Iran-Syria rift: Tehran calls on Assad to explain his contacts with “Iran’s enemies”......
Exclusive: An Iranian diplomat made a sudden appearance in Damascus on Monday, July 16, demanding that the Syrian ruler Bashar Assad explain his interaction with anti-Iran elements, we can reveal.
The envoy, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, assistant speaker for international affairs at Iran’s Shura Council, upon demanding to see the Syrian president, heard him underline his country’s support for Iran against “US threats.”
Iranian and Syrian sources describe Assad as reaffirming this commitment during their meeting. According to the official statement, they also discussed Iran’s nuclear program and the steps the regime in Tehran has taken “to protect the interests of the Iranian people.”
Our intelligence sources note the unusual features of this event and of the statements dictated by the Iranian side:
1. Tehran broke conspicuously with custom and protocol by sending a low-ranking diplomat to Damascus with a demand for him to be received on the spot by the Syrian president. This denotes a serious falling-out between Tehran and Damascus.
2. The emissary demanded a pledge by Assad to continue to oppose the United States, while omitting to mention any Middle East entity. Why the Syrian ruler need to reaffirm this? Has he changed his attitude towards Washington and the Trump administration?
3. Since when does a low-ranking Iranian diplomat engage in a discussion with the Syrian ruler on Iran’s nuclear program and its steps for “protecting the people?”
Missing UAE tanker suspected taken to Iranian port ..............
July 17, 2019
US and Gulf security sources reported Tuesday that the UAE’s MT RIAH oil tanker has not been sighted since it went missing over the weekend.
Some Gulf sources said the vessel had developed mechanical trouble and had been towed by Iranian ships to an Iranian port.
But according to US intelligence sources, the UAE tanker was forced by Revolutionary Guards boats to sail into an Iranian port and break off communications. The missing tanker was last seen off the Iranian Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf.
UK offers to release Iranian tanker on conditions ...........
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt [pictured above] said he held a “constructive call” with Iran Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif.
He offered to facilitate release of the seized Iranian tanker if Tehran guarantees to respect EU sanctions against delivering oil to Syria.
Hunt said, “Our concern is with the destination, not the origin of the oil.” On Friday, Iran warned that London was playing “a dangerous game” and threatened retribution.
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