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

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  Humanitarian aid to Gaza drops sharply amid crossing restrictions

  by MI on March 13, 2026

  Humanitarian and food aid entering the Gaza Strip has sharply declined due to continued Israeli restrictions on border crossings, deepening the humanitarian crisis facing more than 2.4 million Palestinians in the enclave. Dr Ismail al-Thawabta, Director General of the Government Media Office in Gaza, said that the crossings have been operating only on a very limited basis in recent weeks and that the aid reaching the Strip represents only a small portion of what is needed. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, al-Thawabta explained that Gaza has received only 640 aid trucks out of the 6,000 trucks that were expected to enter during the recent period under existing understandings. READ: Hamas accuses Israel of escalating attacks and massacres in Gaza He said this

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  Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 9 March

  by MI on March 13, 2026

  MEMO spoke to Motasem A Dalloul, a survivor of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, in the first of a new series of regular updates from the ground. Dalloul describes the daily struggle to survive: hunger, cold, the collapse of healthcare, and ongoing Israeli violations despite the so-called ceasefire. WATCH: Gaza: On The Ground with Motasem A Dalloul | Week 23 Feb

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  US tanker aircraft crashes in Iraq; Iran says it was hit by “resistance” missiles

  by MI on March 13, 2026

  The US Central Command said a US refuelling aircraft has crashed in western Iraq, stressing that the incident was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire. It added that rescue efforts are continuing. In a statement released late on Thursday night, the command said the aircraft was a KC-135 tanker. It crashed while flying in “friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury” against Iran.  The statement added that two aircraft were involved in the incident: one crashed in western Iraq, while the other landed safely. Meanwhile, Iranian state television quoted the Khatam al-Anbiya air defence headquarters as saying that a US aircraft had been shot down in western Iraq by missiles fired by resistance factions, killing its crew. Earlier, Iran’s

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  Iran warns of regional blackout if its power grid is attacked

  by MI on March 13, 2026

  Iran has warned that any attack on its electrical infrastructure could trigger retaliatory strikes on energy systems across the region. Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said that if Iran’s power grid were targeted, Tehran could respond by causing widespread disruption to energy networks in neighbouring countries. “Of course, if he takes such an action, the entire region will experience a complete blackout within half an hour,” Larijani said, responding to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump. Trump had previously claimed that he could destroy Iran’s electrical infrastructure within an hour, statements that Tehran described as a direct threat. READ: Iran’s new supreme leader vows to keep Strait of Hormuz closed Larijani said such an escalation could

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  Houthi leader vows support for Iran, says group ready for any escalation

  by MI on March 13, 2026

  The leader of Yemen’s Houthi movement, Abdul-malik al-Houthi, said on Thursday evening that his group was ready for any developments in the ongoing confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran, stressing that it would stand with Tehran against what he described as US-Israeli aggression. In a televised speech broadcast by the group’s Al-Masirah channel, he said: “From the beginning we have stressed that the aggression against Iran is a targeting of the entire region and a war against Islam and Muslims.” Al-Houthi added that the Houthis considered themselves directly concerned and would take a position alongside the Islamic Republic of Iran, saying the group stands “with it against all our enemies”. READ: Houthi- and Hezbollah-linked group threatens to target Barakah

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  War with Iran: How it began, how it may end, and the future of alliances in West Asia

  by MI on March 13, 2026

  War rarely begins with a single event. More often than not, it emerges from years of mounting tensions, failed diplomacy and strategic miscalculations. The current war against Iran is no exception. What appears today as an open military confrontation is the culmination of a long process: the erosion of diplomatic frameworks, intensifying regional rivalries, and a shifting balance of power across West Asia. Yet the significance of this conflict extends beyond the battlefield. The war with Iran is likely to reshape the region’s political and security architecture, potentially altering alliances and strategic alignments for years to come. The road to war The path to the current war was not linear. Rather, it resembled a recurring spiral of confrontation, diplomacy, partial

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  TotalEnergies announces halt to oil production in Qatar, Iraq and the UAE

  by MI on March 13, 2026

  TotalEnergies said on its investor website on Thursday that the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran is expected to reduce the company’s global oil production by 15 per cent. The French oil ​major said it has stopped, or is in the process of stopping, production at several sites in the Middle East, including locations in Qatar and Iraq as well as offshore fields in the United Arab Emirates, because of the military escalation in the region. TotalEnergies added that rising oil prices caused by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran would largely offset the production losses in the Middle East. This would limit the direct financial impact on the company and reduce the effect of the partial disruption to supplies. READ: In humiliation

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  Netherlands, Iceland join genocide case against Israel

  by MI on March 13, 2026

  The Netherlands and Iceland have joined a case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague accusing Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. The court announced the move on Thursday. In its declaration of intervention, the Netherlands said that forced displacement, starvation, denial of aid, and acts committed against children may be considered acts of genocide. It added that such actions “may play an important role in determining the intent to commit genocide”. The two countries are parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which allows states to intervene in cases before the court when questions arise concerning a treaty to which they are signatories.

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  Report: Washington gives Israel one week to end Iran war

  by MI on March 13, 2026

  A newspaper has quoted a source as saying that a change of regime in Tehran is unlikely in the near future, because it would require either a ground military intervention or a return of large-scale internal protests, which currently do not appear likely. The source also pointed to a major difference in how Washington and Tel Aviv assess the war. The US administration is mainly concerned about the impact of the conflict on oil prices and the global economy, while Israel claims that its military operations have achieved significant gains. Earlier yesterday, the newspaper Politico reported that the administration of US President Donald Trump had not carried out a thorough assessment of the consequences of the conflict with Iran when

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  The prophecy and the profiteers: How Lindsey Graham, Paula White-Cain and Netanyahu sold America a holy war

  by MI on March 13, 2026

  In mid-February 2026, Senator Lindsey Graham stood before cameras in Tel Aviv and delivered what he called one of his ‘most consequential messages of his political career.  The United States, he declared, was ‘weeks, not months’ from a decision on Iran.  There was ‘no light’ [meaning total strategic alliance] between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. They were of ‘one mind’ about ‘what to do and how to do it’. Just one month earlier, during a January visit to Jerusalem, Graham had laid out the full vision. Israel, he announced, was developing ‘weapons that will change the future of warfare’. He envisioned a US-Israeli 21st century project akin to the Manhattan Project.  And then came the phrase that should leave

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  Is Israel becoming a strategic liability for the US?

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Indicators are mounting that the world is heading toward an era of multipolarity, signaling the twilight of the age of singular American hegemony and a redistribution of global power among multiple actors. The Chinese economy has expanded, approaching the size of the European Union’s economy and two-thirds that of the United States. China has emerged as a formidable technological leader; within just a few years, it has doubled the size of its nuclear arsenal while meticulously refining its conventional military capabilities. Meanwhile, the Russian-Ukrainian War has demonstrated Russia’s readiness to wage war, even to redraw borders, in defense of its national interests as a global power.  Furthermore, the BRICS bloc has expanded to include additional nations, thereby bolstering a system

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  Friends of Al-Aqsa urge leaders of Muslim-dominant countries to impose diplomatic and economic sanctions on Israel

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA) have today welcomed the recent joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of the UAE, Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar condemning Israel’s closure of Masjid Al-Aqsa.  The organisation, however, pointed out that while these concerns are important, they are obliged to emphasise that statements alone are not enough given the serious and growing threats facing Masjid Al-Aqsa. A statement issued by FOA said “The closure of Masjid Al-Aqsa does not occur in isolation. It comes in the shadow of the devastating genocide unfolding in Gaza, the seizure of administrative control of the Ibrahimi Masjid in Al-Khalil (Hebron), and increasingly open calls by prominent Israeli political and ideological figures for the destruction of the

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  Israeli officials mull large-scale ground operation in Lebanon within a week: Report

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Israeli officials are holding discussions regarding the launch of a large-scale ground operation in Lebanon, which could take place within a week, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said on Thursday. The aim of the operation “is to take control of southern Lebanon and establish key deployment points there,” KAN said. Israel’s Security Cabinet is set to convene later Thursday “to discuss the extent of the army’s advance into Lebanon and the proposed duration of the operation,” KAN said, citing an Israeli source. On March 2, Lebanese group Hezbollah began attacking Israeli military sites in response to repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the killing of Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike. Israel retaliated by launching a military campaign

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  UN experts denounce military aggression against Iran, Lebanon

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  UN experts condemned the military assaults on Iran and Lebanon by the US and Israel on Thursday as “flagrant violations of international law,” Anadolu reports. “The conflict risks engulfing the wider region in catastrophic armed violence and threatens to set yet another precedent of total impunity for some of the world’s strongest military powers,” the experts said in a statement. They stressed that the unprovoked attack by the US and Israel against Iran is “entirely illegal” under international law and constitutes an act of aggression. “US and Israel should stop waging and expanding wars, and considering themselves as above international legality,” the statement noted. The experts expressed alarm at the US demand for Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” warning that the move

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  UAE says it intercepted 278 ballistic missiles, 1,540 drones since start of Iranian attacks

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates said Thursday that air defenses engaged 278 ballistic missiles, 1,540 drones, and 15 cruise missiles since the outset of Iranian attacks late last month, Anadolu reports. Air defenses also shot down 10 ballistic missiles and 26 drones on Thursday, the Defense Ministry said on US social media company X. The attacks killed six people, including Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi nationals, and injured 131 others, including Turkish, Egyptian, and Pakistani nationals among others. The UAE “remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats, and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry

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  US-Israeli attack on Iran pushed region toward critical breaking point: UN chief

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday said attacks launched by the US and Israel against Iran have affected several countries and pushed the region toward a critical breaking point, Anadolu reports. Guterres delivered the remarks during the Ataturk International Peace Prize ceremony at the Presidential Complex, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented him with the award. He warned that the escalation in the Middle East is disrupting trade, increasing energy prices and fueling instability, particularly affecting poor and vulnerable populations. Emphasizing that dialogue and de-escalation remain the only viable path forward, Guterres called on all parties to abandon hostilities, protect civilians under international law and return to negotiations. Highlighting Turkiye’s role in hosting refugees, the UN chief said the

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  Italy plans withdrawal of troops from Erbil base: Defense minister

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Italy is organizing the return of troops stationed at its military base in Erbil, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Thursday, noting that the withdrawal of the remaining contingent had already been planned before a missile struck the facility, Anadolu reports. “A missile hit our base in Erbil. There are no casualties or injuries among the Italian personnel. They are all safe,” Crosetto said, cited by ANSA news agency. Crosetto noted that Italy had already begun reducing its military presence in the region due to security concerns. According to the minister, 102 personnel have already returned to Italy, while about 40 others have been relocated to Jordan. “A return of the current 141 was already being planned,” he said, explaining that

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  Israeli strike kills 2 senior academics at Lebanese University in Beirut

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Israel on Thursday bombed the Lebanese University, killing two senior academics, Lebanon’s state-run media reported. The director of the faculty of sciences at the south Beirut campus of the Lebanese University, Hussein Bazzi, and Professor Mortada Srour were killed by the Israeli bombing that targeted the university, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported. The targeted faculty of sciences was located in a southern suburb of the capital Beirut. On March 2, Lebanese group Hezbollah began attacking Israeli military sites in response to repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the killing of Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike. Israel retaliated by launching a military campaign in Lebanon, carrying out airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and areas in the

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  Spain says US threats ‘make no sense,’ warns coercion against Madrid would target entire EU

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Spain’s foreign minister on Thursday dismissed threats from US President Donald Trump of possible trade measures against Spain, saying any action against Madrid would make “no sense” and would effectively target the entire EU, Anadolu reports. “The commercial policy of the European Union is a common policy and the one that has the competencies in trade policy, which is the Commission, has made it very clear: any attempt of aggression against a country or commercial coercion against a country of the European Union is obviously against the entire single market and all the countries of the European Union,” Jose Manuel Albares told RTVE. Asked whether the US could take action against Spain, Albares said it is a question that Trump

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  Trump says Iran ‘welcome’ at World Cup, warns against attending for their ‘life and safety’

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran’s national football team is welcome to compete in this summer’s World Cup but warned it may not be safe for them to do so, Anadolu reports. “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” he wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Trump had reaffirmed that Iran is welcome, adding that the World Cup was needed “now more than ever” to bring people together. “Football unites the world,” Infantino said in a statement. Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali had already said the country would not take part, citing the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

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  Israel drops charges against 5 soldiers accused of sexually assaulting Palestinian detainee

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  The Israeli military prosecution on Thursday canceled the indictment of five soldiers accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the notorious Sde Teiman prison in southern Israel, Anadolu reports. “In light of significant developments that have occurred since the indictment was filed in the Yemen Field case, the military prosecution has decided today to cancel the indictment,” the Israeli army said in a statement. The torture case dates back to July 2025, when Israeli soldiers tortured and sexually assaulted a Palestinian prisoner at the Sde Teiman detention facility, causing serious injuries and a tear in the rectum. Earlier, the Israeli media outlets, including the public broadcaster KAN, claimed that Israel released the tortured detainee on Oct. 13, 2025, to

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  Fire breaks out aboard USS Gerald R. Ford in Red Sea; carrier operational: US

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  The US Naval Forces Central Command said Thursday that a fire broke out aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier while the ship was operating in the Red Sea in support of operations in Iran, Anadolu reports. “On March 12, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) experienced a fire that originated in the ship’s main laundry spaces. The cause of the fire was not combat-related and is contained,” the command said on US social media company X. There is no damage to the ship’s propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains “fully” operational, it added. Two sailors sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and are receiving medical treatment, the command said. READ: US denies Iranian claim USS Abraham Lincoln was

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  Iran’s new supreme leader vows to keep Strait of Hormuz closed

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, announced on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz must remain closed as the action has been taken in retaliation for the US-Israeli strikes that began on Feb. 28, Anadolu reports. “The desire of the masses of the people is the continuation of effective and regret-inducing defense,” Khamenei added in his first public message since his appointment as the supreme leader, according to Iran’s state-run media. Iran has made assessments on opening other fronts as part of the ongoing conflict, “where the enemy has little experience and where it would be highly vulnerable,” Khamenei noted. Activating these fronts might take place “if the war situation persists and in accordance with the considerations of national interest,”

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  Creating impunity through diplomatic statements

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Settler violence in the occupied West Bank is unacceptable, the EU and the UK stated yesterday. “Impunity for such acts risks provoking further violence,” an EU spokesperson stated, while referencing the killings of six Palestinians since 28th February by “extremist Israeli settlers.” Germany’s spokesman for Berlin’s Foreign Office called the killings “incidents”, adding, “The fact that five Palestinians were killed in just one week is indeed a sad climax.” It is a continuation, not a single escalation, of state and settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. In just over two years since 7th October 2023, Israeli settlers killed 1,121 Palestinians. Another 11,700 were injured by settlers and Israeli forces; the latter also arresting almost 22,000 Palestinians. The

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  In humiliation for US, Iran sending oil to China through Hormuz

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  In what appears to be a significant setback for the White House’s pressure campaign against Tehran, Iran has continued exporting large volumes of crude oil to China through the Strait of Hormuz despite the US-Israeli attack and repeated warnings that the vital waterway could become unusable.  Tanker tracking data shows Iran shipped between 13.7 million and 16.5 million barrels of crude from 28 February to 11 March, equal to roughly 1.1 million to 1.5 million barrels per day. That is below Iran’s pre-war February surge, but still close to last year’s average. The figures are striking because the broader Strait of Hormuz has been thrown into chaos since the war began on 28 February. Non-Iranian vessel movements through the passage

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  If Palestinian lives matter, violence in Gaza cannot be normalized

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Indonesian diplomat Aloysius Selwas Taborat recently responded to our article titled “Indonesia’s cabinet secretary is sanitizing genocide in Gaza.” His response argues that our criticism of Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya misrepresents a factual observation about declining casualty numbers and misunderstands the realities of diplomacy. The disagreement, however, is not about statistics or the complexity of diplomacy. It concerns how mass civilian suffering is framed in public discourse. Mr. Taborat argues that recognizing declining casualty figures simply reflects factual observation and may suggest that diplomacy is helping reduce hostilities. According to his reasoning, acknowledging that deaths have decreased from tens of thousands to lower figures does not imply that remaining casualties are acceptable but rather indicates that diplomatic efforts may

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  Gaza shows how the US-Israeli war on Iran is reshaping existing fronts

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  While most international analysis remains focused on the implications of the U.S.-Israeli escalation against Iran —from deterrence to the risk of a wider confrontation— Gaza reveals another dimension of this war. A new regional front does not simply add another battlefield. It reshapes those already burning. Gaza offers a clear example: an existing front, already under sustained war, now affected by the reprioritisation of security and political calculations produced by the broader escalation. This has been visible on the ground. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted that the “escalation across the Middle East” had an “immediate impact” on the occupied Palestinian territory, including Gaza. This is one reason Gaza matters for understanding the current war. The

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  The war on Iran started with missiles, but oil price can end it

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  The war began with airstrikes and missiles. But the turning point may come from the economy. In this fight, Iran is trying to win by raising the cost, and oil is its strongest card. Iran’s idea is simple: it cannot match the United States in air power or spending, so it will make the war expensive until Washington and the world feel the pressure. That is why oil prices matter more than speeches. A military campaign can last for weeks. A jump in fuel prices creates political trouble every day. Iran is trying to widen the confrontation and keep markets nervous. The goal is not only to hit targets, but to turn the Gulf into a risk zone. When the

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  Citi evacuates Dubai offices amid Iranian threats against US-linked banks

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  US financial services group Citi has asked employees in Dubai to evacuate its offices due to heightened security concerns following Iranian threats to target US- and Israeli-linked financial institutions in the region. According to a source familiar with the situation, employees were instructed on Wednesday to leave Citi offices located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Oud Metha district. Employees working for two other companies in the DIFC also told AFP that they had evacuated their offices as a precautionary measure after the threats. In a related development, two sources told Reuters that the British bank Standard Chartered had also begun evacuating staff from its Dubai offices as financial institutions increased security measures. READ: US Embassy in Baghdad

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  Israeli officials say overthrowing Iran’s regime could take a year

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Israeli government officials have acknowledged the difficulty of toppling Iran’s ruling system, describing regime change as a complex and uncertain objective that could take around a year. According to the Israeli public broadcaster Kan, unnamed ministers and senior officials made the remarks following a security briefing on Tuesday evening, where they discussed possible outcomes of the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran. The officials reportedly said that replacing the Iranian regime would be a complicated process, adding that any internal political change would ultimately depend on developments inside Iran. “The next stage will be the responsibility of the Iranian people,” the officials said, in comments seen as an attempt to encourage internal opposition. However, Israeli security sources

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  Shadows of deception: False-flag risks in the Israel–Iran Conflict

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  The concept of a false flag operation, though often dismissed as the stuff of thrillers, is a recognised tactic in security studies and international relations. It occurs when an actor—usually a state, intelligence service, or military entity—carries out an attack but engineers circumstances to make it appear as though another party is responsible. The aim is typically to generate public indignation, compel reluctant allies to intervene, or furnish a defensible rationale for escalation that masks the true initiator. In the present Israel–Iran war, which erupted on 28th February 2026, with joint US–Israeli airstrikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and struck key regime facilities, allegations of false-flag activity have become a prominent feature of the discourse. As of 9th

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  Iran strikes Israeli, US sites as Israel claims attack on Iranian ‘nuclear weapons’ compound

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Iran said Thursday it launched new attacks on Israeli military sites and US bases in the region, while Israel claimed to have struck an Iranian site it said was linked to Iran’s “nuclear weapons development program,” Anadolu reports. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement that the attacks targeted military sites around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as well as US military bases in the region. It said the operation involved the use of Khorramshahr multi-warhead missiles and Kheibar Shekan missiles carrying a one-ton warhead, as well as Fattah and Qader missiles, in addition to suicide drones. The Israeli army, for its part, said in a statement that it carried out a strike in Tehran on an additional site

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  Bank of Israel warns deficit could widen amid wartime spending

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  The Bank of Israel has urged the government to reduce coalition funds and avoid introducing new programmes unrelated to the war effort, warning that recent fiscal decisions could significantly widen the national deficit. The warning came after the Israeli government approved budget amendments and an increase in the deficit to finance the ongoing war with Iran. According to the business newspaper The Marker, the central bank expressed concern that expanding the deficit while simultaneously approving tax reductions could lead to a rising public debt ratio in the coming years. This, it said, could increase the burden of interest payments and limit the government’s fiscal flexibility. READ: US spends over $11 billion in first week of war against Iran Despite being legally

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  The dangerous logic of false flags: How Israel could draw allies into a wider war

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Over the past ten days, West Asia has been engulfed in a conflict whose consequences are already rippling far beyond the battlefields. After the United States and Israel launched a joint air assault on targets inside Iran, Tehran responded by declaring not only Israeli territory but also American military bases legitimate targets for retaliation. Those bases are scattered across the Arab states of the Persian Gulf—installed decades ago, now woven into the region’s political geography. During the twelve-day exchange between Iran and Israel, they functioned as a quiet nervous system: gathering intelligence, feeding radar data, supporting what some analysts have called Operation Midnight Hammer. In the fog of war, it is no longer unreasonable to suggest these facilities played a

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  Rights groups say Israel issued 180 administrative detention orders in 15 days

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Palestinian human rights organisations say Israeli authorities have sharply increased the use of administrative detention against Palestinian detainees, issuing more than 180 detention orders within just 15 days. In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners Club said Israeli authorities were continuing a dangerous escalation in the use of detention without charge or trial. According to the statement, legal teams recorded more than 180 administrative detention orders during the period, including orders against three female detainees: Suad al-Khawaja, held for two months, and former prisoner Abeer Odeh and Malak Marai, each held for four months. READ: Over 1,500 Palestinians displaced by Israel in occupied West Bank in 2026: UN The organisations

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  US spends over $11 billion in first week of war against Iran

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  US lawmakers were told during a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday that the cost of the first week of the war against Iran exceeded $11.3 billion, according to a report by The New York Times, highlighting how quickly the conflict is using up weapons and resources.  The newspaper cited sources familiar with the closed briefing, saying Congress members were told that this figure does not include many other costs related to preparing the strikes, suggesting the total first-week cost could be much higher. Defence officials had previously informed Congress that about $5.6 billion was spent on munitions in the first two days of fighting alone, US media reported—far higher than earlier general estimates. READ: US Intelligence: Iranian regime not close to collapse

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  US Intelligence: Iranian regime not close to collapse

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  US intelligence reports indicate that Iran’s leadership remains largely united and is not at risk of collapsing soon, according to three sources cited by Reuters. One source familiar with the discussions of US intelligence findings said that many reports provide consistent analyses showing the regime is maintaining control over public opinion and is not facing imminent collapse. The source added that the latest report was completed in the past few days. Earlier, an Israeli security official said that toppling the Iranian regime is no longer seen as a realistic objective in the ongoing conflict, despite Israel having stated this goal at the start. Israel’s Channel 12 quoted the official as saying: “The chance to overthrow the Iranian regime, which could

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  The geography of hope: Why Palestine is the Middle East’s only way out

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Let us imagine a liberated Palestine. Let us consider how justice for the Palestinian people would reshape not only the region but, indeed, the entire globe. This is not a conversation about a “political solution” in the narrow, bureaucratic sense. Such solutions require no particular genius: true justice can only occur when the Palestinian people are granted the totality of their rights and the fulfillment of their political aspirations. Equally true is the reality that no such justice can manifest so long as Israel remains committed to its current Zionist ideology—a framework predicated on racial supremacy and the systematic eradication of the indigenous Palestinian Arab population. Once the shackles of this ideology are broken, the exact political mechanics become secondary;

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  Oman FM: No normalisation with Israel, no joining Board of Peace

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on Wednesday that his country will not normalise relations with Israel and will not join the proposed Board of Peace, also referred to as the Peace Council. He said the current war aims to weaken Iran, reshape the region, promote normalisation with Israel, and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. He added that the conflict could end “soon” but warned that countries should remain prepared for “the worst possibilities”. Speaking during a meeting with editors-in-chief of local newspapers, Albusaidi said: “The Sultanate of Oman will not enter the Peace Council and will not normalise with Israel,” stressing that his country’s position on regional issues remains unchanged, according to the Omani newspaper Oman. On

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  Iran threatens to target regional ports if its ports are attacked

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Iran’s armed forces have threatened to target ports across the region if Iranian ports come under attack during any conflict with Israel and the United States, state television reported on Wednesday. According to the broadcaster, an unnamed spokesperson for the armed forces said: “If our ports and docks are threatened, then all ports and docks in the region will be legitimate targets for us.” The spokesperson warned that the armed forces would carry out “an operation more severe than what we have done so far” if Iranian ports were attacked. READ: Iran says vessels must obtain its permission to pass through Strait of Hormuz He also called on countries in the region to expel US forces from their territory. Earlier, United

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  Settler attacks escalate in West Bank during Israel’s aggression against Iran

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  Attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have increased, as settlers exploit movement restrictions imposed by the Israeli army since the start of its offensive against Iran, according to reports. At least five Palestinians have been killed in recent days. Rights groups and medical teams said settlers had intensified assaults on Palestinian villages and towns, taking advantage of military checkpoints that restrict Palestinian movement and delay ambulances from reaching the wounded. The Israeli army has closed many roads across the West Bank with iron gates and earth mounds since the first day of the offensive. It has also shut most crossings with Israel, describing the measures as pre-emptive security steps. In a related context, the United

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  Hamas welcomes Spain’s diplomatic downgrade with Israel

  by MI on March 12, 2026

  The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Wednesday welcomed the Spanish government’s decision to withdraw its ambassador from Israel and reduce its diplomatic representation. In a statement received by Quds Press, the movement said the step continues what it described as the honourable positions of the Spanish government and people in rejecting what is happening in the Gaza Strip. Hamas said the decision reflects opposition to what it called the genocide faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza, as well as rejection of Israeli violations of international law. It described the move as a noble position that shows a genuine commitment to humanitarian values. The movement praised what it called Spain’s “courageous” stance and urged other countries to take similar measures,

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  US Embassy in Baghdad says leaving Iraq ‘best option’ for Americans

  by MI on March 11, 2026

  The US Embassy in Baghdad said on Wednesday that “for many” US citizens in Iraq, leaving the country is “the best option” if they can safely do so, Anadolu reports. “US citizens in Iraq are strongly encouraged to review their personal security situation. For many, departing Iraq as soon as they are safely able to do so is the best option,” the embassy said in a statement. “Americans choosing not to depart should remain vigilant, keep a low profile, and be prepared to shelter in place in a secure location for extended periods.” It warned that Iran and Iran-aligned groups “continue to pose a major threat to public safety.” READ: Trump threatens to cut off trade with Spain for its opposition

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  Trump threatens to cut off trade with Spain for its opposition to Iran war

  by MI on March 11, 2026

  President Donald Trump threatened to cut off trade with Spain on Wednesday, accusing Madrid of failing to cooperate with NATO after it barred the US from using jointly operated bases on its territory for strikes against Iran, Anadolu reports. “I think they’re not cooperating at all. Spain. I think they’ve been very bad, very bad, not good at all. We may cut off trade with Spain,” Trump told reporters, adding that Madrid has been “very bad to NATO” and does not want to “pay their fair share.” Trump questioned Madrid’s policies toward the alliance, saying Spain benefits from NATO protection but has long resisted increasing defense spending. READ: Spain’s ‘no to war’ stance rooted in principles, not politics: Premier Sanchez The

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  Labour MP leads cross-party push for UK sanctions on Israel

  by MI on March 11, 2026

  A senior Labour Member of Parliament has led a cross-party push for the UK to impose comprehensive sanctions on Israel, citing concerns about military actions in the Gaza Strip and the potential annexation of the West Bank, Anadolu reports. Richard Burgon, the MP for Leeds East, announced more than 60 parliamentarians have formally backed a parliamentary motion demanding a significant shift in diplomatic and economic policy. “After the genocide in Gaza, the Israeli government is moving to annex the West Bank. Only sanctions – on arms, trade, the economy & Israeli officials – can stop these war crimes,” he wrote Tuesday on social media. The motion references a statement backed by 85 UN member states, including the UK, opposing the

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  US likely used AI in airstrike that killed 160 schoolgirls: Report

  by MI on March 11, 2026

  Artificial intelligence helped the US identify targets in the opening phase of Washington’s war against Iran, British newspaper The Times reported Wednesday, raising questions about a strike that killed more than 175 students and staff at a girls school, Anadolu reports. The newspaper reported that in the first 24 hours of Operation Epic Fury, US forces struck more than 1,000 targets in Iran with the assistance of AI systems designed to analyze large volumes of intelligence data and suggest potential strike locations. The pace, about 42 suggested targets per hour, has led analysts to question whether the speed of automated systems may be outstripping the ability of humans to fully verify targets. The scrutiny follows a strike on the Shajareh

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  Even off-hand talk about Israel’s nuclear option is obscene

  by MI on March 11, 2026

  The “real” chances of a nuclear hit-back from Israel, driven by desperation in an existential crisis, are generally considered low due to conventional military superiority and US backing, but are not zero. Such a move is associated with the Samson Option – an unconfirmed, last-resort doctrine of massive retaliation, named after the biblical figure who died while destroying his enemies.  As of March 2026, amid intense, multi-front conflict involving Iran, the “Samson Option” has returned to focus as a potential, though catastrophic, tool of last resort.  The “Samson Option” doctrine suggests that if Israel’s existence is threatened, or its conventional defenses fail against a massive, overwhelming attack, it would use its nuclear arsenal rather than face destruction. The doctrine is specifically

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  21,720 buildings in Iran hit by ongoing US-Israeli strikes: Iranian Red Crescent

  by MI on March 11, 2026

  Some 21,720 buildings in Iran were hit by the ongoing US-Israeli strikes since Feb. 28, including 4,122 commercial establishments and 17,353 homes, as well as health centers, schools, and humanitarian infrastructure, the Iranian Red Crescent said on Wednesday. According to the Iranian government’s Telegram channel on Wednesday, the Iranian Red Crescent said over 56,000 people contacted its hotline to receive psychological support during the same period. Regional tensions escalated when the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, which have killed over 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as over 150 schoolgirls. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries that are home to US

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  Over 1,500 Palestinians displaced by Israel in occupied West Bank in 2026: UN

  by MI on March 11, 2026

  The UN on Wednesday warned that more than 1,500 Palestinians have already been displaced in the occupied West Bank in 2026, reaching 90% of the total figure recorded in 2025, Anadolu reports. Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference that “new figures indicate that more than 180 Palestinians have been displaced due to settler attacks and access restrictions across the West Bank since the onset of the regional escalation,” bringing “the total number of Palestinians displaced within this context so far this year to more than 1,500 people, 90% of the number for all of last year.” “Palestinians’ access to their places of work and where they receive

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  Dutch premier condemns Israel’s expansion activities in West Bank

  by MI on March 11, 2026

  Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said Wednesday that the Netherlands condemns Israel’s expansion activities in the West Bank, Anadolu reports. Jetten wrote in a post on social media platform X that he spoke by phone with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to a two-state solution. He also said he expressed satisfaction with reform efforts by the Palestinian Authority. “We discussed the catastrophic situation in Gaza and the developments in the West Bank, which are becoming more worrying day by day,” Jetten wrote. “The Netherlands condemns Israel’s expansion activities in the West Bank. I emphasized that it is important to pay attention to this situation amid the conflict with Iran,” he noted. READ: Israeli forces seize