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Russia launches Iranian satellite into space under shadow of West's concerns

U.S. officials concerned satellite will not only help Russia in Ukraine but also provide Iran 'unprecedented capabilities' to monitor potential military targets in Israel, Middle East

Reuters , 12:42, 08.09.22

Gazans reel under heat and lengthy power cuts

Within the packed streets of the Gaza strip, Palestinians are struggling with the heat as the enclave's power grid reels under higher demand and soaring energy prices

Reuters , 23:26, 08.02.22

Beirut silo collapses, reviving trauma ahead of blast anniversary

Traumatized after 2020 explosion caused by unsafely stored ammonium nitrate, which left thousands homeless and wounded, Lebanese people are on edge history may repeat itself and government is not offering words of relief

Reuters , 10:50, 08.01.22

Iran says it responded to EU proposal aimed at salvaging 2015 nuclear deal

Iranian negotiator says Tehran shared its proposed ideas to pave the way for a swift conclusion of Vienna negotiations should the other side be ready to do the same

Reuters , 18:57, 07.31.22

Hezbollah airs drone footage of Israeli barges in disputed gas field

As U.S. energy envoy Amos Hochstein lands in Beirut to mediate ongoing talks between Lebanon and Israel, Lebanese terror group publishes video from reconnaissance drones over Karish gas field and their coordinates

Associated Press , 12:22, 07.31.22

Integrated Mideast defense system still only an idea, U.S. official says

Official says there's 'great promise' in having 'more networked, more integrated, more cooperative approach to air missile defense' in the region given 'increasing threat of Iran's ballistic missiles'

Reuters , 20:04, 07.28.22

Slain journalist's family: No help from U.S. for a full probe

Lina Abu Akleh says Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. officials decline to provide any new information ; says she requested U.S.-led investigation, but Blinken said decision was up to the Justice Department

Associated Press , 09:48, 07.28.22

EU puts forward new draft text to revive Iran nuclear deal

Continental bloc's Borrell says 'space for additional significant compromises has been exhausted'; Pentagon spokesman says Washington reviewing 'draft understanding' and would respond directly to EU

Reuters , 09:07, 07.27.22

Slain Al Jazeera reporter's family meet Blinken to 'demand justice for Shireen'

Lina Abu Akleh the niece of Shireen says the family demands justice, and they will pursue accountability for her murder wherever it may take them; State Department spokesperson says Blinken to reiterate need for accountability

Reuters , 23:14, 07.26.22

Iran will keep IAEA cameras turned off until nuclear deal is restored

Nuclear watchdog chief says Tehran would not agree to address alleged unexplained uranium traces as demanded, says 2015 nuclear deal had cleared Iran of previous allegations

Reuters , 18:33, 07.25.22

Iran doesn't appear to want a nuclear deal, British spy chief says

MI6 head Richard Moore says he still believes reviving the 2015 nuclear deal is the best way to constrain Iran's nuclear program but thinks Iran only wants to prolong talks

Reuters , 22:18, 07.21.22

Cameras to replace peacekeepers at strategic Red Sea strait

Biden announces departure of peacekeepers supervising international shipping on strategic islands; upkeep of cameras could entail security coordination between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which have no formal ties

Reuters , 13:16, 07.21.22

Syrian refugees anxious over Lebanon’s plans to deport them

Despite opposition from UN and rights groups, Lebanon recently announced plan to deport 15,000 refugees per month to Syria, which appears set to push more helpless Syrians to attempt a perilous journey to Europe

Associated Press , 09:55, 07.21.22

Iran says 'capable of building nuclear bomb', Al Jazeera reports

Khamenei adviser says Tehran has technical means to produce a nuclear bomb but there has been no decision to build one as uranium enrichment continues to unprecedented levels

Reuters , 18:46, 07.17.22

Biden tells Arab leaders that U.S. is committed to region

Senior US official says including as many capabilities as possible in the region, certainly Israel which has significant air and missile defense capabilities is of great value; such plan, however, could be a hard sell for Arab states that have no ties with Israel

Reuters , 19:26, 07.16.22

Normalization with Israel only if two-state solution reached, Saudi FM says

Foreign Minister al-Jubeir says 'Palestinian state in the occupied territories with East Jerusalem as its capital, is the requirement for peace'; Biden to discuss regional new axis in hope to integrate Israel amid Iranian threat

Reuters , 14:03, 07.16.22

Saudi Arabia expected to grant access to Israeli air travel, U.S. official says

Biden to announce Saudi permission for Israeli pilgrims to visit as well as overflights, which could 'give Saudis leverage in future Israeli-Palestinian crisis,' foreign policy expert says

Reuters , 18:49, 07.14.22

Unlike Israel, Saudis prepare more humble reception for Biden

Around the Jeddah hotel where U.S. president will stay, there's not a single U.S. flag in sight, but the reason is quite clear: the Saudis are angry with him, and this is evident on the face of the locals

Adir Yanko , 17:18, 07.14.22

France sees weeks to save Iran nuclear deal, but U.S. sets no deadline

French foreign minister says Iran has a 'window of opportunity' to accept the proposed deal rather than use delay tactics, while U.S. still not setting deadline for negotiations

Reuters , 12:36, 07.13.22

U.S. airstrike kills Islamic State leader in Syria

Military spokesman says removal of IS leaders disrupts terrorist group's ability to further plot and carry out attacks, says unclear whether deputy was also killed or injured in strike

Ynet , 17:34, 07.12.22

Iran enriches to 20% with new centrifuges at fortified site, state TV reports

Advancements at Fordow nuclear site deal push Tehran technical step away from weapons-grade levels and serve another blow to already slim chances of reviving 2015 pact

Associated Press , 14:50, 07.10.22

UK warship seizes advanced Iranian missiles bound for Yemen

British mission in UAE says it is the first time a British naval warship interdicted a vessel carrying such sophisticated weapons from Iran, says will continue to work in support of enduring peace, maintain maritime security

Associated Press , 18:44, 07.07.22

Iran still seeking diplomats missing In Lebanon since 1982

Tehran blames Israel for the missing men last seen in July of that year at a checkpoint of the Lebanese Forces, a Christian militia; slams lack of cooperation on the part of the international community and human rights organizations for failing to act

AFP , 16:04, 07.06.22

Saudi Arabia expecting 1 million in largest hajj since virus

Saudi Arabia decides to allow hundreds of thousands of pilgrims into the country to participate in the religious event as officials stress their readiness for 'maintaining public health'

Associated Press , 15:43, 07.06.22

Back from Europe, Biden turns to diplomatically delicate Saudi Arabia trip

U.S. President begins his visit to the Middle East in Saudi Arabia where his ability to restart relations with the crown will be tested after previous denouncement of crown prince

Reuters , 14:32, 07.05.22

U.S. Navy offers cash for tips to seize Mideast drugs and weapons

While avoiding directly mentioning Iran, fleet's decision to offer cash and other goods for actionable intelligence in the Persian Gulf and other strategic waterways may increase pressure on the flow of weapons to Yemen proxies

Associated Press , 10:11, 07.04.22

UN report: war in Syria kills 1.5% of country's population

Human rights officials say violence is continuing and the humanitarian crisis grinds on with millions still displaced within Syria's borders; UN rights chief says analysis gives a 'clearer sense of the severity and scale of the conflict'

Reuters , 19:58, 06.28.22

Ten dead, 251 injured in toxic gas leak at Jordan's Aqaba port

State news agency says leak result of accident after tank filled with toxic gas fell while being transported; local health authorities issue stay-at-home orders

Reuters , 21:47, 06.27.22

Hamas to restore Syria ties after 10 years of dispute, sources say

Hamas officials say 'high-profile meetings' with Syria held to mend relations severed in early days of Syrian crackdown against civilian uprising against Assad regime and ensuing civil war

i24NEWS , 22:03, 06.21.22

Hezbollah members get life terms for Lebanese leader's death

Judges of international tribunal sentence two members of the militant group in their absence for involvement of intentional homicide of Rafik Hariri and the 21 others, who were killed in a bomb blast outside a hotel on Beirut's seafront

Associated Press , 17:16, 06.16.22

Satellite images suggest Iran preparing for rocket launch

images show rocket on a transporter, preparing to be lifted and put on a launch tower as observers say satellite launch vehicle 'shortens the timeline' to an intercontinental ballistic missile

Associated Press , 08:47, 06.15.22

Iran turns off 2 of UN nuclear watchdog's cameras

move disabling camera at uranium enrichment in nuclear site seen as pressure tactic ahead of IAEA vote on Iranian violations of nuclear agreement and lies to UN agency

Associated Press, Ynet , 15:07, 06.08.22

Pakistani journalist who visited Israel fired from state TV

Ahmed Quraishi visited Israel in May as part of delegation of Pakistani expatriates; 'Quraishi violated the service rules and regulations and visited Israel in his personal time,' Pakistani communications minister says

The Media Line , 21:48, 06.01.22

New ISIS leader detained in Istanbul, Turkish officials say

Turkish OdaTV news outlet says Abu Hasan al-Kureshi arrested during a police raid following lengthy police surveillance of residence while no shots fired; Erdogan expected to announce capture in days

Ynet, Dennis Bihler , 19:35, 05.26.22

Gaza sources: terror groups preparing for attack on Israel next week

Palestinian enclave's terrorist groups brace for next week's controversial flag march, as all regional actors on high alert; 'We will confront and never allow harm to Al Aqsa,' Hamas official says

TPS , 22:25, 05.23.22

Jordan's king puts half-brother under formal house arrest

In harshly worded public letter, king says Prince Hamzah behaves erratically, says will provide the prince with all that he requires to live a comfortable life but will not allow him to abuse position to undermine kingdom

Associated Press , 18:43, 05.19.22

Hezbollah and allies lose majority in Lebanese parliament, final results show

Elections reflect polarized split between pro and anti-Hezbollah lawmakers, hampering desperately needed reforms for the poverty ridden country; nationalist Christian Lebanese Forces party emerges as biggest winner

Reuters , 17:05, 05.17.22

Early results show Lebanon's Hezbollah suffers election losses

Despite the setback, Hezbollah and its main Shiite ally are likely to retain 27 parliament seats; Saudi-backed Christian Lebanese Forces party, among the most vocal critics of the Iran-armed organization, says it won at least 20 seats

Associated Press , 11:17, 05.16.22

World leaders pay respects in UAE after death of pro-West president

President Herzog due to travel to UAE as are France's Macron, UK's Johnson and others; de facto leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed assumes role of president

Reuters , 12:20, 05.15.22

Jordanian FM: Israel has 'no sovereignty' over Jerusalem holy sites

Jordanian FM Safadi called the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem 'occupied Palestinian land', claiming the Waqf should have 'full authority over the management of the compound'; says Jordan agrees 'the way forward is to respect the status quo'

Ilana Usmirsky, i24NEWS , 10:36, 05.11.22

EU's nuclear coordinator heads to Tehran to salvage nuclear deal

Enrique Mora says he was traveling to Tehran, as the bloc makes a last-ditch effort to salvage the deal after a weekslong standstill; Iranian official in Hebrew tweet says progress being made, 'were a sign of extreme government and official ability to deal with the most important matters'

Itamar Eichner, Reuters , 22:10, 05.10.22

Taliban bans Afghani women from showing face in public

Afghan Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice Ministry warns if a woman is seen outside without a hijab, her male 'guardian' will be imprisoned and punished pending further infractions; 'Taliban do not know the human values,' warns women's rights activist in Kabul

The Media Line , 12:17, 05.10.22

A rival sits out Lebanon's election. Now Hezbollah could fill the void

expanded grip on parliament could give Hezbollah more sway over presidential elections but could also isolate Lebanon at a time when it desperately needs international support

Reuters , 11:47, 05.09.22

UN chief calls to disarm Hezbollah ahead of Lebanon elections

Antonio Guterres says terrorist group's 'capabilities outside the control of the government of Lebanon remains a matter of grave concern' and calls for 'free, fair, transparent and inclusive' elections for the people of Lebanon

i24NEWS , 12:27, 05.05.22

Jordan summons Israeli envoy over Jerusalem riots

Amman condemnation joins Arab countries across the board slamming Israeli actions in the recent Temple Mount clashes; in letter, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi warns Israel responsibility for violence will be on its head

Itamar Eichner , 15:42, 04.18.22

Christian faithful mark Easter in Jerusalem

Christian calendar sees worshippers celebrate Easter and Palm Sunday, where worshipers traditionally march into Jerusalem's Old City to commemorate Jesus' entry into the city

Associated Press , 16:54, 04.17.22

Son of Egyptian president hopes to mediate between Israel and Hamas

Mahmoud el-Sisi, deputy head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate arrives with other officials to prevent an escalation of violence in Jerusalem and prevent security deterioration along the Gaza border

Einav Halabi, Eyal Arbid , 10:44, 04.17.22

On appeal, UN-backed court convicts 2 in Hariri killing

Judge panel at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon unanimously convicts two Hezbollah members of five charges linked to the assassination former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, says original verdict acquitting the two was 'a miscarriage of justice'

Associated Press , 21:13, 03.10.22

Ukraine war highlights internal divides in Mideast nations

In Israel, thousands rallied against Moscow despite officials' reluctance to do the same, while in Lebanon, Hezbollah railed against government's condemnation of Russia's invasion

Associated Press, Ynet , 12:04, 03.08.22

Saudi Crown Prince: Israel a potential ally but should solve conflict with Palestinians

Prince says Israel must resolve Palestinian statehood quest; says Saudi Arabia conducts 'detailed talks' in hope to reach agreement with Iran in the background of nuclear talks

Reuters , 20:43, 03.03.22

Herzog to visit Greece, Cyprus and Turkey as part of climate campaign

President confirms he intends to hold diplomatic meetings and 'discuss the possibilities of regional collaboration in the Mediterranean basin' with regional partners

Reuters, i24NEWS , 20:21, 02.23.22

Israeli arrested in Saudi Arabia for praising Israel

Family says man arrested after recording himself exclaiming 'Israel is the greatest country in the world' in public in protest of service he received at a pharmacy

Hassan Shaalan , 17:06, 02.23.22

Israeli minister sees bilateral talks with U.S. to 'complement' Iran nuke deal

Transport Minister Merav Michaeli says Israel intends to address its doubts about 'problematic' nuclear pact in future bilateral arrangements with the United States

Reuters , 11:54, 02.21.22

Jordanian official demands probe into hacking using Israeli spyware

Calls for investigation follow reports some 200 Jordanians' phones hacked, including royal court members and activists; top lawmaker says Jordan never purchased NSO's spyware, alleges source of hacking outside kingdom

Daoud Kuttab/The Media Line , 17:19, 02.14.22

Egypt steps up Gaza role after brokering last year's truce

With Egyptian flags and billboards praising Cairo adorning Gaza's ruined streets, Egypt hopes to present itself as a Mideast peacemaker, and blunt efforts by the U.S. to hold the country accountable for human rights abuses

Associated Press , 10:35, 02.14.22

Israel dispute erupts at African Union summit

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh says Israel should not be rewarded for 'apartheid regime' it imposes on his people after its acceptance into the African block last July

i24NEWS , 09:03, 02.06.22

Lebanon's Hezbollah says it expects parliamentary election on time

Terror outfit's deputy leader says 'all indications are that the parliamentary elections will take place on time' following former PM Hariri's bombshell retirement announcement

Reuters , 21:16, 01.30.22

Iran president says nuke deal possible if sanctions lifted

'If the parties are ready to lift the oppressive sanctions, it is quite possible any agreement can be reached,' Iranian leader tells state TV in a live broadcast

Associated Press , 22:47, 01.25.22

Report: Russia proposes interim nuclear deal to Iran with U.S. consent

Citing U.S. officials, NBC says Moscow proposed limited sanctions relief in return for re-imposition of some restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program, which would serve as a first step in Iran returning to JCPOA with world powers

Ynet , 14:14, 01.22.22

UN Palestinian refugee agency seeks $1.6 billion to counter cash crunch

UNRWA struggles to recover financially after Donald Trump cut aid in 2018, and while Biden's administration has restored some support, agency says still faces 'existential threat' over budget gaps

AFP , 19:25, 01.18.22