NASIRIYA, Iraq (AFP) — Gunmen and suicide car bombers killed at least 74 people, including seven Iranians, near the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriya on Thursday, an official said, giving an updated toll. “There are now 74 deaths and 93 wounded,” Abdel Hussein al-Jabri, deputy health chief for the mainly Shiite province of Dhiqar, said of the attack claimed by the Islamic State group. That was up from the previous toll of 52 dead and […]
Tag: Iran
Saudi renews Iraq ties in bid to distance Iran
by Ali Choukeir Agence France Presse BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — Influential Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr’s visit to Saudi Arabia at the end of July signalled the Gulf Sunni powerhouse’s ambition to distance its Iranian foe from policy-making in Baghdad. In the wake of former dictator Saddam Hussein’s August 1990 invasion of Kuwait, Riyadh severed relations with Baghdad and closed its border posts with its northern neighbour. Ties have remained strained even after Saddam’s ouster […]
Iran can quit nuclear deal if US keeps adding sanctions
by Ali Noorani Agence France Presse TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — President Hassan Rouhani warned Tuesday that Iran could abandon its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers within hours if the United States keeps on imposing new sanctions. In a speech to parliament outlining plans for his new term, Rouhani also hit out at US counterpart Donald Trump, saying he had shown the world that Washington was “not a good partner.” Rouhani’s comments come with the […]
US slams ‘provocative’ Iran satellite-launch rocket test
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Thursday hit out at Iran over its test of a satellite-launch rocket, calling it an act that undermined regional stability and saying it appeared to violate United Nations Security Council resolutions. “We consider that to be continued ballistic missile development,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters. “We consider this to be provocative action.” Nauert added that if confirmed, the test could be a “violation of […]
US Senate passes Russia sanctions, sends bill to Trump
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States Senate on Thursday passed bipartisan sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the package to President Donald Trump, who must decide whether to accept the tough approach to Moscow or veto the measure. The sanctions, which were approved on a 98-2 Senate vote and overwhelmingly passed the House on Tuesday, are sure to antagonize the Kremlin as well as European nations fearing their companies will be […]
Iran will respond in kind to US breaches of nuclear deal: Rouhani
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Iran would respond in kind to any breach by the United States of the 2015 nuclear deal after the House of Representatives passed a new sanctions bill. “If the enemy steps over part of the agreement, we will do the same, and if they step over the entire deal, we will do the same too,” Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting aired by state […]
Moscow, EU hit out at US after lawmakers’ vote for new Russia sanctions
MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Moscow and the European Union hit out at the United States on Wednesday after an overwhelming vote by the House of Representatives to impose new sanctions on Russia left President Donald Trump facing a tough call. The package, which targets Russia, Iran and North Korea, “tightens the screws on our most dangerous adversaries in order to keep Americans safe,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said after it passed on Tuesday by 419 votes to three. […]
US Navy ship fires warning shots at Iranian vessel
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A United States Navy patrol ship fired warning shots Tuesday at an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps boat in the Gulf as it closed in on the American vessel, officials said. The shots were fired after the Iranian vessel came within 150 yards (137 meters) of the USS Thunderbolt and failed to respond to repeated attempts to reach it via radio, then ignored warning flares and a series of blasts on […]
Kuwait expels Iranian diplomats over ‘terror’ cell
by Omar Hasan Agence France Presse KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait (AFP) — Kuwait on Thursday expelled Iranian diplomats and closed some embassy missions after the emirate’s top court convicted a “terror” cell of links to the Islamic republic, prompting Iran to threaten reciprocal measures. Sunni-ruled Kuwait, which has a sizeable Shiite minority, is trying to mediate an end to the Gulf’s worst crisis in years after regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia and its allies cut ties with […]
Two Iranians charged in US over hacking defense materials
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Two Iranians were indicted Monday in the United States with hacking a defense contractor and stealing sensitive software used to design bullets and warheads, according to the Justice Department. According to the newly unsealed indictment businessman Mohammed Saeed Ajily, 35, recruited Mohammed Reza Rezakhah, 39, to break into companies’ computers to steal their software for resale to Iranian universities, the military and the government. The two men — and a […]
Iran and Oman to strengthen ties amid Gulf crisis
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) – Iran and Oman will work to boost their ties, the Islamic republic’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, as a diplomatic crisis continued to persist in the Gulf. “Iran and Oman have for years had fraternal relations and the best must be made of these good relations to reinforce them,” Rouhani said as he met Oman’s foreign minister. The Iranian government’s website reported Foreign Minister Yussef Bin Alawi as […]
Iran Guards chief calls Saudi ‘terrorist state’
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Tuesday described Saudi Arabia as a “terrorist state” as he announced his position had been extended for three years. Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari’s 10-year stint as commander of the elite military force was due to expire in three months. But in a speech carried by the semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies, he said it would continue until at least 2020. In a […]





