A $400 million cash payment to Iran has little precedent

A $400 million cash payment to Iran has little precedent

A $400 million cash delivery to Iran to repay a decades-old arbitration claim may be unprecedented in recent U.S. history, according to legal experts and diplomatic historians, raising further questions about a payment timed to help free four American prisoners in Iran. The money was sent to Iran on Jan. 17, the same day Tehran […]

Iran confirms arrest of member of negotiation team with West

Iran confirms arrest of member of negotiation team with West

Iran’s judiciary on Sunday confirmed the brief detention of a member of Iran‘s negotiation team with world powers on suspicion of “infiltration,” the official IRNA news agency reported. On Wednesday, hard-line news outlets said authorities detained a dual Iranian-Canadian national, Abdolrasoul Dorri Esfahani, a member of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants in Canada. The […]

Malware discovered at petrochemical plants, Iran claims

Malware discovered at petrochemical plants, Iran claims

Iran said it discovered and removed malicious software from two petrochemical complexes, denying that the malware had played a role in the recent fires at the plants. The head of Iran’s civilian defense told state agency IRNA that in a “periodical inspection of petrochemical units, a type of industrial malware was detected and the necessary […]

If Trump really wants to win, here is a blueprint for victory

If Trump really wants to win, here is a blueprint for victory

When a question comes up that you aren’t sure about, a much better approach to answering that question on your own might be to say something like: “you know, I’ve never bombed the hell out of somebody, but I’m gonna sit down tonight with x-number of current and former generals, colonels, and SOF team leaders, and formulate a plan. And what those guys ask for, I’m gonna do everything in my power as president to provide it for them.”

Lebanon could erupt in civil war or host next stage battles

Lebanon could erupt in civil war or host next stage battles

Lebanese military aid from the U.S. is approximately $80 million. We train, advise, and assist the Lebanese to maintain security within their country. If the conflict in Syria were to spill over it would complicate the Lebanese theatre command.

Iran Looking to Purchase Sukhoi Fighters From Russia

Iran’s Ministry of Defense said it will negotiate with Russia on the purchase of the Sukhoi aircraft. Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan told Iran’s state TV on Sunday evening. Coming on the heels of acquiring the S-300 system from Russia, Iranian officials are looking to beef up their armament in other ways. In addition […]

Iran Has the S-300 SAM And It’s Not Good

Iran Has the S-300 SAM And It’s Not Good

Russia is delivering components of the advanced S-300 Surface to Air Missile (SAM) system to Iran.  Proliferation of this system from Russia to Iran will fundamentally alter the strategic balance of power in the Middle East according to Senior Naval Analyst Chris Harmer. FighterSweep sat down with Chris Harmer, Senior Naval Analyst (nonresident) for the Institute for […]

U.S. Held Cash Until Iran Freed Prisoners

U.S. Held Cash Until Iran Freed Prisoners

New details of the $400 million U.S. payment to Iran earlier this year depict a tightly scripted exchange specifically timed to the release of several American prisoners held in Iran, based on accounts from U.S. officials and others briefed on the operation. U.S. officials wouldn’t let Iranians take control of the money until a Swiss Air Force […]