Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, a hard-line diplomat, dies in helicopter crash
Iranโs Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, a hard-liner close to the countryโs paramilitary Revolutionary Guard who confronted the West while also overseeing indirect talks with the U.S. over the countryโs nuclear program, has died.
Iran's foreign minister accuses US of giving Israel 'green light' to attack consulate in Syria
Iranโs foreign minister has accused the United States of giving Israel the โgreen lightโ for a strike on its consulate building in Syria that killed seven Iranian military officials, including two generals.
Amid crisis, Hezbollah 'bank' a lifeline for some Lebanese
As more Lebanese fall into poverty in the country's economic crisis, increasing numbers are turning to the financial arm of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group for help. He could still pull out the dollars in his account at the al-Qard al-Hasan Association, the financial arm of the militant Hezbollah group. Stepping in where the state and financial institutions have failed, Hezbollah is providing a vital lifeline for some Lebanese. Over the past year, the al-Qard al-Hasan association has seen a significant increase in clients, despite it being under U.S. Treasury sanctions since 2007. That has proven a boon for the al-Qard al-Hasan association, as some turned to it as an alternative to store their cash.
Rally in Baghdad marks 1 year since Iran general's killing
Thousands of Iraqis converged on a landmark central square in Baghdad on Sunday to commemorate the anniversary of the killing of Soleimanil and al-Muhandis in a U.S. drone strike. Sunday's rally was being held amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. in the final days of President Donald Trumpโs administration. Their killing dramatically ratcheted up tensions in the region and brought the U.S. and Iran to the brink of war. In Yemen, Iranโs embassy in the rebel-controlled capital, Sanaa, held a ceremony commemorating the killing of Soleimani and al-Muhandis. โThis ceremony today shows the deep ties between the two governments and people of Yemen and Iran,โ he said.
Iraq says it has dismantled mine on tanker in Persian Gulf
BAGHDAD โ Iraq's military on Saturday said explosives experts with its naval forces successfully dismantled a mine that was discovered stuck to an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf two days earlier. The announcement came a day after Iraq confirmed reports by private security firms that a mine had been discovered attached to the side of a tanker rented from Iraq's Oil Marketing Company, known as SOMO, as it was refueling another vessel. Iraq has not provided further details, but the two private security firms said the discovery was likely a limpet mine on the MT Pola, a Liberian-flagged tanker. Soleimani headed Iran's Revolutionary Guardโs elite Quds Force, responsible for the Islamic Republicโs foreign operations and frequently shuttling between Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. His assassination dramatically ratcheted up tensions in the region and brought the U.S. and Iran to the brink of war.
Houston energy insiders, Iraqi nationals have very different worries about unrest brewing in Middle East
HOUSTON โ Iraqi nationals living in Houston worry their countrymen back home will face the immediate backlash of Iranian General Qassem Soleimaniโs death. Oil prices already jumped following Soleimaniโs death. โMany of the abuses was directed and ordered by Qassem Soleimani,โ said Al Bayati. Al Bayati and Aldulaimi said peaceful protesters, who are pushing for government reform, became the frequent target of attacks by Iran-backed militia groups. Al Bayati, a political activist, said many of the protesters simply want a government that is accountable to the people.