These are the headlines we are tracking for you in this episode of On the News Line:

AIPAC conference 

Washington DC is hosting a major annual pro-Israeli event. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, AIPAC, has drawn pro-Israeli politicians and lobbyists from across the United States and other parts of the world to its conference in the US capital. The AIPAC conference is where Israelis spend and lobby heavily to make sure the highest levels of American leadership never hesitate to back Israel. America’s support is mainly in the form of military aid and diplomatic cover. Israel has used that support over the past decades to expand its occupation of Palestinian lands with impunity. Another instance of America’s unwavering support has been its fierce opposition to any attempt to bring Israel’s nuclear weapons arsenal under international inspection. Many believe such support has emboldened Israel to such an extent that it now considers its interests way above international law.

Western furor over Iran's missiles

Under pressure from the US, European parties to the Iran nuclear deal appear to be trying to tie the agreement to the Islamic republic’s conventional missile program. Their initial goal seems to be persuading Iran that the two issues are related. Tehran has flatly rejected the notion. During talks with his French counterpart in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said Iran’s missile activities are outside the framework of the nuclear accord otherwise known as the JCPOA. Zarif also said Iran’s military might is only for self-defense. Jean-Yves Le Drian has tried to give assurances to Iran that France and other European countries are committed to the deal. But the tone of Zarif’s and other Iranian officials’ remarks show European governments including France are giving in to the US pressures regarding the nuclear deal.