Social and Political

Radiofarda – A commander of Iranian Army’s Ground Force says the force has changed its mission to become “a mobile assault force,” reported Tasnim news agency on Monday May 20. Tasnim quoted Brigadier Ali Hajilou, the commander of the northwestern headquarters of the Iranian army’s ground forces as having said that the army’s ground force has left behind its traditional …

Radiofarda – Yemen’s Houthi group allied with Iran said targeting Saudi Aramco’s installations last week was the beginning of military operations against 300 vital military targets, Houthi-controlled SABA news agency said on Sunday May 19, citing a source in the movement’s military. Targets included vital military headquarters and facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, as well as their …

Radiofarda – An influential pro-Iranian Iraqi politician has offered to mediate between Iran and the United States in a meeting with Joey Hood, Chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Mission in Iraq. Ammar al-Hakim in Baghdad met with Hood on May 19, Iran’s government news agency IRNA reported on Monday. The two discussed current tensions between the United States and Iran, …

Radiofarda – Israeli media have given extensive coverage to the rising tension in the Persian Gulf area, fearing wider implications for the region and Israel. Reactions by officials on the other hand have been limited, perhaps deliberately trying not to appear as inflaming existing tensions. Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz was the first Israeli official who reacted to the events …

Al-Arabia – Britain told Iran on Monday not to underestimate the resolve of the United States, warning that if American interests were attacked then the administration of President Donald Trump would retaliate.“I would say to the Iranians: Do not underestimate the resolve on the US side,” Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told reporters on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly …

Al-Arabia – Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday the “genocidal taunts” of US President Donald Trump will not “end Iran”, amid a spike in tensions between the two countries. “Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone. Economic terrorism and genocidal taunts won’t ‘end Iran’,” Zarif wrote on Twitter.Last Update: Monday, 20 May 2019 KSA 13:52 – …

VOA – U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a new threat to Iran, saying a conflict would be the “official end” of the Islamic republic. Trump’s remarks on May 20 came as Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally, warned it was ready to respond to Tehran’s alleged provocations with “all strength.” The warnings came amid concerns about a potential military …

RFL/RE – A rocket landed in Baghdad’s Green Zone near the huge U.S. Embassy compound amid heightened tensions in the region as Washington withdraws personnel from Iraq and President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran. Iraq’s state-run news agency said there were no casualties as a result of the Katyusha rocket exploding less than 1 kilometer from the U.S. …

VOA – President Donald Trump has given a strong warning to Iran, threatening its destruction if it attacks the United States or U.S. interests. “If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran,” Trump tweeted Sunday. “Never threaten the United States again!” Donald J. Trump✔@realDonaldTrump If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end …

VOA — In word and deed, the administration of President Donald Trump has been sounding the alarm over Iran and its proxies. “If American interests are attacked, we will most certainly respond in an appropriate fashion,” U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned last week. Later this week, U.S. officials are expected to brief lawmakers on what has led the …