2020-08-24: News Headlines

Raul Diego (2020-08-24). Hoping to Seize on UAE-Israel Deal, Pompeo and Kushner Head East in Search of New Allies for Israel. mintpressnews.com Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump adviser Jared Kushner are hitting the road in an attempt to strong-arm more Arab states into normalizing relations with Israel, turning their backs on Palestine and isolating Iran.

Prof. Juan Cole (2020-08-24). Trump Walks Alone: Former US Allies Britain, France, Germany Join Russia and China in Forcefully Rejecting Trump Iran Sanctions. globalresearch.ca

sputniknews (2020-08-24). Maduro Says Can't Reveal Full Extent of Venezuela's Cooperation With Iran. sputniknews.com Iran has recently defied US pressure and provided Caracas with half a dozen cargo ships-worth of fuel, food, medical supplies and spare parts for its flagging oil industry. Washington has resorted to calling the partnership between the two countries an "alliance of pariah states."

The Canary (2020-08-24). Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is an Iranian 'hostage', documentary claims. thecanary.co Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is a "hostage" in Iran and was on the brink of being freed from jail in Iran almost two-and-a-half years ago until a planned deal collapsed, according to a new documentary.The mother-of-one's husband Richard Ratcliffe said the family had even been given a date of 28 December 2017 for his wife's return to the UK.It is unclear why the deal fell through.The revelations were made during a BBC Panorama investigation into the detention of British and other western citizens in Iran, which airs on 24 August on BBC One at 7.30pm.It has long been claimed Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being held in order to…

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-24). Iran to mass-produce COVID-19 rapid diagnostic device. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 24 (MNA) — Secretary of Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council, Saeed Sarkar said on Monday that Iran will mass-produce a rapid diagnostic device that can be used in public places such as airports.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-24). Swiss ready to invest in Iran: envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 24 (MNA) — Swiss Ambassador to Iran Marcus Leitner expressed his country's willingness to invest in the Iranian economic sector.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-24). Iran trade with CIS hits over $3.3 bn last year. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 24 (MNA) —The value of Iran's foreign trade with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 2019 hit more than $3, 298, 61,946 Billion.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-24). Iran condemns terrorist attack in southern Philippines. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 25 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh condemned the terrorist attack in the southern Philippine on Monday.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-24). Muharram mourning in Jami' Mosque of Gorgan under pandemic. en.mehrnews.com GORGAN, Aug. 24 (MNA) — Preserving anti-coronavirus health protocols, people held the mourning ceremonies on the fourth night of Muharram in the Jami' Mosque of Gorgan, the capital of Golestan Province, northeast of Iran.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-24). No deal can legitimize the Zionist regime: Khaled al- Qaddumi. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 24 (MNA)— Hamas' Representative in Iran said that the Israeli regime still is in intense need of recognition by minor countries in the region despite support from super powers, the UN secretary-general and Europeans.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-24). UAE cannot buy security from Tel Aviv: Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 24 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the UAE has turned to the Zionist regime to buy security, while Israel cannot even ensure its own.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-24). Iran welcomes gas trade with Turkmenistan: NIGC head. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 24 (MNA) — The head of the National Iranian Gas Company Hassan Montazer Torbati expressed Iran's willingness to resume gas trade with Turkmenistan.

sputniknews (2020-08-24). Iranian, French Foreign Ministers Discuss Developments Around Nuclear Deal – Tehran. sputniknews.com TEHRAN (Sputnik) – Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, have discussed developments related to the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), during phone talks in the wake of US's attempts to revive sanctions against Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.

sputniknews (2020-08-24). Analysis of Black Boxes Reveals Downed Ukraine Jet Struck by Iranian Missiles 25 Seconds Apart. sputniknews.com Analysis of the black boxes of the Ukrainian passenger plane downed on January 8 by Iranian forces shows that it was hit by two missiles 25 seconds apart and that passengers were alive for some time following the first blast, Iran's Civil Aviation Organization revealed on Sunday.

sputniknews (2020-08-24). Watch Iran's Defence Minister Get Acquainted With S-400 During Arms Expo in Russia. sputniknews.com With the United Nations arms embargo on Iran set to expire in October, US officials and media have speculated that Tehran may buy Russian military hardware, including the S-400, once restrictions run out. Iran already has some advanced air defence capabilities of its own, including a system which downed a $220 million US drone in 2019.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). Iran-Venezuela trade coop. going ahead despite US sanctions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) — The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Venezuela announced the finalization of trade agreements with the Bolivarian country of Venezuela despite US sanctions imposed against the two countries.

Stephen Lendman (2020-08-23). Senate Voting Record of Kamala Harris. Pro-Big Money, Pro-Israel, Pro-War Dem Foot Soldier. globalresearch.ca The US political season never ends. It'll be in high gear post-conventions this month. | According to the Center for Responsive Politics, US 2020 presidential aspirants, groups working on their behalf, "leadership PACs, super PACs, dark money outlets," and other sources …

Newsclick (2020-08-23). US Threatens Fresh Sanctions Against Iran, JCPOA Members. peoplesdispatch.org The US withdrew from the JCPOA or the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. However, it is now trying to get sanctions imposed on Iran claiming violations of a deal it is not even part of…

Richard Falk (2020-08-23). Nuclear Complacency and the Dangerous Drift Toward a New Cold War with China. zcomm.org For relations among states having nuclear weaponry, stability is achieved by relying on various forms of deterrence combined with the implementation of the nuclear apartheid regime…

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). Memorial ceremony of Ayatollah Taskhiri held in London. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) — The memorial ceremony of the Late Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Taskhiri, a member of Iran's Expediency Council and the senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, was held at the Islamic Center of England.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). Promoting economic resilience axis of all gov't efforts. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that promoting economic resilience and implementing resistive economy policies have been the axis of all activities and efforts of the government.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). 'The Ocean Behind the Window' to vie at ZLIN FilmFest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 24 (MNA) — Iranian film 'The Ocean Behind the Window' directed by Babak Nabizadeh will take part at the 60th International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Zlin, Czech Republic.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). Anger of Islamic Ummah to engulf UAE rulers: Iranian Parl. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) — Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission in a statement on Sun. reiterated that anger of Islamic Ummah will engulf rulers of the United Arab Emirates for normalizing ties with the Israeli regime.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). $82mn of carpets, kilims & gabbehs exported to 57 countries. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 24 (MNA) — Iran exported $82.57 million of carpets, kilims, and gabbehs to 57 countries in the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year to July 21), the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration announced.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). Tehran not allow others to manage IAEA-Iran relationship. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) — Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Kazem Gharibabadi said that Tehran will not allow other countries to manage the IAEA-Iran relationship.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). S. Korea offers medical equipment for clearing debt to Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) — Hossein Tanhayi, head of the Iran-South Korea chamber of commerce said on Sunday that South Korea has made an offer to clear part of its $7.5-billion debt to Iran via selling medical equipment to the country.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). Natanz nuclear facility incident, act of sabotage: AEOI spox. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) — Spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said on Sunday that last month's incident at Natanz nuclear enrichment facility was an act of sabotage.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). 1st Iranian marine, aircraft lubricant oil unveiled. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) — Iran's Pars Oil company unveiled the first domestically-produced oil-based lubricant to be used in the Iranian maritime and aviation industry.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). Iran registers 2,113 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) — The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected 2,113 people and claimed 141 lives in Iran in the past 24 hours, a senior health official said.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). Police seize over 570 kg of narcotics in SE Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 24 (MNA) — The police force of Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province have seized over 570 kg of illicit drugs in Sarbaz County.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). Iran defense industry progresses at IntI. level : MP. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) — A lawmaker said with the efforts of Iranian elites the Defense Ministry has gone through reverse engineering of military equipment and today Iran is among the top 10 countries in the world regarding the defense industry.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). Iran is Russia's strategic partner: Russian Defense Min. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) — The Russian Defense Min. Sergey Shoygu referred to the join strategical, regional and international goals and interests between Tehran and Moscow, underlining the developing mutual defense cooperation between the two sides.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-23). US resort to snapback is out of 'frustration': ex-diplomat. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) — A former Iranian diplomat notes that the US resort to JCPOA provisions is due to their frustration and doomed to failure.

sputniknews (2020-08-23). Iran's Zarif Posts Clip of Trump, Pompeo Explaining Why US Can't Trigger UN 'Snapback Sanctions'. sputniknews.com On Thursday, 13 of the United Nations Security Council 15 members expressed opposition to a US push to trigger the so-called snapback sanctions provision to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, pointing out that Washington is no longer a party to the agreement.

RT (2020-08-22). Board of Britain's biggest Muslim charity resigns over posts calling Hamas 'great men' and Israel 'Zionist enemy'. rt.com The entire board of the biggest Muslim charity in Britain is set to resign following anti-Semitic social media posts by its director, who was already a replacement for a trustee who had also resigned over controversial comments. | Almoutaz Tayara, the board director of the charity Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) based in Birmingham, had posted on his Facebook page in 2014 and 2015 a cartoon that depicted former US president Barack Obama wearing the Star of David with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Assad of Syria on his lap, saying, "Death to America!" | Other posts called leaders of the Palestinian milit…

RT (2020-08-22). Fort Hood WMD specialist missing amid string of mysterious deaths & disappearances around army base. rt.com The US Army has asked the public for help finding a biological, chemical and nuclear specialist stationed at Fort Hood in Texas, the latest soldier to vanish after a spate of puzzling deaths and disappearances around the base. | The 23-year-old sergeant, Elder Fernandes, was reported missing earlier this week, last seen by his staff sergeant on Monday at a residence near the Fort Hood army base in Killeen, Texas,

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-22). Iranian envoy warns on weakening UN position. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (MNA) — The Iranian Ambassador to France warned about undermining and weakening the international status of the United Nation in international bodies.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-22). IAEA chief to visit Tehran on Monday. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (MNA) — Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi announced that he will visit Tehran on Monday to hold talks with Iranian officials.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-22). Muharram mourning in Semnan. en.mehrnews.com SEMNAN, Aug. 22 (MNA) — Observing health protocols and social distancing due to coronavirus, people of the central Iranian city of Semnan attended the mourning ceremonies for Imam Hussein (PBUH) on the second night of Muharram.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-22). Trump facing sharp drop in popularity: Vaezi. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (MNA) — Iranian President's Chief of Staff Mahmoud Vaezi said that Trump is facing a sharp drop in popularity and approval in the last months of his administration.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-22). Armed Forces ready to nip any threat in bud. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (MNA) — Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari highlighted the readiness of the Iranian Armed Forces to counter any threat.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-22). Iran-Russia military coop. 'positive, progressive': Hatami. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (MNA) — Iranian Minister of Defense Brigadier General Amir Hatami said that military cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation is 'positive and progressive'.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-22). Iran COVID-19 update: 126 deaths, 2,028 cases in 24 hours. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (MNA) — The Iranian Health Ministry announced 2,028 new cases of infection with the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, putting the total number of cases in the country at 356,792.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-22). Persian Restaurants in Ohio. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (MNA) — Nowadays more and more customers are starting to become pickier with the restaurants that they plan on going.

sputniknews (2020-08-22). Iranian Envoy to Russia Says Tehran-Moscow Military Cooperation 'Will Reach New Levels'. sputniknews.com The announcement comes as a UN embargo on weapons sales to the Islamic Republic is about to expire amid continuing opposition to the move by the United States.

sputniknews (2020-08-22). Iran Arms Embargo: America's Alleged 'Over the Top Ridiculousness' Added to US Isolation in UN Vote. sputniknews.com Last week, the UN Security Council rejected a draft resolution introduced by Washington to indefinitely extend a weapons embargo on Tehran envisioned by the 2015 Iran nuclear deal ahead of the embargo's expiration on 18 October.

_____ (2020-08-22). U.S. Isolated From Double-Think & Arrogance on 'Snapback' Sanctions Against Iran. strategic-culture.org More than two years ago, in May 2018, the Trump administration unilaterally walked away from the international nuclear accord with Iran signed by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany. President Trump derided the deal as the "worst ever" and proceeded to re-impose crippling U.S. sanctions on Iran. | This week the United States

WSWS (2020-08-21). Israel launches airstrikes against Gaza and threatens war. wsws.org Israel is preparing for war on the besieged Palestinian enclave, even as it ups the ante against Hezbollah in Lebanon and its primary target, Iran.

Juan Cole (2020-08-21). Former US Allies Britain, France, Germany join Russia and China in Forcefully Rejecting Trump Iran Sanctions. commondreams.org The "Trump administration is perfectly capable of maintaining publicly that international UNSC sanctions on Iran have been restored even if no one goes along with Washington," writes Cole. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski / AFP) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/trump_alone.jpg

RT (2020-08-21). US ready 'to block Russia & China' if they disregard Iran sanctions, Pompeo warns, as Washington pushes for UN 'snapback'. rt.com Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday that the United States is prepared to block Russia and China if they refuse to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran. | The statement came a day after Britain, France and Germany — who are still party to the Iranian nuclear agreement — joined Beijing and Moscow in Speaking to Fox News, Pompeo said Washington was disappointed its allies did not support the US effort to trigger a "snapback" of U…