Middle East

IDF intensifies strikes in southern Lebanon and Bekaa Valley as Washington hosts third round of talks

This is Beirut 21:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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On the same day that the third round of indirect negotiations between Lebanon and Israel reportedly began in Washington, the Israeli military announced a significant escalation of operations in southern Lebanon. In an official statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that over the past 24 hours it had struck approximately 65 targets ...

CENTCOM Pushes Lebanese Army Support as Hezbollah Supply Routes Collapse

This is Beirut 20:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing held today, Chairman Roger Wicker questioned Admiral Brad Cooper on Iran’s continued support for regional proxy groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, amid ongoing U.S. military operations in the Middle East. Wicker stressed that Iran’s influence extends beyond its nuclear ...

State Department Offers $15 Million Reward Targeting IRGC Financial Networks

This is Beirut 17:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program announced a reward of up to $15 million for information that could help disrupt the financial mechanisms of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. According to the statement, the initiative specifically targets financial channels linked ...

Israeli Ministry of Defense Signs Deal to Extend Range of F-35I Adir Fleet

This is Beirut 15:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has signed a new contract with Cyclone, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, to develop an extended-range capability for Israel’s fleet of F-35I Adir fighter jets. The agreement, valued at more than $34 million (over 100 million shekels), includes the development and integration of external fuel tanks intended to ...

Lebanon, Israel to Hold New Direct Talks in Washington as Ceasefire Nears End

This is Beirut 13:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Washington Ceasefire Donald Trump

Lebanon and Israel are set to hold a new round of peace talks in Washington on Thursday as their latest ceasefire agreement, which remains formally in effect, approaches its expiration. Israel's military said it was striking Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon on Thursday after warning residents of several towns and villages there and in the ...

Vessel Off UAE Coast 'Taken', Now Bound for Iran Waters: UK Maritime Agency

This is Beirut 12:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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A ship off the UAE coast near the Strait of Hormuz has been taken by unknown people and is now headed towards Iranian waters, a UK maritime agency said on Thursday. The vessel was "taken by unauthorised personnel whilst at anchor" 38 nautical miles (70 kilometres) northeast of Fujairah, and "is now bound for Iranian territorial ...

Iran Says Has 'Right to Respond' After Kuwait Arrests Four Citizens

This is Beirut 13/05 21:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Iran's foreign minister said Wednesday that Tehran had the right to respond after he accused Kuwait of attacking an Iranian boat and arresting four of its citizens in the Gulf, calling for their release. "In a clear attempt to sow discord, Kuwait has unlawfully attacked an Iranian boat and detained 4 of our citizens in the Persian Gulf. This ...

UAE 'Denies Reports' of Secret Netanyahu Visit

This is Beirut 13/05 21:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel UAE Gulf USA

The United Arab Emirates said Thursday it "denies reports" that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the country, after Netanyahu's office said he had met with the UAE president during the war with Iran. Netanyahu's office said Wednesday he had "paid a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates" ...

U.S. Expands Pressure on Iran as Warplanes Patrol Over Hormuz

This is Beirut 13/05 20:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Iran USA Hormuz CENTCOM F35 Gulf Israel

The United States military announced Wednesday that it has intensified enforcement of its naval blockade on Iran, saying American forces have redirected dozens of commercial vessels and continue military patrols near the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said 67 commercial ships attempting to enter or leave ...

UNIFIL Reports Escalating Drone Activity Near Its Positions in Southern Lebanon

This is Beirut 13/05 16:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has expressed growing concern over intensified military activity involving both Hezbollah-linked elements and the Israeli military near its positions in southern Lebanon, warning that recent drone incidents have placed peacekeepers at direct risk. In a statement issued on Wednesday, UNIFIL said ...

Iran Releases Prize-Winning Rights Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh

This is Beirut 13/05 16:05 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Iranian authorities on Wednesday released on bail the prize-winning rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh following her latest arrest last month, her daughter said. Sotoudeh was arrested at her home on April 1 as part of what activists say is a crackdown on civil society during Iran's war with Israel and the United States. "Mum was temporarily released ...

Reports Point to Expanding Israeli-UAE Security Coordination During Iran Conflict

This is Beirut 13/05 15:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Cooperation between Israel and the United Arab Emirates reportedly deepened during the recent conflict involving Iran, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg detailing high-level intelligence coordination and joint security measures between the two countries. According to The Wall Street Journal, David Barnea, the head of ...