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

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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

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  Oil prices fall after Trump cancels strikes on Iran

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Oil prices fell on Friday, extending losses from the previous session after US President Donald Trump had cancelled plans to launch strikes on Iran, easing concerns about a further escalation in hostilities following reciprocal attacks earlier this week. Brent crude futures fell by $1.21, or 1.3 per cent, to $89.17 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped by $1.23, or 1.4 per cent, to $86.48 a barrel. On a weekly basis, Brent crude lost 4.2 per cent, while US crude fell 4.4 per cent. After previously threatening to bomb Iran “with great force”, Trump cancelled the planned strikes on Thursday, saying that talks with Iran had made progress. However, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that Tehran had not

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  Netanyahu: Israel not party to US-Iran memorandum of understanding

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken with US President Donald Trump about a “memorandum of understanding being prepared with Iran to enter negotiations”. In a statement issued on Thursday, Netanyahu’s office said: “Although Israel is not a party to the memorandum of understanding, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for President Trump’s commitment that any final agreement reached at the end of the negotiations would include the removal of enriched materials, the dismantling of enrichment infrastructure, limits on missile production, and an end to Iran’s support for its proxies in the region.” Earlier, Israeli journalists and security commentators criticised Israel’s position on the issue, saying the emerging agreement reflected a failure for Israel and its interests. READ: Report:

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  The FIFA World Cup: Caught on the visa snag

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  The FIFA Men’s World Cup of 2026 was always going to offer visitors and spectators something different.  Shared between three countries – Mexico, Canada and the United States – the latter of the three was set to be the designated font of mischief and disruptive mayhem.  Add to this the rapacity of the world footballing body on ticket pricing, and we have a tournament foundering even before the first ball is kicked. Of nagging concern are the various travel impediments that have been impressed upon ticket holders.  Previous tournaments have seen FIFA mint arrangements with host countries granting exemptions on various immigration and entry requirements. Brazil permitted free temporary visas for ticket holders for the 2014 tournament.  Russia and Qatar

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  Report: US military building new base near Gaza border to support post-war plan

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  The US military has begun constructing a large base near the Gaza border that is expected to serve as a headquarters for military and civilian personnel involved in implementing President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom. The newspaper reported on Wednesday that construction is underway near the Israeli community of Re’im, close to the Gaza Strip. According to the report, the facility is intended to function as a central command and coordination hub for international organizations, civilian personnel and military forces expected to participate in the implementation of the next phases of Trump’s plan for Gaza. READ: US Senate moves to protect Israel’s access to American secrets “We have learned that the US

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  Khamenei adviser warns conflict could continue unless US respects Iran’s interests

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader has warned that tensions between Iran and the United States could persist unless Washington changes its approach towards Tehran and takes Iranian interests into account. In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to the Supreme Leader, said Iran would respond more forcefully to any future US military action and suggested that the future course of the conflict depends largely on decisions made in Washington. “The war with the United States will continue unless Washington respects Tehran’s interests,” Mokhber said. He added that Iran would not retreat from what it considers its core national interests. “US President Donald Trump must realize that the Islamic Republic will not back down and

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  Egypt and Turkey launch joint air force exercises

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Egypt and Turkey have begun joint air force exercises at several Egyptian air bases, marking a further expansion of military cooperation between the two countries amid improving bilateral relations. The Egyptian Armed Forces announced the start of the training programme on Thursday, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen defence cooperation and enhance operational coordination between the two militaries. According to the military spokesperson, the exercises involve multi-role combat aircraft from both countries and will continue for several days. The drills include a range of complex operational scenarios designed to simulate contemporary security and combat challenges. READ: Report: Growing Egypt-Turkey defence ties draw Israeli and US attention The first phase focused on theoretical sessions and professional exchanges between participating

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  Khamenei adviser says US strikes will not alter Iran’s position

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader has sharply criticised US President Donald Trump following recent American strikes on Iranian targets, warning that military action would not strengthen Washington’s position in ongoing negotiations. Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council and an adviser to the Supreme Leader, made the remarks in a post on X on Thursday. “The reckless US president imagines that bombs can get him out of the quagmire he created, but Iranian missiles will sink him even deeper into it,” Rezaei wrote. His comments came amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington following recent military exchanges and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict. READ: Iran considers placing assets linked to Elon Musk on its

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  Israel releases senior Hamas figure, Hassan Yousef

  by Mehdi Editor on June 12, 2026

  Israeli authorities have released senior Hamas figure Hassan Yousef after more than 31 months in administrative detention, Palestinian sources said on Thursday. Yousef, 70, was released after his detention order had been renewed five consecutive times since his arrest at the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. One of the most prominent Hamas leaders in the occupied West Bank, Yousef has spent more than two decades in Israeli prisons over the course of his political career, including multiple periods of administrative detention. Administrative detention allows Israeli authorities to hold individuals without formal charges or trial for renewable periods based on security assessments. READ: Hamas delegation holds talks with Russia deputy foreign minister on Gaza ceasefire efforts According to Palestinian

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  2 Gazans killed, 4 injured in Israeli attacks amid ceasefire violations

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Two Palestinians were killed and four others wounded in separate Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, marking a new violation of a ceasefire deal in place since last October, a medical source said, Anadolu reports. The source said a 40-year-old man was killed and another injured in a drone strike in the New Camp area, north of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. In Gaza City, a Palestinian was killed when an Israeli drone fired a missile into the roof of his house in the Al-Maghrabi area in the city center, the source added. A woman was also seriously injured by Israeli gunfire in the Atatra area, west of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. READ: UK, Australia, Canada

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  Israeli occupier attacks on Palestinians in West Bank ‘higher than any year on record’: UN

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  The UN on Thursday warned that Israeli occupier attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are occurring at a pace “higher than any year on record,” averaging six incidents per day, causing casualties or property damage, Anadolu reports. Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference that “the number of settler attacks causing casualties or property damage this year in the West Bank has now surpassed 1,000.” “These attacks have affected more than 230 communities across all parts of the West Bank,” he said, adding that “more than 2,200 Palestinians have been displaced this year due to settler violence or other access restrictions, alongside hundreds more who have

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  Italy’s premier backs sanctions on Israeli settlers, Ben Gvir ahead of EU Council

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Thursday that Italy supports sanctions against Israeli settlers and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, while calling for broader discussions on relations between the EU and Israel, Anadolu reports. “On this, I would like, for once, a discussion here that goes beyond the emphasis of facile polemics, which certainly generates immediate returns in terms of visibility,” Meloni said in parliament ahead of the European Council. She added: “It does not reflect the strategic importance that the issue has for Italy.” “The Council should reflect on the direction of relations between the European Union and Israel,” she added. Meloni also expressed support for sanctions targeting Israeli settlers. READ: UK, Australia, Canada launch fund to support

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  Rights group accuses RSF of killing 23 civilians in drone attacks in Sudan

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  A Sudanese rights group accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Thursday of killing 23 civilians and injuring 19 in drone attacks in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State in southern Sudan, for a second consecutive day, Anadolu reports. The non-governmental Emergency Lawyers group said RSF drones targeted the state capital late Wednesday, with attacks continuing into Thursday. The group said the first attack killed five civilians and injured 12. A subsequent strike targeted a gathering at the Dalil Cemetery during a funeral for the victims, killing four civilians and injuring seven more. Thursday’s attacks targeted homes in the Al-Muwazzafeen and Al-Matar neighborhoods, as well as areas surrounding the Sudanese army’s 5th Infantry Division headquarters, killing 13 civilians who

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  Israel has become world’s most boycotted state: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Israel has become the country most exposed to boycotts worldwide, facing a sweeping wave of international sanctions targeting government officials, occupiers and official institutions, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth said Thursday. Under the headline “How Israel became the most boycotted nation in the world,” the newspaper said Israel has faced “a tsunami of international sanctions targeting Israeli government officials, occupiers and institutions, escalating pressure from multiple countries and long-standing pro-BDS organizations.” It said France recently barred Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country, after previously imposing a similar ban on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. According to the newspaper, the French move came in response to the two ministers’ “active promotion of West Bank annexation, new settlements and policies

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  UK, Australia, Canada launch fund to support two-state solution efforts

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  The United Kingdom, Australia and Canada announced Thursday the creation of a new International Peace Fund aimed at supporting efforts toward a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel, Anadolu Agency reports. In a joint statement, the three countries said the multi-donor fund will support projects designed to advance the conditions for a negotiated two-state solution. The governments said the initiative will complement ongoing diplomatic, humanitarian and development efforts by supporting organizations working to promote peacebuilding and mutual understanding. The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to a negotiated two-state solution, describing it as the only viable path to lasting peace. The UK, Australia and Canada will each contribute initial seed funding equivalent to £1 million ($1.3 million) over three years. The

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  US Senate moves to protect Israel’s access to American secrets

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  The US Senate is considering a measure that would force the president to expand intelligence sharing with Israel and make it harder for any administration to restrict Israeli access to American secrets, even amid growing concern in Washington over Israeli espionage against US officials. Section 622 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, titled “United States-Israel Intelligence Sharing Enhancement”, would require the president, through the director of national intelligence and, when necessary, the secretary of defence, to “expand and enhance intelligence sharing with the Government of Israel”. The bill was introduced by Israeli loyalist Senator Tom Cotton, the Republican chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and one of Israel’s most hardline supporters in Congress. The provision would cover

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  Hezbollah says it shot down Israeli drone over eastern Lebanon

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  Hezbollah said Thursday that it shot down an Israeli military drone over eastern Lebanon, claiming the aircraft was targeted with a missile in the Bekaa region, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the group said its fighters downed a Heron 1 drone belonging to the Israeli army. According to the statement, the drone was flying over the Nahle area in the eastern Bekaa Valley when it was struck by “a specialized missile.” There was no comment from the Israeli military on Hezbollah’s statement. Earlier Thursday, Hezbollah said in a series of statements that it had targeted Israeli army vehicles and troop concentrations in the southern Lebanese towns of Tayr Harfa, Deir Siriane, and Odaisseh with drones and missiles in response to

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  Palestinian National Council elections and inseparable realities

  by Mehdi Editor on June 11, 2026

  On 4th June, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas approved the electoral framework for the Palestinian National Council following its adoption by the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The announcement of elections, expected to be held in early November, cannot be separated from a series of developments that began to unfold toward the end of 2024 amid the war in Gaza, growing international calls for action, and renewed momentum behind the recognition of Palestinian statehood. This article traces the diplomatic and political developments that accompanied that shift, as well as the practical measures undertaken by the Palestinian leadership in response. In doing so, it seeks to place the forthcoming National Council elections within their wider context and to better