This is Beirut - Washington

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent: “We Are Strangling the Regime”

This is Beirut, 03/05 19:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Gulf Israel Tehran United States Washington

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Sunday that Washington has intensified its crackdown on all entities attempting to financially support Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He stressed that the United States is “strangling the Iranian regime” economically, claiming that Tehran is now struggling to pay its ...

Netanyahu Warns Israel Can Strike Anywhere in Iranian Airspace

This is Beirut, 03/05 15:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Tehran United States Washington

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday in a recorded speech that Israel is capable of striking “anywhere in Iranian airspace" in a renewed warning to Tehran as indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States continue through Pakistani mediation. Netanyahu emphasized that Israeli pilots are “ready” to ...

Trump Warns Iran Better 'Get Smart Soon' and Accept Nuclear Deal

This is Beirut, 29/04 15:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Tehran Washington

President Donald Trump warned Tehran on Wednesday that it should "get smart soon" and capitulate to Washington's demands for tight controls on its nuclear programme, as a US naval blockade turned the screws on Iran's economy. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth was due to testify before Congress later in the day, but US press reports ...

U.S. Warns Banks Over Sanctions Risks Linked to Chinese 'Teapot' Refineries

This is Beirut, 28/04 21:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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The United States has issued a fresh warning to global financial institutions over the risks of engaging with independent Chinese oil refineries—known as “teapot” refineries—amid their continued role in processing Iranian crude. In an alert published Tuesday, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said these refineries, largely ...

Russia Tells Iran Will Do 'Everything' to Restore Peace in Middle East

This is Beirut, 27/04 17:10 - Reading : less than a minute

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russia would do “everything” to help restore peace in the Middle East, during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Saint Petersburg. “For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests, and the interests of all the peoples of the region, so that peace can ...

Oil Rises Over 1% as U.S.–Iran Talks Stall

This is Beirut, 27/04 10:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Oil prices rose more than 1% on Monday as stalled U.S.-Iran talks and ongoing disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz tightened global supply, according to Reuters. Last week, Brent and West Texas Intermediate gained nearly 17% and 13%. This marked the biggest weekly gains since the start of the war. Tensions in the Gulf have ...

Will Lebanon Repeal Its Law Criminalizing Contact With Israel?

Kaline Antoun, 24/04 20:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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As Lebanese and Israeli officials conclude their second round of U.S.-brokered talks in Washington, a contradiction is becoming harder for Beirut to ignore. The state is now negotiating with Israel, while its citizens can still face prosecution for far less. Following Thursday’s meeting between Lebanese and Israeli envoys at the White House, ...

U.S. Weighs New Military Plan in Strait of Hormuz

This is Beirut, 24/04 10:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Senior U.S. military officials are developing new operational plans targeting Iran’s strategic capabilities in and around the Strait of Hormuz, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter who spoke to CNN. The proposed options focus on a more aggressive and geographically concentrated military approach, particularly emphasizing ...

Lebanese PM: Israeli Pullout Key to Peace Agreement

This is Beirut, 23/04 15:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Hours before a second meeting between Israeli and Lebanese Ambassadors is scheduled to take place in Washington, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized that “the state's monopoly on weapons is in Lebanon's interest, regardless of Israeli demands.” Speaking to the Washington Post, the Prime Minister said Lebanon ...

Lebanese President Pushes to Extend Ceasefire Ahead of Washington Talks

This is Beirut, 23/04 09:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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On the eve of talks in Washington between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Beirut would seek an extension of the 10-day, U.S.-mediated ceasefire, which is set to expire on Sunday. The talks, set to continue on Thursday at the U.S. State Department, represent a diplomatic track that has so far paused strikes in ...

Seized Iranian Ship Likely Carrying Equipment Deemed Dual-Use by Washington

This is Beirut, 21/04 10:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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President Donald Trump on Tuesday said U.S. forces intercepted a ship carrying a "gift" to Iran from China as Tehran. The ship had "a gift from China" which "wasn't very nice," Trump told CNBC. "I was a little surprised," he added, saying he thought he had an "understanding" with China's ...

U.S. Embassy in Baghdad Issues Security Warning Over Iran-Linked Threats

This is Beirut, 20/04 15:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Washington

The U.S. Embassy Baghdad issued a security alert on Monday warning of continued threats against American citizens and interests in Iraq, citing ongoing plans by Iran-aligned armed groups to carry out attacks. The U.S. embassy said that “terrorist militias allied with Iran” are continuing to plan attacks targeting U.S. nationals and ...