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Men Accused of Impersonating Federal Agents Investigated for Possible Ties with IRGC

US Capitol police attend a morning briefing outside the US Capitol in Washington, US, August 3, 2021. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
US Capitol police attend a morning briefing outside the US Capitol in Washington, US, August 3, 2021. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
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Men Accused of Impersonating Federal Agents Investigated for Possible Ties with IRGC

US Capitol police attend a morning briefing outside the US Capitol in Washington, US, August 3, 2021. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
US Capitol police attend a morning briefing outside the US Capitol in Washington, US, August 3, 2021. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

The US Department of Justice issued a ruling to maintain the imprisonment of two persons arrested in Washington, for impersonating federal security officials over several years, as well as recruiting people to gain access to the security service that protects President Joe Biden and his wife.

The authorities launched an investigation into possible links with Iranian intelligence services, particularly Al-Quds Force, the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards.

The US authorities announced the arrest of Iranian-born Arian Taherzadeh, 40, and Pakistani-born Haider Ali 35, on Wednesday evening in their residence in the luxurious Crossing Building, in the Eastern Market neighborhood near the US Capitol building in Washington.

Justice Department Assistant Attorney Joshua S. Rothstein told the court on Friday that the two men, who hold US passports with visas to Iran and Pakistan, have impersonated Department of Homeland Security officials, including members of federal law enforcement agencies, since February 2020.

Rothstein said that during 2019 and 2020, the two men recruited professional security personnel in an apartment building in Washington, and traveled several times to Pakistan, Turkey, Iran and Qatar.

In addition, Rothstein said that Ali “made claims to witnesses that he had connections to the ISI, which is the Pakistani intelligence service.”

Investigators found in the residence a number of pistols, stockpiles of weapons, flak jackets, radios, a small drone, training manuals and surveillance equipment.

They were also charged with providing bribery and favors to members of the United States Secret Service, including an agent working with the bodyguards of First Lady Jill Biden, and another officer in the White House Uniformed Division.

Judge Michael Harvey ordered that the two men not be released on bail, due to fears that they might escape the United States. The Pakistani embassy in Washington did not comment on the allegations of the suspects’ links with Pakistani intelligence. CBS News reported that investigators are looking into the possibility that the accused have links to Iranian intelligence, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, or its foreign arm, Al-Quds Force.

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World

EU Moves to Sanction Iran over Hormuz Blockade

Traffic through Hormuz, a vital global shipping conduit, has come under Iranian control since the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States on February 28. (Photo by AFP) /
Traffic through Hormuz, a vital global shipping conduit, has come under Iranian control since the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States on February 28. (Photo by AFP) /
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EU Moves to Sanction Iran over Hormuz Blockade

Traffic through Hormuz, a vital global shipping conduit, has come under Iranian control since the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States on February 28. (Photo by AFP) /
Traffic through Hormuz, a vital global shipping conduit, has come under Iranian control since the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States on February 28. (Photo by AFP) /

European Union nations moved Friday towards imposing sanctions on Iranian officials and others responsible for blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the EU said.

Tehran effectively closed the key shipping lane for global gas and oil in retaliation to US-Israeli strikes launched in February.

Deeming the blockade "contrary to international law", EU governments took a technical step to extend the scope of its existing Iran sanctions regime allowing for more individuals to be targeted under it.

"The EU will now be able to introduce further restrictive measures in response to Iran's actions undermining the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," the European Council representing EU nations said.

Brussels' punitive measures on Iran previously targeted the country's military support for Russia in its war against Ukraine and for armed groups across the Middle East.

The European Union has also imposed sanctions over human rights violations in the country.

The EU did not immediately name any individual or entities that would be targeted by the new sanctions, consisting of travel bans and asset freezes.

EU citizens and companies will also be banned from making funds, financial assets or other economic resources available to those listed.

The Iran war and the closure of Hormuz, which normally carries a fifth of global oil production, have sent ripples across the global economy, sending energy prices soaring.

World

Rubio Cites Some Progress on Iran Talks but "We're Not There Yet"

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, Friday, May 22, 2026. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool via REUTERS
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, Friday, May 22, 2026. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool via REUTERS
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Rubio Cites Some Progress on Iran Talks but "We're Not There Yet"

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, Friday, May 22, 2026. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool via REUTERS
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, Friday, May 22, 2026. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool via REUTERS

The United States has seen some progress in talks with Iran and is in constant communication with the Pakistani mediators, but there is more work to be done, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday.

"There's been some progress. I wouldn't exaggerate it. I wouldn't diminish it," Rubio told reporters after a NATO ministers meeting in Sweden.

"There's more work to be done," he added. "We're not there yet. I hope we get there."

President Donald Trump would prefer to do a good deal, Rubio said. The core concern remains that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and the issue of future uranium enrichment needs to be discussed as well as reopening the Strait of Hormuz, he said.

"We're dealing with a very difficult group of people, and if it doesn't change, then the president's been clear he has other options," Rubio said.

"He prefers the negotiated option and having a good deal, but he himself has expressed concern that maybe that's not possible. But we're going to keep trying."

Rubio said the United States was in constant communication with the Pakistanis who are facilitating the talks with Iran.

There was no specific ask from the US on Friday for help from NATO on the Strait of Hormuz but there needs to be a Plan B if Iran refuses to reopen the supply route, Rubio said after the close of the NATO meeting.

World

Netherlands to Ban Imports from Israel's Jewish Settlements

The Neve Yaakov settlement north of East Jerusalem, with the Israeli wall visible separating the Palestinian neighborhood of al-Ram in the West Bank (AFP). 
The Neve Yaakov settlement north of East Jerusalem, with the Israeli wall visible separating the Palestinian neighborhood of al-Ram in the West Bank (AFP). 
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Netherlands to Ban Imports from Israel's Jewish Settlements

The Neve Yaakov settlement north of East Jerusalem, with the Israeli wall visible separating the Palestinian neighborhood of al-Ram in the West Bank (AFP). 
The Neve Yaakov settlement north of East Jerusalem, with the Israeli wall visible separating the Palestinian neighborhood of al-Ram in the West Bank (AFP). 

The Dutch government has agreed to impose a ban on imports of goods produced in Jewish settlements in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said on Friday.

The ban is meant to prevent "any contribution through economic activities by the Netherlands to the unlawful occupation", Jetten said.

The previous Dutch government last year said it was planning the ban, which is now expected to take effect in the second half of the year.

The Netherlands is a leading global buyer of Israeli goods, but the government has never disclosed what volume of goods are currently imported from Jewish settlements.

Most world powers deem Israel's settlements, on land it captured in a 1967 war, illegal. Numerous UN Security Council resolutions have called on Israel to halt all settlement activity.

Israel disputes this, saying it has historical and biblical ties to the land.