Fallout of Paris terror plot continues to haunt Iran The National Council of Resistance of Iran welcomed France’s and Germany’s decisions and called on European countries to take stronger action against Tehran. LONDON - The fallout from a foiled attack on an Iranian anti-government rally in Paris reverberated across Europe after France froze the assets of Iran’s intelligence services and Germany approved the extradition of an Iranian diplomat linked to the plot to Belgium, setting the stage for a potentially embarrassing trial. “This extremely serious act that targeted our territory could not remain unanswered,” a statement by France’s economy, interior and foreign ministries said. Paris specifically tied Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi and Deputy Minister and Director General of Intelligence Saeid Hashemi Moghadam to the foiled attack, which targeted a June 30 rally by the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Paris. The moves coincided with ...

Iran building permanent military base in Syria - claim Iran is establishing a permanent military base inside Syria, a Western intelligence source has told the BBC. The Iranian military is said to have established a compound at a site used by the Syrian army outside El-Kiswah, 14 km (8 miles) south of Damascus. The report comes amid growing tensions over Iranian influence in Syria and across the region. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu recently warned that Iran wanted to establish itself militarily in Syria. "Israel will not let that happen," he said. Satellite images commissioned by the BBC seem to show construction activity at the site referenced by the intelligence source between January and October this year. The images shows a series of two dozen large low-rise buildings - likely for housing soldiers and vehicles. In recent months, additional buildings have been added to the site. However, it is impossible to independently verify the purpose of the site...

October 05, 2017 A reasonable approach to the Iran deal I vigorously opposed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) because I believed then — as I believe now — that the Obama administration, in its desperation for a legacy-creating deal, negotiated a weaker deal than we could have obtained. The JCPOA did not deliver anywhere/anytime inspections as promised or constrain Iran’s ballistic missile program. The JCPOA provided sanctions relief up-front and contains a highly troubling sunset clause. Nevertheless, the agreement is in place now, and the question is whether to stay in or exit. Circumstances have undeniably changed, both because of the new president and the operation of the deal itself. Here I part company with many who opposed the deal and now want the United States to exit. Both supporters and opponents of the original deal rightly point out the unworkability of a U.S. withdrawal. I would not recommend pulling out of the deal now — not when the Inte...