Iran gearing up for major drill threatening to shut Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard forces are gearing up to stage a major exercise in the Persian Gulf, perhaps within the next 48 hours that could be aimed at demonstrating their ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, according to a CNN report citing two US officials ‘directly familiar with the latest US assessment of IRGC troop movements.’

U.S. Issues New Warning to Europe: End Business With Iran or Face Harsh Sanctions

Congress and the Trump administration are issuing a stern warning to European partners: End all business ties with the Iranian regime or face harsh new sanctions in the coming months, a move that could impact international financial markets and U.S. banks tied to foreign monetary institutions, according to multiple senior U.S. officials who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon about diplomatic efforts to pressure Europe on Iran.

Turkey Vows to Retaliate After US Sanctions Two Ministers Over Brunson Case

Turkey’s Islamist government vowed late Wednesday to respond to the imposition of U.S. sanctions against two of its government ministers over the treatment of an American pastor, and one of the targeted ministers shrugged off the move, saying he had no financial interests in the United States.

U.S. detects new activity at North Korea factory that built ICBMs: source

U.S. spy satellites have detected renewed activity at the North Korean factory that produced the country’s first intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States, a senior U.S. official said on Monday, in the midst of talks to compel Pyongyang to give up its nuclear arms.

Turkey’s Erdogan defiant in face of US sanctions threat over pastor

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan struck a defiant tone on Sunday in response to US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose sanctions on Turkey if it didn’t release American pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been held in Turkish detention for the past two years.

Tough trade talks ahead for EU’s Jean-Claude Juncker in Washington

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is not shy when it comes to being friendly to people he needs to negotiate with. In Brussels, he is known for hugging, kissing and cuddling almost everyone if it serves the cause, namely a relaxed mood. It remains to be seen how US President Donald Trump will react to the Commission president’s body language during one-on-one talks in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

Congress blocks F-35 fighter shipments to Turkey

Congressional defense lawmakers officially barred deliveries of the fifth-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to Turkish forces, inserting the ban into the final version of the Pentagon’s budget blueprint for the upcoming fiscal year.

Iran-backed Yemen rebels expose limits of U.S. strategy

Iran-backed militant control over key areas of Yemen, despite a blistering assault by U.S.-backed Saudi and Emirati military forces, has sent a difficult message to Washington: Arab powers armed with American weaponry and targeting intelligence isn’t going to be enough to crush Tehran’s armed proxies around the Middle East.

Trump invites Putin to Washington

President Trump is inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Washington, the White House said Thursday, brushing aside the furor over Moscow’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election and catching many officials off guard, including the president’s director of national intelligence.

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