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VOA — Israel’s contention that its regional foe Iran is helping Venezuela build combat drones is raising concerns that the two anti-U.S. allies could enable such drones to be used for terrorism. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on February 22 that his government determined that “Iranian precision-guided missiles are being delivered” to Venezuela to be fitted into “advanced Iranian …

VOA – Iran will not back down on its red lines in nuclear talks with major powers, President Ebrahim Raisi said on Tuesday, after the European Union said the time had come for Washington and Tehran to take political decisions needed to reach an accord. Eleven months of negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal which lifted sanctions on Iran …

Al-Monitor – Iranian news outlets reported that the country’s top nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, was back in Tehran on “a short visit for routine consultations” pertaining to talks in Vienna on restoring the Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.   Iranian officials have said that while the senior diplomat is home, expert-level talks and informal meetings will continue …

Al-Monitor – President Joe Biden announced a ban on Russian oil and gas imports into the United States Tuesday as his administration tightens its squeeze on Russia’s economy over its invasion of Ukraine.  “Today, I am announcing the United States is targeting the main artery of Russia’s economy,” Biden said in televised remarks from the White House.  “Russian oil will no …

Shabtabnews – In a Twitter statement USCIRF Commissioner expressed concerns on reports that Mr. Abdi and other Gonabadi Sufis imprisoned in Iran is being denied medical leave or hospital transfers. USCIRF Commissioner @Skleinbaum: "We are concerned by reports that Mr. Abdi and other Gonabadi Sufis imprisoned in Iran on the basis of their religious identity are contracting COVID-19 and being …