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

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  Trump’s new Iran negotiator is Israel lobbyist who denounced talks with Tehran

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  The US has added a hardline Iran hawk and former pro-Israel lobbyist to its negotiating team, in a move that is likely to fuel speculations that Washington’s Iran policy is being shaped by ‘Israel First” officials. Nick Stewart, formerly managing director of advocacy at FDD Action, the lobbying arm of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), has joined the office of special envoy Steve Witkoff, one of Trump’s main negotiators with Iran.  The appointment comes after months of failed diplomacy in which Washington’s demands shifted from preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons to adopting Israel’s maximalist red lines: no uranium enrichment, and then the inclusion of Iran’s ballistic missile programme. Stewart has previously denounced the premise of negotiations with

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  Israeli army arrests 17 Palestinians, demolishes home in West Bank raids

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Israeli forces arrested at least 17 Palestinians, including two women and a child, and demolished a home in the West Bank on Wednesday, in the latest escalation in the occupied territory, according to local officials, Anadolu Agency reports. Israeli troops carried out raids across multiple areas in the West Bank, arresting “at least 17 Palestinians, including two women and child,” the Prisoners’ Media Office said in a statement. The office said forces raided homes, searched properties and damaged belongings during the raids, which were concentrated in Nablus, Bethlehem, Hebron and Ramallah. In a separate development, Israeli forces sealed off the town of Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah, blocking all entrances with earth mounds and isolating it from surrounding areas, local official

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  Iran’s Pipe Dream: Why US Bases Are Not Going Anywhere

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  For more than eight decades, the United States has maintained a formidable military presence across the Arabian Gulf. US bases are dotted across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. This military presence did not emerge by accident. It was shaped by three enduring strategic goals forged in the aftermath of World War II: the security of Israel, the uninterrupted flow of oil, and the preservation of the conservative Arab states that anchor regional order. These goals have never been formally revised, and despite the seismic geopolitical shifts of the intervening decades, they remain the bedrock of American strategy in the region. The Carter Doctrine of 1980 crystallized this commitment in unambiguous terms. Triggered by the

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  Pakistan ‘hopeful’ for ‘lasting’ US-Iran pact for ‘durable peace, stability’ after Trump pauses Hormuz mission

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Pakistan’s prime minister on Wednesday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to pause Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz, voicing hope that the current momentum will lead to a lasting peace agreement with Iran, Anadolu Agency reports. “Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond,” Shehbaz Sharif wrote on US social media platform X. He said that Trump’s “gracious” response to the request made by Pakistan and other “brotherly” countries, particularly Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, “will go a long way

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  UAE president receives solidarity calls after attacks from Iran

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed received calls of solidarity from regional and international leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after the Gulf state reported a second day of attacks from Iran, according to the state news agency WAM on Wednesday. Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Netanyahu and Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani “expressed their condemnation of the Iranian terrorist attacks targeting civilians and civilian sites and facilities”, the agency said. “The leaders affirmed their countries’ solidarity with the UAE and their support for all measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability and ensure the safety of its citizens,” WAM added. The UAE Ministry of Defense said Tuesday that it had intercepted missile and

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  Iran, Saudi Arabia stress diplomacy to prevent further regional tensions

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Iran and Saudi Arabia emphasized the importance of diplomacy and regional cooperation to prevent further escalation in the Middle East during a phone call between their top diplomats on Wednesday, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Anadolu Agency reports. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is currently in Beijing for talks with Chinese officials, held a phone conversation with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the ministry said in a statement. The two sides discussed the latest regional developments and stressed the need to continue diplomatic efforts and coordination among regional countries to prevent rising tensions, according to the statement. There was no immediate Saudi statement on the talks. Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a war

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  Israel’s Netanyahu appears in court for 84th hearing in corruption trial

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared before the District Court in Tel Aviv on Wednesday for the 84th time in his ongoing trial on corruption charges. According to Israeli news website Walla, Wednesday’s hearing could be the final session related to Case 4000 before the court moves on to examining Case 2000. Netanyahu has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and described the charges as politically motivated. The cases, known as “1000,” “2000” and “4000,” center on allegations that Netanyahu received valuable gifts from wealthy businessmen in exchange for favors, sought favorable media coverage from a newspaper publisher and granted regulatory benefits to a telecommunications executive in return for positive coverage on a news website. In addition to the domestic corruption trial, Netanyahu

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  Beijing extends support to Iran amid conflict with US ahead of Trump’s China trip

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  China on Wednesday extended support to Iran amid the conflict with the US as Beijing prepares to host US President Donald Trump next week, Anadolu Agency reports. “China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security and appreciates Iran’s willingness to seek a political solution through diplomatic channels,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi during a meeting in Beijing. He added that a complete cessation of hostilities “is imperative” while restarting the conflict “is unacceptable, and persisting in negotiations is particularly important,” according to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry. Araghchi reached Beijing at China’s invitation for their first in-person talks since the US and Israel initiated war with Iran on Feb. 28. Trump is scheduled

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  The hypothesis of the collapse of powers like Iran fails in the real world

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  In the intellectual circles of Washington and its allies, a growing certainty is evident: a combination of military and economic pressure can bring Iran to its knees or drive it towards collapse. Analysts present detailed three-step plans to “crush Tehran” and postulate that the West holds strategic superiority. However, a deeper look at the array of global and regional developments illustrates this certainty to be a dangerous “strategic illusion”. These roadmaps, by ignoring systemic consequences, geopolitical blind spots and their own internal vulnerabilities, chart a path towards an uncontrollable and attritional quagmire rather than a route to victory. The fundamental weakness of these analyses is the oversimplification of the conflict’s nature. For example, the strategy of simultaneously intensifying economic and

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  Israel seeks to resume attacks on Iran, message to Washington reveals

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Israel has sent a message to Washington saying its security and military leadership want to resume attacks on Iran, according to sources cited by the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation. The report said Israel believes negotiations with Iran are a waste of time. It added that Israel aims to use the current escalation in the Gulf to relaunch strikes on Iranian territory.  Military officials from Israel and the United States reportedly drew up a new target bank in April. Most of the newly identified targets inside Iran are crude oil facilities, the report said. READ: Trump says US must ‘make a journey’ to Iran to seize nuclear material

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  Israel pursuing systematic annexation in West Bank, campaign says

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Ramzi Odeh, Secretary-General of the International Academic Campaign Against Occupation, said Israel is pursuing a systematic policy of annexation in the occupied West Bank, with the intention of displacement and what he described as “eradication” carried out by Israeli forces and settlers. Speaking to the Egyptian TV channel Nile News on Tuesday, Odeh stated that recent Israeli laws and the construction of thousands of housing units clearly demonstrate Israel’s intention to annex the West Bank. He added that these developments are part of a broader effort to weaken the Palestinian Authority, marginalise its role, and leave it unable to maintain security, govern effectively, or ensure stability. Odeh warned there is no political horizon in the West Bank, with no discussion

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  US condemns Khartoum airport attack, renews call for Sudan truce

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  The United States has condemned a drone attack on Khartoum Airport and other civilian sites, warning that such strikes further hinder urgently needed humanitarian access in Sudan. In a post on X, Massad Boulos, senior adviser to the US President on Arab and African affairs, renewed calls for Sudanese parties to accept a humanitarian truce and ceasefire. “The United States condemns the drone attack on Monday targeting Khartoum Airport and other civilian sites, reportedly committed by the Rapid Support Forces,” Boulos said. He added that civilian objects must not be targeted. Civilian airports are especially critical for the movement of humanitarian supplies and personnel.    “Attacks like these generate yet another hindrance for desperately needed humanitarian access,” he said. Boulos stressed

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  Over 400 former diplomats urge Brussels to act against major Israeli settlement plan in West Bank

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  More than 400 former European ministers, ambassadors and officials on Wednesday urged European Union leaders in an open letter to “act now” against what they described as Israel’s “illegal annexation” in the occupied West Bank through the E1 (East 1) project, which plans to build thousands of homes. The 448 signatories, including former European Commission Vice-President Josep Borrell and former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, said: “The European Union and its member states, in cooperation with partners, must take immediate steps to deter Israel from continuing its illegal annexation of Palestinian land in the West Bank.” In August 2025, Israel approved Project E1, which will divide the occupied West Bank into two parts, threatening any geographical connection to a future

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  Democrats urge Trump administration to break silence on Israel’s nuclear programme

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  More than 20 Democratic lawmakers in the US House of Representatives have called on the State Department to end its official silence on Israel’s nuclear weapons programme, amid rising risks of military escalation linked to the war with Iran.    Representatives, led by Joaquin Castro, addressed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stating that Congress has a “constitutional responsibility” to be fully informed about the nuclear balance of power in the Middle East, the risks of escalation among parties to the conflict, and the US administration’s plans to deal with such scenarios, particularly during the ongoing war coordinated with the Israeli government. The lawmakers warned that “The risks of miscalculation, escalation, and nuclear use in this environment are not

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  Female prisoners in Damon prison subjected to over 10 repression and torture incidents in April

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  The Prisoners’ Information Office said on Tuesday evening that female detainees in Damon prison were subjected to more than 10 repression and torture operations during April. It said the raids involved the use of stun grenades, forcing prisoners to lie face down on the ground, restraining them from behind, and assaulting them with beatings and kicks, often away from surveillance cameras. The office added that the incursions were accompanied by arbitrary solitary confinement imposed on a number of prisoners without justification, as well as forced transfers inside cells. It noted that two pregnant detainees are being held in the prison under difficult health conditions amid repeated repression and psychological pressure, with one of them transferred to hospital. It said living

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  Air defense activated against drones near Iran’s Qeshm Island: Report

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Iranian media reported early Wednesday that air defense systems were activated against drones near Qeshm Island, located near the contested Strait of Hormuz. Officials in the southern province of Hormozgan said in a statement that sounds of explosions were heard overnight around the island, reported Iranian state broadcaster IRIB. The statement said the explosions resulted from the activation of air defense systems against small drones and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles. Authorities added that no damage to the island was reported. Social media accounts had circulated claims during the night about several explosions being heard on the island before any official statement on the incident. Regional tensions have escalated since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb.

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  Spain urges EU to take steps to protect independence of ICC, UN, their actions to end Gaza genocide

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Spain’s prime minister on Wednesday called on the European Commission to take steps to protect the independence of the International Criminal Court and the UN, as well as their actions to end the genocide in Gaza, Anadolu Agency reports. “We ask the Commission to activate the Anti-Coercion Instrument, to protect the independence of the International Criminal Court and the United Nations, and their actions to end the genocide in Gaza,” Pedro Sanchez said on US social media company X. He said Spain will “not look the other way” and warned that sanctioning those who defend international justice places the human rights system at risk. The EU cannot remain a bystander “in the face of this persecution,” he added. The Israeli army

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  Moves by Abbas’s son revive debate over Palestinian leadership succession

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Speculation is growing within Palestinian political circles over the future leadership of Fatah and the Palestinian Authority amid increasing political activity by Yasser Abbas, the son of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. According to informed sources, Yasser Abbas, a businessman aged 64, is expected to seek a seat on Fatah’s 18-member Central Committee during the movement’s upcoming conference in Ramallah, scheduled for 14th–16th May. The gathering will be the first such conference held in nearly a decade. The developments come as questions continue over succession within the Palestinian leadership, with no clear successor emerging to the 90-year-old Abbas amid prolonged political stagnation and weakening institutional structures. READ: Fatah says 63% of Gaza now under Israeli control Yasser Abbas oversees business interests in

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  Fatah says 63% of Gaza now under Israeli control

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Fatah spokesperson Munther Al-Hayek said Israeli forces now control around 63 per cent of the Gaza Strip through expanding military zones and buffer areas. Speaking in a televised interview, Al-Hayek said the so-called “yellow line” established by Israel cuts through roughly 58 per cent of Gaza’s geographical area. He stated that northern and southern areas including Rafah and Beit Hanoun, as well as eastern sections of the territory extending two to three kilometres inward, are effectively under Israeli occupation and military control. According to Al-Hayek, these areas contain Israeli tanks, troops, military positions and earthen barriers, alongside extensive destruction. He added that Israel had implemented what he described as the “Gideon 2” plan in these zones. He also referred to

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  Archbishop Hanna warns of escalating Israeli attacks targeting Christians in Jerusalem

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Archbishop Atallah Hanna, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia, has warned of escalating and systematic Israeli attacks against Christians in Jerusalem and across Palestine, saying clergy and places of worship are increasingly being targeted. In remarks published by Al Jazeera, Hanna said the attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a broader policy aimed at weakening the Palestinian presence in Jerusalem, including both Christians and Muslims. He said Israeli political discourse contributes to creating an atmosphere that fuels such attacks. His comments came after a French nun was assaulted in Jerusalem’s Old City in an incident captured on video and widely circulated online. Hanna described the attack as “brutal and barbaric”, saying the nun was attacked while returning to

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  Saudi Arabia condemns Khartoum airport attack, urges neighbours to respect Sudan’s sovereignty

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the attack targeting Khartoum International Airport and called on neighbouring countries to prevent their territories from being used to launch attacks against Sudan. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its support for Sudan’s unity, security and state institutions, stressing the importance of protecting civilian infrastructure and keeping it outside the conflict. The kingdom urged all parties to de-escalate and immediately halt violations, while adhering to the commitments outlined in the Jeddah Declaration and international humanitarian law. Saudi Arabia also called on Sudan’s neighbouring states to respect the country’s sovereignty and independence and ensure their territories are not used as bases for attacks. READ: Sudan accuses UAE and Ethiopia of involvement

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  Israeli forces bulldoze agricultural land southeast of Bethlehem

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Israeli forces have begun extensive bulldozing of Palestinian-owned agricultural land southeast of Bethlehem, according to the Al-Baydar Organisation. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the organisation said the operations are taking place along the main road extending from the Gush Etzion area through the towns of Tuqu’ and Al-Maniya to the village of Kisan. The group said the bulldozing is being carried out under the pretext of widening the road, but has directly damaged Palestinian agricultural land on both sides of the route. According to Al-Baydar, the works form part of ongoing measures that alter realities on the ground through the gradual seizure of farmland under infrastructure-related justifications, affecting agricultural property and land use in the area. The organisation warned

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  Sudan accuses UAE and Ethiopia of involvement in drone attack on Khartoum airport

  by MI on May 6, 2026

  Sudan has formally accused the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia of planning and carrying out a drone attack targeting Khartoum International Airport. The accusations follow a series of strikes that also targeted residential neighbourhoods and military sites, including the Signal Corps base in Khartoum North and the Al-Muraihat training centre in Omdurman. At a joint press conference, Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohi El-Din Salem and military spokesperson Assem Awad Abdel Wahab said the government possessed what they described as “conclusive evidence” showing the drones had been launched from Bahir Dar Airport. READ: Sudan recalls envoy to Ethiopia after drone attack accusation According to a statement carried by the Sudanese News Agency [SUNA], Sudan officially announced “the involvement of the United Arab Emirates

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  Iran denies attacking UAE, warns of ‘decisive response’ if strikes launched from its territory

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  Iran’s armed forces denied carrying out any missile or drone attacks against the United Arab Emirates in recent days, Iranian state media IRIB reported Tuesday. IRIB, citing a statement by a spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said no such operations had been conducted, adding that any action would have been “clearly and officially announced.” The spokesman also rejected accusations by the UAE Defense Ministry as “baseless.” He warned that if any attack against Iran originates from the UAE territory, Tehran would respond with a “decisive and regret-inducing” retaliation. He also accused the UAE of allowing US and Israeli forces to operate from its territory, urging Emirati authorities not to become a base for what he described as hostile

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  Israeli army chief, air force commanders acknowledge October 2023 failure

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the outgoing and new air force commanders acknowledged Tuesday that the military failed during the Oct. 7, 2023 events. The remarks came during a handover ceremony at Tel Nof Airbase in central Israel, where outgoing air force chief Tomer Bar transferred command to his successor Omer Tishler, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth daily and Channel 12. “On Oct. 7, this branch — like the entire Israeli military — failed in its mission to defend the state of Israel,” Zamir said. “This failure accompanies us daily and obliges us to take responsibility and investigate it.” Israeli officials consider what happened on Oct. 7, 2023 to be the biggest Israeli intelligence and military failure, which

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  Brazilian President Lula calls for release of Global Sumud Flotilla activists detained by Israel

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday called for the immediate release of activists detained by Israeli forces during a humanitarian mission to Gaza, Anadolu Agency reports. “Maintaining the imprisonment of Brazilian citizen Thiago Avila, a member of the ‘Global Sumud’ flotilla, is an unjustifiable action by the Israeli government,” Lula wrote on US social media company X. He said the situation “causes great concern and should be condemned by all,” adding that the interception of the activists in international waters violated international law. Israeli forces attacked the humanitarian flotilla on April 30 near the Greek island of Crete, about 600 miles (966 kilometers) from Gaza. The Israeli advocacy group Adalah said Avila and Spanish national Saif Abukeshek

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  US offers $10M reward for information on leader of Iran-aligned militia group

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  The US State Department’s Rewards for Justice program announced a $10 million reward on Tuesday for information leading to the identification or location of Akram ‘Abbas al-Kabi, Anadolu Agency reports. “Akram ‘Abbas al-Kabi is the founder and leader of Harakat al-Nujaba (HAN), an Iran-aligned terrorist militia group in Iraq,” the department said. Officials alleged that “HAN members have attacked US diplomatic facilities in Iraq as well as US military bases in Iraq and Syria, killing a US contractor and wounding US service members.” The US previously designated al-Kabi and his organization as Specially Designated Global Terrorists in 2019. The announcement follows US Treasury sanctions on seven commanders from groups including Kata’ib Hizballah and Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haqq in mid-April. According to

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  Iran, the crisis of US power and the end of the imperial narrative

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  War is also won in the realm of perception. And it is precisely on this terrain that Iran has achieved its most decisive victory. By confronting both the United States and Israel without capitulating, Iran has transformed resistance, endurance, and its capacity to exert pressure into regional political capital. This is not a conventional military victory, but something perhaps more profound: the consolidation of an image of an actor capable of imposing limits on imperial power. Even internal debate within the United States is beginning to acknowledge this reality, revealing a growing discomfort with the erosion of the myth of American military superiority—a superiority that no longer guarantees strategic victory.  Destroying targets, neutralising infrastructure, or launching high-precision offensives does not

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  US proposes UN resolution on Strait of Hormuz freedom of navigation

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  The US proposed a UN Security Council resolution Tuesday to defend freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. “At President Trump’s direction, the United States, alongside Bahrain and our Gulf partners, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar, drafted a UN Security Council Resolution to defend freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. Rubio said the move came as “the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to hold the world’s economy hostage with its efforts to close the Strait of Hormuz, threats to attack ships in the Strait, laying of sea mines that pose a danger to shipping, and attempts to charge tolls for the world’s

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  The UAE: Anti-Islamic alignment and the politics of illusion

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  The defining feature of the UAE model is not strength but illusion. The Iran war has exposed the fraud at its core: a glass city pretending to be a fortress. Its entire edifice rests on a belief it cannot manufacture, that it is safe, neutral, open, and insulated from the wars and mischief it helps enable. That belief is now damaged. This was always a brittle construct. The rulers built a state around spectacle rather than values, human decency, or legitimacy. They substituted towers for institutions, surveillance for citizenship, branding for sovereignty, and external protection for strategic depth. At its core, the UAE is profoundly anti-Islamic and has shown a consistent propensity to align with and sponsor forces that erode

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  Iran introduces new mechanism for ship transits in Strait of Hormuz

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  Iran has introduced a new mechanism governing ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz amid a standoff with the United States over the strategic waterway, the state-run Press TV reported Tuesday. Under the system, vessels intending to pass through the waterway receive an email from an address linked to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) informing them of transit regulations. Ships are then required to comply with the framework before receiving a transit permit, the report said. The move comes as Iran tightens control over maritime traffic in the strait, a key global energy route through which a significant share of the world’s oil shipments passes. Iran has imposed stricter controls on navigation in the Strait of Hormuz since the

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  Gaza sees one of highest numbers of security incidents since ceasefire: UN

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  The UN said Tuesday that last week saw a surge in security incidents in the Gaza Strip since the announcement of a ceasefire, with humanitarian facilities repeatedly coming under attack, Anadolu reports. Citing the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said during a news conference that “last week saw one of the highest numbers of security incidents since the ceasefire was declared in October of last year.” “Humanitarian facilities came under fire in two separate incidents,” he said, adding that “an airstrike also struck near a UN warehouse, and relief vehicles were damaged by stone throwing.” READ: 6 Israeli brigades deployed in Gaza to pressure Hamas: Report Dujarric urged all parties to “fulfill their obligations

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  White House sent Iran private warning before Hormuz escort operation: Report

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  The White House privately warned Iran of its impending “Project Freedom” naval operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz before it launched, according to an Axios report on Tuesday. A report by Axios, which cited a United States official and a source familiar with the matter, said that the warning was delivered on Sunday by a senior Trump administration official. It urged Tehran not to interfere with the operation. Despite the alleged advance notice, Iran launched a series of attacks on Monday on US Navy vessels, commercial ships, and targets in the United Arab Emirates. READ: Trump says US must ‘make a journey’ to Iran to seize nuclear material Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff

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  After more Trump criticisms of pontiff, Italy’s foreign minister says attacks on Pope Leo ‘not acceptable’

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  Italy’s foreign minister on Tuesday pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s latest criticisms of Pope Leo XIV, saying attacks on the pontiff are “neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace,” Anadolu reports. “The attacks against the Holy Father @Pontifex_it, head and spiritual guide of the Catholic Church, are neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace,” Tajani wrote on US social media company X, expressing solidarity with the holy father. He added that the pope’s words and actions promote “dialogue, the value of human life, and freedom,” values that Italy’s government also seeks to advance through diplomacy. Tajani’s remarks came after Trump accused the pope of “endangering a lot of Catholics,” claiming that the pontiff “thinks it’s

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  Trump says US must ‘make a journey’ to Iran to seize nuclear material

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that American forces must conduct a mission into Iran to secure nuclear assets following aerial bombardments that buried Tehran’s enrichment facilities, Anadolu reports. “Now we’re going to take a hit, because we have to make a journey down to Iran to take the nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters. He appeared to refer to 1,000 pounds (453.6 kilograms) of enriched uranium reportedly trapped under the debris of sites targeted during the US-Israeli offensive last June. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the material is “under the rubble” with no immediate plans to retrieve it. The US president asserted that Washington effectively destroyed Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. “We blew up their nuclear potential. It was obliterated,” he

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  Iran says X removed verification badges from its foreign ministry accounts

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  Iran said the US social media company X removed verification badges from accounts linked to its foreign ministry, calling the move “selective censorship” despite paid Premium+ subscriptions, Anadolu reports. The statement, posted on X on Tuesday by Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, said the blue check mark had been removed from the spokesperson’s account as well as from the ministry and the foreign minister’s profiles. It described the action as “arbitrary de-verification,” alleging it reflects a broader pattern aimed at suppressing what it called information about the US-Iran conflict. There has been no immediate response from X to the claim. READ: Iran says US needs to show ‘minimum good faith’ for diplomacy

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  Journalists under threat in Lebanon amid rising attacks, experts warn

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  Journalists in Lebanon face increasing threats, including deadly attacks, surveillance, and legal gaps, experts warned Tuesday, calling for urgent accountability and stronger protections, Anadolu reports. Speakers at a hybrid briefing, including representatives from Human Rights Watch and legal and media groups, told reporters in Geneva that violence against journalists is part of a broader pattern. Elsy Moufarrej, president of the Union of Journalists in Lebanon, said attacks on journalists are not isolated incidents but reflect a “deliberate pattern” aimed at silencing coverage. “These attacks very clear; our documentation shows that they are deliberate and direct attacks against journalists,” said Ghida Frangieh, a lawyer at Legal Agenda in Beirut. Participants cited multiple cases of journalists killed in recent years, including while

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  Iran says US needs to show ‘minimum good faith’ for diplomacy

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson​​​​​​​ Esmaeil Baghaei said Tuesday that if the US is serious about diplomacy, it needs to seize the opportunity and show “minimum good faith.” Baghaei told Iranian state media Press TV that the international community is closely watching the US’ actions and expects a constructive approach. He said the war against Iran was a “war of choice” by the US, and its consequences have been felt globally. Baghaei criticized shifting US justifications for the conflict, saying Washington initially cited an “imminent threat,” before denying that stance, while continuing to link the war to Iran’s nuclear program. He reiterated that Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful and that claims to the contrary were used as a pretext for what

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  Israel targets southern Lebanon with internationally banned phosphorus shells

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  The Israeli army shelled towns in southern Lebanon with phosphorus munitions Tuesday, according to the National News Agency NNA. The agency reported that the towns of Kounine and Beit Yahoun in the Bint Jbeil district were targeted with artillery shells containing phosphorus, which are banned internationally. Israeli warplanes separately carried out airstrikes on the towns of Kafra, Braachit and Safad al-Battikh in the Tyre district, said the report. Additional strikes hit Beit al-Sayyad and Mansouri, where three raids targeted residential homes, according to the agency. No casualties were reported. Despite a ceasefire that was announced April 17 and extended until May 17, the Israeli army continues daily strikes in Lebanon and widespread demolition of homes in dozens of villages. Lebanon’s

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  Israel’s finance minister sparks backlash after saying Arab-backed government ‘worse’ than October 2023 events

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has drawn widespread criticism after saying that forming a government with support from Arab lawmakers would be “worse” than the Oct. 7, 2023 events, Anadolu reports. His remarks came as recent opinion polls suggested that Israel’s main opposition bloc may be unable to form a government without backing from Arab parties. Unless early polls are called, Israel’s next general elections are scheduled for October. Polls indicate that if elections were held now, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc would win around 50 seats, the opposition about 60, and Arab parties about 10 seats. Forming a government requires the support of at least 61 members in the 120-seat Knesset. In an interview with the local 103 FM

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  US says it redirected 51 vessels from Iranian ports

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  The US said Tuesday that 51 vessels attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports have been directed to turn around or return to port under its naval blockade. “As of today, 51 vessels have been directed to turn around or return to port in order to stop commercial ships from entering or leaving Iran,” CENTCOM said on US social media company X. The updated figure showed an increase of two compared to the 49 vessels reported earlier as having been redirected. A US sailor standing watch aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) was observed monitoring flight operations in the Arabian Sea as American forces enforce the blockade, according to CENTCOM. Since April 13, the US has enforced

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  Ceasefire with Iran ‘not over,’ says US Defense Secretary Hegseth

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the ceasefire with Iran is “not over,” adding that US President Donald Trump will determine whether any escalation constitutes a “violation of ceasefire,” Anadolu reports. “No, the ceasefire is not over,” Hegseth told reporters during a joint press conference at the Pentagon alongside US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine. “Ultimately, the President (Trump) is going to make a decision whether anything were to escalate into a violation of a ceasefire, but certainly we would urge Iran to be prudent in the actions that they take, to keep that underneath this threshold,” Hegseth said. “So right now, the ceasefire certainly holds, but we’re going to be watching very, very closely.” Hegseth said two

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  Israeli officials call for mass incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday to mark East Jerusalem occupation

  by MI on May 5, 2026

  Thirteen Israeli officials, including three ministers, have called on occupiers to storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque in droves on Friday, May 15, to mark the anniversary of Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem, Anadolu Agency reports. According to Hebrew calendar, Israel marks what it calls “Jerusalem Day” and the “reunification” of the city, which this year falls on May 15. Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967. The date also coincides with the anniversary of the “Nakba,” a term used by the Palestinians to refer to Israel’s foundation on the rubble of Palestinian villages on May 15, 1948. According to Army Radio, 13 members of the Knesset, including three ministers, requested the opening of Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Jews next week. Those officials

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  How Trumpism reshaped the politics of protest

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  For a long time, scholars of social movements assumed that political coalitions form when different groups discover they have aligned interests. But in American history, those alignments have usually been short-lived and shaky at best. Labor unions, civil rights groups, immigration activists, and environmentalists have each followed their own logic, rarely coming together in any lasting way. In recent years, though, something more surprising has started to happen — a new kind of convergence visible in movements like “May Day Strong.” To understand why, we need to look at the deeper structure of politics in the Trump era. Trumpism didn’t just energise its own supporters. It redrew the entire political map into a sharp, simple binary: real Americans versus elites,

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  Iran’s vision of a new legal regime in the Strait of Hormuz

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  In the wake of the forty-day war between Iran and the United States-Israel, no one expected that the governing legal regime of the Strait of Hormuz would undergo a fundamental transformation. Tehran’s stance, emerging from the recent war, is not be a return to the previous legal order of free transit, but rather a fundamental reorientation of rights and responsibilities within this chokepoint. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly and Iranian top negotiator after the demise of Ayatollah Khamanei, has emphasised the Islamic Republic’s complete control over the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic chokepoint. He reiterated: “Traffic through this passage will only be carried out based on designated routes and with Iran’s permission. The opening

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  Medical evacuations delayed at Gaza crossing

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  IMAGES: Palestinians mark World Press Freedom Day in Gaza

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  6 Israeli brigades deployed in Gaza to pressure Hamas: Report

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  The Israeli army has begun stepping up pressure on Hamas to prevent the group from strengthening its presence and to force it to reconsider its refusal to disarm, as part of the plan proposed by US President Donald Trump for the Gaza Strip, according to Yedioth Ahronoth. The newspaper reported that six Israeli brigades are currently deployed in Gaza, saying the rotation of forces indicates preparations for a prolonged and intensive presence in the territory. A paratrooper’s brigade is expected to soon replace a reserve brigade that has completed its mission in Gaza. This comes after fighters of the Iron Fist Brigade (205), under the command of Division 252, recently completed a significant two-month combat deployment in the strip. The

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  EU rejects Israel’s ‘orange line’ in Gaza

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  The European Union has rejected any change to territorial control in the Gaza Strip, following Israel’s introduction of what it calls the “orange line”, an EU spokesperson said on Monday. Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for EU foreign affairs, made the remarks in response to a question from Anadolu Agency about the new Israeli measure, which reportedly expands its control to more than 60 per cent of Gaza, instead of carrying out further withdrawals required under the peace agreement. He stressed that the EU continues to underline the importance of unifying Gaza with the West Bank under the administration of the Palestinian Authority. El Anouni added that the bloc is renewing its call for the urgent implementation of the Gaza peace

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  Sudan recalls envoy to Ethiopia after drone attack accusation

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  Sudan has recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia for consultations after accusing Addis Ababa of involvement in a drone attack targeting Khartoum airport on Monday, the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported on Tuesday. A military source told AFP that Sudanese air defences shot down drones aimed at Khartoum airport, while witnesses reported hearing explosions and seeing smoke rising from a nearby area. Drone attacks have increased in recent months as the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces continue their war, which began in April 2023. In March, the Sudanese army accused the Rapid Support Forces of launching drone attacks from within Ethiopian territory, marking the first public accusation against Ethiopia of involvement in the conflict. According to the Sudan News

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  ‘Israel, What Went Wrong’: Omer Bartov on genocide in Palestine

  by Marwa A on May 5, 2026

  Omer Bartov is an Israeli-American historian. He is professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University in the United States. Dr Mohammad Farhan who is Assistant Professor (English) at the Center for Distance and Online Education, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, recently interviewed him about his latest book Israel: What Went Wrong. What is happening in Palestine is not a conflict or war, it is a genocide as Bartov Omer, a leading authority on genocide writes in his book. In this interview he succinctly discusses how Israel commits war crimes and genocide on Palestinians: Mohammad Farhan:  I would like to ask what inspired you to use such a title What Went Wrong and what actually went wrong in the