Biden Will Keep Iran's Revolutionary Guard On Terrorist Blacklist
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Wednesday, May 25, 2022!
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will stay on the United States' blacklist as a terrorist organization, and Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett says that's "where it belongs." Bennett said President Joe Biden notified him of the decision.
The United States is brokering secret talks between Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Egypt. The subject is two small islands in the Red Sea, and the U.S. hopes an agreement will pave the way to better relations between the Saudis and Israel.
Iran's hard-line president vows revenge for the death of a senior Revolutionary Guard colonel, and the FBI says it stopped a terrorist plot to assassinate former U.S. President George W. Bush. The Taliban says a United Arab Emirates company will manage three airports in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia claims it's done all it can to help the global oil market, and the Saudi crown prince plans a trip.
And news from Saudi Arabia (visiting U.S. Republican congress members), Oman (visiting Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi), and Yemen ( two warring sides visiting Jordan for discussions). Donald Trump's billionaire fundraiser Thomas Barrack pleads not guilty to new charges about lobbying for the United Arab Emirates, and More.
President Joe Biden has decided that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will continue to be listed on the Foreign Terrorist Organizations list. Iran has demanded that the label be removed as part of negotiations for a nuclear agreement, and Biden's decision is expected to further complicate international efforts to restore the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Israel has been vocal in opposition to removing the IRGC from the terrorist list, and President Biden was reported to have informed Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett earlier of his decision. Bennett tweeted: "I welcome the decision by the U.S. administration to keep Iran's IRGC on the Foreign Terrorist Organizations list -- which is where it belongs."
Politico, Biden made final decision to keep Iran's IRGC on terrorist list, sources say.
Times of Israel: Bennett: Biden notified me of decision to keep Iran Guards on terror list.
The United States is secretly pushing three-way talks between Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Egypt to return two strategic Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia in hopes of creating warm ties between the Middle East nations. White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk is spearheading talks on transferring from Egypt to Saudi Arabia the islands of Tiran and Sanafir, located near Israel's Eilat and Jordan's Aqaba. Egypt ceded the islands, but disagreement over an international observer force to ensure freedom of navigation has held up the transfer.
Middle East Eye, US 'negotiating deal between Saudi Arabia, Israel an Egypt.'
Iran's hard-line president vowed revenge for the killing of a senior Revolutionary Guard member who was gunned down in the heart of Tehran. President Ibrahim Raisi called Col. Hassan Sayyad Khodaei a martyr and blamed Israel and the United States for his slaying. There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack, carried out by two unidentified men on a motorbike in central Tehran.
Associated Press, Iran's president vows to avenge killing.
Iran held a funeral procession in the center of its capital of Tehran for a slain Revolutionary Guard officer, shot dead by two people on a motorbike. Mourners held portraits of Col. Hassan Sayyad Khodaei, and the Revolutionary Guards commander, Hossem Salami, said: " Iran's response to any threat or action will be harsh. But we will determine when and how it will be and in what circumstances. We will definitely take our revenge on our enemies."
Reuters, Iran buries slain Revolutionary Guard colonel, vows revenge.
A terrorist plot to assassinate former U.S. President George W. Bush in revenge for the Iraq war was uncovered and foiled by the FBI. A search warrant named Shihad Ahmed Shihab, an Iraqi asylum seeker, and said he described his plan to a paid FBI informant. The plotters "wished to kill former President Bush because they felt he was responsible for killing many Iraqis and breaking apart the entire country of Iraq," FBI Special Agent John Ypsilantis said. The warrant described Shihab, although not a member of the Islamic State militant group, as working to support ISIS.
NBC News, ISIS operative in U.S. plotted to assassinate George W. Bush, FBI alleges.
The Taliban announced that a United Arab Emirates company will manage three airports in Afghanistan. Although the UAE did not immediately acknowledge the deal, the company, Abu Dhabi-based GAAC Solutions, will manage airports in Kabul, Herat, and Kandahar, according to the Taliban.
Associated Press, Taliban says deal signed with UAE firm to manage airports.
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said there has been progress in talks with Iran but "not enough" and that the kingdom's hands remain outstretched to Iran. Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud said Saudi Arabia is eager to improve its relationship with Iran and indicated that "the other GCC states" have their visions for the future and are sending a message to the region, "including to our neighbors in Iran."
CNBC, Saudi foreign minister says the kingdom's hands are 'stretched out' to Iran.
Reuters, Saudi foreign minister says some progress in talks with iran.
Saudi Arabia said there's nothing more it can do to help global oil markets. "There is enough energy in the market," Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said. "We have to be sure that while we transition to a renewable future, there is enough energy in the market. The kingdom has done what it can."
Bloomberg, Saudi Arabia says it's done all it can for the global oil market.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met in Jeddah with three visiting U.S. members of Congress. All Republicans, they were Chris Stewart, Utah; Guy Reschenthaler, Pennsylvania, and Lisa McClain, Michigan. The meeting was attended by the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Saudi crown prince meets with US Congress delegation.
Saudi Arabia is finalizing the extension of a $3 billion deposit to Pakistan's central bank. The funds were deposited in Pakistan last year to help the country's foreign reserves, and in May a joint statement said the two countries were discussing the possibility of extending the term of the deposit or "through other options." Pakistan is in dire need of external finances, hurt by high inflation, declining reserves, and a weakening currency.
Reuters, Saudi Arabia finalizing extension of $3 billion deposit to Pakistan - finance minister.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is planning a trip to Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, and Egypt. Dates are still being discussed, but the travel will be the crown prince's first tour outside the region since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the outbreak of the Covid 19 epidemic. He visited Japan in 2019 for a G20 summit. The new trip could happen as soon as early June, and the crown prince is expected to reach agreements on energy and trade with the nations.
Reuters, Saudi crown prince planning international trip soon - sources.
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi made a short one-day visit to Oman to discuss political and economic issues with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The trip was the second visit Raisi has made to a Gulf country since becoming president in 2021; he visited Qatar in February.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Raisi tackles political, economic issues in visit to Oman.
Yemen's Houthi rebels said three people were killed in the capital Sanaa when a drone aircraft was shot down and crashed in a neighborhood. The Houthis said their air defense system downed the surveillance drone and that it belonged to the Saudi-led coalition. The Houthi claims could not be immediately verified.
Associated Press, Amid Yemen truce, Houthi rebels say falling drone kills 3.
Yemen's warring sides are expected to meet in Jordan to discuss ending a siege of the city of Taiz. The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, could open another channel of dialogue between the rebel Houthis and the Yemen government, following an agreement to allow air flights between Sanaa and Cairo. The meeting is led by the United Nations and is planned for Amman, the capital of Jordan, but it's still uncertain if the Houthis will attend.
The National, Yemen's warring sides expected to discuss Taiz siege in Amman.
Thomas Barrack, the billionaire friend of Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty to new charges of lobbying illegally in the U.S. for the United Arab Emirates. Barrack, a fundraiser for Trump's campaign, was charged last year in a seven-count indictment, and this month federal prosecutors added nine criminal charges including making false statements and acting as an unregistered foreign agent .
Reuters, Trump fundraiser Barrack pleads not guilty to new charges in UAE lobbying case.
Lebanon's banking association's rejection of a financial recovery roadmap is "dangerous and irresponsible," a senior government official said. The plan would cancel a large part of the central bank's currency obligations to commercial banks and would dissolve non-viable lenders by November. The Association of Banks in Lebanon said that the plan places full losses of the country's economic meltdown on depositors.
Reuters, Lebanese govt slams bank association's rejection of financial recovery plan.
MORE: UAE pushes for debt relief and aid to halt Sudan's economic collapse, The National... British advisor says Typhoon jets to be delivered to Qatar in August - QNA, London Southeast... Queen Elizabeth II meets emir of Qatar at Windsor Castle, The National... Qatar Investment Authority cannot exit Russian market, Reuters... 5 Turkish soldiers killed in clashes against PKK in Iraq, Associated Press... Egypt, EIB sign financing agreements worth 300 million euros, Egypt Independent... U.S. puts sanctions on Hamas official, finance network, Reuters... US warns Turkey against new Syria offensive, AFP.
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Reuters, Analysis: Subtle shift in U.S. rhetoric suggests new Iran approach.
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Middle East Eye, 'Time for action is now': US needs to reassess approach towards Tunisia, experts say.