War in the Middle East

Iran Seeks Agreement With U.S., Warns Attack Would Be a “Real Gamble”
Iran Seeks Agreement With U.S., Warns Attack Would Be a “Real Gamble”

Iran’s deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated on Tuesday that Iran seeks to take steps for reaching an agreement with the United States on the nuclear issue. U.S. and Iranian officials are slated to meet for another round of talks in Geneva on Thursday mediated by Oman. However, both countries continue to shore up their ...

U.S. Official to TIB: Thursday’s Geneva Talks with Iran to Focus on De-Escalation
U.S. Official to TIB: Thursday’s Geneva Talks with Iran to Focus on De-Escalation

In a statement to This is Beirut, a senior U.S. official expressed that the U.S. seeks de-escalation in Thursday’s Geneva talks with Iranian officials, as the State Department orders the departure of non-essential personnel from the U.S. embassy in Beirut. The official stated that “the United States will meet Iran in Geneva this Thursday with ...

U.S. and Iran Set to Hold Talks in Geneva on Thursday Amid Mounting Tensions
U.S. and Iran Set to Hold Talks in Geneva on Thursday Amid Mounting Tensions

U.S. and Iranian officials are set to hold another round of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva while President Donald Trump continues to deliberate on striking Iran. Iran is expected to provide a comprehensive plan for U.S. officials to review ahead of the talks as gaps persist over the status of Iranian enrichment capacity.  Trump has ...

Four Syrian Security Personnel Killed in IS Attack: State Media
Four Syrian Security Personnel Killed in IS Attack: State Media

Four Syrian security personnel were killed in an Islamic State (IS) group attack in the northern city of Raqqa, which was recently taken by Damascus from Kurdish forces, state media reported on Monday. The attack, the second against security forces in as many days per Syria's interior ministry, comes after IS called on its fighters to ...

Netanyahu Says If Iran Attacks, ‘We Will Respond With a Force They Cannot Even Imagine’
Netanyahu Says If Iran Attacks, ‘We Will Respond With a Force They Cannot Even Imagine’

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterates Israel’s position towards a conflict scenario with Iran, stating that the country is ready to use heavy force against Iran if it attacks. In a speech at the Knesset, he remarked that “if Iran makes a mistake–perhaps the most serious mistake in its history–and ...

Israeli Minister Says Army to Occupy All Gaza if Hamas Does Not Disarm
Israeli Minister Says Army to Occupy All Gaza if Hamas Does Not Disarm

Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Monday that Palestinian Islamist group Hamas may soon be given a deadline to lay down its weapons. "We estimate that in the coming days, Hamas will be given an ultimatum to disarm and completely demilitarise Gaza," Smotrich said in an interview with public broadcaster Kan. "If it does not ...

U.S. Announced Plans to Reopen Embassy in Damascus, Syria
U.S. Announced Plans to Reopen Embassy in Damascus, Syria

U.S. officials have announced on Friday that the U.S. plans to reopen its embassy in Damascus for the first time in 14 years, according to AP News.  The Trump administration told congress that they plan to initiate a phased approach towards the resumption of embassy operations in Syria, with plans slated to begin soon. However, there is no ...

Israel Army Says on 'Defensive Alert' Regarding Iran but no Change to Public Guidelines
Israel Army Says on 'Defensive Alert' Regarding Iran but no Change to Public Guidelines

The Israeli army said it was on "defensive alert" as the United States threatens potential military action against Iran, but insisted there were no changes in its guidelines for the public. "We are closely monitoring regional developments and are aware of the public discourse concerning Iran. The (Israeli military) is on defensive ...

Trump on Iran Strikes: ‘I Am Considering It’
Trump on Iran Strikes: ‘I Am Considering It’

President Donald Trump stated that he is weighing military action in Iran during the Governors breakfast on Friday. When asked whether he is considering a limited strike on Iran, he said “I think I can say that I am considering it.” According to Reuters, the U.S. military positioning necessary for carrying out strikes in Iran is ...