Hiba Nasr
@HibaNasr · International correspondents — Israel & region
Hiba Nasr is the Washington bureau chief for Asharq Bloomberg.
‼️ Egyptian Foreign Minister @EgyptForeignMin : Egypt has presented a set of principles within the Arab League for regional security arrangements aimed at building a regional security architecture. Arab states constitute the majority of countries in the region, and any non-Arab state may join these arrangements, provided it adheres to the principles that will be established. Foremost among them are respect for the sovereignty of states, non-aggression against countries in the region, respect for international law and international institutions, and refraining from supporting non-state entities. These principles are essential if we are serious about building a successful regional security architecture
‼️ UAE responds to Algeria … 👇
‼️ And another news from the region : Algeria decides to sever its diplomatic relations with the UAE.
‼️ More than 400 signatories - including doctors, engineers, lawyers, bankers, journalists, academics, writers, activists, and a Member of Parliament - call in the "Second Nabatieh Appeal" for the immediate deployment of the LAF . https://t.co/MVjxzvUx2t
‼️Lebanese Army : Halting the attacks & violations is the fundamental factor for the Army to complete its deployment & fulfill its tasks in accordance with the framework agreement. This comes amid criticism of the LAF over progress in extending state authority in the south.
‼️ The Lebanese Armed Forces released a video documenting what it has done in southern Lebanon since saying its efforts are being hindered by “Israeli violations”. The video with English subtitles, clearly aims at reaching an international audience. https://t.co/uTgikW0SOP
‼️ 1 - Trump notification letter to the Senate regarding the US Saudi nuclear deal : Dear Mr. President: I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to subsections 123 b. and 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153(b), (d)) (the “Act”), the text of an Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (the “Agreement”), which was concluded with two accompanying side letters and which calls for the associated Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Application of Additional Safeguards and Verification Measures to the United States-Saudi Arabia Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. I am also pleased to transmit my written approval, authorization, and determination concerning the Agreement, and an unclassified Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement (NPAS) concerning the Agreement. In accordance with section 123 of the Act, a classified annex to the NPAS, prepared by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, summarizing relevant classified information, will be submitted to the Congress separately. The joint memorandum submitted to me by the Secretaries of State and Energy, as well as a letter from the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission stating the views of the Commission, are also enclosed. An addendum to the NPAS containing a comprehensive analysis of the export control system of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with respect to nuclear-related matters, including interactions with countries of proliferation concern and the actual or suspected nuclear, dual-use, or missile-related transfers to such countries, pursuant to section 102A(w) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3024(w)), is being submitted separately by the Director of National Intelligence. The Agreement has been negotiated in accordance with the Act and other applicable law. In my judgment, it meets all applicable statutory requirements and will advance the nonproliferation and other foreign policy interests of the United States of America. The Agreement contains all of the provisions required by subsection 123 a. of the Act. It provides a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation. It would permit the transfer of material, equipment (including reactors), components, and information for peaceful nuclear purposes. It would permit the transfer of sensitive nuclear technology to support a joint enrichment and conversion study or upon written agreement of the parties but would not permit the transfer of restricted data. Any special fissionable material transferred could only be in the form of low enriched uranium, with the exception of small quantities of special fissionable material for use as samples, standards, detectors, or targets or for such other purposes as the parties may agree. The Agreement has a term of 30 years, although it can be terminated by either party with at least 1 year’s advance written notice to the other party. In the event of termination or expiration of the Agreement, key nonproliferation conditions and controls will continue in effect as long as any material, equipment, or components subject to the Agreement remain in the territory of the party concerned or under its jurisdiction or control anywhere, or until such time as the parties agree that such material, equipment, or components are no longer usable for any nuclear activity relevant from the point of view of safeguards……..
‼️ Centcom : CENTCOM forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers, Sept. 8, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted a U.S. Navy warship with ballistic missiles twice over the past two days. The U.S. warship successfully evaded the attempted Iranian attacks and continued to patrol regional waters. No American personnel were harmed. https://t.co/IpYpRuYMXU
‼️Huge range of US sanctions today against Iran. 36 targets for supporting Iran’s aviation sector, which the regime uses to move weapons, personnel,& illicit cargo, as per the Treasury. The sanctions included one Egyptian national based in UAE as well. https://t.co/zU3dq4MwT2
‼️ Here is the statement by the Coalition spokesperson on the latest Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. 73 were injured in the attacks . https://t.co/9cS1Ctugri
‼️‼️ Breaking : 73 civilians, including women and children, were injured in Houthi attacks targeting civilian and economic sites in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, according to Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen. Al-Maliki said the coalition will take all necessary operational measures to deter the Houthis and defend the Kingdom’s sovereignty.
‼️ Trump on Truth Social: Oil prices will drop precipitously, like everything else is dropping (but more!), when we WIN the war with Iran. Three Dollars a gallon, but ultimately, below Two Dollars a gallon. It will all happen quickly, and Iran will never have a Nuclear Weapon.
‼️ Lebanon/ Israel : in the last 48 hours: Israeli strikes have intensified across southern Lebanon, particularly around Nabatieh and Kfar Rumman, At least 19 people have been killed since Sunday & more than 4,300 since March 2 according to Lebanese authorities. Strikes during the last two days hit the Nabatieh area, destroying the Ghandour Hospital building. QIsrael said Monday’s attacks came after drone launched toward its troops & one target yesterday was a Hezbollah command center in a building formerly used as a hospital. President Joseph Aoun called Israel’s attacks unacceptable and unjustified crimes, urged Washington and the international community to intervene, and said that the attacks were undermining the U.S.-brokered framework agreement and efforts to de-escalate. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed spoke with Aoun today; they discussed developments in Lebanon and efforts to strengthen security and stability.
‼️ Earlier today : US military struck 3 Iranian crude oil carriers, after the IRGC launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships patrolling regional waters, as per the CENTCOM .
‼️@USAMBTurkiye on the US sanctions on a Turkish Bank: Today the United States Department of the Treasury designated a single Türkiye-based financial institution and two of its subsidiaries for their role in moving funds on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps–Qods Force. We want to place this measure in its proper context, because context is everything, and because the relationship between the United States and the Republic of Türkiye is far larger than any one institution or any one day. Throughout this process, Treasury and its Turkish counterparts have been in direct and continuous contact. The action is what a great power owes to the integrity of the international financial system. Washington’s maximum-pressure campaign against the Iranian regime depends upon closing, one by one, the channels through which Tehran launders the proceeds of its activities. This designation is aimed at the conduct of one entity, not at a nation, not at a banking system, and not at an ally. It is enforcement, precise and lawful, and the United States makes no apology for protecting the architecture on which honest commerce everywhere depends. It would be a serious error, here or in Ankara, to read this narrow measure as a judgment upon Türkiye. It is nothing of the kind. Türkiye’s own interest lies in a banking system that is clean, trusted, and beyond the reach of those who would abuse it, and no nation has a greater stake than Türkiye itself in ensuring that its institutions are not turned to purposes their own government would never sanction. The health of the Turkish financial system is not in question; the conduct of one institution was. For that reason we note with respect that Türkiye has moved as a sovereign partner should. Rather than treat an uncomfortable disclosure as an affront, the Turkish authorities have engaged to clarify the ambiguities surrounding this matter and to inaugurate a process that will strengthen transparency going forward. That is not the reflex of a state with something to conceal; it is the conduct of a mature partner determined that its own house be, and be seen to be, in order. Cooperation of this kind is worth more to the alliance than any assurance offered under pressure, because it is offered freely. Allies of long standing do not measure their friendship by the absence of difficulty. Between serious partners, friction is not the exception to the relationship but a recurring feature of it, and the test is never whether a difficult matter arises but whether it is met with candor and resolved with dignity. The stability of the region, and the security of the routes and commerce on which both our peoples rely, the United States and Türkiye stand on the same side, as they have through harder trials than this.
‼️ Trump says the US may hit Pickaxe mountain
‼️ The State department has approved a possible Foreign Military to Oman for F-16 Sustainment services and related equipment for $188 million.
‼️ The State Department has approved 2 possible Foreign Military Sales to Saudi Arabia for approximately $ 6Billion . The first sale includes AGT-1500 engines and related equipment for $750 million, while the second includes the purchase of Joint Direct Attack Munitions–Extended Range (JDAM-ER) and related equipment for $5 billion.
‼️ @SecScottBessent : Since the U.S. reinstated its blockade, no Iranian crude cargoes have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz to China. Inventory cannot be replenished as crude piles up aboard vessels trapped inside the strait. Iran’s export lifeline is being cut off: stranded oil, finite storage, and rapidly shrinking revenue.
‼️ The US Treasury says it imposed sanctions onGolden Global Bank in Turkey and its subsidiaries , for facilitating millions of dollars’ worth of transactions for the IRGC-QF. The list included : GOLDEN GLOBAL PORTFOY YONETIMI ANONIM SIRKETI GOLDEN GLOBAL VARLIK KIRALAMA ANONIM SIRKETI GOLDEN GLOBAL YATIRIM BANKASI ANONIM SIRKETI
‼️ UAE president pardoned Abdulrahman Youssef al-Qaradawi, who was arrested in Lebanon in December 2024 . https://t.co/0ZULaHHFYL
‼️ Egyptian Media on the US treasury review for Bank Misr : Investigations are currently underway in Lebanon’s banking sector involving Banque Misr and transfers to Iran. An Egyptian government official told Mada Misr that the investigation specifically concerns three Banque Misr branches that raised suspicions over “unusual” transfers from Lebanon to the bank’s branch in the UAE. According to the official, Egypt is seeking to act proactively to prevent the situation in Lebanon from escalating.
‼️ ‼️ South Korea says it’s reviewing options, including military measures, to support Hormuz navigation.
‼️ And here are some news on the forgotten war in #Sudan : An oped by @USAmbUN and @US_SrAdvisorAF in foreign policy calling on the international community to support the Security council resolution presented by the US and that’s expands the arms embargo across all of Sudan. https://t.co/f3FmyJ3IT4
‼️ Following the fall of Ali al Taher , I asked about reports that Iran warned the US it would respond to any Israeli offensive on Ali al-Taher, A US Official confirmed that Israel has been in Ali Al Taher for weeks … @AsharqBusiness
Connected stories
- U.S. Strikes Iranian Tankers After New Missile Attempt on Navy Warship
- U.S. Sanctions 36 Targets Supporting Iran’s Aviation Sector
- Trump Says Renewed Iran Campaign Will Not Last Long
- Lebanon Reports Three Killed in Nabatieh Parking-Lot Drone Strike
- Eleven Reported Killed in Overnight Israeli Strikes on Kfar Reman
- U.S. Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers After IRGC Targets Navy Warships
- U.S. Sanctions Turkish Bank Over Tens of Millions in IRGC-QF Transactions
- Trump Renews Threat to Strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain Very Soon
- White House Says Iran Naval Blockade and Economic Pressure Remain in Force
- IDF Gains Operational Control of Ali Taher Ridge Above and Below Ground