middle east

Lebanon’s Justice Minister Questions 1955 Anti-Israel Law, Signals Shift in Official Discourse

Justice Minister Adel Nassar has opened the door to a sensitive national debate by questioning the legacy and application of Lebanon’s 1955 law banning contacts with Israel—legislation long treated as untouchable. Speaking about the controversial statute, Nassar acknowledged that in past decades it had operated in a political climate ...

Israeli Druze Leader Says Syrian Community 'Besieged' Months After Clashes

Seven months after deadly clashes between Syria's Druze minority and government‑backed forces, the spiritual leader of Druze in neighbouring Israel said members of the community across the border remained in peril. "They're still besieged -- completely encircled. They aren't allowed to bring in any humanitarian aid, including the aid we're ...

Graham: U.S. Decision on Iran “Has Been Made” as Military Buildup Accelerates

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said Wednesday that Washington has already taken its decision on Iran, signaling that military action is increasingly likely as American forces continue to deploy across the region and diplomatic talks show limited progress. Speaking in an interview with Sky News Arabia’s The Truth with Hadley Gamble, Graham ...

Trump Warns of 'Traumatic' Future for Iran as U.S. Increases Naval Presence

President Donald Trump stated his renewed position regarding Iran on Friday as he green-lit the transfer of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. When asked about regime change in Iran, Trump commented that it “seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.” Earlier on Friday, the Trump administration ordered the ...

Netanyahu Prepares ‘Plan B’ as U.S.-Iran Talks Hang in the Balance

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to keep negotiations with Iran alive in hopes of securing a deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly preparing a contingency “Plan B” should the talks collapse. Israeli sources reported that the Israeli army has prepared offensive plans in anticipation of a ...

Iran FM: U.S.-Iran Talks Held In a “Very Positive Atmosphere”

Iran and the United States held indirect, high-level talks in Oman on Friday over Tehran’s nuclear program, in their first such encounter since the June Israel-Iran war, amid sharp disagreements over the agenda and growing fears of a wider regional conflict. Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the talks were held in a “very ...

NYT: Satellite Imagery Shows Iran Repaired Missile Sites Hit in 12-Day War

The New York Times reported on Friday that satellite imagery suggests Iran has rapidly repaired several ballistic missile facilities damaged during last year’s 12-day war, but has made only limited fixes to major nuclear sites struck by Israel and the United States. The report suggests that the regime's immediate priority is a working ...

The End of the Middle East’s Oil Bonanza

The Middle East has finally arrived at the grim reckoning long barreling toward it: a ruinous collapse of oil revenues that renders government deficits utterly unsustainable. Among the wealthy Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, four are running persistent annual budget deficits that are eroding their sovereign wealth reserves and plunging ...

U.S. Policy Toward Lebanon: Obstacles to Dismantling Hezbollah’s Grip on Power

At 10:00 a.m. EST, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa will convene a hearing titled “U.S. Policy Toward Lebanon: Obstacles to Dismantling Hezbollah’s Grip on Power” to assess the political, security, and institutional challenges confronting U.S. policy in Lebanon. The hearing will feature ...

Trump Wants to Create Conditions for ‘Regime Change’ in Iran: U.S. Sources

U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing options against Iran that include targeted strikes on security forces and leaders to inspire protesters and wants to create conditions for “regime change”, multiple U.S. sources familiar with the discussions told The Times of Israel.  To do so, he was looking at options to hit commanders ...