Middle East Monitor Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa

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  The Kharg gamble could backfire on America

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Military tensions in the Persian Gulf have once again reached a dangerously critical point. The fragile ceasefire efforts pursued since April have effectively collapsed following a series of retaliatory exchanges between the United States and Iran. The latest escalation was triggered by the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter by Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz. In response, US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched airstrikes against Iranian radar, communications, and air-defense facilities. Tehran quickly retaliated by striking five US military installations across Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, including the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet. Amid this accelerating cycle of violence, President Donald Trump has raised the stakes dramatically. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared that the US

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  Protesters gather at London court to support Palestine action activists

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Protesters gathered outside Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, June 12, to show support for a group known as the “Filton 24,” whose trial is ongoing over a protest at an Israeli defense company’s facility in Bristol in 2024, Anadolu reports. Four activists linked to Palestine Action will appear for sentencing after being found guilty of criminal damage, violent disorder and grievous bodily harm with intent following an incident at an Elbit Systems facility in Filton, Bristol. The court is also considering whether to apply a terrorism connection to the case under the Sentencing Act, citing claims that the action aimed to influence the Israeli government. READ: More than 100 public figures warn UK court over ‘terrorism’ sentencing in Israeli arms factory protest

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  Netanyahu’s Likud drops to lowest level since August 2025, poll shows

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party fell to its lowest level in nearly a year, while two leading rivals gained ground in the race for premier, a new Israeli opinion poll published Friday showed, Anadolu reports. According to a survey published by the Israeli daily Maariv, Likud lost three seats compared with the previous poll and would win 22 seats in the 120-member Knesset, its lowest showing since August 2025, when it polled at 21 seats. The decline comes amid political controversy over a proposed law concerning military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews, as well as remarks by US President Donald Trump questioning whether Netanyahu intends to run in the next election. In an interview with ABC

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  Trump says G7 support ‘irrelevant,’ claims ‘victory’ in Iran war

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  US President Donald Trump has dismissed any support from G7 as “irrelevant” and claimed that “we have won the war in Iran,” in a brief phone interview broadcast by Italian channel La7 on Friday, Anadolu reports. Trump made remarks during a call with La7 Washington correspondent. Asked whether he had a message for G7 leaders, Trump said the US had not needed external support. “We didn’t need any support. So, we have won the war. It was a bit irrelevant, irrelevant! I have to go. I’m in an important meeting, but we have won the war in Iran. We didn’t need their help,” Trump said. The comments came ahead of the G7 summit scheduled for June 15-17. Regional tensions that

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  More Palestinians killed in West Bank since 2023 than in previous 17 years, Oxfam says

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  More Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces or occupiers in the West Bank between 2023 and the end of 2025 than during the previous 17 years combined, according to an analysis published by international aid organization Oxfam, Anadolu reports. Citing data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Oxfam said that 1,244 Palestinians, including 268 children, were killed in the West Bank from 2023 through 2025. By comparison, 1,036 Palestinians, including 225 children, were killed between 2006 and the end of 2022, according to the analysis. “The mounting killing of civilians in the West Bank is tragic and horrifying,” said Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam International’s humanitarian policy lead. “While the eyes of the world have been on

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  Energy diplomacy without energy resources: How some states gain influence without oil and gas

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  For more than a century, energy diplomacy has been closely associated with countries endowed with vast oil and gas reserves. The ability to produce and export hydrocarbons has often translated into geopolitical leverage, economic influence and strategic importance. However, the foundations of energy power are gradually changing. In today’s interconnected world, influence increasingly depends not only on what a country possesses beneath its soil, but also on how effectively it positions itself within the global energy system. Beyond Oil and Gas: A Changing Definition of Energy Power Traditional energy diplomacy was built upon resource ownership. Countries with large reserves enjoyed advantages in international negotiations and strategic partnerships. Yet the contemporary energy landscape is becoming more complex. Energy markets today rely

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  Israel surprised by Trump’s announcement cancelling Iran strikes, says Hebrew media

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Israeli media reported on Thursday evening that Israel was surprised by US President Donald Trump’s announcement that planned strikes on Iran had been cancelled, as well as his suggestion that a regional agreement was close, while Israeli sources denied having knowledge of any such deal. Earlier on Thursday, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he had cancelled attacks that were planned against Iran for later that night. He claimed that the proposed understandings had received approval from several parties, including Israel, and said the time and place for the formal signing would be announced later. Trump said: “Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian

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  Syrian, Lebanese forces discuss strengthening border security

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  The commander of the Syrian Border Guard Forces, Brigadier General Hassan Abdul Ghani, met a Lebanese army delegation on Thursday led by liaison officer Brigadier General Michel Boutros to discuss issues of mutual interest, particularly border control. The Syrian Ministry of Defence said the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation and coordination between the two sides in combating smuggling activities, with the aim of enhancing border security between the two countries, according to SANA, the state-owned news agency of Syria. In April, the Syrian Border Guard Forces announced the results of their deployment along the country’s borders since the start of the year, saying they had achieved direct progress in border control and efforts to combat smuggling and illegal crossings. READ: Russia

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  Tehran says no final decision made on deal with Washington

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Iran has not yet made a final decision on a possible agreement with the United States and will not compromise on its red lines in the negotiations, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Thursday. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA, Baghaei said reports about the timing and location of any agreement signing remain speculative and that no final decision has been made. He added that a large part of the negotiating text has been completed, but said the United States had repeatedly changed its positions during the talks. US President Donald Trump said an agreement with Iran could be reached early next week and signed in Europe, despite Tehran denying that any memorandum of understanding has

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  FIFA under fire for silence on targeting of Palestinian athletes

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) has criticised what it described as the silence of the international football governing body, FIFA, over the killing of Palestinian athletes and the targeting of sports facilities during the war in Gaza. According to figures published by the campaign, more than 1,000 Palestinian athletes have been killed since the start of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. It also said Lebanese athletes had been killed in Israeli air strikes on cities and towns in Lebanon. PACBI said 1,007 Palestinian athletes had been killed, including 566 football players — the equivalent of 25 full teams. It also reported the destruction of 265 sports facilities. READ: Israel has become world’s

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  Oil prices fall after Trump cancels strikes on Iran

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Oil prices fell on Friday, extending losses from the previous session after US President Donald Trump had cancelled plans to launch strikes on Iran, easing concerns about a further escalation in hostilities following reciprocal attacks earlier this week. Brent crude futures fell by $1.21, or 1.3 per cent, to $89.17 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped by $1.23, or 1.4 per cent, to $86.48 a barrel. On a weekly basis, Brent crude lost 4.2 per cent, while US crude fell 4.4 per cent. After previously threatening to bomb Iran “with great force”, Trump cancelled the planned strikes on Thursday, saying that talks with Iran had made progress. However, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that Tehran had not

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  Netanyahu: Israel not party to US-Iran memorandum of understanding

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken with US President Donald Trump about a “memorandum of understanding being prepared with Iran to enter negotiations”. In a statement issued on Thursday, Netanyahu’s office said: “Although Israel is not a party to the memorandum of understanding, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for President Trump’s commitment that any final agreement reached at the end of the negotiations would include the removal of enriched materials, the dismantling of enrichment infrastructure, limits on missile production, and an end to Iran’s support for its proxies in the region.” Earlier, Israeli journalists and security commentators criticised Israel’s position on the issue, saying the emerging agreement reflected a failure for Israel and its interests. READ: Report:

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  The FIFA World Cup: Caught on the visa snag

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  The FIFA Men’s World Cup of 2026 was always going to offer visitors and spectators something different.  Shared between three countries – Mexico, Canada and the United States – the latter of the three was set to be the designated font of mischief and disruptive mayhem.  Add to this the rapacity of the world footballing body on ticket pricing, and we have a tournament foundering even before the first ball is kicked. Of nagging concern are the various travel impediments that have been impressed upon ticket holders.  Previous tournaments have seen FIFA mint arrangements with host countries granting exemptions on various immigration and entry requirements. Brazil permitted free temporary visas for ticket holders for the 2014 tournament.  Russia and Qatar

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  Report: US military building new base near Gaza border to support post-war plan

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  The US military has begun constructing a large base near the Gaza border that is expected to serve as a headquarters for military and civilian personnel involved in implementing President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom. The newspaper reported on Wednesday that construction is underway near the Israeli community of Re’im, close to the Gaza Strip. According to the report, the facility is intended to function as a central command and coordination hub for international organizations, civilian personnel and military forces expected to participate in the implementation of the next phases of Trump’s plan for Gaza. READ: US Senate moves to protect Israel’s access to American secrets “We have learned that the US

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  Khamenei adviser warns conflict could continue unless US respects Iran’s interests

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader has warned that tensions between Iran and the United States could persist unless Washington changes its approach towards Tehran and takes Iranian interests into account. In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to the Supreme Leader, said Iran would respond more forcefully to any future US military action and suggested that the future course of the conflict depends largely on decisions made in Washington. “The war with the United States will continue unless Washington respects Tehran’s interests,” Mokhber said. He added that Iran would not retreat from what it considers its core national interests. “US President Donald Trump must realize that the Islamic Republic will not back down and

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  Egypt and Turkey launch joint air force exercises

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Egypt and Turkey have begun joint air force exercises at several Egyptian air bases, marking a further expansion of military cooperation between the two countries amid improving bilateral relations. The Egyptian Armed Forces announced the start of the training programme on Thursday, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen defence cooperation and enhance operational coordination between the two militaries. According to the military spokesperson, the exercises involve multi-role combat aircraft from both countries and will continue for several days. The drills include a range of complex operational scenarios designed to simulate contemporary security and combat challenges. READ: Report: Growing Egypt-Turkey defence ties draw Israeli and US attention The first phase focused on theoretical sessions and professional exchanges between participating

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  Khamenei adviser says US strikes will not alter Iran’s position

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader has sharply criticised US President Donald Trump following recent American strikes on Iranian targets, warning that military action would not strengthen Washington’s position in ongoing negotiations. Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council and an adviser to the Supreme Leader, made the remarks in a post on X on Thursday. “The reckless US president imagines that bombs can get him out of the quagmire he created, but Iranian missiles will sink him even deeper into it,” Rezaei wrote. His comments came amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington following recent military exchanges and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict. READ: Iran considers placing assets linked to Elon Musk on its

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  Israel releases senior Hamas figure, Hassan Yousef

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Israeli authorities have released senior Hamas figure Hassan Yousef after more than 31 months in administrative detention, Palestinian sources said on Thursday. Yousef, 70, was released after his detention order had been renewed five consecutive times since his arrest at the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. One of the most prominent Hamas leaders in the occupied West Bank, Yousef has spent more than two decades in Israeli prisons over the course of his political career, including multiple periods of administrative detention. Administrative detention allows Israeli authorities to hold individuals without formal charges or trial for renewable periods based on security assessments. READ: Hamas delegation holds talks with Russia deputy foreign minister on Gaza ceasefire efforts According to Palestinian

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  2 Gazans killed, 4 injured in Israeli attacks amid ceasefire violations

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Two Palestinians were killed and four others wounded in separate Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, marking a new violation of a ceasefire deal in place since last October, a medical source said, Anadolu reports. The source said a 40-year-old man was killed and another injured in a drone strike in the New Camp area, north of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. In Gaza City, a Palestinian was killed when an Israeli drone fired a missile into the roof of his house in the Al-Maghrabi area in the city center, the source added. A woman was also seriously injured by Israeli gunfire in the Atatra area, west of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. READ: UK, Australia, Canada

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  Israeli occupier attacks on Palestinians in West Bank ‘higher than any year on record’: UN

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  The UN on Thursday warned that Israeli occupier attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are occurring at a pace “higher than any year on record,” averaging six incidents per day, causing casualties or property damage, Anadolu reports. Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference that “the number of settler attacks causing casualties or property damage this year in the West Bank has now surpassed 1,000.” “These attacks have affected more than 230 communities across all parts of the West Bank,” he said, adding that “more than 2,200 Palestinians have been displaced this year due to settler violence or other access restrictions, alongside hundreds more who have

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  Italy’s premier backs sanctions on Israeli settlers, Ben Gvir ahead of EU Council

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Thursday that Italy supports sanctions against Israeli settlers and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, while calling for broader discussions on relations between the EU and Israel, Anadolu reports. “On this, I would like, for once, a discussion here that goes beyond the emphasis of facile polemics, which certainly generates immediate returns in terms of visibility,” Meloni said in parliament ahead of the European Council. She added: “It does not reflect the strategic importance that the issue has for Italy.” “The Council should reflect on the direction of relations between the European Union and Israel,” she added. Meloni also expressed support for sanctions targeting Israeli settlers. READ: UK, Australia, Canada launch fund to support

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  Rights group accuses RSF of killing 23 civilians in drone attacks in Sudan

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  A Sudanese rights group accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Thursday of killing 23 civilians and injuring 19 in drone attacks in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State in southern Sudan, for a second consecutive day, Anadolu reports. The non-governmental Emergency Lawyers group said RSF drones targeted the state capital late Wednesday, with attacks continuing into Thursday. The group said the first attack killed five civilians and injured 12. A subsequent strike targeted a gathering at the Dalil Cemetery during a funeral for the victims, killing four civilians and injuring seven more. Thursday’s attacks targeted homes in the Al-Muwazzafeen and Al-Matar neighborhoods, as well as areas surrounding the Sudanese army’s 5th Infantry Division headquarters, killing 13 civilians who

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  Israel has become world’s most boycotted state: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Israel has become the country most exposed to boycotts worldwide, facing a sweeping wave of international sanctions targeting government officials, occupiers and official institutions, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth said Thursday. Under the headline “How Israel became the most boycotted nation in the world,” the newspaper said Israel has faced “a tsunami of international sanctions targeting Israeli government officials, occupiers and institutions, escalating pressure from multiple countries and long-standing pro-BDS organizations.” It said France recently barred Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country, after previously imposing a similar ban on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. According to the newspaper, the French move came in response to the two ministers’ “active promotion of West Bank annexation, new settlements and policies

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  UK, Australia, Canada launch fund to support two-state solution efforts

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  The United Kingdom, Australia and Canada announced Thursday the creation of a new International Peace Fund aimed at supporting efforts toward a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel, Anadolu Agency reports. In a joint statement, the three countries said the multi-donor fund will support projects designed to advance the conditions for a negotiated two-state solution. The governments said the initiative will complement ongoing diplomatic, humanitarian and development efforts by supporting organizations working to promote peacebuilding and mutual understanding. The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to a negotiated two-state solution, describing it as the only viable path to lasting peace. The UK, Australia and Canada will each contribute initial seed funding equivalent to £1 million ($1.3 million) over three years. The

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  US Senate moves to protect Israel’s access to American secrets

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  The US Senate is considering a measure that would force the president to expand intelligence sharing with Israel and make it harder for any administration to restrict Israeli access to American secrets, even amid growing concern in Washington over Israeli espionage against US officials. Section 622 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, titled “United States-Israel Intelligence Sharing Enhancement”, would require the president, through the director of national intelligence and, when necessary, the secretary of defence, to “expand and enhance intelligence sharing with the Government of Israel”. The bill was introduced by Israeli loyalist Senator Tom Cotton, the Republican chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and one of Israel’s most hardline supporters in Congress. The provision would cover

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  Hezbollah says it shot down Israeli drone over eastern Lebanon

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Hezbollah said Thursday that it shot down an Israeli military drone over eastern Lebanon, claiming the aircraft was targeted with a missile in the Bekaa region, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the group said its fighters downed a Heron 1 drone belonging to the Israeli army. According to the statement, the drone was flying over the Nahle area in the eastern Bekaa Valley when it was struck by “a specialized missile.” There was no comment from the Israeli military on Hezbollah’s statement. Earlier Thursday, Hezbollah said in a series of statements that it had targeted Israeli army vehicles and troop concentrations in the southern Lebanese towns of Tayr Harfa, Deir Siriane, and Odaisseh with drones and missiles in response to

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  Palestinian National Council elections and inseparable realities

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  On 4th June, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas approved the electoral framework for the Palestinian National Council following its adoption by the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The announcement of elections, expected to be held in early November, cannot be separated from a series of developments that began to unfold toward the end of 2024 amid the war in Gaza, growing international calls for action, and renewed momentum behind the recognition of Palestinian statehood. This article traces the diplomatic and political developments that accompanied that shift, as well as the practical measures undertaken by the Palestinian leadership in response. In doing so, it seeks to place the forthcoming National Council elections within their wider context and to better

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  Syria’s new buffer zone or the birth of another permanent occupation?

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024 was supposed to mark the end of an era. After more than five decades of dynastic rule and nearly fourteen years of civil war, Syria finally stood before a rare historical opening: the possibility of rebuilding a shattered state, restoring sovereignty, and reconnecting with a regional order that had long treated the country as a battleground rather than a nation. Yet almost immediately after Assad’s fall, another reality emerged. While Damascus struggled to establish authority, Israel moved with extraordinary speed to reshape the strategic landscape of southern Syria. Within days, Israeli forces launched one of the largest air campaigns in their history against Syrian military infrastructure, targeting air defence systems, weapons

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  Palestinian officials warn of Israeli plan to remove UNRWA vocational college in East Jerusalem

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  The Jerusalem Governorate warned Thursday of an Israeli plan to remove a vocational training college run by the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in the occupied city, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the governorate said the Israeli municipality is advancing a plan to build a “new educational complex” on land that has housed UNRWA’s vocational training college for decades in occupied East Jerusalem. The college, known as the Qalandiya Training College, is located between Kafr Aqab and the Qalandiya refugee camp in the city. According to UNRWA, the training center is serving 350 male and female students. It is located on land made available to the agency by the Jordanian government before Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967.

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  US Treasury chief says damage to Gulf allies to be paid for with funds extracted from Iranian accounts

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Iran on Thursday that any damage it causes to Washington’s Gulf allies would be paid for with funds extracted from Iranian accounts, as the US signaled further economic and financial pressure on Tehran, Anadolu reports. “The Iranian regime will lose the zero-sum game it is playing,” Bessent said in a statement on the US social media company X. “Any damage it inflicts on our allies in the Gulf will be paid for with funds extracted from Iranian Accounts,” he added. Bessent also said any tolls paid to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority would be offset through funds taken from Iranian accounts. “Every attack Iran launches will only deepen the economic and financial consequences it faces,”

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  Iran considers placing assets linked to Elon Musk on its military target list: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Assets and infrastructure linked to companies owned by Elon Musk in the Gulf and Israel are being reviewed for inclusion in Iran’s list of military targets, Iranian media said on Thursday, Anadolu reports. Fars News Agency said the move is being considered following what it described as evidence that US and Israeli forces have used infrastructure operated by Musk-linked companies, including the Starlink satellite network and the X social media company, in attacks against Iran. Fars said previous reports had revealed military cooperation involving Musk-linked projects, including Starshield and the launch of military satellites used for earth observation, encrypted communications and secure data transmission. READ: Iranian military source claims missiles penetrated US defences and hit majority of targets The agency said infrastructure

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  EU condemns killing of Palestinian infant, says violence against children must end

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  The EU on Thursday strongly condemned the killing of a seven-month-old Palestinian by an Israeli soldier in the occupied West Bank, demanding accountability and the protection of civilians, Anadolu reports. “Let me strongly condemn on behalf of the EU the killing of a seven-month-old baby by an Israeli soldier in the West Bank on Friday, the 5th of June,” European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said during the Commission’s briefing in Brussels in response to Anadolu’s question. El Anouni said the EU urges Israel to conduct an “independent, timely and thorough investigation” into the incident and to ensure accountability. He also urged the Israeli government to comply with obligations under international law to protect Palestinians living in the occupied territory. “That

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  Israel-First: US Congress is quietly merging America’s military with Israel’s

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  When Congress wants to do something, it knows the American public would object to, it buries it. That is exactly what it did with Section 224 of the House Armed Services Committee’s draft Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. A sinister, Israel-first, and AIPAC  HYPERLINK “https://www.aipac.org/memos/america-israel-defense-ndaa-224″insertion to merge American military industries with the military of a country, Israel, that has been caught spying and stealing American technology. The proposed section is hidden inside a $1.15 trillion defense bill, advanced with virtually no public debate. The provision, titled the “United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative,” goes far beyond traditional military aid. It authorizes joint weapons co-production, bilateral research and development, technology licensing, and deep integration across artificial intelligence, cyberwarfare, autonomous

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  Israel deports French journalist over criticism of Gaza genocide

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Israel on Thursday denied entry to a French journalist and deported her to Paris over her criticism of Israel’s two-year genocidal war in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports. Israeli Communications Minister Amichai Chikli said in a post on US social media company X that French journalist Alice Froussard was leaving Ben Gurion Airport and returning to France. “I am pleased to announce that Alice Froussard, the pro-Hamas French journalist who believes the Oct. 7 massacre should be viewed in context, is leaving Ben Gurion Airport on her way back to Paris,” Chikli wrote. According to Israeli news website The Times of Israel, the Foreign Ministry said Froussard arrived in Israel on Thursday for work but was stopped and placed on a

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  Trump says US will be hitting Iran ‘very hard tonight’

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Thursday that the US will be hitting Iran “very hard tonight,” adding that Washington will seize control of Iranian oil infrastructure points in the near future, Anadolu reports. “The United States will be hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of

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  ‘A stain on our city’: UK urged to ban Israeli property fair selling stolen Palestinian land

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  UK ministers are under mounting pressure to ban a London real estate event accused of marketing land in illegal Israeli settlements, after several MPs challenged the government in Parliament and Green Party leader Zack Polanski warned that allowing it to proceed would be a “stain” on the capital. The Great Israeli Real Estate Event 2026 is scheduled to take place in London on Sunday 14 June. Its website says attendees will be able to meet consultants on Aliyah, higher education, finances, taxation, mortgages, transferring funds and home management, and invites them to “explore the best Anglo neighbourhoods to find your dream home”. It lists areas including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ramat Beit Shemesh, Netanya, Raanana, Modiin, Herzliya, Haifa, Ashdod, Beersheva and

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  China, Saudi Aramco discuss energy security, oil and gas cooperation

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) said Thursday that its deputy administrator met with a senior Saudi Aramco executive in Beijing to discuss global energy security and bilateral oil and gas cooperation, Anadolu reports. NEA Deputy Administrator Song Hongkun met with Mohammed Al Qahtani, Saudi Aramco’s downstream president on Tuesday, according to a statement by the administration. The two sides exchanged views on international energy security and oil and gas cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia, the statement said. Song said Saudi Aramco is one of the world’s most important crude oil producers and suppliers, adding that Chinese companies and Aramco have maintained long-term, stable cooperation in areas including crude oil trade and refining projects. Al Qahtani said Aramco attaches great importance

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  Israel allocates $51M to build 69 illegal settlements in occupied West Bank, watchdog says

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Israel allocated 152 million shekels ($51 million) to prepare construction plans for 69 illegal settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now said on Thursday, Anadolu reports. The allocation was made during a phone vote by ministers last week, the group said in a statement, adding that the government is also preparing a draft resolution to allocate more than 1 billion shekels ($337 million) to establish new illegal settlements and outposts in the occupied territory. Peace Now said the decision allocates the funds to the Housing Ministry to complete initial planning procedures for the settlements legalized by the government between 2023 and 2025, along with preparing plans to expand settlement building in the West Bank.

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  Jordan says it intercepted 20 missiles launched from Iran

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Jordanian air defense systems and Royal Jordanian Air Force aircraft intercepted and shot down 20 missiles launched from Iran toward the Azraq area in Zarqa governorate early Thursday, the army said in a statement, Anadolu reports. A responsible military source at the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces-Arab Army said that the interception caused debris to fall, but no casualties or material damage were reported, the statement said. Engineering teams handled the remnants of the missiles to ensure they contained no explosives, the source added. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted a base hosting American F-35, F-15, and F-16 fighter jets in Jordan in response to US strikes on Iran. READ: Iranian military source claims missiles penetrated US

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  America’s war-based economy still strengthens its rivals — and Trump is accelerating this

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  For more than two decades, experience has shown a clear pattern: whenever the United States rushes into wars, it does not weaken its enemies as it expects. Instead, it often opens wide doors for them to grow, expand, and build influence. The question is no longer whether rival powers benefit from Washington’s constant wars.  The real question is: how much do these wars speed up America’s rivals economically and politically? Today, with Donald Trump returning to the center of global influence and using escalating rhetoric and threats — commercial, military, and geopolitical — Beijing increasingly views “Trump’s wars” as a rare strategic opportunity, not an existential threat. Wars drain Washington and disrupt its priorities Any major war or military confrontation

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  Saudi Arabia ends 5-year ban on Lebanese imports

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday the end of a ban on Lebanese imports that had been in place for five years, marking a significant step in efforts to rebuild relations between Lebanon and Gulf states. The kingdom imposed a ban on Lebanese fruit and vegetable imports in 2021, saying they were being used to smuggle drugs. In one high-profile case, Saudi authorities said they had seized more than five million Captagon pills hidden inside a shipment of pomegranates arriving from Lebanon. Months later, Saudi Arabia expanded the ban to cover all Lebanese products after Lebanon’s then Information Minister, George Kordahi, publicly criticised the Saudi-led war against the Houthis in Yemen. The ban was imposed at a time when Lebanon’s economy

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  88 attacks against Palestinian Christians recorded since start of year

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  The Religious Freedom Data Centre said on Wednesday that attacks and harassment targeting Palestinian Christians and their religious sites have increased. The centre documented more than 88 incidents against Christians since the beginning of this year, including 63 cases during the second quarter alone. It said the figures suggest that 2026 could set a new record, surpassing the 181 incidents recorded last year. According to a report presented in Jerusalem, the violations included spitting incidents, verbal abuse, vandalism of cemeteries, gravestones, statues and crosses, as well as racist graffiti and the desecration of Christian religious sites. Most of the incidents were concentrated in Jerusalem’s Old City, Mount Zion and the area surrounding the Armenian Patriarchate. READ: Christian nun injured in settler

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  Iran signals review of talks with US following latest escalation

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Iran has indicated that it may reassess the course of negotiations aimed at ending the conflict with the United States following recent developments, with officials stressing that diplomacy cannot be separated from the security situation on the ground. Speaking on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said events in recent hours had altered the context in which the negotiations were taking place. “The developments of the past few hours necessitate a reassessment of the current situation, because any diplomatic process requires a minimum of conducive conditions to continue,” Baghaei said in remarks carried by the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Baghaei said diplomatic efforts and military preparedness should not be viewed as separate tracks, describing them as complementary tools

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  Iranian military source claims missiles penetrated US defences and hit majority of targets

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  An Iranian military source has claimed that Iran’s latest missile and drone operation against US military facilities in the region achieved a high success rate, with most designated targets struck despite the presence of American air defence systems. In remarks carried by the semi-official Fars News Agency on Wednesday, the source said preliminary assessments based on satellite imagery and information gathered by Iranian security agencies indicated that the operation had achieved its objectives. According to the source, Iran’s missile and drone forces successfully hit around 70 percent of their intended military targets. “The missile and air forces were able to accurately hit 70 percent of the designated military targets,” the source said. The official added that long-range ballistic missiles and

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  Turkey rebukes Netanyahu, says those accused of genocide cannot give moral lessons

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Turkey has sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following remarks he made about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with a senior Turkish official accusing the Israeli leader of hypocrisy and rejecting his criticism of Ankara. In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Burhanettin Duran, head of the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Directorate, condemned Netanyahu’s comments and defended Turkey’s position on regional issues. Duran described Netanyahu and his government as having a “shameful and immoral record,” accusing them of responsibility for the deaths of civilians and the destruction caused by Israel’s military operations in the Palestinian territories. “Those accused of genocide cannot give moral lessons,” Duran said. He argued that Netanyahu’s criticism of Turkey lacked credibility given the ongoing international

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  Amnesty International accuses Israel of making West Bank annexation an official policy objective

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Amnesty International has accused the Israeli government of turning the annexation of the occupied West Bank into an officially declared political objective, warning of what it described as an escalating campaign of forced displacement against Palestinians. In a report released on Tuesday, the human rights organisation said Israeli authorities have intensified measures over the past three and a half years aimed at removing Palestinians from their land, confiscating property and expanding Israeli control over parts of the occupied territory. According to Amnesty International, the developments reflect a broader state policy rather than isolated incidents. The organisation argued that the measures form part of a systematic effort to alter the demographic and geographic character of the occupied West Bank. Amnesty said

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  Palestinian factions submit response to mediators, reject disarmament proposal

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Palestinian factions have submitted their official response to a revised ceasefire proposal presented by Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators, with attention now turning to Israel’s position on the proposed amendments, Palestinian sources told Quds Press. According to the sources, the response was delivered on Tuesday after several days of intensive consultations among factions participating in talks in Cairo. The mediators have reportedly forwarded the Palestinian observations and proposed amendments to the Israeli side and are awaiting a formal response, particularly regarding clauses eight and nine of the proposal, which have emerged as key points of disagreement during the latest round of negotiations. The sources said discussions remain complex despite continued mediation efforts aimed at bridging differences between the parties. Negotiations,

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  Hamas delegation holds talks with Russia deputy foreign minister on Gaza ceasefire efforts

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  A Hamas delegation held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko in Moscow on Wednesday, focusing on ceasefire negotiations in Gaza and international efforts to prevent a renewed outbreak of war. According to a statement issued by Hamas, the delegation was led by Mousa Abu Marzouk, head of the movement’s International Relations Office, and “extensive political consultations” with Russian officials at the Foreign Ministry. The discussions covered the latest political and military developments, Hamas’s position on the ongoing negotiations, and efforts to coordinate international initiatives aimed at ending the conflict and addressing its impact on Palestinians. The delegation included Maher Salah, a member of Hamas’s political bureau; Iyad Abu Zaher, the movement’s representative in Moscow; and Mohammed Al-Aila, secretary

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  Iran says it attacked US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain via various types of drones

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Iran’s army said early on Thursday that it had attacked the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain using various types of drones, in response to what it described as US aggression against the Islamic Republic. According to a statement issued by the Iranian army’s public relations office, “following the violation of the ceasefire and the terrorist US military aggression against areas in the south of the country, the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran attacked the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain using various types of suicide drones.” The statement added that “communication antennas and radar facilities linked to the Patriot defence system of the Fifth Fleet were targeted in this wave of drone attacks.” The army said it stood “shoulder

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  Moroccan-funded mass wedding held for 40 disabled and injured Gazans

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Amid scenes of joy overshadowed by the impact of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, a charity organisation, funded by the Moroccan people, organised a mass wedding for 40 young disabled and injured Palestinians, including amputees, in the Mawasi area of Rafah in southern Gaza. The event comes as Gaza residents continue to face severe humanitarian and economic hardships caused by the war that has been ongoing since 8 October 2023. The initiative aimed to bring happiness to participants and ease the financial burden that has prevented many young people from getting married. Abdulrahman Al-Qadi, a young man with a physical disability and one of the beneficiaries of the initiative, said taking part in the mass wedding marked a