(2020-05-21). Trump Claims to Have Venezuela 'Surrounded' as Iranian Tankers Approach. venezuelanalysis.com Venezuela's armed forces will escort the vessels upon reaching territorial waters.
(2020-05-21). Fundamentalist Pandemics: What Evangelicals Could Learn From The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyam. counterpunch.org 
This spring, the novel coronavirus pandemic has raised the issue of the relationship between the blindest kind of religious faith and rational skepticism — this time in two countries that think of themselves as polar opposites and enemies: Supreme Leader Ali Khameini's Iran and Donald Trump's America. On the U.S. side of things, New Orleans
(2020-05-21). Blaming Russia, China, Iran — to profit from Covid-19 vaccine. truepublica.org.uk By Craig Murray: On 5 May, the British security services released to their pet media the claim that Russia, China and Iran were attempting to hack into British research institutes conducting coronavirus research. The BBC reported it. Britain's shameful copy and paste media all, without exception, just copy and pasted the government press release. …
(2020-05-20). Washington's Tell Tale of Iranian-Al Qaeda Alliance Based on Questionably Sourced Book 'The Exile'. globalresearch.ca A disinformation campaign aimed to justify the assassination of Qassem Soleimani by painting him and Iran as willing enablers of al-Qaeda. The propaganda operation relied heavily on a shoddily sourced book, "The Exile." | *** | The U.S. assassination of
(2020-05-20). Israel and Iran Face Each Other in Cyberspace. globalresearch.ca Cyber ‚Äã‚Äãwarfare is one of the main bellicose activities of contemporary times. Through technologically advanced and powerful weapons, the great world powers face each other on the international stage in an invisible field, far from media attention, where the most …
(2020-05-20). Space Force's blabbermouth-in-chief. nationofchange.org The odds are our commander-in-chief has just given a case of the jitters to the entire defensive—and offensive—apparatus of the nuclear world.
(2020-05-21). "We're Ready for Whatever, Whenever,' Says Maduro as Venezuela Vows Navy Escort to Protect Iranian Oil Tankers from US Threats. commondreams.org Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warns that the U.S. government "must give up bullying on the world stage and respect the rule of international law, especially free shipping in the high seas." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/iran_venezuela1.jpg …
(2020-05-21). Trump Condemned for Ditching Treaty That Has 'Helped Prevent Nuclear War for Nearly Three Decades'. commondreams.org In a move that alarmed nuclear experts, anti-war activists, and policymakers around the world, the U.S. government notified international partners on Thursday that President Donald Trump is withdrawing the country from the Treaty on Open Skies over alleged Russian violations. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-11862935441.jpg …
(2020-05-21). Regime Change Back In Focus: Pompeo Targets Iran, Cuba & Venezuela In Epic Tweet Thread. iranian.com Given the very noticeable rise in threatening rhetoric focused on Iran over the past week, it seems thoughts of regime change in Tehran are once again top of the agenda. Or perhaps simultaneously the administration needs a significant distraction of sorts amid the coronavirus pandemic, and the persistent national reopening question and agenda. On Wednesday, Secretary …
(2020-05-21). Venezuelan Military to Escort Iranian Tankers Delivering Fuel — Defense Minister. iranian.com Venezuela's military will escort Iranian tankers delivering fuel to the country when they enter Venezuela's exclusive economic zone, the country's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino revealed Wednesday. In a state television interview, Padrino said the escort would "welcome them in and thank the Iranian people for their solidarity and cooperation," Reuters reported. Padrino also said that …
(2020-05-20). Washington's Tell Tale of Iranian-Al Qaeda Alliance Based on Questionably Sourced Book. iranian.com A disinformation campaign aimed to justify the assassination of Qassem Soleimani by painting him and Iran as willing enablers of al-Qaeda. The propaganda operation relied heavily on a shoddily sourced book, "The Exile." *** The U.S. assassination of Qassem Soleimani in January touched off a new wave of disinformation about the top Iranian major general, with Trump administration …
(2020-05-20). "Polite Deflection Will No Longer Cut It" — US Pressures Israel To Sever Economic Ties With China. iranian.com Since President Trump fired the first volley in the US-China trade war two years ago, tensions between the US and China have intensified to unprecedented levels, and the prospect of an armed confrontation between the world's two largest military and economic powers is becoming a tail risk worth considering, according to Wall Street luminaries like David …
(2020-05-20). 107 Iranian medical staff have died in coronavirus battle. iranian.com An official with the Iranian Medical Council has said that 107 healthcare workers have so far lost their lives in the country in fighting the coronavirus. "We are gathering precise data from all over the country in order to know how many people from among medical staff have been infected with the coronavirus or lost …
(2020-05-21). Iran says new US sanctions on officials are 'fruitless & repetitive'. rt.com 
Tehran dismissed on Thursday new US sanctions on several Iranian officials, saying they were a sign of the complete inefficiency of Washington's previous sanctions on the Islamic Republic. | "Washington's fruitless and repetitive sanctions against Iranian officials is a sign of weakness, despair and confusion of the US administration," state TV quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi as saying. | The US on Wednesday imposed sanctions on several Iranian authorities, including the interior minister, accusing them of engaging in serious cases of human rights abuse, Reuters said.
(2020-05-21). Dutch emergency services battle fire at abandoned NUCLEAR PLANT, urge residents to lock windows and doors (VIDEOS). rt.com 
Dozens of firefighters have been deployed to tackle a blaze at a disused nuclear facility in Dodewaard in the Netherlands. Police have asked the public to stay away and lock all doors and windows to avoid exposure to the fumes. | The fire broke out shortly before noon local time on Thursday in Dodewaard, which is roughly 100 km from Amsterdam. Eyewitness video from the scene shows fire crews battling the blaze on the roof. | De brandweer is met veel menskracht aanwezig in
(2020-05-20). Iran's top cop among nine targeted by new round of US sanctions. rt.com 
Not letting the pandemic soften its hard line on Tehran, Washington has sanctioned nine Iranian officials over alleged human rights violations during last year's protests, including Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli. |
(2020-05-21). Funeral processions of 4 martyrs of Iranian Navy in Shiraz. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) — Funeral processions of 4 martyrs of Iranian Navy was held on Thursday in Shiraz, Fars Province. Iranian Navy announced on May 11 that the naval mishap for its light vessel in Konarak has led to the martyrdom of 19 and wounding of 15 personnel.
(2020-05-21). Sanctions, coronavirus cannot stop Iran's production: Rouhani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the American virus and coronavirus can not stop Iran in the production field despite their impacts.
(2020-05-21). 2,392 new coronavirus infections confirmed in Iran: spokseman. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) — According to Iranian Health Ministry Spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour, 2,392 new coronavirus cases and 66 deaths have been confirmed in Iran during the past 24 hours.
(2020-05-21). Front pages of Iranian intl. dailies on May 21. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) — Here are the front pages of Iran-based international newspapers on Thursday, May 21.
(2020-05-21). Mousavi condemned sanctions against interior min., police chief. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) — Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Abbas Mousavi said that the US regime's fruitless and repetitive sanctions against the Interior Minister, the police chief, and other Iranian officials are sign of the US regime's weakness, despair, and confusion.
(2020-05-21). Iranian police bust over 26 tons of illicit drugs in a week. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) — International Deputy of Iran Drug Control Headquarters Nasser Aslani said on Wednesday that over 26 tons of narcotics have been confiscated by Iran's anti-narcotics police forces in the country in the last week.
(2020-05-21). Venezuelan military to escort Iranian tankers delivering fuel. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) — Venezuela's military will escort Iranian tankers delivering fuel to the country when they enter Venezuela's exclusive economic zone, the country's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said on Wednesday.
(2020-05-21). Legitimacy biggest challenge to Israeli regime: FM Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) —Iranian Foreign Minister said that the biggest challenge to the Israeli regime is 'legitimacy'.
(2020-05-21). Headlines of Iranian dailies on May 21. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) — Mehr News takes a look at the headlines of Iranian dailies on Thursday, May 21.
(2020-05-21). US unlawful sanctions threaten global public health: envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) — Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN office in Geneva said that the US unlawful sanctions threaten global public health.
(2020-05-21). Elimination of Zionist regime doesn't mean eliminating Jews: Leader. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) — In a Wednesday tweet, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali said that eliminating the Zionist regime doesn't mean eliminating Jews.
(2020-05-20). Zionist regime is a global problem: Foreign Minister Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 20 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the Zionist regime is a global problem that threatens the world with its nuclear bombs and Weapons of Mass Destruction [WMDs].
(2020-05-20). Tehran; 50 days earlier and now. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) — Here are photos that compare the same spots in central Tehran on March 24 and May 13. Iranian officials and medical experts have warned that people should continue to follow social distancing guidelines despite the re-opening of the economy.
(2020-05-20). Iran population growth rate below 1%: official. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 20 (MNA) — Hamed Barakat, who presides over health ministry's department of population, family and school's health, said in a video conference on Wednesday that for the first time since the victory of the Islamic revolution, i.e.42 years ago, population growth in Iran has fallen below one percent.
(2020-05-20). Pursuing Gen. Soleimani's case among main priorities of Judiciary: chief. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 20 (MNA) — Iran's Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi said that the body considers the case of Lieutenant General Soleimani's assassination at international level one of its main priorities.
(2020-05-20). Iranian delegation to probe Harirud incident in Afghanistan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 21 (MNA) — Afghanistan ministry of foreign affairs announced on Wednesday that an Iranian delegation, led by FM Mohsen Bahrvand is to arrive in Kabul to conduct investigations on Harirud incident; the tragic deaths of a number of Afghan migrants near the Iran-Afghanistan border in Early May.
(2020-05-20). Iran, Russia discuss regional issues, bilateral coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 20 (MNA) — Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali held a telephone conversation with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko on Wed. on the regional issues and matters of mutual concerns.
(2020-05-20). Trump's letter to WHO vain attempt at wrong time: Mousavi. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 20 (MNA) — Following Trump's letter to WHO director-general, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Abbas Mousavi said that his letter is undermining the professionalism and independence of the Organization.
(2020-05-20). US imposes new sanctions on Iranian entities, incl. Interior Min. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 20 (MNA) — The US Treasury Department announced on Wednesday fresh round of sanctions against some Iranian authorities including the Interior Minister Rahmani Fazli and Police Chief Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari.
(2020-05-19). Washington's tall tale of Iranian-Al Qaeda alliance based on questionably sourced book 'The Exile'. thegrayzone.com A disinformation campaign aimed to justify the assassination of Qassem Soleimani by painting him and Iran as willing enablers of…
(2020-05-19). US Sanctions On Iran Fueled By Hate And Money. therealnews.com 
John Bolton brought Richard Goldberg from the neoconservative Foundation for Defense of Democracies to serve as a senior advisor for the National Security Council, ensuring that sanctions against Iran will intensify even as Iran is wracked by COVID-19.
(2020-05-19). Keep your distance: US Navy tells vessels in the Gulf to stay 100 yards away or be seen as threat. rt.com 
The US Navy has issued new guidelines for mariners in the Persian Gulf, warning anyone against approaching too close to its vessels. Those defying the warning would be seen as a threat and met with "defensive measures." | US military vessels will take "lawful defensive measures" against ships that would come closer that 100 yards (about 91 meters), warns a new notice to mariners, according to reports by Reuters and AP. | The usual actions taken in case of a close encounter involve turning the ship away from the approaching vessel, sounding a horn and shooting off flares before firing even warning shots. | Also…
(2020-05-19). Israeli Operatives Behind 'Highly Accurate' Cyberattack on Iranian Port Facility — Report. iranian.com On 10 May, the managing director of Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization, Mohammad Rastad, confirmed in a televised statement that the county's port of Shahid Rajaee, in the coastal city of Bandar Abbas, was the victim of a cyberattack by an unknown foreign hacker on 9 May, bringing to a halt all shipping traffic in …
