Israel Says It Was Responsible for Killing Iranian Colonel In Motorbike Attack
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Friday, May 27, 2022!
Israel said the Iranian colonel killed last week by two men firing from a motorbike in Tehran was a leader of a Quds Force unit that crossed borders to kidnap and kill Israelis and others. Taking responsibility for the death of Col. Sayyad Khodaei, Israeli officials told the U.S. that he was deputy commander of a covert Unit 840, part of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Then, almost at the same time, an unexplained "accident" took place at a major Iranian military and weapons development base, killing an engineer.
Two senior U.S. officials traveled to Saudi Arabia to discuss world energy supplies, but not to ask for more oil production, "which is simply wrong," according to the White House press secretary. Saudi Arabia says there's no date in the foreseeable future for a reported meeting between the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers; a local Yemeni employee of the United States embassy in Yemen has died in custody of the rebel Houthis, and Turkey says it has arrested the new leader of the Islamic State, who took over after the United States killed his predecessor in an attack in Syria in February.
And news from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanon, Libya, and about the devastating sandstorms spreading across the Middle East.
Israeli officials have informed the United States that Israel was behind the operation that killed a senior Iranian officer in the heart of Tehran. Israeli officials said the officer, Col. Sayyad Khodaei, was deputy commander of the secret Unit 840 of the Quds Force, involved in planning cross-border plots against foreigners, including israelis. The Quds Force is a prime section of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
New York Times, Israel tells U.S. it killed Iranian officer, official says.
An unexplained incident struck an Iranian base, killing an engineer and injuring another employee. Iran's Defense Ministry said the "accident" occurred at a research center at the Parchin military complex. The site, east of Tehran, is a major Iranian military and weapons development base where the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, suspects Iran of conducting tests of explosive triggers for nuclear weapons.
Associated Press, Iran TV says accident at military complex kills engineer.
AFP, Iran says one dead in defense research unit 'accident.'
The White House said two senior U.S. officials visited Saudi Arabia for talks on Iran and global energy supplies. The officials were Brett McGurk, coordinator for the Middle East, and Amos Hochstein, senior adviser for energy security. They met with Saudi officials in Riyadh, and the White House press secretary emphasized they were discussing global energy supplies, "as asking for oil is simply wrong."
Al Arabiya, Two senior US officials visited Saudi Arabia for talks on Iran, energy: White House.
Israel's national security adviser will travel to Washington next week for talks on Iran and about President Joe Biden's coming visit to Israel. Adviser Eyal Hulata will meet with U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan; Hulata is the main contact point as the White House quietly mediates between Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt over finalizing transfer of two strategic Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. The U.S. hopes that the transfer from Egypt may lead to normalization steps between the Saudis and Israel.
Axios, Key official to travel to U.S. for talks on Biden visit, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia said no meeting between the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers has been scheduled in the foreseeable future. Earlier, Iran's minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, said he may meet his Saudi counterpart soon in a third country. Saudi officials said no meeting is scheduled, but "there are several issues that can be discussed with Tehran."
Al Arabiya, No Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers meeting in foreseeable future: Saudi official.
The United States said an embassy staff member in Yemen, abducted by the rebel Houthis last year, died in Houthi detention. "We grieve for retired USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) employee Abdulhameed Al-Ajami who died in Houthi captivity," a statement said. "He was an innocent grandfather who never should have died away from his family, a proud Yemeni dedicated to educating Yemeni children."
Arab News, Death of U.S. embassy employee in Houthi detention sparks outrage.
The U.S. urged Yemen's Houthi rebels to release all U.S. embassy local staff they have detained, following the death of one staff member. Houthi forces seized the headquarters of the U.S. embassy in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa last October, detaining dozens of former staff. Many were later released, but 11 remained in custody.
Associated Press, US urges Yemen's Houthis to free U.S. embassy's local staff.
Turkey has captured the new leader of the Islamic State. Senior officials said Abu al-Hassan al-Qurayshi was captured in a raid in Istanbul. The previous ISIS leader was killed in a U.S. operation in Syria in February.
Al Arabiya, Turkey detains ISIS's new leader, officials say.
Yemen's warring sides started talks in Jordan on reopening roads in Taiz as a two-month ceasefire is set to expire. The talks also relate to provinces other than Taiz and are being held in Jordan's capital, Amman, in hopes of extending the ceasefire, due to end next week.
Associated Press, UN says Yemen warring sides meet on reopening Taiz roads.
Saudi Arabia's oil exports hit their highest since 2016. In the first quarter of the year, exports jumped 90.3% over the same quarter in 2021, reflecting both an increase in production and a stronger oil price because of sanctions on Russian energy. Exports for the quarter were about $35 billion; in 2016, the figure was $30 billion.
Business Insider, Saudi Arabia oil exports soared to the most since 2016 in Q1 thanks crude prices above $100 a barrel and higher production.
Iraq's parliament approved a law banning any normalized relations with Israel. Iraq has never recognized the state of Israel since its establishment in 1948 and Iraqi citizens or companies cannot visit Israel. The new law goes further, specifically criminalizing any attempts to normalize relations with Israel.
Reuters, Iraq makes it illegal to attempt normalizing ties with Israel.
The United States asked and Greece seized the crude oil cargo of an Iranian-flagged tanker. The tanker was stopped in Greek waters last month, and a Greek official said that, following a "judicial intervention by U.S. authorities concerning the ship's cargo," the process of transferring the oil to another vessel is currently underway, at U.S. expense. The oil is being handed over off the port of Karystos on Evia, an island in the Aegean Sea.
Associated Press, Iranian oil tanker's cargo seized in Greece after US request.
The United States approved the sale of 23 Chinook helicopters to Egypt. Principal contractor is Boeing Helicopter Co., and the estimated cost of the CH-47F helicopters and equipment is $2.6 billion.
Reuters, U.S. oks potential sale of Chinook helicopters to Egypt, Pentagon says.
Tunisia will hold a constitutional referendum on July 25 for a "new republic." The vote will come exactly a year after President Kais Saied sacked the Tunisian government, claiming he was resolving a crippling political deadlock. Critics have warned that Saied wants to establish an autocracy and have refused to take part in consultations for a new constitution. A draft of the referendum is to be ready by June 30.
AFP, Tunisian president decrees July 25 referendum on 'new republic.'
Rival Libyan Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha says he has no plans to try to rule the country from the capital of Tripoli, where the opposition government of Abdulhamid Dbeibah sits. Bashagha, a former interior minister and air force pilot, said his government will work from Sirte, a city on the Mediterranean coast about halfway between the country's east and west.
Associated Press, Rival Libya leader says he has no plans to rule from Tripoli.
MORE: Lebanese pound trades at record low of 35,000 to the dollar, Asharq Al-Awsat... Doctors, hospitals in crisis-hit Lebanon go on 2-day strike, Associated Press... Lebanese spy chief says U.S. wants his help freeing Americans in Syria, Washington Post... Tunisia's panel to go ahead in writing new constitution despite academics' rejection, Reuters... Qatar wins speedy trial, loses procedural claims in Airbus clash, Reuters... Bahrain growth to hit 3.4% on back of reforms, oil prices: IMF, TradeArabia.
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