Iran’s defense minister: ‘We will defeat the American-Zionist front’
Iran’s defense minister said Wednesday his country would defeat the US-Israel alliance in the region, amid rising tensions and fears of a potential war between Iran and the US.
Military
Israeli military readies for potential violence during Nakba Day and Eurovision
Israeli security forces and communities near the Gaza border prepared for thousands of Palestinians to take part in Nakba Day demonstrations along the security fence surrounding the coastal enclave on Wednesday, though these were expected to be tamer than last year’s Nakba Day clashes in which protesters attempted to breach the security fence, threw explosives at Israeli troops and, in one case, shot at soldiers.
France, Britain, and Germany Remain Stalwart in Face of Iranian ‘Ultimatum’
France, Britain, and Germany, the European signatories to the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, held the Islamic Republic to its commitments as outlined in the deal this week in spite of recent threats from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to resume high-level enrichment of uranium.
‘It’s time to rise up,’ Venezuelan general tells military officers in video
A Venezuelan general called on the country’s armed forces on Sunday to rise up against President Nicolas Maduro, who has relied on the backing of the military to hold on to power despite an economic collapse.
Iran commander calls U.S. military in Gulf a target not a threat: ISNA
A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said on Sunday the U.S. military presence in the Gulf used to be a serious threat but now represents a target, the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported.
Pentagon to transfer $1.5 billion to border wall from Afghan forces, other areas
Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has approved the transfer of $1.5 billion to build more than 80 miles (130 km)of barriers on the border with Mexico, U.S. officials said on Friday, including taking about $600 million from an account meant for Afghan security forces.
US deployments across Mideast factor in Iran tensions
A U.S. aircraft carrier strike group rushes toward the Persian Gulf. Decades-old B-52 bombers rumble down runways at desert air bases. The Pentagon, meanwhile, routes a Patriot missile battery and an amphibious supply ship to return to the region.
B-52s, Patriots, F-35s and more: America’s MidEast deployment rundown
In recent days, the US has announced the deployment of an array of military power to the Middle East as tensions grow with Iran. On Friday, the US Department of Defense approved the addition of the USS Arlington and a Patriot battery to US Central Command to fill a request last week. The additional forces come as tensions with Iran are rising and the US has warned Iran that any attack by Iranian forces or their proxies will be met with retaliation.
Pompeo to hold talks on Iran in Brussels en route to Russia
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will cancel the Moscow leg of his Russia trip, but will meet President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the Black Sea resort of Sochi as planned on Tuesday, a State Department official said.
North Korea fires 2 short-range missiles, 5 days after previous launch
North Korea fired two short-range missiles on Thursday, according to South Korean military, as the U.S. responded with an intercontinental ballistic missile test of their own just 10 minutes later.
Trump’s top intelligence and military advisers held unusual meeting at CIA on Iran, officials say
In a highly unusual move, national security adviser John Bolton convened a meeting at CIA headquarters last week with the Trump administration’s top intelligence, diplomatic and military advisers to discuss Iran, according to six current U.S. officials.
Netanyahu on Iran: We will not let them get nuclear arms
Israel will not let Iran attain nuclear weapons, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday just hours after Iran announced that it will continue its nuclear program.
Netanyahu to military: Get ready for another escalation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that it was ‘clear that this is not the end of the campaign,’ hours after a ceasefire to end a surge of deadly violence in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel took hold on Monday.
Pence to offer ‘carrots’ to Venezuela military, warnings to judges
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is set on Tuesday to offer new incentives to Venezuela’s military to turn against President Nicolas Maduro, responding to an attempted uprising that fizzled out last week, a senior administration official told Reuters.
Fearing attack on its forces, US sends carrier force to Middle East, warns Iran
A White House decision to dispatch an aircraft carrier and other military resources to send a message to Iran followed “clear indications” that Iranian and Iranian proxy forces were preparing to possibly attack US forces in the region, a defense official told the Associated Press.
Ceasefire appears to take hold around Gaza after deadly flareup
A ceasefire between Israel and the Gaza terror groups went into effect at 4:30 a.m. Monday, ending two days of intense fighting that saw more than 600 rockets fired at Israel and four Israeli civilians killed, according to the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terror groups.
Israeli man killed in Ashkelon as Gaza terrorists fire over 400 rockets
A rocket fired from Gaza killed an Israeli civilian on Sunday after a house in Ashkelon suffered a direct hit. The 58-year-old father of four is the first civilian casualty since 2014 Operation Protective Edge. Since Saturday, Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants fired more than 400 rockets at Israeli communities, the military said.
U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt ‘Appalled’ By Global Persecution of Christians
U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt pledged support from his country for war-torn Nigeria on Wednesday, where the Boko Haram arm of the Islamic State has massacred countless scores of Christians.
Islamic Jihad warns will hit major cities if targeted assassinations resume
The Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza Ziad Nahala responded Thursday to the revelation regarding the commander of the northern brigade of the organizations’ military wing Baha al-Atta earlier this week. They believe the publication of his name is an indication that Israel will assassinate him if terror attacks continue.
‘I See a Bad Future Ahead’: Bloodshed in Venezuela as Maduro’s Forces Open Fire to Stop the Uprising
Tensions are still high in Venezuela after violent protests turned deadly this week. A Venezuelan human rights group claims four people died in street clashes this week after the opposition leader Juan Guaido called for a military uprising.