Iran Events
Many Reportedly Killed in Fiery Truck-Bus Crash in Iran’s Kurdistan Province
Iranian state-run television and a Kurdish exile group are reporting that at least 11 people have been killed in the collision of a tanker carrying tar and a passenger bus in Iran’s Kurdistan Province.
The Twitter account of the Paris-based Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan posted what it said were videos of the aftermath of the accident.
It quoted sources as saying 20-30 people had died in the accident.
According to UNICEF figures, Iran’s rate of traffic accidents is 20 times the world’s average, a result of poor roads and lax traffic enforcement.
State Department adds Iran-backed group in Bahrain to list of terror organizations
The United States on Tuesday slapped a terrorist designation on an Iran-backed militant group in Bahrain as the Trump administration seeks to ramp up financial pressure on Tehran.
The move targets al-Ashtar Brigades, a militant group that has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in Bahrain, including one in 2014 that killed three police officers.
Iran’s Oil Situation Shows No Signs of Improving
In May, US President announced that the United States would be pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal. He also announced that sanctions would be re-applied and new ones would be issued.
The U.S. administration is also trying to shut down Iran’s oil exports to zero. Iranian regime, as expected, is trying to hit back at the United States and officials in the country have said that it will block the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s threat of blocking the Strait of Hormuz is bold, but it is also very unlikely to happen. Yes, it is true that more than a third of all seaborne oil exports (approximately 17 million barrels per day) pass through the Strait of Hormuz and blocking it off would result in a massive rise in oil prices. Into triple figures, estimate experts in the field.
It would not be a surprise if Iran allowed the global oil supply to be so severely impacted as a way of getting back at the United States. After all, the Iranian government would blame Trump. But, blocking the Strait of Hormuz would be a self-defeating move because a large part of Iran’s trade also passes through there. To block off the area would be Iran’s government cutting off its nose to spite its face.
Saudi Arabia submits protest note to UN against Iran excesses
NEW YORK – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has submitted a memorandum of protest to the United Nations against repeated infringements and violations by Iranian boats and vessels in restricted areas of the oil fields and platforms, located in the territorial waters of the Kingdom.
Pompeo to Urge More Pressure on Iran on NATO Sidelines
BRUSSELS — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Brussels on Tuesday, where he plans meetings on the sidelines of a NATO summit aimed at stepping up pressure on Iran and reassuring allies about alternative oil supplies, a State Department official said.
Pompeo flew from Abu Dhabi, where he discussed Iran with leaders of the United Arab Emirates. Senior State Department officials have also completed three days of talks on Iran in Saudi Arabia, and “discussed new ways to deprive the regime of revenues,” a State Department official told reporters traveling on Pompeo’s plane.
India’s Iranian oil imports in June fall 15.9 percent from May as sanctions fears bite: sources
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s oil imports from Iran declined by 15.9 percent in June, the first month after the United States said it would reimpose sanctions on the country, according to data from shipping and industry sources.
India, Iran’s top oil client after China, has asked refiners to look for alternative oil as the nation may have to drastically cut imports from Tehran to comply with the renewed U.S. sanctions.
Tough Talk on Iran Regime From Us Secretary of State
that America and its Gulf Arab allies want to show Iran its actions have “a real high cost”. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said During his visit to the United Arab Emirates.
Although offering no specifics, his message surely fell on interested ears. The UAE long has been suspicious of the Iran nuclear deal with world powers, from which President Trump recently announced the US exit.
Pompeo also discussed the recent threats made by Iran regime’s President Hassan Rouhani regarding the Strait of Hormuz, through which a third of all oil traded by sea passes. During his visit to Europe last week, Rouhani said any disruption to Iran’s oil exports would result in the whole region’s exports being disrupted.
Pompeo said that Iran “should know that America is committed to keeping sea lines open, keeping the transit of oil available for the entire world.” He added, “That’s the commitment we have had for decades. We continue under that commitment.”
Iran’s Oil Crisis Is Result of Pressure From United States
The U.S. administration has been warning Iran that it will no longer be accepting its belligerence.
Following an OPEC meeting, the members (apparently under pressure from the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia) have agreed to increase their oil production in a matter of weeks.
The Iranian regime has hit back against the United States by threatening to block access to the Strait of Hormuz. It is Iran’s warning that the oil market should not use its maximum spare capacity to cover for Iran and it is making a point that if there is no spare capacity and Iran cuts access, there really will be a disaster.
Furthermore, top officials in the Iranian regime, including President Hassan Rouhani, have said that if the country’s oil is banned, not a “single drop” of oil will pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
