UK Says Iran ‘Has Broken the Terms’ of Nuclear Deal

The UK believes Iran has violated their nuclear deal. UK, Israeli flags. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

As Iran announced on Sunday that they had exceeded the level of nuclear fuel enrichment quality beyond the limits set under the 2015 nuclear deal with the major world powers, the United Kingdom officially declared that the Islamic Republic had violated the accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). “Iran has broken the terms of the JCPOA, following its announcement that it will start uranium enrichment above the 3.67% limit agreed in the nuclear deal,” said a UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman in comments posted to the office’s website. “While the UK remains fully committed to the deal, Iran must immediately stop and reverse all activities inconsistent with its obligations.”

Higher levels of enrichment for uranium are needed for certain types of nuclear power, higher-still for medical research, and 90% levels are needed for nuclear weapons. Iran’s recent withdrawal from restrictions under the JCPOA is ostensibly a reaction to Europe insufficiently providing Iran economic benefits under the JCPOA, following the renewal of American sanctions after the United States exited the deal in 2018.

The UK statement stopped short of calling for their own renewed sanctions on Iran—the agreed-upon consequence for violating the JCPOA—but did say they were coordinating with other members of the JCPOA “regarding the next steps under the terms of the deal.” In view of Iran’s actions and the lack of action so far in response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday had a simple question for the world powers— known as the P5+1—who negotiated the deal with Iran: “Where are you?” … Continue Reading

Netanyahu on ‘Wide-Ranging’ Military Op in Gaza: ‘We May Yet Have To’

Is another conflict in Gaza coming? Israeli tank. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

Israel and the Hamas terror group in Gaza may have reached a renewed ceasefire agreement, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that his country is still keeping its options on the table if Gaza terrorism resumes—and that includes a “wide-ranging military operation” in Gaza.

Addressing critics of his government’s approach to the Gaza conflict, Netanyahu said on Sunday, “I am not impressed by the propaganda of so-called experts. Many of them are offering us advice that they themselves would not implement if they were in power. Let us not be confused, they would be the first to criticize us after we set out on a wide-ranging military operation, which we may yet have to do. Therefore, I am guided solely by one thing—the security of the State of Israel.”

Israel has fought multiple wars with terrorists in the Gaza Strip in the last decade-plus, most recently in 2014. For now, Netanyahu sounded focused on less extensive responses. “Last week we imposed heavy sanctions on Hamas including halting fuels. If we need to, we will employ much harsher measures,” said the Israeli Premier in comments released by his office. “We are taking these actions in consultation with all security elements.”

The Prime Minister’s warnings come in the wake of a refreshed ceasefire agreement with Hamas that has been criticized by political opponents and some within the governing coalition, according to a report in The Jerusalem Post. Per the report, Israeli gestures included resuming fuel supplies to Gaza, while Hamas was to halt their arson terror and attacks near the border. … Continue Reading

US Promises to Consider Israeli Security Concerns in Jordan Valley for Peace Plan

PM Netanyahu & USNSA John Bolton in the Jordan Valley. Photo courtesy of Kobi Gideon / Israeli GPO

Israel has long claimed that Israeli security force should remain in the Jordan Valley—which acts as a natural buffer shielding Israel from its many enemies to the East—in any peace deal with the Palestinians. This is something of a sticking point, as the territory in Judea and Samaria is also part of the land claimed by the Palestinians, which they call the West Bank. On Sunday, after touring the Jordan Valley with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, United States National Security Adviser John Bolton acknowledged the importance of the valley to Israel, and he promised US President Donald Trump would keep that in mind as the Americans prepare to announce their “Deal of the Century” peace plan.

“I’ll just say that without security there is no peace, there is no long-lasting peace. And I just think it’s too bad, Prime Minister, that more Americans can’t come to locations like this, see the geography, understand its significance, understand how it affects Israel’s critical security position, and explain why Israel has taken the view that it has,” said Bolton in comments published by Netanyahu’s office.

“I can assure you that President Trump will take the concerns that you have voiced so clearly over the years very much into account as we go forward on this.” … Continue Reading

Israel Approves Town of ‘Trump Heights’ in Golan in Honor of US President

Golan Heights Cabinet meeting recognizing “Trump Heights”.
Photo courtesy of Kobi Gideon / Israeli GPO

United States President Donald Trump made history earlier this year by recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the strategic Golan Heights region at Israel’s northern border, and on Sunday, Israel made history in return by naming a town for a US President for the first time in 70 years. Ramat Trump, or “Trump Heights” in English, was formally approved by the Israeli cabinet and a sign with the special name was unveiled in a special ceremony in the Golan.

“This is an historic day for us,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in comments released by his office. “We are going to do two things: Establish a new community on the Golan Heights, something which has not been done for many years. This is an act of settlement and of Zionism of the first order.

“The second thing is to honor our friend, a very great friend of the State of Israel, President Donald Trump, who recently recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. He is the first international leader to have done so. He tore the mask off this hypocrisy, which does not recognize what is self-evident.” … Continue Reading

US Accuses Iran of Another Attack on Oil Shipping, Threatening ‘International Peace’

Iran is attacking oil shipping. Oil Tanker. Illustrative. Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy. Photo by Mass Communication 2nd Class Nathan Schaeffer

The United States took less than one day to publicly accuse Iran of another attack on oil shipping the Middle East, while also saying Iran is threatening “international peace and security.” And it’s not just world peace that’s at stake. The same day, an organization representing shipping warned the situation could threaten the oil supply of the “entire Western world.”

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday listed off a series of threats and attacks carried out by Iran in the last two months, starting with a warning to disrupt the sea-borne oil trade in the region’s Strait of Hormuz. Since then, he said, Iran or its proxies have attacked multiple ships, oil pipelines, US soldiers, and an airport in Saudi Arabia.

“Taken as a whole, these unprovoked attacks present a clear threat to international peace and security, a blatant assault on the freedom of navigation, and an unacceptable campaign of escalating tension by Iran,” said Pompeo in comments to the press published on the State Department website. … Continue Reading

Israel Scores against BDS as 30 Financial Accounts of Orgs Promoting Boycotts Shut Down Due to Terrorist Ties

Israel is pushing back against the boycott movement and their ties to terror. Israeli flags. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

Organizations in the “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions” (BDS) movement against Israel are trying to harm the Jewish State financially in an effort to achieve anti-Israel political goals. Recently, Israel’s government and partner groups have turned the tables on them, exposing the links between dozens of those groups to terrorists and pushing financial entities to close their accounts. So far, 30 financial accounts of such anti-Israel organizations have been shut down, according to an Israeli press release.

Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan, in a press release by his ministry on Monday, said, “boycott promoters” raised tens of millions of euros from Western countries by disguising themselves as “human rights activists”. Now, the truth comes out.

“We have revealed that the supposed ‘human rights’ NGOs are in reality, filled with anti-Semitic operatives with deep ties to terrorist groups fixated on destroying the State of Israel,” Erdan was quoted as saying. “As a result of our actions, countries and financial institutions are now distancing themselves from these organizations. Our efforts have drastically undermined the boycott campaign, leading to it having much less finances to operate, and barred from receiving financial services.” … Continue Reading