US shuts consular services in Yemen
Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)
The US embassy in Yemen has suspended all consular services for two weeks, the mission said in a statement on its website, after four people were killed in violent anti-American protests in Sanaa.
The statement, published on Saturday, said the embassy will be “closed for all consular services through September 29”, warning citizens of the “potential” for protests near the mission. An angry mob of protesters tried to storm the embassy grounds and clashed with security forces on Thursday, leaving four dead.
In response, the US ordered the deployment of a Marines anti-terrorism unit to Yemen to help protect the embassy, a move that was condemned by the Yemeni parliament.…
Iran threatens to hit Hormuz, US bases, Israel if attacked
Source: Saudi Gazette (Read full story)
The head of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards Sunday warned of retaliation against the Gulf’s strategic Strait of Hormuz, US bases in the Middle East and Israel if his country was to be attacked.
General Mohammad Ali Jafari, speaking in a very rare news conference in Tehran, also said that he believed Iran would abandon the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty should it be targeted for military action.
The warnings underlined the high tensions surrounding Iran and its disputed nuclear program, which Israel has threatened it could seek to disrupt with air strikes, with or without US help.
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Iranian politician denies ‘plot to occupy Kuwait’ remark
Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)
An eminent Iranian political figure has denied recently-published remarks attributed to him, calling for Iran’s occupation of the State of Kuwait and described the remarks as fabricated. Mohammed Karim Abedi, a former member of the parliament, said in remarks to the Iranian news agency, Fars, broadcast yesterday, “I have not conducted any interview recently and I have never heard of the website that posted the fabricated interview with me.” He categorically denied remarks, quoting him as calling for Iran’s takeover of Kuwait, re-stressing that they were fabricated.
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