{"id":328754,"date":"2025-02-18T06:48:54","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T05:48:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=328754"},"modified":"2025-02-18T11:24:28","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T10:24:28","slug":"iran-news-in-brief-february-18-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-news-in-brief-news\/iran-news-in-brief-february-18-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News in Brief \u2013 February 18, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Social Security pensioners protested in Tabriz, northwestern Iran, on February 17, 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS<\/h3>\n

UPDATE: 11:00 AM CET<\/span><\/p>\n

Lebanon Extends Suspension of Iranian Flights<\/h3>\n

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BEIRUT: Lebanese authorities said on Monday they had extended the suspension of inbound and outbound flights to Iran indefinitely, after originally barring Iranian planes from landing in Beirut until Feb 18.<\/p>\n

Authorities have decided to \u201cmandate the Minister of Public Works and Transport to extend the suspension period of flights to and from Iran,\u201d Lebanese presidency spokeswoman Najat Charafeddine told reporters, without specifying when flights would resume.<\/p>\n

Last week, Lebanon had denied permission for two Iranian flights to land in Beirut. The ban came after the United States, which helped broker a Nov 27 Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire, warned Israel might shoot the planes down, a Lebanese security source said earlier. Israel has on several occasions accused Hezbollah of using the airport in Beirut to bring in weapons from Iran. The group \u2014 and Lebanese leaders \u2014 have denied those allegations.<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

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U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham: Iran\u2019s Nuclear Ambitions Are a Global Threat<\/h3>\n

During a press conference on February 17<\/a>, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham emphasized that discussions during his visit to the region were overwhelmingly focused on the Iranian regime. Graham warned that the Iranian regime’s pursuit of nuclear weapons presents a severe threat to global stability, particularly given its aggressive regional policies and longstanding hostility toward Western nations.<\/p>\n

\u201cIran with a nuke is a nightmare for the world,\u201d Graham stated, underscoring concerns that Tehran\u2019s nuclear ambitions would trigger an arms race in the Middle East. \u201cEvery decision I make as a senator in this region is to make sure their nuclear ambitions are never met,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The South Carolina senator further warned that the Iranian regime is accelerating its nuclear program due to the recent setbacks suffered by its proxy forces. He asserted that time is not on the side of those seeking to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and stressed the need for decisive action. \u201cThey are accelerating in their desire to acquire nuclear capability because their proxies have been very seriously hurt,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

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Lindsey Graham Asked: 'Do You Feel That The World's Eyes Somewhat Have Strayed Away From Iran?'<\/div><\/div>
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