This is Beirut - United States

Iran Supreme Leader's Adviser Threatens to Sink U.S. Ships in Hormuz Strait

This is Beirut, 16/04 03:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

The military adviser to Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Wednesday warned that Iran would sink American ships in the Strait of Hormuz if the United States decided to "police" the key shipping bottleneck. The U.S. is imposing a military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after Iran blocked shipping during over six weeks of war in a conflict ...

Israel Strikes South of Beirut as Hezbollah Launches Rockets at Israel

This is Beirut, 15/04 13:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Two Israeli strikes on Wednesday hit vehicles south of Beirut, state media reported, while Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel, soon after Lebanon and Israel agreed to continue holding direct talks. The Israeli military also renewed its call for residents of a swathe of southern Lebanon to leave as it continues to bomb the area. Despite its ...

U.S. Continues Naval Blockade Amid Precarious Ceasefire

This is Beirut, 15/04 09:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect overnight on Tuesday into Wednesday morning as the rocky U.S.-Iran ceasefire holds. The naval blockade was initiated on Monday as U.S. President Donald Trump warned that “if any of these ships come anywhere close to our blockade, they will be immediately eliminated, using the same system of ...

U.S. State Department: Lebanon and Israel Agree to Continue Direct Negotiations

This is Beirut, 14/04 21:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The U.S. Department of State released a statement on Tuesday following a trilateral meeting on April 14, 2026, stressing that all sides agreed to continue direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue. The meeting marked the first major high-level engagement between the governments of Israel and Lebanon since 1993, with the ...

Antoun Sehnaoui and Morgan Ortagus Commemorate the 'Days of Remembrance' at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

This is Beirut, 14/04 21:20 - Reading : less than a minute

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Businessman Antoun Sehnaoui posted photos on his social media accounts showing him alongside Morgan Ortagus. He accompanied them with the following statement: “Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day. Morgan and I had the honor of attending the Days of Remembrance ceremonies at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, where both of ...

Rubio Calls Israel-Lebanon Talks a 'Historic Opportunity' for Lasting Peace

This is Beirut, 14/04 18:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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At the opening of direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese Ambassadors at the U.S. State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the negotiations as a pivotal moment that could ensure stability and peace for residents of Lebanon and Israel. “We are very honored to be joined by partners with whom the United States seeks strong ...

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 ...

U.S. Oil Benchmark Jumps 8%, Surpasses $100 After Failed U.S.-Iran Talks

This is Beirut, 13/04 10:05 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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The US oil benchmark rebounded above $100 a barrel on Monday after peace talks between the United States and Iran failed to make a breakthrough, and with US President Donald Trump ordering a blockade of Iranian ports. Shortly after trading began, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for May delivery rose around eight percent to $104.50, ...

Iran Executes Over 1,639 People in 2025: Report

This is Beirut, 13/04 09:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Iranian authorities executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, the highest number since 1989, two NGOs said Monday, warning it risked using capital punishment even more extensively after protests in January and the war against Israel and the US. The number of executions represented an increase of 68 percent on the 975 people Iran put to death in ...

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 ...

Hezbollah-Linked Cell Foiled in Damascus Plot Targeting Religious Figure

This is Beirut, 11/04 14:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Syrian authorities said Saturday they foiled a planned attack in Damascus, arresting a five-member cell allegedly linked to Hezbollah that was preparing to target a religious figure near a church in the capital. In a statement, the Syrian Interior Ministry said its Counter-Terrorism Department, in coordination with security forces in the ...

Senior U.S. Official to TIB: “Serious Consequences” if Lebanon Fails to Disarm Hezbollah

This is Beirut, 10/04 20:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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A senior U.S. official told This is Beirut that Washington has urged Israel to move toward a diplomatic track with Lebanon, adding that Israel has agreed and discussions could be convened as early as next week. The official said the United States expects the Lebanese government to take concrete steps to address and ultimately disarm Hezbollah, ...

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