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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Two Killed In Roadside Blast In Southern Afghanistan RFE/RL 21 Sep 2019 -- Two civilians have been killed in a roadside bomb attack in southern Afghanistan, officials said on September 21.
• Afghan Airstrikes Kill 23 Taliban Militants in Three Provinces – Reports Sputnik 21 Sep 2019 -- Afghan security forces have carried out airstrikes in the provinces of Kandahar, Ghazni, and Badghis, leaving 23 militants of the Taliban Islamist group dead, the news agency Khaama Press reported on Saturday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US to send more forces to Gulf after attacks on Saudi Arabia: Pentagon Global Times 21 Sep 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has approved sending more US forces to the Gulf which are "defensive in nature" at the requests of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the attacks on Saudi oil facilities, said US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on Friday.
• Pelosi: Plan to Send US Forces to Saudi Arabia, UAE 'Circumvents' Congress VOA 21 Sep 2019 -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday criticized President Donald Trump's plan to send additional U.S. military forces and air defense equipment to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, saying it was the administration's latest attempt to "circumvent" Congress.
• US says will send more military troops to Saudi Arabia, UAE Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- The United States says it will send troops to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to bolster Riyadh's air defenses following a recent drone attack on two major oil facilities owned by Saudi state oil giant Aramco.
• Protecting Saudi Arabia; excuse for US military presence in region IRNA 21 Sep 2019 -- "Sending US additional forces to protect Saudi Arabia", "Who Owns the Cruise Missile whose picture released?", and "a media disaster" for Saudi Arabia with the Ministry of Defense press conference!" are among the most important headlines that domestic news sites have had during the past 72 hours.
• Iran Vows To 'Pursue Any Aggressor' After Trump Orders More Troops To Saudi Arabia, U.A.E. RFE/RL 21 Sep 2019 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has vowed that Iran will pursue any aggressor, even if it carries out a limited attack, and seek to destroy it.
• Trump OKs 'Moderate' Troop Deployment to Protect Saudi, UAE Partners After Drone Attack Sputnik 21 Sep 2019 -- In a press conference Friday evening, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford announced the US would be sending "hundreds" of US troops, as well as additional air defense capabilities, to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
• 548th ISRG, 9th SFS partner with Hivemapper program to utilize drone capabilities US Air Force 21 Sep 2019 -- Saving time and money, reducing manpower, increasing security, improving mission effectiveness and innovating are all priorities articulated by senior leaders regarding the Air Force we need. These priorities are coming to fruition from a partnership between intelligence and security agencies.
• IRGC displays British, American drones seized over Iran's territory Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has displayed a number of American and British drones captured for violating Iran's airspace.
• General: Iran among top five countries for combat drones Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- Head of the Aerospace Division of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) General Amir Ali Hajizadeh says Iran is among the top five countries in the world in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• IRGC says Iran powerful enough to take responsibility of its acts IRNA 21 Sep 2019 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran has great determination to act and a tongue to speak to take responsibility for its actions.
• Revolutionary Guards Chief Warns Any Country Attacking Iran Will Be 'Main Battlefield' Sputnik 21 Sep 2019 -- Washington recently announced that it would send troops to Saudi Arabia for defensive purposes. The move came after drone attacks on Saudi Aramco oil fields. The incident was claimed by Yemen's Houthis, but the US blamed it on Iran. Tehran has strongly rejected the accusations.
• Germany, France removing obstacles to export jointly-manufactured weapons Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- France and Germany say they are expected to sign an agreement on removing obstacles on exporting jointly-manufactured weapons to non-European and non-NATO countries.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Oil giant acclaims breakthroughs for South China Sea Global Times 21 Sep 2019 -- A state energy giant's announcement it had overcome temperature and pressure obstacles shows that China has overcome technological obstacles to develop and explore deep water oil and gas in the South China Sea, a Chinese expert said on Sunday.
• Iran rejects Saudis' baseless allegations over oil installations attack IRNA 21 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi refuted baseless claims made by some Saudi officials with regard to recent attack on oil facilities.
• Yemen's Houthi leader vows more crushing response to Saudi attacks Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- Leader of Yemen's ruling Houthi Ansarullah movement says future attacks against those committing acts of aggression against his country, namely Saudi Arabia and allies, would be more painful than a series of recent strikes targeting oil installations east of the northern kingdom.
• Even Saudis themselves don't believe fiction of Iran's role in Aramco attacks: FM Zarif Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- Iran has rejected again claims of involvement in Yemen's retaliatory attacks on the kingdom's heart of oil industry, saying Riyadh's offensive in Hudaydah in breach of a UN truce speaks for itself.
• Zarif Says Saudi Arabia Hardly Believes in Iranian Links to Attack on Oil Facilities Sputnik 21 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday that Saudi Arabia hardly believed in Tehran's involvement in the recent drone attack on Saudi oil facilities, despite opposite remarks on the issue.
• Riyadh Says 'We Will See' After Huthis Say They Are Halting Attacks Against Saudi Arabia RFE/RL 21 Sep 2019 -- Riyadh has taken a "wait-and-see" response to the announcement by Huthi militants in Yemen that they are halting all drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia.
• Huthi Rebels Say They Are Halting Attacks Against Saudi Arabia RFE/RL 21 Sep 2019 -- Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen say they are halting all drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia a week after claiming responsibility for a strike that blasted a key Saudi oil facility.
• Saudi Arabia Promises to Take 'Appropriate Steps' if Probe Proves Iran Responsible for Oil Attacks Sputnik 21 Sep 2019 -- Earlier this week, the US announced that it would be sending some forces to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates following drone attacks on Saudi Aramco oil fields on 14 September.
• UN chief urges restraint following reported Saudi-led assault in Yemen UN News 21 Sep 2019 -- Amid reports of a Saudi-led coalition airstrike near Yemen's port city of Hudaydah, Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concerns for the attacks in a Saturday statement attributable to his Spokesperson, Stephane Dujjaric.
• Turkey prepared to act on its southern border with Syria: Erdogan Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey is fully prepared for a possible operation on the border with Syria to push back militants from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in case the United States fails to create a so-called safe zone in the northeastern part of the Arab country this month.
• Syrian army captures drone in Quneitra near Israeli-occupied Golan Heights Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- Syrian government forces have captured and dismantled an unmanned aerial vehicle rigged with cluster bombs near the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
• Russia prevents Israeli airstrikes in Syrian capital: Russian media Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- Russia has reportedly prevented another Israeli airstrike in Syria, helping the Syrian armed forces destroy a drone on its way to attack Damascus.
• Syrian Army Intercepts Drone Carrying Cluster Bombs - Reports Sputnik 21 Sep 2019 -- According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, special services dismantled the drone, which they managed to detect and shoot down north of the city of Al Qunaitra.
• Turkish Airstrikes Kill 5 Terrorists in Northern Iraq - Reports Sputnik 21 Sep 2019 -- Turkish fighter jets carried out airstrikes in northern Iraq, killing five terrorists, Turkey's media reported.
• Fifth phase of Will of Victory operation ends with cleansing areas near Saudi border Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- Iraqi pro-government Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) have announced the conclusion of a military campaign against the sleeper cells of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the central parts of the country as well as a sector of the vast western desert leading to the border with Saudi Arabia.

News Reports

• Trump Says Disputed Zelenskiy Phone Call 'Perfectly Fine' RFE/RL 21 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has described a July telephone conversation in which he reportedly pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate one of Trump's key political rivals as "perfectly fine and routine."
• Trump Denies Pressuring Ukraine to Probe Company Linked to Biden's Son VOA 21 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is denying he said anything "wrong" in a telephone conversation with the new president of Ukraine during which Trump allegedly urged him to investigate the son of former vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden.
• Zarif says remaining B-Team members try to deceive Trump into war IRNA 21 Sep 2019 -- Iranian foreign minister said on Saturday that in the absence of one member of the B_Team who has been fired, the remaining members are trying to deceive the US president into war.
• Zarif: New anti-Iran sanctions indicate B_Team's fear for US return to negotiation IRNA 21 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message on Saturday described US new sanctions against Iran as indication of B-Team's fear for US return to table of negotiations.
• US should acknowledge failure of sanctions policy IRNA 21 Sep 2019 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Saturday that the US should acknowledge failure of its sanctions policy and that it would not have needed to impose fresh sanctions if the former ones had worked.
• US needs to end economic war if it wants to take part in JCPOA commission IRNA 21 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday that ending the economic war is pre-requisite for the US to take part in the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as a member or a guest.
• Iran Slams New US Sanctions Saying Washington Should Understand Its Policy Failed Sputnik 21 Sep 2019 -- On Friday, the US administration ordered new economic sanctions against Iran, targeting the country's central bank and its sovereign wealth fund.
• Iran says Americans should accept policy of sanctions is failed ISNA 21 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Abbas Mousavi says the new US sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) are nothing new, but the same old bans in a new form.
• No disinformation against Iran can change realities about US' illegal practices: Iran's UN envoy ISNA 21 Sep 2019 -- Iranian ambassador to the United Nations rejected certain baseless accusations repeated by the US against the Islamic Republic's space and ballistic missile activities, stressing on continuation of the country's activities related to ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles.
• Iran's Zarif warns war with Iran would spread beyond borders Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned that any country launching a war against Iran would not be able to end it on its own, warning that such a military action would have dire consequences for the entire Middle East and beyond that region.
• B-Team takes US military as personal mercenary: Iran FM Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says even former US secretary of state has admitted that an international group of warmongers, or the B-Team, wants to take the US military as its own personal mercenary.
• Top military official: Iran, Russia, China to hold naval drills 'in near future' Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- Iran has announced plans to conduct joint naval drills with Russian and Chinese military forces in the international waters of the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman "in the near future."
• Iran won't let war on its soil, will destroy any aggressor: IRGC chief Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran will never allow a war on its soil, adding it will pursue and destroy any aggressor who stages even a limited attack on the country.
• Iran says has found ways to deal with US sanctions Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- Iran has played down new US sanctions against the country, saying Washington's campaign of pressure against Tehran has already failed.
• US sanctions Iran Central Bank out of desperation: FM Zarif Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the United States' recent sanctions on Iran's Central Bank clearly shows Washington's "desperate approach" toward the Islamic Republic.
• AFTA denies successful cyber-attacks against Iran's oil infrastructures ISNA 21 Sep 2019 -- "AFTA" presidential strategic management center denied reports of successful cyber-attacks against Iran's oil infrastructures.
• Iran Denies Suffering From Cyber Attack on Its Oil Sector Sputnik 21 Sep 2019 -- A cyber threat-tracking website has noted that a few interruptions to the Internet connection in Iran did occur throughout 21 September, adding, though, that the impact was limited to a limited number of providers and web resources.
• Xi calls for advancing political consultation in China People's Daily 21 Sep 2019 -- President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed upholding the system of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and improving the CPPCC work of political consultation, democratic oversight, and participation in and deliberation of state affairs.
• HK vows swift action against violence People's Daily 21 Sep 2019 -- Hong Kong police on Friday called for calm and pledged to take swift action against any street violence or other illegal activities, irrespective of offenders' backgrounds or views.
• Hong Kong Police Use Pepper Spray, Sponge Grenades to Disperse Protesters - Reports Sputnik 21 Sep 2019 -- Hong Kong police used pepper spray and sponge grenades to disperse protesters, who gathered on Saturday near Tuen Mun park to protest against its noise pollution, RTHK broadcaster reported.
• China's lure of Taiwan's allies 'harmful' to regional stability: U.S. CNA 21 Sep 2019 -- The U.S. State Department said Friday that China's move to lure Taiwan's allies to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing has been "harmful" to regional stability.
• China appreciates Kiribati's decision to sever "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan People's Daily 21 Sep 2019 -- China highly appreciates the decision of the Kiribati government to recognize the one-China principle and break off so-called "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan authorities, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said Friday.
• US Navy Guided Missile Cruiser Spotted in Taiwan Strait - TV Sputnik 21 Sep 2019 -- A similar incident occurred last month, when another US vessel, the San Antonio-class USS Green Bay , likewise navigated across the Strait, which Beijing maintains to be Chinese waters, whereas the US and a number of other countries view it as a free international zone.
• Solomons Recognized Beijing in Latest Diplomatic Blow to Taiwan VOA 21 Sep 2019 -- The Solomon Islands announced Saturday the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, becoming the second Pacific island nation in as many days to switch its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan.
• Solomon Islands and China forge official diplomatic ties, opening a new chapter for Pacific Island country People's Daily 21 Sep 2019 -- After severing ties with China's island of Taiwan earlier this week, Solomon Islands established formally diplomatic relations with the Chinese mainland in Beijing on Saturday, a decision that acknowledges the unequivocal one-China principle
• Naftogaz Chief: Ukraine Can Still Supply Gas to Europe in Early 2020 Without Russia Deal VOA 21 Sep 2019 -- The head of Ukraine's state-owned oil company says Kyiv will remain able to supply Europe with natural gas from its subterranean storage units even if European Union-mediated talks don't pan out.
• Kazakh Police Break Up Opposition Rallies, Detain Over 50 RFE/RL 21 Sep 2019 -- Police in Kazakhstan have broken up opposition rallies in several cities, including the capital Nur-Sultan, detaining dozens.