Marines Beefing Up Security at US Embassies After Jerusalem Opening

In the aftermath of the violence in Israel over the moving of the United States embassy to Jerusalem, the Pentagon is ordering the Marines to augment and bolster security at all U.S. embassies in the Middle East and Africa. The Marines have already begun adding security forces to their normal Embassy protective personnel because of […]

As Expected, President Trump Withdraws From Iran Deal: Analysis

The message resonating from Washington on President Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear arms deal should surprise no one. Since before the 2016 election Trump has been a critic of the deal and following a shakeup of his own administration, he has replaced many of the players with members who are, like him much more […]

Don’t Expect Anything to Come From Kerry’s Disdain for the Logan Act

The news this week has shown that since the pressure is being ramped up to repeal the Iran nuclear deal that John Kerry has been openly working behind the scenes, contrary to what the administration is saying and trying to save the Iran nuclear deal that he helped push thru with the Obama administration. The […]

Russian Foreign Minister accuses Trump of ‘demonizing’ North Korea in UN speech

After President Trump spoke before the UN assembly on Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that Russia is “extremely concerned” about the President’s statements regarding the Iran nuclear deal, North Korea and accused the United States of trying to force its influence on other nations. Lavrov did applaud one portion of Trump’s speech, […]

Trump administration plans to certify Iranian compliance with nuclear agreement

The Trump administration, delaying an anticipated confrontation with Iran until the completion of a long-awaited policy review, plans to recertify Tehran’s compliance with the Obama-era nuclear deal, according to U.S. and foreign officials. The recertification, due Monday to Congress, follows a heated internal debate between those who want to crack down on Iran now — including […]

Iran accepts first Airbus A321 Jetliner allowed by the nuclear arms deal

Iran’s state airline, IranAir just took delivery of their first Airbus A321 jetliner with the company paint scheme and logo. Iran’s purchase of these new Airbus aircraft is only possible due to the lifting of sanctions under the Iran nuclear deal framework. “The technical acceptance has been done with formal delivery still to be done,” an […]

Donald Trump’s victory sparks optimism in an unlikely place: Iran

Donald Trump had sharp words for Iran during his presidential campaign, but Iranian leaders see reasons for hope in a Trump presidency. For hard-liners, Trump’s threats to revisit the nuclear deal, which Iran struck with six world powers including the United States, bolsters their constant refrain that Washington cannot be trusted. Meanwhile, moderate President Hassan […]

CIA chief warns Trump: Scrapping Iran deal ‘height of folly’

The director of the CIA has warned US President-elect Donald Trump that ending the Iran nuclear deal would be “disastrous” and “the height of folly.” In a BBC interview, John Brennan also advised the new president to be wary of Russia’s promises, blaming Moscow for much of the suffering in Syria. In his campaign, Mr […]

Obama Seeks to Fortify Iran Nuclear Deal

The Obama administration is considering new measures in its final months in office to strengthen the landmark nuclear agreement with Iran, senior U.S. officials said, with President-elect Donald Trump’s first appointments foreshadowing an increasingly rocky road for the controversial deal. Action under consideration to buttress the pact includes steps to provide licenses for more American businesses […]

Iran Sticks to Terms of Nuclear Deal, but Defies the U.S. in Other Ways

A year after President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran, the worst predictions of what would happen next have not come to pass. The Iranians, defying the expectations of the deal’s most vociferous critics, gave up 98 percent of their nuclear material. They dismantled thousands of centrifuges and filled the core of a major plutonium reactor with […]

Iran vows to burn nuclear agreement if U.S. scraps it

Iran’s top leader said Tuesday that if the next U.S. president tears up the nuclear deal, Iran will “light it on fire.” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s remarks appeared to be aimed at presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, who has criticized the deal and vowed to renegotiate it. Khamenei referred to a “U.S. presidential candidate […]