jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Iran's supreme leader tells US to leave the region - TV

`` Military action like this is not sufficient .
What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in @ @ @ @ @ said in a televised speech , ruling out any resumption of talks with Washington about @ @ @ @ @ Khamenei also said the United States was trying to remove Lebanon 's Iranian-aligned movement Hezbollah @ @ @ @ @ Israel .

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday the United States should withdraw from the region and said Tehran's missile attacks on U.S. targets in Iraq were "a slap on the face" for America.
"Military action like this is not sufficient. What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region," Khamenei said in a televised speech, ruling out any resumption of talks with Washington about a 2015 nuclear deal.
Khamenei also said the United States was trying to remove Lebanon's Iranian-aligned movement Hezbollah in its bid to help Israel.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Iran responding to US by cutting off America's 'leg' in region

Iran 's president Hassan Rouhani told the United States on Wednesday that Washington might have `` cut off the arm '' of General Qasem Soleimani but America 's `` leg '' in the region would be cut off in response.His comments came hours after Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles and targeted US bases in Iraq on Tuesday night in retaliation for the killing of former Iran 's Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani last week.In the early morning Israel time , US President Donald Trump responded to the incident with a tweet that read , `` all is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran at two military bases located in Iraq , '' the president tweeted .
`` Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now .
So far , so good !
We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world , by far !
I will be making a statement tomorrow morning . ''
`` We were initially hearing that there were casualties -- it was unclear how many or if they were killed or wounded -- on the Iraqi side , '' CNN 's Arwa Damon reported from Baghdad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two other sources that there may not be casualties -- that does make sense given how chaotic the aftermath of these strikes can be . ''
The Pentagon confirmed that more than a dozen ballistic missiles had been fired from Iran at a number of US military bases in Iraq , including the al-Assad airbase , which hosts both Iraqi and US soldiers .
US officials also confirmed that President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation .
`` We are aware of the reports of attacks on US facilities in Iraq , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement immediately following the incidents .
`` The President has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team .
`` The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps also confirmed that it had carried out the missile attack against US forces as part of an operation named `` Martyr Soleimani , '' and said in a statement that it was the first step of their retaliation for the killing of the Quds Force commander on Friday .
He was buried Tuesday night after the attack.Hours later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casualties .
According to CNN Iraqi officials are reporting no casualties among Iraqi security forces , although earlier the same sources had said military officials were injured .

"Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense," tweeted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif after the attacks. "We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression."Yet, hours later, Iraq's Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi al-Muntafiki warned that the current crisis threatens to inflict a "devastating all-out war" in Iraq, the Middle East and the world.
He has called on all sides to practice self restraint, adhere to international agreements and respect Iraqi sovereignty, adding that he rejects any attacks waged on Iraqi soil."I hope this will be a memorable lesson for America," said Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami. "Iran's response [to any US retaliation] will be proportional to what America will do," he said, adding that Trump "has turned the [US] administration into a terrorist government."
Similarly, Hesameddin Ashena, an adviser to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, warned on Twitter that, "Any adverse military action by the US will be met with an all-out war across the region," adding that, "The Saudis, however, could take a different path - they could have total peace!"
Security was increased around the White House, as the IRGC threatened to conduct attacks within the United States. Intense jet activity was reported over Baghdad.
The Philippines has ordered a mandatory evacuation for Filipinos in Iraq, its foreign ministry said on Wednesday after the attack. The US Federal Aviation Administration said on Tuesday that it would ban US carriers from operating in the airspace over Iraq, Iran, the Gulf of Oman and the waters between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The organization said that is closely monitoring events in the Middle East and coordinating with US airlines and foreign authorities about aviation safety after the attacks.The Philippines has ordered a mandatory evacuation for Filipinos in Iraq, its foreign ministry said on Wednesday after the attack.
Vice President Mike Pence briefed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Armed Services Chairman Sen. Jim Inhofe about the attack, according to CNN. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also arrived at the White House for discussions. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was briefed on the attack during a meeting with Democrats on Tuesday, according to CNN. Rep. Debbie Dingell stated that Pelosi told members of the meeting to "pray." "Closely monitoring the situation following bombings targeting U.S. troops in Iraq," Pelosi said on Twitter. " We must ensure the safety of our service members, including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its violence. America & world cannot afford war." Former vice president Joe Biden, another candidate for the Democratic nomination to take on Trump in November's presidential election, said at an event outside Philadelphia that the attack was predictable and faulted Trump's handling of the situation. "I just pray to God as he goes through what’s happening, as we speak, that he’s listening to his military commanders for the first time because so far that has not been the case," he added. Senator Lindsey Graham called Iran's move an act of war while speaking to Sean Hannity on Fox News Wednesday morning Israel time. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who attended the meeting with Pelosi, said that, "Nobody laments the loss of Soleimani; he was a vicious terrorist that caused a lot of loss of life. But no one ought to be surprised that when you do that, there's a response."Senator Lindsey Graham called Iran's move an act of war while speaking to Sean Hannity on Fox News Wednesday morning Israel time. “The President has all the authority he needs under Article II to respond, and how he responds is yet to be determined. But he has that authority to respond," Graham stressed. "Let me say tonight, if you are watching television in Iran, I just got off the phone to the president: your fate is in your own hands in terms of the regime's economic viability. "You continue this crap, you're going to wake up one day out of the oil business," he said. “The President has all the authority he needs under Article II to respond, and how he responds is yet to be determined. But he has that authority to respond," Graham stressed. "Let me say tonight, if you are watching television in Iran, I just got off the phone to the president: your fate is in your own hands in terms of the regime's economic viability."You continue this crap, you're going to wake up one day out of the oil business," he said. Vice President Mike Pence briefed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Armed Services Chairman Sen. Jim Inhofe about the attack, according to CNN. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also arrived at the White House for discussions.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was briefed on the attack during a meeting with Democrats on Tuesday, according to CNN. Rep. Debbie Dingell stated that Pelosi told members of the meeting to "pray.""Closely monitoring the situation following bombings targeting U.S. troops in Iraq," Pelosi said on Twitter. " We must ensure the safety of our service members, including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its violence. America & world cannot afford war."
On Tuesday, Pompeo briefed Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on the attacks, the State Department said in a statement. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will cancel plans to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman this weekend, TV Asahi reported on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that the United States should anticipate retaliation from Iran over the killing of Soleimani.
"I think we should expect that they will retaliate in some way, shape or form," Esper told a news briefing at the Pentagon, adding that such retaliation could be through Iran-backed proxy groups outside of Iran or "by their own hand."
"We're prepared for any contingency. And then we will respond appropriately to whatever they do."
Stock markets in Asia fell sharply on news of the rocket attack, while investor safe havens, including the Japanese yen and gold, shot higher. Oil prices rose by over 3.5% in the aftermath as well.
More than 5,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq along with other foreign forces as part of a coalition that has trained and backed up Iraqi security forces against the threat of Islamic State militants.
A NATO official told Reuters that it would move some of its several hundred trainers out of Iraq. Canada said on Tuesday that some of its 500 Iraq-based forces would be temporarily moved to Kuwait for safety reasons.
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call on Tuesday to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, urged Tehran to avoid any actions that could worsen regional tensions.
Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, along with at least 10 other people, were killed in a US air strike in Baghdad last week. Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, has said that 13 "revenge scenarios" were being considered, Fars news agency reported. Even the weakest option would prove "a historic nightmare for the Americans," he said.
On Sunday, Trump said that the US would strike back without hesitation if one of its bases was hit."We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World!" the president tweeted. "If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way... and without hesitation,"The IRGC has warned that US allies that allow America to use their bases will be targeted and that "by no means" is Israel considered separate from US.According to the Iranian Tasnim news agency, Hezbollah will attack Israel if the US responds to Tuesday night's attacks.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--UAE says region must pull back from 'troubling' tensions

By subscribing I accept the terms of use

The United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Wednesday it is essential that the region pulls back from current "troubling" tensions."De-escalation is both wise and necessary.A political path towards stability must follow," he said on Twitter.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--China calls on relevant parties to exercise restraint in the Middle East

China's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday the situation in the Middle East was sensitive and complex and called on relevant parties to exercise restraint.Worsening of tensions in the Middle East is in no one's interests and relevant parties should properly resolve conflicts though dialog, ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news briefing in Beijing.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Black box of crashed Ukrainian airliner found - IRIB

The Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 crashed earlier on Wednesday , killing all 176 people aboard shortly after taking off @ @ @ @ @ airport .

Iranian rescue workers found a black box from the crashed Ukrainian airliner on Wednesday, Iran's state broadcaster IRIB reported.
The Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 crashed earlier on Wednesday, killing all 176 people aboard shortly after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Engine failure, not missile, caused crash of Ukrainian airliner in Iran: Ukrainian embassy

In a statement , the embassy also said that 168 people had bought tickets for the flight .

Engine failure caused the crash of a Ukrainian airliner in Iran, rather than a missile attack or act of terrorism, the Ukrainian embassy to Iran said on Wednesday, citing preliminary information.
In a statement, the embassy also said that 168 people had bought tickets for the flight.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Ukrainian flight did not declare emergency before crash – Iranian media

The comments were made by Hassan Rezaeifar , the general director of the body 's panel to investigate aircraft accidents @ @ @ @ @ of those on board , state television said .

A Ukrainian airliner with 176 aboard that crashed in Iran on Wednesday did not declare an emergency, Iranian media said, quoting an official of the Iran Civil Aviation Organization.
The comments were made by Hassan Rezaeifar, the general director of the body's panel to investigate aircraft accidents.
Foreigners accounted for 32 of those on board, state television said.
The Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport due to technical problems, killing all on board, state media said.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Britain condemns attack on military bases in Iraq

`` We condemn this attack on Iraqi military bases hosting Coalition - including British - forces , '' British Foreign @ @ @ @ @

Britain on Wednesday condemned Iranian missile attacks on military bases in Iraq that hosted U.S.-led coalition forces including British personnel.
"We condemn this attack on Iraqi military bases hosting Coalition - including British - forces," British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.
"We urge Iran not to repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks, and instead to pursue urgent de-escalation."


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Security Cabinet will meet today to discuss tensions in Iranian sector

Against the backdrop of tensions in the Iranian sector, the Security Cabinet will convene today at 2:00 pm and receive an update on the latest developments in the region.This is a debate that was set before the Iranian attack on US forces the night before.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Four people shot in Lod, one child among them

By ALON HOCHMON/MAARIV,MAAYAN HARONI/MAARIV

Israel police received a report about a shooting in Lod, as well as a report of four people arriving for treatment at the Asaf-Harophe hospital, three adults and one child, all lightly injured. Police is on the scene investigating the event's circumstances.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Mike Pence: Iran sending messages to militias not to attack US targets

WASHINGTON - US Vice President Mike Pence said on Wednesday the United States has received intelligence that Iran has asked its allied militias not to attack US targets."We're receiving some encouraging intelligence that Iran is sending messages to those very same militias not to move against American targets or civilians, and we hope that that message continues to echo," Pence told CBS News in an interview.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Trump, NATO chief discuss situation in Middle East - White House

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump discussed the situation in the Middle East with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday and "emphasized the value of NATO increasing its role in preventing conflict and preserving peace in the Middle East," the White House said.A summary of the call from NATO said Trump asked Stoltenberg to "become more involved in the Middle East," and they agreed NATO "could contribute more to regional stability and the fight against international terrorism."The North Atlantic Treaty Organization "plays a key role in the fight against international terrorism, including through training missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and as a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS," the summary said, using a common acronym for Islamic State.In a Wednesday morning address after Iran launched missiles at US forces in Iraq overnight, Trump said he would soon ask NATO "to become much more involved in the Middle East process."


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Two rockets fall in Baghdad, one lands near US Embassy

BAGHDAD - Two rockets fell on Wednesday inside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign missions, but caused no casualties, the Iraqi military said.Sirens were sounding inside the Green Zone. Police sources told Reuters at least one of the rockets fell 100 meters (yards) from the US Embassy."Two Katyusha rockets fall inside the Green Zone without causing casualties. Details to follow," the military said.Two loud blasts followed by sirens had been heard in Baghdad, Reuters witnesses said.There was no immediate claim of responsibility.Iran launched missiles at US forces in Iraq overnight in retaliation for the killing by the United States last week of Iranian General Qassim Soleimani, raising concern about a wider war in the Middle East.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Saudi Arabia says it will do everything to spare Iraq the danger of war

CAIRO - Saudi Arabia's vice minister of defense said on Wednesday the kingdom and its leadership stand with Iraq and will do everything in their power to spare it the danger of war and conflict between external parties.Prince Khalid bin Salman said in a tweet: "The Kingdom and its leadership always stand with brotherly Iraq and will do everything in its power to spare it the danger of war and conflict between external parties, and for its generous people to live in prosperity after what they have endured in the past."


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Qatar communicating with friendly countries to reduce escalation in Iraq

CAIRO - Qatar 's foreign minister said on Wednesday that Qatar is closely following developments in Iraq , and seeking @ @ @ @ @ to reduce tensions .

CAIRO - Qatar's foreign minister said on Wednesday that Qatar is closely following developments in Iraq, and seeking to coordinate with friendly countries to reduce tensions.
Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said in a tweet: "We seek through a series of communications to consult and coordinate with friendly and brotherly countries to calm and reduce escalation."


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Trump: We suffered no casualties in Iranian strikes

US-Iran crisis: Missile attack timeline
US President Donald Trump said the US does not necessarily have to use its military power against Iran, but vowed to continue pressuring the Islamic Republic on its nuclear ambitions.“As long as I am president of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said before starting to read his written remarks on Wednesday, in his first public speech since the US military killed Qasem Soleimani last week.In his nine-minute speech, Trump said that no Americans were harmed during the Iranian missile attack on US military bases on Wednesday morning. “We suffered no casualties, all of our soldiers are safe, and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases.”The president added that thanks to the precautions taken, no American or Iraqi lives were lost. “I salute the incredible skill and courage of America’s men and women in uniform.”He added that while US forces are prepared for any scenario, “Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.”He also announced that while the US continues to evaluate options in response to Iran’s Wednesday morning attack, “the United States will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime. These powerful sanctions will remain until Iran changes its behavior.”“For far too long – all the way back to 1979, to be exact – nations have tolerated Iran’s destructive and destabilizing behavior in the Middle East and beyond,” he continued. “Those days are over. Iran has been the leading sponsor of terrorism, and their pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens the civilized world. We will never let that happen.”Iranian forces fired missiles at military bases housing US troops in Iraq on Wednesday morning in retaliation for the killing last week in Iraq of Iranian general Soleimani, raising the stakes in its conflict with Washington, amid concern about a wider war in the Middle East.Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, addressing a gathering of Iranians chanting “Death to America,” said the missile attacks were a “slap on the face” of the United States and said US troops should leave the region.Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had said the strikes “concluded” Tehran’s response to the killing of Soleimani, who had been responsible for building up Iran’s network of proxy armies across the Middle East. He was buried in his hometown, Kerman, on Monday after days of national mourning.“We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression,” he wrote on Twitter.MEANWHILE, PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will strike back hard if Iran attacks.“The State of Israel is the stable anchor in the stormy [Middle East] waters,” Netanyahu warned at the Kohelet Policy Forum’s conference. “We stand firm in the face of those who seek to destroy us. Anyone who tries to attack us will suffer the most overwhelming blow.”Netanyahu said Soleimani “was responsible for the death of countless innocent people. He destabilized many countries. For decades, he sowed fear and misery and anguish, and he was planning much worse.”“President Trump should be congratulated for acting swiftly, boldly and resolutely,” he said. “What I’ve said openly in the past few days, many leaders in the Middle East think.” The prime minister added that Israel “stands completely beside the United States.”“America has no better friend than Israel, and Israel has no better friend than the USA,” he stated.US Ambassador David Friedman also remarked on the missile attacks by Iran on an American base in Iraq, saying “initial assessments are positive and we pray those reports are true.”“We pray to God that we will prevail overwhelmingly and...defeat the threats of our time and bring about a more just and more peaceful world,” he said.The security cabinet held a five-hour meeting to discuss matters related to Iran, among others, on Wednesday.In his speech, Trump urged world powers to quit a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran that Washington abandoned in 2018, and work for a new deal, an issue that has been at the heart of rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iran has rejected new talks.There was no immediate reaction from Iranian officials to Trump’s comments. The semiofficial Fars News Agency described the US president’s remarks as a “big retreat from threats.”Trump’s reaction in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday morning’s attacks had been to say on Twitter that “All is well!” and that Washington was assessing damage.That tweet and the comment by Iran’s foreign minister had acted to soothe some initial concerns about a wider war and calmed jittery financial markets. Oil prices slipped back after an early spike.US and European government sources said they believe Iran had deliberately sought to avoid US military casualties in its missile strikes in order to prevent an escalation.But an Iranian army spokesman denied “foreign media reports,” suggesting there had been some kind of coordination between Iran and the United States before the attack to allow bases to be evacuated, Fars News Agency said.The US president, who was impeached last month and faces an election in November this year, had at the weekend threatened to target 52 Iranian sites if Iran retaliated for Soleimani’s killing.Iranian state television said Iran had fired 15 ballistic missiles from its territory at US targets in its neighbor Iraq early on Wednesday. The Pentagon said Ain al-Asad air base and another facility in Erbil in Iraq were struck.Iranian television reported that an official in the supreme leader’s office said the missile attacks were the “weakest” of several retaliation scenarios. It quoted another source saying Iran had lined up 100 other potential targets.But analysts said Iran wanted to avoid any conventional military conflict with superior US forces.US officials said Soleimani was killed because forces under his command planned attacks on US targets, although they did not provide evidence.Also, during a conference held by the Jewish People Policy Institute, former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot said that Soleimani’s assassination removed the “chief architect of Iran’s regional policy for the past 20 years from the equation,” and the “chief strategist” who worked against the State of Israel.“Since 2005, the Iranian threat has been defined as the most significant threat to the State of Israel. This threat has two main components – the Iranian vision and desire to obtain nuclear weapons and the Iranian effort to achieve regional hegemony,” he said.While Eisenkot avoided predicting how things could develop, saying it was an American act and it was correct for Israel not to be involved, the military should nonetheless prepare for possible escalation scenarios.But, he stressed, Israel was not responsible for Soleimani’s assassination.When asked about a possible mutual defense pact with the United States, he stated that Israel does not need a defense alliance with the United States, as such a pact could constrain Israel and deprive it of the freedom of action it needs in order to defend itself.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Turkey, Russia call for ceasefire in Libya on Jan 12

ISTANBUL - Turkey and Russia on Wednesday called on all parties in Libya to stop hostilities and declare a ceasefire at midnight on January 12, after talks between presidents Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin in Istanbul.Turkey has backed Fayez al-Serraj's Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), while Russia has sent forces to back General Khalifa Haftar's opposing forces to the east. Ankara has said it will send troops to Libya upon the GNA's request.In a joint statement, Turkey and Russia called on parties in Libya to "declare a sustainable ceasefire, supported by the necessary measures to be taken for stabilizing the situation on the ground and normalizing daily life in Tripoli and other cities."


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--One dead, three people injured in a shooting in Ottawa

One person was killed and three were wounded and in a serious condition during a shooting in Ottawa, Canada on Wednesday morning, ABC news reported.
The authorities are looking for the alleged shooter.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--Fugitive ex-Nissan boss Ghosn says treated ruthlessly by Japan

The one-time auto industry star fled Japan last month where he was awaiting trial on charges of under reporting earnings @ @ @ @ @ misappropriation of company funds , all of which he denies .
Tokyo prosecutors on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ his wife , Carol Ghosn , for alleged perjury .
Japan 's Ministry of Justice @ @ @ @ @ to find a way to bring Ghosn back from Lebanon , where he held his @ @ @ @ @ since his initial arrest in November 2018 , even though it has no extradition treaty @ @ @ @ @ Japanese authorities are investigating how Ghosn was smuggled out to Beirut .
Interpol has issued @ @ @ @ @ seeking his arrest .
Ghosn 's news conference marks the latest twist in a 14-month @ @ @ @ @ global car industry , jeopardized the alliance of Nissan and top shareholder Renault and increased @ @ @ @ @ system .

Former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn said on Wednesday he had been treated brutally and ruthlessly by Japanese prosecutors, who threatened to take action against his family if he didn't confess to their accusations.
The one-time auto industry star fled Japan last month where he was awaiting trial on charges of under reporting earnings, breach of trust and misappropriation of company funds, all of which he denies.
Tokyo prosecutors on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for his wife, Carol Ghosn, for alleged perjury.
Japan's Ministry of Justice has said it will try to find a way to bring Ghosn back from Lebanon, where he held his first press conference on Wednesday since his initial arrest in November 2018, even though it has no extradition treaty with Japan.
Turkish and Japanese authorities are investigating how Ghosn was smuggled out to Beirut. Interpol has issued a "red notice" seeking his arrest.
Ghosn's news conference marks the latest twist in a 14-month saga that has shaken the global car industry, jeopardized the alliance of Nissan and top shareholder Renault and increased scrutiny of Japan's judicial system.


jerusalempost--2020-01-08--French foreign ministry: French citizens in Haifa should exercise caution

The French foreign ministry has advised French citizens in Haifa to exercise caution in light of Middle East tensions, Reuters has reported."Following the recent escalation in tensions in the region, the city of Haifa has been the subject of explicit threats," it said in a statement, without giving any more precise details.The IRGC warned on their Telegram channel that they would attack Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Haifa in Israel if Iranian soil is targeted, according to CNN.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Russia's Putin oversees hypersonic missile test in Crimea

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw military exercises near Crimea on Thursday, which included the launch of the hypersonic 'Kinzhal' missile, the TASS news agency reported.Russia deployed its first hypersonic nuclear-capable missiles at the end of December.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Pope appeals to US and Iran to pursue dialog, self-restraint

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis on Thursday urged the United States and Iran to avoid escalation and pursue "dialog and self-restraint" to avert a wider conflict in the Middle East.The pope made his appeal, his first direct comment on the current crisis, in a yearly speech that has come to be known as his "State of the World" address to ambassadors accredited to the Vatican.Speaking for nearly 50 minutes in the Vatican's frescoed Sala Regia, the 83-year-old Roman Catholic leader offered a mostly grim overview of 2019, speaking of wars, global warming, xenophobia towards migrants and the danger of nuclear weapons."Particularly troubling are the signals coming from the entire region following the heightening of tensions between Iran and the United States," Francis told the diplomats from more than 180 states.He said the tensions risked "compromising the gradual process of rebuilding in Iraq, as well as setting the groundwork for a vaster conflict that all of us would want to avert.""I therefore renew my appeal that all the interested parties avoid an escalation of the conflict and keep alive the flame of dialog and self-restraint, in full respect of international law," he said.US President Donald Trump has suggested Iran was "standing down" after it fired missiles at U.S. forces in Iraq on Wednesday, itself an act of retaliation for the Jan. 3 U.S. strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani "Our human family is scarred and wounded by a succession of increasingly destructive wars that especially affect the poor and those most vulnerable," Francis said."Sadly, the New Year does not seem to be marked by encouraging signs, as much as by heightened tensions and acts of violence," he said.Recent tensions could likely make it impossible for Francis to visit Iraq, which he has said he would like to do this year.Wars and conflicts have led to an exodus of Christians from Iraq and some other countries in the Middle East.Iraq's small Christian population of several hundred thousand suffered particular hardships when Islamic State controlled large parts of the country, but have recovered freedoms since the jihadists were pushed out.Iraq is home to many different eastern rite churches, both Catholic and Orthodox.Francis said he still hoped to make a visit this year to mostly Christian South Sudan, which is emerging from civil war.The pope wove his speech around the foreign trips he made in 2019, which included a visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. There, he became the first pontiff to set foot on the Arabian peninsula, home to Islam's holiest sites.Speaking of climate change, he said it was sad that the urgency to tackle it "seems not to have been grasped by international politics."He said last December's UN conference in Spain raised "serious concern about the will of the international community to confront" the issue.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Johnson stresses Britain's continued commitment to nuclear deal

Prime Minister Boris Johnson underlined Britain's continued commitment to the Iranian nuclear deal on Thursday in a call with the country's president, Hassan Rouhani, Johnson's spokesman said on Thursday."The prime minister spoke with President Rouhani of Iran this morning. They discussed the situation in the region following the death of Qassem Soleimani and the prime minister called for an end to hostilities," the spokesman told reporters."The prime minister underlined the UK's continued commitment to the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or nuclear deal) and to ongoing dialog to avoid nuclear proliferation and reduce tensions," he said, adding that Britain's position was that the JCPOA was the best arrangement available.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--EU's Michel urges Iran's Rouhani to comply with nuclear deal

BRUSSELS - European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday he had spoken to Iran 's President Hassan Rouhani and @ @ @ @ @ the 2015 arms control agreement that prevents it developing nuclear weapons .
Iran said on @ @ @ @ @ back from its commitments under the deal , known as the JCPOA .

BRUSSELS - European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday he had spoken to Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and urged Tehran to comply with the 2015 arms control agreement that prevents it developing nuclear weapons.
Iran said on Sunday that it was stepping back from its commitments under the deal, known as the JCPOA.
"Just spoke with @HassanRouhani about recent developments. JCPOA remains crucial for global security. I called Iran not to pose irreversible acts," Michel, who coordinates EU government positions in Brussels, said in a tweet.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Hungary wants to see EU stance on Iran to align closer with Israeli/US stance

BUDAPEST - Hungary would like the European stance on the U.S.-Iran conflict to be closer that held by Israel and the Unites States, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Thursday."I would like for the European stance, which is not clear on this Iranian issue, to be oriented towards the Israeli-United States stance," Orban told a news conference.The European Union's foreign ministers meet on Friday in Brussels to discuss the Iran crisis, with a focus on easing tensions between Washington and Tehran.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Twenty wounded in northern Mali rocket attack on UN base

BAMAKO - Twenty people were wounded on Thursday in northern Mali's restive Kidal region, including 18 U.N. peacekeepers, in a rocket attack on a military base for U.N., French and Malian forces, a U.N. spokesman said.Six of the peacekeepers from the MINUSMA mission were seriously wounded by the attack on the base in the town of Tessalit, spokesman Olivier Salgado told Reuters. He said it was unclear who was responsible.Kidal has been under the control of Tuareg rebels since an uprising in 2012, and tensions regularly flare between armed groups and the government.The MINUSMA mission has over 13,000 troops in Mali to contain violence caused by various armed groups in the north and centre of the country, including jihadists linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.The French army operates a separate anti-insurgent mission across West Africa’s arid Sahel region, where jihadist and ethnic violence is worsening.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Iraq oil ministry denies China's CNPC pulls staff from West Qurna oilfield

BAGHDAD - Iraq's oil ministry denied on Thursday that China's had CNPC pulled out its staff from West Qurna 1 oilfield operated by U.S. major Exxon Mobil because of tensions in the region, the ministry spokesman said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Iran's UN envoy dismisses any cooperation with Trump amid sanctions

DUBAI - Iran's ambassador to the United Nations dismissed as "unbelievable" what he said was President Donald Trump's call for cooperation given Washington was imposing sanctions on Tehran, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported on Thursday.Majid Takht Ravanchi, in what appeared to be Iran's first official reaction to Trump's address after an Iranian missile attack on Iraqi bases housing US troops, was quoted as saying Washington had "initiated a new series of escalation and animosity with Iran" by killing an Iranian general on Jan. 3.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Britain looking at future of Iran nuclear deal after non-compliance

LONDON - Britain is looking at the future of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal due to "acute" non-compliance by Tehran, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that Britain stands behind the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) after the United States withdrew its support for the deal and as tensions in the region rise.But diplomats have said that European powers who still support the accord are likely to toughen their stance. Iran has said it will take a further step back from the commitments of the deal after the U.S. killing of a top Iranian military commander."We've obviously been committed to the JCPOA, but we've reached a point where non-compliance has been so acute in the most recent steps taken by Iran that obviously we're going to be looking very hard at what should happen next," Raab said."We want to see Iran come back to full compliance."


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--China says shares similar views with Russia on Middle East issue

BEIJING - China said on Thursday it is in close communication with parties including Russia on the Middle East issue.China and Russia share highly similar views and positions on this issue, ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news briefing in Beijing.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Philippines allows citizens to stay in Iran, Lebanon as tensions ease

MANILA - The Philippines will no longer require its citizens to leave Iran and Lebanon as worries of a broader conflict in the Middle East eased, but the mandatory evacuation order for workers in Iraq remains in force, officials said on Thursday.Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, a retired general named by President Rodrigo Duterte as special envoy to the Middle East, left for Qatar on Thursday to oversee the evacuation effort."The situation is unpredictable, sometimes there are some instances of a very surprise missile attack," he told reporters."They have the option to press the trigger. We have to be ready in case there will be some incidents along the way."More than 2 million Philippine citizens live and work in the Middle East, sending home billions of dollars in annual remittances that could be dented by a full-scale conflict.More than 30,000 of these are in Lebanon, and more than 1,000 in Iran, excluding undocumented labourers.The United States and Iran have backed away from the brink of further conflict in the Middle East.U.S. President Donald Trump responded overnight to an Iranian attack on U.S. forces with sanctions, not violence. Iran offered no immediate signal it would retaliate further over a Jan. 3 U.S. strike that killed one of its senior military commanders.Eduardo Menez, a spokesman at the Department of Foreign Affairs, said the government is prepared to respond to any changes in the situation in the region and will assist citizens who wish to return home."Alert levels are constantly reviewed and adjusted as needed," Menez told reporters.The foreign ministry said more than half of the 1,600 Filipinos working in Iraq, were in the Kurdistan region and the rest at U.S. and other foreign facilities in Baghdad and in commercial establishments in Erbil.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--3 lightly injured in shooting near Jerusalem

Three people were lightly injured in a shooting in Emek ha-Arazim near the entrance to Jerusalem on Thursday, according to Israel Police.The victims, from the nearby village of Beit Iksa, were sitting in their car when they were shot by suspects who escaped from the scene in another vehicle.Israel Police are conducting searches for the suspects and are investigating all leads.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Sea of Galilee rises by 23 cm in one day

The Sea of Galilee rose by 23 cm from Wednesday to Thursday, as torrential rains impacted much of the country, according to the Israel Water Authority. The current water level is at -211.10 meters under sea level.The Sea of Galilee will be considered full if the water level rises by another 2.3 meters.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Four Turkish soldiers killed in northeast Syria bomb attack - ministry

ISTANBUL - Four Turkish soldiers were killed in a car bomb attack in northeast Syria on Wednesday, the Turkish Defence Ministry said in a statement overnight.It said the attack occurred during a roadside security check in the region east of the Euphrates river in Syria, where Turkey carried out a military operation with allied Syrian rebels in October.The Turkish incursion targeted the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which spearheaded the U.S.-led war against Islamic State and which Ankara regards as a terrorist group tied to militants fighting an insurgency in southeast Turkey.No further details on the attack were immediately available.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Australian prime minister says troops will remain in Iraq

SYDNEY - Australian troops and personnel will stay in Iraq to continue their mission, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday, as tensions eased following an Iranian attack on US forces there.Speaking to reporters, Morrison added that an Australian naval vessel would travel as planned toward the Strait of Hormuz this week, to help protect shipping in the area.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Canadian board organizing visit to crashed Ukrainian jet accident site

Canada's Transportation Safety Board is making arrangements to visit the accident site of the crashed Ukrainian jet in Iran, Reuters reports.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Airstrike targets militants along Iraq-Iran border - report

Eight people were reportedly killed in airstrikes against Iranian militias along the border between Syrian and Iraq, according to Ynet that quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.Trucks and militants were targeted in the airstrikes on Thursday night, according to the Beirut-based TV station Al Mayadeen. Violent explosions were heard in the area and "enemy planes" were seen above the city Al-Bukamal shortly before, according to the report.Local news source DeirEzzor24 stated that target of the bombing is believed to have been a weapons shipment to Hezbollah in the border area.Several Arab media outlets, including Al Mayadeen, blamed Israel for the airstrikes.According to Ynet, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an organization which opposes the regime of Bashar Al-Assad and his allies in Iran and the pro-Iranian militia Hezbollah, reported that non-identified fighter jets struck warehouses and equipment belonging to pro-Iranian militias.Its report added that according to their sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin informed Assad that the United States intended to close the land-route between Tehran and Beirut, which goes through Al Bukamal.In November, the Al-Bukamal border crossing between Iraq and Syria reopened five years after being seized by the Islamic State, raising concerns that it could be a hub for Iran to expedite the transfer of weapons to groups like Hezbollah.Two months earlier, Fox News stated that Iran was constructing a new military compound and weapon storehouses, in a report based on analysis from ImageSat International.Explosions were also heard in "areas controlled by Iranian militias" near Al-ukamal in eastern Syria near the Iraq-Syria border earlier this week , according to local news source Deir Ezzor 24. The explosions were believed to have been caused by rockets, although some reports indicated that an airstrike had targeted the area.Militias along the Iraq-Syria border have been on high alert since the US operation that killed IRGC's Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani last week.Several strikes have been reported in the area in the past few days.Tzvi Joffree contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Trump floats expanding NATO to add Middle East

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he supported expanding the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to include Middle Eastern nations, as the United States seeks to limit its troop footprint globally."I think that NATO should be expanded and we should include the Middle East, absolutely," Trump told reporters at the White House.Trump proposed increased NATO involvement in the Middle East on Wednesday, when he addressed the Iranian strikes against US troops in Iraq, carried out in retaliation for a US drone strike that killed a top Iranian military commander. The military leader, Qassem Soleimani, played a major role in the fight against Islamic State militants in the region.Trump said Islamic State presented an international problem that other countries should help address. "We can come home, largely come home and use NATO," Trump said. "We caught ISIS, we did Europe a big favor."Trump has been a critic of NATO, demanding that Europe pay more for its collective defense and make concessions to US interests on trade.Trump joked that the organization could be called NATO-ME, or NATO plus the Middle East. He said he floated the possible name to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a call on Wednesday.NATO was created in 1949 as a mutual defense bulwark against the Soviet Union to promote the security of the North Atlantic area. The group, based in Brussels, has grown to 29 member nations, from 12 initially.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke on Thursday with Stoltenberg to discuss the Iranian strikes and reiterated Trump's call for NATO to become more involved in the Middle East, the State Department said.A State Department statement said "the two agreed NATO could contribute more to regional security and the fight against international terrorism."It added that Pompeo and Stoltenberg condemned Iran's "destabilizing violence" and remained "committed to countering international terrorism, including through NATO’s participation in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and training missions in Iraq and Afghanistan."The White House said that in his call, Trump "emphasized the value of NATO increasing its role in preventing conflict and preserving peace in the Middle East."The US Ambassador to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchison, said on Thursday the fight against Islamic State is important to both the United States and its NATO allies."I think what the president is looking for is more of our allies working with us in Iraq," she told CNBC. "And that is something that our NATO Council will have to discuss and decide that we would do more."


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Russia's Putin oversees hypersonic missile test near Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday oversaw military exercises from a naval vessel in the Black Sea near Crimea, including the test launch of a hypersonic air-launched Kinzhal missile, the Kremlin said.A pair of MiG-31K interceptor jets test fired the Kinzhal (Dagger) missile at a target on a military test site, the Kremlin said. The exercise involved several navy vessels.Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has since built up military infrastructure on the peninsula.The first public outing of the Kinzhal occurred during a Red Square military parade in May 2018 and was one of several world premieres for Russian weapons.Putin disclosed the Kinzhal’s existence in March that same year along with other missile systems he touted as unbeatable, describing how they could evade any enemy defenses.Russian media have said it can hit targets up to 2,000 km (1,250 miles) distant with nuclear or conventional warheads and that the missiles have already been deployed in Russia’s southern military district.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Canada PM says evidence indicates Iran shot down Ukraine jet

A Ukrainian airliner that crashed in Iran, killing all 176 people aboard, seems to have been shot down by Iran with a Russian-made missile, a US official said, according to CNN News. They additionally aired footage of what seems to be missiles hitting the airplane.It was likely brought down by an Iranian missile, Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said on Thursday, citing intelligence from Canadian and other sources.Trudeau told a news conference in Ottawa that the destruction of the airliner "may well have been unintentional." The flight was on its way to Kiev from Tehran early on Wednesday, with 63 Canadians among the passengers and crew."We have intelligence from multiple sources, including our allies and our own intelligence. The evidence indicates that the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile," he said.The crash of the Ukraine International Airlines plane occurred shortly after Iran fired ballistic missiles at two U.S. military bases in Iraq, and Iranians were on high alert for a U.S. military response.Earlier on Thursday, a U.S. official, citing an extensive review of satellite data, said Washington had concluded with a high degree of certainty that anti-aircraft missiles brought down the plane. The official said the Boeing 737-800 had been tracked by Iranian radar.Washington believed the plane was most likely brought down accidentally, two U.S. officials said.The data showed the plane was airborne for two minutes after departing Tehran when the heat signatures of two surface-to-air missiles were detected, one of the officials said.That was quickly followed by an explosion in the vicinity of the plane, this official said. Heat signature data then showed it on fire as it went down.Iran's head of civil aviation denied reports that Iran was to blame as "illogical rumors.""Scientifically, it is impossible that a missile hit the Ukrainian plane, and such rumors are illogical," the semi-official ISNA News Agency quoted Ali Abedzadeh as saying.Speaking to reporters at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had a terrible feeling about the downed airliner, but offered no details. He said he did not believe it was a mechanical issue."It's a tragic thing. But somebody could have made a mistake - on the other side," Trump said.The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration had banned U.S. carriers from operating in the airspace over Iraq, Iran, the Gulf of Oman and the waters between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the hours after Iran's attack on U.S.-led forces in Iraq. Several other airlines also diverted flights.Boeing and the FAA declined to comment on the missile reports on Thursday, as did the Pentagon. Spokeswomen for Ukraine's president and prime minister did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Boeing is still reeling from two deadly crashes of 737 MAX planes in five months that led to the plane's grounding in March 2019. The 737-800 that crashed was built in 2016 and is the prior generation of the 737 before the MAX. Boeing has built about 5,000 of those planes, which have a good safety record.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Suspected Islamists kill 25 soldiers in Niger

Suspected Islamist militants killed 25 soldiers and wounded six others in an attack on an army outpost in west Niger near its border with Mali on Thursday, the government said in a statement.It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack, in which 63 assailants were also killed, the statement said. But it comes amid a concerted campaign by Islamist groups connected to al Qaeda and Islamic State against the Nigerien army on its western frontier.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Rocket explodes near Iraqi base housing US troops

A rocket fell on Thursday night in the Fadhlan area of the Dujail district in Iraq's northern Salahuddin province, police sources said. The area is close to the Balad air base which houses US troops.The source of the rocket is unknown, the sources said. It caused no casualties. Dujail is 50 km (30 miles) north of Baghdad. Balad base is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Baghdad.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--US and Iraqi intel: Ukrainian flight was hit by anti-aircraft missile

One US official said US satellites had detected the launch of two missiles shortly before the plane crashed , followed @ @ @ @ @ .
Two officials said Washington believed the downing of the plane was accidental .

The Ukrainian plane that crashed outside Tehran airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning was hit by an anti-aircraft missile, a Pentagon official, a senior US intelligence official and an Iraqi intelligence official have told Newsweek.
One US official said US satellites had detected the launch of two missiles shortly before the plane crashed, followed by evidence of an explosion. Two officials said Washington believed the downing of the plane was accidental.
The Pentagon declined to comment.An initial report on the crash released by Iran on Thursday showed that the plane was on fire before it hit the ground.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Trump: we have already increased sanctions on Iran

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he has approved increased sanctions on Iran after a missile strike this week on Iraqi bases housing American military personnel, but gave no other details."It's already been done. We've increased them. They were very severe, but now it's increased substantially," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I just approved it a little while ago with Treasury."


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Justin Bieber confirms, ‘I have Lyme disease’

Canadian singer and dancer Justin Bieber confirmed to the media he has Lyme disease, Vanity Fair reported on Wednesday.The singer responded to a TMZ story claiming he is ill and said he is putting together a series of videos that will explain how the illness had changed his health and energy levels.Bieber released his single ‘Yummy’ in early January, yet audience response had been lower than usual.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--In rare call with Iran, Canada says many questions on plane crash

Canada's foreign minister held a rare call with his Iranian counterpart to stress the country's desire to investigate Wednesday's plane crash in Iran that killed 176 people, including 63 Canadians, according to a statement."Minister Champagne stressed the need for Canadian officials to be quickly granted access to Iran to provide consular services, help with identification of the deceased and take part in the investigation of the crash," the statement said."Canada and Canadians have many questions which will need to be answered." The two spoke late on Wednesday, but the statement was released on Thursday. Canada has had no diplomatic relations with Iran since 2012.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Ukraine invites Britain to join Iran plane crash investigation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a phone call with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, invited Britain to join the investigation of the deadly crash of an Ukrainian airliner in Iran, Zelenskiy's office said on Thursday."The President of Ukraine invited the United Kingdom to join the investigation. Boris Johnson supported this idea and stressed that the best British experts should be involved in finding out all the circumstances of the tragedy," it said.Under international aviation rules, Iran is responsible for running the inquiry into the crash that killed all 176 people on board shortly after the plane took off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport on Wednesday. Ukraine has said three British citizens were among those killed.


jerusalempost--2020-01-09--Russia extends U.S. investor Calvey's house arrest until Feb. 13

A Moscow court on Thursday ruled to keep U.S. investor Michael Calvey under house arrest until Feb. 13, facing charges of embezzlement, the TASS news agency reported.A Baring Vostok official representative described the decision as "unjustified."Calvey and other executives at private equity group Baring Vostok were detained in February 2019. They deny wrongdoing and say the charges against them are being used to pressure them in a business dispute over control of mid-sized bank Vostochny.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Lufthansa cancels flights to and from Tehran due to uncertain security

BERLIN - Germany's flagship carrier Lufthansa said on Friday that its group airlines were cancelling flights to and from Tehran until Jan. 20 inclusive due to the uncertain security situation of the airspace around the Iranian capital.Lufthansa said the move was a "precautionary measure" and it would decide if and when its flights to Iran would resume when it had more information.U.S. officials said on Thursday that the government believed Iran accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner shortly after Iran fired missiles at two U.S. military bases in Iraq, while Iran was on high alert.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Two Palestinians suspected of firing at Israeli border police arrested

Two Palestinian suspects who fired at Israeli Border Police officers during an operation about a week ago were arrested in the Palestinian village of Samoa in recent days and during the night between Thursday and Friday police forces and IDF fighters seized their weapons, the police said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Niger sets new offensive against militants after 25 soldiers killed

Niger will launch a new military offensive against Islamist militants after their latest attack on an army base killed at least 25 soldiers, the defense minister said on Friday.Thursday's attack near the Malian border followed a raid by Islamic State insurgents on another military outpost last month that killed 71 soldiers, the deadliest strike against Nigerien forces for years.Despite the presence of French and American troops, attacks in Niger have risen four-fold over the past year, killing nearly 400 people, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, a non-profit research organization."The strategy has to change," Defence Minister Issoufou Katambe told Reuters. "We are not going to stay on the defensive. We will go on the offensive."Katambe did not provide details.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Ukraine president received data from US on Iran plane crash

KIEV - The United States has given Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy important data ahead of a call later on Friday with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the crash of a Ukrainian airliner in Iran, Ukraine's foreign minister said on Twitter.Zelenskiy and Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko met US representatives to receive the data, which will be processed by experts, Prystaiko said, without elaborating on the nature of the data or what it signified.Zelenskiy said earlier the possibility that a missile downed the airliner, killing all on board, had not been ruled out but it had not been confirmed yet.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--El Al plane makes emergency landing after 'mayday' on flight from Newark

Seen it heading to YHZ from my doorstep .
pic.twitter.com/SaKTSB8cLP

An El Al flight on its way to Israel from Newark Airport early Friday morning (Israel time) made an emergency landing in Halifax after the aircraft was reported filled up with smoke, according to flight trackers.Flight trackers said that the plane landed safely.The flight was operated by a Boeing 777-258 (ER) that has a capacity of 279 passengers. It was scheduled to depart at 8 p.m. local time from Newark, one of the airports serving the greater New York area. It took off on time and was scheduled to arrive in Israel at 1:20 p.m. Israel time, roughly three hours before the beginning on Shabbat.Shortly after its departure, the aircraft was reportedly filled with smoke, compelling the crew to ask for an emergency landing in Canada. As per standard procedure in such cases, the plane dumped some fuel to reduce its weight before landing.
Seen it heading to YHZ from my doorstep. pic.twitter.com/SaKTSB8cLP — Karly B (@karliaa_b) January 10, 2020
The flight is a popular route among Israelis and Americans making their way to Israel before Shabbat.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Iraq's top cleric condemns US, Iran confrontation on Iraqi soil

Iraq's top Shi'ite Muslim cleric on Friday condemned mutual U.S. and Iranian attacks on Iraqi soil and warned of deteriorating security in the country and wider region as a result of Washington's standoff with Tehran.The United States killed Iran's top military commander Qassem Soleimani and Iran-backed in an air strike next to Baghdad airport on Jan. 3. Iran responded late on Tuesday by firing missiles at U.S.-led forces in Iraq.It was the most serious escalation of tension between the United States and Iran and raised fears of a full-scale conflict in the Middle East between the two foes.Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said the attacks were a violation of sovereignty and that no foreign powers should be allowed to decide Iraq's fate.Sistani delivered his message through a representative who spoke at Friday prayer in the holy city of Kerbala."The use of over-the-top methods by different sides which possess power and influence ... will only entrench the crisis and prevent a solution," the representative said."The latest dangerous aggressive acts, which are repeated violations of Iraqi sovereignty, are a part of the deteriorating situation" in the region, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Iran: Flight crash investigation could take 'one or two years'

An Iranian official said on Friday it could take "one or two years" to complete the investigation into the crash of a Ukrainian airliner outside Tehran with the loss of all 176 on board.The official also said it could take one or two months to download the black boxes recovered from the crash site.State TV earlier showed footage of the black boxes purportedly at the Iran Civil Aviation Organisation.Iran prefers to download the black box data but could send it to Russia, Canada, France or Ukraine if needed as Tehran has agreements with those countries, the official said.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Iran could have nuclear weapon within 1 to 2 years - French minister

Iran could have nuclear weapons in one to two years if the country carries on violating the 2015 nuclear accord, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Friday."If they continue with unraveling the Vienna agreement, then yes, within a fairly short period of time, between one and two years, they could have access to a nuclear weapon, which is not an option", Le Drian said on RTL radio.EU foreign ministers will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to seek ways to guide the United States and Iran away from confrontation, knowing that a miscalculation on either side could leave the bloc facing a war and a serious nuclear proliferation crisis on its doorstep.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Iran invites US to take part in plane crash investigation

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has accepted an invitation from Iran to take part in its investigation into the crash of a Ukrainian airplane in Tehran, the agency confirmed late on Thursday.The NTSB said in a statement its Response Operations Center had received formal notification from Iran of Wednesday's crash of the Boeing 737-800 that killed all 176 on board. "The NTSB has designated an accredited representative to the investigation of the crash," the agency said.The NTSB confirmed it would take part in the probe after an Iranian official told Reuters of the agreement."The NTSB has replied to our chief investigator and has announced an accredited representative," Farhad Parvaresh, Iran's representative at the International Civil Aviation Organization, part of the United Nations, told Reuters.A person briefed on the matter said it was unclear what if anything its representative would be able to do under U.S. sanctions. NTSB said in its statement it "continues to monitor the situation surrounding the crash and evaluate its level of participation in the investigation."The United States is allowed to take part under global rules since the Boeing 737-800NG jet was designed and built there.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Britain advises against all travel to Iran

Britain on Friday said it was advising against all travel to Iran as information suggested a Ukrainian airliner that crashed on Wednesday had probably been shot down by Iran."Given the body of information that UIA Flight 752 was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile, and the heightened tensions, we are now advising British nationals not to travel to Iran," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said."We also recommend against taking a flight to, from and within Iran," he added, in a statement from the Foreign Office."We urgently need a full and transparent investigation to establish what caused the crash."


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Sultan of Oman dies

Sultan of Oman dies

The Sultan of Oman , Qaboos bin Said al-Said , passed away early on Saturday , Oman state TV and @ @ @ @ @ account said .

The Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said al-Said, passed away early on Saturday, Oman state TV and the state news agency Twitter account said.He was 79 years old at the time of his death, at the time of this report it is unknown who will be appointed as the next Sultan.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--White House advisor: ‘We are ready for Trump impeachment trial’

White House Adviser Kellyanne Conway said on Friday evening that “ we are ready for [ US President Donald ] @ @ @ @ @ , ’ Reuters reported .
She added that White House counsel Pat Cipollone will take @ @ @ @ @ ’ s defense .
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday announced that @ @ @ @ @ week that would formally trigger a Senate impeachment trial for Trump .

White House Adviser Kellyanne Conway said on Friday evening that “we are ready for [US President Donald] Trump impeachment trial to start,’ Reuters reported.
She added that White House counsel Pat Cipollone will take a lead role in Trump’s defense.
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday announced that she will advance legislation next week that would formally trigger a Senate impeachment trial for Trump.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Trump believes Iran was targeting four U.S. embassies

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump aid in an interview with Fox News Friday night that the Iranians were planning to target four US embassies before the killing of Qasem Soleimani. “I am worried about it,” @realDonaldTrump said about House Dems’ handling of classified information in intel briefings. pic.twitter.com/XxZRMBGaXh — Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) January 11, 2020
“I can reveal that I believe it would have been four embassies,” Trump said in an interview with Laura Ingraham. He said that one of those embassies was the US embassy in Baghdad. “[It] could have been military bases, could have been a lot of other things, too. But it was imminent, and then all of a sudden, he [ Soleimani] was gone."
Democrat lawmakers, however, disputed Trump’s claims, saying that they were not provided any evidence to support it during their briefing this week.“I’m not somebody that wants to attack,” the president clarified when discussed his Iran policy. “I probably could have attacked five times, 10 times having to do with Iran. I’ve been very guarded because I don’t want to do that, but we may have to do something. We have to be in a position where we can do it even from a negotiating standpoint, but hopefully, it won’t be necessary. We have tremendous sanctions. They’re doing very poorly... riots all over their country.”Asked about the remarks of Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a BDS supporter who said that economic sanctions against Iran are “economic warfare,” the president said: “She hates Israel. She hates Jewish People. You just have to take a look at her rhetoric. It’s incredible what’s happened to the Democrats in Congress. They used to be supportive of Israel. Today they’re supportive of her and Tlaib; that’s another real ‘winner’ – and AOC who knows nothing.”He also addressed his policy in Syria and said he made the right decision to reorganize the US troops there. “I moved our troops on the border between Turkey and Syria. That turned out to be such a successful move,” he said. “Look what happened. They’ve been fighting over that border for a thousand years. Why should we do it? And then they say ‘he left troops in Syria.’ Do you know what I did? I left troops to take the oil. I took the oil – the only [US] troops [there] are protecting the oil.”He added that the core of his Middle East policy is not allowing Iran to have nuclear capabilities. “I don’t want people having nuclear weapons because they’ll use them. I don’t want people having nuclear weapons. That’s my biggest thing... You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”Asked about the Iraqi prime minister’s discussion with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about potential plans of withdrawing US troops from Iraq, the president responded: “I’m okay with it. By the way, that’s what they say publicly; they don’t say it privately.”He was also asked whether he thinks that Iraq should repay American taxpayers for these bases. “Sure,” Trump responded. “We built one of the world’s most expensive airport facilities anywhere in the world. I wish we had it in New York. I wish we had it in Washington.“We build runways that are 15,000 feet long – at LaGuardia, they’re 7,000 feet – and deep, thick concrete and steel, nobody ever built runaways like this,” he continued. “But we have billions of dollars into that. I said, if we leave, you’re going to pay us. If we leave, you have to pay us for embassies. You have to pay us for the money we put in... think they agree to pay. Otherwise, we’ll stay there.”


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Sanctioned Iranian commander says new U.S. limitations are "symbolic"

The new U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran are "symbolic," a sanctioned commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said on Friday, after Washington imposed fresh restrictions in retaliation for Tehran's missile attack on U.S. targets in Iraq."Imposing sanctions is symbolic for America and for me because this measure will have no economic impact and will not compensate for (Iran's) missile barrage (on U.S. targets) and will not bring respect for Washington," tweeted Mohsen Rezaie."It is symbolic for me ... And I am proud to be sanctioned by America."


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--U.S. official: sanctions  on Iran more effective than 2015 nuclear deal

The United States' sanctions policy on Iran is a more effective non-proliferation tool to force Tehran to negotiate a broader deal than the 2015 nuclear deal, U.S. special representative for Iran Brian Hook said on Friday."Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon, it would be catastrophic for the Middle East," Hook told reporters in a conference call. "Now that we are outside of the Iran nuclear deal, we are in a much better position to deny Iran a nuclear weapon."It allows us to then forcibly respond to Iran's regional aggression and that is what we have done with our sanctions," Hook said.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--U.S. House Speaker Pelosi says will submit Trump impeachment to Senate

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday announced that she will advance legislation next week that would formally trigger a Senate impeachment trial for President Donald Trump.The House on Dec. 18 passed two articles of impeachment against the Republican president. "I have asked Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler to be prepared to bring to the (House) floor next week a resolution to appoint managers and transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate," Pelosi said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Russia says no grounds to blame Iran for Ukrainian plane crash - TASS

A Russian deputy foreign minister said on Friday that Moscow currently sees no grounds to blame Iran for the crash of a Ukrainian airliner near Tehran, contradicting statements by Canada and others, the TASS news agency reported.Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that the airliner that crashed on Wednesday was likely brought down by an Iranian missile, citing intelligence from Canadian and other sources.Sergei Ryabkov, who is one of several Russian deputy foreign ministers, called on senior world officials to refrain from public statements until more details are known, TASS reported.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--U.S. says any delegation to Iraq would not discuss troop withdrawal

Any delegation the United States would send to Iraq would not discuss the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country, the U.S. State Department said on Friday, saying the force presence there was "appropriate.""There does, however, need to be a conversation between the U.S. and Iraqi governments not just regarding security, but about our financial, economic, and diplomatic partnership," department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Germany's Maas says Iran nuclear deal still makes sense

Germany's foreign minister said he believed the Iran nuclear deal was still relevant and European ministers would reaffirm their commitment to the accord despite Tehran vowing to scrap uranium enrichment limits enshrined in the pact."We believe that this (nuclear) deal makes sense because it binds Iran into not developing any nuclear weapons. So we want this agreement to have a future, but it only has a future if it is adhered to and we expect this from Iran," Heiko Maas told reporters on arrival in Brussels for a European Union foreign ministers meeting.He added that a full investigation was needed into the causes of a Ukrainian airliner crash near Tehran, adding that the reasons for its plight could not be "hidden under the table."


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Iran's envoy to UK denies any clearing of plane crash site - Sky TV

The Iranian ambassador to Britain denied on Friday reports that Iran had bulldozed the crash site in Iran of a Ukrainian plane that Canada and others say was brought down by a missile, he told Sky News.Hamid Baeidinejad, who tweeted the Sky News excerpt, said such reports were "absolutely absurd". Iran has denied that a missile caused the crash.


jerusalempost--2020-01-10--Florida air force base in lockdown after nearby shooting – report

MacDill Air Force Base in Florida is currently in lock down, the local Fox News affiliate reported on Friday.Quoting a spokesperson of the base, the report added the lockdown has been declared after shots were heard in the proximity of the base, located near Tampa, and not inside.The Tampa Police Department has been investigating the situation.Reports on the lockdown are also circulating on social media.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Iran's Guards mistook Ukrainian plane for cruise missile

DUBAI - A Ukrainian plane shot down by Iran was misidentified as a cruise missile, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander said on Saturday in a broadcast on Iranian state television.The plane was shot down by a short-range missile, aerospace division head Amirali Hajizadeh said.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Iran's Guards accept responsibility for downing Ukrainian plane

DUBAI - Iran's Revolutionary Guards accepts full responsibility for the downing of a Ukrainian airliner, a senior commander of the guards said in a video posted online by state TV on Saturday."I wish I could die and not witness such an accident," aerospace division head Amirali Hajizadeh said.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Presidents of Ukraine, Iran to discuss downed plane - Ukrainian official

KIEV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to hold a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Saturday after Tehran said it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, the Ukrainian president's office said.The Ukrainian passenger airplane traveling to Kiev crashed shortly after take-off from Tehran on Wednesday, killing all 176 people on board.Iran had previously denied any responsibility.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Iran's Revolutionary Guards to offer explanation for plane downing

DUBAI - Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards will offer an explanation and apology on Saturday for the shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner in Iran earlier this week, the official IRNA news agency reported, citing an informed source within the Guards.All 176 people aboard the plane died in the crash.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Canada's Trudeau says he wants full investigation into plane crash

OTTAWA - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, responding to Iran's statement that a missile shot down a Ukrainian airliner this week, said on Saturday that his government sought a full investigation and full cooperation from the Iranian authorities.All 176 people on board, including 57 Canadians, were killed in Wednesday's crash after take-off from Tehran. Canada had said for several days it believed the plane was downed by an Iranian missile, but until Saturday Iran had denied this.In a statement issued by his office, Trudeau said that Iran had now acknowledged that the plane was brought down by its own armed forces."Our focus remains closure, accountability, transparency, and justice for the families and loved ones of the victims. This is a national tragedy, and all Canadians are mourning together," he said."We will continue working with our partners around the world to ensure a complete and thorough investigation, and the Canadian government expects full cooperation from Iranian authorities.”


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Greta Thunberg calls on Siemens to halt planned Australia coal mine

It seems that @ SiemensDE have the power to stop , delay or at least interrupt the building of the @ @ @ @ @ Australia .
On Monday they will announce their decision .
Please help pushing them to @ @ @ @ @ .
# StopAdani

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has called on German engineering group Siemens AG to review its role in helping to develop a coal mine project in Australia."On Monday they (Siemens) will announce their decision. Please help pushing them to make the only right decision. #StopAdani," Thunberg tweeted on Saturday.
It seems that @SiemensDE have the power to stop, delay or at least interrupt the building of the huge Adani coal mine in Australia. On Monday they will announce their decision. Please help pushing them to make the only right decision. #StopAdani — Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) January 11, 2020
Environmental activists are concerned that the continued use of coal as will lead to higher emissions of carbon dioxide, a gas which is linked to global warming.Engineering giant Siemens has said it will decide by Monday on its involvement in the development of the mine which is being built by India's Adani Power, its CEO Joe Kaeser said on Friday.The Australian government last year approved the construction of a new coal mine in Queensland by Adani that is expected to produce 8-10 million tonnes of thermal coal a year.Australia is one of the world's largest carbon emitters per capita because of its reliance on coal-fired power plants. The coal from the Adani project is destined for export and would be burned in India.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Oman's new ruler promises to keep good ties with all nations

Oman's new ruler Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said promised on Saturday to maintain the Gulf Arab state's foreign policy which he said was built on peaceful coexistence and maintaining friendly ties with all nations.In a speech broadcast on state television, he also called for efforts to develop the relatively small oil producer, continuing the path of his predecessor Sultan Qaboos bin Said who died on Friday. Qaboos, who built modern Oman, had acted as a regional mediator.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Ukraine says Iran statement confirms its suspicions on plane crash

KIEV - A statement by Iran saying it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane confirms one of the working theories of the Ukrainian state security service (SBU) on what caused the crash, SBU chief Ivan Bakanov said on Saturday.Contrary to what some experts had said initially, the SBU thought Iran's anti-aircraft missile system had been operated manually rather than automatically, Bakanov said in a statement.Iran said it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 aboard and voiced deep regret, after initially denying it brought down the aircraft in the tense aftermath of Iranian missile strikes on US targets in Iraq.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Iran's Supreme Leader says he was informed of Ukrainian airliner incident

DUBAI - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the top authority in the Islamic Republic, was informed about the accidental shooting down of the Ukrainian airliner on Friday and said information should be publicly announced after a meeting of Iran's top security body, the semi-official Fars news agency said in a tweet.All 176 passengers aboard the plane died in the crash.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Ukraine airline chief says he never believed airline caused Iran crash

KIEV - Ukraine International Airlines President Yevhenii Dykhne said on Saturday he never doubted that the airline had not caused the crash of its passenger plane in Iran.Eleven Ukrainians, including nine crew members, died in the plane crash that killed 176 people on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian government figures. Dykhne wrote a statement on social media after Iran said it had mistakenly shot down the plane."We didn't doubt for a second that our crew and our plane couldn't be the cause for this horrible plane crash," Dykhne said."These were our best guys and girls. The best," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Ukraine president expects full investigation, compensation from Iran

KIEV - Ukraine expects a full investigation, a full admission of guilt and compensation from Iran after the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a statement on Saturday.Iran had earlier said it mistakenly shot down a plane killing all 176 people aboard and voiced its deep regret, after initially denying it brought down the aircraft in the tense aftermath of Iranian missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq.Zelenskiy said "Iran has pleaded guilty to crashing the Ukrainian plane. But we insist on a full admission of guilt.""We expect from Iran assurances of their readiness for a full and open investigation, bringing those responsible to justice, the return of the bodies of the dead, the payment of compensation, official apologies through diplomatic channels," he added.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Trump believes Iran was targeting four US embassies

`` I can reveal that I believe it would have been four embassies , '' Trump said in an interview with Laura Ingraham .
He said that one of those embassies was the US embassy in Baghdad .
`` [ It ] could have been military bases , could have been a lot of other things too .
But it was imminent , and then all of a sudden , he [ Soleimani ] was gone . ''
`` I 'm not somebody that wants to attack , '' the president clarified when discussed his Iran policy .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten times having to do with Iran .
I 've been very guarded because I do n't want to do that , but we may have to do something .
We have to be in a position where we can do it even from a negotiating standpoint , but hopefully , it wo n't be necessary .
We have tremendous sanctions .
They 're doing very poorly ... riots all over their country . ''
Asked about the remarks of Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota , a BDS supporter who said that economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the president said : `` She hates Israel .
She hates Jewish People .
You just have to take a look at her rhetoric .
It 's incredible what 's happened to the Democrats in Congress .
They used to be supportive of Israel .
Today they 're supportive of her and Tlaib ; that 's another real `` winner '' – and AOC who knows nothing . ''
He also addressed his policy in Syria and said he made the right decision to reorganize the US troops there .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Turkey and Syria .
That turned out to be such a successful move , '' he said .
`` Look what happened .
They 've been fighting over that border for a thousand years .
Why should we do it ?
And then they say 'he left troops in Syria . '
Do you know what I did ?
I left troops to take the oil .
I took the oil -the only [ US ] troops [ there ] are protecting the oil . ''
He added that the core of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran to have nuclear capabilities .
`` I do n't want people having nuclear weapons because they 'll use them .
I do n't want people having nuclear weapons .
That 's my biggest thing ... You can not let Iran have a nuclear weapon . ''
Asked about the Iraqi prime minister 's discussion with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about potential plans of withdrawing US troops from Iraq , the president responded : `` I 'm okay with it .
By the way , that 's what they say publicly ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` We build runways that are 15,000 feet long – at LaGuardia , they 're 7,000 feet – and deep , thick concrete and steel , nobody ever built runaways like this , '' he continued .
`` But we have billions of dollars into that .
I said , if we leave , you 're going to pay us .
If we leave , you have to pay us for embassies .
You have to pay us for the money we put in ... think they agree to pay .
Otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was also asked whether he thinks that Iraq should repay American taxpayers for these bases .
`` Sure , '' Trump responded .
`` We built one of the world 's most expensive airport facilities anywhere in the world .
I wish we had it in New York .
I wish we had it in Washington .
`` We build runways that are 15,000 feet long – at LaGuardia , they 're 7,000 feet – and deep , thick concrete and steel , nobody ever built runaways like this , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars into that .
I said , if we leave , you 're going to pay us .
If we leave , you have to pay us for embassies .
You have to pay us for the money we put in ... think they agree to pay .
Otherwise , we 'll stay there . ''

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump aid in an interview with Fox News Friday night that the Iranians were planning to target four US embassies before the killing of Qasem Soleimani. “I am worried about it,” @realDonaldTrump said about House Dems’ handling of classified information in intel briefings. pic.twitter.com/XxZRMBGaXh — Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) January 11, 2020
“I can reveal that I believe it would have been four embassies,” Trump said in an interview with Laura Ingraham. He said that one of those embassies was the US embassy in Baghdad. “[It] could have been military bases, could have been a lot of other things, too. But it was imminent, and then all of a sudden, he [ Soleimani] was gone."
Democrat lawmakers, however, disputed Trump’s claims, saying that they were not provided any evidence to support it during their briefing this week.“I’m not somebody that wants to attack,” the president clarified when discussed his Iran policy. “I probably could have attacked five times, 10 times having to do with Iran. I’ve been very guarded because I don’t want to do that, but we may have to do something. We have to be in a position where we can do it even from a negotiating standpoint, but hopefully, it won’t be necessary. We have tremendous sanctions. They’re doing very poorly... riots all over their country.”Asked about the remarks of Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a BDS supporter who said that economic sanctions against Iran are “economic warfare,” the president said: “She hates Israel. She hates Jewish People. You just have to take a look at her rhetoric. It’s incredible what’s happened to the Democrats in Congress. They used to be supportive of Israel. Today they’re supportive of her and Tlaib; that’s another real ‘winner’ – and AOC who knows nothing.”He also addressed his policy in Syria and said he made the right decision to reorganize the US troops there. “I moved our troops on the border between Turkey and Syria. That turned out to be such a successful move,” he said. “Look what happened. They’ve been fighting over that border for a thousand years. Why should we do it? And then they say ‘he left troops in Syria.’ Do you know what I did? I left troops to take the oil. I took the oil – the only [US] troops [there] are protecting the oil.”He added that the core of his Middle East policy is not allowing Iran to have nuclear capabilities. “I don’t want people having nuclear weapons because they’ll use them. I don’t want people having nuclear weapons. That’s my biggest thing... You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”Asked about the Iraqi prime minister’s discussion with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about potential plans of withdrawing US troops from Iraq, the president responded: “I’m okay with it. By the way, that’s what they say publicly; they don’t say it privately.”He was also asked whether he thinks that Iraq should repay American taxpayers for these bases. “Sure,” Trump responded. “We built one of the world’s most expensive airport facilities anywhere in the world. I wish we had it in New York. I wish we had it in Washington.“We build runways that are 15,000 feet long – at LaGuardia, they’re 7,000 feet – and deep, thick concrete and steel, nobody ever built runaways like this,” he continued. “But we have billions of dollars into that. I said, if we leave, you’re going to pay us. If we leave, you have to pay us for embassies. You have to pay us for the money we put in... think they agree to pay. Otherwise, we’ll stay there.”


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Oman names Qaboos' cousin Haitham as new ruler

DUBAI - Oman has named Haitham bin Tariq al-Said as the country's new ruler after the death of his cousin Sultan Qaboos bin Said late on Friday, Al Jazeera television reported on Saturday.There was no independent confirmation of the report by the Qatar-based channel, which was citing its correspondent.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Ukrainian aircraft was brought down in Iran due to 'human error'

Experts said mounting international scrutiny would have made it all but impossible to hide signs of a missile strike in an investigation and Iran may have felt a policy U-turn was better than battling rising criticism abroad and growing grief and anger at home.Many of the victims were Iranians with dual nationality.In Twitter messages , angry Iranians asked why the plane was allowed to take off with tensions so high after the Iranian military action .
The plane came down just hours after Iran launched rockets to attack US troops in Iraqi bases , at a time when Tehran was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran 's announcement , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he wanted an official apology and full cooperation , demanding those responsible be held to account.Iran 's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter that `` human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster , '' citing an initial armed forces investigation into the crash of the Boeing 737-800.TELL-TALE SIGNSA military statement said the plane flew close to a sensitive military site of the elite Revolutionary Guards .
At the time , planes had been spotted on radar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alertness '' in air defenses.Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko had said on Friday that the plane was following a normal flight corridor.Experts said a probe would almost certainly have revealed tell-tale signs on the fuselage remains of a missile strike .
`` There 's nothing you can do to cover it up or hide it , '' said Anthony Brickhouse , an air safety expert at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and former US National Transportation Safety Board investigator .
`` Evidence is evidence .
`` Former US Federal Aviation Administration accident investigator , Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the facts and evidence started coming out , I think it was inevitable that the government of Iran ( would ) accept culpability .
`` The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Mobile phone footage posted and circulated by ordinary Iranians on Twitter after the crash had indicated that it came down in flames and exploded as it struck the ground.Iran had said on Thursday it would download the information from voice and flight data recorders , known as black boxes , to determine what had happened , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one to two months.Tehran had said it could ask Russia , Canada , France or Ukraine for help in the investigation.PUBLIC GRIEFIn its initial denials this week , Iran had described accusations that a missile was to blame as `` psychological warfare .
`` Grief-stricken Iranians complained on social media that Iran 's authorities had spent more time fending off criticism than sympathizing with victims ' families .
`` Why were any civilian airlines flying out of Tehran airport in those conditions ? ''
Twitter user Shiva Balaghi wrote.Former vice president Shaheendokht Molaverdi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one official will resign in order to calm down angry people who think that they have been humiliated .
`` A US official had said data showed the plane airborne for two minutes after departing Tehran when heat signatures of two surface-to-air missiles were detected .
There was an explosion in the vicinity and heat data showed the plane on fire as it fell .
US military satellites detect infrared emissions from heat.US President Donald Trump had said `` somebody could have made a mistake .
`` The disaster had echoes of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warship USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian airliner , killing 290 people .
Washington said it was a tragic accident .
Tehran said it was intentional .

Experts said mounting international scrutiny would have made it all but impossible to hide signs of a missile strike in an investigation and Iran may have felt a policy U-turn was better than battling rising criticism abroad and growing grief and anger at home.Many of the victims were Iranians with dual nationality.In Twitter messages, angry Iranians asked why the plane was allowed to take off with tensions so high after the Iranian military action. The plane came down just hours after Iran launched rockets to attack US troops in Iraqi bases, at a time when Tehran was on high alert for possible reprisals.Responding to Iran's announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he wanted an official apology and full cooperation, demanding those responsible be held to account.Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter that "human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster," citing an initial armed forces investigation into the crash of the Boeing 737-800.TELL-TALE SIGNSA military statement said the plane flew close to a sensitive military site of the elite Revolutionary Guards. At the time, planes had been spotted on radar near strategic sites leading to "further alertness" in air defenses.Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko had said on Friday that the plane was following a normal flight corridor.Experts said a probe would almost certainly have revealed tell-tale signs on the fuselage remains of a missile strike."There's nothing you can do to cover it up or hide it," said Anthony Brickhouse, an air safety expert at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and former US National Transportation Safety Board investigator. "Evidence is evidence."Former US Federal Aviation Administration accident investigator, Mike Daniel, told Reuters: "When the facts and evidence started coming out, I think it was inevitable that the government of Iran (would) accept culpability."The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Mobile phone footage posted and circulated by ordinary Iranians on Twitter after the crash had indicated that it came down in flames and exploded as it struck the ground.Iran had said on Thursday it would download the information from voice and flight data recorders, known as black boxes, to determine what had happened, although it had said the process could take one to two months.Tehran had said it could ask Russia, Canada, France or Ukraine for help in the investigation.PUBLIC GRIEFIn its initial denials this week, Iran had described accusations that a missile was to blame as "psychological warfare."Grief-stricken Iranians complained on social media that Iran's authorities had spent more time fending off criticism than sympathizing with victims' families."Why were any civilian airlines flying out of Tehran airport in those conditions?" Twitter user Shiva Balaghi wrote.Former vice president Shaheendokht Molaverdi said on Twitter: "We hope one official will resign in order to calm down angry people who think that they have been humiliated."A US official had said data showed the plane airborne for two minutes after departing Tehran when heat signatures of two surface-to-air missiles were detected. There was an explosion in the vicinity and heat data showed the plane on fire as it fell. US military satellites detect infrared emissions from heat.US President Donald Trump had said "somebody could have made a mistake."The disaster had echoes of an incident in 1988, when the US warship USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian airliner, killing 290 people. Washington said it was a tragic accident. Tehran said it was intentional.


jerusalempost--2020-01-11--Trump: I could have attacked Iran five, ten times before, now we had to