Tag Archive for Iran

| November 30, 2013
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Turkey & Iran plan on reviving trade in wake of nuclear deal

Hurriyet Daily News says Iranian and Turkish officials are to meet in near future to resume economic cooperation.

By & Reuters

 

 

The nuclear agreement signed between Iran and world powers may result in improved economic ties between the Islamic Republic and Turkey.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu after a news conference in Ankara, November 1, 2013.- Photo: Reuters

According to a report Saturday in Hurriyet Daily News, an Iranian delegation will visit Turkey “in the near future” to discuss the two countries’ trade relations, while Turkish Trade Minister Zafer Caglayan is set to travel to Tehran in mid-January. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| November 30, 2013
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Iranian IAEA Envoy Attacks Israeli ‘Aggression’

According to an Iranian envoy, Israel is “sitting on 200 nuclear warheads” as it is “crying wolf” about Iran’s nukes.

By Elad Benari, Canada

 

Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) slammed Israel on Friday, accusing the Jewish state of attacking its neighbors and committing atrocities.

IAEA officials – AFP/File Photo

“Israel, sitting on 200 nuclear warheads all of them targeted at Muslim cities … is crying wolf about nuclear proliferation,” the envoy, Reza Najafi, told the UN nuclear agency.

“This regime (has) a long history of aggression against neighbors, atrocity against peoples under occupation and clandestine development of all kinds of” weapons of mass destruction, he declared in the comments quoted by The Associated Press (AP). Continue Reading »

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| November 29, 2013
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Report: Iran launches its new submarine class

Iran has launched it’s largest submarine in its fleet, a new class of 500 tonne submarine, boosting its naval presence in int’l waters on major oil shipping routes in Strait of Hormuz & the Gulf of Oman.

By Israel Hayom Staff

 

Iran has apparently launched the largest submarine in its naval fleet, satellite imagery from IHS Jane’s revealed on Wednesday, in what the defense analysis firm called “a major milestone for Iran’s naval industry.”

An Iranian submarine in the Strait of Hormuz - Photo: Reuters

An Iranian submarine in the Strait of Hormuz – Photo: Reuters

The “approximately 48 meter [131 foot] long and 6 meter [20 foot] wide” Fateh submarine was located by the imagery in the water at the Bostanu shipyard on the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route to and from some of the world’s most important oil economies. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| November 27, 2013
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White House Tells Congress New Sanctions May Kill Diplomatic Talks with Iran

Secretary of State John Kerry warns congressmen that passing additional sanctions on Iran may jeopardize White House negotiations on Iranian nuclear program.

By Elad Benari

 

The U.S. administration on Tuesday stepped up its battle to thwart moves by lawmakers to tighten sanctions on Iran, AFP reports.

The administration warned that passing new sanctions on Iran would jeopardize tough negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program.

Secretary of State John Kerry videotaped a message to members of Congress warning against any new sanctions during the six-month period of talks foreseen by a deal struck last weekend in Geneva.

“He certainly understands that this will be a vigorous debate, though he believes that everything doesn’t have to be a showdown,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki was quoted as having told reporters. Continue Reading »

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| November 26, 2013
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Spotlight: From Iran to an Israeli Border Guard Unit

Just 18 months ago, ‘S.’ was still lived in her Iranian Jewish community & could only dream of making Aliyah. Now, she is serving in Israel’s Border Guard.

By Tova Dvorin

 

Sixty young people will be accepted into the Border Guard Unit, Tuesday in the village of Maaleh Michmash – and among them is S., an Iranian new immigrant, according to a story by Yediot Aharonot.

S. immigrated to Israel from Iran 18 months ago – leaving her entire family behind in the Islamic Republic. “Since I was a little girl, my dream was to move to Israel and join the army,” S. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| November 26, 2013
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Hezbollah applauds nuclear deal as ‘major victory’ for Teheran

Hezbollah announcement reports interim deal that Western leaders struck with Iran in Geneva is a ‘defeat for the enemies’ of the region.

By Reuters

 

 

Lebanon‘s Hezbollah on Monday hailed a nuclear deal between its patron Iran and world powers as “a major victory” for Tehran.

Nasrallah, Assad and Ahmadinejad

Feb. 25, 2010 file photo of Hezbollah leader sheik Hassan Nasrallah speaking with Syrian President Bashar Assad, and Iran’s then President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. – Photo: AP

The agreement, struck over the weekend, will see some sanctions that were imposed on Iran over its nuclear program eased in exchange for Tehran halting some of its most sensitive atomic work. Continue Reading »

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| November 24, 2013
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Report: Behind the scene ‘Secret US-Iran Talks’ that made the deal

 

Le Figaro reports the U.S. had a secret channel of talks with Iran held in Oman, that began in September.

It was after Obama informed him of the talks, Netanyahu gave his scathing U.N. speech.

 By Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom Staff & The Associated Press

 

 

The United States and Iran secretly engaged in a series of high-level, face-to-face talks over the past year, in a high-stakes diplomatic gamble by the Obama administration that paved the way for the historic deal sealed early Sunday in Geneva aimed at slowing Tehran’s nuclear program, The Associated Press has learned.

U.S. diplomat William Burns – Photo: AP

The discussions were kept hidden even from America’s closest friends, including its negotiating partners and Israel, until two months ago, and that may explain how the nuclear accord appeared to come together so quickly after years of stalemate and fierce hostility between Iran and the West.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| November 24, 2013
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White House releases details of nuclear deal with Iran

Complete document: ‘1st Step Understandings Regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Nuclear Program.’

By

 

 

Shortly after the announcement of the deal, the White House released a ‘fact sheet’ explaining the agreement and the rationals that directed the U.S. in its negotiating efforts. Included is the full text:

US President Barack Obama speaks in the State Dining Room at the White House Saturday November 23, 2013, in Washington about the nuclear deal between six world powers and Iran (photo credit: AP/Susan Walsh)

US President Barack Obama speaks in the State Dining Room at the White House Saturday November 23, 2013, about the nuclear deal between six world powers and Iran – Photo: AP/Susan Walsh

 

Fact Sheet: First Step Understandings Regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Nuclear Program

The P5+1 (the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China, facilitated by the European Union) has been engaged in serious and substantive negotiations with Iran with the goal of reaching a verifiable diplomatic resolution that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| November 24, 2013
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Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu: The Iran Agreement is ‘Historic Mistake’

In wake of Western deal with Iran, Netanyahu opens Sunday’s Cabinet meeting with a warning that a nuclear Iran will not only threaten Israel – but the entire world.

By Tova Dvorin

 

 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu opened Sunday’s weekly cabinet meeting by mounting a sharp attack on the agreement reached Saturday night between Iran and Western powers over the nuclear issue.

Netanyahu stated, “For the first time, the world’s leading powers have agreed to uranium enrichment in Iran while ignoring the UN Security Council decisions that they themselves led. Sanctions that required many years to put in place contain the best chance for a peaceful solution. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| November 24, 2013
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Iran announces plans for 2 more nuclear power plants

Fars news agency reports, new construction declaration made by top nuclear official at Tehran conference.

By

 

 

Iran’s atomic agency is planning to construct two more nuclear plants, a top official at the agency said in a conference in Tehran on Saturday.

Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran

The Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran.- Photo: AP

“The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has put construction of the second and third (nuclear) power stations on its agenda due to the government’s programs and the emphasis laid by the President (Hassan Rouhani),” said AEOI Deputy Chief Hossein Khalfi, according to the Iranian Fars news agency. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| November 23, 2013
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Palestinian identified as 2nd Iran embassy bomber

Lebanese authorities identified the 1st suicide car-bomber as Lebanese with ties to extreme Sunni Muslim groups & 2nd as Palestinian from southern Lebanon.

By Reuters

 

 

Lebanese authorities have identified the second suicide bomber who attacked the Iranian embassy in Beirut this week as a Palestinian man with ties to a fugitive Lebanese Islamist cleric, a security source said on Saturday.

Beirut car bombing.

Two Lebanese men remove a dead body from a burned car, at the scene where two explosions have struck near the Iranian Embassy killing many, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday Nov. 19, 2013. – Photo: AP

Lebanese authorities had identified the first suicide bomber a day earlier as a Lebanese man with ties to hardline Sunni Muslim groups. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| November 23, 2013
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Rouhani tells the West: Ignore Israel, Make the Deal

Iran’s President Rouhani tweeted Israel is only concerned about its own interests when it warns against a deal over Iran’s nuclear program.

By Elad Benari, Canada

 

As world powers and Iran continued talks in Geneva in hopes of reaching a deal about Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s president on Friday called on the West to ignore Israel and reach a deal with his country.

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani – Reuters

“The world powers should reach an independent decision that is disconnected from Israel’s position,” President Hassan Rouhani tweeted.

“Israel is only concerned about its own interests, and it does not think about the interests of the world,” he charged. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 21, 2013
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World powers close to agreement with Iran as nuclear talks continue

3rd round of talks with the Iranians open with the representatives offering contradictory assessments of chances for success.

Netanyahu, ‘It’s possible to reach a better agreement, but it requires being consistent & persistent.’

By and Reuters 

 

 

GENEVA – The third round of nuclear talks between Iran and the six powers opened in Geneva Wednesday with the parties offering contradictory assessments of the chances for success.

Netanyahu and Putin in Moscow

Netanyahu and Putin arrive for a joint news conference in the Kremlin in Moscow. Wednesday, November 20, 2013.- Photo: AP

Yet even as some of the negotiators sought to lower expectations, most seemed optimistic that by the end of the weekend, an agreement on curbing Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief would be reached.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , , ,
| November 21, 2013
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Khamenei: ‘ Zionist regime doomed to annihilation’

 

Iran’s supreme leader says ‘Israeli officials cannot be called humans, they are like animals’.

Israeli expert: Harsh talk meant “to set stage for deal.”

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON, REUTERS

 

 

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran would not step back from its nuclear rights, and his negotiating team had set limits for talks over Iran’s disputed nuclear program.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – Photo: Ho New/Reuters

Khamenei took swipes at Israel and France during his speech to tens of thousands of volunteer Basij militiamen in Tehran, broadcast live on Iran’s Press TV.

“Zionist officials cannot be called humans, they are like animals, some of them,” said Khamenei.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 20, 2013
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Security Expert: Group That Bombed Embassy in Beirut Founded by Iran

Counter-terror expert says Lebanese branch of Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group that claimed responsibility for Iran embassy bombing was established by Iran.

By Ari Yashar

 

 

The Lebanese branch of Abdullah Azzam Brigades, the Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group which claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attack on Iran’s embassy in Beirut was initially established by Iran, according to a Middle East counter-terror expert.

Scene of Beirut blasts – Reuters

Tuesday’s attack in Lebanon left 23 dead, among them an Iranian attaché, and an additional 146 wounded. The blast reportedly was a message telling Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah to pull their forces out of Syria where they are supporting President Bashar Assad’s regime.  Continue Reading »

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