This is Beirut

Graham Warns U.S. Strike Decision ‘Weeks Away’ as Iran-U.S. Talks Open in Geneva

This is Beirut, 17/02 10:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Republican Senator Lindsey Graham warned Monday that Washington is only “weeks, not months” away from deciding on potential military action against Iran, just hours before the United States and Tehran opened a second round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva. Speaking during a visit to Israel, Graham said the U.S. is pursuing ...

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Begin Military Drills in Strait of Hormuz

This is Beirut, 16/02 13:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Monday began a series of military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported on the eve of talks with the United States. The war games, the duration of which was not specified, aim to prepare the Guards for "potential security and military threats" in the strait, state TV ...

Rubio: U.S. Satisfied With Overall 'Trajectory' in Syria

This is Beirut, 16/02 11:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that Washington is pleased with the "trajectory" in Syria, which has launched talks with Kurdish minority groups, despite troubles. "There's been some days that have been very concerning, but we like the trajectory," Rubio said on a brief visit to Bratislava. "We have to keep it on that trajectory. ...

Iran FM in Geneva for Second Round of U.S. Talks

This is Beirut, 16/02 11:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Rafael Grossi, head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, in Geneva on Monday, ahead of a second round of indirect nuclear talks there with the United States on Tuesday. Araghchi said he would also meet with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, whose country is mediating the talks and ...

Netanyahu: Iran Deal Must Eliminate Enrichment, Curb Ballistic Missiles

This is Beirut, 16/02 10:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Netanyahu on Sunday publicly reinforced Israel’s red lines, saying any agreement with Iran must include the removal of all enriched uranium from Iranian territory, the dismantling of Tehran’s enrichment infrastructure, strict inspections, and limits on Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities. Speaking in Jerusalem at a conference ...

U.S. Military Says Struck More Than 30 IS Targets in Syria

This is Beirut, 14/02 16:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The U.S. military said Saturday that its forces had struck more than 30 Islamic State group targets in Syria this month, maintaining pressure on the jihadists after a deadly attack on US troops last year. The strikes also came as the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) in recent weeks transferred thousands of IS detainees from Syria to Iraq, ...

Son of Last Shah Calls on Trump to 'Help' Iranian People

This is Beirut, 14/02 14:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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The exiled son of Iran's last shah called on U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday to help the Iranian people, a day after the American leader said a change of power would be the "best thing". U.S.-based Reza Pahlavi, who has not returned to Iran since before the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the monarchy, added it was "time to end the ...

Trump Warns of 'Traumatic' Future for Iran as U.S. Increases Naval Presence

This is Beirut, 14/02 03:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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President Donald Trump stated his renewed position regarding Iran on Friday as he green-lit the transfer of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. When asked about regime change in Iran, Trump commented that it “seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.” Earlier on Friday, the Trump administration ordered the ...

U.S. Completes Transfer of IS Detainees From Syria to Iraq: CENTCOM

This is Beirut, 13/02 15:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The United States Central Command said on Friday it had completed the transfer of thousands of detained Islamic State group suspects held in Syria to Iraq. The detainees had been held in Syria for years in camps overseen by Kurdish-led forces, but the recapture of surrounding territory by Damascus prompted Washington to step in. CENTCOM said it ...

Report: Trump to Unveil Multi-Billion Dollar Gaza Reconstruction Plan

This is Beirut, 13/02 13:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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President Donald Trump is set to launch a multi-billion-dollar initiative to rebuild Gaza and deploy a U.N.-authorized stabilization force, according to a report by Reuters citing senior U.S. officials. The announcement will take place at the inaugural meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace next week. The officials said the fund for Gaza will ...

Iran Announces Enquiry Team to Investigate Deadly Protests

This is Beirut, 13/02 13:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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The Iranian government announced on Friday the establishment of a commission of enquiry to look into protests against the high cost of living that turned into anti-government rallies that left thousands dead. "A fact-finding committee has been formed with representatives from relevant institutions and is collecting documents and hearing ...

Most Families of Foreign Fighters Left IS-Linked Camp in Syria: Sources

This is Beirut, 12/02 14:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Most foreign families have left northeast Syria's Al-Hol camp, which holds relatives of Islamic State group fighters, since the departure of Kurdish forces who previously guarded it, humanitarian sources told AFP on Thursday. The defence ministry meanwhile announced that the army had taken control of the Al-Tanf base after the withdrawal ...

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