Daily Archives: August 20, 2020

2020-08-20: News Headlines

Staff (2020-08-20). Headlines for August 20, 2020. democracynow.org Kamala Harris Accepts Democratic Party's Nomination for Vice President, Hundreds of Wildfires Choke California, as Coronavirus Sidelines Prisoner Firefighters, U.S. Records Nearly 1,300 New Coronavirus Deaths as PPE Shortages Persist, NYC Teachers' Union Threatens Strike If Schools Reopen Without Safety Measures, New Zealand Deploys Troops to Enforce Quarantine; Zambian Vice President Positive for Coronavirus, Emails Reveal Swedish Epidemiologist Urged Coronavirus Spread to Attain Herd Immunity, Iran's Official COVID-19 Death Toll Passes 20,000 as Trump Pushes for New Sanctions, European Union Readies Sanctions A…

Stephen Lendman (2020-08-20). Trump Regime Unilaterally and Illegally Imposing Snapback Sanctions on Iran. globalresearch.ca Unanimously adopted Security Council Resolution 2231 that affirmed the JCPOA nuclear deal eliminated UN sanctions on Iran. | Its provisions and the P5+1 approved nuclear agreement are binding international and US constitutional law under the Supremacy Clause — Article VI, Clause …

_____ (2020-08-20). Saying Iran Is Paying Bounties To Kill Americans Is Pure Parody. popularresistance.org It was Russia in June, now it's Tehran. Don't US analysts understand that Taliban fighters really don't need any more motivation to target American troops? This is simply politicized (un)intelligence that isn't fooling anyone. | According to CNN, the Iranian government has paid "bounties" to the Haqqani network, a terrorist group with close links to the Taliban, for six attacks on US and coalition forces in Afghanistan in 2019, including one on December 11 which targeted Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, which wounded four US personnel.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-20). S.Korea must be accountable for halting drug imports to Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 20 (MNA) — Iranian First Vice President Es'hagh Jahangiri said on Thursday that South Korea must be held accountable for its negative response to drug imports to Iran.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-20). 'US shouldn't try its luck, it'll only be humiliated again'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 20 (MNA) — Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi in his Thursday tweet said the US should not try its luck for it will only be humiliated again.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-20). Great strides taken in Iran's nuclear industry. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 20 (MNA) — AEOI, in a tweet on Thursday, said with or without the activation of the trigger mechanism against Iran, the body has taken major steps in empowering its nuclear industry and providing 90,000 SWU.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-20). Iranian defense industry competitive with modern intl. rivals. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 21 (MNA) — In a statement on Thursday, IRGC said Iranian defense industry is competitive with its developed and modern international rivals.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-20). 'We must be ready for post-sanctions era'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 21 (MNA) — Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh believes that Iran needs to be ready for post-sanctions era.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-20). No right for US to request snapback of UN sanctions on Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 20 (MNA) — China says the US has no right to request snapback of UN sanctions on Iran after pulling out from the JCPOA.

yenisafak (2020-08-20). US-Iran showdown on cards over UNSC 'snapback sanctions'. yenisafak.com After the UN Security Council turned down a resolution seeking an "indefinite extension" of the arms embargo on Iran, the US is all set to trigger snapback sanctions against the country."We'll be doing a snapback," US President Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday "You'll be watching it next week," referring to unilateral reinstatement of all pre-2015 international sanctions on Iran.The US' envoy to the UN, Kelly Craft, said the US will "follow through on that promise" and "stop at nothing" to trigger a snapback of sanctions on Iran.According to reports, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said the council'

yenisafak (2020-08-20). Iran says it detained a UAE ship, its crew on Monday. yenisafak.com Iran seized a United Arab Emirates-registered ship violating its territorial waters this week, Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, adding that UAE coast guards killed two Iranian fishermen on the same day."On Monday, an Emirati ship was seized by the border guards of Iran and its crew were detained due to illegal traffic in our country's waters," state TV quoted the statement as saying."On the same day, UAE guards shot dead two Iranian fishermen and seized a boat … the UAE has expressed regret for the incident and in a letter on Wednesday announced its readiness to pay compensation."

Andrew Korybko (2020-08-19). The Fake News About Iran & the Taliban Aims to Achieve Three Strategic Objectives. globalresearch.ca The CNN report earlier this week alleging that Iran paid bounties to the Taliban to kill US troops aims to reinforce the narrative that Tehran supports "terrorists", portray the country as an obstacle to peace in Afghanistan, and lastly prompt …

Staff (2020-08-19). Today is the anniversary of the US organizing a coup in Iran. therealnews.com CIA documents offers key details on how the U.S. and Britain overthrew Iran's democratic government in 1953, says the National Security Archives' Malcolm Byrne…

RT (2020-08-19). Trump demands full restoration of UN sanctions on Iran, as Pompeo warns Russia & China not to meddle. rt.com US President Donald Trump said the State Department will soon attempt to trigger a "snapback" of UN sanctions on Iran, as the top American diplomat threatened consequences for Moscow and Beijing if they try to block the effort. | "Today I'm directing the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to notify the United Nations Security Council that the United States intends to restore virtually all of the United Nations sanctions on Iran — it's a snap back, not uncommon," Trump told reporters during a White House press conference on Wednesday. | When the United States entered into the Iran deal, it was clear the United…

Binoy Kampmark (2020-08-19). Foiled in the Security Council: The United States, Extending Arms Embargoes and Iran. counterpunch.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

WSWS (2020-08-19). In act of high seas piracy, US hijacks Iranian oil bound for Venezuela. wsws.org The oil seizure came as Washington failed to secure support at the United Nations Security Council for a resolution extending an arms embargo against Tehran.

teleSUR (2020-08-19). Venezuela Honors Cuban Doctors for Their Fight Against COVID-19. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez Tuesday decorated Cuban doctors for their cooperation in the fight against COVID-19. | RELATED: | Rodriguez presented the Francisco de Miranda Order to the doctors in recognition of the work they do for the benefit of Venezuelans. | She indicated that over 22,000 members of the Henry Reeve Brigade are deployed in her nation, which has saved thousands of lives over…

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-19). Muharram means honoring a unique memory of history. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) — Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Wed. said that Muharram is commemoration of a unique and unparalleled memory of history.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-19). Amal Movement condoles passing of Ayatollah Taskhiri. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 20 (MNA) — Amal Movement expressed condolences over the demise of Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Taskhiri, a member of Iran's Expediency Council.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-19). US enforce sanctions on UAE-based companies, individual. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) — The US has imposed sanctions on two UAE-based companies and an Iranian national due to their cooperation with Mahan Airlines.

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). 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). Iranian students win six medals at intl. poomsae event. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 20 (MNA) — Iranian students won six medals at the first virtual tournament of ISF World School Taekwondo Poomsae Championship, which was held in Nepal, August 13-15.

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.

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). 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 security result of all intelligence forces' effort. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) — Iranian Minister of Intelligence Mahmoud Alavi said that Iran's security is the result of the efforts made by all the intelligence and security organizations of the country.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-19). Gantz calls for imposition of arms embargo on Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) — Israeli regime's war minister Benny Gantz has emphasized his country's desire to see an international arms embargo imposed on Iran.

sputniknews (2020-08-19). 'There Will Be Peace': Trump Predicts Saudi Arabia, Iran Will Join UAE-Israel Deal. sputniknews.com US President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday he believes Saudi Arabia will be the next country to join the recent peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He said once enough nations join, so will Iran, and "there will be peace."

sputniknews (2020-08-19). Trump: US to Restore All 'Snapback' Sanctions on Iran. sputniknews.com On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said he intends to restore all economic sanctions against Iran, which were reimposed in 2018 when Trump accused Tehran of breaking the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Al-Jazeera (2020-08-19). UK's Lead Role in 1953 Iran Coup d'etat Exposed. globalresearch.ca A recently discovered transcript of an interview with a British intelligence officer who played a leading role in the 1953 coup that restored powers to the shah of Iran claims that Britain was the driving force behind the overthrow of …

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 …

Scott Ritter (2020-08-18). Here we go again! US intelligence saying IRAN is paying bounties to kill Americans in Afghanistan is pure parody. thealtworld.com It was Russia in June, now it's Tehran. Don't US analysts understand that Taliban fighters really don't …

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). 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.

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.

_____ (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…

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 …

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). '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). 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). 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.