Palestinian Authority greenlights Russia's COVID vaccine
Russian Direct Investment Fund reports that PA has approved Sputnik-5 vaccine for use without demanding additional clinical trials, and the first doses will be delivered by the end of January.
Middle East
Chief inspector: Iran nuclear program advancing 'quite rapidly'
"It is clear that we don’t have many months ahead of us. We have weeks," Rafael Grossi says in an interview for the Reuters Next conference.
Lebanon on edge over low flying Israeli jets
According to local media, the frequency of drone and warplane flights has increased over the past two weeks, making residents jittery as tensions run high in the region on the final days of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Iran says will expel UN nuclear inspectors unless sanctions are lifted
"If the Americans do not lift financial, banking and oil sanctions by Feb. 21, we will definitely expel the IAEA inspectors from the country and will definitely end the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol,” Iranian MP says.
IRGC boasts about underground missile base in Persian Gulf
State media quotes Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami as saying the underground base is “one of several bases housing the navy’s strategic missiles.” Last year, the Guards said Iran had built underground “missile cities” along the Persian Gulf coastline, warning of a “nightmare for Iran’s enemies.”
Iran's Khamenei bans COVID vaccines from US, Britain
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei alleges US, UK sometimes "want to test" their vaccines on other countries. Revolutionary Guards have warned against Iran administering any vaccine based on genetic material known as messenger RNA.
'Tehran in no rush for US to rejoin 2015 nuclear deal'
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says US sanctions on the Islamic Republic must be lifted immediately.
Bank of Palestine to freeze terrorists' payments
Unless the bank discontinues its involvement with terrorists' accounts, it will be subject to enormous legal and economic risks under to the 2016 Counter-Terrorism Law.
Iranian general: 'Strong evidence' Israel behind hit on nuclear mastermind
Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami hintד that the lack of response from the international community could lead to an Iranian retaliation to the attack. Quds Force Commander Gen. Esmail Ghaani warns of an attack on US soil as revenge for the assassination of his predecessor.
'Region must unite to face challenges posed by Iran, its proxies'
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said Tuesday that the region needed to unite and face challenges posed by...