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

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  Trump surprised by UK’s ‘very late response’ on allowing use of military bases

  by MI on March 21, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Friday he was surprised by United Kingdom’s “very late response” in allowing Washington to use British military bases for strikes targeting Iranian missile capabilities threatening the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. “I was a little surprised at the UK. They should have acted a lot faster,” Trump told reporters, adding that the delay was unexpected given the strength of the relationship. Downing Street confirmed Friday that Cabinet ministers had approved an expansion of US access to British bases, specifying that the agreement now covered American defensive operations to degrade Iranian missile sites, and capabilities being used to attack shipping in the strait. The White House previously said Trump told UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that he wished

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  Iraq cuts Basra oil output by 70% amid regional escalation

  by MI on March 21, 2026

  Iraq has cut oil production in the Basra fields by about 70%, reducing output from 3.3 million barrels per day to around 900,000, following the suspension of crude exports from southern ports, the state news agency reported Friday. Deputy Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani said during a meeting with officials from the Basra Oil Company that production had been sharply reduced after exports were halted, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA). He added that the crude currently being produced is being directed to operate domestic refineries. Oil prices rose amid the escalating regional tensions, with Brent crude climbing about 4% to $112.4 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate reached $98.35, up 2.8%. On Wednesday, Iraq’s North Oil Company announced

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  Why Prabowo Must Follow Through on Cancelling the Gaza Peacekeeping Deployment

  by MI on March 21, 2026

  Indonesia’s plan to deploy peacekeeping forces to the Gaza Strip, once heralded as a landmark moment in the country’s military diplomacy, has now reached a critical impasse. The ambitious commitment to send up to 8,000 Indonesian troops under the banner of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), initiated through the Board of Peace (BoP) led by Donald Trump, has collided with the harsh realities of contemporary geopolitics. Jakarta’s decision to place the mission on indefinite hold is not merely a bureaucratic pause; it is a candid acknowledgment that conditions on the ground have evolved into an unpredictable diplomatic and ռազմական minefield. From the outset, President Prabowo Subianto’s announcement in Washington, D.C. about deploying a large-scale composite brigade triggered intense domestic debate.

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  Belgium to join Strait of Hormuz mission only after ceasefire, international mandate

  by MI on March 21, 2026

  Belgium signaled Friday it is ready to participate in securing the Strait of Hormuz, but only after a lasting ceasefire is in place and the operation is conducted within a clear international framework, according to a report from the Belga news agency. The report said the federal government’s core Cabinet reached the conclusion following a request for Belgium to “contribute to appropriate measures to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.” The appeal comes as Iran threatened to attacks on ships transiting the strategically vital waterway, leading to a near halt in maritime traffic. Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the UK earlier announced release they were prepared to contribute to the mission. “Belgium is prepared to participate

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  Trump administration making detailed preparations for ground troops in Iran: Report

  by MI on March 21, 2026

  The Trump administration is making detailed preparations for deploying US ground troops to Iran, according to a report published Friday, Anadolu reports. It comes one day after President Donald Trump told reporters at a news conference, “No, I’m not putting troops anywhere,” but added, “If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.” CBS News reported that senior military commanders have submitted specific requests aimed at preparing for the deployment of American ground forces in Iran as the president coordinates with Israel on the joint use of US and Israeli military resources. “It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the Commander in Chief maximum optionality, it does not mean the President has made a decision, and as

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  Cui Bono: Six months into the Gulf War

  by MI on March 21, 2026

  The war in the Gulf has entered a decisive phase. Six months from now, the strategic landscape will look markedly different, shaped not only by the immediate destruction but by the recalibration of alliances, energy markets, and global power balances. The question before us is simple yet profound: Cui bono? Who benefits from this conflagration, and who emerges diminished? The answer is neither uniform nor static. Gains are relative, losses are cumulative, and the balance of power is shifting in ways that demand sober recognition. Russia: The immediate beneficiary Russia is the clearest short-term winner. Elevated oil prices have delivered billions in windfall revenues, replenishing Moscow’s war chest and enabling it to sustain its campaign in Ukraine while projecting influence

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  Russia offers to halt sharing intel with Iran if US does the same with Ukraine: Report

  by Marwa A on March 20, 2026

  Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to halt all intelligence sharing with Iran if the US does the same with Ukraine, according to a report published Friday, Anadolu reports. The proposal was put forward by Putin’s Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev when he sat down with Steve Witkoff, his US counterpart, and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner last week in Miami, Florida, news outlet Politico Europe reported, citing two anonymous sources. The Trump administration rejected the offer, but it has nonetheless sparked concern among European officials who fret that Putin may be trying to drive a wedge between NATO allies. An EU official who spoke to Politico Europe described Putin’s offer as “outrageous.” Trump earlier Friday lambasted the transatlantic alliance, saying

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  US sues Harvard University over antisemitism allegations, seeks to freeze grants

  by Marwa A on March 20, 2026

  The US Justice Department on Friday filed a lawsuit against Harvard University alleging antisemitism on the Ivy League campus located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Anadolu reports. The case, filed in federal court, says the leadership at Harvard failed to address campus-wide antisemitism, which justifies the government freezing existing grants and seeking repayment for grants already paid to the university. Department officials alleged: “Harvard has failed to protect its Jewish and Israeli students in two ways. First, Harvard has continued to be deliberately indifferent to a level of hostility on its campus … Second, Harvard has refused to enforce its campus rules against students who harass their Jewish and Israeli peers.” The department lawsuit says that the “United States cannot and will

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  Ahead of Netanyahu visit, Human Rights Watch urges Hungary to arrest Israeli premier

  by Marwa A on March 20, 2026

  On the eve of a planned visit, Human Rights Watch on Friday has called on Hungarian authorities to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters the country, Anadolu reports. The visit, set to start Saturday, comes weeks before Hungary’s April 12 general elections. “Despite its move to leave the ICC (International Criminal Court), Hungary is still a member country and is still obligated to arrest and surrender individuals wanted by the court,” said Alice Autin, international justice researcher at Human Rights Watch. “By flouting this obligation, for the second time in less than a year, Hungary would further entrench impunity for serious crimes in Palestine and once again betray victims who have been denied justice for far too

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  In the Mideast, US is seeing repeat of 1960s claims of victory even as its soldiers were dying in Vietnam: Iranian foreign minister

  by Marwa A on March 20, 2026

  In the current Mideast conflict, the US is seeing a repeat of how in the 1960s, a top US general’s claims of victory in the Vietnam War flew in the face of reality, Iran’s foreign minister said Friday, Anadolu reports. “Americans haven’t forgotten how (in 1967), even as hundreds of U.S. soldiers were dying in Vietnam, and the outcome was already clear, General William Westmoreland was flown home to reassure everyone that the war was going well — that the U.S. was ‘winning’,” Abbas Araghchi wrote on US social media company X. “The media haven’t forgotten either; those briefings full of fantasy from the frontlines became infamous as the ‘Five O’Clock Follies’,” he said. The “same script, different stage” is

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  Israeli reservist detained over alleged leak of Iron Dome secrets to Iran

  by Marwa A on March 20, 2026

  An Israeli reservist has been detained on suspicion of leaking classified information about the country’s Iron Dome air defense system to Iranian intelligence, authorities said Friday, Anadolu reports. In a joint statement, Israeli police and the security agency Shin Bet (Shabak) said the suspect served in a military unit responsible for air defense systems and was arrested on allegations of espionage on behalf of Iran. The 26-year-old soldier, identified as Roz Cohen, was taken into custody following a covert investigation. Authorities said Cohen had been in contact with Iranian intelligence for months and allegedly passed on sensitive information related to the Iron Dome system. Officials said further details about the investigation and the alleged intelligence leak would be made public

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  Iran war poses ‘greatest energy security threat in history’: International Energy Agency

  by Marwa A on March 20, 2026

  The conflict involving Iran has triggered the most severe energy security crisis the world has ever seen, warned a top international energy official, Anadolu reports. Speaking to The Financial Times on Friday, International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol said the conflict represents “the greatest global energy security threat in history.” Birol, a Turkish economist and energy expert, pointed out that the current conflict has cut off twice the volume of gas that Europe lost from Russia in 2022, after the start of the Ukraine war. The Strait of Hormuz has effectively been blocked by Iranian threats to target vessels, halting “vital arteries” of the global economy, he said. Birol warned that markets and politicians are still underestimating the depth

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  Iran’s new supreme leader says country’s defense stronger than ‘enemies’ assume

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Friday that the country’s front lines are far stronger than its “enemies” assume, accusing them of miscalculating Iran’s internal strength, Anadolu reports. In a written message marking the start of the Persian New Year (Nowruz), Khamenei said the war began after the enemy lost hope of triggering a popular uprising inside Iran. He said adversaries believed assassinating top leaders and military figures would create fear and despair among the population and lead to the collapse of the political system. Khamenei, however, said Iranians formed what he described as a “vast defense line” across the country, frustrating those plans. READ: Iran will have ‘zero restraint’ if its infrastructure attacked, says foreign minister He also called on

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  NATO relocates Iraq mission personnel to Europe amid Mideast escalation

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  NATO has relocated all personnel from its mission in Iraq to Europe, the alliance said on Friday, citing a shift in operational posture amid the current hostilities in the Mideast, Anadolu reports. In a statement, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe confirmed that NATO Mission Iraq personnel were safely moved out of the Middle East, with the final staff departing Iraq on March 20. “I would like to thank the Republic of Iraq and all the Allies who assisted in the safe relocation of NATO personnel from Iraq,” said Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe. He also praised mission personnel for maintaining operations during the transition. READ: Trump slams NATO for refusal to aid his effort to reopen Strait of Hormuz

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  Trump says US wants talks with Iran but there’s ‘nobody to talk to’ after killing of senior officials

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington is seeking talks with Iran but claimed there is “nobody to talk to” following weeks of US-Israeli strikes that he said decimated the country’s leadership, Anadolu reports. Speaking during a trophy presentation at the White House, Trump said: “We’re having a hard time. We want to talk to them, and there’s nobody to talk to. We have nobody to talk to. And you know what—we like it that way.” “Their navy’s gone. Their air force is gone. Their anti-aircraft is all gone. It’s all gone. Their radar is all gone. Their leaders are all gone,” he claimed. “Now nobody wants to be a leader over there anymore.” Despite the remarks, Trump reiterated that

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  Iran will have ‘zero restraint’ if its infrastructure attacked, says foreign minister

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Iran will have “zero restraint” if its infrastructure is attacked, the country’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday amid an ongoing escalation in the region, Anadolu reports. “We have intelligence on Israeli plans to strike infrastructure. Once again: Zero restraint if our infrastructure is attacked,” Araghchi wrote on the US social media company X, posting a video featuring remarks by US President Donald Trump. The Iranian people “are men and women of principles,” he said, adding: “Iranians do not sneak attack adversaries while engaged in dialogue. Only when attacked do we powerfully respond.” READ: Iran FM says end of war must include guarantees against future attacks In the video posted by Araghchi, Trump was seen as saying that he believed Iran

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  FIFA’s inaction on football clubs based in Israeli settlements flouts international law: Amnesty

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Amnesty International on Friday said that FIFA’s inaction on clubs based in illegal Israeli settlements flouts international law, Anadolu reports. “By refusing to take action against clubs based in Israeli settlements, FIFA has failed to enforce its own rules and is blatantly flouting international law,” Steve Cockburn, head of Economic and Social Justice at Amnesty International, said in a statement. Cockburn said that FIFA had “a clear opportunity” to stand up for Palestinians’ rights and international law, “with this decision it has shamefully chosen to abandon both.” The statement came after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee on Thursday found the Israel Football Association (IFA) guilty of multiple “grave and systemic” discrimination violations but stopped short of imposing major sanctions. The committee said the

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  Trump slams NATO for refusal to aid his effort to reopen Strait of Hormuz

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  US President Donald Trump launched a broadside against NATO Friday, saying the transatlantic alliance is a “paper tiger” without the US and sharply criticizing allies’ refusal to aid his push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. “They didn’t want to join the fight to stop a nuclear powered Iran. Now that fight is militarily won, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices,” he said on his Truth Social platform. “So easy for them to do, with so little risk. Cowards, and we will remember!”

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  Hezbollah says it has launched 9 attacks on Israeli settlements since early Friday

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Lebanese group Hezbollah on Friday said that it launched nine attacks using rockets and loitering drones, targeting six Israeli sites, two military barracks in northern Israel, and a gathering of Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, Anadolu reports. The announcement came in a series of statements released by Hezbollah. The group said it launched rocket barrages at different times from dawn until midday Friday, targeting six settlements: Shlomi, Yiftah, Shomera, Kiryat Shmona, Ramot Naftali, and Hanita. It said it also carried out two separate aerial attacks using “swarms of loitering drones” targeting the Ya’ara and Matat military barracks in northern Israel. Hezbollah also said it targeted Israeli soldiers with rockets in Lebanon’s southern town of Khiam. Since Israel and the US launched

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  Switzerland suspends arms exports to US amid Iran attacks, citing neutrality

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Switzerland on Friday announced that it will halt exports of war materiel to the US due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, reaffirming its long-standing principle of neutrality, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the Federal Council stated that the export of weapons to countries engaged in international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorized for the duration of the hostilities. Existing licenses and exports of other goods will be monitored regularly by an interdepartmental expert group. “Exports of war materiel to the USA cannot currently be authorised. As the USA is involved in an international armed conflict, the exclusion grounds under Article 22a para. 2 let. a of the War Materiel Act are met,” the statement said. It added that no

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  Spanish premier unveils $5.7B plan to cope with ‘illegal’ Iran war

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday unveiled a €5 billion ($5.7 billion) support package to shield households and businesses from the economic fallout of the Iran war, while sharply criticizing the conflict as illegal and destabilizing, Anadolu reports. Sanchez said the war involving Israel, the US, and Iran violates international law and threatens Europe’s interests, warning it has already killed thousands of civilians and displaced around 4 million people in just 20 days. “It is already provoking the first shockwaves of a global economic earthquake,” he said, pointing to 50% rises in fuel and 40% fertilizer prices. “Even though we do not support this illegal war, we will do whatever it takes,” he added. Sanchez said the €5 billion package

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  Netanyahu’s ‘terrorism’ continues to threaten peace, says Turkish president

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “terrorism” continues posing a threat to both the regional and global peace, Anadolu reports. “Netanyahu’s terrorism continues to threaten regional and global peace, and Iran-based attacks have further deepened instability in our region,” Erdogan said. Turkiye mobilizes “all its means” to restore peace, stability and to revive dialogue and diplomacy, he added. Erdogan also expressed his solidarity with the people from lands spending Eid in grief and pain, particularly the people of Gaza. “I believe we will overcome this difficult period in our region very soon by supporting one another, with hope, patience, and resilience,” Erdogan said. “As the Islamic world, we are once again trying to

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  Is Washington already regretting its war with Iran?

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  On 28th February, 2026, the US and Israel launched what they called Operation ‘Epic Fury’ and ‘Roaring Lion’ respectively, to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, continue the years-long confrontation over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional influence, target its navy, and disrupt Iran-backed groups in the region.  The war which began with the US-Israeli series of explosions on the capital, Tehran, and city Minab (as shown in the map), which killed dozens of girls gathered at the Shajareh Tayyebeh (the Good Tree) school, soon escalated, killing the Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, followed by Iran’s retaliatory missiles attacks towards Israel, the US, and several locations linked to its military operations, such as Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia,

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  Trump considers risky Kharg Island takeover to force Iran to reopen strait: Report

  by MI on March 20, 2026

   The Trump administration is weighing plans to occupy or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island as part of a broader effort to pressure Tehran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported on Friday, citing four sources familiar with the discussions, Anadolu reports. This comes as the White House seeks ways to loosen Iran’s grip on one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. Trump has reportedly concluded that he cannot bring the conflict to an end on his preferred terms unless Iran’s ability to disrupt traffic through the strait is reduced. In the meantime, global energy prices have continued to climb. Kharg Island, located about 15 miles off Iran’s coast, is a key hub for the country’s oil industry and handles roughly

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  No naval escort for Trump: US allies and the Strait of Hormuz

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  With each dragged out day, President Donald Trump begins resembling a mad emperor who has not only taken leave of his senses but leave of everything else.  Having hitched his wagon to the Israeli program of chaos and destabilisation in the Middle East, he is stuck in a war he is incapable of controlling or dictating.  The periodic announcement of the next assassination of a notable Iranian leader is trumpeted like a holy ritual.  The next round of ecstatic bombing is hailed in the court as the biggest yet.  But behind these gestures lies an expansive emptiness.  Perhaps most telling of such emptiness is the sham of the alliance system he has sought to distance himself from even as he

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  Yemen’s Houthi leader signals military readiness amid regional escalation

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Yemen’s Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said his group is prepared to respond militarily to developments in the region amid escalating tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Anadolu reports. “We affirm our support for Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, and the holy sites, and our readiness at the military level according to the developments of events,” al-Houthi said in a video statement released late Thursday by the Saba News Agency. “All options at the military level are possible,” he said, urging Yemenis to remain prepared and on alert. Hostilities in the region have escalated since Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, so far killing over 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. ⁠Iran has retaliated with drone

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  France rules out joining any forceful intervention in Strait of Hormuz

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  French President Emmanuel Macron has ruled out joining “any use of force” to open the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. “We will not participate in any use of force to open the strait in the context of the ongoing war and bombings,” Macron told reporters during a news briefing late Thursday after EU leaders gathered in Brussels. His remarks came after the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan signaled their readiness in a joint statement to support efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. “I reiterated that once the situation is calmer, France is ready, together with other nations, to take responsibility for a ship-escort system in the strait as part of

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  When energy becomes a weapon: Oil and gas diplomacy on day 20 of the Iran–US–Israel War

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Twenty days into the escalating confrontation involving Iran, the United States and Israel, it has become increasingly clear that this is not merely a conventional military conflict. Beyond the battlefield, a parallel struggle is unfolding in global energy markets, where oil and gas are no longer just economic commodities, but strategic instruments of power, pressure and deterrence.In this evolving landscape, energy diplomacy has moved from negotiation tables into operational reality. Decisions surrounding production, transit routes and infrastructure security are now directly shaping the trajectory of the conflict and its wider geopolitical implications. The Strait of Hormuz: A strategic lever in a time of crisis Recent developments have once again underscored the centrality of the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s

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  Spanish foreign minister urges end to Israeli offensive in Lebanon

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on Friday called on Israel to halt its attacks in Lebanon, stressing that the situation in the country remains critical, Anadolu reports. “The situation in Lebanon is critical. Over 1 million displaced, over 1,000 dead, and thousands injured. Israel’s offensive in Lebanon must stop now,” Albares wrote on the US social media platform X. He noted that the destruction of bridges over the Litani River “amounts to the unacceptable isolation of part of the country’s territory.” “We condemn the destruction of homes in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon by Israel, which is contrary to the principles of international humanitarian law, as well as the rocket launches by Hezbollah,” Albares said. He also stressed that

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  Iran FM says end of war must include guarantees against future attacks

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Iran’s foreign minister told his British counterpart that any end to the ongoing war with the US and Israel must include guarantees to prevent future attacks, according to Iranian state media. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks in a phone call with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported Friday. “The path to normalizing conditions is the cessation of these attacks. The cessation of war must be accompanied by guarantees to prevent the recurrence of such aggressions,” Araghchi said. He also warned against any support for the US and Israel during the escalation. “Such actions will only escalate the situation and make conditions more complicated,” he said. Araghchi called on the UK to refrain from

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  Israeli army says hit military targets in Syria, claiming it was in response to Suwayda incident

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  The Israeli army said on Friday that it carried out overnight strikes on army targets in southern Syria, in what it claimed was a response to an attack on Druze citizens in Suwayda, Anadolu reports. The army said in a statement that it targeted an army command headquarters and weapons depots. The strikes were carried out in response to an “attack on Druze citizens in the Suwayda Governorate” in southern Syria, according to the statement, adding that the operation occurred overnight. As of 0640GMT, there was no immediate comment from Damascus on the Israeli army’s statement. Syrian authorities have previously said they guarantee equal rights for all segments of the population, including the Druze community. Damascus has also said that Israel

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  The Tolstoy guide to history that Trump and Netanyahu didn’t read

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  How do you bomb a country “without mercy”—and end up strengthening it? When US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that Washington would show “no quarter, no mercy for our enemies,” the message was unmistakable: this was not a limited war, but an overwhelming campaign meant to break Iran—militarily, politically, and socially.  The logic behind such a position is not new. A country under years of sanctions, strained by economic hardship, and periodically shaken by protests would, under sustained attack, fracture from within. Pressure would compound, divisions would deepen, and the political system would eventually collapse. That was the expectation. But the result has been the opposite. Across Iran, millions have taken to the streets—not only rejecting the war, but expressing

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  Italy’s Meloni rules out military mission in Strait of Hormuz, says EU favors diplomacy

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday that no country is currently considering a military mission to forcibly break the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. Meloni pushed back against what she called forced interpretations of a joint statement by Italy, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan released by Downing Street, making clear that it did not envision the use of military force and that EU countries were not party to the conflict, favoring diplomacy and de-escalation instead. She clarified that the question being asked was how countries could contribute to guaranteeing freedom of navigation when conditions were appropriate in a post-conflict phase and in clear agreement with all parties involved. The joint statement, which was

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  Palestinian Christian town in West Bank faces rising settler incursions, priest says

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Illegal Israeli settlers have increased incursions into the Palestinian town of Taybeh, the last fully Christian community in the occupied West Bank, the town’s Latin parish priest said Thursday, Anadolu reports. Father Bashar Fawadleh told Vatican Radio that the latest incidents mark a shift, with attacks expanding beyond the town’s eastern areas. He said Israeli police responded about an hour after being notified, but settlers returned shortly after being removed. “The police came one hour after our phone call … after that they came back in 15 or 30 minutes. And now they are inside the land,” Fawadleh said. He warned the incursions may be part of a broader effort to expand settlement control along a corridor stretching from east of

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  The collapse of the myth of Israel’s invincibility

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  The current situation in the Middle East cannot be understood as a mere military escalation or a sequence of isolated confrontations. It represents a historical turning point, revealing the exhaustion of a regional domination model sustained by Israel’s military supremacy and the strategic backing of the United States. For decades, the Zionist regime operated under the premise of its own invincibility. This assumption not only structured its military doctrine but also secured its privileged position within the international system, allowing it to act with broad impunity in the face of repeated violations of international law. However, this so-called invincibility was less an objective reality and more a political construct, sustained by three fundamental pillars: military asymmetry vis-à-vis its immediate adversaries,

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  Qatar says Iranian missile strikes cut LNG export capacity by 17%

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Qatar said Thursday that Iranian missile attacks on the Ras Laffan Industrial City reduced the country’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity by 17%, with the damage expected to cost about $20 billion a year in lost revenue and take up to five years to repair, Anadolu reports. State-owned QatarEnergy said on the US social media company X’s platform that the damage was caused by missile strikes that hit the industrial city Wednesday and in the early hours of Thursday, affecting supplies to markets in Europe and Asia. “I am relieved to confirm that no one was injured by these unjustified and senseless attacks, which weren’t just an attack on the State of Qatar but attacks on global energy security and

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  Iran war cost Israeli military $6.4B in first 20 days: Report

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  The Israeli military’s spending in the first 20 days of the war against Iran reached approximately $6.4 billion, Israel’s Haaretz daily reported, citing anonymous sources. The newspaper said daily spending averaged around one billion shekels (approximately $320 million) during the period. The total budget allocated for managing the war stands at roughly 39 billion shekels (approximately $12.5 billion), with the sources noting that the current spending rate would allow projections to be made about how long the campaign could last. The army was said to be preparing to request additional funding, according to the outlet. READ: Israel’s Netanyahu claims Iran no longer has capacity to produce ballistic missiles The Israeli government approved an emergency budget allocation of $825 million on Sunday

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  Israel bans Eid prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, citing security restrictions

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Israeli authorities have banned Eid al-Fitr prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, citing security restrictions imposed amid the war against Iran, Anadolu reports. Palestinians called Friday on worshippers to gather near the Old City to perform prayers as close to Al-Aqsa as possible for marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Israeli police have previously used batons, sound grenades and tear gas against Palestinians who prayed outside the Old City’s walls in protest against restrictions on Al-Aqsa during Ramadan. Occupied East Jerusalem entered the festive period in a somber mood. The Old City, which normally fills with Palestinians in the days before Eid, was eerily quiet, resembling a ghost town. Israel restricted access, citing its

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  A Greater Britain: Rethinking the UK’s Global Strategy

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  ‘Britain deserves to be a strong power in the new century…It needs only to play to its many strengths,’ argues research professor at the Strategic Studies Institute and US Army College, Azeem Ibrahim. His new book A Greater Britain: Rethinking the UK’s Global Strategy sets out to reform Britain’s position in the world and to see the UK emerge as a key strategic actor. Ibrahim’s contention is that Britain has been gripped by decades of decline, some of which was avoidable, and the country lacking any vision of itself to make it a key global player. For Ibrahim, Britain has much to offer including the advancement of liberal democracy and offering the world an alternative to a resurgent authoritarian political

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  Israel’s Netanyahu claims Iran no longer has capacity to produce ballistic missiles

  by MI on March 20, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Thursday that Iran’s missile manufacturing capabilities have been destroyed after 20 days of joint US-Israeli military operations against the country, Anadolu reports. “We are winning, and Iran is being decimated,” Netanyahu said during a virtual press conference with foreign reporters. He said that after 20 days of fighting, Iran’s military capabilities have sustained significant damage. “I can announce to you that Iran has no ability to enrich uranium and has no ability to produce ballistic missiles,” he said. Despite Netanyahu’s claim, Iran fired a barrage of 11 missiles at several areas in Israel as fighting between the two countries continued to intensify. READ: Majority of US voters oppose Iran war, say it benefits Israel more: Poll

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  Switzerland condemns ‘extremist settler’ violence in West Bank, urges Israel to act

  by Marwa A on March 19, 2026

  Switzerland on Thursday condemned a recent surge in violence in the West Bank, saying attacks by “extremist settlers” are undermining stability and prospects for peace, Anadolu reports. In a statement posted through US social media company X, the Middle East and North Africa division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said seven Palestinians have been killed since Feb. 28 in what it described as settler attacks targeting communities. Switzerland said the violence risks further escalation and weakens efforts toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It called on Israel to protect civilians, ensure accountability for those responsible, and uphold international law. The statement reflects growing international concern over continuous killings by illegal settlers in the West Bank

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  Majority of US voters oppose Iran war, say it benefits Israel more: Poll

  by Marwa A on March 19, 2026

  A poll released Thursday found that a majority of American voters oppose the US-Israeli war against Iran and believe it benefits Israel more than the US, Anadolu reports. The survey, conducted by Data for Progress for the IMEU (Institute for Middle East Understanding) Policy Project and Demand Progress, shows 56% of voters said the war benefits Israel more, compared to 29% who believe it benefits the US. Overall, 53% of respondents disapproved of US strikes on Iran, while 43% approve. The poll surveyed 1,215 likely voters, with 51% supporting Congress passing a war powers resolution to rein in President Donald Trump’s military actions against Iran, while 44% opposed the measure. Some 43% of voters said they are less likely to

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  KLM extends suspension of Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam flights until May 17

  by Marwa A on March 19, 2026

  KLM Royal Dutch Airlines said Thursday that it will not resume flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam until May 17, citing safety considerations as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues, Anadolu reports. The Dutch carrier said the safety of its passengers and crew remains its top priority, and that it continues to closely monitor the situation while staying in contact with relevant authorities. Previously, the carrier announced that it had halted flights to Dammam, Riyadh, and Dubai until March 28, and to Tel Aviv until April 11. The move comes as several major international airlines have also extended flight suspensions to key Gulf destinations due to the ongoing regional security tensions. British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Aegean Airlines are among

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  Power without exit – America’s strategic trap in the Strait of Hormuz

  by Marwa A on March 19, 2026

  The United States today finds itself ensnared in a war it cannot win, yet cannot leave. What appears, at first glance, as a familiar display of military dominance in West Asia is, in fact, a deeper crisis of strategy, legitimacy, and control. The conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has exposed a paradox at the heart of American power: the more force it projects, the fewer viable options it retains. Nowhere is this contradiction more sharply visible than in the battle over the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow passage that has become the fulcrum of a widening geopolitical confrontation. At the core of this crisis lies a strategic bind. The United States cannot credibly exit the conflict without first

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  Germany withdraws legal backing for Israel in ICJ genocide case

  by Marwa A on March 19, 2026

  Germany has stepped back from its earlier pledge to support Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Gaza genocide case, in a significant shift from its position when South Africa first brought proceedings in 2023. A German foreign ministry spokesperson said this week that Berlin will not intervene on Israel’s behalf in the case at The Hague, despite having announced in January 2024 that it would support Israel and rejecting South Africa’s allegations as unfounded. The move marks a notable change in Germany’s public position. When South Africa filed its case accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention through its military assault on Gaza, Berlin was among the first Western governments to rally behind Israel, arguing that

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  War beyond the battlefield: How the Iran conflict Is reshaping global power and the world economy

  by Marwa A on March 19, 2026

  These nights in Tehran the sound of fighter jets has become part of everyday life. Explosions echo across the city at irregular intervals and the uncertainty of what comes next hangs over millions of people. Yet the war unfolding in the Middle East is no longer confined to the battlefield. What began as a military confrontation is rapidly evolving into a broader geopolitical and economic crisis whose consequences extend far beyond the region. The global effects of the conflict are already becoming visible. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg have warned that the war could trigger a new wave of global inflation as energy markets react to instability in thePersian  Gulf. Agricultural markets are also beginning to feel the pressure. A report

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  Global attention must not lose sight of Palestine

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  For all Palestine, particularly Gaza, is reduced to visibility or invisibility depending on how it best serves the Israeli and Western narratives, the spotlight should remain on Palestine until it is decolonised from Israel’s settler colonial enterprise.  In recent comments, Colombian President Gustavo Petro described Israel’s genocide in Gaza as an experiment threatening the Global South. “What we are seeing before us is the making of barbarism and undoubtedly the possibility of a world war. It means the destruction of thousands, tens of thousands of lives that have nothing to do with geopolitics but still end up beneath the missiles,” Petro stated.  Israeli politicians have openly stated they would replicate Gaza in Lebanon. Israel has forcibly displaced one million people

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  US intelligence undercuts Trump’s main justification for war with Iran

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  One of US President Donald Trump’s central justifications for his war on Iran has been blown out of the water by his own intelligence community, which has concluded that Tehran is not rebuilding the nuclear enrichment capacity destroyed in last year’s US-Israeli attack. In written testimony submitted on 18 March, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said: “As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme was obliterated. There has been no efforts since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability.” The assessment undercuts Trump’s repeated claims that Iran posed an “imminent threat” and was close to obtaining a nuclear weapon. When questioned by senators, however, Gabbard did not repeat that conclusion orally and declined to say

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  UN experts warn Israel’s Gaza aid restrictions worsening crisis for women, girls

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  UN experts on Thursday warned that Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian operations in Gaza and the West Bank are worsening the crisis for women and girls, who are facing disproportionate harm, Anadolu reports. “Women and girls are bearing a disproportionate share of deprivation as access to food, healthcare, shelter, water, and sanitation continues to collapse,” the experts said in a statement. They said Israel’s tightening of restrictions on humanitarian organizations has “deepened an already catastrophic situation,” with vulnerable groups most affected. The collapse of Gaza’s health care system has placed women’s lives at immediate risk, they stressed, particularly due to disruptions in maternal and reproductive health services. “Denying access to maternal and reproductive healthcare in these conditions puts lives at direct

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  Israeli forces arrest Sheikh Raed Salah in occupied Jerusalem

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  Israeli forces have arrested Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement in the occupied territories, during a raid in occupied Jerusalem, according to Palestinian media reports. Sources said Sheikh Salah was attending an Iftar gathering at a private residence when Israeli soldiers stormed the house and detained him. No immediate official statement was issued by Israeli authorities regarding the circumstances of the arrest. Sheikh Raed Salah is a prominent Palestinian religious and political figure and has previously been detained by Israeli authorities on multiple occasions. READ: Israeli army arrests 16 Palestinian women in West Bank raids