Iran designated as state sponsor of wrongful detention, Marco Rubio announces
"The Iranian regime must stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran," Rubio said, as Trump states he is "not happy" with the negotiations.
Middle East
Iran stored highly enriched uranium at underground site, IAEA report says
Fire breaks out in shoe factory southeast of Tehran
Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq threatens US, Kurdish groups
Trump echoes Netanyahu's Iran warning, reframing nuclear threat as America’s fight
DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS: Trump’s framing of Iran as a direct security threat to the US in his State of the Union address could shape whether Washington ultimately chooses war over diplomacy.
Iranian families pressured to falsify death records after regime kills protesting loved ones - CNN
The regime, rights groups stated, would routinely force the families to register their loved ones posthumously as members of the paramilitary Basij militia, a force affiliated with the IRGC.
Permanent Observer for Palestine withdraws candidacy for UN Presidency
Palestine is currently considered a non-member state of the UN and a Permanent Observer with “a standing invitation to participate as Observers in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly.”
Iran triples oil loading rate as tensions rise with US, oil accumulating offshore - WSJ
According to the global commodity data provider site Kpler, the recent average has been approximately 10 million barrels of crude oil and condensate per week.
Trump's claim Iran may 'soon' have missiles that could reach US not backed by intelligence - source
In his State of the Union address, US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran was “working on missiles that will soon reach” the United States.
US approves potential $280 million sale of military radars to Jordan
The US State Department has approved the sale of radar systems to Jordan for $280 million, while the US increases its military presence at a Jordanian airbase, including fighter jets.
Iran's top targets in retaliatory strikes likely to include key Israeli infrastructure, US bases
Iran and its proxies may attempt direct military action, and mobilize terror attacks or sabotage activity within Israel in retaliation for US strikes, the Alma Research and Education Center analyzed.
CENTCOM chief briefs Trump on military options against Iran, source tells 'Post'
The briefing came while the Trump administration's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner were in Geneva holding nuclear talks with Iran.
US efforts helped pave way for Syria-Druze deal, source tells 'Post'
Months of US diplomacy paved the way for a historic detainee swap between Damascus and the Druze of Sweida, marking a breakthrough in Syrian peace efforts.
Should Hezbollah announcement shift Israeli view of intensity of Iran attack? - analysis
Hezbollah said that it will stay out of the war and not attack Israel if any American or Israeli attack on Iran is limited to certain Iranian capabilities.
