Middle East

VideosDay 11 of the Iran–Israel Conflict: Tensions Keep Rising

This is Beirut 2025-06-23 14:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Tehran Conflict Nuclear Iran

Eleven days of war: Israeli and American strikes in Iran, Iranian missiles hitting Israel and the threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz. Amid global calls for de-escalation, Trump weighs his next steps and the world holds its breath. As the war between #Israel and #Iran enters its 11th day, #Trump raises the threat of regime change in #Tehran. ...

Putin Slams Attack on Iran, but Offers no Support to Key Ally

This is Beirut 2025-06-23 14:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Tehran Iran Araghchi Putin Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday slammed attacks on Iran as "unprovoked" and "unjustified" in a meeting with Tehran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, but did not announce any concrete support to his key ally in the Middle East. Moscow is a crucial backer of Iran, but has not swung forcefully behind its partner even as the United States ...

Strait of Hormuz Faces Potential Closure Amid Rising Regional Tensions

This is Beirut 2025-06-23 14:50 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Strait of Hormuz Iran Oil Gas

Iran’s parliament gave the green light to a proposal to shut down the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, a step that needs clearance from the security authorities. Such a move could significantly disrupt worldwide oil shipments and heighten tensions in an already unstable region. The Strait, which narrows to just 33 kilometers at its slimmest point, ...

Russian drone and missile barrage kills eight in Kyiv

This is Beirut 2025-06-23 13:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Kyiv Ukraine Russia Strike

Ukraine said on Monday that Russia had fired dozens of drones and missiles at the country, ripping open a residential building and killing eight civilians in Kyiv. A flurry of diplomatic efforts to end the three-year war have stalled, with the last direct meeting between Kyiv and Moscow almost three weeks ago and no follow-up talks ...

IAEA Seeks Access to Iran Nuclear Sites to 'Account for' Highly Enriched Uranium Stockpiles

This is Beirut 2025-06-23 12:30 - Reading : less than a minute

Nawaf Salam Tehran IAEA Iran

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday called for renewed access to Iran’s nuclear sites in order to determine the status of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is close to weapons-grade levels. “We need to allow inspectors to return and assess the uranium stockpiles, particularly the 400 ...

Damascus Church Attack Draws International Condemnations

This is Beirut 2025-06-23 11:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Turkey Erdogan Syria Christians ISIS Damascus

The suicide bombing of a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus during Sunday mass, killing at least 20 people, drew strong international condemnations. The attack was the first known suicide bombing in the Syrian capital since December, when a rebel coalition ousted Syria’s autocratic president, Bashar al-Assad. EU The EU on Monday condemned as ...

Iran Foreign Minister to Meet Key Ally Putin

This is Beirut 2025-06-23 09:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Tehran Iran Araghchi Putin

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was due to hold "important" talks with key ally Vladimir Putin on Monday, 48 hours after a major US attack on Iran's key nuclear facilities. Moscow is a crucial backer of Tehran, but has not swung forcefully behind its partner since Israel launched a wave of attacks on June 13, strikes that triggered Iran ...

EditorialThe Mullahs’ Regime: A Legacy of Irrational Decisions

Michel Touma 2025-06-23 09:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Donald Trump Palestine Gulf Hezbollah

This may apply to individuals, but it is especially true when the future of a nation hangs in the balance. In moments of acute existential crisis, the need for self-examination becomes unavoidable — a time to evaluate past decisions and their consequences. In the uniquely complex case of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this means asking ...

'Highly Undesirable': Dutch Host NATO During Political Crisis

This is Beirut 2025-06-23 09:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

USA NATO Dutch Netherlands

For a small country like the Netherlands, organising a NATO summit is a big endeavour at the best of times. The government collapsing three weeks beforehand has not exactly made life easier. With whole districts and key roads blocked for weeks, and schools and businesses closed, the usually serene seaside city of The Hague has certainly felt the ...

SpotlightTurning 80, UN Faces Fresh Storm of Doubts

This is Beirut 2025-06-23 09:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

United Nations UN Security Council USA

With its influence discredited and its budget in tatters, the United Nations is weathering a firestorm of criticism as it celebrates its 80th anniversary -- and tries to convince a polarized and conflict-wracked world it is more vital than ever. The UN's 193 member states will mark Thursday the signing of the organization's foundational treaty, ...

ISIS Suicide Bomber Kills At Least 22 and Injures 59 at Saint Elias Church in Damascus

This is Beirut 2025-06-23 09:08 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Saint Elias Church Damascus Suicide Bomb Syria

A shooting and suicide bombing at a Damascus church during a packed service on Sunday killed at least 22 people, authorities said, blaming a member of the Islamic State group for the unprecedented attack. The international community condemned the attack, the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler ...

AnalysisStrategic Forecasts

Charles Chartouni 2025-06-23 09:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Iran United States War Middle East

The strategic dilemmas facing Israel at this point should be summarized as how to achieve the double and intertwining objectives of the Iranian nuclear weaponization containment and the downfall of the Islamist regime and its imperial outreach. The inner relationship between the two variables is unmistakable and begets the crucial question of how ...