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

• 
  Syrian Petroleum says 500,000 tons of Iraqi fuel to transit monthly to Baniyas

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  The Syrian Petroleum Company said Saturday that the volume of Iraqi fuel oil flowing to the Baniyas refinery in western Syria is expected to reach about 500,000 metric tons per month, Anadolu reports. The move could turn Syria into a transit hub for Iraqi oil exports via the Mediterranean, as the Strait of Hormuz faces disruptions linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran. The announcement came in remarks to Anadolu by Safwan Sheikh Ahmad, director of corporate communications at the Syrian Petroleum Company, who outlined details of the recent oil agreement between Syria and Iraq. Ahmad said Syria is restoring its role as a “safe regional corridor for energy” and highlighted the readiness of its infrastructure to receive and transport

• 
  Fire breaks out on 2 commercial vessels after US-Israeli strike in southern Iran: Media

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  A fire broke out on two commercial vessels due to a US-Israeli strike targeting a dock in southern Iran, according to Iranian media. The semi-official Mehr news agency reported Saturday that the attack hit a dock in the city of Bandar Lengeh in the Hormozgan province, igniting fires on two vessels owned by locals. The agency said one person was injured in the fires. Rescue teams and maritime authorities are continuing efforts to bring the fires under control, the report added. The US and Israel on Feb. 28 launched an air offensive against Iran that has killed more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along

• 
  Israeli strike on civilian vehicle in Gaza Strip kills one, injures three

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  One person was killed and three others injured after the Israeli army targeted a civilian vehicle on Salah al-Din Street in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday, Anadolu reports. The attack comes amid ongoing Israeli violations of a ceasefire in effect since Oct. 10, 2025. These breaches have resulted in the deaths of 713 Palestinians and injuries to 1,940 others since the agreement took effect. Israel launched its genocide in Gaza in October 2023 that lasted two years, killing more than 72,000 people and injuring over 172,000 while causing widespread destruction affecting around 90% of the territory’s infrastructure. OPINION: No apologies – Naming Zionism for what it is

• 
  Russia evacuating employees from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant in wake of attack

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  Russia started a large wave of evacuation on Saturday from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant following US-Israeli attacks that killed one of the plant’s security personnel, Russian media reported. Citing Alexey Likhachev, the head of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, state news agency Tass said 198 employees are expected to return to Russia within two or three days. Russia helped build the plant and, as of last year, had some 700 personnel working there. Likhachev underlined that developments around the plant are unfolding according to an “undesirable scenario.” “As they say, our bad premonitions were not wrong. Overall, the escalation of the conflict around the Persian Gulf is leading to corresponding consequences near the plant,” he said. READ: IAEA warns of

• 
  Executing with prejudice: Israel’s death penalty law

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  It was celebrated with ghoulish delight.  On March 30, the Israeli Knesset passed the Penal Bill (Amendment – Death Penalty for Terrorists), an instrument expanding the use of the death penalty for offences of a terrorist nature.  The death penalty had previously existed in Israeli law for war crimes but was abolished in 1954 for ordinary crimes in peacetime.  Technically, it remained on the books for crimes against the Jewish people, crimes against humanity and certain cases of martial law.   The law’s purpose is articulated as establishing the death sentence “for the sake of the struggle against terrorism”  for those who have carried out lethal attacks for the protection of the Israeli state, citizens and residents, for reasons of enhancing

• 
  US revokes residency, detains relatives of slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  The US has revoked the legal residency status of two relatives of slain Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qasem Soleimani, with two of them detained by federal agents, the State Department said on Saturday, Anadolu reports. According to a department statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the termination of lawful permanent resident status for Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, identified as Soleimani’s niece, and her daughter. Both were subsequently detained and are now in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The department said Afshar had expressed support for Iran’s leadership and the IRGC, which Washington designates as a terrorist organization. It also cited her social media activity, alleging that she promoted Iranian government messaging and praised attacks

• 
  No apologies – Naming Zionism for what it is

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  “A people that oppresses another cannot itself be free” -Friedrich Engels – Zionism is racism. I state this plainly, not as a slogan designed to provoke, but as a conclusion drawn from history, lived reality, and the political structure that has emerged in what is now called Israel. I am not interested in diluting this claim to make it more comfortable, nor in softening its edges to invite polite debate. Some ideas demand clarity, not compromise. Zionism presents itself as a movement for Jewish self-determination. In isolation, that principle sounds reasonable—every people should have the right to shape their political future. But no political project exists in isolation. Zionism did not emerge in an empty land, and it did not unfold

• 
  Azerbaijan sends 200 tons of humanitarian aid to Iran

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  Azerbaijan has dispatched another shipment of humanitarian aid to Iran amid the ongoing conflict triggered by the US-Israeli offensive, state news agency Azertag reported on Saturday. The 200-ton aid package consists of 190 tons of food products, 7 tons of medicines and 3 tons of medical supplies. The shipment was sent under the direction of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev to support the “current needs of the people of neighboring and friendly Iran,” the agency said. Earlier in March, Baku sent 10 tons of flour, 6 tons of rice, 2.4 tons of sugar, more than 4 tons of water, around 600 kilograms of tea, and roughly 2 tons of medicines and medical supplies to Iran. Tensions in the region have intensified

• 
  The normalisation of brutality: When will we reclaim our humanity?

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  What we are witnessing today across occupied Palestine is not a glitch in the system of international order, nor is it a sudden detour from the established behaviour of the Israeli occupation. The greatest mistake observers can make is to treat the current escalation of atrocities as a momentary lapse in self-restraint or a chaotic exception that can be managed through diplomatic statements of concern. In reality, what is unfolding before our eyes is the natural state of a colonial project. When we understand the structural foundations of the occupation, we realise that brutality is not a political choice, rather a functional necessity for its survival. The infrastructure of cruelty In the logic of the occupier, it is entirely normal

• 
  US President Donald Trump issues 48-hour ultimatum to Iran over Strait of Hormuz

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Iran has 48 hours to meet Washington’s demands to make a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social. “Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them,” he added. On March 26, Trump said that he had extended Iran’s nuclear negotiation deadline to 10 days partially because Tehran sent him 10 Pakistani-flagged oil tankers as a goodwill gesture. The region has been on alert since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing

• 
  ‘We are not part of Trump’s chaotic policy,’ including with US overflights: Austria’s vice chancellor

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  Austria’s vice chancellor stressed Saturday that the country would not be drawn into President Donald Trump’s “chaotic policy,” saying Vienna’s neutrality is “non-negotiable,” a principle that also applies to US military overflights, Anadolu reports. “In light of the overflights by US military aircraft through Austrian airspace, a clear line is needed: Our neutrality is non-negotiable and must be consistently upheld, especially now,” Andreas Babler wrote on US social media platform X. He added that with such overflights, even missions not directly entering conflict zones but supporting military actions must face scrutiny. “We are not part of Trump’s chaotic policy and must not yield an inch here,” he stressed. READ: ‘Radioactive fallout will end life in GCC capitals, not Tehran’: Top Iranian

• 
  French boats of Global Sumud Flotilla set to depart Marseille for Gaza aid mission

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  Around 20 boats from France are set to join the Global Sumud Flotilla’s “Spring Mission 2026,” with departure expected on Saturday, April 4, from the southern port city of Marseille, as part of an international effort to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, Anadolu reports. Preparations for the flotilla have been underway for weeks at L’Estaque Port, involving the Thousand Madleens to Gaza initiative, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and several France-based civil society groups. Each vessel is expected to carry around eight people along with humanitarian supplies, including medical aid and seeds, before making an initial stop in Italy. Organizers say the mission aims to challenge the blockade on Gaza and raise international awareness of the humanitarian situation in the enclave.

• 
  ‘Radioactive fallout will end life in GCC capitals, not Tehran’: Top Iranian diplomat

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  The Iranian foreign minister said Saturday that “radioactive fallout will end life in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) capitals, not Tehran,” following the US-Israeli airstrikes that hit Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant, Anadolu reports. “Remember the Western outrage about hostilities near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine? “Israel-U.S. have bombed our Bushehr plant four times now. Radioactive fallout will end life in GCC capitals, not Tehran,” Abbas Araghchi said through US social media company X. READ: Iran approves humanitarian passage through Strait of Hormuz: Report Attacks on Iranian petrochemical facilities also reveal “real objectives,” Araghchi argued. Earlier in the day, US and Israeli strikes hit Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant, killing one person. The attack came as regional tensions have escalated since the US

• 
  Iran approves humanitarian passage through Strait of Hormuz: Report

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  Iran approved on Saturday the passage of ships carrying humanitarian and essential goods through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a letter by the Agriculture Ministry’s trade development office, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported. Backed by the government and the armed forces, the directive permits vessels carrying essential goods and livestock feed to pass through under designated protocols, the report said. After the approval, industry associations informed their member companies to proceed with sending cargo ships to southern Iranian ports following the removal of the previous restrictions, it added. READ: Iran sets four conditions for ending war with US and Israel Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing

• 
  US Air Force has lost at least 7 aircraft in war with Iran: Report

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  The US Air Force has lost at least seven aircraft in its war with Iran, CNN reported on Saturday. The downing of two US fighter jets in a single day on Friday, in separate incidents – a US Air Force F-15 and an A-10 – raised the total number of manned US aircraft lost in the conflict with Iran to seven, according to the report. On March 2, just days into the war, three F-15s were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in a friendly fire incident over Kuwait. All six crew members safely ejected. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said this week that the three pilots have since returned to flying missions against Iran. On March 12, six

• 
  What Israel’s death penalty reveals when law becomes a boundary of belonging

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  A law can sometimes reveal more than a thousand speeches ever could. Israel’s newly passed ‘Death Penalty for Terrorists’ statute does precisely that. It is not merely a legislative shift; it is a structural declaration about whose life is protected, whose is conditional, and whose is extinguishable.  In the charged aftermath of 7 October 2023, grief and fear have undeniably reshaped Israeli politics. Yet this law, approved by the Knesset in March 2026 by a 62–48 vote, moves beyond the realm of security response and into something far more enduring: the codification of a dual legal order that treats Palestinians not as subjects of law, but as objects of it. The statute mandates hanging as the default punishment for Palestinians

• 
  Iranian strike on US Embassy in Saudi Arabia caused more damage than disclosed: Report

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  An Iranian drone attack on the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia last month caused more damage than previously disclosed, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing US officials, Anadolu reports. The attack occurred on March 3, when a drone bypassed air defenses at Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter and struck the American compound. A second drone followed, hitting the same spot and causing another explosion. The strikes, which took place at night, breached a secure part of the embassy where hundreds of employees would typically work, severely damaging three floors. The CIA station was among the affected areas. According to the report, Saudi officials initially downplayed the attack, calling it a minor fire with limited damage, but the US officials said

• 
  19 operations carried out by Iraqi factions on US bases in region

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  Iraqi factions announced Saturday that they carried out 19 operations against US bases in the region, Anadolu reports. A statement by the group known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said the operations were conducted early Saturday, targeting American bases in Iraq and the wider region using missiles and drones. The group said its armed factions carried out “19 operations over the past 24 hours, using dozens of drones and rockets.” The “resistance” did not specify the exact targets or the outcomes of the attacks. It came amid escalating military tensions in the region, as a war by the US and Israel against Iran entered day 36. READ: The US offers up to $3M reward for info on attacks targeting diplomatic

• 
  Hezbollah says it conducted 6 attacks on Israeli settlement, forces

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  Hezbollah on Saturday announced that it carried out six attacks on an Israeli settlement, as well as Israeli forces, vehicles and military positions. This brings the number of attacks by the group “in response to Israeli aggression” to 1,422 since March 2 as of 0450GMT, according to an Anadolu tally. Hezbollah said the attacks are “in defense of Lebanon and its people” amid an Israeli offensive on the country. It said the group targeted the Limon Barracks, north of the Nahariya settlement in northern Israel, using attack drones. Rocket attacks targeted Israeli soldiers and military vehicles at the Khalil Triangle in the border town of Maroun al-Ras, and in the Talat al-Sadr area in the town of Aita al-Shaab in

• 
  Iranian media claims UAE entered war against Iran

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  Iran’s state media on Saturday claimed that the UAE has entered the ongoing war against Iran, Anadolu reports. Iran’s state-run broadcaster IRIB claimed in a post through US social media company X that there were two documents proving the UAE’s entry into the war against Iran. It said that the destruction of a Chinese WingLoong-2 drone on April 1, which it said is “only in the possession of Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” and the interception of an “Emirati Mirage 2000 fighter jet over Iran’s Jask Island on March 22″ constitute evidence of the UAE’s participation in the war. READ: UAE rejects report claiming it is ready to join war on Iran to reopen Hormuz The claims could not be independently

• 
  Saudi crown prince discusses regional security with Italian premier

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the regional situation Friday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Bin Salman and Meloni, who is on a visit to the kingdom, met in the western city of Jeddah. The pair also discussed relations and opportunities for further development during the meeting. The implications of military tensions in the region, and associated risks to international navigation freedom and energy supply security were also addressed. They also discussed the effects of the war, which began Feb. 28 with the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, on the global economy, as well as joint efforts to strengthen security and stability in the Gulf region. Meloni began her Gulf visit

• 
  The US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s ‘Deus Vult’

  by MI on April 4, 2026

  ‘Deus vult’ (God wills it) was the rallying cry of medieval crusaders. Its reappearance, symbolically and rhetorically, in the US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s public language should alarm anyone who believes war must remain bounded by law rather than theology. The Independent reports that Hegseth has repeatedly framed the Iran conflict in explicitly theological terms, portraying it as a confrontation between “good and evil,” invoking Christian scripture, praising Crusader symbolism, and describing God as aligning with US military action against Iran. Experts interviewed in the Independent’s report stress that such religious framing by a sitting US defence secretary is “completely, totally unprecedented” in modern US history. Michael Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation characterises the messaging as casting the

• 
  US proposed 48-hour ceasefire with Tehran on April 2, reports Iranian media

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  The US proposed a 48-hour ceasefire with Iran on April 2 through a third country, the semi-official Fars News Agency reported Friday, citing an informed source. “The US, on April 2, proposed a 48-hour ceasefire through one of the friendly countries,” the source told Fars. The proposal came after “escalating tensions and challenges faced by US forces in the region,” the source added. According to the news agency, Iran did not respond in writing but instead replied “on the ground” by continuing heavy attacks. READ: 2nd US Air Force combat plane crashes in Persian Gulf region: Report The source also said that “US diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting have intensified, particularly after a reported strike on a US military depot

• 
  2nd US Air Force combat plane crashes in Persian Gulf region: Report

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  A second US Air Force combat aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf region on Friday, local media reported. Citing two US officials, The New York Times reported that the lone pilot of the A-10 Warthog was safely rescued. The A-10 attack plane went down near the Strait of Hormuz at around the same time that an Air Force F-15E was shot down over Iran, the officials said, per the report. Earlier, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt had told CNN that President Donald Trump had been briefed on a US fighter jet shot down over Iran, later identified as an F-15E Strike Eagle. READ: US fighter jet shot down by Iran: Report The Pentagon and US Central Command did not immediately respond

• 
  Israeli restrictions push Gaza medical supplies to critical shortage: Doctors Without Borders

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities on the entry of medical supplies into Gaza have led to critical shortages, severely impacting health care services, according to a statement released on Friday by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Anadolu reports. Dr. Randa Abu El-Khair Masoud, a medical adviser with MSF, said the organization has been unable to bring any medical supplies into Gaza since Jan. 1, despite significant humanitarian needs in the enclave. “Every day, in our hospitals and clinics, we see the impacts of the restrictions on the entry of medical supplies into Gaza, Palestine. The needs in Gaza are massive, yet not enough aid is entering because Israeli authorities are blocking it,” Masoud said. She warned that nearly 50% of essential

• 
  1 killed in Israeli shell targeting rural area of southern Syria

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  One person was killed when an Israeli tank shell hit a vehicle in a village in southern Syria, in the Quneitra governorate, Syrian media reported. “Israeli occupation forces killed a young man through targeting a car with a tank shell in the village of Al-Za’rura,” Al-Ikhbariyah TV said on US social media company X, with no further details available as yet. Israeli forces have continued to target Syrian territory at an almost daily pace, carrying out ground incursions, particularly in rural areas of Quneitra and Daraa in southern Syria, detaining civilians, setting up checkpoints to search and question passersby, and damaging agricultural land. Israel has illegally occupied most of Syria’s Golan Heights since 1967 and, following the ouster of the

• 
  Top US military archbishop says Iran war fails Catholic church’s moral standard: Report

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  The Catholic archbishop responsible for all US military personnel declared that America’s war with Iran fails the church’s moral criteria for a just conflict, according to a new interview, Anadolu reports. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who leads the archdiocese for the military services and oversees every Catholic chaplain in the US armed forces, made the remarks to CBS News in an interview set to air on April 5, Easter Sunday, one of the holiest days for Catholics and Western Christian denominations. In excerpts from the interviews, asked directly whether the conflict is justified, Broglio said, “Under just war theory, no,” arguing that the war targets a potential nuclear threat rather than an actual one. Arguing for the need for war, US

• 
  Russian, Egyptian foreign ministers support immediate ceasefire in Mideast

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Russia and Egypt support an immediate ceasefire and a return to political and diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a joint news conference following a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, Lavrov said the talks focused on the regional crisis following what he described as a US-Israeli joint military operation. He said the US should not simply demand that Iran unblock the Strait of Hormuz but instead end hostilities to restore functioning of the strait. Lavrov also said that “someone” appears intent on “undermining” negotiations on the Iranian issue. READ: Turkish president tells Putin Ankara opposes attacks on Iran, warns of Black Sea instability “The adoption of a resolution

• 
  Warning of ‘volatile’ security situation, US urges citizens to leave Lebanon

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  The US Embassy in Beirut on Friday urged US citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial flights remain available, warning that the security situation remains “volatile and unpredictable” amid ongoing airstrikes, drone activity, and rocket fire across the country, Anadolu reports. In an advisory, the embassy said attacks have been reported in southern Lebanon, the Beqaa region, and parts of the capital Beirut. “Iran and its aligned terrorist militias may intend to target universities in Lebanon. Iran has specifically threatened American universities across the Middle East,” it said. It also urged Americans in southern Lebanon, border areas with Syria, refugee settlements, and Beirut’s southern suburbs to depart immediately. READ: Israeli attacks displace over 1M in Lebanon, 1 in 5 affected: UN refugee

• 
  France delivers 39 armored vehicles to Lebanese army

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  France has delivered 39 armored personnel carriers to the Lebanese Armed Forces, fulfilling a prior commitment made by French officials, the Defense Ministry said on Friday, Anadolu reports. The delivery “aims to guarantee Lebanon’s territorial integrity, the protection of civilians, regardless of their faith, and the preservation of state institutions,” French Deputy Defense Minister Alice Rufo said during a handover ceremony at the port of Beirut on Tuesday.​​​​​ The armored vehicles, known as VABs, are designed to enhance troop mobility and enable operations in high-risk areas. Each vehicle can carry about 10 fully equipped troops and is built with welded steel plates to protect against small-arms fire and shrapnel. French President Emmanuel Macron announced in late March that France would

• 
  Turkish president tells Putin Ankara opposes attacks on Iran, warns of Black Sea instability

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara does not approve of attacks on Iran and also does not endorse Iran’s retaliatory actions against regional countries during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Anadolu reports. According to Turkish diplomatic sources, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues. During the conversation, President Erdogan further warned that attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea undermine regional stability, stressing that the Iran conflict should not create a new flashpoint in the Russia-Ukraine crisis. President Erdogan also highlighted that the aggressive policies of the Israeli government under Prime Minister Netanyahu must be prevented and underscored that steps undermining the status of Jerusalem cannot be

• 
  Lebanon says Israeli attacks killed 23, injured 98 in past 24 hours

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Israeli attacks on Lebanon killed 23 people and wounded 98 others over the past 24 hours, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Thursday, Anadolu reports. In a statement carried by the National News Agency, the ministry added that the total death toll since March 2 has risen to 1,368, with 4,138 people injured. The toll includes 125 children and 91 women. Israel has pounded Lebanon with airstrikes and launched a ground offensive in the south since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2. Lebanese authorities said that nearly 1,318 people have since been killed and 3,935 others wounded in the Israeli assault. READ: Israel warns of strikes on bridges in south Lebanon, claiming to deter Hezbollah activities

• 
  Trump ‘briefed’ on downing of US fighter jet over Iran: White House

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  President Donald Trump “has been briefed” on a US fighter jet shot down over Iran, White House said Friday, Anadolu reports. “President Trump has been briefed,” spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told CNN. Earlier, Iranian state media released photos and videos allegedly showing debris from the crash site, including what appears to be parts of the aircraft and one of the ejected seats. Initial assessments based on the imagery suggest the aircraft may have been an F-15 fighter jet. The Pentagon and US Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Anadolu. If confirmed, it would be the first time since the beginning of the war that a US jet was downed by “enemy” fire. Media reports indicate that

• 
  US-Israeli attacks hit airport, university in Tehran: Iranian state TV

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  US-Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple locations in Iran’s capital Tehran, including Mehrabad International Airport and Shahid Beheshti University, Iranian state TV said Friday. According to the state outlet, the strikes caused damage to Shahid Beheshti University in Velenjak, northwestern Tehran, while Mehrabad International Airport in western Tehran was also hit. No immediate information was available on possible casualties or the extent of the damage. On Telegram, the Iranian Red Crescent said that Israel targeted the plasma and laser institute at Shahid Beheshti University in northern Tehran. The region has been on alert since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.​​​​​​​ Tehran has retaliated

• 
  Saudi, Pakistani top diplomats discuss de-escalation, emphasize dialogue on Mideast situation

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan discussed the regional situation, emphasizing “the urgent need” for de-escalation and dialogue in the Middle East, Anadolu reports. They also discussed the Pakistan-China five-point initiative for peace in the Persian Gulf and Middle East during a phone call, according to a statement from Islamabad’s Foreign Ministry posted on US social media company X. On Tuesday, Beijing and Islamabad proposed a five-point peace plan for the Middle East, including an immediate cessation of hostilities, the start of peace talks as soon as possible, the security of non-military targets, the security of shipping lanes, and the primacy of the UN Charter. The two leaders also “reaffirmed the strong, fraternal” Pakistan–Saudi

• 
  Israel warns of strikes on bridges in south Lebanon, claiming to deter Hezbollah activities

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  The Israeli military warned on Friday it would target bridges in southern Lebanon, with a claim to deter Hezbollah’s activities, military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on US social media platform X. The army said it intends to target the Sohmor-Mashghara bridges to prevent “the movement of reinforcements and weapons,” urging civilians to move north of the Zahrani River and avoid traveling south for their safety, the source said. In a separate development, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said disarming Hezbollah through military and political means remains Israel’s “ultimate goal,” according to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. Katz said homes in border villages used as Hezbollah positions would be demolished under a model similar to operations in Rafah and Khan Younis in Gaza,

• 
  Israel resumes Leviathan gas field operations after 32-day halt due to war

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Israel has resumed operations at the Leviathan natural gas field in the eastern Mediterranean after a 32-day halt linked to the war with Iran, according to Israel’s Energy Ministry, Anadolu reports. The ministry decided to restart production at the Leviathan field, allowing exports to Egypt and Jordan to resume, Israeli economic newspaper Globes reported. Globes said the Tamar field remained the only operational gas field during the conflict, while it remains unclear whether the Karish field has also resumed operations. Israel shut down the Leviathan and Karish fields on Feb. 28, when the war with Iran began, amid concerns the facilities could be targeted in attacks, the report said. READ: Israel continues to bar Muslims from Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque

• 
  French court lifts ban on Muslim gathering in Paris

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  A French administrative court has suspended a government order banning the Annual Meeting of Muslims of France, allowing the event to proceed as planned from April 3 to 6 at the Le Bourget Exhibition Center, organizers said on Friday, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the organization “Musulmans de France” welcomed the Paris Administrative Court’s decision, describing it as a restoration of fundamental rights and a confirmation that the initial ban was “serious, disproportionate, and legally unfounded.” The emergency judge ruled that freedom of assembly is a fundamental right that authorities are obliged to protect, the statement said, adding that restrictions can only be imposed as a last resort when no other measures are sufficient to maintain public order. Organizers emphasized

• 
  Brazilian Congressman seeks to bar Israeli military personnel from entering Brazil

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  A Bahia state lawmaker has formally urged President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to bar Israeli military personnel from entering Brazil, following a series of controversial incidents involving Israeli tourists in Bahia. The measure argues that individuals who took part in military operations in Gaza and Lebanon could be held accountable for acts described in the document as genocide. The proposal, submitted by state representative Hilton Coelho of the Socialism and Liberty Party (Psol), calls on the federal government to adopt measures preventing individuals linked to alleged human rights violations from using Brazil as a tourist destination or refuge. The document characterises such acts as potential genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Coelho grounds the request in Brazil’s Federal

• 
  Israel continues to bar Muslims from Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  Israeli authorities continue to bar Muslims from Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest mosque in Islam, keeping the site closed since late February under emergency measures linked to the war with Iran, Anadolu reports. Authorities closed the site after the war began, citing Home Front Command directives banning large gatherings. Israeli authorities also closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity’s most important holy sites. Witnesses told Anadolu that police prevented Palestinians from praying in the streets near the Old City walls, including Salah al-Din Street. Calls had circulated in Jerusalem urging worshippers to pray as close as possible to Al-Aqsa due to its continued closure. Palestinians have instead been praying in smaller mosques across the city.

• 
  US fighter jet shot down by Iran: Report

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  A US fighter jet has been shot down by Iran, Axios reported Friday. Citing Iranian media and a source familiar with the incident, Axios said if confirmed, it would be the first time since the beginning of the war that a US jet was downed by “enemy” fire. Earlier, Iranian state media released photos and videos that allegedly show debris from the crash site, including what appears to be parts of the aircraft and one of the ejection seats. Initial assessments based on the imagery suggest the aircraft may have been an F-15 fighter jet. In Washington, the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Anadolu. Separately, citing people familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal

• 
  Trump says US can open Strait of Hormuz, ‘take the oil and make a fortune’

  by MI on April 3, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Friday said the US can open the Strait of Hormuz, as well as “take the oil and make a fortune,” noting that the move would be a “gusher” for the world, Anadolu reports. “With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A “GUSHER” FOR THE WORLD???” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of global oil supplies transit, has been disrupted since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran. US President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals on Washington’s plans for the waterway. The region has been on alert since

• 
  King’s College London to host PalMed Academy’s annual conference

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  The British capital is preparing to host a landmark scientific and humanitarian event as King’s College London opens its doors on April 24–25, 2026, for the Annual Scientific Conference of the PalMed Academy. This year’s summit convenes under the strategic theme: “Advancing Healthcare Delivery and Medical Education in Palestine.” The conference arrives amidst catastrophic conditions facing the Palestinian health and education sectors. Reports from 2026 highlight the continued acute collapse of medical infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and the total disruption of education for thousands of medical and nursing students. This crisis places a historical responsibility on academic bodies and the international community to intervene and provide vital support. A roadmap to combat “healthcare attrition” The conference seeks to present

• 
  Burhan dismisses Sudanese army chief of staff, appoints al-Atta

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has dismissed Sudan’s Chief of Staff, Mohamed Osman al-Hussein, and appointed Yasser al-Atta as his successor, according to official statements issued Thursday. The Sudanese army confirmed that al-Hussein was relieved of his duties and retired effective April 2, noting that the decision was formalised through a presidential decree. Al-Hussein had held the position since July 2019, following his appointment by Burhan after the political transition that followed the ouster of former president Omar al-Bashir. In a separate announcement, the army said a new General Staff formation had been established under the leadership of al-Atta. It also confirmed the appointment of Abdel Khair Abdullah Nasser Darjam as Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration. Al-Atta, 64, has been a

• 
  Romania considers cancelling Israeli drone deal over delays

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  Romania is considering terminating a major defence contract with Israeli firm Elbit Systems for the supply of unmanned aerial vehicles, citing repeated delivery delays. Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruta said the government is reviewing the $427.18 million agreement, signed in 2022, after the company requested multiple postponements to the delivery schedule. According to Miruta, deliveries were initially expected to begin in 2025, but Elbit Systems sought three delays citing force majeure. Romania accepted the first two postponements, while the company incurred penalties estimated at around €60 million. “I am currently considering the possibility of terminating this contract,” Miruta said, adding that some of the equipment risks becoming technologically outdated by the time it is delivered. Elbit Systems is a major

• 
  Muslim countries condemn Israeli law on executing Palestinian prisoners

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  A group of Muslim countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Indonesia, has condemned the Israeli Knesset’s approval of a law authorizing the execution of Palestinian prisoners, warning that it poses serious risks to regional stability. In a joint statement issued Thursday, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia, Jordan, and Pakistan described the legislation as a “dangerous escalation,” particularly due to what they characterised as its discriminatory application against Palestinians. The ministers warned that the law could fuel existing tensions and deepen instability in an already volatile regional environment. According to the version approved by the Israeli Knesset earlier this week, the law allows for the death penalty or life imprisonment for individuals convicted

• 
  Macron: War will not resolve Iran’s nuclear issue

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  French President Emmanuel Macron said that a war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran would not provide a lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, urging a return to diplomacy. Speaking to reporters during a state visit to South Korea, Macron stressed that “a targeted military operation, even if it lasts only a few weeks, will not provide a permanent solution to the nuclear issue.” He warned that without a framework for diplomatic and technical negotiations, the situation could deteriorate again within months or years, emphasizing that only sustained negotiations and a comprehensive agreement can ensure long-term stability and monitoring. Macron added that proposals to “liberate” the Strait of Hormuz through military action are unrealistic, cautioning that

• 
  US academic warns war with Iran could be prolonged and complex

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  John Mearsheimer has warned that expectations of a swift end to the war with Iran or the collapse of the Iranian state are “illusions,” arguing that the conflict remains in its early and uncertain stages. The prominent international relations professor said that current assessments suggesting a quick resolution are premature and potentially misleading, given the nature of conflicts involving regional and global powers. Mearsheimer emphasized that Iran’s geographic scale and dispersed military infrastructure make it difficult to decisively weaken through rapid strikes, adding that even sustained military operations would be unlikely to fully dismantle its capabilities. He also argued that the United States and its allies may have overestimated their ability to achieve a quick victory, noting that Iran retains

• 
  Palestinian man with special needs killed by Israeli occupation fire in Gaza

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  A Palestinian man with special needs was killed on Thursday after being shot by Israeli occupation forces in southern Gaza. Medical sources confirmed the death of Muhammad Musa Rizq al-Farra, who was killed in the al-Satar al-Sharqi area of Khan Younis after being shot by Israeli occupation fire. In a separate incident, Muhammad Nihad Abu al-Ata (22) was injured by shrapnel in the chest as a result of Israeli artillery shelling near the Shuja’iyya intersection, east of Gaza City. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 713 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire agreement of 11th October, in addition to approximately 1,943 injuries, while 756 bodies have been recovered during the same period. According to the ministry, since the

• 
  The carrier of creative chaos

  by Marwa A on April 3, 2026

  On March 31, the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush departed naval station Norfolk in Virginia, bound for the Middle East to join the other three carriers (USS Lincoln, Tripoli and New Orleans) as American and Israeli air strikes against Iran enter their second month.  The name alone forces us to reckon with two legacies bequeathed by the George W. Bush administration nearly a quarter century ago. The 41st president, George H.W. Bush, fought a war in the same region in 1991. He drove Iraq out of Kuwait and then stopped. His national security adviser, Brent Scowcroft, explained the logic: ‘It was the first conflict after the Cold War, and we wanted to establish rules’.  As such, the coalition was