2020-05-24: News Headlines

Lucas Koerner (2020-05-24). Trump Claims to Have Venezuela 'Surrounded' as Iranian Tankers Approach. zcomm.org Venezuela's armed forces will escort the vessels upon reaching territorial waters.

Common Dreams staff (2020-05-23). Iran Warns US Not to Interfere with Venezuelan Oil Flotilla. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/iranian-oil-tanker.jpg

Eds. (2020-05-22). Venezuelan Army to escort Iranian tankers bringing gasoline to Venezuelans blockaded by U.S. sanctions. mronline.org This was announced by the Minister for Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, this Wednesday. "We have established contact with the Minister of Defense of Iran. All these ships, when they enter our exclusive economic zone (370Km), will be escorted by ships and planes of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), to welcome them and say to …

Peoples Dispatch (2020-05-22). Venezuela sends military to escort Iranian fuel tankers over US threats. peoplesdispatch.org Officials in the Trump administration have told the press that the US will consider mobilizing its forces in the Caribbean against Iranian shipment of petrol en route to Venezuela…

commondreams (2020-05-22). U.S. Unprepared for Nuclear Accident During Pandemic. commondreams.org ______________________________…

Jeff Jurgens (2020-05-07). Once Again Trump Scoffs Congressional War Powers with Republican Help. peaceaction.org Once Again Trump Scoffs Congressional War Powers with Republican Help Washington, D.C. — May 7, 2020 — In response to the veto by President Trump yesterday of a bill (S.J.Res.68) to reclaim congressional war powers in regards to Iran and the anticipated failure today of the Senate override vote, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for …

Jon Rainwater (2020-04-23). A Myriad of Ways to Wage Peace During These Times. peaceaction.org As we shelter in our homes to protect ourselves from this global pandemic, we wanted to share some of the many ways you can remain active and impactful in the work for a more peaceful world. Peace Action has long been a leader in organizing international conferences, marches, and rallies around the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty …

Lilly Dragnev (2020-03-13). Latest U.S. Military Strikes Are as Reckless as they are Cruel. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — March 12, 2020 — In response to reports that the U.S. has carried out five airstrikes on Iranian-backed militia sites in Iraq, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director of Peace Action, released the following statement: "At a time of one of the greatest global challenges of our lifetimes, it is shocking that the Trump …

Paul Kawika Martin (2020-03-11). Congress Sends Bipartisan Bill to Trump Rebuking Iran War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — March 11, 2020 — In response to the House passing the bipartisan bill — S.J.Res.68 — that would thwart President Trump from going to war with Iran and end any current hostilities, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "Both chambers and …

Strategic Culture (2020-02-08). US Deploys 'Mini-Nukes' in Deplorable Threat to World Peace. theantimedia.com These so-called "mini-nukes" represent—despite the diminutive-sounding name—an increased risk of nuclear war.

Jason Ditz (2020-02-05). Trump Says War With Iran Was "Closer Than You Thought" Last Month. theantimedia.com Trump told reporters that the U.S. came "closer than you thought" to war with Iran last month.

Eoin Higgins, staff writer (2020-05-22). Michigan Flood, Says Group, Shows US Unprepared for 'Nightmarish' Threat of Nuclear Disaster Combined With Pandemic. commondreams.org "The prospect of a nuclear disaster prompting a mass evacuation during a viral pandemic reinforces the need for an energy policy focused on safe, clean and affordable renewable energy." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/flood_3.jpg

Andrey Areshev (2020-05-23). To Understand Iran's 150-Year Fight, Follow the Trail of Blood and Oil. strategic-culture.org This past Sunday, April 17th, a dispute between Iran and the U.S. occurred over the U.S.' decision to increase its military presence in Caribbean and Eastern Pacific waters, with the purported reason being a counter-narcotics campaign. | Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres this past Sunday, that the real purpose for this move by the U.S. is to "intervene and create disruption in the transfer of Iran's fuel to Venezuela." In the same letter, Zarif expressed concern over "the United States' intention to consider dangerous, unlawful and provocative measure…

Andrey Areshev (2020-05-22). U.S. Warplane Profits Scramble Over Germany's Anti-Nuclear Push. strategic-culture.org When Germany's Social Democrats — the junior governing coalition partner — renewed long-standing calls for withdrawing U.S. nuclear bombs from the country, the backlash from Washington was fast and furious. | Richard Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Berlin, wrote an

RT (2020-05-24). First Iranian tanker crosses into Venezuela's economic zone as US ships spotted nearby – tracking data. rt.com The first of five Iranian tankers carrying fuel to Venezuela has entered the nation's exclusive economic zone, tracking data shows. Earlier, Tehran threatened the US with retaliation for interfering with the vessels' passage.
| The first of five Iranian tankers carrying fuel to Venezuela has entered the nation's exclusive economic zone, tracking data shows. Earlier, Tehran threatened the US with retaliation for interfering with the vessels' passage. | Iranian-flagged oil tanker 'F…

RT (2020-05-24). Kim Jong-un calls for stronger NUCLEAR WAR DETERRENT, vows to put strategic forces on HIGH ALERT — state media. rt.com North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has urged his army's top brass to boost the country's "strategic forces" and put them on high alert, as reports that he may be seriously ill have yet to cease completely.
| North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has urged his army's top brass to boost the country's "strategic forces" and put them on high alert, as reports that he may be seriously ill have yet to cease completely. | The call-to-arms was made at a high-profile gathering of military commanders a…

en.mehrnews (2020-05-24). Iran calls for development of scientific, academic ties with Iraq. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 24 (MNA) — In a Sunday meeting with Iraq's Higher Education and Science Minister Nabil Khadim Abdul Sahib, Iranian envoy to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi voiced his country's tendency for expansion of scientific, student and academic cooperation with Iraq.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-24). Iran, Turkey stress need to reopen borders, resume trade. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 24 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan where both sides pointed to the need to resume bilateral trade.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-24). 2020 Eid al-Fitr prayers in Iran's provinces (1). en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 24 (MNA) — Eid al-Fitr prayers were held across Iran with special health protocols being observed by worshippers amid the coronavirus pandemic. Here are photos of prayers on Sunday in Qazvin, Yazd, Qom, Rasht, and Tabriz.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-24). Iran COVID-19 update: 2,180 new cases, 58 deaths in past 24 hours. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 24 (MNA) — The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has infected 2,180 people and claimed 58 lives in Iran in the past 24 hours, a senior health official said.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-24). Tehran-Caracas ties stronger than ever, says Iranian diplomat. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 24 (MNA) — Iranian ambassador to Venezuela Hojatollah Soltani hailed on Sunday the growing friendly ties between Tehran and Caracas.

yenisafak (2020-05-24). Death toll from coronavirus nears 7,500 in Iran. yenisafak.com Iran on Sunday confirmed 58 more fatalities from coronavirus over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 7,417.A further 2,180 people tested positive for COVID-19, raising the overall count to 135,701, said the Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour.He said 105,801 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals so far, while 2,615 patients remain in critical condition.Jahanpour said no deaths have been reported in 13 states of the country in the last 24 hours due to COVID-19.In Iran, one of the countries in the Middle East hardest hit by the disease, COVID-19 was first detected…