DefenceTalkIraq has promised to guarantee the safety of United States interests from Iran, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday as he paid a surprise trip to Baghdad where he accused Tehran of planning “imminent” attacks. The top US diplomat’s sudden, unannounced visit marked an effort to shore up Washington’s ties with Baghdad as […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-seeks-assurance-of-security-for-interests-in-iraq-amid-wrangle-with-iran-72303/

DefenceTalkIran has test-fired a cruise missile from a submarine during annual naval exercises near the Strait of Hormuz, according to state media. The missile test on February 24 comes amid heightened tensions with the United States. Iran has previously threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route at the mouth of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-test-fires-cruise-missile-from-submarine-in-military-drill-72127/

DefenceTalkAccording to Iranian state media, President Hassan Rohani has inaugurated a new domestically built submarine armed with cruise missiles, amid heightened tensions with the United States. “Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully self-reliant on land, air, and sea,” Rohani told a launch ceremony in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. “Our defensive […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-unveils-cruise-missile-equipped-submarine-72115/

DefenceTalkThe deputy chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has warned Europe against forcing the Islamic Republic into boosting the range of its missiles by trying to halt their development. “If the Europeans, or anyone else, want to conspire to disarm Iran of missiles, we will be forced to make a strategic leap,” the guards’ deputy commander […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-warns-europe-not-to-force-strategic-leap-on-missile-range-72105/

DefenceTalkWASHINGTON: China is making technological advances in a far shorter timeframe than it took the United States, rapidly narrowing the gap between the two countries, a senior US intelligence official said Tuesday. Reaping the benefits of sending tens of thousands of students and researchers to the United States, and a determined policy to buy and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-compressing-technology-gains-us-intel-official-72071/

DefenceTalkThe White House demanded that the military draft plans for strikes on Iran after attacks in Iraq last year, sparking concern at the Pentagon and State Department, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. The report said the move came after a mortar attack launched by an Iran-linked group on the Baghdad diplomatic quarters home to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/white-house-sought-military-strike-against-iran-72031/

DefenceTalkIran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Wednesday for the country to boost its naval forces as a deterrent against its enemies and hailed the deployment of new ships. “Increase your capabilities and readiness as much as you can so that the enemies of Iran will not dare threaten this great nation,” Khamenei said in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-leader-calls-for-boosting-of-naval-forces-71949/

DefenceTalkIndia and Russia have announced a major arms deal, violating US sanctions. Energy sector sources also say New Delhi will purchase 9 million barrels of Iranian oil. Both moves will test India’s relations with the US. There were hugs, smiles and warm words between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin as […]https://www.defencetalk.com/india-tests-us-sanctions-with-purchase-of-russian-arms-iranian-oil-71884/

DefenceTalkFresh clashes and air strikes around the Yemeni city of Hodeida have killed 32 rebels, hospital and medical sources said on Sunday, as the UN envoy kept up peace efforts in Sanaa. A military source told AFP the Saudi-led coalition fighting alongside the Yemeni government against Huthi rebels carried out an air raid on a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uns-yemen-envoy-in-sanaa-as-32-rebels-killed-71859/

DefenceTalkIran will relaunch its nuclear program and enrich uranium at a higher level than it has previously if Russia, China, and European powers follow the U.S. example and stop honoring Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran’s nuclear agency has warned. “We will not return to previous levels if our counterparts leave the [nuclear deal], but will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-warns-it-will-step-up-nuclear-activities-if-2015-deal-falls-apart-71843/