US NASA Says Iran 'Suffered Another Failure' In Rocket Launch
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Friday, December 31, 2021! The late news Thursday was that Iran had launched another rocket. The early news today is that it didn't work. Iran's unexpected rocket launch "appears to have suffered another failure," the United States space agency NASA said. "Although a successful launch was announced, no objects have been detected in orbit." The U.S. continues to suspect that Iran's satellite launch vehicles are part of a larger plan to develop ballistic missiles that can carry nuclear warheads. The U.S. wants Iran's ballistic missile program included in any revived nuclear agreement, but Iran has said it won't do that. (For details on Iran's program, much of which it keeps secret, see the NASA story below. NASA tracks everything.)
Saudi Arabia's King Salman urges Lebanon to stop Hezbollah's hegemony. A U.S. court hands a defeat to Saudi Arabia's crown prince. At least four anti-coup protesters are killed in Sudan. The U.S. Navy seizes heroin worth $4 million from a stateless boat in the Arabian Sea. Saudi Arabia's first convoy of relief trucks arrives in Afghanistan. A prominent Iran footballer wears an Israeli jersey and gets into trouble. News from Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Algeria, and More.
Iran claims a successful rocket launch but NASA says it failed. Iran conducted an unexpected launch of its Simorgh, or Phoenix, rocket carrying three payloads. The domestically-built satellite carrier rocketed into space from the Imam Khomeini Space Center. An Irani spokesman claimed the rocket worked flawlessly and that three research devices aboard met their objectives. The devices weren't explained, and NASA said no objects have been detected in orbit. NASA said Simorgh is a three-stage rocket similar in design to North Korea's Unha rocket.
NASA Spaceflight.com, Iran's Simorgh rocket falls short of orbit with three payloads aboard.
The United States says there's a serious risk Iran is building up its ballistic missile program. The Irani program violates a United Nations resolution that calls upon Iran not to undertake space activity related to ballistic missiles, "including launches using such ballistic missile technology."
The Hill, US concerned over Iran rocket launch.
A United States judge in Massachusetts won't hear a case from a Saudi Arabian firm because it might reveal U.S. government secrets. The case is regarded as a defeat for Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who is in a legal battle with Saudi Arabia's exiled former intelligence chief Saad al-Jabri. The state-owned company. Sakab Saudi Holding Co., is one of ten Saudi companies suing Jabri and claiming he defrauded them of billions. In the Massachusetts case, the U.S. director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, took the extraordinary step of intervening in the case, invoking the state secret privilege.
A Saudi official denied that the case involved the kingdom, saying "This is a private action between corporate entities and al-Jabri." The corporate entities, however, are subsidiaries of a company owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund. The crown prince is chairman of the fund.
Reuters, U.S. court tosses Saudi suit against former top Saudi intelligence officer.
The U.S. Navy seized 385 kilos of heroin (849 pounds) in the Arabia sea, worth $4 million, in a major international drug bust. Two U.S. ships, the USS Tempest and the USS Typhoon, seized the drugs hidden aboard a stateless fishing vessel. The Navy said the vessel likely came from Iran.
Associated Press, US Navy seizes $4 million worth of heroin in Arabian Sea.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul Aziz urged Lebanon to quit Hezbollah and stop "the hegemony of terrorist Hizbullah over the state." He called on all Lebanese leaders to prioritize the people's interests and work to achieve "security, stability, and prosperity."
Naharnet, Saudi King Urges Lebanon to Stop Hizbullah 'Hegemony.'
OPEC and its allies meet January 4 and are expected to keep the existing policy of modest monthly increases in oil output. Members will decide whether to go ahead with a 400,000 barrel a day increase for February, as the producers continue to unwind record cuts made in 2020. "At the moment, I have not heard of any moves to change course," said one OPEC source.
Reuters, OPEC+ likely to stick to existing policy at Jan. 4 meeting: sources.
Kuwait's candidate to lead OPEC is expected to be elected the new secretary general. Mohammad Barkindo of Nigeria isn't expected to seek reelection, and Kuwait's former governor to OPEC, Haitham al-Ghais, is unopposed. OPEC will elect at its meeting on January 4
Reuters, Kuwait's candidate has widespread support for top OPEC job.
Sixteen trucks carrying food and shelter from Saudi Arabia have arrived in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul. They represent the first help from Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), carrying 11,000 bags of flour, 5,500 food baskets, 3,593 blankets, and 3,072 winter bags. The food and equipment goes to the Afghan Red Crescent for distribution to Afghan governates.
Saudi Gazette, First batch of Saudi relief land bridge arrives in Afghanistan.
Saudi Arabia and Israel were both on a call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a rare event because they don't have diplomatic relations. Blinken's call was about the Omicron coronavirus variant and involved numerous countries that weren't specified. Then Israel's foreign minister said in a tweet that foreign ministers of Japan, India, Mexico, Australia, Germany and other countries were on the call, but he made no mention of Saudi Arabia. The Saudis made no public statement, but an official confirmed that Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, was on the call.
CNN, Saudi and Israeli foreign ministers joined recent State Department virtual meeting on Omicron.
Iran's former captain of its national football team wore a jersey with an Israeli flag during a friendly game, and ultraconservative lawmakers lambasted the veteran player.
Mehdi Mahdaqvikia wore a jersey featuring the flags of all FIFA member countries, including Israel, during a match in Qatar. One member of Iran's parliament said he "must apologize to the Iranian people for his act and he must stand trial." But Iran's football federation threw its weight behind the footballer: "He is one of the greats of Iranian football."
Asharq Al Awsat, Iran Federation Defends Footballer Over 'Israel Flag' Jersey.
Ten pro-government Yemeni soldiers were killed in a missile attack by the Houthi rebel militia. The attack took place in the oil-rich province of Shabwa, where the Houthis bombed a base with drones and ballistic missiles. Two missiles and two explosive-laden drones struck the forces, killing the 10 soldiers and injuring more than 17 others.
Xinhua, 10 killed in Houthi rebels' attack on gov't forces in southern Yemen: military official.
At least four people were shot dead by Sudanese security forces during demonstrations in Omdurman, near the capital Khartoum, and Sudan authorities raided broadcast offices. Anti-coup protests marked the eleventh day of mass demonstrations, and military government forces fired live bullets and tear gas at the crowds. Sudanese forces tried to censor broadcasters from reporting on the demonstrations, and two Saudi Arabian broadcasters said their staffs were assaulted and equipment seized.
CNN, At least four anti-coup protesters shot dead in Sudan as security forces raid broadcasters.
Iraqi security forces killed five Islamic State militants in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala during a three-day operation. A statement said the Iraqi forces launched a major operation in the Himreen mountain range north of the provincial capital of Baquba, about 65 kilometers northeast of Baghdad. Troops located 23 hideouts, killed five militants, and seized weapons and equipment. Iraqi warplanes conducted airstrikes on the Islamic State positions.
Xinhua, Iraqi security forces kill IS militants in operation in eastern Iraq.
Iraq's parliament will meet on January 9 in the first session since the October election. The parliament's president, Barham Saleh, said he "signed the presidential decree inviting the new parliament to meet," saying he hoped for a "genuinely strong and active government." Procedure calls for the oldest member to preside at the opening session, then the parliament has 30 days to elect a president. The president then will name a prime minister. In practice, the prime minister is expected to be chosen by Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose party won the most seats in the October vote.
AFP, New Iraq parliament to open on January 9.
Iraq is expected to export an average of 3.3 million barrels a day of oil in January. Oil minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar said Iraq is committed to the OPEC gradual increase of 400,000 barrels a month. OPEC will meet January 4 and is expected to confirm its program.
Hellenic Shipping News, Iraq's average oil export rate for January will be 3.3 million bpd: minister.
Bahrain has appointed its first ambassador to Syria in more than a decade. King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa issued a decree appointing Waheed Mubarak Sayyar as the kingdom's ambassador, the latest sign of a stepped-up outreach to Damascus by Gulf Arab countries. Bahrain reopened its embassy in Damascus in 2018.
Associated Press, Bahrain names its first ambassador to Syria in more than a decade.
Israel's environment ministry has canceled a clandestine oil deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Emerati oil would have been shipped to Western markets, but it would have affected a prime area of waters used by scuba divers and others, and there were environmental protests in Israel. Israeli Environment Minister Tamar Zandberg said that following a Justice Department opinion. her office had authority to limit the activities of the government-owned corporation that had signed on to the deal with the UAE. She said "the agreement cannot be realized."
Associated Press, Israeli environment minister says UAE oil deal is blocked.
Satellite images show smoldering wreckage at Syria's Latakia port after an Israeli missile strike, the second attack on the facility in a month. Firefighters contained a massive blaze after the attack. The raid was among the largest Israel has launched into Syria, and the explosion could be heard miles away.
Associated Press, Satellite images show smoldering wreckage at Syria port.
Libya's prime minister is back in office after taking leave to run for president in elections that were postponed. Abdulhamid Dbeibah, the interim prime minister, led a cabinet meeting, but there are concerns that the election postponement may jeopardize his position. The mandate of the interim government headed by Dbeibah, a business tycoon, was supposed to end on election day, December 24, but the government is continuing.
AFP, Libya PM back after elections postponed.
Tunisia's Justice Ministry will start an investigation into the death of the country's 92-year-old former president after a Tunisian preacher said he was killed. Caid Essebsi died in a military hospital in July. Then Mohamed Hentasti, the religious preacher, said on television that Essebsi was killed and that he had information about the "suspicious" death. Authorities in Tunis will open an official investigation, and political activists called for Essebsi's grave to be secured
Asharq Al-Awsat, Tunisia Launches Probe into Essebsi's Death.
Morocco is negotiating with an Israeli company to buy the Barak 8 air defense missile system. The surface-to-air system is produced by Israel Aerospace Industries, and the negotiations follow a visit to Israel by Morocco's defense minister in November and Israel and Morocco signed an agreement for sale of defensive systems to Morocco.
Defense News, Morocco negotiates acquisition of Israeli Barak 8 air defense missile system.
More: Algeria signs budget law, forecasts 3.3 pct growth in 2022, Xinhua... Slow progress as Lebanon awaits IMF economic deal, AFP... Algeria Lashes Out At World Bank Report Exposing Lack of Reforms, Rising Poverty, Morocco World News... Oman estimates 2021 budget deficit at 3.8% of GDP, Reuters... Mauritania: 'Significant Strides in Algeria-Mauritania Ties,' Says President Tebboune, Algerie Presse Service... Kremlin hopes Syria can be a future thorn in NATO's southern flank, Al Monitor... Saudi Arabia sends wishes for Beijing 2022 ahead of first winter Olympic trip, CGTN .
News You Missed:
The window of opportunity in Vienna to save the international nuclear agreement with Iran has shrunk to a matter of weeks, and time is running out fast before the 2015 deal becomes meaningless. U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in 2018, imposed sanctions on Tehran, and Iran started to violate many of the deal's provisions. Now, even though both Iran and the United States seem interested in reviving the nuclear agreement, there has been so much distrust and decades-long animosity that it's unlikely the two sides can normalize their relationship in the near future.
Deutsche Welle, Will Iran be able to normalize ties with the West in 2022?
The postponement of Libya's presidential vote that was scheduled for December 24 has opened up uncertainty over what comes next. Libya could slide into a new round of violence, after more than a year of relative calm.
Associated Press, Explainer: Libya future at stake after failing to hold vote.
While conflicts and crises have battered Arab cultural capitals, Saudi Arabia is hosting film festivals and bankrolling new movies. The conservative kingdom is making huge efforts to transform itself from a cultural backwater into a cinematic powerhouse in the Middle East.
New York Times, As Other Arab States Falter, Saudi Arabia Seeks to Become a Cultural Hub.