Hezbollah Allegedly Strengthens Hold on Beirut Port Amid Disarmament Doubts

Michael al-Andary 2025-12-22 13:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Beirut Port Hezbollah Nawaf Salam Beirut International Airport Lebanese Army Israel United States

Despite the Lebanese cabinet’s move to impose a firm deadline for the disarmament of militias, developments on the ground point to a “lack of seriousness” in enforcing the decision against Hezbollah, a security source told This is Beirut on condition of anonymity, questioning whether the government’s commitment is backed by concrete ...

Italy Says Wants Military to Stay in Lebanon After UN Peacekeepers Leave

This is Beirut 2025-12-22 15:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon United Nations Italy UNIFIL

Italy said Monday it intends to keep a military presence in Lebanon even after the UN peacekeeping force it belongs to leaves as planned on December 31, 2026. "Even after (the peacekeeping force) UNIFIL, Italy will continue to do its part, supporting with conviction the international presence and supporting the capacity development of the ...

Why was Sharaa Invited to Washington, but not Aoun?

Hussain Abdul-Hussain 2025-12-23 10:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Washington Lebanon Lebanese Army Syria Joseph Aoun Ahmad al-Sharaa

Until late 2024, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa was a U.S.-designated terrorist with a $10 million bounty on his head for leading the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. By contrast, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who served as commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) until his election in January 2025, was widely regarded as one of ...

Lebanon Denies Israel’s Claim Linking Killed Soldier to Hezbollah

This is Beirut 2025-12-23 12:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

IsraeliArmy LebaneseArmy Lebanon Israel

The Israeli Army on Tuesday claimed that a Lebanese soldier killed in an Israeli strike near the southern city of Saida on Monday was linked to Hezbollah, describing the alleged coordination as a “serious matter”.  In a statement posted on X, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Israeli forces carried out what he ...

Lebanon Probes Officer’s Disappearance Amid Suspected Mossad Involvement

This is Beirut 2025-12-23 19:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Amal Internal Security Forces Israel Ron Arad

Lebanese security is conducting investigations under the supervision of Public Prosecutor Judge Jamal Hajjar into the disappearance of retired General Security officer Ahmad Shukr, who has been missing for a week, amid conflicting information about his fate, according to a judicial source quoted by Saudi daily Asharq al Awsat. The source ...

Syria State TV Reports Jordanian Strikes Targeting Drug Trafficking Networks

This is Beirut 2025-12-25 10:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah

The Jordanian army launched air strikes targeting drug smuggling networks in southern Syria on Wednesday, Syrian state media said. State broadcaster Al-Ikhbariya reported on Telegram that the Jordanian army targeted "drug smuggling networks and storage farms in the southern and eastern countryside" of Sweida. In a statement, the Jordanian army ...

Israel Arrests Citizen Suspected of Spying for Iran

This is Beirut 2025-12-25 12:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel United States Iran Spying

Israeli authorities announced on Thursday the arrest of an Israeli man on suspicion of committing security offenses under the direction of Iranian intelligence agents, days after Tehran executed an Iranian accused of spying for Israel. The arrest is the latest in a series of cases in which Israel has charged its own citizens with spying for its ...

Seven Dead as Saudi Coalition Strikes UAE-Backed Forces in Yemen

This is Beirut 02/01 15:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Saudi Aabia UAE Yemen

Seven separatist fighters died in air strikes Friday as the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen hit back against a sweeping advance by the UAE-backed Southern Transition Council that threatens to spiral into a major confrontation. The deaths are the first from coalition fire since the secessionist STC seized swathes of Hadramawt and Mahra provinces last ...

Iraq on High Alert: Baghdad Warns of Imminent Israeli Strikes

This is Beirut 2025-12-25 17:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Israel Middle East UN Security Council Iraq US

According to several corroborating reports cited by Israeli media, Iraqi authorities have been discreetly warned of the possibility of targeted Israeli strikes on their territory, aimed at pro-Iranian armed groups operating in the country. These warnings, described as “extremely serious,” are said to have been delivered through Western and ...

Israel Strikes Northeast Lebanon, Targeting Radwan Force Infrastructure

This is Beirut 2025-12-26 11:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Lebanon Hezbollah Hezbollah Radwan Force

Israel launched a series of airstrikes Friday afternoon on the outskirts of Hermel, targeting a training site used by Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X that the strike targeted a site used for training operatives, conducting live-fire drills and planning attacks against Israeli forces and ...

Israel Warns Strike on Iran ‘Inevitable’ Without Missile Deal

This is Beirut 2025-12-26 14:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Iran Israel IRGC

A senior Israeli military official warned that an attack on Iran would become “inevitable” if the U.S. fails to reach an agreement limiting Tehran’s ballistic missile program. The official, speaking to Israel’s Ynet news site, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to present U.S. President Donald Trump with ...

UN Force in Lebanon Says Peacekeeper Wounded by Israeli Fire

This is Beirut 2025-12-27 12:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Nations Lebanon Hezbollah Israel UN Security Council

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said an Israeli attack near their position in the country's south wounded a peacekeeper on Friday, reiterating a call for Israel to "cease aggressive behaviour". It is the latest incident reported by the peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, where UNIFIL acts as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon and has ...

Tehran Shopkeepers Shut Stores Over Economic Hardship, Currency Volatility

This is Beirut 2025-12-29 14:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Tehran Economy Currency Sanctions protests

Some shopkeepers in Tehran closed their stores on Monday in protest against economic hardships and sharp swings in Iran's embattled currency, Iranian media reported, following similar demonstrations a day earlier. State news agency IRNA said some shopkeepers and traders at Tehran's bazaar "have closed or partially closed their stores," adding ...

Peace with Israel: Lebanon's Path to Economic Revival

Hussain Abdul-Hussain 2025-12-30 10:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel United Arab Emirates Baalbeck Bahrain

An unconditional peace treaty with Israel, inspired by the Abraham Accords' success, could reduce Lebanon’s security risks, unlock billions in foreign investments, revive trade, agriculture, and services, and create jobs—offering economic salvation while preserving Lebanon’s support of Palestinians.  Normalization could boost Lebanon’s ...

Fatah Hands Over Weapons to LAF in Ain al-Hilweh

This is Beirut 2025-12-30 12:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanese Army Fatah Lebanon Joseph Aoun Palestine Mahmoud Abbas

Members of the Fatah movement on Tuesday handed over their weapons to the Lebanese Army (LAF) from the movement’s center in Jabal al-Halib, located on the outskirts of the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in the Saida district of southern Lebanon. The LAF deployed in the vicinity of the handover site and reinforced security measures to ...

Israel Prepares for “Days of Fighting” Along the Lebanese Border

This is Beirut 2025-12-31 17:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Lebanon Hezbollah

Israel is preparing for possible “days of fighting” along the Lebanese border, as the deadline set by the U.S. for the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025 expires on Wednesday, Israeli media reported. The U.S. news site Axios, citing American officials, reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised the ...

Ahead of 2026, Washington's Tougher Terms for Lebanon

Amal Chmouny 2025-12-31 17:10 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Lebanon Washington Donald Trump Lebanese Army Amal

Heading into 2026, U.S. engagement in Lebanon has become explicitly conditioned on measurable progress toward Hezbollah’s disarmament, marking a clear break from the strategic ambiguity that long defined Washington’s approach. The aftermath of the 2024 Israel–Hezbollah conflict, alongside Lebanon’s deepening economic and political crises, ...

Iran Markets Advanced Weapons Systems for Crypto - FT

This is Beirut 02/01 09:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Tehran Washington

Iran’s official defense export agency is offering to sell ballistic missiles, drones, and other advanced weapons systems to foreign governments in exchange for cryptocurrency and barter, Financial Times reported on Thursday. The Ministry of Defense Export Center (Mindex) is the export arm of Iran’s defense ministry. The site offers ...

Hezbollah Receives ‘Last-Chance Advice’ from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey to Disarm

This is Beirut 02/01 11:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Turkey Nawaf Salam Donald Trump Lebanese Army

Lebanese ministerial officials say Hezbollah on Wednesday received “last-chance advice” from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey to hand over its weapons to Lebanon’s government, according to the Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat.  According to the sources, the countries warned the militant group that failing to disarm would isolate ...

Israel Shells Hezbollah Radwan Force Sites

This is Beirut 02/01 13:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Baalbeck Hezbollah Israel Saïda South Lebanon Beqaa

The Israeli army announced Friday that it carried out a series of intense air raids targeting what it described as a training complex belonging to Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, along with military buildings in southern Lebanon. In a post on the platform X, the Israeli army’s Arabic spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, said the strikes targeted a ...

Iran Strikes Gulf Energy Infrastructure as Regional War Drives Oil Prices Higher

This is Beirut 09/03 10:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Gulf Bahrain Kuwait Middle East Saudi Arabia

Iran launched a new wave of strikes across the Gulf on Monday, targeting energy infrastructure and military-linked facilities in several countries as the regional conflict triggered by the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran continues to widen. One of the most significant attacks struck Bahrain’s Al Ma’ameer oil facility, a major petroleum ...

Iran Accuses U.S. and Israel of Seeking to Divide the Country as War Escalates

This is Beirut 09/03 12:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Iran Israel USA RegionalConflict

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei on Monday accused the United States and Israel of attempting to weaken and divide the country as the regional war continues to intensify, while insisting that Tehran’s military actions are defensive and warning that international institutions have failed to intervene. During a press ...

Enchanting Journey into the World of Dior in Paris

2024-08-03 14:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

An enchanting journey awaits fashion lovers at the Galerie Dior, offering a unique experience for solo cultural explorers, friends on a day out, or families celebrating special occasions. The space has been set up to reveal the fashion heritage of Dior and its marvels. The Galerie Dior invites visitors to explore 13 distinct rooms and universes, ...

Iran Hangs Man Accused of Passing Info to CIA, Mossad

This is Beirut 11/05 10:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Tehran United States USA

Iran said Monday it had hanged a man convicted of spying for Israel and the United States, the latest in a wave of executions during the war with the two foes. "Erfan Shakourzadeh... was hanged for collaborating with the US intelligence service and the Mossad spy service," the judiciary's Mizan Online website said. It did not ...

South Korea to Review Joining U.S. Hormuz Operation

This is Beirut 05/05 09:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Trump Seoul USA Iran Hormuz USIranWar

South Korea said Tuesday it will "review its position" on joining U.S. operations in the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump urged Seoul to take part following an apparent Iranian attack on one of its ships. An explosion and fire were reported on a South Korean cargo vessel on Monday in the key waterway, which has been effectively ...

Trump Says Pausing Hormuz Operation in Push for Iran Deal

This is Beirut 06/05 09:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump US Secretary of State Gulf Israel Middle East

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was halting the US military operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after just one day, in a bid to reach a deal with Iran to end the Middle East war. Trump's so-called "Project Freedom" to help vessels leave the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow chokepoint to the Gulf where Iran has seized control ...

Hezbollah Radwan Commander Killed Amid Widening Israeli Military Operations

This is Beirut 07/05 15:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Israel

The Israeli military said on Thursday that it has significantly expanded operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon since the ceasefire began on April 16, claiming it has killed more than 220 operatives and commanders during ongoing strikes and ground activity in the area. According to the Israeli army, the campaign targets individuals and ...

Lebanon Says at Least Two Killed in Israel Strikes on South

This is Beirut 09/05 14:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Israel

Lebanon said at least one person was killed in Israeli strikes on the country's south on Saturday despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah, after Israel's army issued an evacuation warning to several villages. Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah have traded fire daily, mostly in southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire agreement in effect since ...

Iran Keeps U.S. Waiting for Response on Peace Plan

This is Beirut 09/05 17:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Iran USA Hormuz Lebanon Hezbollah Israel Trump Negotiations

Iran questioned the seriousness of American diplomacy on Saturday in the wake of renewed naval clashes in the Gulf, while keeping Washington waiting for a response to its latest negotiating position. U.S. President Donald Trump had said on Friday that he was expecting Iran's response to Washington's latest proposal for a deal to extend a fragile ...

Oil Giant Saudi Aramco Says Quarterly Profits Up as Crude Prices Surge

This is Beirut 10/05 12:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Saudi Aramco Iran Gulf USA USIranWar Economy

Saudi oil giant Aramco said Sunday its net profit rose by 25.5 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, after the Middle East war sent oil and gas prices soaring. The result comes as uncertainty plagues global markets over the conflict's trajectory, with Iran restricting the passage of hydrocarbons through the strategic ...