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

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  Iranian president rejects Trump’s terrorism accusation, says Iran ‘victim of terrorism’

  by Marwa A on September 23, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected US President Donald Trump’s characterization of Iran as a sponsor of terrorism Wednesday, saying Tehran is itself a victim of terrorism, Anadolu reports. “Yesterday, Trump said we are terrorists. We are not terrorists — we are victims of terrorism,” Pezeshkian told the UN General Assembly, referring to Trump’s address a day earlier in which the US president described Iran as the “number one sponsor of terror.” Pezeshkian said Iran’s leader had been killed “without any justification,” referring to the US-Israeli military attacks against Iran that began earlier this year. He also accused Israel of targeting neighborhoods across Iranian cities and provinces and carrying out assassinations, describing such actions as “true terrorist” behavior. “The people of

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  Golan will remain Syrian, annexation decisions null under UN resolutions, says president Sharaa

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Wednesday that the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel, will remain Syrian territory and that all annexation measures are null and void under UN Security Council resolutions, Anadolu reports. Addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sharaa said attempts to impose facts on the ground cannot undermine Syria’s sovereignty, the rule of law or the applicability of international law. “The Golan will remain Syrian land,” he said, adding that all annexation measures are invalid under UN Security Council Resolution 497. Sharaa also referred to a UN General Assembly vote in December 2025 in which 123 countries backed a resolution concerning the occupied Syrian Golan, thanking countries that supported it and urging

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  Israeli government’s policies jeopardizing country’s security: French foreign minister

  by Marwa A on September 23, 2026

  French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Wednesday that policies pursued by the Israeli government were jeopardizing the country’s security, citing what he described as Israel’s refusal to fulfill its responsibilities under US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan and developments in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. “Our position is known. Our commitment to Israel’s existence and security is unwavering,” Barrot said. “But the policy pursued by the current government of the State of Israel jeopardizes Israel’s security,” he added. Barrot said this was reflected in what he described as Israeli authorities’ “refusal” to fulfill their responsibilities under Trump’s peace plan, as well as in the buffer-zone strategy being pursued in Lebanon and Syria. He also pointed to the occupied

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  16% of Israel’s 1st-time voters back Eisenkot’s party: Poll

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  An Israeli public opinion poll showed Wednesday that 16% of young people voting for the first time support the opposition Yashar party, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, compared with 14% who support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, Anadolu reports. The poll, conducted by Israel’s Channel 12 in coordination with Midgam, a private research institute, surveyed 1,521 people and had a margin of error of 4.4%. The channel said the survey focused on young people eligible to vote for the first time, a group of about 550,000 men and women age 18-22. Overall, 39% of first-time voters said they favored opposition parties, compared with 37% who favored parties in the governing coalition, while the remainder supported other parties.

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  Palestine issue featured prominently at UN General Assembly despite US visa refusal

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Preventing President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the UN General Assembly in New York “proved to be a failure,” as the Palestinian issue featured prominently in speeches by Arab and international delegations, a Palestinian official said Wednesday, Anadolu reports. In a statement cited by Palestinian news agency WAFA, Palestinian Presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said attempts to prevent the Palestinian delegation from participating in the General Assembly and delivering its speech had failed to sideline the Palestinian cause. For the second consecutive year, the US refused to grant Abbas and Palestinian officials visas to attend the General Assembly meetings, he said. That forced Abbas to participate through a recorded video. Under the UN Headquarters Agreement signed between the organization and Washington

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  British banks urged to avoid financing Israeli settlements ahead of UK trade ban

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  British lawmakers urged banks and financial institutions Tuesday to avoid new financial commitments linked to Israel’s E1 settlement project as the government prepares to ban trade with illegal settlements, Anadolu reports. The lawmakers, members of the all-party Britain-Palestine group, made the call in a letter to financial institutions warning of potential legal, sanctions and reputational risks. The letter follows Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband’s announcement two weeks ago of plans for a complete ban on trade with illegal settlements, alongside new sanctions on those involved in their construction. However, the secondary legislation needed to bring the measures into force could take six to nine months to pass through Parliament. “Commitments made now may be difficult to unwind when restrictions commence; the

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  Netanyahu failing after Macron criticizes occupier violence: Opposition leader

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said Wednesday that Israel is facing a “serious diplomatic crisis” amid international criticism over escalating occupier violence in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports. Lapid made his remarks in a post on US social media company X, commenting on statements by French President Emmanuel Macron about the situation in the occupied West Bank. Macron criticized the escalation of Israeli occupier violence in the occupied West Bank during his speech Tuesday at the opening of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. He said occupier actions “deprive the Palestinian people of their legitimate right to exist.” Macron also said peace efforts in the Gaza Strip “have failed to open any humanitarian corridor,”

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  Board of Peace to unveil $2.45B Gaza recovery plan: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  The Board of Peace will reveal a six-month, $2.45 billion plan for Gaza’s post war recovery during a meeting on Wednesday, according to a report by Axios. The 66-project proposal reflects a year of input by dozens of people representing the 28-member Board of Peace and the Palestinian technocratic government. It outlines projected funding for temporary housing, clearing rubble, repairing hospitals, supporting economic recovery, and deploying a multinational security force. READ: Hamas says Israel exploits Board of Peace silence to step up Gaza attacks “The plan shows how to stand up a government from nothing, an economy from shambles and a territory from disaster,” a Board of Peace official said. The Board of Peace was established in January as part of

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  Palestinian legislative election nomination applications to open Saturday

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  The Palestinian Central Elections Commission announced Wednesday that it will begin accepting applications for the Palestinian Legislative Council starting Saturday, Anadolu reports. The commission said in a statement that it will accept nomination applications until 4 pm (1300GMT), Oct. 7. It said the application period will last 12 days, including official holidays. Legislative elections are scheduled for Nov. 28. According to the timetable approved by the commission, election campaigning will begin on Nov. 6, while early voting for security forces will take place on Nov. 26, with general voting scheduled for Nov. 28. BLOG: Has Palestine become an election issue in Latin America’s largest country? In July, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree setting Nov. 28 as the date

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  Egypt rejects annexation, displacement, calls for Palestinian state

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Egypt on Wednesday reiterated its rejection of Israeli efforts to annex occupied Palestinian territories and displace Palestinians, while calling for the full implementation of US President Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly made the remarks on behalf of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during a summit on Palestine and the two-state solution held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, according to a statement by the Egyptian Cabinet. Madbouly thanked the UK, France, and Canada, which co-chaired the summit, saying it was held at an “important time.” He said Egypt’s vision for the Palestinian issue and peace in the Middle East is based on the

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  Israeli election committee bars candidate from Knesset race over Gaza war opposition

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Israel’s Central Elections Committee on Wednesday decided to disqualify Knesset member Ofer Cassif from running on the Joint List in the upcoming parliamentary elections, Anadolu reports. Cassif is known for his opposition to the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government toward the Palestinian people, particularly Israel’s ongoing war in the Gaza Strip since 2023. Israeli Channel 13 reported that the committee is holding sessions Wednesday and Thursday to discuss requests to bar several political parties from the Knesset elections and has decided to disqualify Cassif from running. It said the decision was made following a request submitted by Netanyahu’s Likud party against Cassif, with the case to be referred to the Supreme Court, the country’s highest judicial body, for

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  Turkiye’s electricity paradox: More capacity than peak demand, but what comes next?

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Turkiye has nearly 127 GW of installed generation capacity, while its summer peak demand reached about 60.4 GW in July 2025. At first glance, that looks like a big surplus. But not every power plant is available when demand is highest. Solar output drops in the evening, wind depends on weather, and hydropower depends on water levels. Plants can also be offline for maintenance or face fuel and grid constraints. So the real question isn’t how much capacity Turkiye has on paper, but whether it can get reliable power to people when they need it. Turkiye generated 362.9 TWh and consumed 360.9 TWh in 2025 annual energy totals that measure something different from peak demand. What the generation mix reveals

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  German foreign minister rejects Trump’s call to quit International Criminal Court

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Germany’s foreign minister Wadephul on Wednesday rejected US President Donald Trump’s call for countries to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, saying Germany would stand by the Hague tribunal, Anadolu reports. “It is part of the rules-based order. It is part of the history of our civilization,” Johann Wadephul told public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk. “It is absolutely clear that we stand by the International Criminal Court.” Trump on Tuesday opened the UN General Assembly debate in New York by branding the court “an evil group of people,” adding pointedly: “I call on all nations that are members of the ICC to officially resign from this rogue institution immediately.” “Honestly, I do not understand this appeal on the substance either,” Wadephul continued.

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  Iran accuses European states of ‘double standards’ over regional developments

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Iran’s foreign minister on Wednesday accused European countries of using double standards in their approach to recent regional developments, Anadolu reports. Abbas Araghchi made the remarks during meetings with several European counterparts on the sidelines of the current UN General Assembly in New York, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry. The ministry said in a statement that Araghchi met with the foreign ministers of France, the Netherlands, and Austria, as well as his Iraqi and Azerbaijani counterparts, during his stay in New York. The meetings covered bilateral relations, regional and international developments, tensions between Iran and the US, and the Strait of Hormuz, according to the statement. READ: Iran tells Washington its conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz Araghchi said insecurity in

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  Israeli airstrikes kill 4 Palestinians in Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Despite a ceasefire still in effect, four Palestinians were killed and several others injured Wednesday in Israeli airstrikes targeting several areas in the Gaza Strip, according to local sources. A Palestinian was killed and others injured when an Israeli drone targeted a gathering of civilians in the Al-Bassa area west of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, according to a medical source at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Another Palestinian was killed and others injured when an Israeli drone struck a gathering of civilians near Al-Wafaa Hospital in central Gaza City, according to a medical source. An Anadolu correspondent said the strike hit a busy area in the city center where a large number of tents housing displaced Palestinians were located. A medical

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  EU Council chief warns of ‘de facto annexation’ in West Bank jeopardizing 2-state solution

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  The European Council president warned Tuesday that developments in the occupied West Bank such as “de facto annexation” are endangering prospects for a two-state solution. “In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the two-state solution is being jeopardized on a daily basis,” Antonio Costa said during a high-level event on the two-state solution and comprehensive peace plan for Gaza on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly. “We see the images and hear the testimonies of what is happening in the West Bank daily – settler violence, impunity, displacement of whole communities, and de facto annexation. These settlements are illegal under international law,” he said, adding the urgent action is needed to preserve the two-state solution and the path

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  Water station owners hold a sit-in to warn of shortages of oil, spare parts, and filters

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  WATCH: Gaza’s children suffer as they fetch water amid soaring summer temperatures

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  IRGC says Iran prepared for prolonged war but does not rule out negotiations

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday that it was prepared for a prolonged conflict with the United States while leaving open the possibility of negotiations if talks served Iran’s interests. IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi told Iran’s state news agency IRNA that negotiations should not necessarily be interpreted as a step toward an immediate settlement or peace. “Negotiation does not mean reaching a settlement or peace; it is, in fact, another phase of the war,” Mohebbi said. He argued that diplomacy and military action could both form part of Iran’s broader confrontation with its adversaries, depending on the country’s strategic interests. Mohebbi said the IRGC was prepared for a long-term war, but stressed that such preparations did not

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  Has Trump’s failure to bomb Iran into capitulation backfired, prompting Netanyahu and MBS to pull Washington in the opposite direction?

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Despite US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that the Iranian regime is on its knees and has all along desperately pleaded for a deal to end the seven-month-long war launched jointly by the US and Israel on 28th February, he has admitted on 9th September, albeit indirectly, that Iran was still standing firm, blaming the midterm elections — taking place on 3rd November — for the spectacular failure of his erratic tactics aiming to compel Iran into capitulation. According to Trump, the chief reason behind Iran’s steadfast determination not only to hold out in the face of a ferocious US onslaught — which included 40 days of full-blown US-Israeli attacks — but also to fight back was because they are “desperate to try

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  US ties Sudanese army leader’s UN visa to ceasefire plan

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  The United States is withholding a visa for Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ahead of his scheduled UN ​appearance in a move that Sudanese and other sources say is linked to a US-backed ceasefire proposal that Khartoum has resisted. The dispute, first reported by Reuters, threatens to ‌deepen tensions between Washington and Sudan’s army at a critical moment in the civil war, which the United Nations calls the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. A senior Sudanese source said Burhan had postponed his trip to New York but had yet to receive official notice that the visa had been denied. “We in the Sudanese government express our deep regret because this is a violation of the UN Convention and international law,”

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  Mamdani renews call for Netanyahu’s ICC arrest warrant to be honoured ahead of New York visit

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has renewed his call for the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be honoured ahead of Netanyahu’s visit to New York for the UN General Assembly. In an interview with CNN, Mamdani described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and an “architect of a horrific genocide of the Palestinian people.”  Mamdani’s comments came shortly after a cordial meeting with US President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion in New York. The two discussed city issues despite longstanding political differences. Mamdani said the issue of Netanyahu was also raised during his meeting with Trump and reiterated his view that international legal accountability should apply regardless of an individual’s position. “If the

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  Spanish foreign minister says blocking Gaza aid perpetuates genocide

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said that preventing humanitarian aid from reaching the Gaza Strip was perpetuating what he described as a genocide against Palestinians, and called for unrestricted humanitarian access to the territory. Albares stressed the need to ensure that food, medicine and other essential assistance can reach Gaza’s civilian population without obstruction. The Spanish foreign minister also argued that unilateral approaches had failed to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and called instead for a political process based on international law and multilateral cooperation. READ: Spain’s National Court opens probe into Israeli military officials over Gaza flotilla interception His remarks reflect Spain’s increasingly critical position on Israel’s conduct in Gaza. The Spanish government has previously described Israel’s actions in the

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  Shin Bet expected to extend restrictions on Israeli airlines flights to UAE

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Israel’s Shin Bet security agency is expected to extend restrictions preventing Israeli airlines from operating flights to the United Arab Emirates through November because of security concerns, according to a report by Israel’s Channel 12. The restrictions currently prevent El Al, Israir and Arkia from operating routes to the UAE because they have not received the required security clearances, the channel reported. Meanwhile, UAE-based airlines Flydubai and Etihad Airways continue to operate flights between the two countries. READ: All Iranian airlines to shut down worldwide by Sept. 23, US Treasury chief says According to Channel 12, the current restrictions are scheduled to remain in place through October but are now expected to be extended to cover November. Israeli airlines have criticized

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  Al-Sharaa jokes with Trump about giving New Jersey to Israel

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Wednesday that he jokingly asked US President Donald Trump to give New Jersey to Israel, since he owns it, while the Golan Heights belongs to its people. Speaking at a discussion on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings, al-Sharaa said: “President Trump is a man who stood by Syria, supported it and issued a historic decision to lift sanctions on Syria.” He added: “I respect him very much and I have a very special relationship with him.”   Al-Sharaa said he once joked with Trump during a visit to the White House when the US president mentioned his recognition of the Golan Heights. READ: Turkish president calls on UN member state to pressure Israel

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  Egypt moves to address Kuwait teachers’ job losses

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Egypt is seeking job opportunities in Kuwait’s private schools for teachers affected by a decision to end thousands of education contracts, as Cairo works with Kuwaiti officials to find solutions to the issue. Egypt’s Teachers’ Union welcomed moves by the Foreign Ministry to address the situation, praising efforts led by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to contain the impact of the decision. The union said one option under discussion was allowing the affected teachers to work in private schools, enabling Kuwait to benefit from their experience and qualifications while allowing them to remain in the country. READ: British university re-enrolls Egyptian student suspended over pro-Palestinian protests Egyptian Teachers’ Union chief Khalaf Al-Zanaty said he had contacted the Kuwait Teachers Society to discuss

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  Netanyahu, Smotrich attack Macron over criticism of Israel

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday attacked French President Emmanuel Macron over his latest remarks criticising Israel. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement issued on Tuesday evening that the prime minister strongly condemned Macron’s comments about rising settler violence in the occupied West Bank. “What is our credibility worth if we remain inactive on Gaza? Some claim that peace has been achieved, but this has not opened up humanitarian deliveries. It is a spectacle that shames us all,” AFP cited Macron saying. READ: Netanyahu won’t meet Trump during ‘brief’ UN visit: Israeli media The French president made the remarks in his address opening the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Macron also criticised rising settler

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  Iran tells Washington its conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, had met with mediators to discuss a possible agreement to end the conflict with Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Witkoff on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings, where Tehran’s conditions for reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz were conveyed to the US side. According to Iranian state media, the conditions include the immediate lifting of the naval blockade, the immediate release of frozen Iranian assets, and an end to the war on all fronts involving the “resistance”. Iranian state media said the conditions were conveyed to Witkoff during the meeting and that they were

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  Brazil’s Lula warns of lasting impact of Gaza war and criticises UN inaction

  by Mehdi Editor on September 23, 2026

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday that “generations of Palestinians will carry the pain and trauma left by the war in the Gaza Strip”, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of committing “genocide” against women and children in the territory. Lula made the remarks in a speech to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he criticised what he described as the UN’s inability to prevent wars and its declining ability to protect the most vulnerable, amid deadlock at the UN Security Council. READ: Int’l community chose to manage Palestinian-Israeli conflict rather than resolve it, Jordanian king says Lula also criticised pressure and legal action targeting the International Criminal Court

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  Qatari emir wants ‘regional system of collective security’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani urged a “regional system of collective security” on Wednesday, arguing that its absence lies “at the heart of the dangerous situation” facing the region, Anadolu reports. In an address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Al-Thani said the crisis in the Gulf region can be resolved diplomatically by reopening the Strait of Hormuz and returning to talks to avert war and ensure regional security “for the entire region, including Iran.” Al Thani said Qatar has always sought to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiations. “This remains our position in the aftermath of the wars we’ve been witnessing,” he said. Unresolved conflicts only grow more costly without just settlements, he stressed.

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  Iran cancels flights from Tehran to Baghdad, Muscat starting early Wednesday

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization announced Tuesday the cancellation of flights from Tehran to Baghdad and Muscat, Oman, starting early Wednesday, Anadolu reports. “As of 00:00 tonight local time, Baghdad and Muscat airports will not accept Iranian flights, and for this reason, we are coordinating and consulting so that flights destined for Baghdad will be directed to Najaf airport,” the organization’s spokesperson Majid Akhavan said in a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Other international flights, including those to Istanbul, will operate as scheduled, with no disruptions reported, according to Akhavan. No further details were disclosed. READ: All Iranian airlines to shut down worldwide by Sept. 23, US Treasury chief says

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  British premier defends sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  British Premier Andy Burnham has called for action over illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, warning that failure to act could further undermine trust in politics and make a two-state solution non-viable, Anadolu reports. Speaking to reporters alongside US President Donald Trump in New York, Burnham said there could be a point at which the expansion of settlements posed a direct challenge to the prospects for a two-state solution. “If we face a situation where there’s a tender to put settlements on the West Bank that, in effect, make a two-state solution non-viable, what do we do?” he said. Burnham argued that politicians needed to demonstrate that their statements were backed by action, warning that otherwise public confidence in politics

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  Trump says he expects Iran deal after US midterm elections

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects to reach a deal with Iran after the US midterm elections, warning that he faces a “big decision” on whether to pursue an agreement or destroy that country, Anadolu reports. “I have a big decision to make: Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before? Maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world, or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?” Trump said in an address to the UN General Assembly in New York. Trump said he believes

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  MEMO in Conversation with Benjamin Moser

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  In this episode of MEMO Conversations, we speak with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Benjamin Moser about his book Anti-Zionism: A Jewish History. We explore one of the book’s central arguments: Jewish opposition to Zionism has a long history, yet many of the people who voiced it have been written out of the story. We also discuss the history of Arab Jews and what it reveals about the idea that Jews and Arab have always been in conflict. Our conversation asks what this history can teach us at a time when opposition to Zionism is often conflated with anti-Semitism. MORE >>> MEMO in Conversation With

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  Int’l community chose to manage Palestinian-Israeli conflict rather than resolve it, Jordanian king says

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  The international community avoided resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and instead chose to manage it, Jordan’s King Abdullah II said on Tuesday during a speech at the UN General Assembly, Anadolu reports. “For decades I stood before this assembly and warned of the dangers of leaving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict unresolved. But the international community chose to manage the conflict, not confront it,” Abdullah said in a speech at the 81st session of the assembly in New York. He said every new Israeli violation was initially treated as temporary, “until temporary became permanent, and permanent became policy.” READ: 8 nations, including Turkiye, urge Israel to fulfill commitments under 1st phase of Gaza peace plan The forced displacement of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank

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  Italy, Iran discuss negotiations to reopen Strait of Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Tuesday that he discussed negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Anadolu reports. “We discussed negotiations for the reopening of Hormuz,” Tajani said in a post on US social media platform X. He said a memorandum reached in June had demonstrated that an agreement was possible, adding that Italy would continue supporting efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway and end the conflict. The meeting comes as diplomatic efforts intensify over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route for global energy and commercial shipping. READ: China says opposes ‘illegal unilateral sanctions’

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  France authorizes Netanyahu’s plane to cross airspace en route to UN General Assembly

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Paris authorized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane to fly through French airspace Tuesday as he traveled to New York for the UN General Assembly, according to a diplomatic source, Anadolu reports. “This is the fifth time. It is time to put an end to this France that humiliates itself and tramples on international law,” European Parliament member Emma Fourreau said on US social media company X, as she criticized the authorization. “France under Macron once again authorizes Netanyahu, a criminal, to fly over French airspace to attend the UN General Assembly, even though he is the subject of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza,” Fourreau added. The International Criminal

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  Amnesty urges UEFA to suspend Israel, calls Nations League participation ‘unconscionable’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Human rights organization Amnesty International on Tuesday called on UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israel’s football association, saying its Nations League participation is “unconscionable” because of the association’s support for settlement-based clubs, Anadolu reports. “It’s unconscionable that the Israel men’s football team will participate in the UEFA Nations League this autumn despite clear evidence that Israel’s football association continues to support illegal settlements,” Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s regional director for Europe, said in a statement. “UEFA and FIFA should have suspended the Israel Football Association (IFA) over its refusal to exclude clubs based in illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories,” Cockburn said. He said the continued participation of settlement-based clubs in Israeli leagues “violates FIFA statutes and international law.” He

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  Turkish president calls on UN member state to pressure Israel for Gaza reconstruction

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called for Gaza’s reconstruction to begin without delay and urged the international community to increase pressure on Israel, Anadolu reports. Addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Erdogan said efforts to rebuild Gaza should start as soon as possible. “We need to begin the reconstruction of Gaza without wasting any time. In this regard, I call on you to exert greater pressure on Israel,” he said. Erdogan said attempts to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state would ultimately fail. “Everyone should now understand and accept this: Attempts to strangle the state of Palestine will end in failure,” he said. He expressed hope that an independent Palestinian state

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  UN chief says Israeli actions in occupied West Bank raising ‘specter of ethnic cleansing’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday that Israeli violence, displacement and illegal settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank are undermining prospects for peace and raising the risk of “ethnic cleansing,” Anadolu reports. “Violence, displacement, and settlement expansion by Israel in the occupied West Bank are bulldozing the path to peace and raising the specter of ethnic cleansing,” Guterres said in an address to the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. “We cannot allow the two-state solution to disappear before our eyes,” he added. Guterres said the devastating situation in the occupied Palestinian territories must not be overlooked amid the broader turmoil engulfing the Middle East. He described the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas as “abhorrent” but said

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  8 nations, including Turkiye, urge Israel to fulfill commitments under 1st phase of Gaza peace plan

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Eight nations, including Turkiye, on Tuesday called on Israel to immediately fulfill its outstanding commitments under the first phase of the Gaza peace plan, Anadolu reports. The United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan were also among those nations. In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the Muslim-majority nations expressed “deep concern over the continued humanitarian suffering in Gaza.” READ: Israel blocks Gaza patients from leaving for treatment for 2nd day over Jewish holidays They called upon Israel “to immediately fulfill its outstanding commitments under the First Phase of the Comprehensive Plan, including by ensuring the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance and Early Recovery supplies, and facilitating the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure.” They also

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  Israeli prime minister lashes out at New York mayor, accuses him of ‘inciting against Jews’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday lashed out at New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani after the mayor described him as a “war criminal,” Anadolu reports. “Shame on you, Mr. Mandani. Shame on you for supporting Hamas,” Netanyahu said in a video posted on the US social media company X. Netanyahu also accused Mamdani of “inciting riots against New York Jews.” Mamdani became New York City’s first Muslim mayor after winning the 2025 election. He has denied accusations of antisemitism, and a significant number of Jewish New Yorkers were among his supporters. Unlike Mamdani, previous New York mayors — governing a city with the largest Jewish community in the US — have traditionally been strong supporters of Israel and have frequently

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  Pakistan launches annual military drills with Russia, Oman

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Pakistan kicked off separate annual military drills with Russia and Oman on Tuesday, an official statement said, Anadolu reports. The ninth edition of the Pakistan-Russia joint exercise, named “Druzhba-IX,” began at Cherat, an elite training center of the Pakistan Army in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a statement from the Pakistan Army said. The second edition of the Pakistan-Oman joint exercise, “Washaq Al Jabal-II” (Mountain Lynx-II), began at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pabbi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The two-week exercise brings together contingents from the Pakistani, Russian, and Omani armies to share operational experience, refine counterterrorism drills and procedures, and enhance interoperability. “Through joint training and the exchange of best practices, the participating forces will hone their combat skills and tactical

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  Spain’s public broadcaster plans to continue Eurovision boycott over Israel’s participation

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE is planning to continue its boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 over Israel’s continued participation, Anadolu reports. RTVE President Jose Pablo Lopez said Tuesday he would propose that the country remain out of the contest. He made the remarks at the broadcaster’s parliamentary oversight committee. Lopez said RTVE had spent the past year pushing, alongside other major European public broadcasters, for changes within the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), including tougher governance rules, penalties for political instrumentalization and stricter rules on neutrality in sponsorship and the contest itself. While acknowledging progress, he said RTVE had not achieved all of its objectives and that it was “deeply painful” that Israel’s public broadcaster would continue participating. Lopez said

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  Netanyahu won’t meet Trump during ‘brief’ UN visit: Israeli media

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a “brief” visit to New York to address the UN General Assembly in a speech aimed at courting Israeli voters before returning without meeting US President Donald Trump, the daily Haaretz said on Tuesday. Netanyahu’s speech will primarily target voters in Israel, about a month before Knesset elections, as he is expected to face a “hostile reception” in New York, the newspaper said. Netanyahu is scheduled to leave for the US on Wednesday and return to Israel hours after delivering his speech. “Netanyahu was unable to arrange a meeting with US President Donald Trump or senior members of his administration, and it remains unclear whether he will meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio,”

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  China says opposes ‘illegal unilateral sanctions’ as US pressures Iran with secondary sanctions

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  China on Tuesday said it is against “illegal unilateral sanctions” as Washington moves to impose sweeping secondary sanctions targeting Iran’s commercial aviation network, Anadolu reports. “China consistently opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said, responding to the latest US measures against Tehran. Beijing has repeatedly opposed US sanctions on Iran and what it calls Washington’s “long-arm jurisdiction.” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that operations of Iranian commercial airlines worldwide would effectively be halted beginning Wednesday under the sanctions campaign. READ: Iran plans to sell US, Israeli vessels seized in Hormuz “On September 23rd, all the Iranian airlines will be shut

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  Israeli orders removal of vegetation, trees from nearly 340 dunams of Palestinian land in occupied West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Israel has issued three military orders to remove wild vegetation and uproot trees from 339 dunams (83.8 acres) of Palestinian land in the northern and central West Bank, a Palestinian commission said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. One order targets 178.71 dunams (44.2 acres) of land in Jenin and Qabatiya in the northern West Bank and calls for the removal of wild vegetation and olive trees, the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said in a statement. “The order gives landowners seven days to file objections, but the period begins after the measure is implemented rather than beforehand,” it added. Another order targets an additional 128.77 dunams (31.8 acres) in Jenin and Qabatiya and gives landowners 12 hours to remove wild vegetation

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  Iran plans to sell US, Israeli vessels seized in Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on September 22, 2026

  Iran said Tuesday that US- and Israeli-linked commercial vessels seized during the war in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf will be sold with the proceeds distributed to families affected by the conflict. Hassan Abdollianpour, head of the judiciary’s Center for Lawyers, said a number of US and Israeli vessels had been seized in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf “under judicial rulings,” according to the Mizan News Agency. READ: Iran threatens US with new weapons, new targets If US attacks “The proceeds from the sale of these vessels will be used for individuals and families affected by the recent war,” Abdollianpour said. Experts had begun assessing damage caused by US attacks in the southern Hormozgan province and surrounding

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  Qatar PM calls for Gulf security framework with Iran, says war must be ‘wake-up call’

  by Marwa A on September 22, 2026

  Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, has called for a new regional security framework that brings Gulf states and Iran together, warning that the region cannot go back to how it was before the US-Israeli war on Iran. “Iran is our neighbour,” Sheikh Al Thani told the Qatar Economic Forum in New York on Sunday. “We have to act together responsibly as a region and to make sure that we are having good relations with Iran.” He said the region could not return to how things were before the war unless Gulf states and Iran agreed a security framework ensuring that none of them posed a threat to the others. “We are hoping this

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  How silencing dynamics work in the international arena

  by Marwa A on September 22, 2026

  For the second consecutive year Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was denied a visa to travel to the US to attend the UN General Assembly. According to the US State Department, sanctions were extended due to “their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States, and their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace.” If the PA cannot be faulted on one thing, it is its unfortunate commitment to international impositions and the two-state diplomacy. As Abbas has discovered, even blind adherence to the two-state is not enough to guarantee visibility in the international arena. The EU opposed the US decision, as did the UN. In a brief statement, EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Anouar

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  Chile’s envoy to Israel at center of political storm over remarks about Palestinians

  by Marwa A on September 22, 2026

  Chile’s push to rebuild closer ties with Israel is facing a domestic political test after controversial remarks by its ambassador in Tel Aviv, Gabriel Zaliasnik, angered the country’s large Palestinian community and raised questions over the government’s foreign policy. The dispute has now reached parliament. On 8th September, the Chamber of Deputies approved an interpellation of Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna by 57 votes to 49, with one abstention. The session is scheduled for 28th September, when Socialist lawmaker Nelson Venegas is expected to question the minister over Zaliasnik’s remarks, the government’s response, and its decision to keep the ambassador in his post. The controversy began after Zaliasnik appeared in late August on the programme “Defending Israel”, hosted by David