Middle East
Iran made preparations to mine the Strait of Hormuz, US officials say
The loading of the mines - which have not been deployed in the strait - suggests that Tehran may have been serious about closing one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi to convene summit of ‘national cooperation’ on Iran
Mossad to Tehran: we already know your ‘secret’ war commander
Lebanon drafts reply to US demand for Hezbollah to disarm, sources say
Inside Iran: Behnaz Mahjoubi arrested without cause as executions and paranoia grip Iran
Crackdowns are in force throughout Iran, with Revolutionary Guards on an all-out hunt for dissidents
Millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan set to be deported
The latest round of deportations follows an earlier phase launched after March 31, which focused on Afghans holding Afghan Citizen Cards and those without documentation.
Did Iran order rocket, drone strikes on an Iraqi airport in Kirkuk? - analysis
A rare rocket attack targeted Kirkuk in northern Iraq, injuring one. Officials suspect militias or ISIS amid growing regional tensions.
'They shoot people deliberately': Gazans testify that Hamas intentionally targets aid sites
The testimonies reveal that Hamas seeks to disrupt the distribution of food packages at the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution sites.
Trump administration lifts key sanctions on Syria, backs new government
US President Donald Trump moves forward with an executive order that provides sanctions relief for Syria by the US Department of State and Treasury.
Rocket, drone strikes of unknown origin target military airbase in Iraq - report
Pro-Iran Iraqi outlet Sabereen News said that five drone strikes occurred, including two that hit an airbase in Iraq.
Iranian FM tells CBS that he does not believe US talks will start anytime soon
This comes after the US president said that diplomatic talks with Iran could resume this week, though the White House noted that no talks were scheduled.
How Syrian government forces and factions are linked to the mass killings of Alawites
In 2020, the UN described “deeply troubling” reports of executions and abuses at the hands of HTS law enforcement authorities. Human Rights Watch documented how HTS, killed 149 Alawites.
The growing ties between Israel, Syria, its possible spread into the Middle East - analysis
Al-Ain speculates that Trump might encourage a meeting between Israel’s Prime Minister and the new Syrian president. It is clear that many voices on both sides of the ocean see Syria-Israel ties as
US, Iran have a long road to a nuclear deal - analysis
Trump appears to be asserting that the US strikes on Iran have destroyed the Iranian nuclear program, making it less urgent for the US to reach a deal.
