May 2, 2016 Obama administration facing new calls to tie nuke talks to release of US prisoners The Obama administration is facing mounting pressure to use its leverage in the Iranian nuclear talks to demand the release of Americans imprisoned there -- as Tehran proceeds with charges critics say are unfair and unjust.
May 2, 2016 US, Iran support for dueling sides in Yemen raises prospect of proxy fight Intervention by the U.S. and Iran in Yemen is raising the prospect of a proxy war even as the Obama administration tries to reach a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic – with Iran sending two ships to waters near Yemen, as the U.S. speeds up military aid to the Saudi-led coalition striking Tehran-backed rebels there.Â
May 2, 2016 Official: Review of Cuba as terror sponsor in 'final stages' White House officials left open the possibility Tuesday that President Obama could recommend Cuba's removal from a list of state sponsors of terror around the time of the Summit of the Americas later this week in Panama. The officials also sought to soften tensions with Venezuela that threatened to overshadow the summit.
May 2, 2016 State Department rejects call for Iran deal to affirm Israel's 'right to exist' A State Department official dismissed a plea Friday from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Iran nuclear agreement include clear recognition of his nation's "right to exist," declaring negotiations are "only about the nuclear issue."
May 2, 2016 Netanyahu: Iran nuke plan poses ‘grave danger’ to region, Israeli Cabinet ‘strongly’ opposed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday blasted the framework nuclear deal with Iran, saying it would pose a "grave danger" to the region and "threaten the very survival" of his country.
May 2, 2016 Could Menendez case undermine Capitol Hill push to check Iran deal? The federal indictment against Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., which led him to relinquish his post as top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, could complicate efforts on Capitol Hill to have a say on the nuclear deal being sought with Iran.
May 2, 2016 Obama confirms arming Ukraine on the table if diplomacy with Russia fails President Obama confirmed Monday that his administration is weighing the possibility of sending arms to Ukraine to help the country beat back Russian-backed separatists, if diplomacy fails.
May 2, 2016 Obama administration denied Predator drone request for Jordan, rep urges reversal The State Department denied a request last year to send unarmed Predator drones to Jordan arguing that the kingdom was not a strong enough ally, according to a U.S. congressman who is now urging the administration to reverse the decision as Jordan escalates its fight against the Islamic State.
May 2, 2016 Emerging details of possible Iranian nuclear deal draw bipartisan ire Emerging details of a possible nuclear deal with Iran have drawn sharp criticism from congressional lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, who say the U.S. and its international partners may be ceding too much as a key deadline nears.
May 2, 2016 Ghani urges Muslims to fight extremism, vows Afghanistan will be 'graveyard' of terror Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, speaking to a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, called Wednesday on Muslims around the world to speak out against extremist groups -- declaring "silence is not acceptable."