Middle East

Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire While Maintaining Blockade
Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire While Maintaining Blockade

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would hold off on new strikes against Iran at the request of Pakistani officials, effectively extending the ceasefire as diplomatic efforts continue. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the United States agreed to delay further attacks on Iran following a request from Pakistan’s ...

 Sarit Zehavi: We Need a Lasting Peace Agreement, Not Just Ceasefire
Exclusive Sarit Zehavi: We Need a Lasting Peace Agreement, Not Just Ceasefire

In an exclusive interview with This Is Beirut, Sarit Zehavi, president of the Alma Research and Education Center, said Israel’s actions against Hezbollah are driven by security concerns. She emphasized the need to establish a peace agreement rather than repeated ceasefires, arguing that lasting stability depends on building Lebanese state ...

When Aoun Meets Netanyahu
Op-edWhen Aoun Meets Netanyahu

Lebanese President Michel Aoun is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in the coming weeks, according to President Trump, who said he would invite both leaders. However, Aoun appears poised to follow a political path that will be rejected by Israel. Lebanon has vilified Israel for so long that a Lebanese ...

UN Maritime Agency Urges Help for Seafarers Stranded in Hormuz
UN Maritime Agency Urges Help for Seafarers Stranded in Hormuz

The head of the UN maritime agency appealed on Tuesday for help for thousands of seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz as the Middle East war paralyzes the vital shipping route. Around 20,000 seafarers and 2,000 ships have been stranded in the waterway since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 that triggered the war, according to the ...

 U.S., Iran Warn Ready for War as Talks in Limbo
U.S., Iran Warn Ready for War as Talks in Limbo

The United States and Iran each warned they were ready for war as the clock ticked down Tuesday on a ceasefire, with uncertainty on talks that President Donald Trump had announced would resume in Pakistan. The White House said Vice President JD Vance was ready to fly back to the Pakistani capital Islamabad, which was preparing for a second round ...

Hezbollah MP Says Group Will Break Israel's 'Yellow Line' in South Lebanon
Hezbollah MP Says Group Will Break Israel's 'Yellow Line' in South Lebanon

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said Monday that his group would work to break the "Yellow Line" that Israel established in southern Lebanon, adding that no one could disarm the Iran-backed group. Still, he also maintained that his group wanted to see the current ceasefire last, even as he slammed Lebanese efforts to engage Israel ...

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

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 ...

A State Decides: Lebanon's Bet on Direct Talks with Israel
AnalysisA State Decides: Lebanon's Bet on Direct Talks with Israel

For the first time in decades, the U.S. has brokered direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, beginning with a 10-day cessation of hostilities and a commitment to negotiate in good faith. Washington says lasting calm will require the Lebanese state to reassert sovereignty over non-state arms. President Donald Trump said the initiative had created ...

U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire in Lebanon Shows Early Strains
U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire in Lebanon Shows Early Strains

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah remains formally in place, but continued military activity, warnings to civilians, and exchanges of fire are raising questions about its durability just days into its implementation. The ceasefire, which came into effect on April 16 under U.S. mediation, allows Israel to take necessary measures in ...

President Aoun Assigns Simon Karam to Head Talks With Israel
President Aoun Assigns Simon Karam to Head Talks With Israel

The Lebanese presidency announced that upcoming direct negotiations with Israel will be conducted through an official delegation headed by Ambassador Simon Karam, according to a statement attributed to President Joseph Aoun on X. In remarks addressed to a delegation from the “Sovereignty Front,” President Aoun stressed that Lebanon ...

Israel Says Exposed Iranian “Covert Terror Network” Targeting Officials and Strategic Sites
Israel Says Exposed Iranian “Covert Terror Network” Targeting Officials and Strategic Sites

The Israeli government released a statement Monday announcing that its intelligence services have uncovered a secret Iranian-operated network responsible for planning attacks against Israeli officials and strategic infrastructure worldwide. According to a post on X by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel has for the first ...