Middle Orient

IDF strikes Gaza Strip after incendiary balloon fires

A number of fires broke out in southern Israel on Tuesday, with at least 20 of them sparked by incendiary balloons launched from Gaza. The IDF struck a number of military sites belonging to Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night in response to 20 fires sparked by incendiary …

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Biden, Erdoğan Hold ‘Productive’ Chat

US President Joe Biden on Monday said he had a “positive and productive” meeting with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Brussels, promising to “continue discussions and … make real progress” with Ankara. The two leaders held the face-to-face – their first since Biden took office – on the sidelines …

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Senate Republicans Move To Require Congressional Approval for New Iran Deal

Bill is last-ditch effort to stop Biden from awarding Iran with billions of dollars in sanctions relief Senate Republicans introduced on Friday legislation that would require President Joe Biden to obtain congressional approval before he signs any new nuclear deal with Iran, according to a copy of that bill obtained …

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Nuclear Talks Resume as Iran Prepares for New President

The sixth round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States over a mutual return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal kicked off on Saturday in Vienna, with European diplomats calling negotiations “intense” and expecting an understanding to be struck in the coming days. Russian and Iranian officials, …

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Tens of Israel’s spy and attack drones invade Gaza skies

Palestinian resistance opened fire at tens of Israeli spy and attack drones after they invaded Gaza’s skies, downing two of them, Quds Press reported on Friday. Sources told Quds Press that the Israeli drones entered the skies of Gaza and hovered over the neighbourhoods of Al-Shejaia, Al-Zaytoun and Al-Sabra. According …

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Security cooperation agreement signed by Turkey and Palestinian Authority enters into force

Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak reported that Ankara has taken the first step to re-implement the Libyan model with the Palestinians regarding a security cooperation agreement signed by Turkey and the Palestinian Authority (PA) that recently entered into force. In a report translated by Arabi21, the newspaper pointed out that Turkey, …

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China and Iran: Join Up the Dots

Sheikh Jarrah, the ostensible cause of the latest conflict in the Middle East, is not so complicated. It is a private rent dispute, caused by squatters and by Palestinian tenants who acquired protected tenancies (not ownership) during the period of Jordanian occupation 1948-1967 when Jordan illegally sequestrated the property rights …

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Rouhani praises Putin, hails expanded ties with Russia

Rouhani’s expression of gratitude came a few weeks after his foreign minister was caught in a leaked audio, complaining about Russian attempts to put a spike in the wheel of the 2015 multilateral talks that culminated in the Iran nuclear deal. Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said his country’s already “friendly …

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Intel: US engages Turkey over Kabul airport security

The Biden administration continues to talk with Turkish officials about Ankara’s proposal to take over security at Kabul International Airport after US and NATO forces leave Afghanistan later this summer. The discussions come ahead of President Joe Biden’s planned first meeting since taking office with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan …

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Who is Ebrahim Raisi, the front-runner in Iran’s presidential race?

Here’s what you need to know about Ebrahim Raisi, the conservative cleric seen as the heavy favorite to replace outgoing President Hassan Rouhani. Ebrahim Raisi, the hard-line Iranian judiciary chief known for his role in the mass execution of thousands of prisoners in the late 1980s, is heavily favored to …

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