Daily Archives: February 15, 2021

2021-02-15: News Headlines

Medea Benjamin (2021-02-15). Is Biden Committing Diplomatic Suicide Over the Iran Nuclear Agreement? zcomm.org Can Biden's America be part of the solution? After only three weeks in office, surely it can't be too late. But the ball is in his court, and the whole world is watching…

Medea Benjamin, Nicolas J.S. Davies (2021-02-15). Is Biden Committing Diplomatic Suicide Over the Iran Nuclear Agreement? commondreams.org American neocons and hawks, including those inside his own administration, appear to be flexing their muscles to kill Biden's commitment to diplomacy at birth, and his own hawkish foreign policy views make him dangerously susceptible to their arguments. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/codepink_2.jpg

MEE and agencies (2021-02-15). Syrian army 'intercepted' Israeli missile strike over Damascus. middleeasteye.net Syrian army 'intercepted' Israeli missile strike over Damascus | Damascus did not specify the number of casualties or targets struck by Israel | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 07: 14 | Israeli officials said it had struck 500 Iranian targets inside Syria in 2020 (AFP) | Syria on Monday said it had intercepted Israeli missiles flying over Damascus as Israel continues to target Iranian military outposts…

MEE and agencies (2021-02-15). Israeli missile strikes 'kill six non-Syrian militia fighters' near Damascus. middleeasteye.net Israeli missile strikes 'kill six non-Syrian militia fighters' near Damascus | Syria's army said it intercepted a 'sizeable' number of the missile strikes over Damascus | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 07: 14 | Israeli officials said their forces struck 500 military targets in Syria in 2020, many of them Iranian-backed (AFP) | Israeli missile strikes against several targets in Syria killed at least six…

MEE and agencies (2021-02-15). Iran will block snap IAEA inspections if nuclear deal terms not met. middleeasteye.net Iran will block snap IAEA inspections if nuclear deal terms not met | Tehran's move is seen as a challenge to Joe Biden's attempt to revive the Iranian nuclear deal | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 10: 16 | An Iranian flag flies outside the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters in Vienna (AFP/File photo) | Iran said on Monday that it will not allow snap inspections from the UN nuclear watchdo…

MEE staff (2021-02-15). 'Baseless allegations': Iran denies plotting to attack UAE embassy in Ethiopia. middleeasteye.net 'Baseless allegations': Iran denies plotting to attack UAE embassy in Ethiopia | Tehran rubbishes US and Israeli claims it was behind foiled attack, saying 'neither Ethiopia nor the Emirates said anything about Iranian interference' | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 18: 55 | Ethiopian authorities arrested 15 people in an alleged plot to attack UAE's embassy in Addis Ababa (AFP/File photo) | Iran has denied US and Israeli cl…

MEE staff (2021-02-15). Iran denies ownership of seized oil tanker, tells Washington to 'stop acts of piracy'. middleeasteye.net Iran denies ownership of seized oil tanker, tells Washington to 'stop acts of piracy' | United States seized Liberian-flagged tanker earlier this month, forcing ship to anchor outside Texas port | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 16: 13 | The US Justice Department on 14 August 2020 confirmed it had seized fuel cargo aboard four tankers sent by Iran to crisis-wracked Venezuela (AFP/File photo) | The seizure of a cargo of oil…

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran, Turkey mull over boosting 'tourism' in post-corona era. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — The fifth meeting of the Joint Technical Committee for Tourism Cooperation between Iran and Turkey was held through video conference.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iranian FM hold talks with Qatari counterpart. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held a meeting with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Tehran on Monday.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Early spring blossoms in N Iran. en.mehrnews.com BANDAR ANZALI, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Around one month remaining to the start of spring (March 21) and the new Iranian year, many trees in the northern city of Bandar Anzali in Gilan province, have produced blossoms.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran has won as a power in West Asia: Leader's advisor. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Top Military Aide to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that Iran has succeeded as a power in West Asia, and a clear sign of that in the near future is the withdrawal of the US terrorist army from the region.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Breathtaking scenery of Meighan Wetland in central Iran. en.mehrnews.com ARAK, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Meighan Wetland in Markazi province is one of the most important wetlands in Iran, and its diverse wildlife and desert nature have given a special effect to this wetland.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran, Qatar discuss bilateral relations, regional coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met and held talks with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Tehran on Mon. to discuss bilateral talks and regional developments.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran to definitely respond to Zionist's mischievous acts. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — IRGC Spokesman General Ramezan Sharif said the Islamic Republic will definitely respond to the Zionist regime's mischievous acts.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran fully committed to Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE). en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — In a meeting with visiting Qatari FM, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said, "Iran believes that peace and stability in the region will be achieved with the cooperation and collaboration of countries in the region ONLY."

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran, Tajikistan to expand coop. on labor market, employment. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — The Director-General of International Affairs of Ministry of Cooperative, Labour and Social Welfare said that Iran and Tajikistan will expand relations in the fields of work, employment and technical and vocational education.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran, Russia, Turkey to hold another round of Astana talks. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iran, Russian, and Turkey will reportedly hold another round of Astana Peace talks in Sochi to evaluate the Syrian Constitutional Committee.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran informs IAEA of suspending its JCPOA voluntary actions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iran's permanent ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna said that Tehran has informed the IAEA of suspending its voluntary actions under the Nuclear Deal.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran FM spokesman's weekly presser. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh held a press conference on Monday morning, where he answered questions on a wide range of topics.

yenisafak (2021-02-15). US: Pro-India malware spying on Pakistan military. yenisafak.com Two malware programs on an Android-based platform that emerged in India have been spying on the Pakistani military, according to a US-based cybersecurity company.In a Feb. 10 statement, Lookout said it has discovered the two malware, Hornbill and SunBird, which are used by a cyber group named Confucius that first appeared in 2013 as "a state-sponsored, pro-India actor primarily pursuing Pakistani and other South Asian targets.""Targets of these tools include personnel linked to Pakistan's military, nuclear authorities, and Indian election officials in Kashmir," the statement said."Hornbill and SunBird have sophi…

yenisafak (2021-02-15). US, Iran game of nerves revives tensions in region. yenisafak.com The delay in the new US President Joe Biden's promise to revive the Iran nuclear deal has once again raised tensions in the region with Tehran announcing to disallow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to visit the nuclear sites from Feb. 21.Following recent tensions between the two long-time adversaries, which peaked in the final weeks of Trump's presidency, Iran's parliament adopted legislation that required the country to accelerate nuclear enrichment activities and end its commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Abolfazl Amouei, the lawmaker and the sp…

yenisafak (2021-02-15). Iran condemns execution of 13 Turkish citizens by PKK. yenisafak.com The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned Monday the execution of 13 Turkish citizens by PKK terrorist organization in northern Iraq. | "We condemn the killing of Turkish citizens in the terrorist attack," ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a press conference in Tehran. | He noted that through this "act of terrorism", the PKK targeted Turkey, a "friend and brother" of Iran. | "We hope not to witness any more violence and heinous terrorism in our region," he said. | Countries in the region should respect Iraq's territorial integrity and sovereignty, Khatibzadeh added. | The statement came after the bodies of 1…

Shahbazz Afzal (2021-02-15). Is Joe Biden Preparing for War against Iran? Will Russia and China Intervene? globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | As the US led aggression against Iran escalates, Russia and China …

RT (2021-02-14). Houthis step up drone attacks on Saudi Arabia after Washington says it will remove militant group from terrorist list. rt.com The Houthis have carried out a drone attack on an airport in Saudi Arabia, following similar attacks that have coincided with the Biden administration's decision to lift the group's terrorist designation. | A spokesman for the Iran-aligned Yemini group said that two drones launched on Sunday by its forces had hit Saudi Arabia's Abha airport. The Saudi-led coalition claims that both projectiles were intercepted as they were heading towards civilian areas near Abha. | The airport has been repeatedly targeted by Houthi drones over the past several days. On Saturday, the Houthis announced that they had carried out…

RT (2021-02-14). Israel will 'regret' its actions if it crosses 'red lines' in Syria, senior Iranian official warns. rt.com Continued Israeli "aggression" in Syria will be met with the "toughest" response, a senior Iranian diplomat told Sputnik news agency. Damascus had earlier accused the Israel Defense Forces of conducting airstrikes on Syrian soil. | Ali Asghar Khaji, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's senior aide for special political affairs, blasted Israel for its "aggressive and hostile" policies in Syria, in an interview published by Sputnik on Sunday. | "While the Syrian government is fighting terrorists, Israel supports them," he said. | Our presence in Syria is aimed at combating ISIS [Islamic State] and other terro…

Ralph Nader, Bruce Fein (2021-02-14). Democrats' Shameful Cave. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/gettyimages-12923215461.jpg

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). VIDEO: Hirom lake hosting Eurasian cranes. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — These days, the Hirom Lake, located in Larestan, Fars province, south of Iran, hosts a large population of Eurasian cranes that landed there on their way back to their northern habitats.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Afghan FM appreciates Iran's aid in containing tanker blast. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Afghanistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his sincere appreciation for the timely action and cooperation of Iranian authorities in controlling the fire, preventing further damage and opening border caused by blast.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Iran, Iraq's KRG emphasize removing problems on joint borders. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) – Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) stressed the need for removing problems on joint borders.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Systematic human rights violations ongoing in Bahrain. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Today the continuous violation of human rights, suppression of people seeking their own minimalist demands along with al-Khalifa alliance with Zionism can be witnessed in Bahrain, a senior Iranian Parliamentary advisor said.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Army launches military drill in west Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran staged a military drill in Qasr-e Shirin in Kermanshah Province.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Iran urges IAEA to ensure confidentiality of information. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Iran's permanent ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna said that Tehran has urged the IAEA to ensure the confidentiality of information regarding its nuclear program.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Iran counts on purchasing arms from Russia. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Iran hopes it will be able to procure arms from Russia to ensure security in the region, Senior Assistant to Iranian Foreign Minister in Special Political Affairs Ali-Asghar Khaji told Sputnik.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). London, Washington discuss Iran nuclear program in phone call. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — The British Foreign Secretary said that he had discussed Iran's nuclear program in a telephone conversation with his American counterpart.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Persepolis 1-0 Paykan: IPL. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — In a match held on Sunday at Azadi Stadium, Persepolis defeated Paykan 1-0 in the 15th week of the Iran Professional League.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). FAO, Iran start joint plan to reinvigorate agri. innovation. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — FAO supports the establishment of an agricultural innovation lab in Iran to enhance the national capacity in generating novel approaches for tackling growing food and nutrition security challenges.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Israelis to face tough response if cross red lines in Syria. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Iranian foreign minister's senior assistant on special political affairs, Ali-Asghar Khaji, warned the Israeli regime against crossing red lines in Syria, in a reference to the Zionists' alleged air raids on Syrian soil.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Rural serenity of winter days in Mazandaran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Emaft, a village in the central district of Savadkuh County, Mazandaran province, is among the thousands of Iranian villages that bring visitors a deep feeling of serenity, which is considered a virtue in the modern world.

sputniknews (2021-02-14). Syrian Air Defences Repel 'Israeli Aggression' in the Vicinity of Damascus – SANA. sputniknews.com According to Syrian state-run media, the country suffers from regular aerial bombing conducted by Israel. Tel Aviv does not comment on these airstrikes, while high-ranking Israeli officials have claimed that they carry out many military operations in Syria aimed at paramilitary groups that are, as Israel claims, backed by Iran.

Felicity Arbuthnot (2021-02-14). Iraq and the "Gulf War": Remembering the 1991 Al-Amiriyah Bombing by the US Air Force. globalresearch.ca First published on GR on March 21, 2018. | Listen to the interview with Felicity Arbuthnot on the 1991 bombing of Al-Amiriyah shelter in Iraq by the US Air Force. | According to Arbuthnot, the nuclear shelter was built during the Iran-Iraq …

teleSUR (2021-02-14). Iran's Army Tests Smart Missile With 300 KM Range: Commander. telesurenglish.net On Sunday, Iran's army tested a new smart missile with a range of 300 km, the Iranian Army Ground Force Commander Kiomars Heidari said. | The ground force's missile units tested the new mid-range missile to evaluate its accuracy and power, Heidari was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. | The missile can be fired in various weather conditions by automated systems, and it can hit targets with pinpoint accuracy, he said.

Lawrence Wittner (2021-02-13). Will the Nuclear Powers Ever Be Willing to Forgo Their Nuclear Weapons? zcomm.org Supporting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons remains conspicuously absent from the Biden administration's agenda, as it is from the agendas of all the other nuclear powers…

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-13). Iran seeking to vaccinate 10,000 athletes: official. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (MNA) — A high-ranking sports official says the country aims to vaccinate some 10,000 athletes against the COVID-19.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-13). Rouhani warns Iranians of fourth wave of Covid-19. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (MNA) — Iranian President, called on Iranians to be careful not to enter the fourth wave of the Covid-19, saying that people must observe health protocols even after vaccination.

MEE and agencies (2021-02-13). Massive fire engulfs fuel trucks on Iran-Afghanistan border. middleeasteye.net Massive fire engulfs fuel trucks on Iran-Afghanistan border | More than 500 trucks carrying natural gas and fuel were burned in the blaze, Iranian officials said | Sat, 02/13/2021 – 22: 07 | The inferno was powerful enough to be spotted from space (Reuters) | Dozens of oil and gas tankers carrying millions of dollars' worth of fuel caught fire on Saturday, creating an inferno at Afghanista…

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-13). Costs of grappling with state liberalism. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (MNA) — It's been more than a century since a chain of tensions and shocks hit the Iranian society as a result of the imposed presence of "western modernity" in Iran.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-13). US troop to be expelled from Iraq: Iranian envoy to Baghdad. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (MNA) — Saying that the Iraqi government is in talks with the US to set a timetable for expelling US troops, the Iranian envoy to Iraq stressed that this will happen and the American troops will leave Iraq.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-13). Iran, Georgia stress expansion of scientific cooperation. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Iran's ambassador to Tbilisi and the Georgian Minister of Education conferred on the expansion of bilateral scientific and academic cooperation on Saturday.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-13). Iran, Nakhchivan mull over expansion of border interactions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (MNA) — Islamic Republic of Iran and Autonomous Republic of Nakhchievan mulled over the expansion of border interactions.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-13). Iran to aid Afghanistan following explosion in border area. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has adopted necessary measures to assist the injured people following the massive blast in a border crossing in Afghanistan.