(2020-06-18). Trump threatens to re-start nuclear weapons tests, undoing 50 years of agreements. peoplesworld.org 
If the Trump administration follows through on its threat to restart nuclear tests, it will complete the unraveling of more than 50 years of arms control agreements, taking the world back to the days when school children practiced "duck and cover" and people built backyard bomb shelters. It will certainly be the death knell for the Comprehensive …
(2020-06-18). US imposes new sanctions on Syria under Caesar Act. peoplesdispatch.org The US administration announced a new set of political and economic sanctions against Syria on June 17, Wednesday, under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection act. The act was enacted in the US in December 2019 and made part of the National Defence Authorisation act for the year 2020. | The Caesar act asks the government of Syria and its allies, Russia and Iran, to halt military operations aimed at retaking territories captured by armed militias and rebel forces supported by Turkey and the US in Syria. The Syrian government has rejected the act, saying that it cannot allow such a division of the country. | The exe…
(2020-06-18). Why Japan Cancelled Installation of American Missiles in Its Territory. US Military Presence Threatens Japan's Security. globalresearch.ca Since 1945, when the United States bombed the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with nuclear weapons, Japan has entered an era of total submission to Washington, demilitarizing and abdicating its own real sovereignty. Tokyo came under the umbrella of American …
(2020-06-18). Iran's daily death toll from coronavirus drops below 100. yenisafak.com Iran on Thursday confirmed 87 more fatalities from the novel coronavirus over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 9,272.Iran's daily number of COVID-19 fatalities dropped under 100 for the first time after the last four days.Health Ministry spokesman Sima Sadat Lari said a further 2,596 people tested positive for COVID-19, raising the overall count to 197,647.A total of 156,991 people have recovered and been discharged from hospitals so far, he said, adding that 2,795 remain at hospitals in critical conditions.Over 1.34 million tests have been conducted in the country to date, Lari said.Afte…
(2020-06-17). Israel Increases Secretive Nuclear Stockpile to 90 Warheads: Report. globalresearch.ca Israel may have increased its nuclear stockpile from 80 warheads in 2019 to 90 in 2020, according to a new report by a leading global arms watchdog. | The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) said in its
(2020-06-17). Israel Increases Secretive Nuclear Stockpile to 90 Warheads: Enough to Blow Up the Planet… globalresearch.ca Israel may have increased its nuclear stockpile from 80 warheads in 2019 to 90 in 2020, according to a new report by a leading global arms watchdog. | The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) said in its
(2020-06-17). Let Them Eat Weapons: Trump's Bizarre Arms Race. dissidentvoice.org 
In late May of this year, President Donald Trump's special envoy for arms control bragged before a Washington think tank that the U.S. government was prepared to outspend Russia and China to win a new nuclear arms race. "The president has made clear that we have a tried and true practice here," he remarked. "We know how to win …
(2020-06-17). IRGC Gears Up For 'Routine' Fuel Shipments To Venezuela, Defying Trump. iranian.com Here we go again — Iran is prepping a round two of major sanctions-busting gas delivery to fuel-starved Venezuela, which is of course rich on heavy crude oil but currently lacks the capacity to refine it based on its derelict and badly in need of repair facilities. Amid continued White House threats of military intervention to uphold a sanctions …
(2020-06-17). India and China Dispute: The World's Longest Unmarked Border. globalresearch.ca Incongruous, deadly, bizarre. Two nuclear powers engaging in a fatal skirmish over a piece of territory with no economic resources, using rocks and clubs with protruding nails. A stone-age fight in the nuclear era. | Einstein said he did not know …
(2020-06-17). Iran's virus death toll rises by 120 to hit 9,185. yenisafak.com Iran on Wednesday confirmed 120 more fatalities from the novel coronavirus over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 9,185.Iran's daily number of COVID-19 fatalities decreased to under 100 in mid-April and recorded as 34 on May 25, but daily figures have shown an upward trend in last four days after authorities took measures to ease restrictions.Health Ministry spokesman Sima Sadat Lari said a further 2,612 people tested positive for COVID-19, raising the overall count to 195,051.A total of 154,812 people have recovered and been discharged from hospitals so far, he said, adding that 2,789 rema…
(2020-06-17). Iran COVID-19 update: 2,612 new infections, 120 deaths in 24 hours. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 17 (MNA) — According to the Iranian Health Ministry, the novel coronavirus disease has claimed 120 lives in Iran in the past 24 hours.
(2020-06-17). Education min. inaugurates projects in North khorasan. en.mehrnews.com BOJNOURD, Jun. 17 (MNA) — Iran's Minister of Education Mohsen Haji Mirzaei in his trip to North Khorasan province on Wednesday inaugurated some educational projects.
(2020-06-17). Iran, Azerbaijan hold phone talk on development of economic relations. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 17 (MNA) — In a telephone conversation, Iran's minister of finance Farhad Dejpasand and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev conferred on expansion of mutual economic ties under the outbreak of coronavirus.
(2020-06-17). Yazd mourns for martyrdom anniversary of Imam Jafar Sadiq (PBUH). en.mehrnews.com YAZD, Jun. 17 (MNA) — The mourning ceremony of the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Jafar Sadiq (PBUH), the sixth Imam of Shi'ite world, was held in Yazd, central Iran. Imam Sadiq attained martyrdom on the 25th Shawwal 14 A.H. Attendants of the ceremony observe health protocols in order to avoid the spread of the lethal coronavirus.
(2020-06-17). Tehran, Baghdad ink new financial accord. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 17 (MNA) — The governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), announced on Wednesday that under a newly penned financial framework between Tehran, Baghdad, Iran will use its financial resources in Iraq for purchasing basic goods and unsanctioned products.
(2020-06-17). Iraqi PM vows to stand by Iran in hard times. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 18 (MNA) — Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said that Baghdad will stand by Tehran during the hard times as Tehran did the same.
(2020-06-17). Tehran, Tunis confer on expansion of parliamentary ties. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 17 (MNA) — In a meeting between Iran's ambassador to Tunis Mohammad-Reza Raouf-Sheybani and Tunisia's speaker of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People Rachid al-Ghannouchi the two sides discussed enhancement of relations between the parliaments of the two countries and activation of friendship committee of Iran and Tunisia.
(2020-06-17). Iraq ready to pay back its debts to Iran. iranian.com Iraqi Minister of Finance Ali Abdul-Amir Allawi said in the meeting with the governor of Central Bank of Iran Abdonasser Hemmati that Iraq is ready to pay all the debts to Iran. After the meeting, Hemmati told IRNA that Iraq has expressed readiness to pay back its debts to Iran and the previous agreements between …
(2020-06-17). Iran to Use Joint Mechanism with Iraq for Foreign Purchases. iranian.com Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) unveiled plans for using a joint mechanism with Iraq to purchase basic commodities and items excluded from the list of anti-Iranian sanctions. Iran's top banker Abdonnaser Hemmati, who is on a visit to Iraq with a ranking economic delegation, held a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Ali …
(2020-06-16). WATCH Iran's Zarif remove face mask with relief during Moscow talks with Lavrov, after taking it on & off repeatedly (VIDEO). rt.com 
Social distancing's no hurdle for talks between trusted allies, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov appeared to show as he arrived to meet Iran's Javad Zarif without a face mask. Zarif was more careful, but soon opted to remove his, too. | Zarif is one of the first high-ranking foreign visitors to land in Moscow and engage in face-to-face talks with Lavrov in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown. In recent months, the Russian foreign minister has held meetings only via video call. | When the two officials appeared before the journalists, Zarif was sporting a mask, which he merely removed for a brief photoshoot. Lavrov…
(2020-06-16). Trump to Undermine Treaty That Keeps Russia From Selling Missiles to Iran to Sell Drones to Saudi Arabia. anti-empire.com 
Editor's note: Trump wants to keep the missile part which is so crucial for the US to limit proliferation of missiles, but not the drone part where at the moment the US has a technology lead and there's a little money to be made for a sector that is already highly privileged in the American system. Russia has upheld the agreement, for example the range of the BrahMos anti-ship missile that Moscow developed for India was limited to 300 kilometers. |
| The Trump administration plans to reinterpret a Cold War-era arms agreement between 34 nations with the goal of allowing U.S. defense contractors to sell more A…
(2020-06-16). Senate Committee Approves Funding for Live Nuclear Testing. anti-empire.com 
The amendment says at least $10 million "shall be made available to carry out projects related to reducing the time required to execute a nuclear test if necessary." Accordi…
(2020-06-16). Curious Coincidence: The Birth of Donald Trump and the Struggle to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. globalresearch.ca The 45th president of the United States made his first international appearance on June 14, 1946. According to Donald Trump's Five minutes …
(2020-06-16). Act On Dr. King's Call To Tackle Evils Of Racism, Economic Exploitation And War. popularresistance.org Martin Luther King, Jr. King called us to address "Three major evils—the evil of racism, the evil of poverty and the evil of war" to the consternation of the establishment. It is time to tell the truth about the US-Russian relationship and US complicity in driving the nuclear arms race if we are ever to reverse it as well as the race to weaponize space. Perhaps, by addressing the triple evils, we can fulfill King's dream and the mission envisioned for the United Nations, to end the scourge of war! At a minimum, we should be promoting UN Secretary-General António Guterres' call for a global ceasefire while o…
(2020-06-16). Coronavirus may move travel into 'the realm of luxury' in Iran. iranian.com The coronavirus pandemic may turn tours and travels in Iran into luxury items as observing health protocols will rise the cost of travel in the country, Mohammad Ali Vaqefi, the vice president of the Iranian Tour Operators Association, has warned. "With the continuation of the coronavirus outbreak, tourists may prefer individual travel rather than tours. …
(2020-06-16). Lavrov: Russia, Turkey, Iran to hold summit on Syria. yenisafak.com Ankara, Moscow and Tehran agreed to hold a videoconference and then a face-to-face meeting on the Syrian settlement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Tuesday.The presidents of the three countries will discuss Syrian issues in a videoconference and then will hold a summit in Tehran, Lavrov said at a news conference following a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif."Today, we confirmed the agreement of the three presidents of the Astana format countries that the summit will be held in Tehran within terms that will be determined considering the situation developing due to the c…
(2020-06-16). Congress Should Include Provision in 2021 NDAA to Ban Nuclear Test Funding — Advocacy Group. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The US Congress should include a provision in fiscal year 2021 National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) to ban any funding for US nuclear testing, the Arms Control Association said.
(2020-06-16). 'Do not worsen conditions, if you cannot make improvements'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 16 (MNA) — In the wake of the E3 call for more cooperation between Iran, IAEA, the Permanent Representative to the international organizations in Vienna Kazem Gharibabadi criticized the E3 for their weak stance and measures towards the JCPOA case and urged them to prevent creating an unnecessary crisis.
(2020-06-16). VIDEO: Russia, Iran sign declaration on enhancing role of intl. law. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 17 (MNA) — Moscow and Tehran signed a declaration today on enhancing the role of international law.
(2020-06-16). VIDEO: Iranian, Russian foreign ministers meet in Moscow. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 16 (MNA) — Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met and held talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on Tuesday in Moscow. Zarif arrived in the Russian capital on Tuesday morning after a two-day visit to Turkey.
(2020-06-16). Report of UN Sec. Gen. beyond his power: FM Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 16 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the report submitted by the UN Secretary General António Guterres about Iran is beyond his power, adding that UN secretary general has issued a completely false, undue and out-of-authority report.
(2020-06-16). US National Security Council supports IAEA's allegations against Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 16 (MNA) — US National Security Council supported the allegations made by the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against Iran and called for taking measures against the country.
(2020-06-16). Kyrgyzstan parl. Speaker congratulates Ghalibaf election. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 16 (MNA)_Kyrgyzstan parliament speaker wrote in a congratulatory message to Mohamad Bagher Ghalibaf that the Iranian Parliament election meets Iranian people's demand and will influence the country's development positively.
(2020-06-16). EU failed to pursue independent policy against US: Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 16 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that Europeans have not been able to pursue an independent policy against the US regarding the Iran's arms embargo.
(2020-06-16). US CENTCOM terrorists' cmdr. repeats baseless accusations on Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 16 (MNA) — General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Commander of the United States Central Command [CENTCOM] in West Asia on Tue. repeated baseless and unfounded accusations against Islamic Republic of Iran and called Iran as a great threat.
(2020-06-16). Post-corona world, 'a completely different world': Pres. Rouhani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 16 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that world after the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is a completely different world.
(2020-06-16). Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina emphasize need for strengthening parliamentary ties. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 17 (MNA) — Islamic Republic of Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina stressed the need for strengthening and broadening bilateral parliamentary ties.
(2020-06-16). Police seize over 2 ton of illicit drug in SE Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 17 (MNA) — Police Chief of Sistan and Baluchestan province said that anti-narcotics police forces have seized over 2 ton of illicit drugs in Saravan County.
(2020-06-16). Barbara Lee Unveils Plan to Cut Up to $350 Billion From Pentagon. truthout.org Demanding that Congress "prioritize our safety and our future, not more war," Rep. Barbara Lee on Monday "Redundant nuclear weapons, off-books…
(2020-06-16). Trump's 'Caesar' Style Siege on Syria, A Sign of Impending Regional Failure. iranian.com Would be emperor Donald Trump has announced the 'Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act', to tighten the genocidal siege on the Syrian people. Without a hint of irony, this new edict imposes even more serious obstacles to the Syrian people getting access to energy, food and medicines, while claiming its purpose is to 'protect' those same …
(2020-06-16). Trade between Iran, India to return to normal in 2 weeks. iranian.com Trade between Iran and India, which has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, is expected to return to normal within one or two weeks, the vice-chairman of Iran-India Joint Chamber of Commerce told ILNA on Sunday. Parham Rezaei said while the coronavirus has created some problems for trade between the two countries, which are still …
(2020-06-16). Iran resumes electricity imports from Turkmenistan. iranian.com Iran has resumed imports of electricity from neighboring Turkmenistan amid a surge in domestic consumption that requires moves to spread the load across the national power grid. Head of Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Chamber of Commerce Majid Mohammad Nejad said on Tuesday that Iran would pay for electricity provided by the Turkmens through bartering goods. "Imports of …
(2020-06-15). Israel owns 90 nuclear warheads: Report. yenisafak.com Israel is believed to possess between 80 and 90 nuclear warheads, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said on Monday. | In a report, SIPRI said Israel continues to pursue a policy of ambiguity regarding its nuclear program. | It said that the number of nuclear warheads in Israel rose to 90, up from 80 warheads in 2019. | "The nine nuclear-armed states—the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)—together possessed an estimated 13,400 nuclear weapons at the start of 2020," the S…
(2020-06-15). WATCH Russian jets 'intercept' US strategic bombers over Baltic Sea. rt.com 
US B-52H strategic bombers have again been spotted near Russian borders, forcing its Baltic Sea Fleet's Su-27 fighter jets to take to the skies and monitor their actions, the Russian Defense Ministry has said. | Video released by Moscow showed all stages of the 'intercept' — from the pilot in full gear rushing towards his jet to the Su-27s gaining on the American nuclear-capable bombers and "foreign surveillance planes" above the neutral waters. | NATO aircraft have frequently been spotted close to Russian airspace above Baltic and Black Sea frontiers in recent years. The flights, which Moscow deems provo…
(2020-06-15). America's Supernational Sovereignty: Iran and Syria Again on the Receiving End of Sanctions. ahtribune.com 
The conceit by the United States that it is the acknowledged judge, jury and executioner in policing the international community began in…
(2020-06-15). America's Supernational Sovereignty. thealtworld.com Iran and Syria again on the receiving end of sanctions | One of the most disturbing aspects of American foreign policy since 9/11 has been the assumption that decisions made by the United States are binding on the rest of the world, best exemplified by President George W. Bush's warning that "there was a new sheriff in town." Apart from time of war, no other nation has ever sought to prevent other nations from trading with each other, nor has any government sought to punish foreigners using sanctions with the cynical arrogance demonstrated by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The United States uniquely seeks to pen…
(2020-06-15). Iranian Missiles Used to Attack Saudi Arabia? globalresearch.ca Since taking office, the Trump regime upped the stakes in Washington's long war by other means on Iran. | US hostility toward the Islamic Republic has nothing to do with a national security threat that doesn't exist. | It's all about its …
(2020-06-15). Army hails medical staff efforts, service under Covid-19 pandemic. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 16 (MNA) — In a ceremony held on Monday in Tehran's Shariati Hospital, the Iranian Army expressed gratitude for the efforts and services of the medical staff under the outburst of the coronavirus pandemic.
(2020-06-15). Turkey, Russia to continue talks for truce in Libya. yenisafak.com Turkey will continue talks with Russia to reach a lasting cease-fire in Libya, said Turkey's foreign minister on Monday.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin have "agreed to continue working together to establish a lasting cease-fire in Libya," Mevlut Cavusoglu told a joint press conference alongside his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif, who is visiting the Turkish capital Ankara.Libya's government, which enjoys recognition by the UN, has been under attack by warlord Khalifa Haftar's forces since April 2019, with more than 1,000 killed in the violence.After launching a counter…
(2020-06-15). Iran's coronavirus deaths near 9,000. yenisafak.com A further 2,449 people tested positive for COVID-19, raising the overall count to 189,876, Health Ministry spokesman Sima Sadat Lari said. | A total of 150,590 people have recovered and been discharged from hospitals so far, he said, adding that 2,765 remain at hospitals in critical conditions. | Some 1.269 million tests have been done in the country to date, Lari said. | Iran's daily number of COVID-19 cases dropped to around 800 in early May, but since authorities eased restrictions, daily figures have shown an upward trend, especially in the southwestern Khuzestan province. | Despite the rising number of in…