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

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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

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  USS Gerald Ford withdrawn to Greece after major onboard fire

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  The US aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford is being temporarily withdrawn from the Middle East to Greece for repairs following a major fire on board, according to media reports. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the carrier would be towed from the Red Sea after a fire broke out last week, while USNI News cited a US official confirming the vessel’s departure for repairs, without initially disclosing its destination. The fire, which reportedly started in the ship’s main laundry area, burned for approximately 30 hours before being brought under control. READ: Trump: Israel attacked Iran’s south pars gas field without US or Qatari involvement Repairs are expected to take at least one week, according to the reports. Despite the

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  How can we understand Oman’s middle path toward Iran?

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  Several years ago, I asked a senior Omani scholar a question that has puzzled many in the Arab world: why does Muscat maintain such deep mutual trust with Tehran, despite decades of Iranian behavior that convinced most Arab states that Iran is not a reliable partner? He answered with quiet confidence: “Because we fought them throughout history. We understood them, and they understood us.” It was not a nostalgic reference to old battles, but a concise summary of a long political memory. Oman is the only Gulf state that has confronted Persia directly, defeated it at times, and negotiated with it at others. This history includes a fact often ignored in regional narratives: in 1775, it was the Omani fleet

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  UAE considers role in securing Strait of Hormuz amid tensions

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  The UAE’s diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash has said that the ongoing conflict with Iran is bringing Gulf states closer to the United States and Israel, following recent Iranian missile attacks on the region. Gargash said Iran had “miscalculated” by targeting the UAE and other Gulf countries, arguing that the attacks had strengthened regional alignment with Washington and Tel Aviv. “Iran miscalculated by attacking the UAE and other Gulf states, which has pushed it closer to Israel and the United States,” he said, adding that the developments underscore concerns over Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes. READ: Qatar condemns Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field He also indicated that the UAE is considering participating in efforts to secure shipping through the

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  Hamas says displacement in West Bank reflects forced transfer policy

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  A senior Hamas official has said the displacement of more than 36,000 Palestinians in the West Bank over the past year reflects a policy of forced displacement. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abdul Rahman Shadid, a Hamas official, said the figures demonstrate the scale of Israeli violations aimed at emptying the land of its inhabitants and imposing a new demographic reality. Shadid also pointed to ongoing arrest campaigns across the West Bank, highlighting a recent operation in Qalqilya in which 17 women were detained, many of them relatives of prisoners or individuals previously detained. READ: Israeli forces demolish structures, water well south of Hebron amid rising attacks He described the arrests as a dangerous escalation, accusing Israeli authorities of directly

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  Qatar condemns Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  Qatar has strongly condemned the Israeli targeting of facilities linked to Iran’s South Pars gas field, describing the strike as a “dangerous and irresponsible” escalation. In a statement on Wednesday, Majid Mohammed Al-Ansari, adviser to the Prime Minister and spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that attacks on energy infrastructure pose serious risks to both the region and global markets. He stressed that the South Pars field — which forms a natural extension of Qatar’s North Field — is part of the world’s largest natural gas reserve, accounting for around 17% of global gas supplies. READ: UAE warns targeting Iranian energy facilities is ‘dangerous escalation’ “Targeting such facilities represents a dangerous and irresponsible step,” Al-Ansari said, adding that it

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  The price of independence – US-Israeli war on Iran

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  It is not only European political leaders who have submitted to the American empire and its erratic emperor, Trump. Established media outlets are also competing to legitimize the US empire’s wars, violence, and dismantling of international laws and conventions. With a few exceptions, European leaders condemn Iran’s self-defense and its response to the illegal bombings carried out by the US–Israel alliance against the country and the killing of civilians, just as in Gaza. Regardless of the fact that the Iranian government and the repression it imposes on its own people, the country has now been subjected to a brutal war for the third time since the establishment of the Islamic Republic without the attackers even bothering to legitimize their aggression.

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  Turkey unveils plan to build eight nuclear reactors

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  Turkey has announced plans to build eight nuclear reactors as part of efforts to expand its energy capacity and diversify its power sources. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Wednesday that the country intends to construct four reactors in the northern province of Sinop and another four in the Thrace region. Speaking in an interview with NTV, Bayraktar said Turkey is currently holding discussions with several countries, including South Korea, Canada, China and Russia, regarding potential cooperation on the projects. He noted that no agreements have yet been signed, adding that Ankara will select partners based on competitive terms and their ability to contribute to the localisation of nuclear energy infrastructure. The planned expansion forms part of Turkey’s broader strategy

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  Israel reopens Rafah crossing for limited Palestinian movement after 20-day closure

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Thursday for limited Palestinian movement under strict restrictions after a 20-day closure, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its teams transported 25 patients along with their companions from a hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza to the crossing in preparation for their departure for medical treatment abroad. It said the move is part of efforts to facilitate access of injured and sick Palestinians to medical treatment, amid severe pressure on healthcare facilities inside Gaza. Israel has closed Gaza’s crossings, including the Rafah terminal, following the outbreak of war with Iran on Feb. 28. Israeli government agency COGAT said Sunday the terminal would reopen

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  US Embassy in Riyadh urges Americans to leave Saudi Arabia ‘if you can do so safely’

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  The US Embassy in Riyadh urged American citizens on Thursday to consider leaving Saudi Arabia “if you can do so safely,” citing ongoing escalation in the region, Anadolu reports. In a security alert posted on the US social media company X, the embassy said it is “closely monitoring” the situation in the Middle East and is providing updates to help US citizens make informed decisions about their safety. “We encourage US citizens to depart Saudi Arabia via commercial flights if you can do so safely,” it said. The statement noted that Saudi airspace remains open “with frequent air traffic restrictions to address continued missile and drone threats.” READ: Saudi Arabia discusses Iranian escalation with Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan “Riyadh, Jeddah, and

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  Trump: Israel attacked Iran’s south pars gas field without US or Qatari involvement

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said that Israel carried out an attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field without any involvement from the United States or Qatar. He stressed that Washington had no prior knowledge of the strike. In remarks reported by Reuters on Thursday, Trump added that “Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved in the attack.” He also warned that any future targeting of Qatari liquefied natural gas facilities would face a decisive response. Trump said he would not hesitate to take strong action and does not want “this level of violence and destruction” to continue. He also suggested that the United States could “massively blow up the entire South Pars gas field if Iran carries out any more retaliatory attacks on Qatar’s

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  Israeli forces demolish structures, water well south of Hebron amid rising attacks

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  Israeli forces on Wednesday carried out demolitions and land clearing that affected agricultural structures and a water well in the town of Al-Ramadin, south of Hebron. Local sources said the forces entered the areas of Tatreit and Deir Saeeda in the town and carried out widespread damage to residents’ property. This included demolishing a concrete room, a water well and an agricultural shed, as well as destroying plastic water tanks belonging to several families. In a related development, the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission said it had documented 1,965 attacks by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank last month, including 1,454 carried out by the Israeli army. The commission also reported 72 demolition operations during the same period, affecting

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  Saudi Arabia discusses Iranian escalation with Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  Saudi Arabia has held talks with Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan on the escalation involving Iran and ways to achieve security and stability in the region. According to a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry on Thursday, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a coordination meeting with his counterparts — Pakistan’s Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Turkey’s Hakan Fidan and Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty — on the sidelines of a consultative meeting of foreign ministers from a number of Arab and Islamic countries in the capital, Riyadh. The ministry said the meeting included “discussions on the Iranian escalation in the region, and the importance of continuing consultations and coordinating joint efforts to achieve security and stability”. Since 28 February, Israel and the United

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  Khamenei says “criminal killers will soon pay” after Larijani killing

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has said that “every drop of blood has a price that the criminal killers will soon pay” in a message of condolence following the death of senior security official Ali Larijani. In a statement published on Wednesday on the X platform after the funeral, Khamenei wrote: “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful: “Do not think of those who are killed in the way of God as dead; rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.” (Verse 169 of Surah Al E-Imran in the Holy Quran.) He continued, “With deep sorrow, I received the painful news of the martyrdom of Dr Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security

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  The other war in the Af-Pak frontier

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  War is the last refuge of failing states, but in Pakistan it often seems to be the first hobby of men who confuse uniforms with omniscience. When politics decays, legitimacy thins, and yesterday’s “strategic assets” develop the bad manners of independent thought, Rawalpindi reaches for the same old script: bomb a frontier, hold a briefing, and pray that smoke can pass for doctrine. It is a touching faith in language, really. If enough dead civilians are described as “infrastructure,” perhaps history itself will agree to be redacted. The bombing of a rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, with Afghan officials claiming 400 dead, should have ended at least one moral farce: the idea that mass civilian death becomes tolerable once it is

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  Oman FM: US has lost control of foreign policy, entered ‘war that is not its own’

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on Wednesday that the United States has lost control of its foreign policy and is involved in a war that is not its own. Writing in The Economist, he said the United States and Iran had been close to reaching a genuine agreement. He added that the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, carried out just hours after the latest and most substantive round of talks, were a “shock but not a surprise.” Albusaidi said: “The American administration’s greatest miscalculation, of course, was allowing itself to be drawn into this war in the first place.” He added: “This is not America’s war, and there is no likely scenario in which both Israel

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  Board of Peace is a tactical smokescreen for war in Iran and Gaza

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  In recent days, the first publicly reported  meeting between Hamas representatives and President Trump’s newly established Board of Peace (BoP) took place in Cairo. In high-stakes diplomacy, inaugural meetings are typically “get-to-know-you” sessions. However, the current landscape—marked by genocide in Gaza and a simultaneous offensive against Iran—does not allow for the luxury of diplomatic niceties. While specifics of the discussion remain shrouded in secrecy, the core tension is clear: Hamas has reportedly delivered a blunt ultimatum. Either the Rafah crossing—the sole, battered lifeline between an obliterated Gaza Strip and Egypt—is fully reopened, or the group will walk away from the ceasefire altogether. This demand exposes the fundamental “cheating” at the heart of the Trump administration’s regional strategy: holding the title

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  About half of Iranian missiles fired at Israel since start of war carried cluster munitions

  by MI on March 19, 2026

  Israeli data released on Wednesday evening shows that more than 400 out of around 850 missiles launched from Iran towards Israel since the start of the war were equipped with cluster warheads. According to figures reported by Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan 11, these missiles account for more than half of the total used in the attacks, indicating widespread use of this type of munition in recent strikes. Fragments from intercepted missiles and cluster munitions fell in several locations in central Israel on Wednesday afternoon, including Ramat Gan and Petah Tikva, injuring a number of people slightly. READ: UAE warns targeting Iranian energy facilities is ‘dangerous escalation’ The previous night, two people were killed after a missile carrying fragmentation munitions struck their

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  Israel plans to occupy 1st line of villages in southern Lebanon: Israeli media

  by Marwa A on March 18, 2026

  Israel plans to occupy the first line of villages in southern Lebanon to prevent rocket fire, Israeli media reported on Wednesday, Anadolu reports. Channel 12 said the political echelon intends to instruct the army to occupy any area in Lebanon from which anti-tank weapons are launched, “until further notice.” “Israel intends to control all areas that threaten the population, especially the first line of villages in southern Lebanon,” the channel said, without specifying these villages. “This is merely a bargaining chip until they come to retrieve it on Israel’s terms,” the channel said, citing an unnamed senior Israeli security source. “The Lebanese government has no other way but to dismantle Hezbollah, as this is the most effective measure,” the source

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  UAE warns targeting Iranian energy facilities is “dangerous escalation”

  by Marwa A on March 18, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday warned that targeting energy facilities linked to Iran’s South Pars gas field represents a “dangerous escalation” that threatens global energy security and regional stability, Anadolu reports. The UAE Foreign Ministry said in a statement that attacks on infrastructure connected to the South Pars field – which extends into Qatar’s North Field – pose a direct risk to global energy supplies and the broader stability of the region. The ministry cautioned that strikes on energy infrastructure could have “serious environmental consequences” and expose civilians, maritime security, and vital civilian and industrial facilities to immediate danger. It stressed the need to avoid targeting critical infrastructure under any circumstances and underscored the importance of adhering to international

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  Saudi Arabia says 4 people injured by fallen missile debris in Riyadh

  by Marwa A on March 18, 2026

  Four people were injured by debris falling from an intercepted ballistic missile in Riyadh on Wednesday, the Saudi Civil Defense said, Anadolu reports. The agency said in a statement that the injuries were reported after fragments fell on a residential building in the city of Riyadh. Four Asian residents were injured in the incident, which also caused limited material damage, it added. The agency condemned attacks on civilian facilities as “a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.” Regional escalations continued to rage since Israel and the US have launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing so far around 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq,

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  The Global Cost of Israeli Domination | Palestine This Week with Mouin Rabbani

  by MI on March 18, 2026

  In this episode, we explore why Palestine remains central to understanding the region’s escalating crises, from the war on Iran and Gaza to Lebanon and the mounting pressure on Gulf states. We unpack the dangerous assumptions, political delusions and power plays driving the Middle East deeper into chaos.   WATCH: Israel’s Dystopian Vision: From Gaza to Iran | Palestine This Week

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  Iran says over 200 minors killed, 1,401 injured in US-Israeli attacks since Feb. 28

  by Marwa A on March 18, 2026

  Iran said Wednesday that at least 206 people under the age of 18 have been killed and 1,401 others injured in US-Israeli attacks since late last month, Anadolu reports. In a statement, Iran’s Health Ministry said that 227 women are among those killed and 3,329 others were injured in the attacks since Feb. 28. It added that 1,111 injured people are currently hospitalized, while 19,506 others have been treated and discharged. The ministry, however, did not give an overall death toll in the ongoing US-Israeli offensive. According to the statement, 18 health care workers were killed and 101 others injured in the attacks, which also damaged 36 ambulances. It noted that six hospitals were evacuated, while 47 emergency bases, 37

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  Israeli settlers accused of sexually assaulting Palestinian in front of family

  by Marwa A on March 18, 2026

  Israeli settlers sexually assaulted a Palestinian man during a raid on the community of Khirbet Humsa in the northern Jordan Valley, according to witness testimony cited by Haaretz, in an attack that survivors say also involved beatings, threats of rape, the humiliation of women and girls and the looting of livestock and valuables. Testimonies from eyewitnesses showed that settlers split into small groups and moved through the community, dragging residents from their homes, binding their hands and feet with zip ties and throwing men, women and children onto the ground. Some victims were doused with cold water while restrained and beaten with clubs and knives visible. One woman said the attackers tore off her head covering, ripped some of her

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  Iranian gas supply to Iraq stops after South Pars gas facilities attack

  by Marwa A on March 18, 2026

  Iraq’s Electricity Ministry said Wednesday that Iranian gas flows have stopped following developments in the region, significantly reducing power generation and taking about 3,100 megawatts offline, Anadolu reports. The disruption came after Iranian media reported that several facilities linked to the South Pars gas field in the Assaluyeh energy zone on Iran’s southern Gulf coast were targeted Wednesday with missile attacks. Iran holds 43 gas fields, with South Pars the most significant. It is the world’s largest natural gas field, and it is shared with Qatar, where it is known as the North Field. The development comes amid global concerns that Iranian energy infrastructure could be targeted by US or Israeli strikes during the war, now in its third week,

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  Trump and Hegseth cannot define the truth of the US-Israeli War on Iran

  by MI on March 18, 2026

  US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appears to have little patience for questions that do not conform to his preferred style of declaring unsubstantiated victories, whether against South Americans or in the Middle East. In a charged press conference on March 13, Hegseth did more than attack journalists for questioning his unverified claims about the course of the war in the Middle East. He singled out CNN, introducing a troubling dimension to the conversation. “The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better,” he said. Ellison, a close ally of President Donald Trump and a strong supporter of Israel, is widely considered the frontrunner to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company that owns CNN. If there was any lingering

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  British PM urges sacking of shadow minister over his comments on Muslims praying in public

  by Marwa A on March 18, 2026

  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on the Conservative Party to sack Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy over comments he made on social media about Muslims praying in public, Anadolu reports. During Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, Starmer said Timothy’s post about Muslims praying in Trafalgar Square is unacceptable. Accompanying a video of Muslims praying at the event, Timothy wrote: “Mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.” He added: “Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions.” Starmer told Tory leader Kemi Badenoch she should “denounce his comments and she should sack him.” “I see religious events in Trafalgar Square when I

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  Israeli violence in West Bank surges as Iran war shifts global focus

  by Marwa A on March 18, 2026

  As the US-Israel war on Iran escalates, violence in the occupied West Bank is intensifying, largely out of the global spotlight, Anadolu reports. Rights groups and analysts say Palestinians are facing a sharp rise in attacks by Israeli forces and settlers, alongside tighter movement restrictions and growing displacement, as international attention shifts toward the wider regional conflict. Recent incidents have underscored the worsening situation. Israeli settlers were reported to have sexually assaulted a Palestinian man in the northern Jordan Valley, while Israeli forces killed a family of four, including two children, in the town of Tammun. Analysts say the escalation has accelerated since US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran began on Feb. 28, triggering a broader regional war. “The Israeli government took

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  Protesters call on Brussels university to cut partnership with Israeli defense-linked firm

  by Marwa A on March 18, 2026

  Pro-Palestine activists protested on Wednesday at the Free University of Brussels’ (VUB) Etterbeek campus, demanding that the university administration end its collaboration with an Israeli defense-linked company, Anadolu reports. Demonstrators hung a large banner reading “VUB helps kill Palestinians” and placed portraits of Palestinian figures across the campus, accusing the university of complicity through its research partnerships, Flemish-language daily Het Nieuwsblad reported. The protest condemned VUB’s collaboration with OIP Sensor Systems, which is owned by Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest private arms manufacturer. Protesters demand that the partnership, which is being conducted through the university’s research center, be terminated immediately. READ: UN warns of “ethnic cleansing” as 36,000 Palestinians displaced in West Bank They claimed that technologies developed in such collaborations

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  Trump suggests ‘finishing off what’s left’ of Iran

  by MI on March 18, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested “finishing off” what is left of the “Iranian Terror State” and urged countries relying on the Strait of Hormuz to take responsibility, criticizing “non-responsive” allies, Anadolu reports. “I wonder what would happen if we ‘finished off’ what’s left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don’t, be responsible for the so called ‘Straight?’ That would get some of our non-responsive ‘Allies’ in gear, and fast!!!,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. His remarks came as the tensions in the region have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing around 1,300 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah

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  Russia condemns ‘murder’ of Iranian officials amid killing of Tehran’s security chief

  by MI on March 18, 2026

  The Kremlin condemned on Wednesday what it described as the “murder and liquidation” of representatives of Iran’s leadership, a day after Tehran confirmed the death of its security chief in an Israeli strike earlier this week, Anadolu reports. “We strongly condemn actions aimed at causing harm to the health, or especially the murder and liquidation, of representatives of the leadership of sovereign Iran … as well as other countries. We condemn such actions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press briefing. His remarks came in response to a question about Russia’s position on the killing of Iranian leaders, including Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani. READ: Iran denies reports Mojtaba Khamenei transferred to Russia for treatment The Israeli military

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  Indonesia’s religious affairs minister says boycotts of Israel are “not a solution.” He’s wrong

  by MI on March 18, 2026

  It is a strange moment when a nonviolent act of conscience—refusing to buy a burger, skipping a cup of coffee—draws more concern from public officials than the devastation that inspired it. Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, recently argued that boycotts of companies linked to Israel are “not a solution,” pointing instead to layoffs and economic disruption at home. His remarks reveal a troubling misreading of both history and moral responsibility. Boycotts are not a new or reckless invention of modern activism. They are among the oldest tools available to ordinary people seeking to exert pressure when governments fail to act. From the anti-war protests in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s to the global campaign against

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  Israeli army arrests 16 Palestinian women in West Bank raids

  by MI on March 18, 2026

  The Israeli army detained 16 Palestinian women in military raids in the West Bank city of Qalqilya on Wednesday, local sources said. Most of the detained women “are wives of freed prisoners or detainees and mothers of killed Palestinians,” the sources told Anadolu. According to the sources, Israeli forces raided and searched several homes in the city of Qalqilya and the towns of Azzun, Kafr Thulth and Sanniriya during their campaign. Two women were later released after being questioned by Israeli forces, the sources said. READ: UN warns of “ethnic cleansing” as 36,000 Palestinians displaced in West Bank The Israeli army conducts near-daily raids into cities and towns across the West Bank, which Israel says are part of “security campaigns” targeting