Middle East

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 ...

Israel Strikes Sites Across Lebanon Linked to Hamas and Hezbollah
Israel Strikes Sites Across Lebanon Linked to Hamas and Hezbollah

Israel struck sites across Lebanon on Friday near Sidon and in the Bekaa Valley, targeting operatives and command centers linked to Hamas and Hezbollah.  A preliminary toll states that 17 have been killed across Lebanon. Ain al-Hilweh Strikes Israeli missiles have struck a site in the Ain al-Hilweh area of Sidon on Friday where the Israeli ...

Iran Says Draft Nuclear Plan to be Ready in 'Next Two, Three Days'
Iran Says Draft Nuclear Plan to be Ready in 'Next Two, Three Days'

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is preparing to submit a draft proposal for a nuclear agreement to the United States within days, signaling a potential diplomatic opening after President Donald Trump warned of possible military action if talks fail. In an interview Friday on MSNBC, Araghchi said the proposed framework ...

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

U.K. Denies U.S. Use of Diego Garcia for Potential Iran Strikes
U.K. Denies U.S. Use of Diego Garcia for Potential Iran Strikes

Britain said Thursday it would not grant the United States permission to use U.K.-based military facilities to launch potential strikes against Iran, signaling London’s reluctance to be drawn directly into any escalation with Tehran. One of the U.K. bases, Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands of the Indian Ocean, is a key strategic asset to ...

Trump at Board of Peace: ‘We Have to Solve the Problem of Lebanon’
Trump at Board of Peace: ‘We Have to Solve the Problem of Lebanon’

President Trump stated that the situation in Lebanon remains an obstacle for U.S. interests in the region, but is a relatively small problem compared to reconstruction in Gaza and the Iranian nuclear issue.  “The only thing right now that’s standing in the way: we have Lebanon, with certain things that we’re working on that ...

Trump Announces $10 Billion Gaza Pledge as Board of Peace Holds Inaugural Meeting
Trump Announces $10 Billion Gaza Pledge as Board of Peace Holds Inaugural Meeting

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would pledge $10 billion to the Board of Peace initiative aimed at supporting reconstruction and development in Gaza. Trump commented that “that number is a very small number when you look at that compared to the cost of war”  He also stated that other countries have allocated $7 ...