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

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  Egypt denies reports of ship carrying military-use steel to Israel

  by MI on March 27, 2026

  The Egyptian government has denied reports that a ship carrying materials for military use had docked at Abu Qir port en route to Israel, describing the claims as “false rumours.” In a statement issued Thursday, the Ministry of State for Information said it had reviewed reports circulating in some media outlets and on social media alleging that a foreign vessel had arrived at the Mediterranean port carrying steel used in weapons and ammunition manufacturing. The ministry rejected the claims, stating that all port operations in Egypt are conducted under strict monitoring systems and in accordance with international maritime agreements, with real-time tracking in place. READ: Egypt holds urgent talks with five countries to curb regional escalation It urged media organisations and social

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  Israeli media reports consolidation of ‘yellow line’ as Gaza border reality

  by MI on March 27, 2026

  The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has reported that the Israeli occupation forces are consolidating the “yellow line” as a permanent border reality inside the Gaza Strip, based on satellite imagery and security sources. According to the report, the Israeli army has intensified its deployment along this line in recent months, establishing new military positions, expanding infrastructure, and transferring equipment and supplies. A large-scale engineering project is also underway, including the construction of earthen barriers stretching tens of kilometres, reinforcing the permanence of the line. Satellite analysis indicates that more than 17 kilometres of earthen barriers have already been completed — around 40 percent of the total 45-kilometre line — with construction continuing in recent weeks. READ: Gaza children cling to education amid war, displacement

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  Iran bans its sports delegations from competing in “hostile” countries

  by MI on March 27, 2026

  The Iranian Ministry of Sport has issued a directive prohibiting sports delegations from participating in competitions held in countries that Tehran sees as “hostile.” This decision also includes a ban on sending national sports teams to those countries, a move that reflects the impact of current geopolitical tensions on sports. The report did not provide a detailed list of the countries classified as “hostile” under this directive; however, the step raises serious questions regarding the nature of future Iranian participation in international sporting events. This development comes amid broader regional and international dynamics directly affecting Iran’s foreign relations, which may present Iranian athletes with challenges related to qualifying for or competing in continental and world championships hosted by those countries.

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  Iraqi foreign minister: Our country has become part of the geography of the current war

  by MI on March 27, 2026

  Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated on Thursday that Iraq’s geographical position has, “regrettably,” made the country part of the geography of the ongoing regional war, despite a government policy that rejects conflict as a means of resolving disputes. Speaking during a telephone call with the European Union Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, Hussein stressed Iraq’s commitment to dialogue and negotiations as the primary tools for diplomacy. However, he noted that the reality on the ground has forced the nation into the centre of the current hostilities. READ: Iraqi factions announce carrying out 23 military operations targeting US bases According to a statement released by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the minister said that, as

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  IAEA warns of radioactive leak risk at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant

  by MI on March 27, 2026

  International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi warned that any damage to Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant could cause a severe accident leading to a radioactive leak that would affect a vast area both inside and outside the country. A statement posted on the IAEA’s X account warned that “in the context of the ongoing conflict, IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi [Rafael Mariani Grossi] reiterates his deep concern about recent military strikes reportedly occurring near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the latest on Tuesday evening.” “Given that it is an operating nuclear power plant with a large amount of nuclear material, DG Grossi warns that damage to the facility could result in a major radiological accident affecting a

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  The U.S.–Israeli War on Iran: Gains and Losses

  by MI on March 27, 2026

  On February 28, 2026, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an operation U.S. President Donald Trump said was carried out in direct coordination with Israel. The killing marks a historic rupture, reshaping the very contours of the conflict between Iran, and the U.S.-Israeli axis. For years, Washington leaned on diplomacy, pairing negotiations with a strategy of “maximum pressure” through sanctions to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Israel, by contrast, never concealed its preference for the use of force, repeatedly signaling its readiness to dismantle Iran’s program militarily, and urging the United States to back that course. That posture reflects a long-standing doctrine Israel had enacted before, destroying Iraq’s nuclear reactor in 1981, and striking Syria’s nuclear infrastructure in

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  Bennett: Israel not winning on any front, warns army under strain

  by MI on March 27, 2026

  Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has accused the government of putting political considerations ahead of national security, amid rising worries over the growing pressure on the military. His comments came after Israel’s Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, warned the cabinet that the army could face collapse due to the heavy operational burden and a worsening manpower shortage. In an interview with Channel 12, Bennett said: “There is a political class here that is preventing the Israeli army from winning.” He added that the current leadership “does not know how to win anywhere — not in Gaza, not in Lebanon, and not in Iran.” READ: Iran announces mobilising 1 million fighters to repel potential US ground invasion Bennett said the military is short

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  Iran announces mobilising 1 million fighters to repel potential US ground invasion

  by MI on March 27, 2026

  Iran has announced the mobilisation of one million fighters to counter what it describes as a “suicidal” US ground war on Iranian soil. According to reports, Tehran is particularly focused on defending the strategic Kharg Island, from where nearly 90 percent of Iran’s oil is exported. The Iranian news agency Tasnim quoted a military source stating that as speculation grows regarding a “historical folly” by the United States to engage in ground combat on Iran’s southern front, a wave of enthusiasm has swept through the nation’s land forces, which are prepared to create a “historical hell” for American forces on Iranian soil. In addition to the million-man force already equipped for ground combat, the official noted a massive surge in

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  Gaza children cling to education amid war, displacement

  by MI on March 27, 2026

  In tents that offer little protection from heat or cold, and under the constant sound of conflict far removed from a safe childhood, children in Gaza are trying to live what remains of their days with a measure of hope. School is no longer just a building for them. It has become a simple dream they long to regain, after classrooms were reduced to rubble, books became scarce, and school bags faded into distant memory. Many children now wake up to a reality unlike anything they once knew. There are no school bells or playgrounds. Instead, they sit for hours on hard ground in overcrowded tents, trying to learn letters or solve basic exercises. Some share a single notebook with

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  Yemen’s Houthis say to intervene militarily if needed amid Iran-US war

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  The leader of Yemen’s Houthi group said Thursday that his movement “is not neutral” in the ongoing war between Iran, the US and Israel, warning that his group will intervene militarily if regional developments dictate it, Anadolu reports. “We are not neutral, but our position stems from belonging to Islam and the Islamic nation,” Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said in a televised speech cited by the group’s Al-Masirah television. “Any field developments will be met with military stance if needed, as in previous rounds.” He said the US-Israeli strikes on Iran have harmed the economic interests of the world’s countries and regional security and stability, calling the assault “unjustified.” READ: Yemen’s Houthis warns of action as regional tensions escalate “Developments in the region

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  Israeli army expands ground offensive in southern Lebanon

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  The Israeli army said Thursday it has expanded its ongoing ground offensive in southern Lebanon, as Israel continued deadly airstrikes on the country amid escalating regional tensions, Anadolu reports. A military statement said that the 162nd Division joined the 91st and 36th Divisions in the ongoing assault. The army claimed that the offensive aims to expand a “forward security zone” in southern Lebanon to remove what it calls “immediate threats” and create an additional laywer of security for residents in northern Israel. READ: Israeli strikes kill 22 in Lebanon, death toll exceeds 1,110 Lebanese media reported limited Israeli incursions into border towns, including Khiam, Odaisseh, Kfarkela, and Kfarchouba, and but Hezbollah said that its fighters had pushed back the advancing forces.

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  Iran says oil exports reach 1.5M barrels per day despite war

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Iran’s oil exports have reached around 1.5 million barrels per day despite the impact of the ongoing war involving the US and Israel, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency on Thursday. Tasnim reported that daily export volumes exceeded 1.5 million barrels during the month of Ramadan, marking a roughly 50% increase in sales compared with earlier levels. The agency said Iran has been selling larger quantities of oil at prices closer to global benchmarks, directly boosting oil revenues. The increase comes as global energy markets experience sharp volatility linked to the ongoing war and Iran’s decision to restrict navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. READ: Strait of Hormuz situation ‘will not

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  Israeli strikes kill 22 in Lebanon, death toll exceeds 1,110

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  At least 22 people were killed and 110 others injured in Israeli airstrikes on Thursday, taking the death toll to 1,116 since March 2, the Health Ministry said, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the ministry said the tally included 83 women and 121 children, while 3,229 people were injured, including 454 women and 399 children. Israel has pounded Lebanon with airstrikes and launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by the Hezbollah group on March 2. The current escalation came amid a joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran, which has killed more than 1,340 people since Feb. 28. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, US bases and Gulf countries. READ: Israel using ‘Gaza playbook’

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  Israel is being ‘dismantled’ by practicing apartheid says Tzipi Livni

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni has said Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is “dismantling the State of Israel”, accusing it of allowing armed settler militias, parallel legal systems and indefinite occupation to undermine the basic foundations of statehood.  In remarks shared on X, Livni wrote in full: “A sovereign state has territory, one law for all, and a monopoly on weapons. Israel has no agreed-upon borders, there is no longer one law and justice for all but a religious system of law and justice in parallel to the state’s laws, and there are armed and violent militias that run rampant as they please. The government of Israel is dismantling the State of Israel.” למדינה ריבונית יש טריטוריה, חוק אחד לכולם ומונופול

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  Torture, genocide and erasure

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  “This is not incidental violence. It is the architecture of settler-colonialism, built on a foundation of dehumanisation and maintained by a policy of cruelty and collective terror.” The concluding sentence to the summary of UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese’s report to the UN Human Rights Council on torture and genocide succinctly sums up how Israel has been using torture as part of its gradual annihilation of the Palestinian people. Since October 2023, torture has become a weapon in Israel’s genocide. Albanese notes that while torture is a crime under international law, the Genocide Convention describes torture as an underlying act of genocide “when inflicted with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a protected group “as such”. Genocide,

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  French students announce legal action over universities’ ties with Israel

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Several organizations, including Student Solidarity and the French Jewish Union for Peace, have filed a complaint with a French administrative court challenging ties between French universities, two ministries and Israeli academic institutions, Anadolu reports. In a statement published Wednesday, the groups said they are seeking “the disclosure, reassessment and termination of links between French and Israeli universities, due to the active participation of the latter in repeated and blatant violations of international law by the Israeli state.” The French universities cited include Sciences Po Paris, Sorbonne University, Aix-Marseille University, the University of Strasbourg, Grenoble University and others. France’s Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs are also named in the complaint. READ: French far-right

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  Hezbollah launches 600 projectiles in 24 hours: Israeli media

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Israeli media reported Thursday that Hezbollah launched about 600 rockets, drones and mortar rounds over the past 24 hours, most of them targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, Anadolu reports. According to Channel 24, the projectiles were fired toward Israeli territory and troops operating in southern Lebanon. “More than half of the launches were directed at Israeli forces,” the channel said. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Wednesday that Hezbollah has launched more than 3,500 rockets, shells and drones toward Israel since the current conflict began early this month. Earlier Thursday, the Israeli military said a soldier was killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where hostilities have escalated since March 2. READ: Hezbollah says 2 ambushes destroyed 10 Israeli Merkava tanks

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  Pentagon getting ready for huge ‘final blow’ in Iran war: Report

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  The Pentagon is preparing military options for a “final blow” in the Iran war, involving the use of ground forces and massive bombing, according to a report by Axios, citing two US officials and two sources with knowledge of the matter, Anadolu reports. According to the report, a “dramatic military escalation” is expected if there is no progress in talks between Tehran and Washington. The sources said that options such as invading the strategically important islands of Kharg, Larak, Abu Musa, and others, along with a blockade of ships carrying Iranian oil east of the Strait of Hormuz, are on the table. The report stated that some US officials believe that a “show of overwhelming force” to end the conflicts

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  Iranian attacks, Hormuz closure ‘crossed all red lines’: Gulf bloc

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) warned Thursday that Iranian attacks on Gulf countries and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have “crossed all red lines,” raising alarm over global economic consequences, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a press conference in the Saudi Arabia capital, Riyadh, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al Budaiwi said the situation in the Gulf poses an immediate and long-term threat to international stability. “The Strait of Hormuz is closed today, and the results might be limited for some period of time, but on the long run, this will affect the economic growth in the world,” he said. Budaiwi said the escalation has already impacted the global economy, with rising prices and increased transportation costs, while maritime navigation through

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  Iran Is Not Denying Negotiations. It Is Designing Them

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  On 26 March, the most revealing development in this war was not another missile barrage. It was the report that Pakistan had urged Washington to restrain Israel from killing Abbas Araqchi and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf because, as a Pakistani source put it, “there is no one else to talk to” if they are gone. If that account is even broadly right, then the meaning of the moment is hard to miss. This is no longer a war with diplomacy running beside it. The struggle over how to end the war is already shaping how the war itself is being fought. That is the frame much of the commentary still misses. Too much analysis remains stuck on a stale question: are

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  Volkswagen considers move into Iron Dome production at German site

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Volkswagen is reportedly exploring a deal to manufacture parts for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system at a factory in Germany, marking a significant shift by the struggling carmaker towards military production. According to the Financial Times, the German auto giant has held talks with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems about repurposing its plant in Osnabruck to produce key components for the system, including launch platforms, power units and heavy-duty vehicles used to transport missile batteries. The reported move highlights the pressure facing Germany’s car industry as manufacturers struggle to compete with Chinese electric vehicle makers and falling demand in key markets. It also signals a wider turn towards defence production across parts of German industry, backed by increased military

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  Israeli defense minister claims to have killed Iran’s IRGC Navy commander

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Israel’s defense minister claimed Thursday that the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has been killed in an airstrike, Anadolu reports. Channel 12 quoted Israel Katz as saying that Alireza Tangsiri had been “eliminated,” along with all senior Navy command officials. The claim came shortly after an Israeli official said that Tangsiri was killed in an airstrike in Iran’s southern city of Bandar Abbas, saying the Iranian commander was responsible for closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz. There was no immediate confirmation from Iran of the Israeli claim. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively disrupted since early March. Around 20 million barrels of oil normally pass through it daily, and its disruption has driven up shipping

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  Gaza death toll from Israeli war nears 72,300, Health Ministry says

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s two-year war on the Gaza Strip has risen to 72,267 since October 2023, the Health Ministry said Thursday, Anadolu reports. A ministry statement said that hospitals received two bodies and 17 wounded people over the past 24 hours, including one person who died of previous injuries. It did not specify the circumstances of the latest casualties, but Palestinian officials say Israeli forces have carried out daily violations of the ceasefire in place since Oct. 10, 2025. According to the ministry, at least 691 people have been killed and 1,876 others injured by Israeli fire since the ceasefire. With the latest figures, the ministry said the total number of wounded since October 2023 has reached

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  Many tents of displaced people were damaged by a low-pressure system hitting the Palestinian Territories

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  IMAGES: Dust storm in Gaza

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  Trump says NATO has done ‘absolutely nothing’ on Iran

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  The US’ NATO allies have done “absolutely nothing” to help with the “lunatic nation, now militarily decimated,” of Iran, said US President Donald Trump on Thursday, Anadolu reports. “The U.S.A. needs nothing from NATO, but ‘never forget’ this very important point in time,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. In recent days, Trump has urged both allies and rivals, including China, to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade route, as disruptions there have driven up global oil prices. A number of European countries declined, saying the Iran conflict was a war started by Trump without consulting with US allies. Trump previously reiterated that the US does not need NATO, calling the

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  Saudi clubs make huge financial offers for Salah after Liverpool exit

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Egyptian star Mohamed Salah has received major financial offers from clubs in the Saudi Pro League after confirming he will leave Liverpool FC at the end of the 2025–26 season, bringing a nine-year spell at the club to a close. The decision comes just one year after he signed a new two-year contract worth £400,000 a week. Both sides agreed to terminate the deal by mutual consent, allowing him to leave on a free transfer. Salah had previously been linked with a move to Al-Ittihad, which made a substantial bid for him in 2023, but Liverpool rejected the offer at the time. READ: Israelis attack Salah over post on Palestinian ‘Pele’ According to media reports, and with backing from the Public

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  Iranian parliament considers charging ships passing through Strait of Hormuz

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  The Iranian parliament is reportedly preparing a law to impose fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Fars news agency. The head of the parliament’s Civil Affairs Committee said the plan aims to legally recognise Iran’s sovereignty and control over the strait, while also generating revenue for the country. He added that a draft bill has been prepared but is not yet final. It is expected to be ready for submission to the parliament’s research centre next week, after which the legal team will complete the plan before it is formally considered in parliament sessions. The committee head stressed that Iran should collect fees to ensure the safety of ships passing through the strait. He described the

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  Hormuz crisis and the economic cost of Indonesia’s work-from-home policy

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  The Indonesian government’s plan to implement a one-day-a-week Work From Home (WFH) policy for civil servants following the 2026 Eid holidays signals a form of fiscal anxiety in response to persistent global geopolitical turbulence. The escalation of conflict in the Middle East has pushed global crude oil prices above the psychological threshold of $100 per barrel, placing Indonesia, as a net oil importer, in an increasingly precarious fiscal and financial position. Put differently, the “four days at the office, one day at home” scheme functions as an emergency brake aimed at containing the state budget deficit. The government projects that reducing one day of work-related mobility could cut national fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent, equivalent to one-fifth

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  Rafah crossing partially reopens for Gaza patients

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Authorities in Gaza have announced the partial reopening of the Rafah crossing, allowing a limited number of medical patients to leave the enclave after days of closure. The Border and Crossing Authority said operations will resume on Thursday, with 18 patients and 33 accompanying individuals permitted to travel as part of humanitarian arrangements. The Israeli occupation forces partially reopened the crossing on Thursday before closing it again earlier this week. Officials said the reopening remains limited to humanitarian cases, particularly those requiring urgent medical treatment, with strict controls on movement. The Israeli occupation forces had closed the Rafah crossing amid the escalation of their military operations in the region, at a time when the crossing was already operating on a

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  Israel fears potential US ceasefire with Iran could undermine war goals

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Israeli officials are increasingly concerned that US President Donald Trump could agree to a temporary ceasefire with Iran, potentially opening the door to negotiations that may not align with Israel’s strategic objectives. According to reports by Israel’s public broadcaster, an unnamed official said there are fears in Tel Aviv that Washington may pause military operations to facilitate talks with Tehran. The source added that Trump could halt the fighting if presented with a sufficiently attractive offer from Iran. READ: Iran rejects negotiations with US, says Araghchi Despite these concerns, Israeli media indicated that coordination between Israel and the United States remains ongoing, describing it as “fruitful,” with the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) expected to visit Israel to continue consultations.

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  Iran rejects negotiations with US, says Araghchi

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Iran has ruled out negotiations with the United States, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that Tehran has “no intention” of entering talks under current conditions. Speaking to state television on Wednesday, Araghchi said that discussing negotiations at this stage would amount to “an admission of defeat”, stressing that Iran’s current policy is to continue its resistance. “We have no intention of negotiating. No negotiations have taken place so far, and I believe our position is based on principles,” he said. READ: Iran says US failed to meet goals, rules out talks with Washington He added that Iran aims to end the war on its own terms, in a way that ensures such a conflict would not be repeated. Earlier, Iran’s

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  Tunisia and Germany discuss recovery of Ben Ali-era funds

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Tunisia and Germany have held talks aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors, including efforts to recover funds allegedly stolen during the rule of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The discussions took place on Wednesday during a meeting between Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti and the President of the German Federal Parliament, Julia Klöckner, as part of an official visit marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Nafti highlighted the long-standing and stable relationship between Tunisia and Germany since diplomatic ties were established in 1956, pointing to expanding cooperation in economic, investment, environmental, scientific and academic fields. He also called for enhanced collaboration on regulated migration, describing it as a

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  Palestinian Foreign Ministry welcomes UN report on settlement expansion

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has welcomed a UN report documenting escalating Israeli settlement activity, calling for international accountability. In a statement issued Wednesday, the ministry praised findings by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which detailed what it described as serious and ongoing violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, as well as the occupied Syrian Golan. The ministry said the report outlines systematic policies aimed at altering the demographic and geographic character of the occupied territories through settlement expansion, land confiscation, demolitions and forced evictions. READ: UN chief warns Iran war ‘out of control,’ world staring down barrel of wider conflict It added that these measures contribute

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  Iranian forces say they targeted US-linked sites in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Thursday that it carried out a new wave of drone attacks targeting US-linked military and logistical sites in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. In a statement, the IRGC said the 82nd wave of its True Promise 4 operation was launched at dawn and struck pre-determined targets, including the Arifjan base in Kuwait, Al-Kharj in Saudi Arabia, and Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain. It said the retaliation came after attacks on Iran’s southwestern city of Khorramshahr. READ: Gulf countries, Jordan condemn Iranian attacks, affirm right to self-defense The statement claimed that US defense logistics facilities, fuel storage units, MQ-9 drone hangars, and satellite communication systems were targeted. It added

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  Former Israeli Supreme Court judge doubts Netanyahu will receive pardon

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  A former judge of Israel’s Supreme Court has said he does not expect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to receive a pardon in his ongoing corruption case. Yitzhak Zamir, a former Supreme Court justice, told Israel’s public broadcaster Kan that President Isaac Herzog would risk violating the law if he were to grant such a pardon under current circumstances. “That’s why I believe he will not be granted a pardon unless the prime minister admits in writing to the charges against him,” Zamir said. READ: Trump calls Israeli President Herzog ‘weak and pathetic’ for not pardoning Netanyahu Netanyahu, who faces multiple corruption charges, submitted a pardon request in November, though it remains unclear when Herzog will make a decision. Zamir also voiced

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  Italy turns to Algeria to boost gas supplies amid regional tensions

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced closer energy cooperation with Algeria to increase gas supplies to Italy, as deliveries from Qatar have been disrupted by regional tensions. Speaking at a joint press conference with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune during an official visit to Algiers on Wednesday, Meloni said the two countries had agreed to deepen their already strong partnership through their national energy companies, Italy’s Eni and Algeria’s Sonatrach. “We have decided to strengthen our already very strong cooperation by working in new areas such as shale gas and offshore exploration,” she said, adding that this would help increase the flow of Algerian gas to Italy. READ: Italy’s Meloni rules out military mission in Strait of Hormuz, says EU favors

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  Hezbollah says 2 ambushes destroyed 10 Israeli Merkava tanks

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Hezbollah has released details of what it described as a complex, well-planned ambush carried out by its forces on the Taybeh–Qantara axis in southern Lebanon, which it says resulted in the destruction of 10 Israeli Merkava tanks. In a statement, the group’s operations room said Israeli forces had sent a remotely controlled bulldozer on Tuesday between the Mhaysibat area in Taybeh and the town of Qantara to scout Hezbollah positions. It said the vehicle was monitored and allowed to proceed in order to lure Israeli forces into an ambush. The statement added that at 18:50 on Wednesday, an Israeli armoured unit advanced in a column formation from Mhaysibat towards Qantara in preparation to take control of the town. When the

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  Uganda military chief says country would join war if Israel faces defeat

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Uganda’s military chief said Wednesday that while the country wants the Middle East conflict to end, it would side with Israel if the country faced defeat. “We want the war in the Middle East to end now. The world is tired of it. But any talk of destroying or defeating Israel will bring us into the war — on the side of Israel,” Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, chief of defense forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, said on the US social media company X. His remarks come amid escalating regional tensions following recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks. Kainerugaba has also drawn attention in recent weeks for announcing plans to erect a statue honoring Yonatan

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  When presidents lie, diplomacy dies: The global cost of post-truth under Trump

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Lying is as much a part of statecraft as it is of human nature. History is littered with deceptions—some confessed, others concealed—employed by politicians for everything from survival to conquest. In the fragile balance of war and peace, a well-timed lie has often been dismissed as a ‘necessary evil’ meant to de-escalate tensions or provide a face-saving exit from the brink of conflict. In our hyper-connected era, a political lie’s shelf-life has plummeted. With facts weaponized in real-time, leaders find it increasingly impossible to build sustainable agendas on foundations of falsehood. Donald Trump appears to be the exception to this rule of political gravity—not once, but more times than one can recall. By appearing to believe his own fabrications, he

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  Iran says US failed to meet goals, rules out talks with Washington

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the United States has failed to achieve its objectives, describing developments around the Strait of Hormuz as “another defeat for the enemy”.    He said exchanges of messages between Tehran and Washington through intermediaries do not amount to negotiations, stressing that Iran is not engaged in any direct or indirect talks with the United States at present. “The messages conveyed through intermediary channels do not mean there is a negotiation process,” he said, referring to ongoing diplomatic efforts to contain tensions. He added that “Iran does not intend to hold talks with America at this time”. READ: Trump prefers peace but ready to ‘unleash hell’ in Iran: White House Speaking to Iranian state television, Araghchi said

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  Madrid protest calls for ban on Israeli clubs from European competitions

  by MI on March 26, 2026

  Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Spanish capital, Madrid, on Wednesday to demand that Israeli clubs be expelled from European competitions, similar to the ban imposed on Russian teams after the 2022 war in Ukraine. The protest coincided with a basketball match between Real Madrid and Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv in the European league, adding momentum to the demonstrations around the venue. Participants accused Israel of committing crimes against civilians in Palestine and Lebanon. They called on international sports bodies to take a clear stance by preventing Israeli clubs from competing, arguing that this would ensure equal standards in sport. The match was held under exceptional conditions without spectators, with Spanish authorities enforcing tight security measures to prevent any

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  Gulf countries, Jordan condemn Iranian attacks, affirm right to self-defense

  by MI on March 25, 2026

  The Gulf countries and Jordan on Wednesday strongly denounced Iranian attacks as a “flagrant violation” of their sovereignty and territorial integrity, affirming their full right to self-defense, Anadolu reports. In a joint statement, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan said attacks carried out by Iran or its proxies constitute “a violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the United Nations Charter.” They particularly cited attacks launched by Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq as “a breach of international laws and conventions,” and “a blatant violation” of UN Security Council 2817, which demands Iran cease all assaults and threats against neighboring countries. The statement called on the Iraqi government to take “the necessary measures” to halt

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  Trump prefers peace but ready to ‘unleash hell’ in Iran: White House

  by MI on March 25, 2026

  US President Donald Trump favors a peaceful resolution with Iran but is prepared to escalate sharply if Tehran fails to accept the “reality of the current moment,” the White House said Wednesday, Anadolu reports. Washington postponed planned strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure after “productive conversations” in the last three days, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters. She said if Iran fails to accept that it has “been defeated militarily,” Trump will ensure the country is “hit harder than they have ever been hit before.” She added that the president “does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell.” Leavitt also warned Tehran against “miscalculation,” claiming its last miscalculation had cost Iran its senior leadership, navy, air force

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  Tehran says US, Israel planning to occupy one of Iran’s islands

  by MI on March 25, 2026

  Iran’s parliament speaker accused the US and Israel on Wednesday of planning to occupy one of the country’s islands, with support from one country in the region, Anadolu reports. “Based on some data, the enemies of Iran, with the support of one of the countries in the region, are preparing an operation to occupy one of Iran’s islands,” Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said in a post on US social media company X. He, however, did not name this regional country. Qalibaf said that all “enemy movements” are being monitored by Iran’s armed forces. “If they take any step, all vital infrastructure of that regional country will be targeted without restrictions by relentless attacks,” he threatened. The US and Israel have been

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  Strait of Hormuz situation ‘will not return to the past,’ Iran says amid escalating Mideast tensions

  by MI on March 25, 2026

  The situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its previous state, an Iranian military spokesman said on Wednesday, asserting Tehran’s control over maritime access as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, Anadolu reports. In remarks carried by Iran’s Mehr News Agency, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Iranian military’s Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said new rules governing transit through the strategic waterway have been established, stressing that passage would depend on Iran’s authorization. “The situation in the strait will not return to the past,” the spokesman said, adding that “permission for transit will be determined by us.” He added that “the fire beneath oil prices has been ignited, and its level is in our hands,” describing

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  Israeli parliament rejects bill to label Qatar as ‘enemy state’

  by MI on March 25, 2026

  Israel’s parliament on Wednesday rejected a bill proposed by opposition leader Yair Lapid to classify Qatar as an “enemy state,” according to Israeli media. Channel 12 reported that 28 lawmakers supported the bill while 45 voted against it. The report did not specify total attendance in the 120-member Knesset. The Blue and White party, led by Benny Gantz, boycotted the vote, the channel said, adding: “It was not appropriate to raise political issues during wartime.” Lapid had introduced the bill last month, according to the same source. On Sept. 9, 2025, the Israeli army carried out an airstrike targeting Hamas leadership in Doha, an attack Qatar condemned and said killed a member of its internal security forces and five Palestinians,

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  UN chief warns Iran war ‘out of control,’ world staring down barrel of wider conflict

  by MI on March 25, 2026

  UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that the Iran war has spun beyond all boundaries, declaring the conflict “out of control,” cautioning that the world faces the prospect of a far broader confrontation, Anadolu reports. “More than three weeks on, this war is out of control,” Guterres told reporters at a news conference at UN headquarters in New York, adding that “the conflict has broken past the limits even leaders thought imaginable.” “The world is staring down the barrel of a wider war, a rising tide of human suffering, and a deeper global economic shock,” he said, stressing that it “has gone too far.” Calling for an end to the military escalation, Guterres said. “It is time to stop

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  Al-Sudani deserves political pity

  by MI on March 25, 2026

  The statement issued by the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, announcing the summoning of the US chargé d’affaires and handing him a “strongly worded” protest note, as reported by Reuters, appears in the balance of realpolitik closer to a performance of sovereignty in a country that does not possess the actual tools of sovereignty. A state that cannot control armed factions within its own borders, nor prevent drones launched from its territory, inevitably finds itself in an extremely fragile position when it tries to address a superpower in the language of protest. The talk of a “firm and solid stance in preserving sovereignty” seems detached from a reality documented daily in the Western press: sovereignty fragmented between

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  Israel extends closure of Ben Gurion Airport until April 16 amid regional escalation

  by MI on March 25, 2026

  Israel’s Transport Ministry informed airports and foreign airlines of an extension of the closure of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv until April 16, Israel’s Channel 13 reported on Wednesday. The ministry issued an official notice stating that the airspace closure would remain in effect until that date. In its notice, the ministry said the closure period could be shortened and full flight operations could be resumed earlier if the security situation improves or the ongoing war ends. According to the channel, the directive effectively requires foreign airlines that have not yet canceled their April flights to and from Israel to formally announce their position. READ: Israel imposes flight restrictions at Ben Gurion Airport The move came as part of ongoing

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  Iran ‘more resilient’ in war with US than anyone expected: ex-British spy chief

  by MI on March 25, 2026

  Iran’s regime has been more resilient than anyone would have expected, said a former head of British foreign intelligence agency MI6, adding that options for the US and Israel are “pretty limited and not great,” Anadolu Agency reports. “The reality is that the US underestimated the task, and I think as of about two weeks ago, lost the initiative to Iran,” Alex Younger told The Economist Wednesday, mentioning that Iran has the “upper hand” in the war. Younger said that Iran took some “good decisions” as early as last June about dispersing their military capability and delegating the authority for the use of those weapons, adding that this move has given them “significant extra resilience” against an incredibly powerful air campaign.