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

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  Muslims pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque to mark 1st day of Eid al-Adha

  by MI on May 27, 2026

  The courtyards surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Wednesday – the first day of the four-day Eid al-Adha holiday – were packed with Muslim worshipers performing Eid prayers, Anadolu reports. Eid-al-Adha commemorates the readiness of Prophet Ibrahim — also known as Abraham to Christians and Jews — to sacrifice his son on God’s command. Muslims on this day sacrifice animals to remember Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice, and the meat from those animals is distributed to the poor in the community. This year’s Eid al-Adha holiday — one of the most important holidays in the Muslim calendar — comes amid continued Israeli violations of a ceasefire agreement in force since October 2025. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 880 people have been

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  Israeli airstrikes kill 31, wound 40 in southern Lebanon

  by MI on May 27, 2026

  At least 31 people were killed and 40 injured in Israeli airstrikes Tuesday in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Anadolu reports. The strikes targeted the towns of Burj al-Shamali, Kawthariyet El Riz, Habboush, Maarakeh and Selaa. Lebanon’s state news agency NNA reported that at least 10 people were killed, including women and children, in a single strike on Burj al-Shamali. The outlet also reported at least three airstrikes near the Qaraoun Dam in eastern Lebanon, home to the country’s largest water reservoir. The strikes came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to intensify attacks against Hezbollah over the group’s drone strikes against Israeli forces. Since March 2, Israel has been conducting an expanded offensive on Lebanon, killing

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  Iran restores global internet access after months of restrictions

  by Marwa A on May 26, 2026

  Iran has restored international internet access following months of restrictions imposed after nationwide protests in January and later intensified during the war with the US and Israel, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency on Tuesday, Anadolu reports. Tasnim reported that the process of lifting restrictions had begun following an order by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to return internet access to conditions that existed before January 2026. According to the report, users once again have access to international websites, while fixed broadband services, including FTTH, VDSL and ADSL, as well as mobile internet services, are now available without restrictions. Iran had imposed a near-total internet shutdown during protests on Jan. 8 and 9, severely disrupting both domestic and international connectivity

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  Israeli forces bulldoze land during incursion into Syria’s Quneitra countryside

  by Marwa A on May 26, 2026

  An Israeli force entered the village of Al-Rafid in the countryside of Syria’s Quneitra province on Tuesday and conducted bulldozing operations west of the village, according to Syria’s state news agency, SANA, Anadolu reports. SANA reported that an Israeli military bulldozer advanced toward the village in southern Quneitra before conducting land-clearing operations in areas west of Al-Rafid. Syrian authorities did not immediately respond to the incident, and the motives for the operations are still unclear. The incident comes amid continued Israeli violations of Syrian sovereignty, particularly in the south. Israeli forces have carried out near-daily airstrikes and ground incursions in southern Syria, including setting up checkpoints, searching civilians, raiding homes and detaining residents, among them children and shepherds. Following the

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  Netanyahu says Israel expanding ground offensive in Lebanon despite ceasefire

  by Marwa A on May 26, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel is expanding its military offensive in Lebanon with “large forces on the ground,” despite a US-announced ceasefire that remains in effect until early July, Anadolu reports. Netanyahu made the remarks at the start of a meeting of Israel’s Security Cabinet, according to a statement from his office. “We are deepening our operations in Lebanon, and the Israeli army is operating with large ground forces and controlling strategic areas,” Netanyahu said, without specifying the locations. He also claimed the army was “fortifying the security belt” to protect northern Israeli towns. The Israeli army has continued to violate the ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was later extended by the United

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  4 women killed in Israeli strike on southern Lebanon town despite ceasefire

  by Marwa A on May 26, 2026

  Four women were killed Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a house in the town of Maareke in southern Lebanon despite an ongoing ceasefire, Lebanese media reported, Anadolu reports. The state news agency NNA said civil defence teams recovered the bodies of four women from the rubble following the Israeli strike in the Tyre district. Rescue teams were continuing search operations for a missing family believed trapped beneath the debris of the destroyed building, the news agency added. Israel has continued attacks on Lebanon despite a US-mediated ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was extended for 45 days starting May 17. Earlier Tuesday, Israeli strikes on the southern Lebanese towns of Kherbet Selem and Srifa killed two people,

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  CENTCOM denies reports of US Navy escort operations in Strait of Hormuz

  by Marwa A on May 26, 2026

  The US Central Command (CENTCOM) denied media reports Tuesday that the American Navy resumed escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. In a statement on US social media company X, CENTCOM rejected claims that the “Project Freedom” initiative had restarted, saying US forces are not assisting commercial shipping through the strategic waterway. Earlier Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal, citing US military officials, reported that the navy guided a Greek supertanker carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil through the strategic waterway off the coast of Oman. The vessel had been stranded in the region since early March and is now bound for India to deliver its cargo, according to the US military officials cited in the report.

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  Israel continues attacks, illegal settlement activity despite ceasefire: Turkish president

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Even as the Muslim world seeks an atmosphere of peace, Israel continues its “occupation, destruction, massacres, and illegal settlement activities” from Gaza to the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Lebanon, flouting ceasefires that are in effect, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, Anadolu reports. In a message marking the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, Erdogan gave thanks to God for allowing Turkiye to reach another holiday in good health and peace of mind, but also lamented how the negative effects of the Iran war “triggered by Israel’s provocations” are being felt across multiple international sectors, including energy, agriculture, trade, transportation, economy and security. He said Turkiye continues to stand out as an oasis of stability even as the region

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  Iran demands release of $12 billion in frozen assets in potential deal with US

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Iran demands the release of $12 billion in frozen assets in a potential deal with the US and insists that another $12 billion “should be transferred within 60 days” of signing the agreement, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Tuesday. Iran’s top negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf visited Qatar on Monday for talks aimed at “securing access to $12 billion in the first phase, as well as removing obstacles,” Tasnim said, citing a source familiar with the matter. “Given past experiences regarding the release of Iranian funds in South Korea and Qatar, emphasis was placed on carefully monitoring the implementation process to avoid repeating previous issues,” the source said. READ: Middle East nations ‘will no longer be shield’ for

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  Middle East nations ‘will no longer be shield’ for US bases, Iran’s supreme leader says

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Tuesday that the nations of the Middle East “will no longer be a shield for American bases” and that Washington will no longer have a “safe haven” in the region, Anadolu reports. Khamenei’s remarks came in a statement issued to mark the climax of the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. He called on Muslim nations and other countries of the region “to pursue shared interests” for shaping a new regional and global order. “I sincerely invite all Islamic countries and governments to friendship and cooperation for the common good,” he added. The call comes amid Pakistan-led mediation efforts to put an end to the US-Israeli war on Iran that started

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  Manufacturing a substitute enemy: When Iran replaces Palestine in Arab media

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Gulf media do not merely report on Iran; by constantly amplifying the Iranian threat, they shift the Arab gaze from the wound of Palestine to a new form of security anxiety. What is the main threat in the Middle East: the occupation of Palestine or Iran? The answer to this question is not determined only in the arena of politics; the media also play a role in constructing it. Palestine remains the region’s open moral wound, yet part of the Gulf media, by constantly highlighting Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear program, and the military option, is shifting the Arab gaze away from Israeli occupation and war toward a new security anxiety. Criticising Iran is legitimate, but when Iran

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  Sheikh Ekrima Sabri warns of escalating threats to Al-Aqsa Mosque

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Ekrima Sabri warned on Monday of escalating dangers facing Al-Aqsa Mosque, calling on Arabs and Muslims to take urgent action to protect Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem. In statements reported by Sanad News Agency, Sabri said Al-Aqsa Mosque is facing increasingly serious threats because of continued actions by Israeli forces and settlers inside the compound. He specifically condemned an incident last Friday in which settlers entered the mosque compound and carried out religious rituals connected to the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, describing the event as dangerous and unprecedented. According to the reports, six settlers entered the compound after afternoon prayers through the Bab al-Ghawanima gate, assaulted one of the mosque guards and moved toward the Dome of the Rock while

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  Former ICC prosecutor says she faced pressure and threats over Palestine investigation

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda, said she was pressured and threatened in connection with investigations related to Palestine, including direct contacts from former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Bensouda said Cohen met her twice — in Munich and New York City — and explicitly requested that she halt investigations concerning Palestine. She described the request as direct interference in the work of the court. According to Bensouda, the pressure later escalated into indirect threats targeting members of her family. She said her husband was followed and information was gathered about him in what she believed was an attempt to influence her decisions. Bensouda stated that she informed Dutch authorities

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  Lapid attacks emerging Iran agreement and accuses Netanyahu government of repeated failures

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid sharply criticised the emerging agreement between the United States and Iran, describing it as “a disaster” and accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of failing across multiple regional conflicts. Speaking at a press conference in the Knesset in Jerusalem, Lapid said: “The agreement reached with Iran is a disaster. The political management of the entire event was extremely poor, and everything that should not have happened has happened.” He added that, from Israel’s perspective, the most serious issue was that “this agreement was written in our absence from the negotiating table.” Lapid’s comments followed reports by Axios citing US officials who said Washington and Tehran were close to an agreement that could include reopening the

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  Saudi source says normalisation with Israel still tied to Palestinian statehood

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  CNN reported, citing a Saudi source, that Saudi Arabia will not normalize relations with Israel unless there is what the source described as a “clear and irreversible path” toward establishing a Palestinian state. The reported Saudi position came after US President Donald Trump stated that countries in the Middle East would be expected to recognize Israel once a broader agreement with Iran is reached. According to the source cited by CNN, Saudi Arabia continues to maintain its longstanding position that normalization must be linked to credible progress toward Palestinian statehood. Trump had earlier written on social media that he expected Middle Eastern countries and others to join the Abraham Accords after a deal ending the conflict with Iran is finalized. READ: Qatar denies reports of $12bn offer to Iran to secure US

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  A peace that carries the scent of accepting reality

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  In international politics, the most important transformations do not always occur in the text of agreements. Sometimes the real transformation lies in the words that suddenly disappear; in red lines that gradually fade; and in silences that carry more meaning than any statement. The possible agreement between Tehran and Washington is precisely of this kind. No official document has yet been released, no final agreement has yet been signed, and even its details remain unclear. Yet the very language used by the American side, along with the political coordinates of the talks, suggests that the matter goes beyond a tactical understanding or a temporary ceasefire. What is now taking shape is the reflection of a gradual shift in America’s understanding

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  Trump links Iran negotiations to expansion of Abraham Accords

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  US President Donald Trump reportedly demanded that several Arab and Islamic countries join the Abraham Accords as part of broader regional arrangements connected to negotiations with Iran. According to Hebrew and American media reports, Trump published a statement on his Truth Social platform in which he linked progress on a possible nuclear agreement with Iran to expanding participation in the Abraham Accords. Trump reportedly said he had spoken over the weekend with several regional leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Emir of Qatar, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. He stated that after what he described as major US efforts in the region, there should

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  Israeli ministers call for escalation and strikes on Beirut

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Two senior ministers in the Israeli government called on Monday for a major military escalation in Lebanon following continued drone attacks attributed to Hezbollah. During a meeting of Israel’s Security Cabinet, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reportedly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to coordinate with US President Donald Trump and announce what he described as a “return to war in Lebanon.” According to reports, Ben-Gvir called for cutting electricity supplies to Lebanon, taking control of the Zahrani area, and resuming intensive military operations. READ: Netanyahu threatens to expand offensive in Lebanon as Washington signals support Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich went further by explicitly calling for strikes on Beirut in response to Hezbollah drone operations targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and

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  Resolutions are disconnected from the Palestinian reality

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  If Israel is not held accountable for colonialism, colonial violence and genocide, no amount of resolutions can provide even the slightest remedy for the Palestinian people. Last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted a resolution which will keep the institution busy with the collected data, but fail to change conditions on the ground for Palestinians.  WHO’s resolution, ‘Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem and in the occupied Syrian Golan’ requires monitoring, assessment and reporting on almost the entire spectrum of consequences as a result of colonial violence, including food insecurity and famine, starvation and its impact, and attacks on the health system. With regard to the latter, there is no mention of who carries out

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  Netanyahu visits Hadassah hospital amid ongoing questions over his health

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 76, visited Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem on Monday evening, according to Hebrew media reports. Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem this evening (Monday).” Netanyahu’s office claimed he was at the hospital for “dental treatment”, without providing further details, according to the report. The visit came days after Netanyahu revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer around a year and a half ago and had undergone radiation treatment. READ: Netanyahu threatens to expand offensive in Lebanon as Washington signals support The disclosure was made during statements and medical reports submitted to the Tel Aviv District Court as part of a lawsuit

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  Qatar denies reports of $12bn offer to Iran to secure US deal

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari has denied reports claiming that Doha had offered Iran $12 billion to help secure an agreement with the United States. In a post on X, Al Ansari said: “The reports suggesting Qatar “offered” $12 billion to Iran to secure a deal are simply not true.” He added that the allegations were being circulated by parties seeking to undermine the agreement and weaken diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and promoting stability in the region. Al Ansari said Qatar’s diplomatic efforts, carried out in coordination with regional partners, were “well known and clear”, adding that “such narratives are nothing more than desperate attempts to tarnish Qatar’s reputation as a trusted international peace facilitator.” READ: Qatar’s emir

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  Israel plans major troop reduction in southern Lebanon amid drone attacks

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Israeli media reported on Monday evening that the Israeli army is planning a major reduction in the number of its forces deployed in southern Lebanon in the near future, despite ongoing security tensions and the growing threat of explosive drones. According to the reports, thousands of Israeli soldiers have been stationed for several months in areas of southern Lebanon in what resembles a “security belt”, following the halt of ground operations under ceasefire understandings. The reports said the decision comes at a surprising time, particularly as no tangible progress has been made in the ongoing political negotiations with Lebanon. Hebrew media sources added that Israeli forces in the area are increasingly concerned about continued explosive drone attacks, which have killed

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  Netanyahu threatens to expand offensive in Lebanon as Washington signals support

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened on Monday evening to expand Israel’s military offensive in Lebanon. In a video statement, Netanyahu said: “We will not back down — quite the opposite. I said: press the accelerator in Lebanon. We will hit them, we will hit them head-on.” Netanyahu acknowledged that Hezbollah was using fibre-optic drones against Israel, saying: “It is true, they are launching drones at us, drones operating with fibre-optic technology.” He added: “We have a specialised team handling this matter.” Meanwhile, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid said in a post on X that a senior US official had indicated Washington would support an escalation in Israeli military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon. According to Ravid, the US remarks came

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  Herzog warns of ‘moral decline’ in Israel amid rising violence against Muslims and Christians

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  Israeli President Isaac Herzog has acknowledged growing violence and extremism within Jewish society against Muslims and Christians, criticising what he described as a “state of brutality and moral decline”. Herzog made the remarks on Sunday during the Jerusalem Unity Prize 2026 ceremony at the President’s residence in Jerusalem, according to Israel’s public broadcaster, where he addressed rising violence in Israeli society, including settler attacks and abuses against activists and religious figures. Without naming him directly, Herzog also criticised Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over the publication of a video showing the mistreatment of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which triggered widespread international condemnation. READ: Netanyahu allies push to bar Arab party from Israeli elections “We are witnessing a horrifying

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  US ambassador to Israel sparks controversy over remarks to Lebanese about tomatoes, mobile phones

  by MI on May 26, 2026

  US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sparked widespread controversy after calling on Lebanese people to “thank Israel for its contributions in technology and agriculture”. Speaking at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange during the Atlas Award 2026 ceremony, Huckabee said Lebanese people should thank Israel for its contributions to mobile phones, USB storage devices, car navigation systems, as well as cherry tomatoes and seedless watermelon. “I wonder if everyone in Lebanon understands that if there were no Israel, they wouldn’t have a cell phone,” the American diplomat said.  He added: “I wonder if they understand that every time they use a USB, every time they use car navigation, every time they eat a cherry tomato or have a delicious bite of seedless

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  The rise of China in Middle East politics

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  The Middle East is no longer shaped solely by the influence of Western powers. For decades, countries such as the United States, Britain and France dominated the political and strategic landscape of the region through military alliances, oil politics and diplomatic interventions. Today, however, a new global actor has steadily emerged with growing influence across the Middle East: China. China’s rise in Middle East politics represents one of the most significant geopolitical transformations of the 21st century. Unlike Western powers that historically relied heavily on military presence and political intervention, China has adopted a different strategy based on economic cooperation, infrastructure investment, energy diplomacy and political non-interference. This approach has enabled Beijing to build strong relations with rival states simultaneously,

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  The illusion of a political solution in Ali al-Zaidi and the Green Zone

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  There is a familiar analytical noise that rises with every new government in Iraq, a noise that feels like replaying an old recording at a higher volume, nothing more. What is happening today with Ali al-Zaidi’s government is no exception; it is a pale repetition of what we saw with Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and with those before him, and with those who will follow, so long as every prime minister is born from the same equation and bound by the same conditions that have governed the political process since 2003. All this noise manufactured on television screens—by commentators who hang their university degrees on the wall behind them—does not produce a single fruitful paragraph capable of convincing Iraqis that anything

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  Tensions rise inside Israeli coalition over compulsory military service law

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  Israeli media reported that ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, commonly referred to as the Haredim, informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that they reject efforts to advance a compulsory military service law. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, representatives of the Haredi parties told Netanyahu and coalition officials that they do not trust the government to manage the legislation in a way acceptable to them. The report quoted them as saying: “We absolutely do not trust that you will introduce the compulsory military service law.” The dispute centres on proposals concerning mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews, an issue that has repeatedly caused political crises inside Israeli governments. Israeli media said it remains unclear whether the Haredi parties aim merely to block introduction of

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  Médecins Sans Frontières step up efforts to address facial injuries in Gaza

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  At the only facility of its kind in the Gaza Strip, the technical team at Médecins Sans Frontières are intensifying efforts to create transparent plastic masks designed to reduce the visible impact of war injuries suffered by residents. The injuries sustained often leave scars, facial protrusions, and deformities — especially on the faces of children, who endure significant embarrassment and psychological distress within their communities because of these disfigurements. According to the technical supervisor, Mohammed Al-Qatrawi, “We are working with resources that are barely available, and the raw materials we use are locally sourced because of the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, we are doing our utmost to improve the conditions of war-related injuries and the various deformities

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  Iran says agreement with US could collapse over unresolved clauses

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  Iran stated on Sunday that a potential agreement with the United States to end the ongoing conflict could be cancelled because of what Tehran described as American obstruction regarding key clauses of the proposed deal. According to Tasnim News Agency, disagreements remain unresolved despite discussions held on Sunday, particularly concerning the release of frozen Iranian financial assets. Iranian affairs analyst Ali Hashem said that optimism surrounding a possible memorandum between Tehran and Washington had quickly faded as tensions re-emerged over unresolved issues. Citing an informed Iranian source, Hashem said Tehran believes Washington is retreating on two central matters: the mechanism for releasing frozen Iranian funds and the scope of a proposed ceasefire arrangement in Lebanon. According to the source, the

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  Egypt rejects involvement of non-Red Sea states in regional security arrangements

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  Egypt announced on Sunday that it rejects the involvement of non-Red Sea countries in security and political arrangements concerning the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The position was expressed by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during talks in Cairo with Yemeni Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shaya al-Zindani as part of the ninth round of the Egyptian-Yemeni strategic dialogue. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s support for the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen and its backing for Yemen’s internationally recognised government and state institutions. The discussions also focused on maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden amid growing regional tensions. Abdelatty stressed Egypt’s “categorical

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  Arab and Islamic states reject reported Somaliland move to open representation in Jerusalem

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  Fifteen Arab and Islamic countries jointly rejected plans by the self-declared Somaliland to open a “so-called embassy” in occupied Jerusalem and considered the move a “flagrant violation” of international law and UN resolutions. The joint statement, published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, was issued by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Djibouti, Somalia, Palestine, Oman, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon and Mauritania. The ministers condemned the “illegal and unacceptable” step by Somaliland, which lacks international recognition as a sovereign state. According to the statement, opening such a mission in occupied Jerusalem would constitute “a flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions” and would undermine the legal and historical status of

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  Israelis in north angry as army ‘abandons soldiers’ facing Hezbollah

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  Israeli media has reported that residents of Kiryat Shmona and local authority leaders in northern Israel accused Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the head of the Northern Command of abandoning Israeli soldiers in the confrontation with Hezbollah. In remarks carried by Israeli media, the local leaders addressed army commanders, saying: “We urge you to resign immediately. We do not know how to protect our soldiers and the north under these conditions,” referring to the continuing Hezbollah attacks that they said had caused heavy Israeli losses. Heads of local authorities and settlement councils in northern Israel also expressed growing concern over the emerging understandings between the United States and Iran, warning of their impact on the confrontation with Hezbollah along

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  Malaysia prepared to take Israel to ICJ over treatment of Gaza flotilla activists

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  The Malaysian government is prepared to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the alleged kidnapping and torture of activists from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla, local media reported Monday, Anadolu reports. Amirudin Shari, chief minister of the Malaysian state of Selangor, said Kuala Lumpur will initiate proceedings as soon as lawyers complete the collection of information and supporting evidence, the Malay Mail reported. Over 400 international activists aboard the flotilla, which aimed to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza to deliver aid, were attacked and detained by Israeli forces last week in international waters. “We will not remain silent, we will not stop. While the legal team gathers all documentation on violations of international

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  Forget Truman’s dog: The devastating new price of friendship with Tel Aviv

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  “If you want a friend in Washington, buy a dog,” former US President Harry Truman said once. His classic line has just got a modern, satirical upgrade, though. A quick-witted colleague recently wondered what the late president would say about courting Israel today. The answer? If you want a friend in Tel Aviv, skip the pet shop, and prepare to empty your bank account, alienate your voters and tank your entire economy. While framed as a dark political comment, this modern adage captures a growing, uncomfortable reality in Western foreign policy. The historical baseline of the US–Israel relationship has evolved from a mutually beneficial strategic partnership into an incredibly high-stakes, high-cost liability. When looking at the sheer momentum of today’s

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  Netanyahu allies push to bar Arab party from Israeli elections

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  Israeli Channel 13 has reported that figures close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are working to advance political and legal measures that could lead to banning the United Arab List party from taking part in the next elections. The channel said discussions within Netanyahu’s circle have focused on promoting action against the Islamic Movement, regarded as the parent movement of the United Arab List (Ra’am), over allegations that it transferred donations to Gaza during the war. According to Channel 13, citing two unnamed sources close to Netanyahu, the move would require legislation in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, as well as assessments and positions from Israeli security bodies, led by the Shin Bet internal security agency. The report added that the

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  Iran rejects linking frozen assets to nuclear talks with US

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  Iran does not accept linking the release of its frozen assets to the issue of enriched nuclear materials, Iranian news agency Tasnim quoted informed sources as saying. The agency cited the sources as saying that Tehran “has made it clear that no agreement will be reached without the release of a specified portion of its frozen assets in the very first step.” They added that Iran has not made any commitments at this stage regarding the details of the nuclear file. “No final understanding has been reached with the United States so far, and disagreements remain over some clauses,” the sources said. FACTBOX – Iranian, US versions of potential agreement proposals

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  Republican Senator Graham warns Saudi Arabia of ‘severe consequences’ if it does not join Abraham Accords

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  US Senator Lindsey Graham said Saudi Arabia and other countries would face “severe repercussions” if they did not join the Abraham Accords with Israel in the event of an agreement between Tehran and Washington. In a post on X, Graham said: “If in fact as a result of these negotiations to end the Iranian conflict, our Arab and Muslim allies in the region agreed to join the Abraham Accords, it would make this agreement one of the most consequential in the history of the Middle East.” The Republican senator said that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan joining the accords “would be beyond transformative for the region and world,” describing it as a “brilliant move” by US President Donald Trump. Addressing

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  Trump seeks Arab-Israeli peace deals after Iran war, report says

  by Marwa A on May 25, 2026

  US President Donald Trump told a group of Arab and Muslim leaders during a joint call on Saturday that he wants their countries to join the so-called Abraham Accords and sign peace treaties with Israel if an agreement is reached to end the war against Iran, according to a report. Israeli Channel 12 reported on Sunday evening, citing two US officials familiar with the call, that Trump spoke with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain to discuss the expected agreement with Iran. According to the report, Trump’s remarks during the call “point to the next major step he wants to take in the Middle East” after the war with Iran. It

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  FACTBOX – Iranian, US versions of potential agreement proposals

  by MI on May 24, 2026

  Both the US and Iran have recently signaled progress on efforts to reach a deal to end their conflict, though their accounts of its terms differ on some issues across respective media narratives, Anadolu reports. US President Donald Trump on Saturday said an agreement with Iran to end the war was “largely negotiated” and awaited finalization. On Sunday morning, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency also published a report on the details of a potential agreement. However, certain aspects of what has been agreed seem to diverge. Here is a comparison of the US and Iranian versions of the deal by key issues. Strait of Hormuz Citing a US official, Axios said the deal that Washington and Tehran are close to signing would

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  Israeli strikes kill 14, wound several in southern Lebanon in latest ceasefire violation

  by MI on May 24, 2026

  At least 14 people were killed and several others wounded in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday amid continued violations of an ongoing ceasefire, Anadolu reports. The Lebanese Health Ministry said 11 people were killed and nine others injured in an Israeli strike on the town of Seir al-Gharbiyeh in Nabatieh province in southern Lebanon. A fighter jet struck the town of Bazouriyeh in the Tyre district, killing one person and injuring two others, the state news agency NNA reported. An Israeli drone strike also killed a young man in the town of Arabsalim in Nabatieh district, the outlet said. A house was also hit in an Israeli strike in the town of Toura in Tyre, killing a woman and injuring

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  US official says Washington, Tehran reach preliminary deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz: Reports

  by MI on May 24, 2026

  The US and Iran have agreed in principle to a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for Tehran’s commitment to dispose of its highly enriched uranium, a US official said, according to a report by The New York Times on Sunday. The official said that the agreement has not yet been signed and remains subject to final approval by US President Donald Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, a process that could take several days, noting that the method for disposing of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is still being negotiated. The proposed deal does not address Iran’s missile stockpile nor include a moratorium on uranium enrichment, the official said, adding that these issues are expected

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  5 Palestinians killed, 5 injured by Israeli fire in Gaza

  by MI on May 24, 2026

  Five Palestinians, including three members of the same family, were killed and five others injured in fresh Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Sunday amid daily violations of an ongoing ceasefire, medical sources said. One of the Palestinians was killed by Israeli gunfire in the center of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza and his body was transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital in western Gaza City, the sources told Anadolu. A couple and their child were also killed, and three others were wounded in an Israeli airstrike that targeted their home in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, the sources added. In a separate incident, the sources said a child died from injuries sustained in an Israeli strike that

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  Iran ready to reassure world it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, president says

  by MI on May 24, 2026

  Iran is ready to reassure the international community that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons or instability in the region, President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday, Anadolu reports. “Prior to the martyrdom of Ayatollah (Ali) Khamenei, Iran’s late Leader, we declared — and we reiterate now — that we are ready to assure the world we do not seek nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian said in remarks carried by state-run news agency IRNA. “It is rather Tel Aviv that is driving regional instability,” he said, accusing Israel of pursuing a vision of “Greater Israel.” Iranian negotiators will never compromise on the country’s “honor and dignity,” added Pezeshkian. His remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump on Saturday said an agreement with Iran

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  Trump says Iran talks ‘constructive’ but blockade will remain until final deal is reached

  by MI on May 24, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Sunday that negotiations with Iran are “orderly and constructive” and vowed the blockade will remain in place until a final agreement is reached, Anadolu reports. “The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed. Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes!,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. He also said US-Iran relations are becoming “much more professional and productive,” while warning that Tehran must not develop or acquire a nuclear weapon. Trump further thanked Middle Eastern countries for their “support and cooperation,” saying engagement would be strengthened through broader participation in the Abraham Accords, and

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  Escape or escalate: Trump’s tactical crossroads in the Iran conflict

  by MI on May 24, 2026

  The war that Donald Trump declared won last month looks rather different from the inside of the Pentagon. The resulting stalemate has drained American military stockpiles, emboldened Iranian commanders, and left the US with far worse options than before the conflict began. The administration’s triumphalist framing has struck a jarring note among those who have spent careers studying the Iranian military and the limits of American power projection. Declaring victory when the enemy is still standing, still armed, and still controlling the waterway you went to war over is not a strategy. It is a wish dressed up as a press release. At the heart of the impasse are two demands that Tehran has consistently and categorically rejected. Iran will

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  18 countries condemn Somaliland move to open ‘embassy’ in occupied Jerusalem

  by MI on May 24, 2026

  The foreign ministers of Turkiye and 17 other countries strongly condemned the “illegal and unacceptable” move by the breakaway Somaliland region to open a so-called embassy in occupied Jerusalem, Anadolu reports. A joint statement was issued by the foreign ministers of Turkiye, Algeria, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. “The ministers condemn in the strongest terms the illegal and unacceptable step taken by the so-called ‘Somaliland’ region in opening a purported ‘embassy’ in occupied Jerusalem,” the statement said. It said the move constituted a “flagrant violation” of international law and relevant international resolutions, and represented a direct infringement on the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem. READ: Israel approves first

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  Iran shoots down Israeli spy drone in country’s south: Report

  by MI on May 24, 2026

  Iranian air defenses have shot down an Israeli surveillance drone over the country’s southern Hormozgan province, Iran’s semi-official news agency Mehr reported on Sunday. The wreckage of a destroyed Orbiter drone was found in coordination with Iranian naval forces, the outlet added. Israel has yet to comment on the report. The development came after US President Donald Trump on Saturday said an agreement with Iran to end the war was “largely negotiated” and awaited finalization. Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran in February. Tehran retaliated with strikes targeting Israel as well as US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect on April 8

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  Israeli premier expresses concern over US handling of Iran nuclear file in call with Trump: Report

  by MI on May 24, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern over the US administration’s handling of Iran’s nuclear file during a phone call with President Donald Trump, according to Israeli media on Sunday, Anadolu reports. Netanyahu also voiced worries over a possible linkage of a ceasefire in Lebanon and a potential US-Iran agreement, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported, citing an informed Israeli source. This came after Trump on Saturday said an agreement with Iran to end the war was “largely negotiated” and awaited finalization, following Pakistani army chief Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran, his second in recent weeks. Netanyahu and the Israeli security establishment believe that “the Iranians are stalling to buy time, and that Tehran will announce its unwillingness to make concession after 60

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  EU Commission chief welcomes progress toward US-Iran deal

  by MI on May 24, 2026

  European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday welcomed progress toward a possible agreement between the US and Iran, stressing the need for a deal that would reduce tensions and prevent further escalation in the region, Anadolu reports. “I welcome the progress towards an agreement between the US and Iran. We need a deal that truly de-escalates the conflict, reopens the Strait of Hormuz and guarantees toll free full freedom of navigation,” von der Leyen said through the US social media company X. She reiterated that Iran “must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon” and called on Tehran to end actions she described as “destabilizing in the region, directly or through proxies, as well as its unjustified and