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

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  Pakistan, Egypt discuss regional developments ahead of possible US-Iran deal

  by Mehdi Editor on June 14, 2026

  Pakistan and Egypt’s top diplomats spoke for a second time in 24 hours as they discussed regional developments ahead of a possible US–Iran deal, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday, Anadolu Agency reports. Over the phone, Ishaq Dar and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty discussed progress toward a potential understanding between Washington and Tehran. “They expressed hope that these positive developments would contribute to lasting peace, security, and stability across the region,” the statement added. Pakistan, which mediated a ceasefire in the US-Israeli war on Iran in April, has maintained regular consultations with key regional and international stakeholders for a permanent end to the conflict that engulfed the entire Middle East. READ: Iran’s final decision on memorandum with US is ‘under

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  Iran’s final decision on memorandum with US is ‘under consideration’: Media

  by Mehdi Editor on June 14, 2026

  Iran’s final decision on a possible memorandum of understanding with the US is “under consideration,” a source familiar with the matter said on Sunday. “Iran has not yet announced its final decision on the proposed memorandum of understanding,” the source told the Fars News Agency. “The review of the political, legal, and technical dimensions of the proposals is still ongoing,” he added. According to Fars, the various aspects of the proposed deal is being discussed at both expert and decision-making levels. US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Saturday that a deal with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday. READ: Emerging US-Iran deal fails to meet any of Israel’s war goals, says former prime minister Pakistani

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  Israeli ministers call for bombing Beirut despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on June 14, 2026

  Two Israeli Cabinet ministers called Sunday for resuming airstrikes on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital of Beirut despite an ongoing ceasefire, Anadolu Agency reports. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel should “fire for every violation” by Hezbollah and for every drone launched by the Lebanese group. “Dahiyeh must tremble,” he said on US social media company X, referring to Beirut’s southern suburbs. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also demanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “take down buildings in Dahiyeh today.” READ: Ben-Gvir calls for Israel to take Lebanese women and children hostage “The fire toward the northern settlements is a test of the Dahiyeh equation that the Prime Minister announced,” Smotrich said on X. The call by the hardline politicians

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  France’s Eastern Mediterranean energy strategy: Between commercial pragmatism and geopolitical ambition

  by Mehdi Editor on June 14, 2026

  France has emerged as a significant actor in the Eastern Mediterranean energy landscape, combining commercial interests, geopolitical ambition, and European energy security priorities. Its approach rests on three pillars: support for French corporate activity, especially through TotalEnergies; strategic alignment with Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel; and efforts to counterbalance Turkey’s growing assertiveness in the region. Since the major gas discoveries of the 2010s, France’s policy has evolved into a multi-layered strategy involving diplomacy, military presence, and energy investment. Recent developments between 2024 and 2026 show a more pragmatic shift away from costly pipeline visions and toward commercially viable export routes through Egypt.  Commercial Interests and the Role of TotalEnergies TotalEnergies plays a central role in France’s Eastern Mediterranean policy. In

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  Hezbollah says it repelled 2 Israeli incursions, launched 19 attacks in southern Lebanon

  by Mehdi Editor on June 14, 2026

  Hezbollah said Saturday that it had repelled two Israeli ground incursions and carried out 19 attacks targeting Israeli troops, military vehicles and positions in southern Lebanon using drones, rockets and artillery, Anadolu reports. The group said in a series of statements that its fighters detected an Israeli infantry force attempting to infiltrate the Maabar area on the outskirts of Kfartibnit in the Nabatieh governorate under hours of artillery and smoke cover. Hezbollah said it lured the force into a pre-prepared ambush zone, detonated explosive devices, engaged the troops with medium-range weapons and then shelled the area with concentrated artillery fire, forcing the Israeli unit to withdraw. In a separate statement, Hezbollah said another Israeli force entered the town of Majdal Zoun

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  Emerging US-Iran deal fails to meet any of Israel’s war goals, says former prime minister

  by Mehdi Editor on June 14, 2026

  Former Prime Minister and opposition leader Yair Lapid said Saturday Israel would fail to achieve any of its war objectives under the emerging agreement between the US and Iran, Anadolu reports. Lapid said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had failed on the Iran issue. “The agreement currently taking shape does not achieve any of Israel’s war objectives,” Lapid wrote on US social media company X, arguing that the Iranian government would remain in power, its missile program would continue and Tehran would be able to rebuild its nuclear program. Lapid described it as “Netanyahu’s complete failure,” saying it turned Israel into a satellite state that takes instructions on its national security. He added that “no press conference, media manipulation, or AI-generated

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  Israel won’t withdraw from southern Lebanon under US-Iran understandings: Israeli media

  by Mehdi Editor on June 14, 2026

  Israel will not withdraw from the so-called “security zone” in southern Lebanon as part of anticipated understandings between the US and Iran, Israeli security sources said Saturday, Anadolu reports. “The security establishment is preparing for possible instructions from the political leadership to halt the ground offensive in southern Lebanon, given the emerging agreement between Washington and Tehran,” the public broadcaster KAN said, citing the sources. According to the sources, Tel Aviv is also preparing to reduce its attacks deep inside Lebanese territory for fears they could jeopardize the US-Iran agreement. “Military operations, however, will continue with a greater focus in the south,” the sources said. “The Israeli army will not withdraw from the security zone in southern Lebanon,” they added. The

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  Protesters in Stockholm rally against Israeli attacks in Palestinian territories, Lebanon

  by Mehdi Editor on June 14, 2026

  Hundreds of people gathered in central Stockholm on Saturday to protest Israeli military operations in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, Anadolu reports. The demonstration, organized by several civil society groups in Odenplan Square, condemned what participants described as Israeli attacks in the occupied West Bank and Lebanon. Protesters carried banners reading “Children are being killed in Gaza,” “Schools and hospitals are being bombed,” “Stop the attacks on Lebanon,” and “End food shortages.” They called on Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza, and urged Sweden to stop arms sales to Israel. A group of Iranian participants also joined the demonstration, protesting the US and Israeli policies. READ: Sweden calls for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, urges protection of civilians Aydin Amir Hashimi,

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  Israeli army claims to kill several Hezbollah members in Lebanon strikes

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  The Israeli army claimed Saturday to have killed several Hezbollah members and struck more than 70 infrastructure targets in southern Lebanon in the last 24 hours amid continued violation of an ongoing ceasefire, Anadolu reports. A military statement said that the destroyed infrastructure included buildings allegedly used by the group to launch attacks against Israeli forces and northern Israel. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah on the Israeli claim. Meanwhile, the Israeli army said that a drone had crashed in southern Lebanon, without causing injuries among soldiers. The Israeli army continued its daily airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, killing at least five people, according to Lebanese media. READ: Lebanon faces choice between ‘state monopoly on arms or militia influence’,

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  Violations of US blockade on Iran ‘will not be tolerated,’ Rubio tells India’s top diplomat

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  Violations of the US blockade of Iranian ports “will not be tolerated,” US State Secretary Marco Rubio told India’s top diplomat, who said US strikes in the Gulf killed three Indian nationals, Anadolu reports. “Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke yesterday with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The two officials discussed recent events in the Strait of Hormuz,” a statement by State Department said on Saturday. “The Secretary stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from US forces as they seek to uphold peace and security in the Strait. He underscored that violations of the U.S. blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated.” READ: Iran says signing of memorandum of understanding with US

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  Iran says signing of memorandum of understanding with US ‘will not be tomorrow’

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  Iran said Saturday that the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United States will not take place on Sunday, but may happen in the coming days, Anadolu reports. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the Islamabad MoU focuses on ending the war, while the nuclear issue will not be discussed at this stage. “We will have to wait and see about the exact time of signing the memorandum; although it will not be tomorrow, the possibility of this happening in the coming days cannot be ruled out,” Baghaei added in statements carried by Tasnim News Agency. He said Iran must be “cautious,” citing what he called Washington’s “hesitation” in making comments about the process. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

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  When a brave journalist looks away: Iraq and Yvonne Ridley’s half‑seen map

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  No one familiar with the career of British journalist Yvonne Ridley doubts her courage for a moment. She is a woman who built her reputation in the field, not behind a desk; who crossed burning frontiers, confronted regimes, and paid personal and professional costs to bear witness to the oppressed. When she writes about governments that turn dissent into a prison cell, her words carry the weight of lived experience, not the comfort of distant analysis. Yet in her recent article, “The Cowards’ Playbook,” Ridley’s courage seemed to falter—not in conviction, but in scope. She saw Tunisia, Pakistan, and Syria. But she did not see Iraq. And that omission is not a minor oversight; it is an ethical gap unworthy

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  Iran to hold funeral for slain supreme leader on July 4-9

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  Iran will hold funeral procedures for the country’s slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei between July 4 and July 9, Iranian state media reported on Saturday. The program will include a farewell ceremony in the capital Tehran on July 4-5. Then, funeral ceremonies will be held in Tehran on July 6 and in Qom on July 7. On July 9, Khamenei will be buried in the Imam Reza Shrine in the city of Mashhad following a funeral ceremony there on July 18. Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes that began against Iran on Feb. 28. The attacks have also killed several senior Iranian military commanders and government officials. A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, and efforts to reach

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  Can the US host the World Cup while shutting out the Middle East?

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  In March 2023, FIFA moved with remarkable speed. Indonesia lost the right to host the Under-20 World Cup after political opposition emerged to Israel’s participation, a team that had qualified on merit. The governing body’s message was unmistakable: footballers must not become collateral damage in geopolitical disputes. Players had done nothing wrong. Discrimination against a qualified team was incompatible with the spirit and rules of the game. Few would disagree with that principle. The deeper question is whether FIFA is prepared to apply it consistently. Three years later, world football is heading towards its largest-ever World Cup, hosted primarily by the United States. Yet a growing body of evidence suggests that players, officials, journalists and supporters from Muslim-majority countries have

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  Pakistan says peace deal ‘closer than ever’, signing expected within 24 hours

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that Iran and the US are closer than ever to signing a peace deal, with the deal expected to be finalized within the next 24 hours, Anadolu Agency reports. In a post on the US social media platform X, Sharif said the negotiations had entered their final stage and expressed optimism about the prospects for a breakthrough. “We are closer to a peace deal than ever before,” he wrote. According to Sharif, Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the agreement immediately after its finalization. He added that technical-level talks are expected to begin next week to discuss implementation and other related matters. Sharif also thanked the US and Iran for

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  UK rights organisation calls on Business Secretary to cancel Israeli real estate event in London

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK (AOHR UK) has sent a letter to the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, demanding the cancellation of the so-called “Great Israeli Real Estate Event 2026,” due to be held at an undisclosed venue in London on 14 June, and warning that permitting it to proceed would facilitate the commission of a war crime on British soil and place the United Kingdom in direct breach of its obligations under international law. The AOHR UK explained that the event markets and facilitates the sale of property in illegal settlements of the Israeli occupation in the occupied Palestinian territory, advertised alongside properties inside the territory held by the Israeli

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  Israeli army kills Palestinian municipality worker in central Gaza

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  A Palestinian sanitation worker was killed on Saturday in an Israeli drone strike in the central Gaza Strip, Anadolu Agency reports. The victim was working for the Bureij municipality and was killed in the strike that targeted a waste dump near the Bureij refugee camp. Local sources also stated that the deceased was targeted by the Israeli drone while performing his duties. On Friday, the Israeli army acknowledged killing 20 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the past week, claiming that the victims were members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Tel Aviv’s continued attacks on the Palestinian enclave come despite a ceasefire that began in October 2025. The truce was intended to bring a halt to Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

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  Somali president accuses Israel of taking advantage of dispute with Somaliland

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday denounced Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, accusing Tel Aviv of exploiting the dispute between Mogadishu and the breakaway region, Anadolu reports. He said Israel’s recognition of the region marks one of the darkest days in Somalia’s history. “Tel Aviv is taking advantage of the long-standing dispute between Mogadishu and Hargeisa,” Mohamud said in an interview with Dawan TV, a local media station based in Mogadishu. He said Mogadishu has considered two possible paths to address the issue of the breakaway region and they chose dialogue and persuasion over force. “Though it took over 30 years, it was the most suitable approach under the circumstances,” he said. READ: Report: Israel expands security cooperation with Somaliland Somalia

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  Lebanon faces choice between ‘state monopoly on arms or militia influence’, says president

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Saturday that his country faces a “fateful” choice between a state monopoly on weapons or remaining “hostage to the logic of militias,” Anadolu Agency reports. Aoun’s remarks came in a statement to mark the 48th anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese minister Tony Suleiman Frangieh, the presidency said on the US social media company X. “This painful anniversary comes as Lebanon today stands before a fateful crossroads: either its people unite around a sovereign state that monopolizes arms, upholds the rule of law, and protects its citizens regardless of affiliation or position, or it remains hostage to the logic of militias and a culture of exclusion,” Aoun said. Stating that national unity is an

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  Trump agreed to release $24B in frozen Iranian assets without formal announcement: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  US President Donald Trump has agreed to unfreeze $24 billion in Iranian assets while avoiding explicitly confirming this, a senior Iranian official said Friday, according to the Fars News Agency. Mohsen Rezaei, a senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, made the remarks during a memorial ceremony in the southwestern city of Dezful. According to the report, Rezaei said Iran’s recent conflict “boosted” the country’s standing globally, claiming the country’s deterrence capacity had grown to a point where “Trump the gambler” now fears negotiating with Tehran. READ: Iran’s foreign minister details proposed memorandum with US, says war would end across all fronts He also argued that US policy is increasingly shaped by Israeli influence, asserting that America has effectively become a “colony”

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  Ben-Gvir raids Hebron neighborhood following Israeli curfew in occupied West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Friday raided the city of Hebron’s Jaber neighborhood in the southern occupied West Bank, following the imposition of a curfew by the Israeli army on the area and its surroundings, Anadolu reports. Local sources told Anadolu that Ben-Gvir entered Jaber after heightened military measures were implemented in the Old City, coinciding with the closure of several entrances and a widespread deployment of Israeli forces. Official Palestine TV reported that Israeli forces raided a house in the city and imposed a complete curfew on the city’s Jaber, Salaymeh, and Wadi al-Haseen neighborhoods. The Israeli army restricted the movement of Palestinians and prevented them from moving within the targeted neighborhoods, according to the same

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  Iran’s foreign minister details proposed memorandum with US, says war would end across all fronts

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that a proposed memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US would formally end the conflict across all fronts, including Lebanon, while laying the groundwork for negotiations on sanctions relief, Iran’s nuclear program, and regional security arrangements, Anadolu reports. Speaking in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB, Araghchi said the document, commonly referred to as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, would mark the formal end of the war. “The end of the war will be declared on all fronts, including Lebanon,” he said. Araghchi said the proposed memorandum includes commitments not to initiate war, threaten the use of force or interfere in each other’s internal affairs. He said the agreement would also include

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  Canada announces $100M in new humanitarian aid for Palestinians

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  Canada announced $100 million Friday in additional humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, Anadolu reports. The funding, announced by Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Paris, will be delivered through UN agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and nongovernmental organizations providing assistance on the ground. Anand made the announcement at the Paris Call for the Two-State Solution conference, where leaders gathered to discuss challenges in achieving a future two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The new contribution brings Canada’s total assistance for Palestinians to more than $500 million, according to a statement from Global Affairs Canada. READ: UK, Australia, Canada launch fund to support two-state solution efforts The funding will support emergency medical care,

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  The Iran war is exposing the limits of Gulf defence dependence

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  The appearance of Chinese-made defence systems across the Gulf has attracted significant attention since the outbreak of the Iran conflict. Analysts have pointed to the deployment of Chinese counter-drone systems in the UAE and the growing prominence of Chinese unmanned platforms in regional arsenals as evidence that Beijing is gaining ground in a market long dominated by the United States. Yet focusing solely on Chinese hardware risks missing the larger lesson. The war has revealed less about China’s rise than about the vulnerabilities embedded within the Gulf’s existing security architecture. For decades, Gulf states have relied on the US for military protection, advanced weapons systems, software support, sustainment and operational integration. The conflict has highlighted the strengths of that model.

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  Trump halts US military’s plan to forcibly seize Iran’s uranium: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on June 13, 2026

  US President Donald Trump has paused a plan by the military to forcibly seize Iran’s enriched uranium, CNN reported Friday, citing sources. The US military’s top officer made a secret, hurried trip to US Central Command headquarters in Florida late last month to receive an in-person briefing on plans for a potential ground operation in Iran aimed at seizing the country’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to the report. The briefings were considered so urgent and sensitive that Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, cut short a meeting of senior NATO officials in Brussels and flew back to Tampa on May 19, the report said. READ: Trump calls Iranian foreign minister’s post on possible US-Iran deal

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  Iran says understandings reached on most issues in talks with US

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Friday that Tehran has reached understandings on most issues under discussion with the United States and is conducting final internal reviews of a proposed agreement, Anadolu reports. Speaking on state television, Baghaei said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s earlier remarks that the proposed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding had “never been closer” accurately reflected the current state of negotiations. “At present, understanding has been reached on the majority of the issues, and we are in the final stage of internal reviews,” Baghaei said. He said meetings involving relevant Iranian institutions were underway to examine the draft text and determine Tehran’s final position. Baghaei argued that an agreement could have been reached weeks ago, but accused

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  Palestinian Football Association president criticizes US over delayed visa for World Cup events

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub criticized the US for failing to grant him a visa to attend World Cup-related events, saying the delay reflects disrespect for FIFA and the unifying role of the sport, Anadolu reports. Rajoub attended the opening match of the FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday but remains among several accredited participants who have either been denied US visas or are still awaiting approval to enter the country. In an exclusive statement to Anadolu from Mexico, Rajoub said he has yet to receive permission to enter the United States despite his entitlement to participate in World Cup activities as head of the Palestinian Football Association. “I believe that FIFA

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  When children become the primary casualties of wars and conflicts

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  There is no better place to begin this article than with the words of Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister. During a security cabinet meeting in early June, he called for the abduction of Lebanese women and children as a means to pressure Hezbollah. “Let’s start thinking outside the box about Hezbollah,” he said, urging officials to adopt more aggressive measures, including “abducting their women and children” because, in his assessment, that is “what hurts them the most.” Imagine the moral decay required to propose the kidnapping of children as a legitimate military tactic. This is not a fringe figure speaking from the margins—this is a senior minister in the Israeli government. His words were met with no meaningful international

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  72 arrested at London protest supporting Palestine Action activists

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Seventy-two people were arrested outside Woolwich Crown Court in London on Friday after gathering in support of Palestine Action during the sentencing hearing of four activists involved in a raid on an Elbit Systems UK factory, Anadolu reports. The Metropolitan Police said all 72 were being held in custody after being detained for expressing support for Palestine Action, which remains a proscribed organization despite a High Court ruling earlier this year that found the ban unlawful. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the court as the four activists, known as the Filton 4, faced sentencing over their role in a 2024 action at an Elbit Systems site in Bristol. Around 200 demonstrators staged a sit-in protest, while others held placards reading:

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  Iraq foils plot to assassinate National Security Service chief, senior officers

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Iraq’s National Security Service said on Friday it had foiled a plot to assassinate the agency’s chief and several senior officers, arresting suspects allegedly linked to a group associated with the banned Baath Party, Anadolu reports. In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the agency said the operation was conducted under the direct supervision of National Security Service chief Abdul Karim al-Basri following an intelligence effort involving surveillance, monitoring and infiltration. The statement said the suspects were linked to the so-called Iraqi National Gathering for Liberation and Change, which it described as a front organization for the outlawed Baath Party. According to the agency, investigations and interrogations showed that members of the cell had moved beyond incitement

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  Trump calls Iranian foreign minister’s post on possible US-Iran deal ‘very positive’: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he considers Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s post regarding the possibility of a US-Iran agreement “very positive,” according to Axios, Anadolu reports. In a phone call with Axios, Trump said he still thinks a deal with Iran could be signed over the weekend or on Monday. He also said that he demanded the Iranians issue a public clarification over reports in their state media on the details of the deal, which he said were not true. Trump on Friday shared a statement by Araghchi regarding the possibility of a US-Iran agreement on his social media account. On his TruthSocial platform, Trump reposted a message by Araghchi on the US social media company

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  US, Iran agree on peace deal’s ‘final text’ to end war: Pakistan

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced that the US and Iran “reached” an agreement on “final text” for a pact to end war, Anadolu reports. Pakistan has been mediating between the two warring nations since it brokered a ceasefire on April 08 to halt the war, which began on Feb. 28. Sharif said on the US social media company X that now Islamabad was “working closely” with Washington and Tehran to “finalize the next steps.” Peace between the US and Iran “has never been this close as it is now,” said Sharif, who hosted the highest-level talks between the US and Iran since the two nations severed diplomatic ties in 1979. READ: Trump says G7 support ‘irrelevant,’ claims ‘victory’

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  Can Trump restrain Israel?

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  The latest exchange between Iran and Israel raises a fundamental question: Who is really driving events in the Middle East – Washington or Jerusalem?  Following Israeli strikes on targets in Beirut, Lebanon, Iran responded with strikes against northern Israel and military facilities around Haifa. Israel then immediately retaliated by attacking Tehran, Tabriz, Karaj and Isfahan. While the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is technically in place, the broader regional conflict continues to intensify. Throughout the crisis, President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed support for de-escalation and urged all parties to avoid a wider war.  Yet events on the ground suggest that Washington’s desire for stability may not necessarily translate into restraint by its closest ally. The current crisis

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  Occupier violence in West Bank high on EU agenda, Kallas says

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Friday voiced concern over the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank, warning that Israeli occupiers are expanding illegal settlements at an unprecedented pace while violence continues without sufficient accountability, Anadolu reports. “The situation in the West Bank is equally alarming. Illegal Israeli settlements continue to expand at an unprecedented pace, and settler violence is increasing without sufficient accountability,” Kallas said at the “Paris Call for the Two-State Solution, Peace and Regional Security” forum in the French capital. Highlighting the issue as a key concern for the EU, Kallas said it has been “very high on the agenda” of EU foreign ministers. READ: EU condemns killing of Palestinian infant, says violence against children must

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  Chile establishes senate friendship group to strengthen historic ties with Palestine

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Chile has taken a new step in strengthening its historic relationship with Palestine through the official establishment of the Chile–Palestine Friendship Group in the Senate. The cross-party parliamentary body aims to deepen political, diplomatic, cultural and human ties between the two peoples. As one of the largest parliamentary diplomacy groups in the National Congress, it seeks to reinforce a longstanding relationship that has been supported by successive democratic governments in Chile. The group, chaired by Senator Sergio Gahona, brings together a broad majority of 28 senators from across the political spectrum. Its creation is being presented as a strong institutional signal that Chile’s relationship with Palestine goes beyond individual governments, political cycles or partisan divisions. According to Gahona, the official

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  Israel expanding Gaza ‘yellow line’ to derail ceasefire talks, says Hamas

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Palestinian group Hamas said Friday that Israel’s continued movement of the “yellow line” westward inside the Gaza Strip and expansion of control over Palestinian land aim to “blow up the negotiation track and thwart the efforts being made” to consolidate the ceasefire, Anadolu reports. The statement by Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem came as Palestinian factions and mediators held talks in Cairo on outstanding issues linked to the ceasefire agreement. The Israeli army moved yellow line blocks westward by an estimated 300 meters in several areas of the Gaza Strip over the past week and through Friday, especially in the Tuffah neighborhood east of Gaza City, according to witnesses. The “yellow line” refers to the separation line to which the Israeli

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  Turkish president says region paying ‘heavy economic price’ of attacks on Iran

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that the region is now paying a “heavy economic price” for attacks targeting Iran even before the Russia-Ukraine war has ended. “Before the Russia-Ukraine war has ended, our region is now paying the heavy economic price of attacks on Iran,” Erdogan said at a ceremony marking the reopening of Selimiye Mosque for worship in Turkiye’s western city of Edirne. He said the region and the world are going through one of the most critical periods since World War II, with one crisis following another before the previous one is resolved. “We are living through days when the sounds of missiles and bombs drown out the cries of children,” Erdogan said. “No one can

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  Iranian media reveals details of 7-point draft memorandum with US

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Iran’s official news agency IRNA on Friday published the current outlines of a draft memorandum of understanding with the US, offering a more detailed picture of Tehran’s position and highlighting both similarities and differences with details of the proposed deal previously reported by Axios. The IRNA report outlined seven key areas covered by the draft memorandum. One area of overlap between the two accounts concerns the existence of a 60-day negotiating period following the signature of the memorandum. Axios reported that the agreement would include a 60-day “extension” of the ceasefire while nuclear talks continue. The IRNA account also refers to 60 days of negotiations following the signature of the memorandum but says those talks would focus on only three

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  The Board of Peace extends Israel’s security narrative

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  While the debate on Hamas refusing to disarm continues, Israel is still killing Palestinians in the background, or in plain sight, depending on which narrative one employs. For Palestinians, the genocide is a reality, while for mainstream media, it is just background noise for news reports. International diplomacy follows the same line as mainstream media, which accepts Israel killing Palestinians but not Hamas refusing to lay down their weapons. Demilitarising Gaza became a bigger aim than stopping Israel’s genocide; such is the absurd truth.  A week ago, Hamas reasserted it would not disarm, and any process regarding its weapons would have to take place in discussion with Palestinian factions. The request, far removed from what the US and Israel have

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  US, Iran could sign Hormuz memorandum Sunday in Geneva: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  The US and Iran are close to signing a memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with a possible signing ceremony in Geneva as early as Sunday, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing senior officials. The potential arrangement comes as Group of Seven (G7) leaders are set to gather in Evian, France, on June 15-17. A senior Iranian official indicated that a deal was likely, the report said, citing a G7 official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Another G7 official said the arrangement would likely take the form of a memorandum of understanding rather than a final agreement. Officials cautioned, however, that Iran has not yet confirmed it is ready for a

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  The Kharg gamble could backfire on America

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

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

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  Protesters gather at London court to support Palestine action activists

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

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

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

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

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

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

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

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

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

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

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

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

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

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

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

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

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

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  Syrian, Lebanese forces discuss strengthening border security

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

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

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  Tehran says no final decision made on deal with Washington

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

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

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  FIFA under fire for silence on targeting of Palestinian athletes

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

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