Middle East Crisis

Iran Conflict
Iranian President: Talks with the US are pointless

Talks with the US are pointless, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told state media, according to AFP.

"So far, they have attacked us three times following talks, and this shows that they are not seeking dialogue—rather, their goal is to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran."

He accuses the US of resorting to "executions, sanctions, pressure, and threats" on a daily basis.

No new talks between the countries are currently scheduled. Last week, Trump stated that Iran "must sign a very fair deal or else cease to exist," according to The Hill.

Sources: Iranians remained in the US after UN meeting

The US has "kicked out" two members of Iran's UN delegation who remained in New York after the UN General Assembly—which concluded on Tuesday—sources told Axios and AFP.

The State Department reportedly ordered the Iranians to leave the country on Monday. On Friday, it was discovered that two of them had stayed behind, whereupon they were forcibly expelled.

"Secretary of State Rubio means business," said a US government source.

It is unclear why the diplomats stayed. Iran has not commented. 

Houthi Rebels
Soldiers from Turkey and Pakistan to Saudi Arabia

Turkey and Pakistan are sending soldiers and other military resources to Saudi Arabia, according to statements from the countries cited by Reuters.

The three nations entered into a defense pact in August containing a NATO-style clause stipulating that an attack on one country is to be regarded as an attack on all.

In recent times, the Houthi militia in Yemen has intensified its attacks on Saudi Arabia. On Monday, loud explosions were heard outside the capital, Riyadh, according to AFP witnesses.

Yesterday, Yemen’s internationally recognized government—backed by Saudi Arabia—declared full-scale war against the Houthis in an effort to retake the country.

Hijacking attempt thwarted
Series of security lapses behind Flydubai hijacking

Several countries committed security lapses prior to the hijacking of the Flydubai plane, the Wall Street Journal reports.

His home country, Oman, banned the suspect—Hamam al-Hammami—from flying and sent him to a deradicalization program after reviewing his online habits. However, they did not share this information with other countries, according to sources.

When the Emirati airline Flydubai hired him, they did not conduct a background check with Omani authorities beyond a criminal record check. Subsequently, they assigned him to the sensitive flight route to Tel Aviv.

Israel prohibits pilots from countries with which it has no diplomatic relations from flying into the country. Yet al-Hammami was allowed to fly into the country.

According to reports in the Israeli media, al-Hammami stated during interrogation that he intended to crash the plane at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel.
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