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

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  Israeli diplomat forced to cut short address at UN Labour Conference in Geneva

  by Marwa A on June 3, 2026

  An Israeli official was unable to complete his address at a United Nations international conference due to loud protests and disruptions from attendees, Anadolu reports. Israeli diplomat Waleed Gadban took the floor during the General Assembly of the International Labour… pic.twitter.com/bFh5hoD08z — Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) June 3, 2026 An Israeli official was unable to complete his address at a United Nations international conference due to loud protests and disruptions from attendees, Anadolu reports. Israeli diplomat Waleed Gadban took the floor during the General Assembly of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) 114th International Labour Conference. However, his remarks were cut short by widespread backlash from the audience. Numerous government ministers, alongside trade union, worker, and employer representatives in the hall,

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  Gulf bloc denounces Iran’s ‘dangerous escalation’ after attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi on Wednesday condemned ongoing Iranian attacks against Bahrain and Kuwait, calling them a “dangerous and unprecedented escalation,” Anadolu Agency reports. In a statement, Albudaiwi denounced the attacks on “civilian objects, infrastructure, headquarters and diplomatic missions” in the two Gulf states. He said the attacks constitute a “dangerous and unprecedented escalation” and reflect the “Iranian regime’s insistence on pursuing rejected hostile policies targeting the security, stability and sovereignty of the GCC states.” READ: Kuwait says 1 killed in Iranian attacks, retains ‘full right’ to respond Albudaiwi added that the continued attacks demonstrate Iran’s persistence in pursuing policies aimed at undermining regional security “in blatant defiance of international law, the UN Charter and all international

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  Kuwait says 1 killed in Iranian attacks, retains ‘full right’ to respond

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  Kuwait said Wednesday that Iranian strikes killed one person, injured several others and damaged key facilities, including diplomatic missions, stressing it “reserves the full right” to respond to the attacks, Anadolu Agency reports. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Iran’s “brutal and continued attacks” using ballistic missiles and drones, saying the latest strikes early Wednesday targeted “civilian and vital” facilities, including Kuwait International Airport. The ministry said the attacks resulted in one death, multiple injuries and damage to critical infrastructure, including diplomatic missions. The statement said Kuwait retains its “full and inherent right” to take appropriate measures in response to the attacks “in accordance with international law.” READ: Over 1,000 arrested as Gulf states crush public reaction to Iran attacks

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  Over 1,000 arrested as Gulf states crush public reaction to Iran attacks

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  Authorities across the Gulf have arrested more than 1,000 people in a sweeping crackdown on expression linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran and Iranian attacks on Gulf states, Amnesty International said, warning that governments are using national security claims to silence information-sharing and peaceful political views. The rights group said authorities in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman issued broad warnings against sharing online content deemed to spread “rumours” or “false information” about the war. The crackdown has included arrests for filming missile interceptions, sharing footage of damage caused by projectiles, reposting content related to the conflict or expressing sympathy with Iran or the Iranian people. The most egregious cases were reported in Kuwait

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  US envoy welcomes Iraqi move to place weapons under state control

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  US Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s support for integrating armed groups into state institutions and placing weapons under government control, Anadolu Agency reports. “We extend our congratulations to Iraqi Prime Minister @AliFalihAlzaidy on this significant step forward, which represents the nascent foundation for a renewed Iraqi self-governance — grounded in restored sovereignty, enduring stability, and the promise of national renewal,” Barrack, who is also US Ambassador to Türkiye, said on the US social media company X. He also praised Iraqi groups that have decided to relinquish their weapons to the state. “We likewise commend those groups whose principled decision to return all weapons to the Iraqi state will contribute to the

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  China urges US, Iran to ‘honor’ ceasefire amid ‘renewed warfare’

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  China on Wednesday called on the US and Iran to “honor” the ceasefire, urging the warring sides against “renewed warfare,”Anadolu Agency reports. “China is deeply concerned over the current situation,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing. The statement from the Chinese government came after the US said it conducted strikes on Qeshm Island in “response to attempted attacks by Iran across the Middle East.” It added that the US army and its partner military forces intercepted multiple Iranian missiles and drones. Kuwait also said its air defense systems responded to “hostile” missile and drone attacks in the early hours of Wednesday. Mao said the “renewed warfare serves no one’s interest.” “We hope relevant parties can cherish the

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  Passports, Prisons, and Palestine: Pakistan’s Official Anti-Zionism

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  There is a species of Islamabad analysis that should be served on expensive hotel stationery, with diplomatic coffee, complimentary ambiguity, and a small warning at the bottom: may contain traces of reality. The recent Middle East Eye  piece — “Why Pakistan will likely refuse to join the Abraham Accords” — belongs gloriously to this genre: It mistakes elite choreography for the country’s actual politics, passport inscriptions for anti-imperialism, and conversations conducted somewhere between GHQ, the Prime Minister’s House, and the Serena Hotel lobby for the pulse of a country of 240 million people. This is not analysis. It is elite gossip dressed up as geopolitical insight.  The Passport Is Not a Revolution Yes, Pakistani passports exclude Israel. Yes, Pakistan has

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  Yemen’s Houthis threaten Israel with “major, comprehensive” response if escalation in Lebanon continues

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  A senior leader of Yemen’s Houthi group on Tuesday threatened Israel with a “major and comprehensive” response if it continues its violations and military escalation in Lebanon. The remarks were made by Mohammed Al-Farah, a member of the group’s political bureau, according to the Houthi-run Al Masirah television channel. In late March, the Houthis joined the confrontation in support of Iran during the war involving Israel and the United States against Tehran, as well as in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The Israeli military has continued what Lebanon describes as deadly violations of the fragile ceasefire agreement, while a fourth round of talks between Beirut and Tel Aviv remains under way in Washington. READ: Netanyahu orders attacks on Beirut’s Dahiyeh

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  WFP: One-quarter of Lebanon’s population facing acute food insecurity

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, nearly three months after the outbreak of the conflict. The agency said more than one million people remain displaced, while food insecurity continues to rise due to higher prices, loss of income and growing pressure on markets. In a statement carried by Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), the WFP said it had provided emergency food and cash assistance to more than 700,000 conflict-affected people across Lebanon since 2nd March. The agency also distributed around five million hot meals and supported more than 215,000 displaced people in shelters. In addition, it delivered 24 humanitarian convoys to southern areas and border villages despite major security challenges that

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  Tunisian court sentences Ennahda Leader Rached Ghannouchi to Life in prison

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  A Tunisian court on Tuesday handed down its verdicts in the case known in the media as the Ennahda Movement’s “secret apparatus” case, involving 35 defendants. The Criminal Chamber specialising in terrorism cases at the Tunis Court of First Instance issued sentences ranging from 10 years in prison to life imprisonment, as well as cumulative prison terms amounting to several decades. The court sentenced Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi to life imprisonment in addition to 30 years in prison. His deputy, Ali Laarayedh, was sentenced to 42 years in prison, while Mustapha Khedher received a 96-year sentence. The court also sentenced Ridha Barouni, al Tahar Boubehri, Kamal Aifi, and seven other defendants to life imprisonment in addition to 76 years in

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  Israel criticises France over restricted defence expo participation

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  Israel on Tuesday sharply criticised France over its decision to limit Israel’s participation in the Eurosatory defence exhibition, due to take place in Paris in mid-June. In a statement on X, Israel’s Foreign Ministry described France’s decision to exclude Israel from parts of the exhibition as “discriminatory, politically motivated, and deeply disappointing.”  The ministry said that France has, once again, chosen politics over principles. On Monday evening, Israel’s Defence Ministry said French authorities had informed it that Israel would not be allowed to set up a national pavilion at the exhibition and that government representatives would be barred from attending. However, France agreed to allow Israeli companies to display air and missile defence systems only, without offensive weapons or military

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  Iran accuses US of launching attacks on tanker, Qeshm Island from bases in Kuwait, Bahrain

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday accused the US of carrying out attacks on an Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and a communications tower on Qeshm Island from bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. In a statement carried by the semi-official Fars News Agency, the ministry said it “strongly condemns” what it described as an “aggressive action by the terrorist US military” against the tanker and the communications facility. The ministry said the attacks were launched early Wednesday “from two countries in the region,” before identifying Kuwait and Bahrain. It accused Washington of using the territory and facilities of regional countries to carry out military operations against Iran, saying the governments of Kuwait and Bahrain bear “direct and clear

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  International Energy Agency warns oil inventories could fall to critical levels

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  International Energy Agency official Toril Bosoni warned that global oil inventories could reach historically low levels before the peak summer demand season if current stock drawdowns continue. Speaking at the Middle East Oil & Gas Conference organized by S&P Global in London, Bosoni said: “We are seeing stock drawdowns continue into the summer, with the possibility or likelihood that we will reach critical or historically low levels just before the peak summer demand period.” According to Bosoni, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could take between six and eight months even if a political agreement were reached immediately. She explained that this scenario could eventually require additional coordinated releases from strategic emergency reserves overseen by the International Energy Agency.

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  Iran-US message exchanges halted for at least several days now: Iranian media

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  Exchanges of messages between Iran and the United States related to efforts to reach a preliminary memorandum of understanding have been halted for at least several days now, the semi-official Fars News Agency reported Tuesday. The source said recent media reports and statements by some Western officials portraying communications between Tehran and Washington as routine “do not reflect the current reality.” According to the source, message exchanges between the two sides regarding what has been described as an initial memorandum of understanding have been suspended for several days now. The Iranian source said the latest message from Iran to Washington was a “public message” concerning Lebanon that received broad international attention. US President Donald Trump said Monday that talks with

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Ali Akbar Dareini: How Long This no-War-no-Peace Will Last?

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Dr Rory Miller: What thread connects Iran, Cuba, and energy?

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  Israel ex- PM criticises Netanyahu government and questions Lebanon strategy

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak sharply criticized the government of Benjamin Netanyahu over its conduct of the war in Lebanon, arguing that Israel cannot eliminate Hezbollah through military action alone. Speaking to Israeli radio station 103FM, Barak said the government was misleading the public about the war’s results and casualty figures. “The government is deceiving the public, and Netanyahu is counting the bodies.” Barak rejected official claims regarding the number of Hezbollah fighters killed, saying “not 800 terrorists were killed, nor 400. This is all nonsense”. He also dismissed statements that Hezbollah had been set back by decades as an “illusion”. Barak argued that Israelis are being misled by suggestions that Israel could eliminate Hezbollah if political constraints were

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  Israeli authorities issue order to seize 74 acres East of Bethlehem

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  The Palestinian Authority’s Commission Against the Wall and Settlements announced that Israeli authorities have issued a military order to seize approximately 74 acres of privately owned Palestinian land in the Jabal al-Fureidis (Herodion) area east of Bethlehem. According to the commission, the order targets land belonging to the Arab al-Ta’amra community and was issued under the stated justification of “expropriation for public purposes” and the development of an archaeological site. The head of the commission, Mu’ayyad Sha’ban, said the measure represents the third land expropriation order issued by Israeli authorities since the beginning of 2026. He stated that the order forms part of what the commission describes as an accelerated policy aimed at expanding legal and administrative control over Palestinian

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  The Gaza genocide drops the last fig leaf of Western democracy and tolerance

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  For decades, Western democracies presented themselves as the gold standard of exemplary governance and tolerance; the shining “beacons of hope” that the rest of the world was expected to follow. But the Gaza genocide has torn that facade apart. What we have witnessed over the past two years is not a reflection of democracy but its humiliation. What we have seen is not the protection of human rights but patterns of racism and intolerance. The mask is off, exposing a system built on double standards, selective outrage, and a chilling willingness to crush the very freedoms it claims to champion. The Dutch shame: A pregnant woman vs. a police officer with his dog Few incidents have exposed this hypocrisy as

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  New Zealand bans entry of extremist settlers

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  New Zealand on Tuesday announced travel bans on three extremist Israeli settlers over their role in expanding illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the ban applies to Israelis Itamar Yehuda Levi; Harel David Libi; and Eliav Libi, stating that they “have actively worked to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank, including through violence.”     Peters said: “The actions of these individuals threaten peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians and drive the region further into crisis.” He stressed that “New Zealand has consistently stated that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are a violation of international law.” “Expanding settlements, and the violence that accompanies it, undermines prospects for a two-state solution,” Peters said,

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  Gaza Health Ministry: May marks deadliest month of 2026 so far

  by MI on June 3, 2026

  The Gaza Health Ministry said May recorded the highest death toll since the start of the year, amid continued attacks on civilians and residential areas across the enclave. According to the ministry’s statistical report, 119 Palestinians were killed across the Gaza Strip during May alone, making it the deadliest month of 2026 so far. The ministry said the most vulnerable groups of civilians were among those affected, with children, women and elderly people accounting for 30 per cent of the total number of fatalities during the month. It said 19 children were killed, representing 16 per cent of the total death toll, while 10 women were killed, accounting for 8.5 per cent of those killed. The ministry added that children,

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  Rubio says Iran’s supreme leader alive, ‘increasingly engaging’ through intermediaries

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and “increasingly engaging at some level,” although he has not appeared publicly after he was injured at the beginning of the war, Anadolu Agency reports. “We haven’t seen him publicly, and I would imagine, given what’s happened to multiple leaders in that system, being very public is probably not something that’s recommended for them internally, but that said, I think there are indications out there that he is increasingly engaging at some level, although all of his communications have been in writing and through intermediaries,” Rubio told lawmakers during a hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He said Iran’s internal decision-making process appears

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  Hamas denies refusing to hand over governance in Gaza

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  Hamas on Tuesday denied allegations that it is refusing to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip, describing claims by some on the Board of Peace as “misleading lies intended to provide cover for the occupation to continue its aggression,” Anadolu Agency reports. Spokesperson Hazem Qassem reiterated Hamas’ full readiness to transfer all governing responsibilities, including security matters, to the National Committee for Gaza Administration based in Cairo, which he said had been agreed upon by the parties. He argued that the main obstacle to the committee’s work was Israel, along with Nikolay Mladenov, executive director of the Board of Peace, accusing them of linking all tracks of negotiations to a single issue in a manner that diverges from US President Donald

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  Hormuz disruptions could raise vulnerable economies’ oil import costs by $20B per year: UN trade agency

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could increase the annual oil import bill of vulnerable economies by more than $20 billion, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. That would place additional pressure on countries already facing significant economic challenges. In a new report, UNCTAD said 65 of 75 vulnerable economies, including least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS), are net importers of oil. Together, the economies are home to 983 million people, more than 30% of whom live below the extreme poverty line of $3 a day. The agency said crude oil prices have risen by more than 40% and gasoline prices by more than 50% following the latest military

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  Trump says talks with Iran ‘going on continuously,’ adds, ‘where they lead, one never knows’

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that diplomatic exchanges with Tehran are proceeding without interruption, contradicting reports of halted communications, Anadolu Agency reports. “The conversations between us have been going on continuously,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, noting that dialogue has occurred daily throughout the week. He said reports of stopped communications are “false and erroneous.” Regarding the outcome of the efforts, the US president remarked, “Where they lead, one never knows.” Trump insisted that Tehran must reach a settlement after nearly five decades of friction, asserting that the situation “cannot be allowed to go on any longer.” His comments follow reports from the semi-official Tasnim agency that Iran suspended talks via mediators to protest Israeli

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  Israel orders seizure of 30 hectares of Palestinian land in southern West Bank: Official

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  Israeli authorities have issued a military order to seize 30 hectares (74 acres) of Palestinian land near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank under the pretext of expropriation for public purposes, a Palestinian official said on Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reports. Moayad Shaaban, head of the Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, said the order targets land in the Jabal Al-Fureidis area near Bethlehem and is intended to facilitate the development of what Israel describes as an archaeological site. In a statement, Shaaban said the measure was the third expropriation order issued by Israeli authorities since the beginning of 2026. He warned that the decision forms part of a broader policy aimed at imposing legal and administrative control over Palestinian land

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  Trump administration pressures Oman to cut ties with Tehran: Report

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  The US has intensified diplomatic pressure on Oman, demanding the Gulf state abandon its historic neutrality and sever diplomatic relations with Iran, according to a Wall Street Journal story on Monday, Anadolu Agency reports. American and Arab officials indicated that Washington now views Oman’s policy on Iran as being actively hostile to US interests. The Trump administration has reportedly threatened to impose sanctions or even launch military strikes against Oman following intelligence assessments suggesting the country might join Iran in taxing commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Both countries have coasts on the strategic waterway. The Omani leadership has denied these allegations, maintaining that its neutral stance is essential for regional mediation. However, US officials remain skeptical, citing Oman’s

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  US F-15E pilot shot down above Iran had survived earlier downing: Report

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  The pilot of an F-15E shot down above Iran in April had also survived a previous shootdown less than five weeks earlier, according to a report Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reports. The High Side publication, citing current and former US Air Force officials, said the pilot was flying the F-15E that was brought down by an Iranian missile strike April 3. It said that the pilot had previously been involved in a separate incident in late February, when one of three F-15Es was shot down by a Kuwaiti F/A-18 in what was described as a friendly-fire episode. Noting that the two incidents occurred less than five weeks apart, the report said Air Force officials believe the pilot is “almost certainly” the

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  Israeli forces arrest 4 students in West Bank raids, hold 89 women in detention: Rights group

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  Israeli forces detained four university students in the occupied West Bank, bringing the number of Palestinian women held in Israeli jails to 89, a prisoner advocacy group said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the Palestinian Prisoner Society said Israeli forces arrested 35 Palestinians during raids across the West Bank overnight, including four female students from Birzeit University near Ramallah. The arrests brought the number of Palestinian women currently held in Israeli custody to 89, according to the organization. The group said the female detainees include three minors, three pregnant women, 19 administrative detainees and two women suffering from cancer. Most are being held at Damon Prison in northern Israel, while others are detained in Israeli interrogation and detention centers,

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  WHO verifies 190 attacks on health care in Lebanon in 3 months

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said it verified 190 attacks on health care facilities and personnel in Lebanon over the past three months, warning that the country’s health system is coming under growing strain amid escalating violence, Anadolu reports. Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO representative to Lebanon, told reporters in Geneva that more than 3,400 people have been killed and nearly 10,400 injured since the latest Israeli escalation began in March. “These have been among the deadliest months for Lebanon since the start of the conflict in October 2023,” the representative said. The attacks on health care have killed 128 health workers and injured 332 others, he said. “Not only do these attacks kill and maim, they also deprive people

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  Iran to hold funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Khamenei in 3 cities

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  Funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli strike on Feb. 28, will be held in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad, a senior municipal official said Tuesday. Mohammad Amin Tavakkoli-Zadeh, Tehran’s deputy mayor for social and cultural affairs, said authorities were preparing for between 15 million and 20 million participants in the capital, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency. He said Khamenei would be buried at the shrine of Imam Reza in the northeastern city of Mashhad, in accordance with his will and recommendations from those close to him. Tavakkoli-Zadeh said requests from provinces across Iran to host funeral and memorial ceremonies were continuing and that the events would likely be held

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  Israeli attacks killed over 3,000 people, ‘no option but negotiation’ with Israel: Lebanese president

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  The ongoing Israeli offensive in Lebanon has killed over 3,000 people and displaced over a million, the Lebanese president said Tuesday, stressing that “there is no option but negotiation” with Israel, Anadolu reports. “Lebanon has suffered more than 3,000 deaths, over one million displaced people, and thousands of destroyed homes, with no end to this situation in sight,” Joseph Aoun said in a meeting with a delegation of syndicate heads, as cited by a presidency statement. “It is the duty of the state to care for its citizens and not to stand idly by. There is no other option but negotiation,” he added. Aoun said his administration is committed to preserving civil peace and internal stability in Lebanon and “preventing

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  EU considers sanctions on Israeli ministers over Gaza aid flotilla treatment: Report

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  The European Union is considering sanctions against Israeli ministers accused of inciting human rights violations following Israel’s attack on a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla, according to a draft of conclusions for the June 18-19 EU summit seen ahead of negotiations among member states. Point 22 of the Middle East section states that the European Council “condemns the ill-treatment inflicted on detainees following the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla in international waters,” Italian ANSA news agency reported Tuesday. The draft also calls on the EU Council “to continue its work on restrictive measures against extremist ministers who incite and promote such human rights violations.” The text remains under negotiation among the permanent representatives of the EU’s 27 member states and could

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  Bahrain bans citizens from traveling to Iraq, Iran over ‘tense security situation’

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  Bahrain banned its citizens from traveling to Iraq and Iran, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday, citing a “tense security situation,” Anadolu Agency reports. “Due to the continued tense security situation resulting from the repercussions of the sinful Iranian aggression, and in order to safeguard national security and the safety of all citizens, the Ministry of Interior announces the decision to ban citizens from traveling” to Iraq and Iran, the ministry said in a statement cited by the state news agency BNA. The decision will remain in place “until further notice,” the ministry said, saying that the Bahraini authorities will undertake necessary steps against “violators.” Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on

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  Iran says its armed forces ready ‘more than in the past’ if war renews with US

  by MI on June 2, 2026

  A spokesman for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Tuesday that the readiness of the country’s armed forces today “is more than in the past,” claiming Tehran will use “different” types of weapons in case of a renewed war with the US and Israel. “The best reason for this issue is that despite the use of its vast capacity on land, sea and air, America could not remove the Strait of Hormuz from Iran’s control even for a few minutes,” Sardar Mohebbi said in a statement carried by the semi-official news agency Tasnim. Mohebbi said Tehran is ready for “all possible scenarios,” adding that Washington “failed to achieve its goals” in the Strait of Hormuz during the latest round

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  As Israel encroaches upon Gaza, the UN should be reckoning with its colonial complicity

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  “A hundred percent of Gaza should be for the Palestinian people, right? That’s what we want to see. And we’ve been calling on Israel to pull back from its occupation from the so-called yellow line and that will continue to be our position,” UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated last week. Dujarric’s comments were uttered after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he ordered the Israeli military to encroach further on Gaza, to 70 percent of the territory. The Yellow Line, which Dujarric mentioned, is already an expired demarcation, while the Orange Line, recently briefly making news headlines, is the physically unmarked border that will determine Israel’s entire military occupation of Gaza. Further Israeli colonial expansion has the backing of the

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  Trump wants Netanyahu useful, not unrestrained 

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  The story of Benjamin Netanyahu is not merely the story of a man in power. It is the story of a political structure that allowed one individual to grow beyond the institutions meant to contain him, until he became—psychologically and politically—larger than the state itself. The question in Israel today is no longer “Who governs?” but rather: Who actually has the power to restrain Netanyahu’s arrogance? Three recent signals—from Ehud Barak, Donald Trump, and Ram Ben-Barak—paint a troubling picture. A country long marketed as a model of “strong institutions” and “independent strategic decision-making” now finds itself exposed, led by a prime minister who behaves as if he holds absolute authority, only to discover that the real limits on his power

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  What happens to the Red Sea when Somaliland is dragged into proxy wars

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  The world’s attention remains fixed on Gaza, southern Lebanon, and the exchange of fire between Israel and Iran’s network of regional allies. Yet another front is quietly emerging hundreds of kilometres away, on the African shore of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. It is a development receiving far less scrutiny than it deserves, despite its potential to reshape one of the most consequential maritime corridors on earth. Israel’s reported military cooperation with Somaliland — including allegations that around 50 Somaliland Special Forces personnel received training in Tel Aviv and the symbolic presentation of an Iron Dome interceptor fragment to Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi — is not merely an unconventional diplomatic outreach. It reflects a broader geostrategic calculation centred on the

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  Kazakhstan and the Iran-Israel war: Navigating risks, opportunities, and strategic neutrality

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Kazakhstan, a landlocked Central Asian state with a long-standing multi-vector foreign policy, has been indirectly affected by the 2025–2026 escalation between Israel, the United States, and Iran. The conflict has created both risks and opportunities for Astana. Kazakhstan has tried to preserve pragmatic neutrality while deepening ties with Israel, Gulf states, and the West, and at the same time managing its economic and transit links with Iran. Historical and Diplomatic Context Kazakhstan has long balanced relations with both Iran and Israel. Diplomatic ties with Israel date back to 1992 and have focused mainly on economic, technological, and security cooperation. Bilateral trade reached around $236 million in 2024, with Kazakhstan supplying oil, metals, and agricultural products, while importing Israeli technology in

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  Israeli Attorney General warns of changes to oversight and judicial institutions

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara warned on Monday that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pursuing measures that could significantly weaken law enforcement and oversight institutions. Speaking at a conference organized by the Israel Bar Association, Baharav-Miara criticised legislation being advanced by the governing coalition, according to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation. She said that Israel is witnessing what she described as a “race to undermine democratic institutions” as the current term of the Knesset approaches its scheduled end. According to Baharav-Miara, “This is no longer about isolated or gradual steps, but an accelerated process that could lead to a profound change in the nature of the democratic system and law enforcement institutions.” The attorney general referred

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  Solidarity rally held in Gaza in support of Palestinian prisoners

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Dozens of Palestinians gathered on Monday outside the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza City to express solidarity with Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons and to protest conditions inside detention facilities. According to Anadolu Agency, the rally was organized by the Prisoners’ Committee of the National and Islamic Forces and was attended by former prisoners, representatives of Palestinian factions, activists, and relatives of detainees. Participants carried photographs of prisoners and banners calling on the international community to intervene and address conditions inside Israeli prisons. Demonstrators also raised Palestinian flags and chanted slogans calling for the release of prisoners. Participants stressed that the prisoners’ issue remains a central concern despite the ongoing war in the

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  Egypt warns of wider regional escalation amid Israeli escalations in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Lebanon

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Egypt intensified its diplomatic criticism of Israel for a second consecutive day, issuing a statement condemning settler visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque and expressing concern over developments in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Egypt condemned what it described as “repeated and provocative incursions” by Israeli settlers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under police protection, as well as practices that it said violate the sanctity of Islamic holy sites and the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem. The ministry also criticised ongoing Israeli actions in Jerusalem and the West Bank, citing settler incursions, arrests, and attacks on Palestinians and their property. Egypt said these actions constitute violations of international law and

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  Iranian military headquarters warns of retaliation if Beirut’s southern suburbs are attacked

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a warning directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that any large-scale Israeli attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut would trigger a response targeting northern Israel. According to the statement, Netanyahu’s regional policies and any evacuation orders issued for residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs would be met with measures that would “bring the battle” into northern Israeli cities and settlements. The statement also called on residents of northern Israel to leave the area. The warning came amid reports that Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had instructed the Israeli military to prepare intensive strikes against what Israeli officials describe as key Hezbollah positions in Beirut’s southern suburbs. According to the reports,

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  France bars official Israeli participation in Eurosatory defence exhibition

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  France has decided to prohibit official Israeli participation in the upcoming Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris, a move that has drawn criticism from Israel. According to the French Ministry of Armed Forces, the decision prevents the establishment of an official Israeli national pavilion and excludes Israeli government representatives from participating in exhibition events. The ministry stated that Israeli defence companies will still be allowed to exhibit certain air-defence technologies. However, the display of offensive weapons and offensive military systems will remain prohibited. In response, the Israeli Ministry of Defence described the French decision as “shameful and regrettable.” The ministry said the measure was motivated by political and commercial considerations and argued that it imposed restrictions on Israel that are not

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  French politician calls for deployment of French aircraft carrier and criticises Israel’s actions in Lebanon

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  French left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon strongly criticised Israel and called for a more assertive French response to developments in Lebanon. In a post on X, Mélenchon wrote that Israel was “invading and annexing all of southern Lebanon” and referred to Israeli soldiers as “genocidal barbarians.” Referring to Beaufort Castle occupied by Israel, he stated: “Netanyahu has raised his flag over Beaufort Castle. This French name should remind us that we are linked to Lebanon by a thousand years of history. We owe Lebanon support, affection and solidarity.” Mélenchon argued that the French aircraft carrier should be deployed in the Mediterranean rather than the Strait of Hormuz. According to his post, such a deployment would serve as a political signal to

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  Palestine’s supreme judge: Israeli bill to restrict Muslim call to prayer an attack on freedom of worship

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  The Supreme Judge of Palestine and Presidential Adviser for Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash said on Monday that an Israeli bill aimed at legalising restrictions on the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) amounts to a “declaration of religious war against Islamic holy sites and rituals” and a direct attack on freedom of worship. His remarks came in a statement responding to the approval on Sunday of a draft bill by Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation. The bill was submitted by the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Al-Habbash said Israeli attempts to restrict the call to prayer in Jerusalem and among Palestinian communities inside Israel were “a direct assault on Muslims, the Islamic

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  Iran’s Quds Force chief: Israeli actions may lead to Bab al-Mandab being treated like Hormuz 

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Iran’s official media on Monday quoted Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as saying that Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza would push the Axis of Resistance — a term used to refer to Iran and its allies — to make the situation for maritime traffic in the Bab al-Mandab Strait similar to that in the Strait of Hormuz. Qaani said that “the evil of the Zionists (Israel) in Lebanon and Gaza, with open US support, will strengthen the determination of the Axis of Resistance to expand support from both fronts, take steps to activate other fronts, and make the status of shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait similar

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  UN: Israeli air strike hits UN school in Gaza

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  The United Nations said on Monday that an Israeli air strike hit a UN school building sheltering displaced families in the Gaza Strip. Speaking at his daily press briefing in New York, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric discussed the latest developments in the Middle East. Dujarric said: “yesterday, an air strike hit the rooftop of a UN school building in Nuseirat, in Gaza, which is used to shelter displaced families, resulting in damage.” He added: “Fortunately, we have received no reports of injuries resulting from this attack.” Dujarric also shared recent reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on developments in the occupied West Bank. In this context, he said: “a Palestinian trying to cross the Israeli Barrier

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  Iran seeks ceasefire across Lebanon, Ghalibaf tells Berri

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told his Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri during a phone call that Tehran is determined to secure a ceasefire across all of Lebanon, including the south. During the call, Ghalibaf said: “If the crimes continue, we will stop the negotiations.” He added: “The bond between Iran and Lebanon is inseparable, and our lives and your lives are one.” Ghalibaf said that if an agreement is reached to end the war between Iran and the United States, it would include a halt to attacks on all fronts, particularly Lebanon. He stressed that “if the crimes continue, we will not only stop the negotiations, but we will also stand against the Zionist entity.” For his part, Berri

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  Israeli opposition attacks Netanyahu after he backs down on Beirut suburb strike

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  Israeli opposition figures and current and former officials launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday evening after he announced he would not proceed with an attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs. Former Israeli defence minister and leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, criticised Netanyahu, saying: “This is not a prime minister, he is a puppet.” Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid also strongly criticised Netanyahu after he backed down from attacking the southern suburbs under pressure from US President Donald Trump. Lapid said Israel had become “a state under full guardianship”. He accused the government of overseeing what he described as the biggest security crisis in Israel’s history, pointing to the rising number of casualties from

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  Trump rebukes Netanyahu over Lebanon escalation, says it threatens Iran talks: report

  by Marwa A on June 2, 2026

  US President Donald Trump sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a tense phone call on Monday over Israel’s military escalation in Lebanon, and reportedly pressured Israel not to carry out a planned attack on Beirut, according to three sources cited by Axios. According to the report, Trump was deeply angered by Israel’s decision to expand its military operations in Lebanon, believing the escalation could jeopardise US efforts to reach an agreement with Iran and undermine the ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Axios cited US officials as saying that Trump described Netanyahu as “crazy” during the call and accused him of ingratitude for the support provided by the United States. One US official said Trump warned Netanyahu that