Iranian official calls for negotiations with Washington in Iraq

[ChuckFinley]

1 hour ago, Desertmedic2009 said:

Guys it’s going to be 80f today where I’m at. Y’all come on down!

Just get me near the shore.  

[Desertmedic2009]

10 minutes ago, ChuckFinley said:

Just get me near the shore.  

It’s only a mile away my friend...

[6ly410]

Deputy: The decision of Iraq's commitment to US sanctions against Tehran is not in the hands of Abdul Mahdi

16:24 - 12/05/2019

https://www.almaalomah.com/2019/05/12/405847/

Information / Special ...

A member of the Committee on Economy and Investment Parliamentary Representative Nada Shaker, Sunday, that Washington is concerned about the silence of the Iraqi government against the economic sanctions imposed against Iran , while indicated that the decision to abide by those sanctions whether or not the hand of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi only.

"The silence of the federal government of US economic sanctions against Iran prompted Washington to send its Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo to Baghdad to know the position of Iraq ," said Shaker, pointing out that "the visit of Pompei was carrying a US mission to the Iraqi government was not disclosed Until now".

She added that "Abdul-Mahdi is unable to take a decision to abide by those sanctions or not without returning to the political blocs in the House of Representatives," indicating that " Iraq 's commitment to these sanctions will negatively affect the economy and create a problem with the lack of gas and electric power."

Shaker said that "the government of Abdul Mahdi is obliged to express its position as soon as possible against the economic sanctions imposed against Iran ."

The MP for the Coalition for Reform and Reconstruction Ali al-Badiri, earlier, the government has not briefed the House of Representatives so far on the details of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's secret visit to Iraq .

Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said during his meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week that Iraq is continuing with bridges of friendship and cooperation with all friends and neighbors, including neighboring Iran. He pointed out that Iraq is building its relations with all on the basis of putting Iraq's interests first. End 25 T

[6ly410]

Facing lack of opportunity at home, foreign workers seek jobs in Kurdistan

By Salim Ibrahim 35 minutes ago

95Viewshttp://www.rudaw.net/mobile/english/kurdistan/12052019

         

A laborer works in the Kurdistan Region. File photo: Rudaw TV

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Kurdistan Region has recently seen an increase in the arrival of foreign workers, with Iranians hard hit by US sanctions making up the largest contingent.

During the war with the Islamic State (ISIS), “the number of foreign workers coming to apply for work permit in the Kurdistan Region daily was 500 to 600,” Brigadier General Yadgar Anwar, the head of Residency Office in Erbil, told Rudaw English on Sunday.

However this has increased, with workers from across the Middle East and the rest of Asia coming to the Kurdistan Region for job opportunities.

“In one day, 800 to 1,000 people come to apply for work permit in the Kurdistan Region, mostly from Iran. Some also come from Turkey, India, Nepal and some Arab countries,” Anwar told Rudaw Radio on Saturday.

Nearly half of the foreign workers come from Iraq’s eastern neighbor which is under increasing economic pressure due to US sanctions and military pressure targeting the Islamic Republic in various sectors. 

“Of this figure, 40 percent currently comes from Iran,” he explained.

Foreign workers are flocking to the Kurdistan Region as investment there has begun to grow again due to improved political and security relations with Baghdad post-ISIS.

One issue facing foreign workers is the deprivation of their rights by employment agencies, who often promise well-paying jobs and residency in exchange.

“People or companies applying for a visa to foreigners should commit to giving all their rights. That is, they will shoulder this duty,” Anwar added.

 

Foreign workers are also facing increased xenophobic hostility, as Kurdish workers cite the presence of foreign workers as a reason behind a perceived lack of job opportunities. Local workers often feel left at the wayside when local companies recruit foreign workers instead, but foreign workers are often employed for job roles that are otherwise difficult to fill.

 

The unemployment rate in the Kurdistan Region was 6.5 percent prior to the war with the Islamic State (ISIS). The rate rose to 13.5 percent in 2015, but declined to 10.2 percent at the end of 2017. The figure currently stands at 10.7 percent, according to figures from Kurdistan Region Statistics Office (KRSO).

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has worked with the private sector to create job opportunities in the Kurdistan Region in three different ways.

“First, finding job opportunities – we have six job centers where the unemployed can register. They will be contacted when an employment opportunity is found for them,” Arif Hito, general manager of labor at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, told Rudaw on Saturday.

They have a presence in all four provinces of the Kurdistan Region.

“In addition to the cities of Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok and Halabja, we have mobile teams working in remote places in coordination with foreign organizations. In January 2019, we started to register names via two buses which go to different places,” he added.

Half of the Kurdistan Region’s population is under the age of 32, according to the KRSO. Underemployment and unemployment rates are particularly high for young people in the Kurdistan Region, with an unemployment rate among those aged 15-34 of 25.2% according to a July 2018 UN Migration Agency demographic survey of the Kurdistan Region.

“We have professional training centers where we teach professions to the youth and also give loans to small projects. So far, 8,136 people have benefitted from small loans. We have given nearly 76 billion dinars ($63.7 million) in small loans to the youth in order to pursue small ventures. They have six years to pay back the loan and most of the loans have been repaid by now.”

 

[6ly410]

019/05/12 17:15

Parliamentary Economy: The decision of Iraq's commitment to US sanctions against Tehran is not in Abdel-Mahdi's hands

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/170805/الاقتصاد-النيابية-قرار-التزام-العراق-بالعقوبات-الأمريكية-ضد-طهران-ليس-بيد-عبدالمهدي

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - US Secretary of State for Economic and Investment Nada Shaker said on Sunday that Washington was wary of the Iraqi government's silence on the economic sanctions against Iran and that the decision to abide by those sanctions was not only by Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. .

Shaker said that the silence of the federal government of the US economic sanctions against Iran prompted Washington to send its Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo to Baghdad to know the position of Iraq, pointing out that the visit of Pompeo was carrying a US mission to the Iraqi government is not yet disclosed.

She added that Abdul Mahdi is unable to make a decision to abide by those sanctions or not without returning to the political blocs in the House of Representatives, indicating that Iraq's commitment to these sanctions will negatively affect the economy and create a problem with the shortage of gas and electric power.

Shaker said that the government of Abdul Mahdi is obliged to express its position on the economic sanctions against Iran.

The MP for the Coalition for Reform and Reconstruction Ali al-Badiri, earlier, the government has not briefed the House of Representatives so far on the details of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's secret visit to Iraq.

Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said during his meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week that Iraq is continuing with bridges of friendship and cooperation with all friends and neighbors, including neighboring Iran. He pointed out that Iraq is building its relations with all on the basis of putting Iraq's interests first.

 

Edited May 12, 2019 by 6ly410

[6ly410]

Saleh discusses with the ambassadors of Britain, Germany and France the recent escalation between Iran and America

Political | 06:41 - 12/05/2019

https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=46533

 

BAGHDAD - The 
President of the Republic, Barham Salih, on Sunday, the ambassadors of Britain, Germany and France to Iraq, tension and the recent escalation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America. 
"Saleh received the ambassadors of Britain, Germany and France in Baghdad at the Peace Palace in Baghdad," a presidential statement said. 
"Iraq is keen to establish balanced relations of cooperation with its neighbors, brothers and friends, including the United States and Iran, and to promote security, stability and economic prosperity in the region and the world," he said. 
He stressed "the importance of adopting a serious and constructive dialogue to solve all problems and to give preference to the participants to differences and to refrain from the policy of axes."
For their part, the ambassadors of the three European countries stressed "their satisfaction with the development of relations with Iraq and the efforts of their countries to consolidate and increase cooperation," praising the "balanced foreign policy of Iraq and the role it plays in its Arab and regional environment." 
They expressed "the desire of their countries to contribute to the reconstruction of Iraq, and to seize investment opportunities for European companies looking forward to work in the country," pointing out that "the views of the two sides match the crisis in the region and the importance of defusing it." 
During the meeting, according to the statement, "the review of the development of relations between Iraq and the European Union countries and ways of continuing cooperation in all fields, as well as discuss developments in the region in light of the current tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran."

[6ly410]

Fayyad: Washington is concerned about the Iranian reaction .. This is the position of Iraq]

2019/05/12 11:45:54

https://www.shafaaq.com/ar/سیاسة/الفياض-واشنطن-قلقة-من-رد-فعل-ايراني-وهذا-موقف-العراق/

 

Iraq's national security adviser and head of the Popular Gathering, Faleh al-Fayyad, said the Americans were concerned about possible Iranian reactions and did not intend to take military action against Iran.
Fayyad commented on US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to Baghdad. "The Americans are concerned about possible Iranian reactions and have come to Baghdad to give reassurance that they do not intend to take military action," he said.
"Iraq is playing its role in this issue in full and in line with its special characteristics and relations with the Islamic Republic and its keenness to spare the region severe crises," he said.
"The position of the Iraqi government has been clear since the early days of the sanctions crisis. We are against these sanctions against the Islamic Republic, and we have never been a part of them. We are committed to dealing with the Islamic Republic and the economic, political, religious, The Iraqi and Iranian people can not end with a decision and start with a decision. "
He stressed that "the ties between the two peoples are historical and existential ties, and this crisis in my opinion will deepen the ties between the two countries more and radically, not the other way around."
"The decision to spread the popular crowd is an Iraqi decision and everything that is said and rumored is lies, the decision is ours 100% We decide where the popular crowd is and where it does not exist, and the deployment plan is related to the field and military conditions and no official committee To speak with us on this issue. "

Edited May 12, 2019 by 6ly410

[6ly410]

 

Saleh: Iraq is keen to establish balanced relations between Iran and America

2019/05/12

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/170815/صالح-العراق-حريص-على-اقامة-علاقات-متوازنة-بين-إيران-وأميركا

 

 

BAGHDAD - President Barham Salih said on Sunday, May 12, 2019, that Iraq is keen to establish balanced relations of cooperation between Iran and America, while stressing the importance of adopting a serious and constructive dialogue to solve all problems.

The Presidency said in a statement that "Saleh received today, at the Peace Palace, ambassadors of Britain, Germany and France in Baghdad, and during the meeting reviewed the development of relations between Iraq and the European Union countries and ways of continuing cooperation in all fields, The current tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. "

Saleh stressed during the meeting, "Iraq's keenness to establish balanced relations of cooperation with its neighbors and brothers and friends, including the United States and Iran, and to promote security and stability and economic prosperity in the region and the world," explaining that "our dialogues with neighboring countries and Arab and regional countries and Europe in this direction "He said.

He pointed to "the importance of adopting a serious and constructive dialogue to solve all problems and to give preference to the participants to differences, and to refrain from the policy of axes."

For their part, the ambassadors of the three European countries expressed their satisfaction with the development of relations with Iraq and the efforts of their countries to consolidate and increase cooperation, praising the balanced foreign policy of Iraq and the role it plays in its Arab and regional environment.

The ambassadors reiterated "the desire of their countries to contribute to the reconstruction of Iraq and to seize investment opportunities for European companies looking forward to work in the country," pointing out that "the views of the two sides on the crisis in the region and the importance of defusing it.

 

[Butifldrm]

Expectations of a comprehensive war between America and Iran

 

 Sunday, 12 May 2019

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Baghdad - Writings

 

 

A more ferocious and costly war than the first and second Gulf wars that the United States is preparing to launch against Iran if it insists on exporting its oil and ignores US sanctions by exporting exports, according to Israeli media.

The Israeli media went on to say that a comprehensive war at the level of all military sectors will break out between America and Iran soon; as a result of Iranian provocations in the region and the presence of armed factions that follow Tehran in Iraq and Syria threaten US national security and Washington's interests in the Middle East.

Which led the Israeli media to expect a major confrontation in the Gulf, especially with the American intelligence of all kinds, Iran's file with President Donald Tranb and the convening of emergency meetings during the last week resulted in the dispatch of military force strike to the Gulf region led by aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and its full combat group, As well as sending nuclear launchers and deploying Patriot missile batteries in the Gulf to deter Iranian missiles if there is a confrontation.

The expectations come from Iran, which has a huge military force and millions of missiles and an army of close to one million soldiers, will not allow anyone to export oil on which it relies as a main source of income and budget support, and thus will defend its share of oil exported to world markets.

 

https://kitabat.com/news/توقعات-بحرب-شاملة-بين-أمريكا-وإيران/

[Butifldrm]

 

Israeli minister warns of attacks on Israel if tensions between US, Iran escalate

Continued tensions between the U.S. and Iran could lead to an Iranian attack on Israel, an Israeli foreign minister warned Sunday, according to Reuters.

“If there’s some sort of conflagration between Iran and the United States, between Iran and its neighbors, I’m not ruling out that they will activate Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad from Gaza, or even that they will try to fire missiles from Iran at the State of Israel,” Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz told Israel’s Ynet TV Sunday, referencing militant groups backed by Iran and active in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.

The U.S./Iran standoff has intensified in recent weeks, with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani announcing the nation will scale back some of its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal without withdrawing entirely. National security advisor John Bolton announced last Sunday the U.S. would deploy a bomber task force and carrier strike group to the region, citing “a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings” from Iran.

“The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime,” Bolton added, but intends to send “a clear and unmistakable message … that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force.”

Earlier this year, the U.S. designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization, the first time the label has been applied to a governmental entity. Iran responded by applying the same designation to all U.S. troops in the Middle East.

https://thehill.com/policy/international/middle-east-north-africa/443321-israeli-minister-warns-of-attacks-on-israel-if

[Butifldrm]

 

2019/05/12 17:15

• Number of readings 203
• Section: Iraq
•  

Parliamentary Economy: The decision of Iraq's commitment to US sanctions against Tehran is not in Abdel-Mahdi's hands

 

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - US Secretary of State for Economic and Investment Nada Shaker said on Sunday that Washington was wary of the Iraqi government's silence on the economic sanctions against Iran and that the decision to abide by those sanctions was not only by Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. .

Shaker said that the silence of the federal government of the US economic sanctions against Iran prompted Washington to send its Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo to Baghdad to know the position of Iraq, pointing out that the visit of Pompeo was carrying a US mission to the Iraqi government is not yet disclosed.

She added that Abdul Mahdi is unable to make a decision to abide by those sanctions or not without returning to the political blocs in the House of Representatives, indicating that Iraq's commitment to these sanctions will negatively affect the economy and create a problem with the shortage of gas and electric power.

Shaker said that the government of Abdul Mahdi is obliged to express its position on the economic sanctions against Iran.

The MP for the Coalition for Reform and Reconstruction Ali al-Badiri, earlier, the government has not briefed the House of Representatives so far on the details of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's secret visit to Iraq.

Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said during his meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week that Iraq is continuing with bridges of friendship and cooperation with all friends and neighbors, including neighboring Iran. He pointed out that Iraq is building its relations with all on the basis of putting Iraq's interests first.

Follow the obelisk 

 

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/170805/الاقتصاد-النيابية-قرار-التزام-العراق-بالعقوبات-الأمريكية-ضد-طهران-ليس-بيد-عبدالمهدي

[yota691]

Iranian military official: US military presence in the Gulf is an opportunity for us

Sun, 12 May 2019 15:17:43

 

 

 

A senior military official in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards said that the US military presence in the Gulf is no longer a threat to Iran but an opportunity.

"The Americans in the Gulf are like a piece of flesh between our teeth, and we will fight against them in the event of any action against us," the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency on Sunday.

The official said that the presence of a US aircraft carrier with 40-50 aircraft, no more, and six thousand soldiers was a significant threat in the past, but "Today the dangers turned into opportunities." 

Haji Zadeh stressed that Iranian missiles are capable of targeting US aircraft carriers at a distance of 300-700 km. 

The comments came on the back of Washington taking a series of measures to strengthen its forces in the region on the pretext of increasing the risk posed by Iran to its troops there, including sending a group of ships led by aircraft carrier "Abraham Lincoln to the region.

[ChuckFinley]

9 hours ago, Desertmedic2009 said:

It’s only a mile away my friend...

Now that sounds nice.

[Butifldrm]

Economist: War on Iran raises the value of the dollar in Iraq .. For this reason!

 

 Mostafa Al Anbari  11/05/2019 - 23:21 published in the economy / Iraq 

 

 

The economic expert Salam Samisem said on Saturday that the outbreak of war on Iran, regardless of Iraq's position will have an impact on the Iraqi currency to raise the value of the dollar in front of him, noting that the Iraqi economy may be exposed to a new inflationary wave because of that war requires government action to control On markets.

"The outbreak of war on Iran, regardless of the position of Iraq, will have an impact on the Iraqi currency to increase the value of the dollar in front of it," said Smeisem, "indicating that" fear of the unknown will increase demand for the US dollar, which will raise its value compared to the Iraqi dinar and thus lead To a decline in the value of the dinar ».

"The Iraqi economy may be exposed to a new inflationary wave because of that war, which requires government measures to control the markets," she said. "The first step is to reassure the Iraqi street and traders that things are under control and there is no need to increase demand for the dollar."

_{^{Salam Semisem}}

Tension between Tehran and Washington has grown since US President Donald Rumsfeld's administration decided to withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran a year ago and began to re-impose tough sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

US national security adviser John Bolton has indicated that his country's military moves in the region "send a clear message to the Iranian regime that any action against US forces will be faced firmly."

In the latest Tehran-Washington spat, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Tehran would not negotiate with the United States and ruled out any US attack after Trump encouraged Iran to hold new talks and said it could not rule out a military confrontation.

Trump presented the offer as economic and military pressure mounted on Iran, where he worked this month to stop all exemptions from sanctions for five countries to import Iranian oil while boosting the presence of US naval and air forces in the Gulf.

At the same time, the United States has put the IRGC on the black list and classified it as a foreign terrorist organization.

Iran announced a few days ago to suspend its commitment to two terms of a nuclear deal signed with the West in 2015, in response to the economic sanctions that the United States imposed on them.

 Iranian President Hassan Rowhani said his country would continue to enrich uranium stockpiles at home instead of selling it abroad and also threatened to resume production of highly enriched uranium within 60 days.

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/ar/economy/2017-01-26-12-23-03/520131

[Desertmedic2009]

Noooooo!  Go the other way!!

[Butifldrm]

Ihab Jubouri Sunday, 12 May 2019 02:59 PM

 

After a spiritual threat to the "mother of battles" .. Activists: If Iran has any movement will be wiped off the face of the earth

 

 

 

Activists on Facebook ridiculed statements by Iranian President Hassan Rowhani, who warned Washington of the so-called "Mother of the Battles". The activists said that if Iran took any action, it would be wiped off the face of the earth.

The activists pointed out that Iran's military capabilities are not like America, where US forces are a military force and have the latest equipment. Iran relies on terrorist militias and guerrilla warfare.

Activists stressed that the use of a spiritual word "mother of all battles" of the late Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is misplaced as the spiritualdid not record any achievements such as President Saddam Hssn. 
"The mother of the battles," asserting that they were "defeats", as Iransuffered defeats and setbacks after the economic sanctions imposed by the United States on Tehran, the Iranian economy is on the verge of collapse.

The activists also pointed to the exposure of the Iranian militias in Iraq , Yemen and Syria to the deterioration of their situation and the near failure of the Iranian project aimed at controlling the Arab countries.

The Baghdad Post has a number of reactions to Hassan Rowhani's statements:

The account of the activist, "Abbas Aliraqi," mocking "the mother of the battles Njiblha Abu Al-Matarib to rest." 

 

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/ar/Story/165759/بعد-تهديد-روحاني-بـ-أم-المعارك-نشطاء-لو-قامت-إيران-بأي-حركة-سيتم-محوها-من-وجه-الأرض

[yota691]

Iranian navy threatens Americans: Your presence in the region has come to an end

World | 10:25 - 12/05/2019

 

 

 

 

Mawazine News

The Commander of the Navy in the Iranian army, Brigadier General Hazin Khazendai confirmed that the presence of Americans in the region has come to an end and they must leave. 
"The presence of Americans in the region is my review, and this presence has come to an end and they must leave it," Khazandai was quoted by the ISNA news agency as saying. 
"I do not know why the presence of the US shipwreck has achieved such a reputation. These bad guys and demons have been in our neighborhood for 40 years," Khazendai said. "Today's talk about sending the aircraft carrier to the Gulf is nothing new and they seek to escalate the prospect of war." 
On Saturday, the United States decided to send the USS Arlington ship, which supports amphibious attacks and a Patriot missile battery to the Middle East, to counter the "growing threats" emanating from Iran.
Washington announced this week it would send an aircraft carrier and a group of ships to the Gulf to warn Tehran of the consequences of any attack on the interests of the United States or its allies. 
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday warned Tehran not to launch any attacks against American interests or US allies in the Middle East, threatening that Washington's response would be "swift and firm." Washington noted "escalating actions by the Iranians." 
Ended 
m h n

[yota691]

Commander of the Iranian Navy: We extend our hand to our neighbors in order to establish regional cooperation to preserve our region from destruction

12/05/2019 10:16 PM | Number of readings:

[new york kevin]

When you extend that hand Sir, are you flipping up any fingers ?  Are you using A.S. L. or Arabic S.L. ? Just asking.

[jg1]

to preserve our region from destruction!

Lol.

Iraq was pretty much distroyed no thanks to you Iran and your buddy, malarki and maybe some obamma and Hillarious mixed in. Ohh ya and Isis.

[yota691]

Mugereeni: EU supports nuclear agreement with Iran

Economy | 12:20 - 13/05/2019

 

 

 

Follow - up - the balance of News 
announced Commissioner for External Affairs in the European Union, Federica Mogherini on Monday that the European Union fully supports the international nuclear agreement with Iran, and wants the rival powers to avoid any further escalation on the issue. 
"We support the nuclear agreement with Iran and today we have a tripartite meeting with the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Britain to discuss how to continue the agreement and to use the political tools for Iran's return to its commitment to the agreement," Mujerini said ahead of the start of EU foreign ministers' meetings. The best solution to any problems between the various parties in the region, which helps to avoid tension. "
Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, urged the EU to implement its commitments, including economic relations with Iran, instead of demanding that Iran fulfill its unilateral commitments to a multilateral agreement. 
Earlier, Iran informed the ambassadors of Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia of the decision to "stop implementing certain commitments" within the framework of the agreement on the nuclear program. Iranian President Hassan Rowhani gave European countries 60 days to negotiate. 
The United States announced its withdrawal from the nuclear agreement on May 8, 2018, and the restoration of all sanctions against the country, including secondary sanctions, against other countries that deal with Iran.

[yota691]

Two Saudi oil tankers were attacked near the UAE

 

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih speaks at a press conference in Riyadh. "Reuters"

Arab and international Economy News Baghdad Saudi Arabia's oil minister said on Monday that two Saudi oil tankers were hit on Sunday by a "sabotage attack" off the coast of the emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates aimed at threatening the security of international oil supplies. Al-Falih said in a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency that one of the two carriers were on their way to load Saudi oil from the port of Ras Tanura and then go to the United States to supply Saudi Aramco customers there. The minister added that the attack did not result in loss of life or leakage of fuel but caused severe damage to the structures of the vessels. The UAE Foreign Ministry said yesterday that four merchant ships were "subversive" near UAE territorial waters without casualties, but gave no details on the nature of the sabotage. Views 13   Date Added 05/13/2019

[yota691]

Two Saudi oil tankers among 'sabotaged' ships off UAE coast

Saudi Arabia's energy minister says two Saudi oil tankers hit in 'sabotage attack' off UAE have 'significant damage'.

2 hours ago

 

UAE officials declined to elaborate on the nature of the sabotage to the ships [File: Kamran Jebreili/AP]

Saudi Arabia says two of its oil tankers were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates(UAE) in attacks that caused "significant damage" to the vessels.

One of the ships was en route to pick up Saudi oil to take to the United States, Saudi Energy MinisterKhalid al-Falih said on Monday.

The announcement by al-Falih came as the UAE's regional allies condemned the reported sabotage on Sunday of four ships off the coast of the port city of Fujairah.

On Sunday, Iranian and Lebanese media outlets aired reports of explosions at the city's port but UAE authorities said the reports were inaccurate.

Emirati officials have declined to elaborate on the nature of the sabotage to the ships or say who might have been responsible.

The reports come as the US warned ships that "Iran or its proxies" could be targeting maritime traffic in the region, and as the US is deploying an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Gulf to counter what it called "threats from Tehran".

Further clarification

Shortly after the Saudi announcement, Iran's Foreign Ministry called for further clarification about what exactly happened with the Saudi tankers.

The ministry spokesman, Abbas Mousavi, was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying there should be more information about the incident.

Mousavi also warned against any "conspiracy orchestrated by ill-wishers" and "adventurism by foreigners" to undermine the maritime region's stability and security.

Tensions have risen in the year since President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, restoring US sanctions that have pushed Iran's economy into crisis.

Last week, Iran warned it would begin enriching uranium at higher levels in 60 days if world powers failed to negotiate new terms for the deal.

In his statement, al-Falih said the attacks on the two tankers happened at 6am on Sunday.

"One of the two vessels was on its way to be loaded with Saudi crude oil from the port of Ras Tanura, to be delivered to Saudi Aramco's customers in the United States," al-Falih said.

"Fortunately, the attack didn't lead to any casualties or oil spill; however, it caused significant damage to the structures of the two vessels."

Saudi Arabia did not identify the vessels involved, nor did it say whom it suspected of carrying out the alleged sabotage.

Underlining the regional risk, the general-secretary of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council described the alleged sabotage as a "serious escalation" in an overnight statement.

"Such irresponsible acts will increase tension and conflicts in the region and expose its peoples to great danger," Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani said.

Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen's internationally recognised government similarly condemned the alleged sabotage.

A statement on Sunday from the UAE's Foreign Ministry put the ships near the country's territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman, east of the port of Fujairah.

It said it was investigating "in cooperation with local and international bodies."

Earlier on Sunday, Lebanon's pro-Iran satellite channel Al-Mayadeen, quoting "Gulf sources", reported that a series of explosions had struck Fujairah's port.

State and semi-official media in Iran picked up the report from Al-Mayadeen, which later published the names of vessels it claimed were involved.

AP news agency, after speaking to Emirati officials and local witnesses, found the report about explosions at the port to be unsubstantiated.

Fujairah's port is about 140km south of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Gulf through which a third of all oil at sea is traded.

The facility handles oil for bunkering and shipping, as well as general and bulk cargo.

It is seen as strategically located, serving shipping routes in the Gulf, Indian subcontinent and Africa.

Sunday's incident comes after the US Maritime Administration, a division of the US Transportation Department, warned on Thursday that Iran could target commercial sea traffic.

"Since early May, there is an increased possibility that Iran and/or its regional proxies could take action against US and partner interests, including oil production infrastructure, after recently threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz," the warning read.

"Iran or its proxies could respond by targeting commercial vessels, including oil tankers, or US military vessels in the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb Strait or the Persian Gulf." 

Early on Sunday, the agency issued a new warning to sailors about the alleged sabotage, while stressing "the incident has not been confirmed".

It urged shippers to exercise caution in the area for the next week.

It remains unclear if the previous warning from the US Maritime Administration is the same perceived threat that prompted the White House to order the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and B-52 bombers to the region on May 4.

[yota691]

Iran calls for investigation of ship sabotage incidents near UAE

 

 

 

 2019/05/13 00:29:07

 

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi described the incident of a number of oil tankers yesterday in the Sea of Oman for disturbing acts of sabotage, calling for revealing the dimensions of this incident accurately.

Moussaoui described the incident of a number of tankers yesterday in the Sea of Oman for acts of sabotage, disturbing and unfortunate order, calling for the dimensions of this incident accurately.

Moussaoui referred to the negative impact of accidents on maritime safety and maritime security, warning of any plots plotted by conspirators to undermine stability and security in the region, calling on the countries of the region to be cautious of any adventure carried out by foreign agents.

Saudi energy minister Khalid al-Falih said on Monday that two Saudi oil tankers were hit on Sunday by a "subversive attack" off the coast of the emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates aimed at threatening the security of international oil supplies.

Al-Falih said in a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency that one of the two carriers were on their way to load Saudi oil from the port of Ras Tanura and then go to the United States to supply Saudi Aramco customers there.

The minister added that the attack did not result in loss of life or leakage of fuel but caused severe damage to the structures of the vessels.

The UAE Foreign Ministry said yesterday that four merchant ships were "subversive" near UAE territorial waters without casualties, but gave no details on the nature of the sabotage.

[yota691]

The Iranian navy is calling on US troops to leave the area

Editorial date: 2019/5/13 11:01 • 545 times read

"The presence of US forces in the area is a show of no use," he said. "The presence of these forces is at the end of a tunnel and they must leave the area."

"The dispatch of the US aircraft carrier to the Gulf is nothing new, and the arrogant are desperately seeking to exacerbate the shadow of the war," said Admiral Khanzadi, who told reporters on Sunday evening that the 
United States sent a Patriot missile defense system and a carrier aircraft to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran. 
and joined the US aircraft carrier USS Arlington, carrying on board amphibious vehicles and fighter jets, to Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier stationed in the Gulf waters. 
quoted United States Its earlier B - 52 bombers to the strategic military bases in Qatar. 
According to the US Department of Defense {} The Pentagon said the move comes in response to the dangers of a possible Iranian military operations against US forces in the region.
The Pentagon did not elaborate on the nature of potential Iranian threats, which Iran has categorically denied and described as a "psychological war" aimed at intimidating Iran.