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IRGC: Iran will not distinguish between US bases, Arab host countries in case of war

Iran will not differentiate between US military bases in the region and the Arab countries hosting American troops if a war broke out, commander of the IRGC aerospace divison said on Saturday.“If something happens here and a war breaks out, we will not distinguish between US bases and the host countries. Naturally, the very same Arab countries in the region will bear the brunt,” the semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted General Amir Ali Hajizadeh as saying.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The US has bases and personnel in Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, and Iraq.Hajizadeh’s comments coincided with the first anniversary of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani's assassination in US drone strike in Baghdad on January 3.Tensions between Washington and Tehran, which have been increasing since 2018 when US President Donald Trump withdrew from Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal, reached historic heights in January when the US killed Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force, the overseas arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).Hajizadeh also said Iran has been supporting the missile capabilities of their allies in Gaza and Lebanon.Iran has a long history of arming and financially supporting its network of proxies – Shia militias across the Middle East – to further its influence in the region. Most notably, Tehran backs Hezbollah, a Shia militia in Lebanon which has a powerful grip on the Lebanese government.Iran also backs the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, and militias in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.“Instead of giving a fish or teaching to catch a fish, we taught our allies and friends how to make a hook,” Hajizadeh said, adding that Iran’s allies in the region are now in possession of advanced missile technologies.Read more:Iran's Zarif: Intelligence from Iraq shows Trump aims to fabricate 'pretext for war'Iran’s Rouhani likens Trump to Saddam, vows Tehran will avenge SoleimaniUK's G4S security company had role in killing of Iran's Soleimani: Tehran Prosecutor
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: IRGC: Iran will not distinguish between US bases, Arab host countries in case of war

Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia extends suspension of international flights by another week

Saudi Arabia has extended a suspension on all international commercial flights and entry into the Kingdom through land and sea ports for another week, according to an interior ministry source, over the emergency of a new COVID-19 strain.Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia’s top aviation body confirmed it will allow airlines operating in the Kingdom to fly out non-Saudi Arabian passengers starting immediately, according to an official statement from the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Last week, Saudi Arabia suspended all international commercial flights and entry to the Kingdom through all land and sea ports for seven days and said the temporary suspension was subject to renewal for another week.Last Sunday, health authorities said anyone who had returned from EU countries or any country where the new mutation had been detected, starting from December 8, must self isolate for two weeks from the date of entering Saudi Arabia, and undergo a coronavirus test during isolation. The test would have to be repeated every five days.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia lifts flight ban for non-Saudis leaving the kingdomCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia suspends all international commercial flights for a weekCoronavirus: Spain’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia lauds COVID-19 vaccine effortsCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince gets COVID-19 vaccine
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia extends suspension of international flights by another week