War in the Middle East

Iran Retains Significant Missile Capabilities Despite Strikes: Report

This is Beirut 03/04 10:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump Israel Tehran United States Washington

According to a CNN report, despite more than five weeks of daily US and Israeli strikes, roughly half of Iran’s missile launchers remain intact and thousands of one-way attack drones are still operational, highlighting Tehran’s continuing ability to threaten the region. Recent intelligence assessments indicate that about half of Iran’s ...

Tehran Cautions UN Against Escalation Before Strait of Hormuz Vote

This is Beirut 03/04 09:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Iran on Friday warned the UN Security Council against any "provocative action" ahead of a vote on a draft resolution mandating a force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. "Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of ...

Israeli Ground Invasion Consolidates as Strikes Continue

This is Beirut 02/04 18:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Nawaf Salam Hezbollah Israel

Israeli rhetoric has intensified on the creation of a buffer zone, including the demolition of border villages, with Defense Minister Israel Katz saying Lebanese civilians won’t be able to return until northern Israel is secure. In recent days, Israeli forces have consolidated a number of axes in the fight, concentrated around the coast south of ...

Oil Surges as Trump Signals Escalation Against Iran

This is Beirut 02/04 12:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Oil prices jumped in volatile trading on Thursday morning after Donald Trump warned of potential further military action against Iran, dampening hopes for a near-term de-escalation in the conflict, CNBC reported. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for May rose 5.9% to $106.02 a barrel as of 3:11 a.m. ET, while June Brent crude ...

UAE Signals Willingness to Join Military Effort in Hormuz: Report

This is Beirut 02/04 10:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Arab Emirates United Nations Bahrain Gulf Saudi Arabia

The United Arab Emirates is preparing to support a potential military operation led by the United States and its allies to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Arab officials told the Wall Street Journal. If confirmed, the move would mark the first time a Gulf state has formally entered the conflict with Iran. Emirati officials are pushing for a United ...

AnalysisIsrael Strikes Litani Bridges to Pressure Lebanese Government

Ian Stettner 01/04 15:45 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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As Israel presses its ground invasion of south Lebanon, it has destroyed several bridges spanning the Litani River, saying Hezbollah was using the crossings for military purposes. Analysts told This Is Beirut that the strikes also form part of a broader pressure campaign on the Lebanese state. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the bridges ...

Stocks Rally, Oil Dives as Trump Says War to End 'Very Soon'

This is Beirut 01/04 11:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Equities rallied and oil tumbled Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said the Middle East war would be over in up to three weeks and his Iranian counterpart said Tehran had "the necessary will" to bring it to an end. The remarks came as the economic impact of the conflict worsens, with average US gasoline prices topping $4 a gallon for the ...

Iran FM Says Not Responded to U.S. Plan, 'No Negotiations'

This is Beirut 01/04 10:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there were no negotiations with the United States and that Tehran had not responded to a reported 15-point proposal from Washington to end the war. "We receive messages from the American side, some direct and some through our friends in the region, and whenever necessary we respond to these messages," ...

Iranian Missile Barrage Hits Israel, Reports Indicate Use of Cluster Munitions

This is Beirut 01/04 09:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel

Israel reported renewed missile launches from Iran on Wednesday targeting central and northern areas, causing multiple casualties and damage across several sites, with reports indicating the possible use of cluster munitions that pose long-term risks to civilians. The military stated it had “identified missiles launched from Iran toward the ...

U.S. Defense Secretary Warns of Intensified Strikes Against Iran

This is Beirut 31/03 17:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held a press conference Tuesday at the Pentagon alongside Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, providing an update on the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran. Hegseth described the campaign as a “laser-focused, maximum authority mission” employing overwhelming ...

Israeli Forces Will Occupy Swathe of South Lebanon After War: Defense Minister

This is Beirut 31/03 15:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday said Israel's military would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the end of the current war against the Hezbollah armed group. "At the end of the operation, the IDF will establish itself in a security zone inside Lebanon, on a defensive line against anti-tank missiles, and will maintain security ...

Army Withdrawal Sparks Anxiety in Southern Border Villages

This is Beirut 31/03 14:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Lebanese Army USA

Residents of the predominantly Christian southern villages of Rmeish, Debel, and Ain Ebel are experiencing growing anxiety following the sudden withdrawal of security forces and the closure of local police stations on Tuesday, according to local officials and community leaders. Concerns intensified after units of the Lebanese Army redeployed from ...