(2020-01-11). Iran admits shooting down Ukrainian flight over Tehran in 'unintentional' missile launch. rt.com 
The Ukrainian passenger jet that crashed after takeoff from Tehran was downed due to "human error" after it flew too close to a military site and triggered a missile launch amid a standoff with the US, the Iranian Army said. | The Army General Staff stressed that the tragic mistake was made amid the flare-up of tensions with Washington. The nation's air defenses were placed on alert and ready to "respond to possible threats of the highest level," after US President Donald Trump warned that the Pentagon would strike targets on Iranian soil if US citizens or assets were attacked by Iran. | On Wednesday, the Iran…
(2020-01-11). ISIS praises US murder of Iranian general Soleimani as 'divine intervention' that will help them rise again. rt.com 
Islamic State terrorists rejoiced at the death of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani at the hands of his American 'allies,' according to a weekly newspaper affiliated with the group that once controlled much of Syria and Iraq. | Soleimani was killed by a US drone strike on January 3, as he drove by the Baghdad international airport in Iraq. In reprisal, Iran launched a limited strike on US bases in Iraq with ballistic missiles on Tuesday, causing no casualties but demonstrating capability to hit US assets at will. | The weekly Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) newspaper Al-Naba portrayed Soleimani's death a…
(2020-01-11). Sultan of Oman Qaboos dies after 50 years in power, leaving key Gulf mediator between US & Iran without heir. rt.com 
Oman's monarch, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said, has passed away at the age of 79 after a lengthy battle with illness, according to Omani state media. | Located along the highly strategic Strait of Hormuz, which it shares with Iran, Oman under Qaboos maintained better relations with the Islamic Republic than any other Gulf nation. | Throughout his tenure on the throne, the sultan also played a role in mediating dialogue between American and Iranian leaders, often serving as a go-between for the two sides. Just last December, Omani delegations met with top diplomats in both Tehran and Washington in the space of…
(2020-01-11). Iran will send black box of downed Ukrainian airliner to be decoded in France. rt.com 
The black box of the Ukrainian passenger jet that was downed by the Iranian military will be examined in France, after Paris, the US and Canada refused to send software needed for its analysis, the Iran's chief investigator said. | Hassan Rezaeifar, the chief of Iran's probe into the crash, told IRNA on Saturday that the country lacks the technology needed to decode and extract the information in the black box, an onboard device that records flight data. | Tehran had originally asked Canada, France and the US to send over the required equipment and software, but they refused, Rezaeifar said. Iran then proposed…
(2020-01-11). 'Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster': FM Zarif on Iran's downing of Flight 752. rt.com 
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has offered "profound regrets, apologies and condolences" for the unintentional downing of a Ukrainian aircraft over Tehran, saying "human error" during a "crisis" led to the accident. | "A sad day," the FM wrote on Twitter, adding: "Preliminary conclusions of internal investigation by Armed Forces: | Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster. Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations. | A sad day. Preliminary conclusions of internal investigation by Armed…
(2020-01-11). Iran's Rouhani vows to 'identify & prosecute' all responsible for 'disastrous mistake' that led to Ukrainian jet downing. rt.com 
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has pledged to find and punish all those involved in the unintentional shooting down of a Ukrainian aircraft over Tehran, calling it a "disastrous mistake." | An internal investigation has "concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane and death of 176 innocent people," Rouhani said in a tweet. | Investigations continue to identify and prosecute this great tragedy and unforgivable mistake. | "My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families," the president said in another post, offering "sincerest condolence…
(2020-01-11). 'No war on Iran!' say activist picketing recruitment center in Times Square. liberationnews.org 
Washington's imperialist aggression on Iran has sparked a new wave of anti-war activism, with actions in over 90 cities saying no to war on Iran.
(2020-01-11). CCTV footage purports to show launch of Iranian missile that downed Ukrainian passenger jet (VIDEO). rt.com 
A video has surfaced online, allegedly showing the actual launch of the anti-aircraft missile that downed a Ukrainian Boeing 737-800 outside Tehran, killing all 176 on board. | The short video was captured by a surveillance camera at a parking lot, presumably located on the outskirts of the Iranian capital. Footage shows the launch of a projectile which goes vertically upwards and apparently explodes off-screen, causing a bright flash of light. | #BREAKING New footage shows the moment which the missile fired in the direction of the Ukrainian plane in (2020-01-11). Zelensky demands full investigation into plane crash by Iran with access for Ukrainian experts. rt.com 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Iran to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the deadly Ukrainian airliner crash, after Tehran admitted accidentally shooting down the jet. | Zelensky made his statement after Iran officially admitted that its army had downed Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 by mistake, killing all 176 people on board, including 11 Ukrainians. | We expect from Iran assurances of their readiness for a full and open investigation, bringing those responsible to justice, the return of the bodies of the dead, the payment of compensation, official ap…
(2020-01-11). Iran's Khamenei orders immediate and full probe after Tehran admits downing Ukrainian plane. rt.com 
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has offered condolences and called for an investigation after Tehran's armed forces acknowledged that they accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane. | "The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake," he wrote on Twitter, promising that those behind the incident would be prosecuted. | Khamenei also said that all the information should be made public. | Later in the day, his Twitter account was temporarily blocked. | Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
(2020-01-11). Merkel in Moscow: As Trump pushes his weight around, Russia-Germany relations defrost. rt.com 
Angela Merkel's visit to Moscow is far from a courtesy call. Germany and Russia's political relations are thawing. It's good news for all Europeans. | As Iran and the United States seemingly limbered up for war, Russia and Germany, as the continent's two most powerful countries, have a special responsibility to protect it from any fallout. | Merkel's decision to travel to the Russian capital may be conceived as a signal to Washington that: | a) Berlin remains capable of mounting an independent foreign policy, if pushed, | b) the Germans won't be cowed by sanctions the US has placed on the Nord Stream 2 pipelin…
(2020-01-11). Jeremy Corbyn to address anti-war rally in Trafalgar Square. thecanary.co 
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is to address protesters at a "no war on Iran" rally in London.Despite the apparent ratcheting down of tensions between the US and Iran, demonstrators are set to march on Trafalgar Square demanding there should be no new conflict in the Gulf.The protest follows the killing of the senior Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike on 3 January.Tehran responded with a series of limited missile strikes on US bases –…
(2020-01-11). War with Iran Is at Stake — and Democrats' High Jumps Over Low Standards Aren't Helping. indybay.org Bowing down to the military-industrial complex…
(2020-01-11). S.F. Rep Pelosi Postponed Vote on War Powers Act. indybay.org San Francisco Representative Nancy Pelosi postponed the urgently needed vote on a War Powers Resolution to prevent a US war against Iran. And Top House Democrats want to abandon any vote on a War Powers Resolution. See | www.commondreams.org/news/2020/01/08/kicking-can-next-week-irresponsible-progressives-rebuke-pelosi-delaying-iran-war…
(2020-01-11). No Iran War — Golden Gate Bridge Peace Walk. indybay.org Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco | 11: 45 am: Gather on the SF side of the eastern walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge. Parking available on southeast and southwest corners, just remember to take the last exit on hwy 101, northbound, as you approach the bridge, or, southbound, take the first exit after you leave the bridge. Arrive very early for best parking, or carpool. Public transportation below. | Noon: Walk begins on the eastern walkway from the southeast/S.F. side. Short, silent vigil in the middle with signs. Then return to the SF side bridge plaza for our rally. All welcome to speak. | 1: 00 pm: Rally on SF…
(2020-01-11). Fresno Peace in Iran Vigil Coordinates with Nationwide Protests. indybay.org Over 100 people attended a vigil for peace with Iran in Fresno at 5 p.m. on January 9, in one of around three hundred demonstrations around the United States. The protest was coordinated with others by being held at the same time on the same day with the same message: no war with Iran.
(2020-01-11). No War With Iran! Redwood City Protest. indybay.org Intersection of Jefferson Avenue and El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA 94063…
(2020-01-11). No New War on Iran! Emergency Protest. indybay.org Photos: Leon Kunstenaar | People rush to demonstrate against Trump war on Iran…
(2020-01-11). No War With Iran! Protest Santa Rosa. indybay.org Old Court House Square, 3rd St. & Mendocino Ave and 4th St. & Santa Rosa Ave, Downtown Santa Rosa, CA 95405…
(2020-01-11). No War With Iran! Protest in Sonoma. indybay.org Sonoma Plaza, 453 1st Street East, Sonoma, CA 95476…
(2020-01-11). Anti-War Protest Held in London, UK Amid Iran Tensions — Live Video. sputniknews.com The situation in the Mideast sharply escalated in early January when the US killed a key figure in the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, General Qasem Soleimani, in an airstrike near Baghdad Airport, prompting retaliation from Tehran, who targeted US bases in Iraq.
(2020-01-11). No War with Iran! Castro Valley Protest. indybay.org Intersection of Castro Valley Blvd. and Redwood Road, Castro Valley 94546…
(2020-01-11). Extremist Ideology Has Taken Over Nuclear-Armed India, May Lead to Bloodshed – Imran Khan. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): Since the passing of the controversial citizenship law in December, the Pakistani government has been urging world leaders to intervene and stop Indian authorities from "instigating violence against protesting Muslims".
(2020-01-11). UK: Corbyn offers no fight against war with Iran. wsws.org Corbyn articulates the concerns within ruling circles, including Johnson's Tories and the armed forces, that Trump's recklessness can endanger the UK's world position.
(2020-01-11). US Airstrike Failed to Kill an Iranian General in Yemen Last Week. theantimedia.com The US kept the failed assassination under wraps for more than a week.
(2020-01-11). Salt Lake denounces war on the homeless and war with Iran at four energetic rallies. fightbacknews.org Salt Lake City, UT – The Trump administration rang in the New Year by putting millions of lives at risk with the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and threatening a war with Iran. Similarly, Salt Lake City police began 2020 with a violent raid on the homeless community and the organizers fighting to protect them. | Salt Lake residents responded fiercely with no less than three anti-war rallies in the last week, as well as a rally in support of unsheltered folks and tenants' rights. | On January 4, 200 gathered at an event organized by supporters of Bernie Sanders, and on January 8, hundreds more…
(2020-01-11). Bernie Sanders says "some wars are necessary" wsws.org Sanders' stated opposition to Trump's threatened war in Iran is a political trap being set for workers and youth.
(2020-01-11). Erdogan and Putin open TurkStream pipeline after Iran strikes US bases in Iraq. wsws.org The opening of this strategic pipeline comes amid escalating conflicts over energy in the region and an esclalating conflict between the United States and Iran.
(2020-01-11). Trump boasts of "executing" Iranian General Suleimani in Ohio campaign speech. wsws.org Trump's biggest asset is his nominal political opposition, the Democratic Party.
(2020-01-11). Iran Admits Fault in Downing of Ukranian Airliner. telesurenglish.net Iran announced on Saturday that a preliminary investigation into the crash of the Ukrainian airliner that was flying to Kiev from Tehran earlier this week was caused by human error. | RELATED: ‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã | Palestinian Militants Not Yet Ready to Avenge Iran | Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter that "human error at time of crisis caused by U.S. adventurism l…
(2020-01-11). Shifting Narratives: What Caused the Ukrainian Plane Crash in Iran? sputniknews.com On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Jim Kavanagh, the editor of thepolemicist.net, and Sputnik News analysts and producers Walter Smolarek and Nicole Roussell.
(2020-01-11). European powers support war preparations against Iran. wsws.org Not a single leading European politician condemned the brutal murder of General Qassem Suleimani, which represented a gross violation of international law and massively expanded the ongoing regional war in the Middle East.
(2020-01-11). Instagram Deletes Soleimani-Related Posts, Some Iranian Media Accounts Citing US Sanctions. sputniknews.com Following Washington's designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, Instagram and its parent company Facebook started deleting accounts belonging to prominent members of the IRGC last April under the pretext of American sanctions.
(2020-01-11). Iranian National Armed With 2 Knives Detained Near Trump's Florida Residence — Reports. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – An Iranian national armed with two knives, a machete, and a pickax was detained by police officers on Friday not far from US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, media reported.
(2020-01-11). Boston area professor fired after anti-Trump Facebook posting. wsws.org Asheen Phansey lost his career over statements made in jest, while Trump and his enablers in the Democratic Party make real threats against Iran without any consequences.
(2020-01-11). US and Israel escalate Middle East tensions in wake of Suleimani assassination. wsws.org A report that Washington attempted to assassinate a second Iranian official in Yemen has given the lie to the claim that Suleimani was killed to prevent an "imminent" attack.
(2020-01-11). Iran Was Prepared for Full-Fledged War with US When Missile Downed Ukrainian Jet – IRGC Commander. sputniknews.com Earlier in the day, Iranian authorities admitted the Ukrainian jet that crashed in Tehran this week was downed with a missile by the Iranian armed forces.
(2020-01-11). Iranian Supreme Leader's Twitter Account Temporarily Restricted. sputniknews.com The social media platform says that "there has been some unusual activity from this account". The reasons for the suspension are not immediately clear.
(2020-01-11). Congress Finally Asserts Its Constitutional War Powers Authority. thenation.com Congress Finally Asserts Its Constitutional War Powers Authority…
(2020-01-11). Trump backs down, but Iran conflict continues. zcomm.org As of this writing, the tit-for-tat military attacks have subsided. But the underlying conflict is far from resolved. Trump seems intent on forcing regime change in Iran. Iranians aren't going for it…
(2020-01-11). Turkey, US representatives discuss Syria, Iran-US row. yenisafak.com A top Turkish official and a key U.S. diplomat in the region on Saturday discussed Syria and the U.S.-Iran row in Istanbul, according to diplomatic sources.During the meeting in Dolmabahce Palace, Ibrahim Kalin and James Jeffrey stressed the importance of meeting the requirements of the agreement between Turkey and the U.S. to establish a safe zone in northern Syria for displaced people.Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey's borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria's te…
(2020-01-11). Iran's Guards mistook Ukrainian plane for cruise missile, says official. yenisafak.com A Ukrainian plane shot down by Iran was misidentified as a cruise missile, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander said on Saturday in a broadcast on Iranian state television.The plane was shot down by a short-range missile, aerospace division head Amirali Hajizadeh said.Video: Video appears to show moment Ukraine plane hit over Iran
(2020-01-11). Ukraine says Iran statement confirms its suspicions on plane crash. yenisafak.com A statement by Iran saying it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane confirms one of the working theories of the Ukrainian state security service (SBU) on what caused the crash, SBU chief Ivan Bakanov said on Saturday.Contrary to what some experts had said initially, the SBU thought Iran's anti-aircraft missile system had been operated manually rather than automatically, Bakanov said in a statement.Iran said it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 aboard and voiced deep regret, after initially denying it brought down the aircraft in the tense aftermath of Iranian missile strikes…
(2020-01-11). Iraq prime minister visits Erbil for talks. yenisafak.com Iraq's caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi arrived in Erbil on Saturday for talks with officials in the country's northern Kurdish region.The talks are expected to tackle recent developments in Iraq and current tensions between Iran and the U.S. following last week's killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a U.S. drone airstrike outside Baghdad airport.Iran retaliated to the assassination with firing dozen ballistic missiles on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq.Upon arrival, Abdul-Mahdi met with president of the Kurdish regional government Nechirvan Barzani, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter…
(2020-01-11). Iran to probe 'possible negligence' in plane crash. yenisafak.com Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday ordered an investigation into "possible negligence" in the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane by an Iranian missile.The official IRNA news agency said Khamenei instructed the General Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces to take necessary measures to probe the incident, in which 176 people were killed, and make sure such events will not be repeated.He also extended his condolences for the victims and their families.Iran's General Staff of the Armed Forces admitted Saturday that the Ukrainian plane was "accidentally" hit by an Iranian missile earlier this w…
(2020-01-11). Presidents of Ukraine, Iran to discuss downed plane. yenisafak.com Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to hold a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Saturday after Tehran said it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, the Ukrainian president's office said.The Ukrainian passenger airplane travelling to Kiev crashed shortly after take-off from Tehran on Wednesday, killing all 176 people on board.Iran had previously denied any responsibility.
(2020-01-11). Iran to send black box of Ukrainian plane to France. yenisafak.com Iran will send the black box of the Ukrainian plane which it "accidentally" downed to France, officials said Saturday.Speaking to state-run IRNA, Hassan Rezaeifar, the director-general of the Iran Civil Aviation Organization, said: "We asked countries, including Canada, France and the U.S. to send essential software and hardware to Iran to download information from the black box, but these countries rejected Iran's offer."He said Iran does not have the technology to download this crucial information.Iran also offered to send the black box to a reputable laboratory in countries like Ukraine, Sweden, England, Canad…
(2020-01-11). No, Iran didn't exit the nuclear deal. And no, its nuclear announcement is not revenge for Soleimani. mronline.org 
On January 5, Iran made a major announcement regarding its nuclear program, stating that it will no longer observe limits on the number of centrifuges that it uses to enrich uranium. While the announcement is significant, it was not altogether unexpected. And it most certainly does not constitute the "harsh revenge" that Iran's supreme leader, […] | Source
(2020-01-10). U.S. Dismisses Iraq Request to Work on a Troop Withdrawal Plan. truthdig.com 
BAGHDAD — Iraq's caretaker prime minister asked Washington to work out a road map for an American troop withdrawal, but the U.S. State Department on Friday bluntly rejected the request, saying the two sides should instead talk about how to "recommit" to their partnership. | Thousands of anti-government protesters turned out in the capital and southern Iraq, many calling on both Iran and America to leave Iraq, reflecting their anger and frustration over the two rivals — both allies of Baghdad — trading blows on Iraqi soil. | The request from Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi pointed to his determin…
(2020-01-10). Iraqi Communists say their country should not be battleground for U.S.-Iran war. peoplesworld.org 
Iraqi Communists called for the international community to respect national sovereignty yesterday, warning against their country being used as an arena for war between the U.S. and Iran. In a statement issued in response to Iran's retaliatory missile attack on the U.S. bases in Ain al-Assad in Anbar and Harir in Erbil, the Iraqi Communist …