Latest news with #Dahouk
Leaders
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Leaders
IAEA Official to Visit Iran to Restore Ties but No Inspections Planned
Iran announced that the Deputy Head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog will visit Tehran in an attempt to revive the bilateral relations that witnessed souring tensions since Israel's attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, according to Reuters. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi noted that the International Atomic Energy Agency will not have any access to inspect Iran's nuclear facilities during the visit. Today's visit marks the first tour following Israel and Iran's 12-day war in June that had struck Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran & IAEA Relations Iranian relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have deteriorated since the United States and Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities in June in order to eliminate Iran's nuclear program. In June, the Iranian Guardian Council approved a law suspending Tehran's cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, Arab News reported. According to the new law, the IAEA should have approval by the Supreme National Security Council for any future inspection of Iran's nuclear sites. 'For us, IAEA inspectors approaching nuclear sites has both a security aspect … and the safety of the inspectors themselves is a matter that must be examined,' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said. He also told Tehran-based diplomats that Iran's cooperation with the nuclear watchdog has not stopped. However, it will take a new form and will be guided and managed through the Supreme National Security Council. This legislative move came as a response to a series of escalations that began on June 13, when Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran under the name of Operation Rising Lion. The military campaign targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists. Consequently, the US launched several airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Related Topics: US Has Bank of Potential Military Targets in Iran: Col. Dahouk IAEA to Visit Iran Within Next Two Weeks Iran-Europe Nuclear Talks Loom as Sanctions Deadline Nears Short link : Post Views: 7
Leaders
6 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
US Has Bank of Potential Military Targets in Iran: Col. Dahouk
On June 22, the US intervened in the Iran-Israel conflict, striking three nuclear facilities in Iran, namely Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, using bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles. The US President, Donald Trump, insisted that the US strikes had set Tehran's nuclear program back 'decades,' adding that Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities were 'completely and totally obliterated.' However, there are reports suggesting the Israeli and US strikes have not completely destroyed Iran's nuclear program. In the light of this, recent US assessments suggest that Washington has up to a year before it will be forced to take action against Iran's nuclear program, Al-Hadath TV reported, citing its sources. The sources added that the US does not want to give Iran the chance to restore its nuclear power. Within this context, the Former Senior Military Advisor to US Department of State, Colonel (Ret.) Abbas Dahouk, believes that the US strikes did not completely destroyed Iran's nuclear capabilities and that Washington has a bank of targets it could strike to prevent Tehran from possessing a nuclear weapon. One-Year Deadline Commenting on Al-Hadath's report, Col. Dahouk said: 'Based on the damage assessment of the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, namely Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, it seems that these sites were not completely destroyed.' He suggested that the US thinks that a year is enough 'if the Iranian did not change their calculations or sought to rebuild these sites. If they did that, the US would repeat the strikes.' Nuclear Calculations Col. Dahouk said that the nuclear technology and knowledge are hard to destroy by military strikes. 'It is clear that Iran has the nuclear technology, even though that Israel assassinated top Iranian nuclear scientists – a major hit for Iran,' he noted. 'But in the end, no one benefits. The US favors diplomatic settlement but it doesn't seem available now. Iran is under harsh sanctions and pressure. The US wants to impose more, and the military solution seems to be the last option. And this is what the US and Israel tried to do, and pressures continue on Iran to push it toward changing its nuclear calculations,' he said. Snapback Sanctions Asked whether the snapback mechanism could influence Tehran's calculations or if Washington would need to pursue a new negotiation mechanism, Col. Dahouk said the US prefers diplomacy but Washington and Tehran have diverging red lines in negotiations. 'Washington and President Trump are ready for diplomatic settlement. They want to embrace the diplomatic path but the red lines are different between the US and Iran,' he said. 'The US doesn't want Iran to possess any enrichment capabilities, but Iran wants to keep its right to enrichment. Therefore, there are some conditions that Iran doesn't want to accept. I think here lies the problem and I think that Iran has some enriched uranium with unknown whereabouts. But the main issue is uranium enrichment. The US will not allow Iran to enrich but Iran wants to keep that right. This is the dilemma,' he explained. Iran Nuclear Facilities The Former Senior Military Advisor said that the one-year deadline is an indication that Iran's nuclear program was not completely destroyed. 'The recent US assessment suggests that the strikes have set back the program few years,' Col. Dahouk noted. 'But what lies underground is still unknown, especially the 400 kg of 60%-enriched uranium, and the condition of the centrifuges, whether they have been destroyed or not. So, the US strikes had some impact but they didn't destroy Iran's nuclear sites, particularly Natanz and Isfahan where facilities above the ground were destroyed but underground ones remained intact,' he added. Potential Targets Col. Dahouk explained that Iran has several sites, other than the three nuclear sites hit in the recent strikes, that could be on the US' target list. 'No, there are other sites that support the Iranian nuclear program. Some of these sites could be a potential target for US strikes,' he pointed out. Moreover, 'sites that were not completely destroyed could be hit again. I think that Iran's missile program could be also targeted, as well as other facilities. The US has a bank of military targets it could strike,' Col. Dahouk said. Short link : Post Views: 24
Leaders
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Pressuring Iran is the Key to Stop Houthi Attacks: Col. Dahouk
The Houthis have resumed their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, targeting and sinking two ships over the past days. This followed an Omani-mediated ceasefire agreement with the US in May 2025, after two months of heavy airstrikes against the Iranian-backed group's sites. Commenting on this, the Former Senior Military Advisor to US Department of State, Colonel (Ret.) Abbas Dahouk, said that these attacks, and other developments in the region, are related to Iran, which plans to use them as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Washington. Iran's Signature 'It's a clear escalation by the Houthis after what is considered a general ceasefire following the US heavy strikes against the group. But if we take it from a regional perspective, it does not fit into the Yemeni strategic domestic calculations,' Col. Dahouk told Al-Arabiya. 'This attack, especially with this scale. In 24 hours they attacked two ships and the attacks were very bold, using drone boats and missiles. It has the IRGC's signature on it,' he said. Bargaining Cards 'So, from the strategic perspective, Iran faces a massive pressure to come to the negotiating table. They want some cards at their hands to show they are still viable. One of these cards are the Houthis, to show that Iran still has the support of the Houthis, whether directly or indirectly, and that they can launch operations to obstruct shipping lanes. In 48 hours, they launched missiles toward Israel,' Col. Dahouk explained. 'At the same time, we see this challenge in Lebanon. Hezbollah has refused to implement the ceasefire agreement. All these issues are connected to bring Iran back to the negotiating table as someone recovering from the Israeli strikes over 12 days. It is all related to Iran, in my opinion,' he noted. US Response Asked whether the US would respond to these attacks, Col. Dahouk said: 'I think for the Trump administration, they feel they did what they could. They know that Houthis will not be defeated from the air or even attacks from the sea.' 'Eventually, they have to have boots on the ground, these troops will not be American, and when the Yemeni government is ready to complement the US role, perhaps in the future. But not at this stage, especially that Trump wants to leverage peace initiatives and reach a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and wants to negotiate with the Iranian regime regarding their nuclear program,' he added. 'So, the top priority for the US is not to escalate again or resume their attacks on the Houthis because the Israelis are already doing this. So we have to wait to see what they will offer to Iran at the negotiating table,' Col. Dahouk said. American Priorities The Former Senior Military Advisor to US Department of State said that Iran is the US' top priority, not the Houthis. 'Definitely it is not priority one. The priority is of course in the source of all these hostile acts, which is Iran,' he said. 'That is priority one for the US in the region and also to come up with some kind of a ceasefire in Gaza. These two things are priorities for the US, and perhaps also achieving stability in Syria and Lebanon. And as I said, they are all connected but Yemen is not among the top five priorities,' Col. Dahouk added. Yemen's Dilemma Col. Dahouk shared his perspectives on the situation in Yemen and how to restore legitimacy. 'I think the US is helping them in a security and military sense, like arming them with perhaps new military capability. But it has to come from Yemen. And from an outside perspective, I don't see Yemen is standing against the Houthis, there is no strong unity against the Houthis and that's why the Houthis are emboldened and survive,' he said. 'The other perspective, from the US perspective, they expect the region to do more. Yemen is part of the Arabian Peninsula and they may want to revive the Saudi peace negotiations with the Houthis and bring that to more active stage and put political pressure on the Houthis,' he added. 'From the international perspective, we know that Bab Al-Mandab Strait is an international waterway. Even the Chinese, Russians and Europeans have stakes in ensuring it stays safe for the international trade,' Col. Dahouk noted. He also pointed out that there are '65 countries affected by the Houthi attacks in this Strait, particularly regional countries such as Egypt.' How to Stop the Houthis Col. Dahouk said that the US expects from these states and Europe 'to do more to pressure the Houthis, the Iranians and perhaps the Chinese.' He said that the only way to stop the Houthi attacks is to pressure Iran. 'The Houthis will not be able to sustain these operations without the Iranian support. The Houthis do not make missile parts or the hard fuel for these rockets they send to Israel. All these come from outside and smuggled to Yemen most likely from Iran. That's the key, putting more pressure on Iran to suffocate the Houthis' military capabilities,' he noted. Short link : Post Views: 65
Leaders
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Iran Conflict will End on Negotiating Table: Col. Dahouk
On June 13, 2025, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran to eliminate its nuclear program and prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon. As a result, both countries exchanged intensified aerial and missile attacks for 12 days. Then on June 22, the US intervened in the conflict by striking three nuclear facilities in Iran, namely Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, using bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles. Although the US President, Donald Trump, has insisted that the US strikes had set Tehran's nuclear program back 'decades,' adding that Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been 'completely and totally obliterated,' there are reports suggesting the Israeli and US strikes have not completely destroyed Iran's nuclear program. In this context, the Former Senior Military Advisor to US Department of State, Colonel (Ret.) Abbas Dahouk, said that the US strikes caused massive damage to Iran's nuclear program but has not completely destroyed the program, emphasizing that the Iranian nuclear issue will be settled through negotiations. US Strikes Impact Speaking to Al-Arabiya, Col. Dahouk pointed to the damage inflicted by the US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites. 'It seems like the political messaging from all parties go beyond realty on the battlefield,' he said. 'The US strikes on three nuclear sites, Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, were highly effective and managed to undermine these sites. The US used the most powerful non-nuclear weapon in the world,' Col. Dahouk noted. 'There is a massive damage, but when we talk about the entire Iranian nuclear program, it has not been completely destroyed. There is no way to destroy knowledge or ideology by military power,' he added. Return to Negotiations Col. Dahouk said that the only way to resolve Iran nuclear issue is through negotiations. 'All this has to come to the negotiating table. Battles do not end on battlefields, they end on the negotiating table,' he noted. 'The US will win if Iran returns to negotiations to reach some sort of a deal. Trump may agree to something like that, but it seems that Israel perhaps may have a veto to this process because it wants to completely destroy Iran's nuclear program. So, we will see the outcomes of the next round of negotiations,' Col. Dahouk said. New Round of Talks Washington is preparing for the first direct meeting with Tehran since the US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, in Oslo next week, Axios reported citing two American officials. The US Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, will meet with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, to resume talks. Commenting on the choice of Oslo as the location for the talks, Col. Dahouk, said: 'I think, not exactly sure why in Oslo, maybe because it is a neutral location and both parties agreed to it. The most important thing here is war and peace.' He pointed to the importance of building trust between the US and Iran. 'The most important thing is trust, which must be established between the US and Iran in the diplomatic process. We have to wait and see what Iran will agree to after the 12-day war, which has not ended in any form. There is a ceasefire, which means a temporary pause in the war and each party may be regrouping and assessing its position. We have to wait and see what Iran will agree to from the US' terms,' he said. Iran's Calculations Asked about Iran's insistence on not compromising and coming to the negotiating table, Col. Dahouk said that it depends on Iran's calculations. 'It is up to Iran. They are the only ones who can provide the reasons behind all this, and their calculations and ideologies,' he said. 'But the Iranian regime knows what happened to other countries when they gave up their nuclear capabilities, such as Libya, Ukraine, Iraq and Syria. It also knows what happened to countries which kept their nuclear programs, such as Pakistan and North Korea,' he added. 'Therefore, they consider the nuclear program the last line of defense and once they lose it, they will lose a lot of political and deterrence capabilities. This could end the Iranian regime. If the regime wants to protect itself, it must protect the nuclear capabilities. This is what they are fighting for,' Col. Dahouk said. Resumption of War Regarding the possibility of the resumption of war between Iran on one side and the Israel and the US on the other side, the Former Senior Military Advisor to US Department of State expected this could happen if negotiations failed. 'We are in a ceasefire. And during ceasefires, warring parties regroup and rearrange their political and economic capabilities. If the talks are not held, there might be another strike or more attacks,' Col. Dahouk noted. Short link : Post Views: 9
Leaders
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Abbas Dahouk: Unconventional Path of Military Acumen, Diplomatic Vision
A distinguished career has positioned Colonel (Ret.) Abbas Dahouk as one of the select few experts who combine diplomatic wisdom and military prowess. Born and raised in Lebanon, Col. Dahouk experienced the brutal realities of the Lebanese Civil War firsthand, before making the pivotal decision of moving to the US. There, he enlisted in the US Army, establishing an esteemed career that saw him holding numerous senior roles. His contributions have been instrumental in shaping US defense strategy in the Middle East. Lebanon Civil War: A Defining Experience Col. Abbas Dahouk was born in Bakline, a prominent Druze town located about 45 kilometers southeast of Beirut, Lebanon. Living through the horrors of the Lebanese Civil War during the late 1970s and 1980s, Col. Dahouk joined a local militia, known as the People's Liberation Army, at the age of 15. He also completed his unconventional military training in Crimea, in the former Soviet Union, at the age of 17. However, the brutality of the war left him deeply frustrated, prompting him to seek a new path. At this critical juncture, Col. Dahouk decided to travel to the US to pursue his higher education. The American Dream At the age of 21, Col. Dahouk moved to the US, seeking to enroll in a university for one year. 'I was born in Lebanon and when I came to the US, I could barely speak English. My plan was to have one year of university study,' he recounted in an interview. 'I was 20, almost 21, when I came to the US. And I grew up through the Civil War, so my chance to come and stay in the US was a dream. This American dream still captivates many across the world,' Col. Dahouk said. In a turning point, he decided to enlist in the US Army, where he served for over 33 years. Col. Dahouk takes pride in his military service, as few Arabs could join the US Army in the 1980s. Remarkable Military Career Col. Abbas Dahouk joined the US Army as an Airborne Cavalry Scout. Upon his graduation from the Officer Candidate School (OCS) in 1991, he was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer. He began his military career at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving as a Fire Support Officer with A Company, 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, part of the 82nd Airborne Division. His key assignments included serving as Platoon Leader, and Battalion Intelligencer Officer with 3rd Battalion 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Col. Dahouk's military career included holding several leadership roles in countries across the Middle East and Europe, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Afghanistan, and Germany. Military Expertise in Diplomatic Service Building upon his distinguished military career, Col. Abbas Dahouk entered the realm of international relations where he drew upon his remarkable strategic acumen and operational insight. Bridging uniform and diplomacy, Col. Dahouk played a pivotal role at the intersection of defense policy and foreign affairs, assuming key senior positions where his military expertise in diplomatic service proved invaluable. Col. Dahouk served as a Senior Political-Military Advisor to the Bureau of the Near Eastern Affairs at the US Department of State, from July 2017 to December 2018, where he played a key role in supporting policy with CENTCOM, EUCOM, and AFRICOM. Before that, he was the Defense and Army Attaché at the US Embassy in Riyadh, from December 2013 to July 2017. From November 2010 to November 2013, Col. Dahouk served as a Senior Military Advisor on Pakistan and Afghanistan Security Assistance for the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the US Department of State. He was also Military Programs Director at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, from June 2006 to June 2008, and Director of US- Saudi Mission Relations and Political-Military Affairs at the US Military Training Mission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from April 2004 to June 2006. Academic Path Beyond his military and diplomatic accomplishments, Col. Abbas Dahouk boasts an esteemed academic path which further solidified his expertise. He holds a BS in Mathematics and a BA in Near Eastern Studies from the University of Arizona. Moreover, he has a BA in Military Science from the Sultanate of Oman Joint Command and Staff College. Col. Dahouk also holds an MA in Strategic Studies from the Army War College, and an MA in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University. Furthermore, he worked as an Assistant Professor of Arabic and Persian (Farsi) at the US Military Academy in West Point, from June 2008 to October 2010. Bridging US-Arab Relations Col. Abbas Dahouk has made great contributions to promoting US-Arab strategic ties, harnessing his unparalleled expertise and knowledge of both American and Middle Eastern affairs. 'The experiences of my key engagements from Washington DC to the Middle East have enabled me to hone my ability to describe, analyze, comprehend and assess a range of phenomena, factors, and forces that most Americans are seldom if ever exposed to,' Dahouk said. He is the founder and President of HyphenPoint LLC, an advisory firm that helps in developing partnerships between US security and private sectors and their counterparts in the MENA region. Moreover, Col. Dahouk is a member of the Board of Directors at the National Council on US-Arab Relations, a non-profit, non-governmental, educational organization that aims to improve American awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the Arab countries, the Middle East, and the Islamic world. He is also a member of the Advisory Board at the Arab-American Business and Professional Association, and a founding member of the Princeton Veterans Alumni Association. Honors and Recognition Col. Dahouk's impressive achievements have earned him multiple accolades and awards. His dedication and exceptional service culminated in his induction in the OCS Hall of Fame in 2019. Furthermore, he received numerous medals and honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit Medal; and National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation. He also earned the King Salman of Saudi Arabia Military Appreciation Medal-First Class; Global War on Terrorism Medal –Expeditionary and Service; South West Asia Medal (2 BS); Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia); Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait); Multinational Forces and Observers Medal; German Sportsman Badge; and Master Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab. Visionary Insights Col. Abbas Dahouk is a frequent political and military commentator for reputable media outlets. He offers far-sighted views and anticipatory analyses on current geopolitical issues, which have repeatedly proven to be correct. Just right before the Israeli attack on Iran, which took place on June 13, 2025, Col. Dahouk rightly predicted that the US movements in the Middle East signaled a preparation for a strike against Iran and at the same time a way to pressure the Iranian regime to reach a diplomatic solution. He said that the readiness level was high as 'both the US and Israel are preparing the region for either a unilateral action by Israel or an action supported by the US.' Once again, Col. Dahouk anticipated that the US would strike Iran's nuclear facilities. 'The military preparations seem to be at its peak,' he said, adding that the US military movements in the region aimed to 'prepare for what could be a major strike on specific targets inside Iran.' He precisely said that the US intervention 'will be very specific and will target certain nuclear facilities, namely the Fordo nuclear compound, which requires US assets to destroy it.' Moreover, when the US President, Donald Trump, assumed office in January 2025, Col. Dahouk foresaw a strong US military action against the Houthis. 'Trump will not tolerate any other threats to the US navy in the region and the near-daily Houthi attacks by Iranian missiles and drones,' he said. 'He will likely respond forcefully to prevent future attacks. He may also hold Iran responsible for any damage caused to the US military personnel,' Col. Dahouk predicted. Then, in March 2025, Trump ordered a 'decisive and powerful' military action against the Houthis in Yemen, in response to their attacks against US ships, aircraft and drones. Short link : Post Views: 19
