This is Beirut

Trump Says Deal Is Days Away, Iran Accuses Him of ‘Lies’

This is Beirut, 18/04 13:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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U.S. President Donald Trump said that a deal with Iran could be reached “within days” and that negotiations have “no sticking points,” while Iranian officials on Saturday rejected his claims and said key issues remain unresolved. Trump said talks with Iran could resume as early as this weekend, possibly in Islamabad, and ...

From War To Business Suits: What Peace with Israel Could Mean for Lebanon's Economy

Ralph Atrach, 17/04 23:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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As Lebanese and Israeli officials met face to face in Washington for the first time in decades, the war with Hezbollah dominated headlines, but the prospect of future economic ties between Jerusalem and Beirut came into view. Following the meeting, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter brought up the potential windfalls of peace. “The ...

Iran Military Warns will Block Red Sea if U.S. Naval Blockade Continues

This is Beirut, 15/04 14:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Iran's military warned on Wednesday it would block trade through the Red Sea, along with the Gulf and Sea of Oman, if the U.S. naval blockade continues. In a statement carried by Iranian state television, the head of Iran's military central command center said if the U.S. continues with its blockade and "creates insecurity for ...

What Went Wrong for the Shia

Hussain Abdul-Hussain, 15/04 10:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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The Shia have a problem. While many Sunni-majority states, from the Gulf states to Turkey, have achieved varying degrees of governance success and economic growth, Shia-led political projects have little to show for themselves. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, they have been at the center of wars, terrorist networks, and state failure even as ...

Israel-Lebanon Negotiations: Who Are the Key Participants?

This is Beirut, 14/04 14:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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As Israel and Lebanon enter their first direct diplomatic talks in decades, a group of senior diplomats and officials have taken center stage in Washington. Hosted by the United States, the meeting brings together representatives from all three sides amid ongoing war and deep political tensions. Below is a profile of each key participant, their ...

U.S. Says Ball in Iran's Court as Push Grows to End War

This is Beirut, 14/04 12:20 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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The United States said "the ball is in the Iranian court" on ending the Mideast war, as diplomats accelerated efforts on Tuesday towards a new round of peace talks after weekend negotiations failed to produce a deal. US Vice President JD Vance had left talks hosted by Pakistan on Sunday, saying he had handed Tehran the "final and best offer".Iran ...

After Islamabad

David Hale, 13/04 10:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Whatever different people may think about the Trump Administration's approach to Iran, 21 hours of talks led by the American vice president demonstrated a seriousness of diplomatic purpose. However, it was never likely that the wide gap between the goals of Washington and those of Tehran would be bridged in a day. Eight American presidents ...

Mideast Prepares for More Fighting as Talks Fail

This is Beirut, 12/04 19:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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A sense of dread spread across the Middle East after talks between the US and Iran collapsed, as fears of renewed fighting rattled an already tense region with Donald Trump ordering a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Following more than 20 hours of talks in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, US Vice President JD Vance admitted the yawning ...

U.S. Vice President JD Vance: ‘We Were Unable to Reach an Agreement’ With Iran

This is Beirut, 12/04 06:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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On Sunday morning, U.S. Vice President JD Vance held a press conference following 21 hours of negotiations with Iranian officials in Islamabad, Pakistan, announcing that “we were unable to reach an agreement.” He emphasized that “Iran decided not to accept our terms” as U.S. negotiators sought to adhere to the agenda and demands it set ...

Vance Arrives in Pakistan for Iran Talks

This is Beirut, 11/04 12:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Islamabad on Saturday for talks with Iran that the Pakistani premier hosting the warring sides called a "make or break" effort to permanently halt weeks of fighting in the Middle East. An Iranian delegation led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is also in the city, having arrived ...

U.S.-Iran Truce Hangs in Balance as War Flares in Lebanon

This is Beirut, 09/04 01:40 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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The fragile two-week truce between Iran and the United States was hanging in the balance on Wednesday, with Tehran threatening to resume hostilities as Israel launched a major bombardment of Lebanon. Washington and Tehran both claimed victory after agreeing to a two-week ceasefire and negotiations aimed at ending a war that has killed thousands ...

Iran Launches Fresh Attacks on Gulf and Israel Minutes After Ceasefire Announcement

This is Beirut, 08/04 12:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Iran continued launching missile and drone attacks on Gulf states and Israel in the immediate aftermath of a ceasefire announcement with the United States on Wednesday, which was announced to take effect immediately. The continued strikes have immediately cast doubt on the viability of the agreement, with active hostilities persisting across a ...

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