U.S. Sanctions Iraqi Oil Officials and Iran-Linked Militias in Major Crackdown

This is Beirut 07/05 17:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The United States Treasury Department announced sweeping new sanctions targeting Iraqi oil officials and Iran-backed militias accused of exploiting Iraq’s oil sector to finance armed groups aligned with Tehran. At the center of the measures is Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly, Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Oil. In the press release, the department accuses ...

Senior Hezbollah Commander Killed in Israeli Strikes in Beirut Suburbs: Source Close to Group

This is Beirut 06/05 23:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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A senior commander from Hezbollah's elite force was killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Wednesday, the first on the area in nearly a month, a source close to the group said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his military had targeted "the commander of Hezbollah's Radwan force". The source close to Hezbollah ...

U.S. Says Warplane Disabled Ship that Tried to Break Iran Port Blockade

This is Beirut 06/05 20:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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A U.S. Navy warplane fired on and disabled the rudder of an oil tanker that tried to break Washington's blockade of Iranian ports, the U.S. military said on Wednesday. It is the second time the U.S. military has fired on a ship it said was attempting to violate the blockade, which has been in place since April 13. U.S. forces warned the ...

Israel Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs for First Time Since Ceasefire

This is Beirut 06/05 20:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah

Israel carried out a strike Wednesday night on Beirut’s southern suburbs, marking the first attack on the Dahiyeh since the ceasefire that came into effect on April 17 and was later extended under U.S.-backed mediation efforts. The strike targeted a senior commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force, according to a joint statement issued by ...

Beirut to Further Develop Plan for State Control of All Weapons, Says PM Salam

This is Beirut 06/05 17:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced Wednesday that Beirut will “review and further develop” its plan to place all weapons under state control.  The remarks came as Salam also confirmed on Wednesday that the tender process for the long-delayed René Moawad Airport project in Qlayaat, northern Lebanon, will ...

Trump Threatens 'Higher Level' Bombing of Iran if Deal Not Agreed

This is Beirut 06/05 15:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum Wednesday for Iran to accept a deal to end the war or face renewed, more intense U.S. bombing, in the latest of a series of abrupt policy shifts. "Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is perhaps a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end," Trump posted on ...

Crude Falls for Second Day as Trump Signals Possible Iran Deal

This is Beirut 06/05 11:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Oil prices fell for a second straight session on Wednesday as easing geopolitical tensions and renewed hopes for a U.S.-Iran agreement raised expectations that constrained Middle East supply could soon return to global markets.  Brent crude futures dropped $1.69, or 1.5%, to $108.18 a barrel as of 06:40 GMT, after falling 4% in the previous ...

Trump Says Pausing Hormuz Operation in Push for Iran Deal

This is Beirut 06/05 09:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was halting the US military operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after just one day, in a bid to reach a deal with Iran to end the Middle East war. Trump's so-called "Project Freedom" to help vessels leave the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow chokepoint to the Gulf where Iran has seized control ...

Rubio Says Lebanon-Israel Peace Deal “Imminently Achievable”

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

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday a peace deal between Lebanon and Israel is “imminently achievable” and emphasized that the Lebanese Armed Forces must have both the will and capability to directly confront Hezbollah’s arms.  Rubio said there is no fundamental conflict between the Lebanese and Israeli ...

Syria Announces Dismantling of New Hezbollah-Linked Cell

This is Beirut 05/05 21:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday the dismantling of a cell linked to Hezbollah that was allegedly preparing the assassination of government officials, while the pro-Iran Lebanese movement denounced what it called repeated “baseless accusations.” In a statement, the ministry said Syrian security forces had foiled “a ...

U.S. Announces $10 Million Reward for Iraqi Militia Leader

This is Beirut 05/05 20:10 - Reading : less than a minute

The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program announced on Tuesday a reward of up to $10 million for information on Akram ‘Abbas al-Kabi, identified as the founder and leader of the Iraqi militia group Harakat al-Nujaba (HAN). In its official statement the program said, “Akram ‘Abbas al-Kabi is the founder and leader of ...

Hegseth warns of ‘overwhelming’ response as Hormuz tensions rise despite ceasefire

This is Beirut 05/05 16:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday a ceasefire with Iran remains in place despite rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Washington has deployed forces to protect commercial shipping. Speaking at the Pentagon alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, Hegseth said the United States is “not seeking a wider conflict” in ...