syria cross-border aid would be ‘devastating’

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to the Security Council on Wednesday to renew a cross-border aid operation into war-torn Syria for another year, warning that a failure to do so would be devastating for millions of people. Guterres addressed the 15-member body ahead of a likely showdown next month between …

Read More »

Critic of Palestinian Authority dies after violent arrest

An outspoken critic of the Palestinian Authority who was a candidate in parliamentary elections called off earlier this year died after Palestinian security forces arrested him and beat him with batons on Thursday, his family said. Nizar Banat was a harsh critic of the PA, which governs parts of the …

Read More »

Iran fails to launch satellite into orbit as Pentagon watches

The details surrounding the failed launches, and causes of its failure were unclear, however, the report stated. Iran failed to launch another satellite in space in mid-June, according to CNN citing US defense officials. The Pentagon and defense officials were observing the launch and stated that while the June launch …

Read More »

Iran official says US has agreed to lift oil, shipping sanctions

The new US administration of President Joe Biden aims to restore the Iran Deal, but the sides disagree on which steps need to be taken and when. Iran said on Wednesday that Washington had agreed to remove all sanctions on Iran’s oil and shipping, and take some senior figures off …

Read More »

US: Election of Raisi unlikely to change dynamics of nukes talks

Iran’s supreme leader determines Tehran’s policy on important issues, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday, signaling that the election to the presidency of hardliner Ebrahim Raisi won’t change the dynamics of the talks on the nuclear issues between Iran and the world powers in Vienna. “Iran will …

Read More »

Iran claims sabotage of Iran Atomic Energy Organization failed – explainer

Despite Iranian claims, both in July 2020 and April 2021, the Islamic Republic initially lied to the global media in trying to downplay sabotage operations. A sabotage operation against one of the buildings of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEO) in Karaj, near Tehran, failed and caused no damage or casualties …

Read More »