Middle East

Lebanese Cabinet Issues Orders to Remove Non-State Weapons From Beirut
Lebanese Cabinet Issues Orders to Remove Non-State Weapons From Beirut

The Lebanese government decided on Thursday to ban weapons held by non-state groups in Beirut, a day after deadly Israeli strikes on the capital. “Out of concern for citizens’ safety,” the government “requests that the army and security forces immediately extend state control over the Beirut area and restrict the carrying of weapons there ...

Trump Threatens to Restart War if Iran Fails to Honor Ceasefire Terms
Trump Threatens to Restart War if Iran Fails to Honor Ceasefire Terms

Donald Trump warned that the United States is prepared to resume full-scale military operations against Iran if Tehran fails to comply with what he described as a “real agreement,” casting new doubt on the durability of the recently announced ceasefire. In a late-night statement, Trump said all U.S. military assets, including ships, aircraft, ...

World Bank Calls for Stronger Economies as US-Iran Ceasefire Fragile, Oil Rises
World Bank Calls for Stronger Economies as US-Iran Ceasefire Fragile, Oil Rises

The World Bank on Thursday called on countries in the Middle East and North Africa to strengthen economic resilience and governance in the wake of ongoing regional crises. “The current crisis is a stark reminder of the work ahead for the region: not only to weather shocks but also to rebuild more resilient economies with stronger macroeconomic ...

Iran's Envoy Deletes Post on Delegation Arrival in Islamabad for U.S. Talks
Iran's Envoy Deletes Post on Delegation Arrival in Islamabad for U.S. Talks

Iran's ambassador to Pakistan deleted a social media post saying an Iranian delegation would arrive in Islamabad on Thursday night, a move an embassy official later told AFP had been sent prematurely. Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam said in a post on X on Thursday morning that an Iranian delegation would arrive "tonight in Islamabad for serious ...

Israeli Minister Calls Iran Ceasefire a ‘Mistake,’ Questions Its Durability
Israeli Minister Calls Iran Ceasefire a ‘Mistake,’ Questions Its Durability

Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has criticized the ceasefire with Iran as a “mistake,” casting doubt on its durability while defending Israel’s military gains in the conflict. Chikli, a member of the ruling Likud party, said, “I think it was a mistake to go to a ceasefire at this time,” arguing that adversaries like ...

Hezbollah Chief's Secretary Assassinated In Beirut Strike
Hezbollah Chief's Secretary Assassinated In Beirut Strike

The IDF said it assassinated Ali Youssef Harshi in Beirut on Wednesday, the personal secretary of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem. In an official statement, the Israeli military confirmed the killing of Harshi, describing him as a key figure within Hezbollah and a close associate of its leadership.  Who Was the Target? According to ...

Trump Says U.S. Military to Stay Deployed Near Iran Until 'Real Agreement' Reached
Trump Says U.S. Military to Stay Deployed Near Iran Until 'Real Agreement' Reached

U.S. President Donald Trump said late Wednesday that U.S. forces deployed near Iran would remain stationed in the area until a "real agreement" is reached, as Washington enters a fragile two-week ceasefire with Tehran. The truce reached Tuesday showed signs of unravelling, with Israel bombarding Lebanon and Washington contradicting some of Iran's ...

Iran Announces Alternative Routes in Hormuz Strait
Iran Announces Alternative Routes in Hormuz Strait

Iran announced alternative routes on Thursday for ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, citing the risk of sea mines in the main zone of the vital waterway. Tehran has agreed to temporarily reopen the strait, through which one-fifth of the world's oil usually passes, as part of a two-week truce. "All ships intending to transit ...

U.S.-Iran Truce Hangs in Balance as War Flares in Lebanon
U.S.-Iran Truce Hangs in Balance as War Flares in Lebanon

The fragile two-week truce between Iran and the United States was hanging in the balance on Wednesday, with Tehran threatening to resume hostilities as Israel launched a major bombardment of Lebanon. Washington and Tehran both claimed victory after agreeing to a two-week ceasefire and negotiations aimed at ending a war that has killed thousands ...

Panic in Lebanon as Israel Carries Out Most Violent Strikes on Capital
Panic in Lebanon as Israel Carries Out Most Violent Strikes on Capital

Israeli strikes on Lebanon Wednesday killed 182 people and wounded 890, according to an initial toll from authorities, with the capital Beirut hit by the most violent bombardment since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel announced Wednesday it did not consider Lebanon covered by the Iran-US truce announced ...

Hegseth Hails Iran Victory as U.S. Military Presence Continues
Hegseth Hails Iran Victory as U.S. Military Presence Continues

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that American forces have achieved a “historic and overwhelming victory” against Iran, while stressing that U.S. troops will remain deployed in the region to ensure compliance with a tentative peace agreement. Speaking at a Pentagon press conference, Hegseth underscored that despite President ...