Iran
US blames Iran in abduction, death of ex-FBI agent Levinson
The Trump administration for the first time on Monday formally blamed Iran for the presumed death of retired FBI agent Robert Levinson, publicly identifying two Iranian intelligence officers believed responsible for his abduction and imposing sanctions against them.
Major global developments in a year of Covid-19
In a year dominated by Covid-19, many other developments including China’s crackdown on Hong Kong’s democracy, an apocalyptic explosion in Beirut, and a tumultuous US presidential election unfolded.
Iran newspaper: Strike Haifa if Israel killed scientist
An opinion piece published Sunday by a hard-line Iranian newspaper urged Iran to attack the Israeli port city of Haifa if Israel carried out the killing of the scientist who founded the Islamic Republic’s military nuclear program in the early 2000s.
Iran’s president vows revenge over slain military scientist
Iran’s president vowed Saturday to exact revenge over the killing of a scientist linked to Tehran’s disbanded military nuclear program as he joined other officials in blaming Israel for the slaying.
Iran scientist linked to military nuclear program killed
An Iranian scientist that Israel alleged led the Islamic Republic’s military nuclear program until its disbanding in the early 2000s was “assassinated” Friday, state television said.
UN arms embargoes on Iran expire despite US objections
A decade-long U.N. arms embargo on Iran that barred it from purchasing foreign weapons like tanks and fighter jets expired Sunday as planned under its nuclear deal with world powers, despite objections from the United States, which insists the ban remains in place, reports AP.
Iraq's FM makes first visit to Iran
Foreign Minister of Iraq Fuad Hussein arrived at Tehran on Saturday, on order to hold bilateral talks with senior Iranian officials.
US waging economic war: Rouhani
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday alleged that the United States waged an economic war against his country.
Iran vows ‘hit’ on all involved in US killing of top general
The chief of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened Saturday to go after everyone who had a role in a top general’s January killing during a U.S. drone strike in Iraq.
Iran unveils 2 new missiles
Iran has unveiled two new missiles amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, reported Iran State TV.
State TV said officials unveiled the two new missiles on Thursday — National Defense Industry Day in Iran, reports AP.
They are named after top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who were killed outside Baghdad’s international airport in a U.S. strike in January.
The “Martyr Hajj Qassem” surface-to-surface ballistic missile has a 1,400-kilometer (870-mile) range, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. State TV said the “Martyr Abu Mahdi” naval cruise missile has a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) range.
State TV said the “Martyr Hajj Qassem” missile was not intercepted by a defense system during a test.
Also on Thursday, Iran unveiled a fourth-generation light turbo-fan engine for its advanced drones.
Iran also inaugurated the production line of its domestically produced “Owj” engine for the Iranian-made twin-seat Kowsar fighter jet.
Iran routinely unveils technological achievements for its armed forces, its space program and its nuclear efforts.
President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers, known in 2018, and tensions between the two countries have escalated since.
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