Iraq, Egypt and Jordan hold joint summit in Baghdad

Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq agreed to bolster security and economic cooperation at a tripartite summit on Sunday that saw an Egyptian head of state visit Iraq for the first time in three decades.

Iran uses criminal law to persecute Christians

Iran is persecuting Christians in the country by wielding against them a new law that severely punishes “any deviant education that contradicts sacred Islamic shari’a,” Christian Today reports.

Bennett: Israel consulting allies on Iran, but we will protect ourselves

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett for the first time on Thursday publicly presented the shift on Iran policy from the previous government, saying that Israel will work closely with its allies on countering Tehran’s nuclear program, while maintaining a credible military threat.

Washington vows no Iranian nukes as Kochavi wraps up US visit

The Biden administration reaffirmed a U.S. commitment not to allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons as IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi wrapped up four days of discussions with American defense and intelligence officials.

Gantz: Raisi election shows Iran is becoming more extremist

Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday that the Iranian election last week of ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi as the country’s president shows that Iran is headed toward “greater extremism” Israel News reports.

IDF chief calls return to Iran nuclear deal ‘dangerous’ at Pentagon meetings

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi said during a visit to the Pentagon that a U.S. return to the Iran nuclear deal would be “dangerous” and that all options should be exhausted to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear military capabilities, the Israeli military said in a statement Monday.

US to continue talks on rejoining Iran deal, although says Raisi election was unfair

The United States has said it will continue indirect talks with Iran on rejoining the 2015 nuclear deal, despite asserting that the June 18 election of ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi as Iran’s new president had not been a free and fair process, the Times of Israel reports. Raisi is viewed as an ally of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Ayatolloah’s protege wins Iran presidency in questionable election

Iran’s hard-line judiciary chief won the country’s presidential election in a landslide victory Saturday, propelling the supreme leader’s protege into Tehran’s highest civilian position in a vote that appeared to see the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history.

Ultraconservative cleric expected to win Iran’s presidential election

Iran may be about to take an even harder stance against the West, as it is expected ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi will replace “moderate” President Hassan Rouhani in the country’s presidential election on June 18, the Times of Israel reports. After three of the seven candidates dropped out of the race on Wednesday, the election is widely viewed as a foregone conclusion in favor of Raisi, and a record low turnout is anticipated.

Biden Says US Could Strike Russia in “Cyber Way”

U.S. President Joe Biden says he has made it clear to Russian President Vladimir Putin he would not accept more cyberattacks and election interference. Biden suggested that America could respond in a “cyber way.”

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