(2021-04-29). Russia's Expanding Footprint In The Middle East — OpEd. eurasiareview.com By Talmiz Ahmad* | Over the last month or so, the shadow of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has loomed large across the Middle East. In March, he visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He was soon back in the region, visiting Egypt and Iran on April 12-13. | Russia became a key player in the Middle East when it brought its armed forces into Syria in September 2015 to prevent externally sponsored regime change. Having achieved this fairly quickly, its diplomatic canvas has broadened to include all the regional states, with which it is building substantial ties in the areas of energy, economics and defe…
(2021-04-28). Vienna Shadow Play Hangs over Iran Nuke Deal. globalresearch.ca Few people, apart from specialists, may have heard of the JCPOA …
(2021-04-28). Why Israel is alarmed. thealtworld.com Iran and its allies have had enough of Israeli attacks and provocations | It was no small matter for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convene a meeting of Israel's top military and security chiefs along with its defense and foreign ministers on Saturday, 24 hours after a Syrian missile landed near the Dimona nuclear complex. | The media were told the emergency conference was a response to the recent spate of missile firings from the Gaza Strip. Its supposed aim was to deliver a warning to Hamas that Israel would invade or carpet-bomb the territory if violations of the de-escalation agreements persist. | But t…
(2021-04-28). The Composer Who Fought Uranium Mining on the Orkneys. counterpunch.org 
On a midsummer day on Saturday, June 21, 1980, in a Victorian Hotel on the Orkney Islands, resident composer Peter Maxwell Davies and actress Eleanor Bron performed the composer's newest piece — The Yellow Cake Revue. It was part of the Islands' annual St. Magnus Festival, founded by Maxwell Davies, poet George Mackay Brown and
(2021-04-28). Saudi Crown Prince Calls On Houthis To Join Peace Talks In Exchange For Financial Support. southfront.org 
Screen grab from MBS interview that was aired by the Saudi state TV. | Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman praised the "Arabian" and "Yemeni" qualities of the Houthis (Ansar Allah) in a recent interview. | The interview was aired on the Saudi state TV on April 28 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Crown Prince's strategic development plan "Saudi Vision 2030". | In the interview, Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, criticizes the Houthis' alliance with Iran and their rebellion against the legitimate authorities in Y…
(2021-04-29). Sullivan: US and Israel Have a Policy of 'No Surprises'. news.antiwar.com National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan When asked if he would prefer that Iran's nuclear sites not come under attack, Sullivan said, "We certainly believe that there are certain kinds of activities that are unhelpful to diplomacy.
(2021-04-29). Several killed after small plane crashes in US Florida. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 29 (MNA) — Multiple people are dead after a small plane crashed in northern Florida on Wednesday, US media cited authorities as saying on Wednesday.
(2021-04-28). Vienna Shadow Play Hangs Over Iran Nuke Deal. strategic-culture.org Few people, apart from specialists, may have heard of the JCPOA Joint Commission. That's the group in charge of a Sisyphean task: the attempt to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal through a series of negotiations in Vienna. | The Iranian negotiating team was back in Vienna yesterday, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Shadowplay starts with the fact the Iranians negotiate with the other members of the P+1 — Russia, China, France, UK and Germany — but not directly with the US. | That's quite something: after all, it was the Trump administration that blew up the JCPOA. There is an A…
(2021-04-28). Iranian top negotiator says nuclear talks on right track with challenges ahead. ecns.cn Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that the process of talks aimed at reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is "on the right track," yet there are still important challenges to address, Iranian media reported.
(2021-04-28). Chinese envoy underscores sequence of U.S., Iran returning to nuke deal. ecns.cn The sequence in which the United States and Iran return to compliance with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is first and foremost a matter of "sense of justice".
(2021-04-28). There will be no "JCPOA Plus" in Vienna talks, Ulyanov says. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov says he is optimistic about reaching an agreement on reviving Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) before May 21st.
(2021-04-28). Iran backs ceasefire in Yemen: Foreign Minister. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Islamic Republic of Iran supports restoration of ceasefire in Yemen.
(2021-04-28). Iran envoy holds meetings with two Russian FM deputies. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — The Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali held separate meetings with the Russian Deputy Foreign Ministers in Moscow to discuss the situation in West Asia region, as well as developments in Afghanistan and the Caucasus.
(2021-04-28). ISIL terrorism defeated thanks to Martyr Soleimani's courage. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hailed the role of Martyred Lieutenant General Ghasem Soleimani in establishing stability and security in the region.
(2021-04-28). Syrian parl. invites Iran parl. to observe presidential votes. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 29 (MNA) — Syrian parliament agreed Wed. to invite some parliaments of the brotherly and friendly countries, including Iran's to observe presidential elections in the country.
(2021-04-28). Planning underway to achieve $30bn trade between Iran, Turkey. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) – Stating that necessary conditions are provided for setting up a permanent fair in Turkey, Chairman of Iran-Turkey Joint Chamber of Commerce said that it is planned to achieve $30 billion worth of trade between Iran and Turkey.
(2021-04-28). Zarif discusses bilateral ties, region with Omani deputy PM. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — The Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed bilateral relations and regional developments with the deputy prime minister of Oman in a meeting in Muscat on Wednesday afternoon.
(2021-04-28). Vaezi terms Turkey as Iran's best economic partner in region. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Among the 15 neighboring countries, Iran has the best economic relations with Turkey, said the Iranian President's Chief of Staff in the 28th edition of the Joint Economic Cooperation meeting.
(2021-04-28). Iran not tolerating Zionists' presence in region. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — The Islamic Republic of Iran does not tolerate the military or even civilian presence of the Zionist regime in the region in any way, the president of the Supreme National Defense University stressed.
(2021-04-28). US navy admits it fired on Iranian vessels in the Persian Gulf. peoplesdispatch.org The US navy on Tuesday, April 27, admitted that it fired on Iranian vessels in the Persian Gulf region. The American navy's fifth fleet claimed in a statement that shots were fired at the Iranian vessels when they came close to its patrol ships USS Firebolt and USCGC Baranoff "unnecessarily and with unknown intent" around 8 pm local time on Monday. | According to the
(2021-04-28). Anarquistas eran los de antes. globalizacion.ca La reconocí a bordo del ferry que une los puertos lacustres de Guaqui (Bolivia) y Desaguadero (Perú), sobre el Titicaca. Iba envuelta en velos, junto a un féretro. Me acerqué mirando con distracción al lago, y a su lado musité: …
(2021-04-28). Khamenei's Iran Elections Impasse — OpEd. eurasiareview.com By Adena Nima | Less than two months to Iran's presidential elections and the regime has yet to officially announce its candidates for the
(2021-04-28). Zarif discusses ties, regional developments with Omani FM. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — The Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has met with his Omani counterpart in Muscat Wed. to discuss bilateral relations and the developments in the region.
(2021-04-28). Gen. Soleimani Gov's advisor in regional, diplomatic affairs. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — General Soleimani was the best advisor for the Iranian government in the field of foreign policy, President Rouhani said, referring to the General's role in Iran's foreign policy at regional and international level.
(2021-04-28). Iraq interested in Tehran-Riyadh relations: Ex-envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Former Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Iraq said that Iraq is interested in relationship between Islamic Republic of Iran and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
(2021-04-28). US Reportedly Plans to Spend Nearly $18 Bln on Missile Interceptor for Use Against North Korea, Iran. sputniknews.com The United States resumed its work on a missile defence shield in the early 2000s after withdrawing from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with Russia. Moscow responded by financing the creation of its hypersonic missile programme, meant to guarantee Russia's ability to respond to any potential large-scale aggression.
(2021-04-27). Chinese envoy underscores sequence of U.S., Iran returning to nuke deal. ecns.cn The sequence in which the United States and Iran return to compliance with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is first and foremost a matter of "sense of justice".
(2021-04-28). US Warships Fire Warning Shots On Iranian Boats in Persian Gulf. news.antiwar.com On Monday, the US Navy reported a maritime incident off the Iranian Coast, in which several weeks ago Iranian boats came "unprofessionally" close to US Coast Guard ships. This report appears to have been done with an eye toward another maritime incident in the same area, which happened just as this report was being made. | In the new, Monday incident, US Navy and Coast Guard
(2021-04-28). US Updates Israel on Iran Policy as Nuclear Talks Continue in Vienna. news.antiwar.com Israeli National Security Advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat
(2021-04-28). Ukraine's Fascist Nightmare and the Growing Risk of a Repeat of World War II. orinocotribune.com By Rainer Shea — Apr 22, 2021 | I warn about World War II repeating itself not because I expect Washington's currently escalating anti-Russian proxy war in Ukraine to turn into a nuclear confrontation any time soon; as Moscow-based international affairs analyst Mark Sleboda recently
(2021-04-28). Sleepwalking Into Nuclear War? — OpEd. eurasiareview.com By Jonathan Power* | Last week on Tuesday (April 20), US Strategic Command, the part of the military responsible for nuclear weaponry and its use, posted an official Tweet that read, "We must account for the possibility of conflict leading to conditions which could very rapidly drive an adversary to consider nuclear use as their least bad option". | This came just as Russia was pulling back its large deployment of troops on Ukraine's border which, in turn, was triggered in part by President Joseph Biden's decision to ship for the first time sophisticated weapons to Ukraine. | The crisis has now passed but the…
(2021-04-28). Alarm over Fukushima water mounts. ecns.cn A decision by Japan to dump contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea is generating growing anger in Southeast Asia.
(2021-04-28). China urges full disclosure on Japan's nuclear wastewater dumping. ecns.cn China has urged timely and comprehensive disclosure of relevant information, before Japan takes action to dump nuclear wastewater into the ocean, to dispel stakeholders and the international community's concerns.
(2021-04-28). China urges Japan to revoke wastewater dump decision and apologize. ecns.cn China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Wednesday called on the Japanese government to revoke its decision to dump nuclear polluted water into the ocean and apologize, in response to a question regarding a tweet he posted on Monday.
(2021-04-28). Communications in the Internet Age. orinocotribune.com By Luis Britto García — Apr 24, 2021 | Every technological advance gives rise to a utopian dream and a dystopian nightmare. The invention of the internet around 1990 generated enthusiastic expectations. Its very beginning was utopian. Its creator, Tim Berners-Lee, refused to register the patents that would have made him a billionaire in order to make the internet available to humanity. | A device initially taken over by the military industrial complex as an underground network safe from nuclear attack, it soon became an instrument supposedly available to all for the free exchange of messages and knowledge. I…
(2021-04-28). Important issue in reviving JCPOA is sense of justice: China. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Chinese Envoy to the Vienna-based International Organizations said that the first and important issue in revival of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is 'sense of justice'.
(2021-04-28). Israeli regime deploys 'tear gas drones' against Palestinians. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Israeli regime's police have used drones to drop tear gas canisters on protests in the West Bank and Quds, according to local media.
(2021-04-28). Russia's Black Sea fleet launches naval combat exercises. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Russia's Black Sea fleet launched naval combat exercises on Tuesday as a US coastguard vessel headed to the region.
(2021-04-28). Gen. Salami hails Quds Force's role in empowering nations. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Major General Hossein Salami, the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) hailed the role Martyr Ghasem Soleimani played in empowering Islamic countries.
(2021-04-28). At least 11 killed in Somalia car bomb explosion. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 29 (MNA) — A car bomb that exploded at the entrance to Somalia's central prison in west of the capital Mogadishu has killed at least 11 people.
(2021-04-28). Shooting in NY leaves one dead, three others injured. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 29 (MNA) — One man was killed and three others were injured in a series of shootings in New York, United States, in just one day.
(2021-04-28). Knifeman attacks kindergarten in China. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — As reported on Wed., 16 Kids and two teachers have been injured after a knifeman attacked a kindergarten in China.
(2021-04-27). No, Kerry didn't Leak Israeli strikes to Zarif; but Trump did leak Israeli Intel to Russia. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — Ted Cruz and other far right demagogues have charged for over half a decade that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal was misguided because you can't trust anything Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarid says. Now all of a sudden they are treating an offhand remark by Zarif in a leaked interview …
(2021-04-27). Vienna shadow play hangs over Iran nuke deal. thealtworld.com None of the actors can admit that revival of JCPOA pales compared with the real issue: Iranian missile power | Few people, apart from specialists, may have heard of the JCPOA Joint Commission. That's the group in charge of a Sisyphean task: the attempt to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal through a series of negotiations in Vienna. | The Iranian negotiating team was back in Vienna on April 26, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Shadowplay starts with the fact the Iranians negotiate with the other members of the P+1 — Russia, China, France, United Kingdom and Germany — but not directl…
(2021-04-27). Unidentified Vessel Reportedly Attacked In Saudi Yanbu Port. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | According to the Ministry of Defence of Saudi Arabia, an explosive-laden boat was intercepted off the Red Sea port of Yanbu on April 27. The report came after Saudi maritime security firms claimed "unconfirmed reports" of an attack on a vessel in the area."The booby-trapped boat was dealt and destroyed according to the rules of engagement," Saudi military spokesman Colonel al-Maliki said. | Investigations are ongoing to identify those behind the attack, the Saudi Defense Ministry reported. H…
(2021-04-27). Dare to Make Peace with Iran. counterpunch.org 
In discussing recent international political events, a friend told me, "Countries are like people: they react in the same manner." I didn't realize the full import of her words until I reflected on the unrelenting efforts by the U.S. to make an enemy out of Iran. There are abundant historical examples to prove that dehumanizing
(2021-04-27). Iran Claims Leaked Audio Of Zarif's Interview Was Stolen, Launches Probe. eurasiareview.com The spokesperson for the Iranian administration said the leaked recording of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's interview had been stolen, adding that the Intelligence Ministry has been assigned to identify those behind the plot. | Speaking to reporters at a weekly press conference on Tuesday, Ali Rabiee said the stealing of the audio from Zarif's interview in March is part of a plot against the Iranian establishment, administration, domestic unity, and national interests. | "The file of interview with Mr. Zarif has been stolen for absolutely clear reasons, the aspects of which are still unknown, by indiv…
(2021-04-27). JCPOA talks on right track but there are challenges ahead. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 27 (MNA) — Stating on details of today's Joint Commission meeting of JCPOA, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs said that JCPOA talks in Vienna are on right track but there are difficulties and challenges facing ahead.
(2021-04-27). JCPOA Joint Commission meeting kicks off in Vienna. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 27 (MNA) — The meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and P 4+1 started in Grand Hotel in the Austrian capital of Vienna minutes ago.
(2021-04-27). U.S. Withdrawal From Afghanistan Could Bring Iran Opportunities, Threats. juancole.com ( RFE/RL) — The announced withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan will grant Iran one of its biggest wishes and lead to the departure of all foreign forces, which Tehran has long blamed for insecurity in the region. Analysts say the pullout of U.S.-led NATO forces from Afghanistan could potentially give Iran more room to …