Daily Archives: July 31, 2020

2020-07-31: News Headlines

Juan Cole (2020-07-30). US Bases in Qatar, UAE Go on Alert as Iran Fires Ballistic Missiles at Mock-Up of US Aircraft Carrier. commondreams.org There are some 11,000 US Air Force personnel at al-Udeid, which has been a major launching point for missions against the Taliban in Afghanistan and ISIL in Iraq and Syria. (Photo: Al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Alex Brandon) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/qa.jpg

Reese Erlich (2020-07-30). Foreign Correspondent: Trump's Desperate, Last-Ditch Effort to Hike Tensions with Iran. progressive.org This might be the final stretch for his failed policy of 'maximum pressure.'

Sina Toossi (2020-07-30). The Beginning of the U.S.-Iran Hot War? zcomm.org President Trump remains committed to escalating against Iran even as the U.S. battles a worsening pandemic, an economic depression, and internal discord not seen in decades…

Matthew Ehret-Kump (2020-07-30). China and Iran to Sign Comprehensive Economic and Security Deal. Reviving Atoms for Peace. globalresearch.ca With the new revelations of an impending

sputniknews (2020-07-30). Iranian Satellite Once Derided as 'Tumbling Webcam in Space' Snaps Pics of US's Largest Mideast Base. sputniknews.com The images were reportedly obtained amid the ongoing massive war games in southern Iran involving multiple branches of the armed forces, including elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) formations.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-30). Iran, Georgia discuss economic coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 30 (MNA) — Iranian Ambassador to Tbilisi Javad Ghavam Shahidi met and held talks with Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava on the expansion of economic cooperation.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-30). Coronavirus death toll expected to drop in coming weeks. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 30 (MNA) — Iranian President said that the death toll and the number of infected people with coronavirus are expected to drop significantly in the coming weeks.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-30). 1st aquatic products shipment sent to Thailand via Chabahar. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 30 (MNA) — The first shipment of Iran's aquatic products has been shipped to Thailand via southeastern port of Chabahar.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-30). Ghalibaf congrats Muslim counterparts on Eid al-Adha. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 30 (MNA) — Iranian Parliament Speaker congratulated his Muslim counterparts on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, stressing the need for unity and empathy with the aim of ensuring the health, security and welfare of of the great Islamic Ummah.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-30). Plasma donation by recovered COVID-19 patients. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 30 (MNA) — Plasma therapy has been taken into consideration in Iran as a solution to strengthen the body immune system of patients suffering from coronavirus. COVID-19 patients can donate plasma one month after their recovery.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-30). Iran to give crushing response to any aggression : IRGC. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 30 (MNA) — Stating that Iran has never started a war, IRGC said that it will give a decisive and crushing response to any aggression against country's territorial integrity, security and national interests.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-30). Police bust over 1 ton illicit drugs in Iran's Mirjaveh. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 30 (MNA) — The police forces of the Sistan and Baluchestan province have confiscated 1,105 kilograms of illicit drugs in the southeastern borders.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-30). Over 388 tons of narcotics seized in Iran in 4 months: cmdr. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 30 (MNA) — The deputy head of Iran's Police said that over 388 tons of illicit drugs have been confiscated by police forces in the country in in the first 4 months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 20, 2020).

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-30). Ummah, Global community require paradigm shift for survival. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 30 (MNA) — In a tweet on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote that Islamic Ummah and global community require paradigm shift for survival.

Stephen Lendman (2020-07-29). Iranian Military Exercises Prepare to Counter Aggression if Occurs. globalresearch.ca Iran is the leading Middle East proponent of peace, stability, and cooperative relations with other countries. | It hasn't attacked another nation in centuries, threatening none now except in retaliation against aggression by a foreign power if occurs — the right …

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). Iran considers three-day Taliban ceasefire positive step. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said that Iran considers the three-day Taliban ceasefire a positive step towards peace in Afghanistan.

William Astore (2020-07-29). Killing Democracy in America. counterpunch.org The phrase "thinking about the unthinkable" has always been associated with the unthinkable cataclysm of a nuclear war, and rightly so. Lately, though, I've been pondering another kind of unthinkable scenario, nearly as nightmarish (at least for a democracy) as a thermonuclear Armageddon, but one that's been rolling out in far slower motion: that America's

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). VP urges Pakistan to help keep security at borders with Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — First Vice President called on the Pakistani government to seriously prevent any measure that undermines security at the borders with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

yenisafak (2020-07-29). Iran fires ballistic missiles from underground for first time. yenisafak.com Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards fired ballistic missiles from underground for the first time as part of an annual military drill, Amirali Hajizadeh, the head of the aerospace division of the Guards, said in a video posted online by YJC, a news agency linked to Iran's state TV.The video showed clouds of dust before the missiles streaked into the sky.ŸÅ€åŸÑŸÖ ÿ¥ŸÑ€å⁄© ŸÖŸàÿ¥⁄©‚ÄåŸáÿ߀å ÿ®ÿߟÑÿ≥&yu…

yenisafak (2020-07-29). Iran records 196 more deaths from COVID-19. yenisafak.com Iran on Wednesday confirmed 196 more fatalities from the novel coronavirus, bringing the nationwide death toll to 16,343, according to an official. | A further 2,636 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, raising the overall count to 298,909, Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said. | She said more than 259,116 people have so far recovered and been discharged from hospitals, adding that 4,027 patients remain in critical condition. | Over 2.4 million tests have been conducted in the country to date, Lari added. | The alarming surge in daily fatalities has sent shockwaves across Iran as…

sputniknews (2020-07-29). Iranian Missiles Land Near UAE Air Base Where India's Rafale Jets Were Stationed: US Media Reports. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): The first batch of Rafale fighter jets are set to arrive in India's Ambala Air Base on Wednesday afternoon after covering the 7,000 kilometers from France. The jets were stationed overnight at the Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE. The same air base houses US and French troops and aircraft.

sputniknews (2020-07-29). 'It Does Damage': Assembly of World's Largest Fusion Reactor Begins Despite 'Huge Problems' – Expert. sputniknews.com Assembly of the world's largest nuclear fusion reactor started at the Cadarache facility in southern France, despite the fact that the the reactor is not radioactive waste-free and costs huge sums of money that could instead be used to address urgent needs in the world, Kevin Kamps, radioactive waste watchdog with Beyond Nuclear, told Sputnik.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). US presence in West Asia detrimental to region. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the US' illegal presence in West Asia is the main cause of destruction in the region.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). Iran delivers medical aid cargo to Afghan health ministry. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul.30 (MNA) — Iran's medical and healthcare aid consignment was delivered to Afghanistan's ministry of health at Kabul airport on Wednesday.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). US harassment of Iranian airliner disgraceful: Vaezi. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — In reaction to the US harassment of an Iranian airliner in Syria, Iranian President's Chief of Staff Mahmoud Vaezi said that the US act is disgraceful and contrary to international standards.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). "Najibeh' to go on screen at Shanghai Intl. FilmFest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — Iranian feature 'Najibeh', directed by Mostafa Gandomkar will be screened at the 23rd edition of the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) in China.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). Iran exports over $5mn flowers, plants in Q1: IRICA spox. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul.29 (MNA) — Spokesman of the Islamic Republic Customs Administration (IRICA) said that Iran exported more than $5 million worth of flowers and plants in the first three months of the current year (from March 21 to June 22).

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). Iran, Turkey stress expansion of cultural, media coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman in a virtual conversation with his Turkish counterpart discussed the cultural and media cooperation between the two countries.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). Baeidinjad reacts to British MP anti-Iranian remarks. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — Iran's Ambassador to UK Hamid Baeidinjad reacted to a request by a senior British lawmaker to impose sanctions on Iranian officials.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). Iran registers 2,636 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected 2,636 people and claimed 196 lives in Iran in the past 24 hours, a senior health official said.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). Find the (best) Iranian Doctors in Vancouver. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — Iranian Doctors in Vancouver treat people with illnesses and injuries through medical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, etc.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). More details of IRGC's unique underground ballistic missile. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — Iran's IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh put forward more details about the successful launch of ballistic missiles from underground.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). 'Underground ballistic missiles launched'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — In a tweet on Wednesday, Iran's IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh informed of the successful launch of underground ballistic missiles against the hypothetical enemies.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). Iran, Turkmenistan emphasize developing economic ties. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — Presidents of Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkmenistan stressed the need to develop and broaden bilateral economic cooperation.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). Police seize 120 kg of narcotics in SW Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 30 (MNA) — The police forces of the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, southwestern Iran, have confiscated 120 kg of illicit drugs in a single operation.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). Iran's Police bust over 1.5 tons of narcotics in Zahedan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul.29 (MNA) — Dismantling a drug-smuggling gang in Zahedan, police forces of Sistan and Baluchestan have seized over 1.5 tons of illicit drugs in a single operation.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). IRGC military drill meant to protect Persian Gulf islands. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri said that the main purpose of the recent military exercises has been to protect the Persian Gulf islands and deterring those who sow insecurity in the region.

Gareth Porter (2020-07-28). How a Police Spy's Stunning Testimony Threatens the Official US-Israeli AMIA Bombing Narrative. globalresearch.ca Revelations by a former police spy upend the official story blaming Iran for the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, and suggest a cover-up by dirty war elements may have let the real culprits off the …

Aidan Jonah (2020-07-28). Who's behind the Canadian Think Tank Pushing for Sanctions against China and Iran? dissidentvoice.org The "independent" think tank, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute recently called for China and Iran to be severely punished for allegedly covering up the original outbreak and failing to respond to COVID-19 in time. This was done in ignorance of both Canada's PM Justin Trudeau and US President Donald Trump's failure to listen to military intelligence warning …

South Front (2020-07-28). Video: Israel Reinforces Troops Near Golan Heights Fearing Hezbollah Retaliation to Strikes on Syria. globalresearch.ca The Middle East is rapidly moving towards a new round of confrontation between the US-Israeli bloc and Iranian-led Shiite forces. | On July 26, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) deployed M109 Doher howitzers near the separation line with Lebanon. The deployment …

_____ (2020-07-28). Killing Democracy In The United States. popularresistance.org I fear that it either can't or won't end because, as Martin Luther King, Jr., pointed out in 1967 during the Vietnam War, the United States remains the world's greatest purveyor of violence — and nothing in this century, the one he didn't live to see, has faintly proved him wrong. Considered another way, Washington should be classified as the planet's most committed arsonist, regularly setting or fanning the flames of fires globally from Libya to Iraq, Somalia to Afghanistan, Syria to — dare I say it — in some quite imaginable future Iran, even as our leaders invariably boast of having the world's greatest fir…

_____ (2020-07-28). The Beginning Of The US-Iran Hot War? popularresistance.org Washington, DC — "Americans should not blame others in vain," Iranian general Esmail Gha'ani has declared, "this is a fire they have lit and today has engulfed them." Gha'ani, a veteran military commander who heads the Quds Force, the branch of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responsible for extraterritorial operations, was speaking about the massive fire that has overtaken a U.S. navy vessel in San Diego. | Gha'ani chose his words carefully. He skirted suggesting that Iran had a role in the blaze, instead saying it was the "result of the actions and crimes of the American government" and wa…

yenisafak (2020-07-28). Iran records 235 more deaths from COVID-19. yenisafak.com Iran on Tuesday confirmed 235 more fatalities from the novel coronavirus, bringing the nationwide death toll to 16,147, according to an official. | A further 2,667 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, raising the overall count to 296,273, Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said. | She said more than 257,019 people have so far recovered and been discharged from hospitals, adding that 3,902 patients remain in critical condition. | Over 2.38 million tests have been conducted in the country to date, Lari added. | The alarming surge in daily fatalities has sent shockwaves across Iran as t…

yenisafak (2020-07-28). Nukes guarantee N. Korea's safety, future: Kim Jong-un. yenisafak.com North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has said the country's nuclear capabilities will permanently guarantee its "national security and future," according to media reports on Tuesday.His remarks came at an event in the capital Pyongyang on Monday night to mark the 67th anniversary of the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.They were a clear signal that North Korea has no intention of giving up its nuclear weapons and views them as an essential means of deterrence."Thanks to our reliable and effective self-defense war deterrence, there will no longer be war on this land and our na…

sputniknews (2020-07-28). US Navy Slams Iranian Military Drills in Strategic Strait of Hormuz as 'Irresponsible and Reckless'. sputniknews.com At the same time, Washington has repeatedly ignored Tehran's calls for the US to stop sending its carriers to the Gulf and its warnings that such actions only contribute to the escalation of tensions in the region, not to security.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-28). Iran, Azerbaijan Republic emphasize developing bilateral ties. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 28 (MNA) — Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan stressed the need to expand and develop bilateral ties.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-28). Iran not to tolerate US provocations. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 28 (MNA) — Government Spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic will not tolerate US unusual and illegal behaviors.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-28). Iran, Austria discuss boosting academic ties. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 28 (MNA)— Officials of Iran and Austria's emphasized boosting research and academic cooperation in the form of 17 joint research projects.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-28). Outgoing Iranian envoy bids farewell to Omani FM official. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 28 (MNA) — The outgoing Iranian Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman bid farewell to the Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry of Oman Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi in Muscat on Tue.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-28). 2 short animations win at Cinrecreo. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 28 (MNA) — Iranian short animated pieces 'The Fox' directed by Sadegh Javadi and 'Pet Man' by Marzieh Abrar-Paydar win Cinrecreo youth short film festival awards in Ecuador.