Middle East

Oil Prices Slide as Hopes Rise for U.S.-Iran Peace Deal

This is Beirut 25/05 10:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Global oil prices plunged on Monday, falling to their lowest levels in two weeks, as growing optimism surrounding a potential peace agreement between the United States and Iran eased fears of prolonged disruptions in global energy markets. International benchmark Brent crude dropped by $5.09, or 4.9%, reaching $98.45 per barrel by 0705 GMT. ...

U.S. Says Iran Deal Still Possible, as Trump Tempers Expectations

This is Beirut 25/05 09:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal to end the war with Iran could materialize on Monday, as President Donald Trump tempered expectations. The United States and Iran have observed a ceasefire since April 8 while mediators push for a negotiated settlement, although Iran has imposed controls on Gulf shipping and the U.S. has blockaded ...

AnalysisSaudi Arabia’s Shadow Over Lebanon's Path to Peace

Ralph Atrach 25/05 08:55 - Reading : 8 minute(s)

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As Lebanon prepares for new rounds of security and political talks with Israel in Washington in the coming two weeks, Saudi Arabia’s position on peace with Jerusalem looms over decision makers in Beirut. In a May 10 interview with Al-Arabiya, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that Lebanon is open to peace with Israel within the framework ...

Hezbollah’s Qassem Attacks Lebanese Government and Opposes Direct Talks with Israel

This is Beirut 24/05 20:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem on Sunday launched a sharp attack against the Lebanese government, rejected direct negotiations with Israel, and reaffirmed that the Iran-backed group would continue its armed confrontation despite growing domestic and international pressure for Hezbollah’s disarmament. Speaking during a televised ...

Lebanon Civil Defense Says Israeli Strike Destroys its Nabatieh Facility

This is Beirut 24/05 05:05 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Lebanon's civil defence agency said early on Sunday its regional facility in the southern city of Nabatieh had been destroyed by an Israeli strike. The Directorate General of Civil Defence said the building had collapsed and a large number of vehicles and equipment had been damaged by a "direct hit in a hostile Israeli ...

Tehran and Washington Signal Breakthrough in Negotiations

This is Beirut 23/05 21:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Iran and the United States on Saturday spoke of a breakthrough in their negotiations after weeks of tensions and diplomatic maneuvering, while remaining cautious about the chances of ending the war in the Middle East. An agreement is “very close,” U.S. President Donald Trump said, estimating the chances of either a “good” ...

Alleged Iranian-Linked Plot Targeted Ivanka Trump in Failed Assassination Attempt

This is Beirut 23/05 19:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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In a statement posted on social media, House Republicans claimed that Ivanka Trump had been targeted in a failed assassination attempt tied to “Iranian terror groups,” adding that she remains safe. The statement said that the alleged plot demonstrates what Republicans described as Iran’s hostility toward the U.S. and renewed ...

Rubio Says Iran Talks Show Progress but Key Issues Remain Unresolved

This is Beirut 23/05 17:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday indicated that diplomatic discussions with Iran remain active, suggesting that developments could emerge within days while reaffirming Washington’s core demands on Tehran’s nuclear program. Speaking during a visit to India, Rubio said that “there might be some news later ...

Iran Chief Negotiator Vows 'Crushing' Response if U.S. Resumes Attacks

This is Beirut 23/05 15:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Iran's chief negotiator on Saturday warned of a "crushing" response if U.S. President Donald Trump resumed attacks on the country, saying Tehran had rebuilt its armed forces during the six-week-long ceasefire in the Middle East war. "Our armed forces have rebuilt themselves during the ceasefire period in such a way that if Trump commits another ...

Iran Weighs Peace Proposal, Accuses U.S. of 'Excessive Demands'

This is Beirut 23/05 12:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Tehran accused the United States of "excessive demands," Iranian media said on Saturday, as U.S. media reports raised the prospect that Washington was mulling new strikes and leaders of the Islamic republic considered the latest peace proposal. Pakistan's powerful army chief arrived in Tehran on Friday to bolster mediation, and U.S. President ...

Pakistan Army Chief in Tehran as Iran Weighs U.S. Peace Offer

This is Beirut 23/05 01:20 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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Pakistan's powerful army chief arrived in Tehran on Friday as diplomacy around the Middle East war gathered pace, with Iran weighing a new US peace proposal while warning that deep divisions still stand in the way of a deal. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei cautioned that the visit did not mean "we have reached a ...

EU Expands Iran Sanctions Over Strait of Hormuz Navigation Threats

This is Beirut 22/05 14:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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The Council of the European Union on Friday expanded its sanctions framework against Iran to include individuals and entities involved in actions deemed to threaten freedom of navigation in the Middle East, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, the Council said the amended legal basis would allow the EU to impose restrictive ...