Category: Iran

Tanker Seized by Suspected Iran-Backed Forces in Arabian Sea, Maritime Sources Say

DUBAI/LONDON—Iranian-backed forces are believed to have seized an oil tanker in the Gulf off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, three maritime security sources said, after Britain’s maritime trade agency reported a “potential hijack” in the area on Tuesday. Two of the sources identified the vessel as the Panama-flagged asphalt/bitumen tanker Asphalt Princess in…


US Sees ‘Collective Response’ to Tanker Attack Blamed on Iran

WASHINGTON—The United States is confident Iran attacked an Israeli-managed tanker last week, killing two, the top U.S. diplomat said on Monday, predicting a “collective response” but saying he did not think the incident necessarily signaled anything about Iran’s incoming President Ebrahim Raisi. “We have seen a series of actions taken by Iran over many months,…


UK Tension With Iran Rise After Oil Tanker Attack

LONDON—Britain and Iran issued warnings to each other’s diplomats Monday as tensions escalated over a recent attack on an oil tanker in the Arabian Sea. Britain began the day by summoning Iran’s ambassador, Mohsen Baharvand, to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in response to Thursday’s drone strike on the MV Mercer Street, which killed…


Outgoing Iran President Says Government Not Always Truthful

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Iran’s outgoing president on Sunday acknowledged the Iranian regime at times “did not tell part of the truth” to its people during his eight-year tenure, as he prepares to leave office with his signature nuclear deal with world powers in tatters and tensions high with the West. President Hassan Rouhani’s comments, aired…


US, UK, and Israel Blame Iran for Oil Tanker Attack; Tehran Denies

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—The United States and the United Kingdom joined Israel on Sunday in alleging Iran carried out a fatal drone strike on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea, putting further pressure on Tehran as it denied being involved in the assault. Calling it a “unlawful and callous…


UK: ‘Highly Likely’ Iran Launched ‘Deliberate’ Attack on Oil Tanker

The UK on Sunday supported Israel’s assertion that the fatal attack on an oil tanker on Thursday off the coast of Oman was carried out by Iran. The attack on Mercer Street, an oil tanker from London-based and Israeli-owned company Zodiac Maritime, killed a British national and a Romanian national on board, making it the first known…


Top US Diplomat Talks Relocation of Afghan Allies in Kuwait

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—The United States is negotiating with Kuwait and other countries whether they can host Afghans who supported the American war effort and could face Taliban revenge attacks if they stay in Afghanistan, America’s top diplomat said Thursday. During a visit to tiny, oil-rich Kuwait, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not…


US Hits Iran for Delay in Nuclear and Prisoner Swap Talks

Iran and the United States volleyed tweeted criticisms of each other into Sunday over the fate of prisoners in both countries, underlining that separate negotiations outside of Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal continue between the nations. The tweets from two Iranian Foreign Ministry officials also signaled the waning influence of outgoing President Hassan Rouhani’s administration, which…


Deep Dive (July 14): 4 Iranians Charged in NYC Journalist Kidnap Plot

Democrats in the Senate say they’ve reached an agreement to spend $3.5 trillion on domestic programs. But the plan still faces obstacles before it gets to President Joe Biden’s desk. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the spending is in addition to the bipartisan bill on physical infrastructure. This money is for other Democrat spending priorities…


Will Cuba Be Biden’s Iran?

Commentary Remember November 2009 when thousands of freedom demonstrators in the streets of Tehran were chanting “Obama, Obama, you are either with us or you are with them [the Islamic Regime]!”? If not, click on the link and see for yourself. It was the moment Barack Obama revealed himself as the hypocrite (with a totalitarian…