Iranian Drone Comes “Dangerously” Close to U.S. Aircraft Carrier in Persian Gulf
Iran sent another drone close to a U.S. Navy aircraft carried in the Persian Gulf on Sunday, the media reported today. Last week, an Iranian drone had an “unsafe” encounter with a U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet as it was landing aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz in the Persian Gulf. Navy Lt.
Rouhani Asks Putin for More Russian Investment in Iran’s Energy Sector
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed ways to expand bilateral relations between the two countries in a telephone call today, the Iranian and Russia
Tehran Celebrates Arsal "Victory" as Sign of Hezbollah’s Growing Power
From Tehran’s view, Hezbollah’s military operation against Nusra Front militants on the outskirts of the Lebanese town of Arsal near the Syrian border signifies Hezbollah’s growing political and military influence in Lebanon and the broader region. “There was more cooperation between Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army in the battle of Arsal than at any time in the past. And this cooperation signifies fundamental changes in Lebanon’s political sphere.
Iran Vows Revenge against Islamic State, U.S. after I.R.G.C. Soldier's Beheading
Iranian leaders have reacted angrily to the beheading of an Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (I.R.G.C.) officer by the Islamic State in Syria. Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, condemned the “savage act” and vowed revenge.
Iranian Clerics Say New U.S. Sanctions Violate Nuclear Deal
Senior Iranian clerics today blasted the latest U.S. sanctions against Tehran and called on the Rouhani government to take strong retaliatory measures against Washington.
I.R.G.C. Outlet: Seizure of al-Sukhnah Helps Regime Operations in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor
The recent seizure of al-Sukhnah region in Syria’s Homs Governorate has prepared the ground for the Syrian Army and its foreign allies to advance toward and capture the oil-rich Deir Ezzor Governorate, according to
Iran Finalizing Plan to “Counter America’s Adventurous and Terrorist Actions”
The Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee on Wednesday approved a bill titled “Countering America’s Adventurous and Terrorist Actions” in response to the latest U.S. sanctions, the Iranian media reported.
Iran-Backed Iraqi Militia Group Vows to Fight with Hezbollah against Israel
Harakat al-Nujaba, an Iranian-supported Iraqi militia group, has announced that it will support the Lebanese Hezbollah in the fight against the “occupying Zionist regime” of Israel, Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (I.R.G.C.) reports.
P.M.F. Forces Reportedly Barred from Participating in Tal Afar Operation
A commander of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (P.M.F.) has said that the United States, Turkey and the leadership of the Iraqi Kurdistan are pressuring the Baghdad government not to allow the paramilitary forces to participate in upcoming military operation to liberate the city of Tal Afar, Fars News Agency reported. Jawad al-Talibawi, a spokesman for the armed wing of Iranian-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq, added that P.M.F. units have received “orders” forbidding them from taking part in the operation.
Zarif to Trump: U.S. Will Pay High Price for Annulling Nuclear Deal
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has warned the Trump administration that the United States will pay a high price if it decides to walk away from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – the nuclear deal Iran signed with world powers two years ago. He reportedly made the remarks in a meeting with members of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.
Tehran’s Iraqi Proxies and Looming Conflict with U.S.
On Monday, the Islamic State claimed it had killed scores of Iraqi troops and captured one soldier in an ambush near the al-Tanf border-crossing along the Iraqi-Syrian border. Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (K.S.S.), an Iranian-backed unit of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (P.M.F.), however, blamed U.S. air strikes for its losses and vowed revenge.
Tajikistan Accuses Iran of Sponsoring Terrorism, Restricts Iranian Organizations’ Activities
Tajikistan has accused Iran of having played a subversive role in the country’s civil war in the 1990s by sending terrorists to the Central Asian republic, the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the two countries.
Iraqi Paramilitary Forces to Participate in Tal Afar Operation despite Concerns
The spokesperson for the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (P.M.F.) has announced that the paramilitary forces will participate in the upcoming military operation against the Islamic State in Tal Afar despite regional concerns, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported today. “In the operation to liberate Tal Afar, all Hashd al-Shaabi forces, the Iraqi army, the federal police and also counterterrorism and rapid-reaction forces will participate,” Ahmed al-Assadi was quoted as saying.
Iraqi Militia Leader Says Will Hold U.S. Responsible for Killing 40 Militiamen, 7 I.R.G.C. Officers
The commander of an Iranian-backed Iraqi paramilitary unit has accused the American troops of colluding with the Islamic State and killing dozens of Iraqi militiamen and Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (I.R.G.C.) officers along the Iraqi-Syrian border last night – a charge the U.S.-led coali
Iran-Allied Iraqi Militia Group Threatens Violence over Kurdistan Independence Plan
A senior official of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, an Iran-supported militia unit within Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (P.M.F.), has threatened violence against the leadership of the Iraqi Kurdistan, according to Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (I.R.G.C.).
