Iran Weighs Peace Proposal, Accuses U.S. of 'Excessive Demands'

This is Beirut 23/05 12:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Iran Pakistan Trump USA Israel Hezbollah Lebanon Negotiations

Tehran accused the United States of "excessive demands," Iranian media said on Saturday, as U.S. media reports raised the prospect that Washington was mulling new strikes and leaders of the Islamic republic considered the latest peace proposal. Pakistan's powerful army chief arrived in Tehran on Friday to bolster mediation, and U.S. President ...

Two Airports, Two Realities: Beirut's Airport Under Hezbollah’s Shadow, Qlayaat Under State Control

Ralph Atrach 23/05 13:40 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Hezbollah Lebanon Beirut International Airport Israel Lebanese Army

Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny on May 19 announced the opening of bids for the public tender to operate and invest in Lebanon’s northern Rene Mouawad Airport, in a move aimed at reviving a second civilian airport after years of stagnation. The contract was awarded to Sky Lounge Services following a tender process conducted ...

Iran Chief Negotiator Vows 'Crushing' Response if U.S. Resumes Attacks

This is Beirut 23/05 15:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Iran's chief negotiator on Saturday warned of a "crushing" response if U.S. President Donald Trump resumed attacks on the country, saying Tehran had rebuilt its armed forces during the six-week-long ceasefire in the Middle East war. "Our armed forces have rebuilt themselves during the ceasefire period in such a way that if Trump commits another ...

Iran Reaffirms Support for Hezbollah and Calls for Lebanon-Inclusive Regional Ceasefire Proposal

This is Beirut 23/05 17:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Ceasefire Nawaf Salam Lebanon Joseph Aoun

Hezbollah claimed that it’s Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, received a message from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlining Tehran’s position on regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts related to the conflict. According to the statement, Iran reaffirmed its continued support for what it described as “movements ...

Rubio Says Iran Talks Show Progress but Key Issues Remain Unresolved

This is Beirut 23/05 17:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday indicated that diplomatic discussions with Iran remain active, suggesting that developments could emerge within days while reaffirming Washington’s core demands on Tehran’s nuclear program. Speaking during a visit to India, Rubio said that “there might be some news later ...

Alleged Iranian-Linked Plot Targeted Ivanka Trump in Failed Assassination Attempt

This is Beirut 23/05 19:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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In a statement posted on social media, House Republicans claimed that Ivanka Trump had been targeted in a failed assassination attempt tied to “Iranian terror groups,” adding that she remains safe. The statement said that the alleged plot demonstrates what Republicans described as Iran’s hostility toward the U.S. and renewed ...

Tehran and Washington Signal Breakthrough in Negotiations

This is Beirut 23/05 21:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Iran and the United States on Saturday spoke of a breakthrough in their negotiations after weeks of tensions and diplomatic maneuvering, while remaining cautious about the chances of ending the war in the Middle East. An agreement is “very close,” U.S. President Donald Trump said, estimating the chances of either a “good” ...

Lebanon Civil Defense Says Israeli Strike Destroys its Nabatieh Facility

This is Beirut 24/05 05:05 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Lebanon's civil defence agency said early on Sunday its regional facility in the southern city of Nabatieh had been destroyed by an Israeli strike. The Directorate General of Civil Defence said the building had collapsed and a large number of vehicles and equipment had been damaged by a "direct hit in a hostile Israeli ...

Iran Executes Man Over Cooperation with Israeli Spy Agency

This is Beirut 26/05 13:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Iranian authorities on Tuesday executed a man after convicting him of cooperation with and espionage for Israel's Mossad spy agency, the judiciary said. "Gholamreza Khani Shakarab was executed on charges of intelligence cooperation and espionage in favor of the Zionist regime," the judiciary's Mizan Online website reported, adding that his ...

Hezbollah’s Qassem Attacks Lebanese Government and Opposes Direct Talks with Israel

This is Beirut 24/05 20:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hezbollah Lebanon IDF Israel Disarmament

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem on Sunday launched a sharp attack against the Lebanese government, rejected direct negotiations with Israel, and reaffirmed that the Iran-backed group would continue its armed confrontation despite growing domestic and international pressure for Hezbollah’s disarmament. Speaking during a televised ...

IDF Chief of Staff Approves Continued Military Plans in Lebanon

This is Beirut 24/05 20:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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As negotiations between the United States and Iran reportedly advance toward a potential breakthrough, Israeli officials are simultaneously signaling that military pressure on Hezbollah will continue unabated.  Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir approved new operational plans for the continuation of the military campaign on the northern front ...

Saudi Arabia’s Shadow Over Lebanon's Path to Peace

Ralph Atrach 25/05 08:55 - Reading : 8 minute(s)

Lebanon Saudi Arabia Nawaf Salam Lebanese Army Banque du Liban

As Lebanon prepares for new rounds of security and political talks with Israel in Washington in the coming two weeks, Saudi Arabia’s position on peace with Jerusalem looms over decision makers in Beirut. In a May 10 interview with Al-Arabiya, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that Lebanon is open to peace with Israel within the framework ...

U.S. Says Iran Deal Still Possible, as Trump Tempers Expectations

This is Beirut 25/05 09:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal to end the war with Iran could materialize on Monday, as President Donald Trump tempered expectations. The United States and Iran have observed a ceasefire since April 8 while mediators push for a negotiated settlement, although Iran has imposed controls on Gulf shipping and the U.S. has blockaded ...

Oil Prices Slide as Hopes Rise for U.S.-Iran Peace Deal

This is Beirut 25/05 10:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Global oil prices plunged on Monday, falling to their lowest levels in two weeks, as growing optimism surrounding a potential peace agreement between the United States and Iran eased fears of prolonged disruptions in global energy markets. International benchmark Brent crude dropped by $5.09, or 4.9%, reaching $98.45 per barrel by 0705 GMT. ...

Iran Warns Deal With U.S. Not Yet Close, Despite Some Progress

This is Beirut 25/05 13:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu US Secretary of State Bahrain

Iran warned Monday that, while some progress had been made, it was not yet close to striking a deal with the United States to end the Middle East war, after a weekend of mixed messages from Washington and Tehran. World oil prices tumbled on renewed optimism about an agreement, after top US diplomat Marco Rubio suggested a deal could be reached ...

Trump Pushes for Expanded Abraham Accords Amid Iran Negotiations

This is Beirut 25/05 16:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump Bahrain Israel Middle East Saudi Arabia Abraham accords

U.S. President Donald Trump has called for a major expansion of the Abraham Accords, urging several Middle Eastern and Muslim-majority countries to join the framework normalizing relations with Israel as part of a broader regional settlement linked to ongoing negotiations with Iran. In a lengthy statement published on Truth Social, Trump said he ...

Iranian Officials in Qatar for Peace Talks, Frozen Funds

This is Beirut 25/05 17:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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A high-level Iranian delegation that includes the country's top negotiator and central bank chief were in Doha on Monday to discuss an agreement with the U.S. and the release of frozen funds, a source briefed on the matter told AFP. "Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Doha earlier ...

Qassem Escalates Against Lebanese State as Hezbollah Faces Growing Pressure Over Weapons and Negotiations

Kaline Antoun 25/05 20:40 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Hezbollah Lebanon Amal Israel Lebanese Forces

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem sharply escalated his rhetoric against the Lebanese government on Sunday, openly rejecting direct negotiations with Israel, defending the group’s weapons, and warning that “the people have the right to overthrow the government if authorities fail to protect Lebanon’s sovereignty.”  The speech, ...

Saudi Arabia’s Voodoo Diplomacy Is Sabotaging Middle East Peace

Hussain Abdul-Hussain 26/05 09:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Saudi Arabia Lebanon Donald Trump Gulf Hamas

While Iran has strangled Kuwait and Qatar’s ability to export energy and fund repairs for costly damage inflicted by Iranian attacks, Saudi Arabia has done nothing to challenge Tehran. Instead, Riyadh—the self-anointed leader of the Gulf—prioritized denouncing the opening of a Somaliland embassy in Jerusalem. Saudi foreign ...

Finally, a Year of Choice for Lebanon

David Hale 26/05 09:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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For the first time in decades, Lebanon has a year of choice. With the dramatic reversal of fortunes of Iran, the Assad regime, and their Lebanese proxy, Lebanon is finding long-lost freedoms. A key attribute of freedom is choice. With the restoration of sovereignty, the Lebanese face, a sovereign choice between war or peace. Since the 1980s, ...

Netanyahu Orders Escalation Against Hezbollah as Strikes Intensify Across Lebanon

This is Beirut 26/05 10:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Israel Lebanon Hezbollah Netanyahu Escalation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday that he had ordered the Israeli military to intensify operations against Hezbollah, as Israeli airstrikes expanded across southern and eastern Lebanon amid a sharp rise in Hezbollah drone attacks targeting northern Israel. “We are at war with Hezbollah,” Netanyahu declared in ...

Iran Supreme Leader Says Region Will 'No Longer Serve as Shields' for U.S. Bases

This is Beirut 26/05 11:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, said on Tuesday that regional countries would no longer be shields for U.S. bases in a written statement carried by state television. "What is certain in this regard is that the hands of time will not turn backwards, and the nations and lands of the region will no longer serve as shields for ...

Rubio Says Iran Deal Still Days Away as U.S. Balances Diplomacy and Military Pressure

This is Beirut 26/05 11:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Lebanon Gulf Hezbollah

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that reaching an agreement with Iran may still require “a few days.” His remarks came one day after U.S. forces carried out what Washington described as defensive operations in southern Iran. According to Rubio, the strikes targeted missile launch sites as well as vessels allegedly ...

The Cultural Saboteur…

Johnny Kortbawi 2024-07-02 13:41 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Observers of Lebanon's political and social landscape might perceive that the alarming regression of all concepts echoes medieval times in its approach. At its helm is Hezbollah’s caretaker Minister of Culture, who molds the Lebanese culture according to the party’s ideological beliefs. The advocate of the saying “vices of deviation” ...

The Martyrdom of Hussein at Kerbala and the Cult of Sacrifice

Fady Noun 2024-07-14 09:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

On the night of July 16 to 17, Shiites observe Ashura (from the word "achra," meaning ten), commemorating a pivotal event in their community's history: the assassination of Imam Hussein, the Prophet's grandson, in Kerbala, Iraq, in October 680 A.D. (Muharram 61 in the Islamic calendar). Imam Hussein was fleeing Damascus and the Caliph Yazid, with ...

Khamenei Orders Iran’s Enriched Uranium Stockpile to Remain Inside Country: Report

This is Beirut 21/05 15:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a directive that the country’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium remain inside Iran, according to two senior Iranian sources cited by Reuters on Wednesday. The directive directly challenges one of the key American and Israeli demands in the talks: the removal of Iran’s ...

Council of Ministers: A Moment of Truth on Disarmament

Natasha Metni Torbey 2025-09-05 13:45 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Amal Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Disarmament Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers will meet today to examine the Lebanese Army’s plan for militia disarmament. Despite the uncertainty, three points are clear before the session: the meeting will take place, ministers from the Shia duo will attend, and the army’s plan will be formally submitted to the government. However, serious doubts remain that ...

From Nasser to Khamenei: The End of Resistance Politics in the Middle East

Pierre Nahas 2025-07-10 11:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Iran Palestine Hezbollah United States

For decades, the Palestinian cause served as both a rallying banner and a political tool, used by leaders from Cairo to Tehran not always to uplift Palestinians, but to build empires. Radicalism on the Palestinian issue was once a measure of legitimacy for Middle Eastern leaders. Now, something is shifting. With Arab states striking deals with ...

Football: Al-Ansar Dominates the Season and Wins Its 15th Title

Makram Haddad 2025-07-14 11:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Football Ansar Safa Championship

Buoyed by their fans and an experienced squad, Al-Ansar did not falter. The first goal came in the 40th minute, scored by Algerian Hicham Khalfallah, who was well served by an inspired backheel from Palestinian Mohammad Habbous. In the second half, captain Hassan Maatouk sealed the match with a powerful strike (61') after receiving a brilliant ...

Joumblatt Asserts Commitment to Sovereignty and Praises LAF Efforts

This is Beirut 2025-07-14 20:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Lebanese Army United States Nabih Berry Syria Walid Joumblatt Nabih Berri

Former head of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) Walid Joumblatt emphasized on Monday that preserving the Lebanese state remains a shared priority with international partners, particularly the United States. “Our concern is the same as the American concern, to preserve Greater Lebanon,” Joumblatt said following a meeting with Parliament ...