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Report: Israeli Officer Expects Attack against Lebanon before Strike against Iran

Head of Israel's Paratroopers Brigade Itamar Ben-Haim noted that Hizbullah has doubled its rocket arsenal in recent years, saying that it rivals that of countries not organizations, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Saturday.

He said: “The most likely scenario of a war will take place with Lebanon, not Iran.”

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Iran Says 'Two or Three Points of Difference' in Nuclear Talks

Iranian negotiator Abbas Araqchi said "two or three" differences remain with the major powers as nuclear talks go into a fourth day in Geneva on Saturday, Fars news agency reported.

"We still have two or three points of difference. However, the two sides are getting close to an agreement," Araqchi told Fars shortly before the talks resumed.

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Brahimi Discusses Syria with Iran FM in Geneva

The U.N.-Arab League's Syria peace envoy held talks Friday with key Damascus ally Iran amid renewed efforts to bring the country's warring sides to the negotiating table.

Veteran mediator Lakhdar Brahimi had a half-hour discussion in Geneva with Iranian Foreign Minster Mohammad Jarad Zarif, Brahimi's spokeswoman told Agence France Presse.

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U.S. Envoy: Iran Sanctions Relief around $6 Billbion

A package of sanctions relief being proposed to Iran in return for reining in its suspect nuclear program is worth around $6 billion, a top U.S. official confirmed Thursday.

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power was asked by CNN about reports that have estimated the proposal on the table from global powers as anywhere from $50 billion to $6 billion.

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Battlefield Gains to Boost Assad Hand at Peace Talks

Divisions in rebel ranks and more committed loyalist fighters are helping the Syrian regime notch up military victories that would give it the upper hand at peace talks, analysts and rebels say.

The army's capture this week of the strategic town of Qara, north of Damascus, followed three days of fighting against Al-Nusra Front jihadists.

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Iran Sees 'Lack of Trust' at Geneva Nuclear Talks

Iran's chief negotiator warned Thursday of a lingering "lack of trust" and "major differences" at nuclear talks with world powers in Geneva, saying it was hampering progress over a deal.

Abbas Araqchi, a deputy foreign minister, said Iran would not sign up to an agreement on its controversial nuclear program unless the so-called P5+1 group accepts what Tehran considers its right to enrich uranium.

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Iran Nuclear Deal Will Not Just 'Buy Time,' Says Kerry

Secretary of State John Kerry vowed Wednesday that the United States would not let any deal with Iran become a ploy to buy time to increase its nuclear capability.

As talks between western powers and Iran resumed in Geneva, Kerry said: "We will not allow this agreement, should it be reached... to buy time or to allow for the acceptance of an agreement that does not properly address our core, fundamental concerns."

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HRW: Afghan Refugees in Iran Face Abuse, Forced Deportations

Afghan refugees who flee their war-torn country to go to Iran face increasing persecution and forced deportation by Iranian authorities, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released Wednesday.

The rights group detailed an increase in arrests, detentions, harassment and summary deportation of thousands of Afghans, who are also routinely denied the opportunity to lodge asylum claims.

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France: Khamenei's Israel Comments 'Complicate' Iran Talks

Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's latest controversial comments on Israel "complicate" ongoing negotiations on Tehran's disputed nuclear program, a French government spokeswoman said Wednesday.

"Khamenei's comments are unacceptable and complicate negotiations," Najat Vallaud-Belkacem told reporters.

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Khamenei Says 'No Retreat' on Iran Nuclear Rights

Iran's top decision-maker Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday he will not allow any "retreat" on Tehran's nuclear rights, ahead of a new round of talks with world powers.

While expressing support for negotiators engaging in nuclear talks in Geneva today, the supreme leader said the Iranian team was instructed to respect Tehran's "red lines."

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