Daily Archives: August 19, 2020

2020-08-19: News Headlines

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-19). Iran remains main supporter of Resistance against Zionists. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) — Condemning the UAE' tie normalization with the usurping Zionist Regime, the representative of Islamic Jihad in Lebanon called Iran as the main supporter of Resistance Front in the fight against the Zionists in the region.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-19). Zarif, Atmar discuss Afghan peace talks on phone. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) — In a telephone conversation, Iranian FM Zarif and the Caretaker of the Afghan Foreign Ministry Mohammad Hanif Atmar conferred on Afghan peace talks.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-19). Zarif felicitates new Omani counterpart on appointment. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) — In a Wednesday tweet in Arabic, Iranian FM Zarif congratulated his new Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood AlBusaidi on his appointment.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-19). Iran's COVID-19 death toll passes 20,000. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) — According to Iranian Health Ministry, the novel coronavirus claimed 153 lives in Iran in the past 24 hours, putting the total number of cases in the country at 20,125.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-19). Intelligence forces dismantle big ammunition smuggling gang. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) — Iran's Intelligence forces have identified and dismantled a big arms and ammunition smuggling band in Alborz Province.

Ajamu Baraka (2020-08-18). Trump or Biden: Any Difference for the Global South? globalresearch.ca Congress decided to go on vacation while millions of U.S. workers are in economic limbo and while the United States continues to engage in criminal activity, such as when it seized four Iranian oil tankers that were on their way …

RT (2020-08-18). Nothing better to do, Mike? Pompeo 'gotchas' RT by revealing his nonsensical Iran quote is ACTUALLY by OBAMA. rt.com US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo apparently thought that 'revealing' a nonsensical quote he posted about Iran sanctions was actually authored by President Barack Obama somehow invalidated RT's coverage of reactions to it. | RT.com "got it wrong again," Pompeo tweeted on Tuesday, saying that it was President Barack Obama who made a statement we attributed to him. "He told Congress, rightly, that the US could snapback sanctions on Iran anytime and no country could block it. It is still true now. I'll wait for your correction." | Hey

Stephen Lendman (2020-08-18). "Fake News": Iran Paid Taliban to Kill US Troops… Big Lies Take a Life of Their Own. globalresearch.ca When repeated ad nauseam, Big Lies take on a life of their own. | Before the television age arrived, famed actor/humorist Will Rogers once said: "All I know is what I read in the papers." | He might have added that mind …

WSWS (2020-08-18). United Arab Emirates-Israel agreement cements US-led alliance against Iran. wsws.org The agreement makes the UAE the first Gulf state and the third Arab nation to reach such a deal, after Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

Abdul Rahman (2020-08-18). Why is the US threatening to activate 'snapback' sanctions on Iran? peoplesdispatch.org The latest US threat of resuming sanctions comes after its failure to get the UN Security Council's approval for an indefinite extension of the international arms embargo against Iran which is set to expire on October 18…

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-18). Leader condoles demise of Ayatollah Taskhiri. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) — Leader of the Islamic Revolution has expressed condolences over the demise of Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Taskhiri, a member of Iran's Expediency Council.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-18). "The Unseen" goes to S Korea's DMZ filmfest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) — The Iranian " The Unseen" anime-documentary will be screened at the 12th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival in South Korea.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-18). US desperately tried to resuscitate past since 1979. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the US has desperately tried to resuscitate the past since 1979.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-18). In 24 hours 2,385 COVID-19 cases recorded in Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) — The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected 2,385 people and claimed 168 lives in Iran in the past 24 hours, a senior health official said.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-18). Iran's economic roadmap to be unvailed in Government Week. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced that the country's economic roadmap for the final year of the incumbent administration's tenure will be unveiled during the Government Week (August 24-30).

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-18). Oil tankers seized by US 'not Iranian'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) — Iranian oil minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on Tuesday that the four oil tankers seized by the US few days ago belong to Venezuela not Iran.

_____ (2020-08-18). Coup 53: The Anglo-American Coup Against A Democratic Iran. popularresistance.org On August 19, the 67th anniversary of the Anglo-American coup in Iran, COUP 53 will hold a special transatlantic virtual premiere in partnership with venues across the US, Canada, UK and Ireland, followed on August 20 by an exclusive live Q&A with the editor Walter Murch director Taghi Amirani and a surprise special guest! Ten years in the making, COUP 53 tells the story of the 1953 the Anglo-American coup d'état that overthrew Iran's government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and reinstalled the Shah. The CIA/MI6 covert action was called Operation Ajax. It was all about Iran's oil and who gets to contr…

Alan MacLeod (2020-08-17). US Remains Defiant, Promises New Sanctions After UN Rejects Anti-Iran Measures. thealtworld.com According to the State Department, it was the world that was wrong, not Washington. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described the decision to reject their "reasonable resolution" and side with "the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism" as "inexcusable." | MPN— The latest chapter in the sometimes Orwellian world of Middle Eastern politics occurred this weekend, as the Trump administration, which unilaterally

Staff (2020-08-17). Headlines for August 17, 2020. democracynow.org Pelosi Calls House Back from Recess as Outrage Mounts over Turmoil at USPS, AZ Teachers Halt School Reopening; COVID-19 Data Shows Devastating Effect on Latinx, Black People, New Zealand Postpones Election Amid COVID-19 Spike; Virus Compounds Disaster in Lebanon, Mass Protests Continue in Belarus Amid Reports of Torture in Jails, Student Protests in Thailand Swell, Demanding Democratic Reforms, 16 People Killed After Car Bomb Blast at Hotel in Somalia, At Least 6 People Killed as Protests Intensify in Ivory Coast, Trump Vows to Reinstate U.N. Sanctions Against Iran, Lawyers Say Guards at Immigration Jail "Systema…

RT (2020-08-17). US intelligence agencies have another bounty case in Afghanistan, alleging Iran paid the Taliban to attack American forces. rt.com It turns out Russia isn't the only country that US intelligence agencies are anonymously accusing of paying bounties to Taliban fighters to attack US troops in Afghanistan. Another bogeyman, Iran, is allegedly to blame this time. | A foreign government

Adam Dick (2020-08-17). 'Regime Change' in Belarus Looks Like an Objective of Both the Trump Administration and the Biden Campaign. globalresearch.ca It seems that whoever wins the presidency, United States foreign policy will keep chugging away at intervening across the world, including via "regime change" efforts. Over the last couple decades, targets for US-government-supported overthrow have included Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, …

South Front (2020-08-17). Belarus Kicks Off Large-scale Military Drills Near Poland, Lithuania. globalresearch.ca On August 16, the Belarusian Armed Forces announced large-scale military drills near the country's nuclear plant and in the Grodno region bordering Poland and Lithuania. The drills will take place on August 17-20 and involve rocket and artillery units, air-defense …

Binoy Kampmark (2020-08-17). Foiled in the Security Council: The United States, Extending Arms Embargoes and Iran. dissidentvoice.org There are no official policing authorities as such when it comes to international relations. Realists imagine a jungle of states, the preyed upon and the predators, a grim state of affairs moderated by alliances, agreements and understandings. But there is one body whose resolutions are recognised as having binding force: the Security Council, that most …

Finian Cunningham (2020-08-17). US Snapback From Humiliation. thealtworld.com American President Donald Trump has darkly warned of something big this week, vowing to apply "snapback" international sanctions on Iran. It would be a drastic move and likely to further isolate Washington in the eyes of the world. | But the real snapback is Washington's fury after the United States was subjected to a humiliating diplomatic defeat at the UN security council last week. | A proposal by the US for the United Nations to extend an arms embargo on Iran was decisively rejected by the security council comprised of five permanent members and 11 non-permanent members. Russia and China voted against the…

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). UAE rulers' betrayal not to be erased from Muslims' memories. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — Referring to UAE-Israeli tie normalization, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said that the strategic mistake and the brazen betrayal of the UAE rulers will not be erased from the historical memories of the Muslims and freedom seekers.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). Iran registers 2,247 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected 2,247 people and claimed 165 lives in Iran in the past 24 hours, a senior health official said.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). Police Seize 853 kg of narcotics in Yazd province. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — The police forces of Yazd province in central Iran have seized 853 kilograms of illicit drugs in two separate operations.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). 67 years after 1953 Coup; Is it possible to put trust in US? en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) — Iran is marking the 67th anniversary of the 1953 Coup, a clear foreign intervention by the United States that that shaped Iran-US relations up to now.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). Iran Air to resume Tehran-Madrid flights after 17 years. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Spain announced the resumption of weekly flights on the Tehran-Madrid-Tehran route after 17 years.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). Tough sanctions situation should be disseminated to people. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that tough conditions of sanctions imposed against the country as well as salient measures taken by the government should be disseminated to all walks of life.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). Foreign patent offices registers 110 of Iran's inventions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) — Iran Patent Center announced that as many as 110 inventions by Iranian scientists have been granted patents by authentic foreign patent offices, according to Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). Three Asiatic cheetahs spotted in Semnan. en.mehrnews.com SEMNAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — Park rangers have spotted three Asiatic cheetahs in near Sharoud in Semnan province, central Iran.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). Armed Forces has taken giant stride in fight against COVID-19. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) —Spokesman of the Iranian Armed Forces said that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have taken giant strides in battling the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 and its activities should be reflected duly.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). 'Gabriel' to go on screen at Cheongju Intl. Short FilmFest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — Iranian short film, 'Gabriel' directed by Yousef Kargar, will be screened at the 17th edition of the Cheongju International Short Film Festival in South Korea.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). Supreme Council of Standards meeting held. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — Iran's Supreme Council of Standards held in meeting on Monday morning with the presence of First Vice President Es'hagh Jahangiri and other senior officials at the place of Presidential Administration.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). 'Untimely' to take part at Italian, American film festivals. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) — Iranian feature 'Untimely', directed by Pouya Eshtehardi, will take part at three international film festivals in Italy and the US.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). Persian Restaurants in New Mexico. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — The restaurant concept is defined by business model and restaurants theme, style of service, cuisine, interior design, and price point. One of these concepts is catering restaurants.

_____ (2020-08-17). Trump's War On Arms Control And Disarmament. popularresistance.org Trump's hostile and counterproductive acts have undermined the arms control regime that U.S. presidents have developed over the past seven decades. Every president from Eisenhower to Obama contributed to improving the verification and monitoring of strategic arms; reducing the numbers of strategic weapons; eliminating intermediate-range missiles, and/or trying to avoid accidental confrontation. During the presidential campaign in 2016, ten former nuclear control officers anticipated the worst and organized a letter stating that, if elected, Trump should not be given the nuclear codes. | For the past two years, Tr…

yenisafak (2020-08-17). Iran reports 165 more virus deaths, over 2,200 cases. yenisafak.com At least 165 more coronavirus-related fatalities have raised the death toll in Iran to 19,804, the Health Ministry said Monday. | Some 2,247 more people tested positive for COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, pushing the overall count up to 345,450, according to ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari. | She said more than 299,157 patients have recovered so far, while 3,773 are hospitalized in critical condition. Over 2.88 million tests have been conducted in Iran to date. | Iran is struggling to contain the pandemic since February, when the first cases were confirmed in the holy city of Qom. | The coronavirus pandemic…

Juan Cole (2020-08-16). No Longer Leader of the Free World: Trump Admin. Humiliated at UN over Iran Arms Embargo. commondreams.org U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attends Security Council meeting at U.N. Headquarters in New York on September 20, 2019. (Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/iran-resolution-fail.jpg

RT (2020-08-16). Iran will change its approach to UAE over deal with 'child-murdering Israeli regime' — top commander. rt.com The freshly inked peace deal with Israel will change Tehran's attitude towards the United Arab Emirates, a top Iranian commander has warned, saying that Abu Dhabi will now be the prime suspect for any troubles in the Persian Gulf. | "Unfortunately, the UAE has reached a deal to normalize ties with the child-murdering Israeli regime," Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said on Sunday. | Tehran's approach to the UAE will change … If something happens in the Persian Gulf region and if our national security is damaged, however small, we will hold the UAE responsible for th…

RT (2020-08-16). Belarus to conduct military drills on its western borders amid mass post-election protests. rt.com Minsk has said it will conduct large-scale military drills on Belarus' borders with Poland and Lithuania. The exercises, focused particularly on air defense, come amid mass protests following the contested presidential election. | The drills, which are also set to involve artillery and missile troops, will take place in the western region of Grodno from August 17 to 20, the country's Defence Ministry said Sunday. The action will happen near the town of Astravyets — not far from the country's new nuclear power plant, which is being constructed in cooperation with Russia. | Detachments from three air defens…

South Front (2020-08-16). Video: Israeli-UAE Peace Deal Marks Tectonic Shift in Middle Eastern Balance of Power. globalresearch.ca The Middle East is on the brink of the new tectonic shift in the regional balance of power. The previous years were marked by the growth of the Iranian and Hezbollah influence and the decrease of the US grip on …

Stephen Lendman (2020-08-16). Trump Vows Unilateral Imposition of Snapback Sanctions on Iran. globalresearch.ca On Friday, the Trump regime was dealt a humiliating Security Council defeat. | Bullying, bribes, and threats failed this time, perhaps indicative of more US setbacks ahead. | Its attempt to extend an arms embargo on Iran indefinitely was supported by only …

Elijah Magnier (2020-08-16). Les USA à l'Irak : Nous allons nous retirer, mais sans être humiliés. thealtworld.com Le premier ministre de l'Irak Mustafa Al-Kazemi s'apprête à rencontrer le président des USA Donald Trump à la Maison-Blanche, en étant chargé de lourds dossiers dont le poids pèse sur l'Irak. Le pays est en effet aux prises avec une crise économique paralysante, la pandémie de coronavirus, la présence militaire américaine qui n'est plus souhaitable, ´ l'équilibre ingérable ª à maintenir entre l'Iran et l'USA, l'activité militaire turque qui se poursuit et la présence de la Turquie en sol irakien. | L'équipe d'Al-Kazemi comprend des experts économiques et des diplomates dont l'objectif est d'amorcer la…

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-16). US cannot trigger its 'snapback' plan: Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 16 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the Americans are aware that they are not able to trigger 'snapback' mechanism as it is illegal and not acceptable.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-16). Tehran-Tashkent direct flights to be launched. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 16 (MNA) — Uzbekistan has welcomed Iran's suggestion for launching a direct flight between Tehran and Tashkent.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-16). Minister of Defense attends press conference on Sunday. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — Iranian Minister of Defense Brigadier General Amir Hatami attended a press conference on Sunday due to the upcoming occasion of Defense Industry Day on August 21.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-16). Zarif felicitates Congo on National Day. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has congratulated his counterpart, Jean-Claude Gakosso, on the occasion of Congolese National Day.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-16). Ghalibaf congrats Lebanon victory in 33-day war anniversary. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 16 (MNA) — In messages to his Lebanese counterpart and Secretary General of Hezbollah Resistance Movement, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf offered congratulations on the anniv. of Lebanon victory in the 33-day war.