Middle Orient

A United States Navy patrol ship stationed in international waters in the Persian Gulf fired warning shots at Iranian naval vessels which came dangerously close to it, the US military said on Tuesday. The disturbing incident occurred on Monday evening, after three ships belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard ignored …

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called for an investigation into the leak of a tape meant for posterity. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ordered an investigation April 27 into the leak of an audiotape containing containing confidential statements by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Government spokesman Ali Rabiee said Iran’s Intelligence …

In a demonstration of the economic dividends of the Abraham Accords, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Petroleum is buying Israeli Delek Drilling’s shares in the Tamar natural gas field. The Israeli energy company Delek Drilling reported on April 26 that it signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to sell its stake (22%) …

World powers resumed talks Tuesday in Vienna about revitalizing the 2015 international pact to restrain Iran’s nuclear development program and bring the United States back into the accord that former U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from in 2018. Current U.S. President Joe Biden wants to rejoin the pact aimed …

At approximately 8 p.m. on April 26, three Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) fast inshore attack craft (FIAC) failed to exercise due regard for the safety of other vessels as required under international law as they came into close proximity to U.S. naval vessels in international waters of …

He praised the residents of east Jerusalem for their “steadfastness in the face of Israeli schemes aiming to control the holy city.” The Palestinian Authority will not hold general elections without the participation of Jerusalem residents, PA President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday night. He made his remarks during a meeting …

It is possible there were multiple interceptions by the Iron Dome defense system. Rocket sirens went off in Sderot and in the Gaza border area in the early hours of Monday morning as three rockets were launched into Israel from the Gaza Strip.The IDF confirmed that two of the rockets …

Iranian leaders have repeatedly declared that Israel should be destroyed. Therefore Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasizes that Israel will not let Iran have nuclear weapons. The Biden administration wishes to prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. Israel is of the same mindset, and believes the United States should impose tough, …

The Iranian foreign minister complained about how he was forced to act for military interests instead of diplomatic ones. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed discontent with the influence the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps has over diplomatic affairs, expressing rare criticism of former IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, …

Leaked tapes appear to show Zarif claiming that Russia wanted to sabotage the Iran nuclear deal signed in 2015. Leaked recordings are the latest twist in a strange saga that appears to pit Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem …