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

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  ‘Instead of trying to control the whole world’, pro-Israel advocates can control AI, AJC told

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  “Instead of trying to control the whole world” or “manage” social media, we can control AI, Israeli AI researcher Dr Maya Ackerman has suggested, telling the American Jewish Committee that pro-Israel advocates can go “directly to the companies” developing the technology with “technical and advocacy solutions.” AI presents an incredible opportunity for Jews because “instead of trying to control the whole world” and “manage” social media, “we can go directly to the companies” with “advocacy solutions,” Dr. Maya Ackerman tells the American Jewish Committee. “For the first time, there is… pic.twitter.com/V95Qfcn0Vh — Chris Menahan 🇺🇸 (@infolibnews) June 4, 2026 Ackerman stressed that AI is a major opportunity for pro-Israel advocacy after supporters of Israel “missed the boat with social media”,

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  Israel renews restrictions on war coverage, bars reports on missiles hitting military sites

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  The Israeli military censor on Monday imposed strict restrictions on coverage of the ongoing regional war, ordering journalists not to publish information about missiles landing at military sites in the country, Anadolu Agency reports. The move came after Israel reignited tensions Sunday evening by bombing the Lebanese capital Beirut, triggering retaliatory missile attacks from Iran. Israel responded by launching waves of airstrikes against Iranian targets inside the country. The military censor said in a circular sent to journalists that they must fully comply with its instructions regarding any Iranian or Hezbollah fire toward Israel. “Do not publish the exact number of missiles launched in each volley. You may use general phrases such as scattered missiles or dozens, but not precise numbers,”

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  Lebanon-Israel negotiations reached ‘point of no return’: US envoy

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are moving “in the right direction” and have reached a “point of no return,” US Ambassador in Beirut Michel Issa said Monday, Anadolu Agency reports. “It is very important for an official to choose what he wants and move forward with it, especially if it is the only choice to end a painful and harsh situation like the one Lebanon is experiencing,” Issa said following talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. A statement by the Lebanese presidency said Aoun and Issa discussed the course of the US-mediated negotiations between Lebanon and Israel and efforts to end the Israeli attacks on the Arab country. The negotiations are expected to resume in Washington, Issa said, praising the Lebanese

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  Counting the costs for the death of Arab political journalism

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  The decline of political journalism in the Arab world marks a critical turning point in how public discourse is shaped. Once the backbone of informed analysis and accountability, traditional newspapers and long-form journalism have suffered a steady erosion over the past two decades. This crisis was exacerbated by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut explosion, and the economic collapse of key media hubs. In their absence, social media platforms and political satire shows have emerged as alternative sources of news and commentary. While these outlets offer new forms of engagement, they lack the depth and rigor that traditional journalism once provided, leaving a critical gap in the region’s public sphere. The death of major Arab newspapers, such as

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  Iran ends attacks on Israel, warns of ‘crushing’ response if Lebanon strikes continue

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Iran on Monday announced an end to its attacks on Israel, warning of a “crushing” response if Israeli attacks against Lebanon continued. “Following the aggressions and evils of the brutal Zionist regime in South Lebanon and the Dahiya region, which took place with the support of the criminal America, the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran gave a painful response to this regime in order to support the oppressed people of Lebanon,” the Khaatm al-Anbiya Central Headquartes said in a statement carried by the semi-official news agency Tasnim. Israel and its supporters “should have learned” lessons from Tehran’s response, the military added. “On this basis, the cessation of armed forces operations is announced.” READ: Trump urges Tel Aviv,

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  Trump urges Tel Aviv, Tehran to halt fighting

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Monday called on Israel and Iran to stop fighting “immediately” in the wake of tit-for-tat airstrikes, Anadolu Agency reports. “Israel and Iran must immediately stop shooting,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. In a later post, Trump said that both Tehran and Tel Aviv are “looking to do an immediate ceasefire.” “Final negotiations on peace are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way,” he wrote on Truth Social. He reiterated that the blockade is “in full force and effect, until a final deal is reached.” READ: Israeli army expects ‘several days’ of fighting with Iran “Things should move quickly,” he added. Earlier in the day, an Israeli airstrike targeted a petrochemical firm in

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  How Lebanon became a managed stalemate

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  The pattern is now visible. On 1 June, Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire. Within days, both sides violated it. On 5 June, Israeli airstrikes killed three Lebanese army officers and six others on a road south of Nabatiyeh. On 6 June, Israeli helicopters struck Beirut’s southern suburbs in retaliation for Hezbollah drone attacks. On 3 June, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem called the ceasefire agreement “absurd, humiliating, and insulting” and rejected it entirely. The ceasefire lasted less than a week before it became what all the previous ones became: a framework in name, warfare in practice. But here is what is not being said plainly: this is no longer a ceasefire breaking down. This is a ceasefire that was

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  Germany undermining its credibility by tolerating US, Israeli breaches of international law: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Germany’s reluctance to condemn the violation of international law by its allies, the US and Israel, is undermining its own credibility and accelerating the erosion of the rules-based global order, according to a major report released Monday, Anadolu Agency reports. The 2026 Peace Report, produced annually by leading German think tanks for conflict research, warned that states are increasingly acting like “warlords” and using war as a “political tool.” It said that failing to push back against this trend risks further escalation of violent conflicts worldwide. The report sharply criticized the German government’s foreign policy, particularly its hesitation to denounce unilateral US military actions, Israeli war crimes in Gaza, and Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Syria. “By selectively denouncing breaches

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  Israeli army expects ‘several days’ of fighting with Iran

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  The Israeli army expects the ongoing military confrontation with Iran will continue for “several days” amid an exchange of attacks between the two countries, Israeli media said Monday. “The assessment within the Israeli army is that the confrontation with Iran will continue for several days,” Army Radio said. The outlet said the army started preparations for a broad call-up of reserve forces, without giving further details. Meanwhile, Israel’s Home Front Command tightened restrictions on gatherings and movement across the country until Monday evening. The public broadcaster KAN said new instructions allow gatherings of up to 200 people in open areas and 500 people indoors, provided people can reach a protected area within the required time. READ: Tehran says Israeli strikes on

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  Tehran says Israeli strikes on Iran ‘fully coordinated’ with US

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Iran said Monday a recent wave of Israeli strikes against the country was “fully coordinated” with the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Anadolu reports. “The direct responsibility of the United States for the actions of the Zionist regime is clear, and the consequences of escalating tensions will also fall on the United States,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a news briefing cited by the state news agency IRNA. However, Israel’s Army Radio, citing an unnamed military official, said all attacks on Iran “so far are Israeli only.” The official claimed that the US helped Israel to only intercept “some Iranian missiles.” Israel is “preparing for several days of fighting in Iran at least, as well as the possibility of a long-term

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  140 Labour MPs urge UK to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Around 140 Labour MPs have written to the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, calling on the UK government to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, warning that sanctions on individual settlers and ministers are not enough to stop Israel’s accelerating annexation drive. In a letter dated 7 June, the MPs urge Cooper to take “urgent, concrete action to counter the escalation of violations against Palestinians” by “ending trade with illegal Israeli settlements.” The MPs warn that Israel’s move to prepare the forced displacement of the Palestinian Bedouin community of Khan Al-Ahmar forms part of a wider policy of “erasure, displacement and state-backed settler violence” in the occupied West Bank. They say the planned

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  Israel started ‘dangerous game’ by attacking civilian targets, oil industries: Iran

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Monday Israel started “a dangerous game” by carrying out attacks against civilian targets and oil industries, Anadolu reports. In a statement carried by the state broadcaster IRIB, the IRGC said it launched a missile attack “on similar industries” in Haifa in northern Israel “a few minutes ago” in retaliation for an Israeli attack on Iran’s Mahshahr petrochemical firm earlier in the day. The IRGC warned the consequences of the current wave of escalation on the global economy will be “the responsibility of the main arsonist in this field, America.” Earlier in the day, an Israeli airstrike targeted a petrochemical firm in southwestern Iran, causing partial damage to the industrial complex, Iranian officials said. The

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  Israel says it launched ‘large-scale strike’ on Iran amid escalation

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  The Israeli army said Monday that its warplanes completed a “large-scale strike” targeting what it called “strategic defense systems” in Iran, Anadolu reports. A military statement said the attack was directed by its Intelligence Directorate and targeted defense systems deployed in several areas across Iran. The army claimed that the latest attack dismantled those systems. There was no immediate comment from Iranian authorities on the Israeli claim. The situation escalated late Sunday when Iran launched missiles toward northern Israel in the first such bombardment since a fragile ceasefire in early April, following Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs. The region has been on edge since the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in late February, triggering Iranian retaliation on Israel

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  The world watches as Israel turns law into ashes

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  The latest exchange between Israel and Iran in June 2026 has been widely framed as another dangerous escalation in an already combustible region. Yet focusing solely on Iranian missiles risks obscuring a far more consequential reality.  Iran’s strike did not emerge from a geopolitical vacuum. It arrived after months of devastating warfare across Gaza and Lebanon, after repeated ceasefire violations, after the destruction of hospitals, homes, universities and critical civilian infrastructure, and after a mounting death toll that has surpassed 76,000 people across multiple theatres of conflict. The deeper story is not simply one of retaliation. It is the collapse of the belief that international law still applies equally in the Middle East. For decades, the international system has rested

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  Israel detects new batch of Iranian missiles fired towards it

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Israel’s army said Monday that it detected a new batch of missiles launched from Iran amid heightened tensions between Tel Aviv and Tehran, Anadolu reports. Israeli defense systems were operating to intercept them, the army said in a statement, calling on the public to “follow the instructions” from officials. Earlier in the day, an Israeli airstrike targeted a petrochemical firm in southwestern Iran, causing partial damage to the industrial complex, Iranian officials said. Sirens also sounded in several cities in central and southern Israel following missile launches by Tehran. The region has been on edge since the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in late February, triggering Iranian retaliation on Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets. A temporary

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  Israeli airstrike hits Iranian petrochemical facility, says official

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  An Israeli airstrike targeted a petrochemical firm in Mahshahr, southwestern Iran on Monday, causing partial damage to the industrial complex, according to Iranian officials. According to the Mehr News Agency, Valiollah Hayati, deputy governor for security affairs in Khuzestan province, told reporters: “A few minutes ago, the Karun Mahshahr Petrochemical Company was attacked by the Zionist enemy, and part of this industrial complex was damaged as a result of the projectiles hitting it.” According to Hayati, no casualties or injuries were reported in the airstrike. He added: “Further details about the extent of damage as well as possible casualties will be announced.” Following the airstrike, the Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Economic Zone Organization announced the emergency evacuation of day-shift employees, Iran’s

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  Houthis declare ‘total’ ban on Israeli maritime navigation in Red Sea

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Yemen’s Houthi group said on Monday that they will impose “a complete and total ban” on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea, stating that Israeli-linked vessels in the waterway will again be targeted, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the group said it carried out a missile attacks targeting sensitive Israeli targets in the Jaffa region, claiming that “the missile strikes achieved their objectives with precision.” The missile attacks on Israel came in response to Israeli aggression in Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, the group said. “We affirm that we will respond to escalation with escalation, and our military operations will intensify in accordance to the field developments, the battle, and in conjunction with the axis of Jihad and resistance,”

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  Iranian lawmaker says Tehran collects transit fees from ships passing through Strait of Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  An Iranian lawmaker has said that Tehran collects fees ranging from $1.5m to $2m from vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes. Mohsen Zanganeh, a member of the Iranian parliament’s Planning and Budget Committee, said the charges apply to ships passing through the waterway, according to remarks reported by the semi-official Fars News Agency. “The fees imposed on ships transiting the strait average between $1.5 million and $2 million per vessel.” According to Zanganeh, payments can be made in cash, cryptocurrencies or through the provision of goods, with the value of the goods deducted from the transit charges. Fars reported that, based on current traffic levels, the fees could generate as much

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  Report: Growing Egypt-Turkey defence ties draw Israeli and US attention

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Israeli media reports say the United States is seeking clarification regarding expanding military and security contacts between Egypt and Turkey amid concerns that closer cooperation between the two regional powers could reshape strategic dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean. According to the Israeli newspaper Maariv, US officials have recently observed a significant increase in the frequency and level of military coordination between Cairo and Ankara, prompting Washington to seek additional information about the nature of the discussions. The newspaper reported that the US State Department asked diplomatic staff in both Egypt and Turkey to provide assessments of recent contacts between senior officials in the two countries’ defence establishments. According to the report, US intelligence assessments have noted increased cooperation on military

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  Egypt condemns deadly strike on Lebanese army patrol, warns against regional escalation

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Egypt has strongly condemned an Israeli strike that targeted a Lebanese army patrol, killing two officers and a soldier, describing the incident as a dangerous escalation and a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty. In a statement issued on Sunday, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said it was following developments in Lebanon with grave concern and criticised the continued Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory. Egypt called on the international community to take action to halt the Israeli repeated violations and to ensure respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ministry warned that continued military escalation could further destabilise the region at a time of mounting security challenges across the Middle East. Cairo also stressed the importance of supporting regional and international efforts aimed

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  US embassy closes Jerusalem, Tel Aviv consular services on Monday amid security alert

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  The US Embassy in Israel announced on Sunday evening that its consular sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv will be closed on Monday, urging its staff and their families to be prepared to take shelter following the recent Iranian attacks. In a statement, the embassy said: “As a result of the current security situation in Israel, including Home Front Command alerts for multiple regions, the U.S. Embassy has directed all U.S. government employees and their family members to shelter in place, and be prepared to move to a protected shelter in the event of a red alert, until further notice.”     It added that US consular services would remain closed on Monday, 8th June. READ: Khamenei adviser: Attack on Israel was a

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  Egypt and Iran hold talks after attack on Israel

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi held a phone call on Sunday to discuss regional developments, according to Iran’s ISNA news agency. The talks came amid escalating tensions after Iran launched another missile attack on Israel, following earlier warnings that it would respond to what it described as Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the bombing of Beirut’s southern suburbs. According to the Iranian agency, Araghchi discussed with Abdelatty recent regional developments, Iran’s response to attacks by the “Zionist entity” on Lebanon, and what Tehran described as repeated violations of ceasefire agreements on all fronts. Earlier, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted Israel’s Ramat David Air Base in response to what it

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  Lawyers ask ICC to expand Palestine investigation to include “Sumud Flotilla” incident

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  A group of lawyers and international law experts has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to expand its ongoing investigation into the situation in Palestine to include allegations arising from Israel’s interception of the “Global Sumud Flotilla” in May. The request was submitted to the Office of the Prosecutor on 29th May as part of a broader legal filing seeking an investigation into the treatment of activists aboard the flotilla and the actions of Israeli officials involved in the operation. According to the submission, the flotilla consisted of around 50 vessels carrying 428 activists from 44 countries who said they were attempting to challenge the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. The filing concerns Israel’s interception of the flotilla in

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  Report: Mossad deputy chief dismissed following failed Iran operation

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  The deputy head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency has been dismissed after more than two decades of service, according to Israeli media reports that linked the move to a failed operation aimed at destabilising the Iranian government. Israel’s Channel 12 reported, citing two unnamed sources, that the deputy head had overseen a project launched about a year ago with a budget of one billion shekels (about $344m) and a team of hundreds of personnel. According to the report, the operation was intended to contribute to efforts to bring down the Iranian leadership. The sources told Channel 12 that the initiative failed to achieve its objectives. “As everyone already knows, the results were not up to par.” READ: Khamenei adviser: Attack on

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  Netanyahu meets US legal delegation amid growing international scrutiny of Israel

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met a delegation of senior legal advisers from the US administration on Sunday to discuss international legal challenges facing Israel, according to a statement from his office. The statement said the talks focused on what Netanyahu described as a “legal war” being waged against Israel, the United States and other countries engaged in counterterrorism operations. No further details were provided regarding the participants in the meeting or the specific legal issues discussed. The meeting comes as international legal scrutiny of Israel’s genocide in Gaza continues to intensify, including ongoing proceedings and investigations before the International Criminal Court (ICC). READ: Israeli flight diverts to Croatia after Slovenia denies landing Last month, a group of lawyers and international

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  Israel closes Gaza crossings after Iranian missile attacks

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Israeli authorities on Sunday evening closed all crossings into the Gaza Strip following Iranian missile attacks on Israel. The closure includes the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings and was implemented as part of security measures taken after the attacks. Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said the decision was based on security assessments conducted after the recent Iranian strikes. It said the closure would remain in place “until further notice” and applies to all crossings leading into Gaza. In a statement, COGAT claimed the measure would not affect the humanitarian situation in the enclave. It also said that the amount of food aid that has entered Gaza since the ceasefire began exceeds the population’s food requirements, according

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  Anger in Israel after Turkish interior minister says: ‘we will one day liberate Jerusalem’

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said during a conference of his ruling party that Turkey would one day regain control of Jerusalem. Speaking at a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Çorum province on Saturday, Çepik said: “Just as we witnessed the liberation of Damascus and Aleppo, we will, God willing, witness the liberation of Jerusalem one day.”  He added: “I still believe today that God will show us those days. He will certainly show them to us. I have believed this from the bottom of my heart, and I still do. Just as in the past, these places will return to us once again. They will, God willing, come back under our rule and

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  Oil prices jump as Iran-Israel tensions escalate

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Oil prices rose following the latest escalation in the Middle East. According to Reuters, US crude futures climbed by $2.57 to $93.11 a barrel, while Brent crude futures rose by $2.67 to $95.76 a barrel. The Israeli military said on Sunday evening that it had detected Iranian missiles launched towards Israeli targets, claiming that its air defence systems intercepted them. The incident followed Iranian threats to respond to an air strike that targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs. Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, said in a post on X that the Iranian attacks were intended as a warning and that any new Israeli actions would face a more severe response. The commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters also

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  Khamenei adviser: Attack on Israel was a warning message, any new move will face a more painful response

  by Mehdi Editor on June 8, 2026

  Iranian Supreme Leader adviser and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohsen Rezaei, said Iran’s missile attack on Israel was a response to violations of the ceasefire and attacks on Lebanon, warning that any further escalation would be met with a stronger response. In a post on X on Monday, Rezaei said Iran “repeatedly stated that it will not tolerate violations of the ceasefire and aggression against Lebanon”.    “Tonight, the aggressors received their response,” he said. “This response is a warning to stop their evil; any new action will be met with a more crushing response and heavier costs,” he added. READ: Strait of Hormuz maritime trade bears heavy brunt during 100 days of Iran war Meanwhile, IRGC

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  Iran says US naval blockade, support for Israel make American, Israeli assets ‘legitimate targets’

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Sunday that the US naval blockade against Iran and Washington’s support for Israel have turned American and Israeli bases and interests in the region into “legitimate targets,” Anadolu reports. In a post on the US social media company X following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs that killed at least two people and injured 11 others, Qalibaf accused the US of enabling the Israeli assaults. “The naval blockade against the Iranian nation and America’s green light today to the Zionist regime (Israel) turn American and regime bases and assets in the region into legitimate targets,” he wrote. “Our armed forces are always ready to respond,” he added. Qalibaf also accused the US and

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  Iran warns of ‘decisive’ response to Israeli strike on southern Beirut

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei on Sunday warned that Tehran would respond “decisively” to the latest Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, which killed at least two people and injured 11 others, Anadolu reports. Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, made the remarks in a post on the US social media platform X following the strike. “We will deliver a decisive and painful response to the Zionist regime’s attack on Dahiyeh,” he wrote. “These rabid dogs must be disciplined and put back in their place,” he added. READ: Israeli army launches airstrikes on Lebanese capital despite ceasefire Rezaei also appeared to hint at possible military action, saying: “Look at the skies over the occupied lands tonight.”

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  Israeli attacks across Gaza kill 10 Palestinians, wound 29 despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  Ten Palestinians were killed and 29 others injured in Israeli attacks on various areas of the Gaza Strip since Sunday morning, according to medical sources, as Israel continued its daily violations of the ceasefire agreement, Anadolu reports. In central Gaza City, four Palestinians were killed and seven others injured when an Israeli drone struck a civilian vehicle near Palestine Square in the Rimal neighborhood. The sources also said that 14-year-old Hadeel Ayman Jundi died of wounds sustained in an Israeli strike on Gaza City on Saturday. In the southern Gaza Strip, five Palestinians were killed and 17 others injured in an Israeli strike targeting a police post in the Al-Nass area west of Khan Younis. In northern Gaza, medical sources

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  The strategic value of Kurdish gas for Europe’s energy security

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  Europe’s Energy Challenge is Far From Over Europe has made significant progress in reducing its dependence on Russian natural gas since the outbreak of the Ukraine war. Through increased liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, expanded purchases from Norway, and greater reliance on the Southern Gas Corridor, European governments have managed to mitigate some of the vulnerabilities that once defined the continent’s energy landscape. Yet the notion that Europe’s energy security challenge has been resolved is misleading. Diversification is not a one-time achievement but a continuous strategic process. As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global energy markets, Europe must identify new sources of supply capable of strengthening resilience and reducing dependence on a limited number of producers and transit routes. In

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  Trump praises Syria’s leadership, says it is doing ‘good job’

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  US President Donald Trump praised Syria’s leadership for its efforts to restore stability, describing President Ahmad al-Sharaa as having done a “good job” in a short period of time, Anadolu reports. “Syria is doing a very good job of cleaning up their act,” Trump told NBC News in an interview aired Sunday. He highlighted al-Sharaa, who took office following the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024, as a “very good leader” who would be willing to assist in regional security efforts. Trump suggested Syria could play a role in facilitating more “surgical” strikes against Hezbollah, saying he wanted a “better life” for people in Lebanon. Syria did not immediately comment on Trump’s suggestion. Washington has already lifted several

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  Japan sets 3 conditions for joining Hormuz mission: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  Japan has set three conditions for joining a mission in the Strait of Hormuz, Kyodo News reported Sunday. Japan would require the US and Iran to agree to a ceasefire, communication channels with the Iranian side to be in place, and the threat level in the strait to be reduced before deploying its Self-Defense Forces, the report said, citing a source familiar with the matter. If those conditions are met, potential operations would include clearing abandoned mines and protecting commercial vessels, it added. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have held three phone calls since the war began in late February. READ: Strait of Hormuz maritime trade bears heavy brunt during 100 days of Iran war Regional

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  Spanish premier attends pro-Palestinian music festival

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attended Barcelona’s Primavera Sound music festival on Saturday, an event that has become known in recent years for its outspoken support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza, Anadolu reports. Among the concerts, Sanchez attended the headline performance by British band Gorillaz, which was preceded by a speech from Palestinian activist Arab Barghouti, the son of imprisoned Palestinian political leader Marwan Barghouti. Addressing the crowd, Barghouti thanked Barcelona and its residents for supporting Palestinians. Festivalgoers responded with chants of “Free Palestine.” After the event, Sanchez shared a video of the speech on Instagram and wrote: “Thank you for raising your voice.” The festival grounds also featured a large illuminated “No War” sign, while

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  The latest Indonesia-Qatar defence agreement needs deliverables, not diplomacy

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  Indonesia and Qatar this week signed a Statement of Intent on defense cooperation, paving the way for a formal Defense Cooperation Agreement covering military training, personnel exchanges, joint exercises, cybersecurity, and defense industrial collaboration. The agreement reflects a broader trend. Since President Prabowo Subianto took office, Indonesia has expanded engagement with Gulf countries through strategic dialogues, investment partnerships, and now defense cooperation. The problem is not the agreement itself. The problem is that Indonesia has signed many similar agreements before. Over the years, Jakarta has established defense partnerships with countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Most promised training, technology transfer, industrial cooperation, and capacity building. Some delivered meaningful results. Many produced little beyond ceremonial exchanges and

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  Palestinian factions, mediators resume Cairo talks on next phase of Gaza ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  Palestinian factions and mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye resumed talks in Cairo on Sunday for a second day of consultations aimed at advancing the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement amid continued Israeli violations, according to media reports. Citing unnamed sources, Egypt’s Cairo News TV reported that representatives of Palestinian factions and mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye “began a new round of meetings in Cairo aimed at discussing ways to implement the second phase of the Sharm El-Sheikh agreement.” The meeting includes representatives from all Palestinian factions, the sources said, without identifying the participants. The sources added that Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye are making intensive efforts to break the deadlock in implementing the provisions of the Sharm

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  Strait of Hormuz maritime trade bears heavy brunt during 100 days of Iran war

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  The Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global maritime trade, handled nearly 1,000 ships in the 100 days since the US-Israel-Iran war broke out in the region, marking a figure that the waterway would have seen in only a week under normal conditions, Anadolu reports. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway at the mouth of the Gulf, connecting Middle Eastern oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to global markets via the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The chokepoint accounted for 20% of the global daily oil consumption and liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade prior to Feb. 28, when the US and Israel preemptively attacked Iran and Tehran made subsequent retaliations, striking regional infrastructure. The waterway also

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  Trump vows to destroy Iranian uranium with or without deal

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Washington would ensure the destruction of Iran’s enriched uranium regardless of whether a diplomatic agreement is reached. “We’ll take it out and destroy it, whether it’s on-site or whether we take it off-site,” Trump told NBC News in an interview aired Sunday. He added that the US would act “with them, or without them.” Trump said the US would remove Iran’s enriched uranium “militarily, very harshly” if no agreement is reached, adding: “We won’t have people shooting at us” if the two sides “go together.” Speaking about US troops in the Middle East, the president said it would be “foolhardy” to withdraw them before a “completion” of negotiations. Trump also claimed there was a “good

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  Substituting Venezuelan oil for Persian Gulf oil: A geopolitical reality check

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  The idea of substituting Venezuelan oil for Persian Gulf oil has become more relevant as energy security is increasingly shaped by chokepoints, sanctions, and regional conflict. Persian Gulf producers remain central to global oil supply, but a large share of their exports depends on the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that oil flows through Hormuz averaged about 20 million barrels per day in 2024, equal to roughly one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption. This makes Hormuz not only a regional vulnerability, but a global energy-security risk.  Venezuela appears attractive in this context because it offers a major reserve base outside the Middle East. The country held approximately 303 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves in

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  Israeli army launches airstrikes on Lebanese capital despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  The Israeli army launched airstrikes on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday, despite an ongoing ceasefire. The strikes targeted two residential apartments in two buildings in the Hawta al-Ghadir area, causing several injuries, the state news agency NNA reported. An Anadolu reporter said Israeli fighter jets bombed the Dahiyeh area without prior warning. Smoke was seen rising from the targeted area. In a post on the US social media company X, Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed that the army targeted a Hezbollah infrastructure facility in the area. READ: Israeli strikes in Lebanon kills 10 people, including 3 Lebanese army members A joint statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed the

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  Pakistani interior minister meets Iran’s top diplomat in Tehran amid mediation efforts

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met in Tehran on Sunday with Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi amid Pakistan-led mediation efforts between Iran and the US to end their conflict, Anadolu reports. The two sides discussed the latest diplomatic developments in the Iran-US talks and the situation in the region, as well as bilateral issues, during the meeting, according to Araghchi’s Telegram channel. The Pakistani minister handed to Araghchi a written message from Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif addressed to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, it added. Naqvi arrived in Tehran on Saturday for talks with senior Iranian officials as part of Islamabad’s ongoing mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington. READ: US considers using Iranian assets to support reconstruction efforts in Gulf: Report

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  Israeli rights group calls for probe into rape of German journalist in central Israel prison

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  Israeli legal center Adalah on Sunday called for an investigation into the rape of a German journalist who participated in the 2025 Gaza-bound humanitarian aid mission Global Sumud Flotilla, Anadolu reports. In a statement, Adalah said it filed a complaint to the Israeli authorities, demanding “a criminal investigation into the serious testimony given by the European activist,” a German journalist. Citing the journalist’s testimony, Adalah said Israeli female prison guards at Givon Prison in Ramla, central Israel, ordered the German journalist to strip completely naked while male guards watched from behind a curtain. One of the female guards then sexually assaulted her, accompanied by the laughter of male guards, the center said. READ: Italian activists from Gaza humanitarian aid flotilla say

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  EU calls for ‘full accountability’ after another UNIFIL soldier killed in Lebanon

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  The EU foreign policy chief on Sunday condemned the killing of another UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) soldier earlier this week and renewed the bloc’s calls for accountability, Anadolu reports. In a statement, Kaja Kallas said the EU urges all actors to fully abide by the terms of the agreement between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah and reject “any additional conditions from Hezbollah.” The statement underlined that the Lebanese people are paying a “heavy and unacceptable” humanitarian and socio-economic price from the continued escalation and airstrikes. READ: French president confirms death of 2nd soldier after UNIFIL attack in Lebanon “The EU demands the full implementation of UNSCR (UN Security Council Resolution) 1701 calling for the respect of Lebanon’s sovereignty

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  Iran conflict takes heavy toll on global economy, trade in past 100 days

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  The global economy and trade growth is expected to massively slow down this year amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz affecting oil, natural gas, and fertilizer supplies over the past near-100 days since the US-Israel war with Iran began on Feb. 28, Anadolu reports. The armed conflict in the Middle East has led to major challenges for the global economy, not to mention the loss of human lives. Iran largely halted commercial maritime shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the US and Israel’s pre-emptive attacks on the country. Around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) gas trade, 30% of fertilizer trade, around 40% of urea supply, 50% of sulfur supply, and 30%

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  1 killed, 5 others wounded in central Israel shooting

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  One person was killed and five others were injured, including two in serious condition, in a shooting Sunday in Kochav Ya’ir area of central Israel, the MDA ambulance service said. The daily Yedioth Ahronoth said the injuries occurred at a gas station near Kokhav Ya’ir, another location in Tzur Yitzhak, and along Highway 5533. The daily said an Arab Israeli was shot dead, while security forces launched a manhunt for another suspect. The Israeli army said it received reports of several shooting incidents in the areas of Sal’it and Tzur Yitzhak and deployed forces there. READ: Palestinian infant killed, parents wounded in Israeli fire in occupied West Bank

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  Naksa at 59: The colonial war against Palestine never ended

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  June 2026 marks the 59th anniversary of the Naksa, the Arabic term meaning “setback” or “defeat”, used by Palestinians to describe the events of June 1967. More than a war between states, the Naksa represented a new stage in a colonial process that had begun decades earlier and continues to this day. The dominant narrative presents the so-called Six-Day War as a conventional conflict between Israel and neighbouring Arab states. This interpretation, however, ignores the central dimension of the Palestinian question: Palestine has been the site of a settler-colonial project based on land seizure, the displacement of the indigenous population, and the establishment of settler communities on occupied territory. The Nakba of 1948 expelled more than 750,000 Palestinians from their

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  Palestinian teen killed by Israeli naval fire in Gaza

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  A Palestinian teenager was killed on Sunday by Israeli naval fire off the coast of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports. The body of Muhammad Musa Abu Giab, 15, arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital after he was shot by Israeli warships, the source said. Giab worked as a fisherman, local sources added. Israeli naval vessels opened fire with machine guns at fishing boats, which killed him. Israeli warships also opened fire with machine guns and shells toward the coast of Gaza City in the northern part of the strip, with no casualties reported. READ: Israeli strike on tent sheltering displaced Palestinians kills 6 in Gaza City The bodies of two other Palestinians arrived at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza

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  US considers using Iranian assets to support reconstruction efforts in Gulf: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on June 7, 2026

  The US Treasury Department is considering the use of Iranian assets to support reconstruction efforts in Gulf countries affected by attacks attributed to Tehran during the ongoing conflict, a source familiar with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s views told CBS News on Saturday. The source said the department plans to explore all legal avenues to make Iranian assets available for rebuilding infrastructure and covering repair costs resulting from any future damage caused by Iran, according to the CBS report. Bessent has instructed Treasury officials to obtain detailed assessments from Gulf partners regarding the financial impact of damage linked to Iranian actions since the conflict began, the source added. READ: Iran demands release of $12 billion in frozen assets in potential deal with