• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• 'Attack' targets US airbase in Iraqi Kurdistan: Reports Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- The United States' airbase in the northern Iraqi Kurdistan region's capital Erbil has come under an "attack."
• Remarks by President Biden on the Way Forward in Afghanistan The White House 14 Apr 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan The White House 14 Apr 2021
• Biden Announces End Of 'America's Longest War,' Withdrawal From Afghanistan By September 11 RFE/RL Gandhara 14 Apr 2021 -- President Joe Biden has announced his decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11 - 20 years to the day after the Al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on the United States that triggered the conflict.
• Austin Says NATO, U.S. Forces Will Leave Afghanistan, Continue Support to Afghan Forces DoD News 14 Apr 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III wholeheartedly supports President Joe Biden's decision to end America's longest war by September 11.
• Biden Announces Full U.S. Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan by Sept. 11 DoD News 14 Apr 2021 -- BY President Joe Biden said the war in Afghanistan was never meant to be multi-generational, as he officially announced the drawdown of all 2,500 U.S. troops in that country beginning May 1 and concluding by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the war.
• US Can't Justify Keeping Troops in Afghanistan, Biden Says VOA 14 Apr 2021 -- Declaring that "war in Afghanistan was never meant to be a multigenerational undertaking," President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that "it is time to end the forever war" and said he would withdraw all U.S. troops from that country by September 11.
• Biden to reportedly withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan by 9/11 Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- All US troops will reportedly be out of war-ravaged Afghanistan by September 11 this year.
• US Intelligence Sees 'Significant Risk' in Afghanistan Withdrawal VOA 14 Apr 2021 -- The plan to pull troops from Afghanistan could give terrorist groups like al-Qaida and Islamic State a chance to regenerate the capabilities they would need to carry out an attack against the United States, according to top U.S. intelligence officials.
• NATO to Cut Forces in Afghanistan, Match US Withdrawal VOA 14 Apr 2021 -- NATO says it will pull out all its troops from Afghanistan, matching a U.S. pledge to do the same.
• North Atlantic Council Ministerial Statement on Afghanistan NATO 14 Apr 2021 -- In 2001, Allies invoked Article 5 of the Washington Treaty for the only time in NATO's history and went to Afghanistan together with clear objectives: to confront al-Qaeda and those who attacked the United States on September 11, and to prevent terrorists from using Afghanistan as a safe haven to attack us. In the ensuing decades through the investment of blood and treasure, and in partnership with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its security forces, we have worked together to achieve these goals.
• Defence Secretary statement on UK forces in Afghanistan UK MOD 14 Apr 2021 -- Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has made a statement on UK forces in Afghanistan.
• NATO North Atlantic Council support for Afghanistan UK MOD 14 Apr 2021 -- The UK will continue to work closely with the US and our NATO Allies and partners to support a secure and stable Afghanistan.
• UN Reports 29% Spike in Afghan Civilian Casualties VOA 14 Apr 2021 -- The United Nations said Wednesday the number of civilians killed and injured in Afghanistan during the first three months of 2021 had been "significantly" higher than a year ago, calling on warring sides to urgently find a way to stem the violence.
• At Least 13 Killed In Three Militant Attacks RFE/RL Gandhara 14 Apr 2021 -- At least 10 members of the Afghan security forces were killed in two militant attacks in the country's north, local officials and the army said on April 13.
• Fighting in Afghanistan continues amid calls for cease-fire in Ramadan People's Daily 14 Apr 2021 -- Fighting in Afghanistan has continued with heavy casualties reported since Monday amid repeated calls for observance of cease-fire in Muslims' fasting month of holy Ramadan.
• Postponement of US troop withdrawal violates Washington-Taliban deal: Russia Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- A recent decision by Washington to reschedule the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan will hinder the peace process and violate the deal with the Taliban, a senior Russian official says.
• UK to follow US in leaving Afghanistan Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- Following the announcement by the United States government that it is pulling its forces out of Afghanistan in just under six months, the UK has strongly signaled that it will follow the same timetable.
• Taliban won't partake in peace talks until withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- The Taliban say they would not participate in any peace talks for Afghanistan until all foreign forces leave the Asian country.
• Spain to Synchronize Withdrawal of Its Troops From Afghanistan With NATO, Ministry Says Sputnik 14 Apr 2021 -- Spain will coordinate the pullout of its forces from Afghanistan in line with its allies in NATO, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
• Afghanistan withdrawal to diminish US intelligence abilities: CIA Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- The withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan will restrict the Central Intelligence Agency's intelligence abilities in the country, the CIA head says.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Iwo Jima Operates with NATO Allies and Partners in Sixth Fleet Area of Operations US Navy 14 Apr 2021 -- The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWOARG) and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are currently operating with NATO Allies and partners in U.S. Sixth Fleet, April 14, 2021.
• Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 Train in Arctic Conditions During ICEX 2021 US Navy 14 Apr 2021 -- A small detail of 11 Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 received first-hand construction experience operating in below-freezing conditions during Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2021 at Thule Air Base (AB), Greenland.
• Underwater Construction Team 1 Conducts Arctic Training in Greenland US Navy 14 Apr 2021 -- High above the Arctic Circle, surrounded by thousands of miles of ice and snow, Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 1 went to work. While the nation's adversaries continually look to the Arctic as a new gray zone battleground, the Naval Construction Force (NCF) proved they can operate there, too.
• Naval Construction Group 2 Conducts Arctic Training Event in Greenland US Navy 14 Apr 2021 -- In an effort to bolster the development of the Naval Construction Force's (NCF) Arctic capabilities, Naval Construction Group (NCG) 2 hosted the first NCF-lead Arctic Training, Testing, and Evaluation exercise at Thule Air Base (AB) in Greenland.
• U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Conduct First Stop in U.S. Sixth Fleet US Navy 14 Apr 2021 -- The Legend-class national security cutter (NSC) USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753), the flagship of the Coast Guard's fleet, with the Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142), completed a stop for fuel at Naval Station Rota, April 14, 2021.
• NAVSUP, Mission Partners support Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group's Preparation for Operation Inherent Resolve US Navy 14 Apr 2021 -- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG) is a multiplatform team of ships, aircraft and more than 5,000 Sailors, capable of carrying out a wide variety of missions around the globe. It brings multi-mission capable platforms to the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations with strike, ballistic missile defense, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
• Egypt Becomes 34th Member Nation of the Combined Maritime Forces US Navy Press Release 14 Apr 2021 -- Egypt has become the 34th member of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), April 12.
• United States to station more soldiers in Germany People's Daily 14 Apr 2021 -- The United States would increase its forces in Germany by 500 soldiers, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said here on Tuesday.
• Austin Arrives in Brussels to Revitalize U.S. Engagement With NATO Allies DoD News 14 Apr 2021 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III arrived in Brussels today for meetings with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. It's the first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 14 Apr 2021
• Joint press point by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. NATO 14 Apr 2021
• Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III NATO 14 Apr 2021
• Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken NATO 14 Apr 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 14 Apr 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg US Dept. of State 14 Apr 2021
• China sets up new national security research center PLA Daily 14 Apr 2021 -- A research center dedicated to the systematic study of the holistic approach to national security was inaugurated Wednesday in Beijing.
• Taiwan navy's new amphibious vessel 'no match to PLA counterpart, of minimal threat' Global Times 14 Apr 2021 -- The island of Taiwan launched its first 10,000 ton-class amphibious landing ship on Tuesday, a move Chinese mainland experts said on Wednesday will only add to the rising military tensions in the Taiwan Straits.
• Biden administration proceeding with $23 billion weapons sales to UAE Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- The administration of US President Joe Biden is moving forward with over $23 billion in weapons sales to the United Arab Emirates, which include advanced F-35 aircraft, armed drones and other equipment.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with French, German, Italian, and UK Counterparts US Dept. of State 14 Apr 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany The White House 14 Apr 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, April 14, 2021 The White House 14 Apr 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 14, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 14 April 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Apr 2021
• Prevention is 'only cure' to end sexual violence in conflict, Security Council hears UN News 14 Apr 2021 -- "Prevention is the best and only cure" to stem the multiple, devastating and enduring consequences faced by survivors of sexual violence in conflict, especially as a brutal tactic of war, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Wednesday.
• Chinese, US Military Exercises Are New Norm in Disputed Asian Sea VOA 14 Apr 2021 -- Back-to-back military exercises by the United States and China in a contested Asian sea this past week are shaping as a new normal as Beijing seeks control over the waterway and U.S. forces want it open for international use, experts say.
• Damascus Condemns, Denies OPCW Report on Use of Chlorine by Syrian Military on Saraqib Sputnik 14 Apr 2021 -- Damascus condemns and denies a report by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that claimed that the Syrian military used chlorine in the town of Saraqib, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said.
• OPCW Charges Syrian Regime with Chemical Weapons Attack US Dept. of State 14 Apr 2021 -- On April 12, 2021, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) released its second report attributing yet another chemical weapons attack in Syria to the Assad regime.
• Iraqi group claims responsibility for attacking Mossad center in Erbil Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- An Iraqi group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a facility serving Israel's spy agency Mossad in the northern Iraqi Kurdistan Region's capital Erbil.
• Biden calls on Russia to de-escalate on Ukraine in call with Putin People's Daily 14 Apr 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday called on Russia to de-escalate its tensions with Ukraine in his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the White House said.
• Germany Says Russia Seeking To 'Provoke' With Troop Buildup At Ukraine's Border RFE/RL 14 Apr 2021 -- Germany has accused Russia of seeking provocation with its troop buildup in the occupied Crimean Peninsula and along the border with Ukraine, while rejecting Moscow's claim that it was responding to threats from NATO.
• US Committed to 'Assisting Ukraine With Its Self-Defense Needs', Pentagon Chief Says Sputnik 14 Apr 2021 -- The United States is committed to assisting Ukraine with its defense needs, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday.
• 'Unjustified Show of Force': Argentina Fumes as UK Plans Missile Tests in Falkland Islands Sputnik 14 Apr 2021 -- The UK Foreign Office last week informed Argentina it intended to carry out military tests, including the upcoming launch of Rapier missiles, in the Falkland Islands, which Buenos Aires and London have long maintained a sovereignty dispute over.
• Argentina lashes out at UK over planned military exercises in Malvinas Islands Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- Argentina has lashed out at Britain over its plan to hold military exercises and missile tests in the occupied Malvinas Islands, which the British call Falkland Islands, saying they are part of a "pattern" of "hostile acts" and an "unjustified show of force."
• Chinese Police Arrest Six Prominent Tibetans in Kardze Radio Free Asia 14 Apr 2021 -- Chinese police in Sichuan's Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture have arrested six Tibetans considered prominent in their communities in recent weeks, with the reasons for their arrests unknown, a Tibetan living in exile said Wednesday.
• 'Large, likely long-lasting' crisis looms over Mozambique's Cabo Delgado, UNICEF warns UN News 14 Apr 2021 -- The Cabo Delgado region in northern Mozambique is staring at a "large and likely long-lasting" humanitarian crisis, with nearly a third of its population displaced, worsening hunger and rising risk of deadly diseases, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.
• Settler violence is rising in Occupied Palestinian Territory, warn experts UN News 14 Apr 2021 -- Violence attributed to Israeli settlers against Palestinians living in the West Bank has worsened in recent months, amidst "an atmosphere of impunity", UN-appointed independent rights experts said on Wednesday.
• West Darfur Clashes Trigger Mass Exodus into Chad VOA 14 Apr 2021 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports recent deadly ethnic and tribal clashes in Sudan's West Darfur region have forced nearly 2,000 people to flee for their lives into neighboring Chad.

News Reports

• Bipartisan U.S. Task Force Highlights Strategy To Counter Russia, Other 'Autocratic Regimes' RFE/RL 14 Apr 2021 -- A bipartisan U.S. task force has published a road map for a foreign policy and national-security strategy prioritizing the advancement of democracy and the fight against authoritarianism in China, Russia, and elsewhere.
• FBI Director Concerned About QAnon's Potential for Violence VOA 14 Apr 2021 -- The FBI remains "concerned" about the far-right QAnon conspiracy movement's potential for violence and will soon release an unclassified threat assessment about the group, FBI Director Christopher Wray said Wednesday.
• Department of State Offers Reward for Information To Bring Mexican Drug Trafficking Cartel Member to Justice US Dept. of State 14 Apr 2021 -- Today the U.S. Department of State announces a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Audias Flores-Silva, a high-level member of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG – Jalisco New Generation Cartel).
• Treasury Sanctions Regional Commander of Mexico's CJNG in Coordination with Justice and State Actions US Treasury 14 Apr 2021 -- Yesterday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified Audias Flores Silva (Flores Silva) as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act). Flores Silva (a.k.a. "Jardinero") is one of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion's (CJNG) regional commanders in control of large portions of CJNG territory along the Pacific coast of Mexico, including the state of Nayarit.
• UN experts urge US to align anti-terrorism programme with international law UN News 14 Apr 2021 -- A so-called "Rewards for Justice" programme in the United States is violating the human rights of some of the individuals it targets, independent UN human rights experts said on Wednesday.
• Meeting of Russian Geographical Society Board of Trustees Kremlin.ru 14 Apr 2021 -- Vladimir Putin: " Indeed, even during World War II our soldiers, as we know from Soviet literature and films, called American canned meat 'the Second Front.' Speaking of canned meat, lend-lease supplies met 80 percent of our needs. We must give credit where credit is due, it was quite a bit."
• Members Of Navalny's Team Detained In Southern Russian City Of Krasnodar RFE/RL 14 Apr 2021 -- Police in the Russian city of Krasnodar have detained several members of the local team of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny for unclear reasons amid ongoing crackdown on the network of Navalny's teams across the country.
• Russian Investigative Journalist Says Raids, Interrogation Intended To Find 'Something Else' RFE/RL 14 Apr 2021 -- Prominent investigative journalist Roman Anin believes that the newfound attention paid by Russian authorities to him and his media organization differs from the official line, and that recent raids on his home and office -- and his subsequent interrogation -- were in response to recent critical coverage of high-profile business and security figures.
• Aide Of Former Putin Envoy Gets More Than 12 Years In Prison On High Treason Charge RFE/RL 14 Apr 2021 -- Aleksandr Vorobyov, who worked as an assistant to President Vladimir Putin's envoy to the Urals region, has been sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison on a charge of high treason.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on April 14, 2021 PRC MofA 14 Apr 2021
• No Clear Option For Montenegro As It Tries To Repay $1 Billion Highway Debt To China RFE/RL 14 Apr 2021 -- Montenegro says it needs help from the European Union to pay off a whopping $1 billion Chinese loan for a controversial road project that has left the Balkan country in a dire financial situation.
• Hong Kong Protester Sentenced as Terminally Ill Rights Activist Starts New Jail Term Radio Free Asia 14 Apr 2021 -- A court in Hong Kong on Wednesday jailed a woman for four-and-a-half years for helping to light a fire on a city street during the 2019 protest movement, which was sparked by plans to allow the extradition of alleged criminal suspects to mainland China.
• HK embraces National Security Education Day, still faces threats like 'lone wolf attacks' by radicals Global Times 14 Apr 2021 -- Hong Kong will embrace the National Security Education Day on Thursday for the first time with a number of activities to promote public awareness about national security as the city, once hit by black-clad protests and riots, is stepping up efforts to fix the local governance loopholes while enhancing education of the young generation to eradicate radical ideas brought by misunderstanding about the country.
• HK textbook removes wrong description about 'Republic of China' as education sector cleans illegal, separatist content Global Times 14 Apr 2021 -- A liberal studies textbook designed for sixth graders in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was found to have revised its content about the Chinese civil war (1946-49) by removing an incorrect description about the "Republic of China government" which challenges the one-China principle.
• HK electoral reform bill introduced to city's legislative body for first and second readings Global Times 14 Apr 2021 -- The highly expected Hong Kong electoral reform draft bill was officially introduced to the legislative body of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Wednesday, and after the hearing debate, the draft will be handed in to the House Committee of the Legislative Council (LegCo). Local officials spoke highly of the draft bill as part of top-down efforts in fixing the system loopholes in Hong Kong.
• China urges Turkey to reverse decision on ETIM terrorist People's Daily 14 Apr 2021 -- China urges Turkey to face up to Abudukadir Yapuquan's essence as a terrorist and reverse its erroneous decision to avoid serious negative influence on China-Turkey relations, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
• US Delegation Arrives in Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions With China Radio Free Asia 14 Apr 2021 -- A U.S. delegation led by former Senator Chris Dodd arrived on the democratic island of Taiwan on Wednesday, amid rising tensions with China.
• U.S. delegation sent by Biden arrives in Taiwan CNA 14 Apr 2021 -- An American delegation led by former Senator Chris Dodd landed in Taipei on Wednesday afternoon on the first visit of any delegation from the United States since President Joe Biden took office in January.
• Visit by U.S. delegation shows bipartisan support: Presidential Office CNA 14 Apr 2021 -- The arrival Wednesday of an American delegation in Taipei, led by former Senator Chris Dodd, is an indication of bipartisan support in the United States for Taiwan, the Presidential Office said.
• Biden sends delegation to Chinese Taipei 'to signal personal support' Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- US President Joe Biden has dispatched a delegation to Chinese Taipei to "signal" his "personal" commitment to the self-ruled island territory, despite Beijing's opposition to any formal ties between US officials and those from Taipei.
• Beijing Urges US Not to Send False Signals to Supporters of Taiwan's Independence Sputnik 14 Apr 2021 -- China calls on the United States to respect its commitments on Taiwan and not to send false signals to supporters of its independence by dispatching an unofficial delegation to the island, Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese State Council, said on Wednesday.
• China opposes so-called new rules for U.S. contacts with Taiwan: spokesperson People's Daily 14 Apr 2021 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a daily news briefing here Tuesday that China firmly opposes the so-called new rules for U.S. government contacts with Taiwan and has lodged solemn representations with the United States.
• EU urges Beijing to avoid unilateral actions on Taiwan CNA 14 Apr 2021 -- The European Union (EU) has expressed concern over the recent rise in Chinese military activity in areas near Taiwan and called on China to avoid unilateral actions that could fuel tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
• North Korea Builds New Rail Route to Handle Chinese Freight During Pandemic Radio Free Asia 14 Apr 2021 -- North Korea has built a new rail route to its border with China designed to isolate freight in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, an important first step toward restarting imports from its largest trading partner, sources in the country told RFA.
• North Korean Capital Demolishes Many Neighborhoods for Kim Jong Un's '10,000 New Homes' Plan Radio Free Asia 14 Apr 2021 -- The North Korean capital Pyongyang has begun demolishing entire neighborhoods to make way for leader Kim Jong Un's ambitious plan to construct 10,000 homes in the city by year's end, but people displaced by the project have nowhere to live, sources in the capital told RFA.
• Incident At Natanz Complicates Attempts To Revive Iranian Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 14 Apr 2021 -- An alleged act of sabotage against a key Iranian nuclear site appears to have complicated newly launched negotiations aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.
• European Powers Slam Iran For 'Dangerous' Enrichment Move RFE/RL 14 Apr 2021 -- The Western European powers who are party to the Iran nuclear deal have expressed "grave concern" over Tehran's announcement that it will start enriching uranium up to 60 percent purity.
• Iran to start uranium enrichment up to 60%: E3 statement UK FCDO 14 Apr 2021 -- The governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom respond to Iran's announcement that it will start uranium enrichment up to 60%.
• Iranian President Says Higher Enrichment Decision is Response to Nuclear Facility Attack VOA 14 Apr 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday that his country's decision to enrich uranium up to 60% purity is in response to the sabotage attack that damaged the nation's Natanz nuclear site.
• Rouhani: 60% enrichment Iran's response to enemies' malicious acts Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- President Hassan Rouhani says Iran's decision to start enriching uranium to 60 percent purity — which followed a suspected Israeli act of sabotage at an Iranian nuclear site — was a response to the "malicious acts" perpetrated by the enemies of the Islamic Republic.
• 60% enrichment, response to enemy's evils: Rouhani IRNA 14 Apr 2021 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that the fact that Iran has announced will activate IR6 centrifuges in Natanz nuclear site and will enrich uranium up to 60% are responding to the evils of the enemies.
• Iran's 60% enrichment a response to malice: President Rouhani ISNA 14 Apr 2021 -- The President called Iran's move to begin 60% enrichment a response to the Zionist Regime's nuclear terrorism and said, "Iran's 60% enrichment was a response to malice. You cannot commit a crime. If you do, we will cut your hands. By replacing IR6 centrifuges with IR1 and 60% enrichment, we cut your both hands".
• Iran plans to start 60-pct uranium enrichment: media People's Daily 14 Apr 2021 -- Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of its plan to enrich uranium at 60-percent purity following the attack on its Natanz nuclear facility, Iranian news network Press TV reported Tuesday, citing Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
• Iran says using advanced centrifuges to produce 60% uranium by next week Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- Iran says it has already started work to use IR-4 and IR-6 centrifuges in Natanz for enriching uranium to the level of 60 percent and that it expects the product to be ready next week.
• New centrifuges to replace old ones in Natanz by early May: MP IRNA 14 Apr 2021 -- A member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Majlis said on Wednesday that the new centrifuges will replace the old ones in Natanz nuclear site by early May.
• Natanz Nuclear Facility to move forward with utmost speed: AEOI ISNA 14 Apr 2021 -- Pointing to the recent terror act in Natanz facility demonstrates the frustration of the enemies, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) stressed Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant will move forward with utmost speed towards the set targets.
• Israeli regime behind Natanz site sabotage: Vaezi IRNA 14 Apr 2021 -- Chief of Staff of Presidential Office Mahmoud Vaezi said on Wednesday that the Israeli regime was behind sabotage act in Natanz nuclear site, adding that such measure drove Iran to IR6 centrifuge chain and 60-percent enrichment.
• Tehran Urges IAEA to Take Action to Prevent Incidents Like One at Natanz Nuclear Plant Sputnik 14 Apr 2021 -- Iran has called on the International Atomic Energy Agency to take effective measures against actions of states such as the alleged involvement of Israel in an accident at the Natanz nuclear facility, Iranian Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna, Kazem Gharib Abadi, said in a letter to Director General Rafael Grossi.
• Leader warns against protracted talks on reviving Iran nuclear deal Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned against protracted talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, reiterating that Iran will only return to its commitments under the accord once it has verified that all US sanctions have been removed.
• Leader: Sanctions must be lifted first; then we'll carry out our commitments IRNA 14 Apr 2021 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stressed here on Wednesday that "Sanctions must be lifted first; then we'll carry out our commitments."
• US Proposals on JCPOA Unworthy of Consideration, Iranian Supreme Leader Says Sputnik 14 Apr 2021 -- Proposals advanced by Washington on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) do not deserve to be considered, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday.
• Sanctions, sabotage not to help U.S. as negotiating tools: Iranian FM People's Daily 14 Apr 2021 -- U.S. officials should understand that neither sanctions nor acts of sabotage on Iran's nuclear facility will work in their favor at the ongoing nuclear talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday.
• Russian FM says all U.S. sanctions against Iran must be removed People's Daily 14 Apr 2021 -- Visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said here on Tuesday that all the U.S. sanctions against Iran should be removed unconditionally, according to official IRNA news agency.
• New EU sanctions may hamper JCPOA revival IRNA 14 Apr 2021 -- New sanctions by the European Union on some Iranian officials and entities breach the international law and could leave impacts on the current talks to revive the nuclear deal in Vienna.
• Iran expresses objection to EU illegal moves IRNA 14 Apr 2021 -- Iran expressed its strong objection to EU's illegal act in imposing human rights sanctions against a number of Iranian officials and foundations in a meeting between an Iranian diplomat with the Portuguese ambassador to Tehran.
• Iranian President stresses importance of resolving regional issues through dialogue ISNA 14 Apr 2021 -- Welcoming Qatari government's position on regional issues, Iran's President stressed the need to resolve regional issues and crises including the Yemeni crisis through dialogue, calling the presence of Zionist Regime in the region dangerous, saying, "The only successful way to ensure security, peace and stability in the region is resolving issues peacefully, responsibility and taking into account the collective interests. We believe that militarism can't resolve regional issues".
• Protesters Paint Myanmar Streets Red as Junta Moves to Arrest Doctors Radio Free Asia 14 Apr 2021 -- Opponents of Myanmar's ruling junta splashed red paint and dye on buildings and streets across the country on Wednesday to symbolize the blood of hundreds of civilians killed by the regime, which searched houses in major cities to root out protesters and moved to arrest doctors who oppose the military takeover.
• U.S.-Belarusian Lawyer 'Abducted' In Moscow, Transferred To Minsk RFE/RL 14 Apr 2021 -- Yuras Zyankovich, a Belarusian lawyer who also has U.S. citizenship, has been detained in Moscow and transferred to a detention center in Minsk amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent in Belarus following a disputed presidential election last year.
• Pakistan To Ban Radical Islamist Party Behind Anti-French Rallies RFE/RL Gandhara 14 Apr 2021 -- The Pakistani government says it will ban a radical Islamist party that has spearheaded violent anti-French rallies in the South Asian nation.
• Pakistan Bans Radical Islamist Party Following Clashes VOA 14 Apr 2021 -- Pakistan announced Wednesday that it would ban radical Islamist party Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan after its supporters clashed with law enforcement for a third day, leaving seven dead and injuring more than 300 police.
• British Ministers Rebuff Dublin Pleas for Emergency Summit on Northern Ireland VOA 14 Apr 2021 -- Ireland's foreign minister Simon Coveney is expected to press his British counterpart, Dominic Rabb, this week during a meeting in London to convene an emergency British-Irish intergovernmental conference to discuss a recent outbreak of violence in Northern Ireland.
• Turkish police detain 11 IS suspects in Istanbul People's Daily 14 Apr 2021 -- Turkish police on Wednesday detained 11 suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) in large-scale operations in Turkey's largest city Istanbul, Turkish media said.
• Somalia's president signs law extending own term for 2 years Press TV 14 Apr 2021 -- Somalia's president has signed a contentious law passed by the lower house of the parliament that extends his term for two more years.
• Somalia's Farmajo Signs Controversial Measure Extending Mandate by 2 Years VOA 14 Apr 2021 -- Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has signed a controversial measure extending his term in office by two years. Opposition lawmakers have spoken out against the action, along with donors and the international community. The extension comes two months after the president's four-year term expired with no agreement on how to replace him, while elections set for February were delayed.
• Laos Opens More Land to Chinese Investment, Raising Local Concerns Radio Free Asia 14 Apr 2021 -- A Chinese company has signed an agreement with Lao authorities to study the prospects for development of 5,000 hectares of land in southern Laos' Attapeu province, raising concerns among residents that investors will take more land over time, destroying local livelihoods, Lao sources say.
• Bulgaria's GERB Party To Nominate Ex-Foreign Minister For PM RFE/RL 14 Apr 2021 -- Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov says that his GERB party will nominate Daniel Mitov, a former foreign minister, to lead the government it will try to form after the April 4 election.
• Former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Pays $12 Million In Compensation, Released From Pretrial Detention RFE/RL 14 Apr 2021 -- Former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Kubanychbek Jumaliev, who was charged with corruption, has been released from pretrial detention after he paid the equivalent of almost $12 million in compensatory damages to the state treasury.
• Haiti's Prime Minister Resigns Following Months of Unrest VOA 14 Apr 2021 -- Haiti's President has accepted the resignation of his Prime Minister, Joseph Jouthe, who announced on Twitter early Wednesday he would be stepping down, without saying why.