Iranian official calls for negotiations with Washington in Iraq

[yota691]

After the American pressure intensified, these are Iran's conditions to stay in the nuclear agreement

- 2 Minutes

With increasing US pressure on Iran and heightened tension in the Gulf, well-informed sources have revealed the nature of Iran's conditions for staying in the nuclear deal, especially after the European condemnation of its withdrawal.

Tehran insists on exporting at least 1.5 million barrels of oil a day - about three times the levels expected in May under US sanctions - to stay in the global nuclear deal, sources familiar with the talks said.

Four European diplomatic sources said contacts had been made on the figure during recent meetings between Iranian and Western officials, including Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Jawad Zarif, but they did not write down.

The United States re-imposed sanctions on Iranian oil exports last November after US President Donald Trump announced last spring his country's withdrawal from the 2015 agreement between Iran and six world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear program.

In a bid to halt Iranian crude exports in full, Washington ended May with exemptions allowing Iranian buyers to continue importing for six months.

Indeed, the sanctions have cut Iran's oil exports to about two-thirds, or 1 million bpd or less, from a peak of 2.8 million last year. An Iranian official told Reuters this month that exports could drop to about 500,000 bpd starting in May.

Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz - a major route for oil shipments - and block crude shipments from neighboring countries if Washington succeeds in forcing all countries to stop buying Iranian oil.

Last year, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei set a set of conditions for European powers if they wanted Tehran to continue its commitment to the nuclear deal, including continued Iranian oil purchases.

Khamenei did not specify the lowest level of oil sales Iran would accept to remain committed to the deal or keep the strait open.

According to an EU official, the Iranians were not specific, but they wanted to ensure that production returned to pre-sanctions levels. Other sources said Iran's demand was generally between 1.5 million and 2 million bpd.

"Zarif specifically said that they want to sell 2 million barrels of oil (a day), which is simply the level Iran had issued before Trump withdrew from the deal," one source said.

"But I do not think it is a serious request, it is not possible, and the Iranians know it is not possible," said the source, who attended the meeting in New York where the minister made his remarks.

Zarif also said during the same visit to New York in April that Iran may only sell between 500 and 700 thousand barrels of oil per day.

Revenues and expenses 
For his part , Abbas Araghchi , Iran 's deputy foreign minister said last week that Tehran remains committed to the nuclear deal, it must reach its oil sales to its level before the sanctions, or at least the "return process begins" to this level.

"Iran also requires that oil export revenues be fully at its disposal, and spend it as much as it wants, not just on food and medicine, as EU countries propose," Araghji said.

According to Iran's budget for the current year, the government is expected to reap one third of its income - 1425 trillion riyals ($ 33.9 billion) - of oil and gas exports.

The budget is based on an expected oil price of between $ 50 and $ 54 a barrel and an exchange rate of $ 57,000, which means the Iranian economy may remain on a sustainable path if crude exports reach at least 1.5 million barrels a day.

EU officials also estimate that Iran needs to sell 1.5 million barrels of oil a day to keep its economy resilient. If exports drop below 1 million barrels per day, they could bring difficulties and trigger an economic crisis.

A portion of Iran's oil sales goes to the country's sovereign wealth fund and the Iranian National Oil Company to cover production and other costs.

Iranian President Hassan Rowhani this year cut the sovereign wealth fund's share of oil revenues from 30 to 20 percent because of expectations of a drop in exports due to US sanctions. The government is also reaping revenues from exporting gas to a number of neighboring countries.

It is noteworthy that Iran's oil exports fell during the previous sanctions in 2012 to about one million barrels per day, which pushed inflation to rise. Iranian officials have vowed to prevent similar rises in prices in the future.

However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the tightening of US sanctions to push inflation in Iran to 37 percent this year, the highest level since 1995.

Global Commitment 
Once one of Europe's largest suppliers, Iran has seen its exports gradually cut off from European buyers. Even China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil with 475,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the first quarter of this year, stopped buying after Washington decided not to renew the exemption from sanctions.

"The real problem for Iran is oil exports, but a question Iranians have to ask the Chinese and Indians," said a senior European diplomat. "This agreement is a global commitment, not just a European one. The Iranians continue to claim ... if we want to save the agreement, the Chinese should continue to buy oil. "He said.

While Beijing has criticized US sanctions, companies prefer to take precautions. The Sinopec Group and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China's two largest state-owned refining companies, did not buy any Iranian oil for loading in May.

Iran says it will sell oil in a "gray market" to avoid US sanctions, but gave no details.

A year after the United States withdrew from the deal, Iran announced on Wednesday steps to ease restrictions on its nuclear program.

In letters to the remaining signatories - Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China - Rowhani set a deadline of 60 days to protect his country's interests or face a resumption of high-level uranium enrichment.

But the letter did not mention Iran's economic demands, specifically the size of the oil it wants to sell, a diplomat said.

Another source said that the Iranians "took a small step away from the agreement .. I think they will take a small step similar from Europe .. The same step will not be for oil .. I do not think there is much that can be done on the level of oil."

The island

[yota691]

The night of "Iraqi - Iranian - American" is fueled by the wrong information from Iraq

- One Day Ago

Who targeted the tankers in the Gulf? (Reuters) - Iran may have launched its first regional war signals by targeting ships anchored near the port of Fujairah and has sought to respond to growing US pressure to abandon its nuclear and missile projects and stop threatening regional security, Gulf observers said. But not everything that is said by observers affects the truth.

 In general, and against this targeting, which could extend to other areas in the region, including Iraq, the US Embassy in Baghdad issued a statement on Sunday calling on its citizens not to travel to Iraq. The embassy in the statement advised all its citizens to be vigilant, Escalating tensions in Iraq. "The measures to be taken are" do not travel to Iraq "," avoid presence in gathering places "," not to draw attention "and" pay attention to their surroundings, "the statement said.

And the increased US alert in Iraq, that the Americans have received information from some Iraqis that - tonight - at dawn today will be the US interests in Iraq to attacks by allies of Iran, and on this information contacted the US administration with the Iraqi political leadership to stand On the validity of that information. According to special information obtained by the Center for Links and Strategic Studies, the information that reached the US Embassy in Iraq and in turn brought to Washington wrong information and no basis of health. Although some of the acts are in essence simple and not by the allies of Iran, but from other parties seeking to blow up the security and military situation between Washington and Tehran.

In view of this false information, the Federal Government and the Government of Iraq have placed strict protection on the American diplomatic mission in Iraq, both on the US Embassy in Baghdad and the US consulate in the Kurdistan region and Basra, and the protection of all US interests in Iraq. Based on the Vienna Conventions governing the operation of missions and diplomatic bodies.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi assured Washington that the Iraqi situation is stable and that it does not compromise US interests in Iraq. It seeks through diplomatic channels to cool the conflict between Washington and Tehran so that things do not go into the unknown and that the two countries do not fall into the trap. A regional war in the region. At the same time, Adel Abdul Mahdi refuses to compromise the security and sovereignty of Iraq and that Iraq is not a place for opponents to settle their accounts on his country's soil.

 On the Iranian side, and in order not to slip to the brink of the abyss between Washington and Tehran in Iraq and the region, its allies in Iraq have committed themselves to the utmost restraint, and the legitimate question that arises in this context: from that body responsible for passing this false information to disturb the dawn of Iraq and Iran and evening Washington, and put them on high alert to any action and reaction, but the fact is that shortly after dawn will dawn and then spring dawn to begin Iraq a new day away from any US-Iranian escalation on its soil. One day, the Iraqi poet Muzaffar al-Nawab said, "The night is devoid of taste without worries." But with the intersections and political contradictions in the region, "the night is devoid of taste without intrigues."

Iraqi Studies Unit

Center for Research and Strategic Studies

[yota691]

13-05-2019 11:49 PM

Pompeo briefs NATO officials on Iranian threats

 

 

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - 
Foreign Secretary Mike Pompeo briefed NATO officials on Iranian threats during a meeting in Brussels after his cancellation of a visit to Moscow, a State Department official said. 
"Iran poses an escalating threat," said US special envoy Brian Hawk. 
"The minister wanted to tell them some details behind what we are saying in public," he said. "We believe Iran should try the talks instead of the threats." 
The US official stressed that "Iran's choice of focusing on the threats was bad."

[yota691]

13-05-2019 10:35 PM

US president warns Iran of "grave error"

 

 

BAGHDAD (Reuters) 
- US President Donald Trump on Monday issued a warning to Iran, saying it would be a big mistake to make any move against the United States, which deployed another aircraft carrier and fighter in the Persian Gulf. 
Trump told reporters at the White House that the United States would see what would happen to Iran, but if it tried to do anything it would be "a big mistake." 
Washington is more aggressive about Iran, as the US military continues to mobilize its forces in the Middle East after intelligence has been received about Iran preparing to attack US interests in the region. 
On Monday, US special envoy to Iran Brian Hawk confirmed Washington's determination to counter Iran's activities, saying the mullahs' regime understood only economic pressure and diplomatic isolation.
"The era of Iran's evasion of responsibility for the attacks has ended," Hawk said in remarks to the Arab Sky News. "Tehran can not organize, train and equip the agents, and then expect to turn a blind eye to what it is doing. 
"We are committed to a strategy towards Iran that has the best opportunities to remove threats from Lebanon to Yemen," he said. 
The US military, the Abraham Lincoln carrier to the Middle East, as well as long-range B-52 bombers, were sent as part of the additional forces to counter Iranian threats.

[yota691]

Al-Amiri leads secret understandings between the factions to respond to Washington's policy toward Iran

_NEWS_DATE: 2019/5/13 14:50 ?? AÂ ¢ ?? A ??? ¢ 443 times set

[UPDATE] 
A government official announced on Monday that there were movements among the popular crowd led by Al-Fateh Alliance leader Hadi al-Amri, in an effort to get the armed factions out of Iraq with a unified vision of Washington's recent stance against Iran.

The official said in remarks to Arab sites, today (13 May 2019) that "the parties linked to Iran began to work to unify the views of the armed factions within the popular crowd, regarding the US-Iranian escalation." 

He added that "large political leaders in the crowd, including Hadi al-Amiri and others, are working to coordinate this trend, as they conduct movements and contacts with factions included in the crowd, including the faction of Moqtada al-Sadr (Saraya peace) and Asaiab, Najba and Saraya Khrassani and all other factions to unite visions against Washington" . 

He pointed out that "supporters of this trend want to have a unified position of the factions against the US presence, and do not want any of these factions out of this trend," noting that "a number of those factions embarrassing between their commitments to the government and its loyalty to Iran, and other factions agreed to go , While other factions are still volatile in their positions. "

The official pointed out that "the current trend of the factions that have a political cover will be towards a unified position to pass the law on the removal of foreign troops from Iraq, as a solution may push the threat of Iraq in the event of a war between Washington and Tehran." 

The official pointed out that "the Federation of armed factions to take any military action against the American presence is still under discussion," stressing that "the military option difficult on most of these factions, they do not want a military confrontation with America, knowing that this will cost a lot, and wants to get rid of The American presence through legal means, and through parliament. " 

"The situation of the factions remains confusing and there is disagreement among them over any military action against US interests in Iraq, if necessary."

"The government itself is embarrassed by Iran and America, and can not give either of them guarantees," observers said. "Nothing is in the hands of the government, and some outbursts of mobilization and action against US interests in the country are likely." 

"The leaders of the crowd want a united position on this, and do not want a division in the crowd, especially with some factions giving pledges to the government," they said. "This will drag Iraq into serious crises. The government itself does not know what to do and who to stand with." 

Observers stressed that "if US interests in Iraq were targeted by the crowd, Iraq will cost a lot about it, and can not predict his future with Washington," according to the new Arab site.

The move comes at a time when the Iraqi government is engaged in a hostile movement, especially as the government has received earlier pledges from some factions not to act against US interests, while seeking to renew those pledges, seeking guarantees from other factions. 

The position of the "pro-Iranian" armed factions is not reassuring to Iraqi political parties and the government.

[yota691]

Foreign relations: Iraq will be the biggest loser if a military confrontation between America and Iran

Political | 06:47 - 13/05/2019

 

 

 

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - 
Iraq will be the "biggest loser" in the event of an armed conflict between the United States and Iran, a foreign affairs committee member said on Monday, saying Iraq was at the heart of the conflict. 
"The outbreak of any armed conflict between the United States and Iran will be Iraq is the biggest loser in the region because it is at the heart of the conflict and the storm between the two parties," Tamimi said in an interview with Mawazine News. 
Al-Tamimi pointed out that "there are abnormal movements carried out by Washington and Tehran by moving ships and missile batteries in mutual preparations warning of armed conflict or at least the threat of such a conflict."
He added that "Iraq has interests with each of the parties to the conflict, whether economic or political interests or other," continuing that "Iraq needs to exploit all the cards of pressure and common interests with those States to ensure the outbreak of strife between the parties or at least to keep Iraq out of the cycle of conflict And reduce harm "

[6ly410]

EU has cool welcome for Pompeo, but Austrian minister dismisses danger of war

 Laurie Mylroie |

4 hours ago

 

http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/2802dacd-788f-42b9-85d0-0572eabfde90

 

---

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left) arrives at the EU headquarters in Brussels to discuss the Iran nuclear deal, May 13, 2019. (Photo: AFP/John Thys)

 

United States EU Iran JCPOA Nuclear Deal Mike Pompeo 

A+AA-

WASHINGTON DC (Kurdistan 24) – US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Brussels to meet with European leaders on Monday to discuss tensions with Iran. He had been scheduled to visit Moscow, before meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Sochi on Tuesday. 

However, Pompeo’s schedule was changed at the last minute. Speaking to reporters before his arrival in Brussels, Frederica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, remarked coolly, “We were told during the night that [Pompeo] was planning to change his travel plans and have a stopover here in Brussels.”

“We continue to fully support the nuclear deal with Iran, its full implementation,” she said, in response to a question from Kurdistan 24 correspondent Barzan Hassan. 

The US withdrew from the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a year ago and re-imposed sanctions on Iran in November. On May 8, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced that Tehran would no longer comply with two provisions of the JCPOA.

[yota691]

US newspaper: Forces planned by the Pentagon to send to the Gulf equivalent to those that invaded Iraq

Political | 08:21 - 14/05/2019

 

 

 

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - 
Six US national security officials were shocked by the size of the force the Pentagon plans to send to the Gulf, according to The New York Times, because it is comparable to the number of troops that invaded Iraq. 
The deployment of such strong air, ground and naval forces would give Tehran more targets to strike, and perhaps more reason to do so, threatening the US involvement in a long conflict, the newspaper said. It will also reflect years of US military downsizing in the Middle East that began with President Barack Obama's withdrawal of troops from Iraq in 2011. 
But the New York Times quoted two US national security officials as saying that Trump's announcement in December of withdrawing US troops from Syria, Which may have encouraged some leaders in Tehran and convinced the IRGC that the United States does not have the appetite to fight Iran.
At a meeting of President Trump's top national security aides last Thursday, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Chanahan presented an updated military plan that would send up to 120,000 troops to the Middle East if Iran attacked US forces or accelerated nuclear weapons work. 
The New York Times said the plans were made on orders from militants led by John Bolton, national security adviser to Mr. Trump. This development reflects the influence of Mr. Bolton, one of the most hawkish hawks on the administration toward Tehran, who former President George W. Bush ignored his tireless efforts to push him into confrontation with Iran more than a decade ago.
"It is not certain whether Trump, who sought to separate the United States from Afghanistan and Syria, will eventually return many US troops to the Middle East, and it is not clear whether the president has been briefed on the number of troops or other Details in the plans, because when asked on Monday, whether he is seeking regime change in Iran? Trump said: "We will see what will happen with Iran. "If they did anything, it would be a very bad mistake." 
The newspaper said there were sharp divisions in the administration on how to respond to Iran at a time of escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear policy and intentions in the Middle East 
Some senior US officials said the plans, At a very early stage, the seriousness of the Iranian threat is showing, and others, who are pushing for a diplomatic solution to the current tensions, said it was a tactic aimed at raising Iran's fears and warning of new attacks.
European allies, who met Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo on Monday, said they were concerned tensions between Washington and Tehran could worsen, perhaps unwittingly. 
The targeting and destruction of oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates over the weekend has raised concerns in Washington that shipping lines in the Gulf could become a weakness. "It would be a bad problem for Iran if something happened," Trump said on Monday when asked about the episode. 
US officials suspect Iran's involvement. But many officials have warned that there is still no conclusive evidence linking Iran or its agents to the reported attacks. An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman described the incident as "regrettable".
In Brussels, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany, partners in the Iranian nuclear deal of 2015, as well as with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mugrini. He did not speak after the meeting to the media, but European officials said they urged Washington to exercise restraint, fearing an accidental escalation that could ignite the conflict with Iran and its failure.

[yota691]

Saudi Arabia: A terrorist attack targeting two oil pumping stations in Riyadh

World | 01:37 - 14/05/2019

 

 

 

Follow - up - the balance of News , 
said security spokesman for the presidency of the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday that he was targeted for the pumping stations of petroleum subsidiaries Company "Aramco" in the governorates of Al Dawadmi and a terrorist attack in Riyadh Afif. 
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the incident occurred between six and six and a half on Tuesday morning, adding that "there was limited targeting of the pumping stations of oil belonging to Aramco in the province of Dawadmi and Afif province in Riyadh." 
She continued: "The competent authorities have started their responsibilities on the sites .. and will be announced later on any developments." 
For his part, the Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Khalid bin Abdul Aziz Al-Faleh, said that two pumping stations for the East-West pipeline, which carries Saudi oil from the oil fields in the Eastern Province to the port of Yanbu on the west coast, were attacked by drone-drones.
"It resulted in a fire at station No. 8, which was under control, after causing limited damage," he said. 
"Saudi Aramco has stopped pumping in the pipeline, where damage is being assessed and the station repaired to restore the pipeline and pump it to normal," he said. 
"The Kingdom condemns this cowardly attack, and this recent terrorist and sabotage act in the Arabian Gulf against vital installations not only targets the Kingdom, but also targets the safety of the world's energy supply and the global economy. Which carries out such acts of sabotage "

[yota691]

Iraq: The sabotage operations against four ships threaten the security of the entire Gulf

Political | 01:07 - 14/05/2019

 

 

 

Baghdad - Mawazine News The 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday denounced the sabotage of four ships in the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates. 
"Iraq condemns and strongly condemns the attacks on four vessels of subversive operations in the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates," the ministry said in a statement received by Mawazine News. "The solidarity with the brothers in the UAE against Challenges, and to address all attempts to destabilize their security, stability and the safety of their citizens. " 
"Iraq sees what these tankers have been exposed to as a threat to the security of the whole Gulf, because the insecurity in the region affects all countries in the region," she said, stressing "the importance of concerted efforts to address any threat, "He said.  
The ministry called on "countries of the region and the international community to pursue a policy of calm and joint cooperation to contribute effectively to ensuring the safety of tankers and the movement of navigation in the Gulf region to affect the interests of the countries of the region and the international trade movement."

[Butifldrm]

 

2019/05/14 13:19

• Number of readings 177
• Section: Iraq

Iraq announces its position on the sabotage of ships in the port of Fujairah UAE

Baghdad / Al-Masala: Iraq expressed its condemnation and strongly condemned the attacks on four vessels of sabotage operations in the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, May 13, 2019.

A statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry responded to the "obelisk", "We confirm our solidarity with our brothers in the UAE in the face of challenges, and to address all attempts to destabilize its security, stability and safety of its citizens."

The statement added, "Iraq believes that what has happened in these tankers of sabotage threatens the entire security of the Gulf, because the disruption of security in the region affects all countries in the region; therefore stress the importance of concerted efforts in addressing any threat and take action to maintain the security and stability of this important region internationally" .

He continued, "We also call on countries in the region and the international community to pursue a policy of appeasement and cooperation to contribute actively in securing the safety of tanker traffic and navigation in the Gulf region to their impact on the interests of the countries of the region and the movement of international trade."

The obelisk

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/170938/العراق-يعلن-موقفه-من-حادثة-تخريب-سفن-في-ميناء-الفجيرة-الاماراتي

[Butifldrm]

Leaked Pentagon Plan Calls For 120,000 Troops To Counter Iran

by Tyler Durden

Tue, 05/14/2019 - 06:00

 

As Michael Pompeo travels to Brussels to discuss the Iranian threat amid a flare-up in tensions that has brought the US to the brink of an armed conflict, the New York Times has published details from a confidential military plan presented to top national security officials that envisions sending as many as 120,000 troops to the Middle East should Iran attack American forces or start ramping up work on nuclear weapons (something it has promised to do if its European partners don't meet their commitments under the Iran deal).

 

Though the revised plan - it had been modified to incorporate suggestions from John Bolton - doesn't include plans for a land invasion, it does reflect "the influence of Mr. Bolton, one of the administration's most virulent Iran hawks, whose push for confrontation with Tehran was ignored more than a decade ago by President George W Bush."

It's unclear whether Trump himself has seen, or been briefed on, the plan. Asked about it, Trump said "we'll see what happens with Iran. If they do anything, it would be a very bad mistake."

 

Here are a few key details from the plan according to more than a half-dozen senior administration officials who spoke with the NYT:

• The 120,000 troops called for in the plan would be close to the size of the force that invaded Iraq in 2003. The reversal of the US troop presence in the region under Obama and Trump has reportedly emboldened leaders in Tehran and the IRGC that there's no appetite in the US for a war with Iran. Deploying this many troops would take weeks or months.
• The most likely trigger for a US military response is still an attack by the IRGC The guard's fleet of small boats has a history of approaching American Navy ships at high speed. Though the plan includes provisions for a US response if Iran once again starts stockpiling nuclear fuel. If Iran does start stockpiling enriched uranium again, the US would have more than a year to formulate a more coherent response, since it would take at least that long for Iran to stockpile anything close to enough to fashion a weapon.
• Cyberweapons would be used to paralyze the Iranian economy during the opening salvo of the conflict, in the hopes that this would be enough to cripple Iran before any bombs were dropped. Such an operation would call for "implants" or "beacons" inside US networks. Though, given Iran's increasingly sophisticated cyberweapons, such an attack would still pose "significant risks."
• This is not the first time since joining the administration that Bolton has sought updated plans for an invasion of Iran. Though it's widely believed that the president remains opposed to such an incursion. Bolton requested an update after Iranian-backed militants fired three mortar shells into an empty lot on the grounds of the US embassy in Baghdad.
• One of the options offered up as a proportional response was a strike on a Iranian military facility that would have been "mostly symbolic."

While a war with Iran still seems unlikely, if Iran starts stockpiling enriched uranium again as it has threatened to do, it could give Bolton and his fellow neocons exactly the opening they need to successfully push for a military intervention.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-05-14/leaked-pentagon-plan-calls-120000-troops-counter-iran

[Butifldrm]

Saudi Arabia oil stations hit in terror drone attacks

 

The attacks happened on Tuesday morning. (File/Shutterstock)

Updated 11 sec ago

ARAB NEWS

May 14, 201913:22

0

Drones attacked two pumping stations in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

Attacks in the Gulf and Saudi Arabia are aimed at the world and not just the Kingdom, Saudi energy minister said

Terrorists have attacked two pumping stations in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning, according to the energy minister Khalid Al-Falih.

Drones attacked two pumping stations of East-West pipeline, which carry Saudi oil from fields in the Eastern Province to the port of Yanbu on the west coast. 

The attacks caused a fire at station number 8, which Al-Falih said was controlled after causing limited damage.

Saudi Aramco later confirmed the attack in a statement, stating that it had “responded to a fire at East West Pipeline Pump station 8 which was caused by a sabotage incident using armed drones which targeted pump stations 8 and 9.”

“As a precautionary measure, the company temporarily shut down the pipeline, and contained the fire which caused minor damage to pump station 8. Saudi Aramco confirms that no injuries or fatalities have been reported. Saudi Aramco’s oil and gas supplies have not been impacted as a result of this incident.”

The Kingdom condemned Tuesday's attack and the recent attacks on ships in the Arabian Gulf, threatening oil output - Al-Falih said the Kingdom saw the attacks as a cowardly act of terror aimed at destruction. . 

"Recent attacks in the Gulf and Saudi Arabia are aimed at the world and not just the Kingdom," Al-Falih said, adding: “This attack proves yet again the importance that all sides stand against such destructive terror attacks, including the Iran-backed Houthi militants.” 

Bahrain and Jordan condemned the attack.

Oil prices rose after the attacks. Brent crude futures were at $70.79 a barrel at 1035 GMT, up 56 percents or 0.80%.

[Developing]

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1496856/saudi-arabia

[yota691]

 

Pipe War.. Final war argument
Everyone knows that Iran's main weapon in its freedom with America is the threat of oil supplies in the sea of Arabia and the strait of hormuz.. any conflict or fight between them will stop the oil of the whole world
So.. not long ago, dialogues between Saudi Arabia and Jordan were started on the one hand and between Iraq on the other hand to find pipelines from the gulf countries to Saudi Arabia and then to Jordan through Iraq.. and when these lines are complete to transform Exports away from the sea of the Persian Arab conflict.. America will seriously knock down the war.. and for these reasons, Iran will try to sabotage this tube through its militias that have not been dissolved to the day to perform this duty to bring back the
Next stage is pipe war..

[yota691]

 

After presenting a plan to bring 120,000 US troops .. to disclose a possible date to strike Iran

Arab and international

15:55

Last updated

The time now is 04:07 PM

67

Watch

 

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - 
US media reported on Tuesday suggestions made by a US official about a possible date for a US military strike against Iran's nuclear targets. 
"A senior US official, who was not named, was asked what the United States would do if Iran's enrichment stage in Iran's reactors reached 20 percent," the WRAL and The New York Times said in its reports, "The United States is closely monitoring Iran's reactors, and if that happens within 60 days, the options will all be on the table."

This comes as the US Pentagon is considering sending a 120,000-strong US force to the Middle East in anticipation of a confrontation with Iran. 
Unnamed US officials told the same source that the news about the latest US move could be nothing more than "tactics to scare Iran into accepting negotiations and US conditions."

[nannab]

Good afternoon Yota and DV  

[Artitech]

I sure hope there is no war started over there, or we can kiss this investment goodbye for a real long time! JMHO 

[DoD]

Well I hope there’s not a war over for other reasons than this damn Dinar. 

People actually die in a war, mothers, fathers, brothers etc...

Don’t believe me, just ask any vet on this forum. 

[6ly410]

US and Iran Don't Seek War: Iraqi PM

 

 BasNews   14/05/2019 - 23:52  Published in Iraq

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/520889

ERBIL - Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi said on Tuesday that neither the US nor Iran is seeking a war between the two countries.

Abdul-Mahdi pointed out that, although Washington and Tehran are in long-term disputes, they are both close friends of Baghdad.

"For this reason, Baghdad wants to play a key role in reducing the tensions [between the US and Iran]," the Iraqi premier said.

He added that his government is in discussions with both countries in hopes of resolving the disputes between the sides.

Ties between the US and Iran began to deteriorate after the former deployed forces to the Middle East, reported to counter the latter if it harm the US interests or allies in the region.

[6ly410]

Tuesday، 14 May 2019 05:03 PM

Abd al-Mahdi: US and Iran do not want war

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/39517/Abd-al-Mahdi-US-and-Iran-do-not-want-war

 

Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi

Neither the United States nor Iran want war and Iraq is in contact with both, Iraq's state news agency INA quoted Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi as saying on Tuesday.

The conflict between Washington and Tehran -Baghdad's main allies who are themselves enemies- is a "complex file" that Iraq is working hard to find solutions for, Abd al-Mahdi said.

[Artitech]

1 hour ago, DoD said:

Well I hope there’s not a war over for other reasons than this damn Dinar. 

People actually die in a war, mothers, fathers, brothers etc...

Don’t believe me, just ask any vet on this forum. 

I agree with that ! On people dying! My Godson is in Iraq. With the USMC! I take it for granted that people know that on our Service members are there on front line! Strictly speaking about this investment! Go drink yourself to sleep box! Your one piece of work! 

[yota691]

The international coalition is raising the alert because of an imminent threat to US forces in Iraq

World | 12:03 - 15/05/2019

 

 

 

 

Follow up Mawazine News 

The US military said in a statement that "the international coalition forces raise the alert because of imminent threats against US forces in Iraq,"  
noting that "the recent statements by the deputy commander of the international coalition forces in violation of the serious threats available to the intelligence agencies of the United States and its allies on the forces supported by Iran In the region. " 
Ended 
m h n 

[6ly410]

Tuesday، 14 May 2019 05:35 PM

Abd al-Mahdi: Indications from US, Iran that "things will end well"

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/39521/Abd-al-Mahdi-Indications-from-US-Iran-that-things-will-end-well

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi said on Tuesday he was getting indications from talks with both the United States and Iran that "things will end well" despite the current ramping up of rhetoric from both sides.

Speaking to journalists at a news conference, Abd al-Mahdi said Baghdad was communicating regularly with Tehran and Washington, its two main allies who are themselves enemies, and was trying to reduce tensions.

[Butifldrm]

Iran halts some commitments under 2015 nuclear deal

 

Atomic energy agency official says Iran has no limit from now on for production of enriched uranium and heavy water.

4 hours ago

Bushehr nuclear power plant, just outside the southern city of Bushehr [Majid Asgaripour/Mehr via Reuters]

MORE ON IRAN

US orders 'non-emergency government employees' to leave Iraqtoday

Iran halts some commitments under 2015 nuclear dealtoday

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What we know about the 'sabotage' attacks off UAE's coasttoday

Iran has officially stopped some commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers following an order from its national security council, ISNA news agency reported.

Last week, Iran notified China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom of its decision to halt some commitments under the nuclear deal, a year after the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord and reimposed sanctions.

Under the nuclear deal, Tehran was allowed to produce low-enriched uranium with a 300kg limit, and produce heavy water with a stock capped around 130 tonnes. 

Tehran could ship the excess amounts out of the country for storage or sale.

An official in the country's atomic energy body told ISNA that Iran has no limit from now for the production of enriched uranium and heavy water.

 

Iran's initial moves do not appear to violate the nuclear deal yet. But Iran has warned that unless the world powers protect its economy from US sanctions within 60 days, it would start enriching uranium at a higher level.

In a speech broadcast on national television on May 8, Rouhani said Iran wanted to negotiate new terms with remaining partners in the deal, but acknowledged the situation was dire.

"We felt that the nuclear deal needs a surgery and the painkiller pills of the last year have been ineffective," Rouhani said. "This surgery is for saving the deal, not destroying it."

The European Union and the foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain said they were still committed to the deal but would not accept ultimatums from Tehran.

The deal also caps the level of purity to which Iran can enrich uranium at 3.67 percent, far below the 90 percent of weapons grade. It is also well below the 20 percent level to which Iran enriched uranium before the deal.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that Tehran does not seek war with the US despite mounting tensions between the two nations.

"There won't be any war. The Iranian nation has chosen the path of resistance," he said. "Neither we nor they seek war. They know it will not be in their interest." 

Khamenei also said Tehran would not negotiate with the US on another nuclear deal.

'Orchestrating conflict'

On Tuesday, Iranian officials accused "hardliners" in the US and elsewhere of attempting to orchestrate an incident that would ratchet up tensions with Tehran.

Four ships - two Saudi, one Norwegian and one Emirati - were damaged on Sunday off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in what Emirati officials described as acts of sabotage near the port of Fujairah. 

 

The incident happened 140km south of the Strait of Hormuz, from where about one-third of all oil traded by sea passes through.

"We ... talked about the policies that hardliners in the US administration as well as in the region are attempting to impose," Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif told Iranian state TV in India after a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.

"We raised concerns over the suspicious activities and sabotage that are happening in our region. We had formerly anticipated that they would carry out these sorts of activities to escalate tension."

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/iran-halts-commitments-2015-nuclear-deal-190515060220386.html

[6ly410]

 

Iran poses no threat to US, foreign representatives in Iraq: PM 

By Mohammed Rwanduzy 1 hour ago 

181Views

         http://www.rudaw.net/mobile/english/middleeast/iraq/150520191

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi delivers a weekly press conference in Baghdad, Iraq, on May 14, 2019. Photo: Iraq PMO video

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi said on Tuesday that Baghdad has no information "that could constitute a threat to anyone," as tensions continue to flare between the United States and Iran. His comments came just hours before Washington ordered the withdrawal of all non-essential staff from its missions across the country. 

Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference in Baghdad on Tuesday night, the PM said Iraq is working behind the scenes to ease US-Iran tensions.

"We check with all the armed forces, Hashd al-Shaabi, Peshmerga. We check the information that every side has. As of now we haven't recorded serious movements that could constitute a threat to anyone," Abdul-Mahdi told reporterson Tuesday night.

"Even with that, the government reiterates that its duty is to protect everyone. It doesn't want any assault against whosoever is here, against any component, embassy or anyone who has a contract with Iraq and works in Iraq," he said. 

"Iraq isn't the soil of rivalry. Iraq is the land of consensus. We also don't want Iraq to be the launchpad to attack anyone. These two things, these two equations are interlinked. We don't accept Iraq being the soil of transgression," the PM added. 

The US State Department ordered all non-essential government employees to leave the country on Wednesday. The statement was directed at its embassy in Baghdad and consulate in Erbil. The consulate in Basra implemented similar steps in September.
 

America's British allies did not share the same concerns, however. Maj. Gen. Chris Ghika, a deputy commander of the international coalition to defeat Islamic State (ISIS), told Pentagon reporters from Baghdad via teleconference on Tuesday: "There has been no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria." 

The British military has not seen any change in the "posture or lay-down" of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMU) - Hashd al-Shaabi. 

The PMU is a Shiite paramilitia which is officially part of the Iraqi defense apparatus. Many of its components are closely tied to Iran and some fought against US forces during the post-2003 occupation. 

US Central Command (CENTCOM) quickly rebuffed the British general, stressing it had solid intelligence indicating an Iranian threat. 

"Recent comments from OIR's Deputy Commander run counter to the identified credible threats available to intelligence from US and allies regarding Iranian backed forces in the region," read a CENTCOM statement published May 14.

"US Central Command, in coordination with Operation Inherent Resolve, has increased the force posture level for all service members assigned to OIR in Iraq and Syria." 
 

Operation Inherent Resolve is "at a high level of alert" and is monitoring "credible and possible imminent threats" to US forces in Iraq. 

In his press conference, Abdul-Mahdi said Iraq is trying to mediate between its Iranian and American allies to prevent an escalation into open conflict.

"We are contacting both sides. Both sides are considered friends of Iraq. We consider them and they consider themselves friends to Iraq. Both sides don't want a war. Frankly they always stress that they don't want war," he said.

"The region will pay a heavy price. All sides will pay a dear price. Iraq will pay a dear price. That is why Iraq is putting a lot of effort into this," he added.

Tensions between Iran and the US have been rising since US President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in May 2018, calling the agreement one sided and claiming it did not go far enough to curb Iran's nuclear program or rein in its regional activities. 
 

It has since imposed sanctions on Iran's economy, particularly its oil sector, in an attempt to strip the Iranian regime of access to foreign currency. 

Turning up the heat further, Washington designated Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organisation. Tehran responded by designating CENTCOM as a terror group, leading to fears US forces and personnel in the region could become targets. 

In the latest escalation, the US has deployed warships  to the Persian Gulf. Washington has accused Iran or its proxies of sabotaging ships operating in the region, allegations Tehran strongly denies. 

Tehran reportedly has begun implement steps on Tuesday to allow it to halt its commitments to the nuclear deal. 

 

Edited May 15, 2019 by 6ly410