English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News
& Editorials
For April 26/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
Pray for us; we are
sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honourably in all things
Letter to the Hebrews 13/18-25:
“Pray for us; we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act
honourably in all things. I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be
restored to you very soon. Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the
dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the
eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do his
will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus
Christ, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. I appeal to you, brothers
and sisters, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you
briefly. I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been set free; and if
he comes in time, he will be with me when I see you. Greet all your leaders and
all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings. Grace be with all of you.”
Titles For Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related
News & Editorials published on April 25-26/2026
Jumblatt's opposition to a full peace with Israel is worthless and
carries no weight because the majority of the Lebanese Druz community are
elsewhere/Elias Bejjani/April 25/2026
Anniversary of the Massacres Committed by the Ottoman Empire Against the
Armenian People—Alongside Chaldeans, Maronites, Assyrians, Syriacs, &
Greeks/Elias Bejjani/April 24, 2026
The Life of Saint George On the Occasion of His Annual Feast/Elias Bejjani/April
23/2026
Four Killed in Israeli Strikes on Southern Lebanon
Saudi Arabia Stresses its Keenness on Lebanon's Internal Stability
Netanyahu may travel to Washington for summit with Trump and Lebanese President:
i24 News
Netanyahu Orders Forceful Attacks on Hezbollah Targets
Lebanon's health ministry raises death toll to 2,491
Israeli army says six Hezbollah fighters killed in Bint Jbeil
Israel strikes buildings in south Lebanon after Netanyahu orders attacks on
Hezbollah
Israel says hit Hezbollah launchpads outside buffer zone, strikes motorbike in
Yohmor
No date set for direct Lebanon-Israel talks as Beirut seeks ceasefire guarantees
South Lebanese distrustful of truce, reject peace with Israel
Saudi Arabia reaffirms support and confidence in President Aoun, stresses
commitment to Lebanon’s core principles
PM Salam orders probe into Saqyet Al Janzeer incident, calls for calm in Beirut
Parking Dispute Involving Shia Residents Escalates into North Beirut Church
Beirut State Security Raid Met With Protests, Investigation Ordered
Al-Sharaa Receives Jumblatt: Emphasis on the Importance of Developing
Lebanese-Syrian Relations and Opening Political and Developmental Horizons
IDF Exposes Hezbollah’s Use of Ambulances and Civilian Sites for Military
Hezbollah-Linked Suspect Extradited to Panama in Long-Running Terror
Investigation
All quiet on the Lebanese front? ...Hezbollah is not just Israel’s
enemy/Clifford D. May/The Washington Times/April 25/2026
Six Decades Without the State: Southern Lebanon’s Long Shadow of Militias/Marwan
El-Amine/This is Beirut/April 25/2026
Will Lebanon Repeal Its Law Criminalizing Contact With Israel?/Kaline Antoun and
Ralph Atrach/This is Beirut/April 25/2026
Links to several important news websites
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published
on April 25-26/2026
Trump pulls U.S. negotiators from Iran talks, says Tehran can 'call' if it wants
a deal
Trump says cancelled envoys' Pakistan trip, but war not resuming
Talks stumble as Iran's top diplomat leaves Pakistan and Trump says he told
envoys not to go
Iran’s Foreign Minister Leaves without Meeting US Envoys, Pakistani Officials
Say
Iran Resumes Commercial Flights from Tehran’s International Airport
Iran Executes Man Over ‘Mission’ for Israel’s Spy Agency
US Military Says It Struck Vessel in Eastern Pacific, Killing Two
US Imposes Sanctions on Chinese ‘Teapot’ Refinery for Buying Iranian Oil
Iran President Calls on People to Save Energy
Iran defense ministry says US seeks 'face-saving' way out of war
Netanyahu Says He Was Successfully Treated for Prostate Cancer
Saudi Arabia Condemns Drone Attacks on Kuwait Launched from Iraq
Syria to Begin Trying Assad-Era Figures on Sunday, Says Justice Official
Palestinian Local Elections Give Some Gazans First Chance to Vote in Years
Sharaa: Syria Is a Safe Artery Linking Central Asia, Gulf, Europe
Iraq Deadlock Persists Over Next Prime Minister
Macron Reaffirms Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz, as TotalEnergies Warns of
Energy Shortages
Türkiye May Consider Role in Hormuz Demining After Iran-US Deal, Minister Says
Links to several important news websites
on April 25-26/2026
Finish the job: Why a half war with Iran is the most dangerous outcome/Saeed
Ghasseminejad and Navid Mohebbi/Fox News Digital/April 25/2026
Trump's Iran Doctrine: A Strategy for the History Books/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone
Institute/April 25, 2026
Why Iran is Hanging Tough/Ray DiLorenzo ——Bio and Archives/America's Free
Press/April 25, 2026
Islam's War With the West/Ray DiLorenzo ——Bio and Archives/American Free
Press/--April 25, 2026
Bigger Than an Arrest/Fayez Sara/Asharq Al-Awsat/April 25/2026
From the Shah’s Ambition to the Mullahs’ Project/Mohammed al-Rumaihi/Asharq Al-Awsat/April
25/2026
Selected Face Book & X tweets for April 25/2026
Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials
published on April 25-26/2026
Jumblatt's opposition to a full peace with
Israel is worthless and carries no weight because the majority of the Lebanese
Druz community are elsewhere.
Elias Bejjani/April 25/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/04/153897/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NII99NsLmk&t=90s
Walid Jumblatt is one of the most dangerous politicians in Lebanon. He only
cares about his personal interests, not his community or the country. Looking at
his dark history of constant flipping and betrayals since he entered politics,
it is clear he is a pure opportunist. He has no permanent friends and has no
problem taking back his word at any time.
His latest statements prove his hatred for the Lebanese state and his submission
to its enemies. He recently said: "I refuse to ask the army to disarm
Hezbollah... the approach must be through negotiations... they (Hezbollah) are
the sons of the land and the fourth generation of fighters."
Along with Nabih Berri, he rejects true peace. These two trade in blood and
countries for their own gain. They are a duo that resents Lebanon's identity and
are always ready to help any foreign invader who uses Lebanon as a stage for the
"Resistance" lie.
Jumblatt’s recent words are just a promotion for a new "surrender" position.
This is an un-Lebanese stance that bows to the powerful. Meanwhile, Hezbollah
openly brags about being 100% Iranian, refuses to hand over its weapons, and
declares loyalty to Iran's Mullahs instead of Lebanon.
In reality, Hezbollah’s weapons represent occupation and terrorism. This
occupation must end to save the Lebanese state. Enough with Jumblatt and the
other "political merchants" who change their loyalties like they change their
clothes. If free people around the world had accepted this logic of surrender,
no country would ever be free today.
As a politician, Jumblatt used Palestinians, Syrians, Gaddafi, Iran, Hezbollah,
the "rotten Left," and even Saddam Hussein to fight fellow Lebanese. He then
turned against them all once they became weak. He exploited the "Cedar
Revolution" and then stabbed it in the back. Now, he is betting on the weapons
of the "terrorist, Persian, Jihadi party" (Hezbollah). We must not forget that
he admitted to conspiring against Saad Hariri’s government to help impose the
"Black Shirts" cabinet.
Jumblatt will surely turn on Hezbollah the moment they get weak to join whoever
is stronger. He was the main winner during the Syrian occupation and is now
benefiting from the Iranian influence. He displaced Christians and took their
land; his ownership of large areas in Damour is a clear example of his greed.
Simply put: we should ignore him. Do not enter any alliance with him. Keep him
in the category of "Neither Enemy Nor Ally." He cannot be trusted for future
planning. If he happens to stand with the sovereignists, treat him only as a
"Bonus"—but never as a permanent ally.
Honorable members of the Druze community must break his one-man rule. All
political players should leave him aside, and Arab countries—specifically Saudi
Arabia and Qatar—must stop funding him. This man is a political disaster who
would burn Lebanon for his own sake.
It is time for sovereignists to learn that Jumblatt cannot be trusted. To stop
his harm, keep him in the "Neither Ally Nor Enemy" box. Always keep him in front
of you, where you can see him—never behind your back or by your side.
Meanwhile, His political "acrobatics" no longer matter, because the majority of
the Lebanese Druze people now oppose his views and want a real state without
Hezbollah's influence.
Anniversary of the Massacres Committed by the Ottoman Empire Against the
Armenian People—Alongside Chaldeans, Maronites, Assyrians, Syriacs, & Greeks
Elias Bejjani/April 24, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/04/129151/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfYltxaeNrE
On this day each year, the human
conscience stands before one of the most horrific crimes in modern history: the
massacres committed by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenian people—alongside
the Chaldeans, Maronites, Assyrians, Syriacs, and Greeks. A crime that does not
expire with time, that cannot be justified by any context, and that history will
never forgive.
More than a century ago, in 1915, the Ottoman killing machine launched a
systematic, brutal campaign of religious and ethnic extermination. One and a
half million innocent Armenians—children, women, the elderly, and men—were
slaughtered, starved, displaced, and dragged across death marches simply because
they were Armenian, because they were Christian. It was not a war—it was a
full-scale ethnic cleansing project, comparable in scale to the Holocaust and
perhaps even more barbaric in execution.
Yet despite the catastrophe, the Armenian people did not perish. Their spirit
was not broken. Their faith did not falter. Rising from the ashes of genocide,
they spread across the globe like a phoenix, carrying with them their message,
their culture, their Christian faith, and their sacred history. From this
sorrow, from this blood, emerged a vibrant Armenian diaspora—resilient, proud,
and brilliant.
As a Lebanese Maronite Christian, I do not merely sympathize with the Armenian
people—I share their pain, I stand by their just cause, and I am united with
them in faith, in values, and in the belief in Christ the Redeemer. I am also
proud that my homeland, Lebanon, is home to a strong and dignified Armenian
community that has contributed immensely to the survival and defense of our
nation.
The massacres committed by the Ottomans against the Armenians, Chaldeans,
Assyrians, Maronites, and other Christians of the East are not merely events of
the past—they remain an open wound in the conscience of humanity. A wound that
deepens with every official Turkish denial, every international silence, and
every attempt to falsify or erase history.
The time has come to end political appeasement at the expense of historical
justice. The international community, human rights organizations, religious
institutions, and global cultural bodies must speak out boldly and without
hesitation. Recognizing the Armenian Genocide is not only a duty toward the
victims—it is a moral responsibility toward future generations and toward the
values humanity claims to uphold.
There can be no true peace without justice, no genuine reconciliation without
truth. Turkey, the legal heir of the Ottoman Empire, must assume full ethical,
legal, and humanitarian responsibility by officially acknowledging the Armenian
Genocide and taking meaningful steps toward reparation—just as Germany did in
the case of the Holocaust.
A heartfelt salute to the Armenian people—resilient and faithful—who gave the
world the first Christian kingdom in history and who continue to inspire with
their saints, martyrs, thinkers, and creators. A tribute to the innocent souls
of the Armenians, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Maronites, and Syriacs who were
slaughtered for their faith and identity, yet never surrendered their dignity or
their cross.
And in the end, let us say this with unwavering conviction: Those who escape the
justice of man will never escape the justice of God. Innocent blood does not
vanish. Truth never dies. And though justice may be delayed, it never
disappears. Glory to the martyrs, eternal memory to their cause, and light to
the truth.
The Life of Saint George On the Occasion of His Annual Feast
Elias Bejjani/April 23/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/04/153842/
Today, the Church celebrates the annual memorial of Saint George. Who is this
saint? What were his noble deeds and the story of his life? And why does the
Church venerate him as a saint?
1. Birth and Chronology
Year of Birth: Saint George was born circa 280 AD.
Place of Birth: He was born in the region of Cappadocia (in modern-day Turkey)
to noble Christian parents.
Year of Repose: He received the Crown of Martyrdom on April 23, 303 AD.
2. Upbringing and Family Environment
George was raised in an illustrious family of high standing. His father,
Gerontius, held a high military office, while his mother, Polychronia, hailed
from Lydda in Palestine. Following his father's repose during his adolescence,
he moved with his mother to Palestine. There, the seeds of a profound Christian
faith and the virtues of chivalry were sown in his heart. From his youth, George
was imbued with spiritual values that led him to view military service as a
vocation to protect the oppressed rather than an instrument of tyranny.
3. Military Career and the Imperial Encounter
At the age of twenty, George joined the Roman Army, displaying exceptional
prowess in battle and rare discipline. By virtue of his valor, he rose swiftly
through the ranks to the dignity of "Comes" (Count)—a prestigious military title
that placed him among the Emperor’s inner circle of companions. He served as a
commander of the imperial guard during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Despite
his eminent position, George remained steadfastly faithful to his Christian
creed in secret, practicing virtue and charity.
4. Confronting Tyranny (From Secrecy to Public Witness)
In the year 303 AD, Emperor Diocletian issued an edict mandating the persecution
of Christians, the demolition of their churches, and compelling military
commanders to prostrate before idols and offer pagan sacrifices as a test of
allegiance. At this juncture, George’s fortitude was revealed. Rather than
concealing his faith to preserve his rank and wealth, he distributed his
possessions to the poor, manumitted his servants, and presented himself at the
imperial court. There, he tore the edict of persecution asunder before the
Emperor and his ministers, declaring the vanity of the Roman gods and publicly
professing his faith in Christ.
5. The Saint’s Torments and Heroic Resilience
The Emperor sought to dissuade him through enticements and promises of higher
governorships and ranks. George, however, replied: "Your kingdom shall perish,
but the kingdom of my God is eternal." Thus, the Emperor commenced a series of
brutal tortures recorded in Sacred Tradition:
The Spiked Wheel: He was placed upon a wheel fitted with sharp blades to
lacerate his body; it is said an angel appeared and healed him in the sight of
all.
The Fiery Shoes: He was forced to walk in red-hot iron boots lined with long
nails.
The Triumph over Sorcery: He drank a lethal poison prepared by the Emperor’s
sorcerer after making the Sign of the Cross over it. The poison caused him no
harm, leading the sorcerer to believe in Christ and destroy his idols.
6. Martyrdom and Interment
When the Emperor despaired of breaking his spirit—and after the Empress
Alexandra herself converted to the faith due to George’s steadfastness—he
ordered George to be beheaded by the sword. He was martyred in the city of
Nicomedia. His holy relics were later translated to the city of Lydda (Lod) in
Palestine according to his wishes. Today, his tomb lies beneath the altar of the
church that bears his name, serving as a sanctuary for both Christians and
Muslims (who venerate him as Al-Khidr).
Churches of Saint George in Lebanon
Lebanon is sanctified by hundreds of churches and cathedrals bearing the name of
Saint George (Mar Jirjis). He is considered the most popular saint and the
patron of numerous Lebanese villages across various Christian denominations (Maronite,
Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, and Syriac).
While it is difficult to enumerate them all, below are some of the most
prominent and renowned churches distributed across Lebanon:
1. In the Capital, Beirut
Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral: Located in Nejmeh Square, Downtown
Beirut; it is one of the city's oldest churches and houses an archaeological
museum beneath it.
Saint George Maronite Cathedral: Also located in Downtown Beirut, adjacent to
the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque; it is a significant architectural and historical
landmark.
Saint George Church - Hayy Al-Syrian: Belonging to the Syriac Orthodox
community.
2. In Mount Lebanon
Saint George Church - Bhamdoun: A significant historical church.
Saint George Church - Chyah: One of the largest Maronite parishes in the region.
Saint George Church - Edde, Byblos: An ancient medieval church.
Saint George Church - Dabbayeh: Located in the Shouf region.
Saint George Church - Mtaileb / Bsalim.
Saint George Church - Sarba (Jounieh).
3. In North Lebanon
Saint George Church - Ehden: A very significant ancient church in the heart of
Ehden.
Saint George Al-Humayrah Monastery: Located near the Lebanese-Syrian border; it
remains a primary pilgrimage site for the people of Akkar and the North.
Saint George Church - Chekka.
Saint George Church - Amioun (Koura): An ancient church built upon a rock,
considered one of the most beautiful in Koura.
4. In the South and Beqaa
Saint George Church - Al-Qulay’ah: In South Lebanon, where Saint George is the
patron of the town, celebrated with grand festivities.
Saint George Church - Zahle: Several churches bear his name in the "City of
Churches" across different denominations.
Saint George Church - Rmeich: Located in the southernmost part of Lebanon.
Notes on Devotional Prevalance:
Al-Khidr: In many Lebanese regions, Saint George is known by the title "Al-Khidr."
There are famous shrines and churches under this name, such as the Church of Al-Khidr
in Bauchrieh and the Shrine of Al-Khidr in Kfarmeshki.
Local Designations: It is common to find more than one Saint George church in a
single Lebanese village—one for the Orthodox and another for the Maronites—bringing
the total number in Lebanon to over 400 churches and shrines.
A Prayer for the Liberation of Lebanon
Through the Intercession of Saint George the Triumphant
O Holy Saint George,
Great Martyr and Triumphant Warrior of Christ, you who stood unshaken before the
tyrants of old and preferred the crown of martyrdom over the vanities of an
earthly empire: we turn to you this day with heavy hearts but steadfast hope.
O Patron of the Oppressed,
You who are venerated from the peaks of Mount Lebanon to the shores of its
ancient cities, look down upon the Land of the Cedars. Lebanon, which has long
been a sanctuary of faith and a beacon of light, now groans under the weight of
occupation, the darkness of oppression, and the chains of those who seek to
extinguish its spirit and sovereignty.
O Victorious Knight,
Just as you struck down the dragon to save the innocent, we beseech you to
intercede with the Almighty to strike down the forces of malice and greed that
hold Lebanon captive. By the power of the Holy Cross which you carried as your
shield, break the yokes of foreign dominion and dismantle the strongholds of
those who trade in fear and injustice.
Grant Strength to the People,
Intercede for the sons and daughters of Lebanon, that they may be clothed in
your courage. Grant wisdom to its leaders, unity to its citizens, and
perseverance to those who struggle for truth. May the Cedars of Lebanon flourish
once more in the soil of freedom, watered by the grace of God and protected by
your watchful eye.
O Saint George,
Deliver this sacred land from all its enemies, seen and unseen. May the light of
liberation shine upon its mountains, and may peace—true peace born of
justice—reign in every heart and home.
Through your holy intercession, may Lebanon rise again, proud and free, to sing
the praises of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and
unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
NB: The information contained in this study is taken from numerous documented
ecclesiastical, theological, research, and media sources
Four Killed in Israeli
Strikes on Southern Lebanon
Asharq Al Awsat/25 April 2026
Four people were killed on Saturday in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon,
Lebanon's state news agency reported, while the Israeli military said Hezbollah
had fired rockets at Israel, the latest challenges to a tenuous, recently
extended ceasefire. The ceasefire agreed between Israel and Lebanon has led to a
significant reduction in hostilities, but Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah
have continued to clash in southern Lebanon, where Israel has kept soldiers
in the self-declared buffer zone. The Israeli military said on Saturday that it
had struck loaded rocket launchers belonging to Hezbollah in three locations in
southern Lebanon overnight and targeted several Hezbollah fighters in separate
strikes. It was unclear whether the deaths reported by the state news agency
were linked to those Israeli strikes. The Israeli military restated its warning
for Lebanese residents not to approach the Litani River area in southern Lebanon
while it battles Hezbollah. It said it had intercepted a "suspicious aerial
target" within the area its forces are presently occupying, and that two
rockets were fired by Hezbollah into northern Israel, one of which was
intercepted. There were no reports of casualties. A Hezbollah lawmaker said on
Friday that a US-mediated ceasefire in the war with Israel was meaningless, a
day after it was extended for three weeks. The truce had been due to expire on
Sunday.
Saudi Arabia Stresses its Keenness on Lebanon's Internal Stability
Beirut: Asharq Al Awsat/25 April 2026
Advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Yazid bin Farhan renewed on Friday
the Kingdom’s keenness on Lebanon’s internal stability, and commitment to the
Taif Accords. The Kingdom will exert all possible diplomatic efforts to save
Lebanon and its people, he was quoted as saying by Lebanese MPs who met him in
Beirut. MP Fouad Makhzoumi wrote on X that he had a “fruitful” meeting with
Prince Yazid bin Farhan that was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed
al-Bukhari. “We expressed our deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia, in cooperation
with the United States, on their significant role in supporting Lebanon’s
stability and efforts to restore calm and end hostilities,” he added in
reference to the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. He hailed Saudi
Arabia’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and the need to limit the possession
of weapons to the state’s legitimate authorities.
The members of the National Moderation bloc also met with Prince Yazid bin
Farhan, saying that talks focused on the situation in Lebanon and the region,
especially the US-led negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv. A statement from
the bloc, said the Saudi envoy expressed the Kingdom’s keenness on Lebanon’s
internal stability and commitment to the Taif Accords. He urged the need to
steer clear of rhetoric that would fuel internal divisions or harm civil peace.
The bloc is comprised of MPs Mohammed Suleiman, Ahmed al-Kheir, Sajih Attieh,
Abdulaziz al-Samad and its Secretary Hadi Hbeish.
The National Consensus bloc of MP Faisal Karami also met with the Saudi envoy
for talks on the latest local and regional developments.
Netanyahu may travel to
Washington for summit with Trump and Lebanese President: i24 News
LBCI/April 25/2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to travel to Washington in
about two and a half weeks, during the week starting May 11, to attend a summit
with U.S. President Donald Trump and the Lebanese president, according to i24
News. The report said the visit remains contingent on the security situation and
the absence of renewed fighting.
Netanyahu Orders Forceful Attacks on Hezbollah Targets
Al-Markazia/April 25, 2026 (Translated from Arabic)
Israeli Channel 13 reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
ordered the Israeli army to forcefully attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The
Israeli newspaper Maariv stated that Netanyahu's orders came in response to
Hezbollah's repeated violations of the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.
Meanwhile, an Israeli army spokesperson announced, following the activation of
an alert in the settlement of Malkiya, that "a suspicious aerial target was
detected and contact with it was lost," indicating that Hezbollah had violated
the ceasefire for the third time that day with a drone in the Upper Galilee. For
its part, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that security sources
are calling for American pressure on Lebanon to compel the Lebanese army to take
action against Hezbollah outside of Israeli-controlled areas, emphasizing that
officers are warning of the collapse of understandings with Lebanon. The
Broadcasting Corporation indicated that the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon could
collapse without American political pressure on the Lebanese government.
Lebanon's health ministry raises death toll to 2,491
Associated Press/April 25/2026
The ministry included figures released Friday that 7,719 people were wounded in
the latest Israel-Hezbollah war that broke out March 2.
It was the first time the ministry has released new figures since April 17, when
a ceasefire went into effect. Despite the ceasefire, the death toll rose by 197
in one week because bodies were apparently recovered from areas that previously
had been out of reach.
Israeli army says six Hezbollah fighters killed in Bint
Jbeil
Agence France Presse/April 25/2026
The Israeli military said its forces killed six Hezbollah fighters in the
flashpoint southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil on Friday during a clash that
included a firefight. According to the Israeli military, troops identified six
Hezbollah fighters operating Bint Jbeil, an area that saw heavy fighting before
a ceasefire was declared last week. "Following the identification, an exchange
of fire began between the (militants) and the soldiers, during which the
soldiers eliminated two (militants)," the military said. "Subsequently, the
soldiers struck the structure from which the (militants) had been operating. In
the strike, the four remaining (militants) were eliminated," it added. The clash
came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah was trying to
"sabotage" efforts to secure peace with Lebanon following an extension of the
ceasefire between the two sides.
Israel strikes buildings in south Lebanon after Netanyahu
orders attacks on Hezbollah
Agence France Presse/April 25/2026
Israeli airstrikes targeted the southern towns of Haddatha, Zibqine, al-Sultaniyeh
and Kherbet Selm, as the Israeli army said it hit "buildings used by Hezbollah
for military purposes."The strikes came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu ordered the military to strike Hezbollah hard after what the army said
was a string of ceasefire violations. According to a brief statement from his
office, the premier "ordered the IDF (army) to forcefully attack Hezbollah
targets in Lebanon," after the military said the Iran-backed group had violated
a ceasefire that was extended earlier this week. Several hours earlier, in
several separate statements, the military said it had "eliminated more than 15
terrorists in southern Lebanon", including three who were driving a vehicle
"loaded with weapons".It also accused the militants of "launching explosive
drones toward IDF (army( soldiers" in the Qantara area that "detonated" near the
troops but caused no injuries. Israeli troops had also found "an anti-tank
missile cache in a Hezbollah weapons storage facility" and an underground shaft
containing Kalashnikov rifles, it said.
Israel says hit Hezbollah launchpads outside buffer zone,
strikes motorbike in Yohmor
Naharnet/April 25/2026
The Israeli army said Saturday that it attacked overnight Hezbollah rocket
launchpads in the southern towns of Deir al-Zahrani, Kfar Rumman and al-Smaiyeh
north of the so-called "Yellow Line". The Israeli military claimed that the
alleged launchpads "posed a real threat to Israeli army forces and Israeli
citizens." It added that it is "continuing to work in the forward defense line
area to eliminate threats facing the citizens and forces of Israel."An Israeli
drone strike later targeted a motorcycle in the southern town of Yohmor al-Shaqif.
No date set for direct Lebanon-Israel talks as Beirut seeks
ceasefire guarantees
LBCI/April 25/2026
No date or location has yet been set for the launch of direct negotiations
between Lebanon and Israel, due to Israel’s failure to commit to three demands
presented by Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, during a
White House meeting on Thursday.
The demands include establishing a ceasefire and preventing its violation,
halting the destruction and demolition of homes in occupied villages and towns,
and ending the targeting of civilians, paramedics, and journalists. Two days
after the meeting, developments on the ground have shown no change: no effective
ceasefire, no halt to destruction operations, and no protection for civilians.
Lebanon has therefore maintained its position: no negotiations before these
conditions are implemented. Sources familiar with the discussions told LBCI that
Israeli officials said during the Washington meeting they would study the
Lebanese demands, while the U.S. pledged to exert pressure to achieve them.
However, Lebanon is still awaiting the translation of these assurances into
tangible steps on the ground. In parallel with the external track, internal
Lebanese efforts are also underway. According to available information,
preparations are being made for a three-way meeting bringing together the
president, the speaker of parliament, and the prime minister, with the aim of
unifying the official national position on the negotiations. This meeting comes
as part of a role being pushed by Saudi Arabia, along with Egypt, aimed at
prioritizing internal dialogue and reaching a unified national vision that
reflects Lebanon’s position in the upcoming negotiations with Israel. In this
context, sources stressed that Lebanon will not deviate from the broader Arab
position and that any negotiation path will remain bound by the limits set by
President Joseph Aoun.
South Lebanese distrustful of truce, reject peace with
Israel
Agence France Presse/April 25/2026
In a government shelter in the coastal city of Sidon, Mohammed al-Zein saw
little to celebrate in the extension of a truce between Lebanon and Israel,
saying he was still barred from returning to his southern hometown. His village
of Ayta al-Shaab, heavily bombed by Israel ever since the last war with
Hezbollah in 2023, is located behind the "Yellow Line" established by the
Israeli army designating a ribbon of territory along the border a no-go zone for
civilians. "I felt nothing" when the truce was announced, Zein told AFP.
"As long as we do not return to our hometown, nothing matters," the tall,
bearded 21-year-old said. More than one million people have been displaced since
Iran-backed Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2, with
most forced out of the group's strongholds in southern and eastern Lebanon and
Beirut's southern suburbs. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that
the 10-day truce between Lebanon and Israel, which started on April 17, would be
extended for another three weeks following a second meeting between the two
countries' U.S. ambassadors. Trump also expressed optimism that peace between
Lebanon and Israel -- officially at war for decades -- would be achieved this
year, as the two sides prepare for more substantive direct negotiations.
Hezbollah, however, rejects the negotiations -- as did many residents of the
south who spoke to AFP, throwing out the prospect of a formal peace deal, even
as they voiced hope for a situation that would allow them to go home.
'Liars'
In Sidon, dozens of cars headed south with bags and mattresses strapped to their
roofs, but for others, the situation remained too uncertain to think about
returning. At the school-turned-shelter where Zein is staying, 40 percent of the
600 people staying there have gone back home since the truce was extended,
according to volunteer Nivine Hashisho. But as some were packing their bags on a
recent visit, others were playing cards and having breakfast in the school
playground, in no rush to leave just yet. "We have to see the situation during
the ceasefire, because we do not believe the Israelis," said Izdihar Yassin, a
58-year-old woman staying at the shelter. "They are liars. They killed three
people yesterday. We want our children to be safe. If the Israelis keep
violating the ceasefire, we will stay here." Israel has continued its attacks on
Lebanon despite the truce extension, including strikes on areas outside the
"Yellow Line" on Friday. "We want to go home, but we want assurances for our
children," Yassin said. When the initial 10-day truce was announced last week,
many displaced people returned briefly to check on their homes, but felt it was
too unsafe to permanently move back given the Israeli strikes and uncertainty
surrounding the ceasefire's longevity.
'We refuse peace' -
Ahmad Shoumar, 74, and his family had returned to Harouf, 30 kilometers from the
Israeli border, before heading back to Sidon due to fears of Israeli attacks.
Hours after the truce was extended, Shoumar and his family decided to try again
and packed their bags. "We are going home now, not knowing whether there will be
war or peace -- we will see," the 74-year-old said, surrounded by bags and
mattresses. While Shoumar said they "hope the ceasefire becomes permanent", he
strongly rejected continued direct talks between Lebanon and Israel. "Direct
negotiations mean recognizing the enemy," which he said he could not abide. In
Sidon, Waad Afara, a 19-year-old hair salon employee, expressed confidence that
"the state knows what it is doing" with regards to the talks, but refused to
consider a formal peace deal. "We want there to be peace and safety in the
country, but we refuse to have peace with Israel". Mohammad Awwad, a 38-year-old
mechanic, rejected the talks outright."We refuse peace, we refuse any kind of
normalization with Israel," he said. "They are killing us and want us to
negotiate with them."
Saudi Arabia reaffirms support and confidence in President
Aoun, stresses commitment to Lebanon’s core principles
LBCI/April 25/2026
Saudi Arabia has strongly re-engaged in the Lebanese arena through active
diplomacy led by Prince Yazid bin Farhan, at a sensitive and critical time for
both the region and Lebanon. The Saudi initiative aims to shield Lebanon from
regional conflicts through international contacts exerting pressure on Israel,
while also working to bridge internal political differences. Diplomatic sources
said Saudi Arabia remains in continuous contact with President Joseph Aoun and
is providing him with full support. The sources added that Riyadh has expressed
strong confidence in Aoun and reaffirmed its commitment to Lebanon’s fundamental
principles and rights. Saudi Arabia is playing a key role in helping Lebanon
avoid internal and regional conflicts through its international outreach and
efforts to foster domestic consensus.
PM Salam orders probe into Saqyet Al Janzeer incident,
calls for calm in Beirut
LBCI/April 25/2026
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that what he witnessed in Saqyet Al
Janzeer on Saturday afternoon—describing acts of violence by members of a state
security force against civilians, including gunfire and the intimidation of
residents—is unacceptable under any justification. In a post on X, Salam said he
has issued strict orders to launch immediate investigations to clarify the
circumstances of what happened, and to take the necessary disciplinary and
judicial measures against those involved. He also called on residents of Beirut
to exercise maximum restraint in order to preserve the security of the capital
and ensure the safety of its people.
Parking Dispute Involving Shia Residents Escalates into North Beirut Church
This is Beirut/April 25/2026
According to Lebanese media reports, a confrontation broke out Saturday in
Fanar’s Ras el-Rouissat area in north Beirut between a municipal police officer
and two individuals from the Shia neighborhood of el-Rouissat over a parking
dispute. A local witness, identified as M. Hanna, told This is Beirut that the
two men assaulted the officer after he informed them that they could not park in
front of the church, prompting the parish priest of Saint Joseph, Fanar, Father
Rabih Thoume, to intervene in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. However,
the situation quickly spiraled, and the priest himself was allegedly subjected
to physical assault and verbal abuse, forcing him to seek refuge inside the
church. Lebanese outlets further reported that the individuals followed the
priest into the church and issued death threats, in what was described as a
serious violation of the sanctity of a place of worship. Several congregants
were also reportedly attacked, and the priest was prevented from completing the
service. The witness added that the individuals were arrested by the Information
Branch of the Internal Security Forces, and that an army unit has since been
stationed in front of the church.
Beirut State Security Raid Met With Protests, Investigation
Ordered
This is Beirut/April 25/2026
A violent clash in Beirut’s Saqiet al-Janzir, a sunni majority area, on Saturday
triggered public outrage and a wave of protests across the capital, following a
controversial security operation targeting a private generator owner identified
as Hassan Itani. According to a security source, the case dates back four days,
when a complaint was filed with Lebanon’s State Security over alleged pricing
violations affecting displaced residents from Beirut’s southern suburbs (Dahieh)
and southern Lebanon. The source added that Itani’s legal representative took
steps to withdraw the complaint, after which the Financial Prosecutor granted
the generator owner a one-month deadline to regularize pricing.Despite this, a
patrol from the Intelligence and Special Operations Branch—headed by General
Mohamad Chreim—was dispatched on Saturday to detain Itani. The unit, commonly
referred to as the “strike force,” conducted the operation in the middle of the
day in a densely populated area. The raid quickly escalated into confrontation
as residents attempted to block the arrest. The security source stated that
members of the patrol opened fire into the air to disperse the crowd,
contributing to panic and chaos on the scene. While no injuries were officially
reported, witnesses described intense gunfire and widespread fear among
civilians. The source further insisted that State Security acted under a valid
judicial order. However, this account contradicts statements made by attorney
Mohamad Yamout to Houna Loubnan, in which he claimed that no such judicial
authorization had been presented during the operation. Judicial authorities have
since launched an investigation into the incident. Five members of the patrol
are currently being questioned by Judge Claude Ghanem regarding the discharge of
firearms and the level of force used during the arrest attempt.The fallout from
the raid extended beyond the immediate area. By evening, protesters blocked
major roads across Beirut, condemning both the incident and broader economic
conditions, particularly ongoing disputes over private generator pricing amid
Lebanon’s deepening energy crisis. The security source also noted that a number
of individuals who had filed complaints against Itani were reportedly close to
the Amal Movement, highlighting the sensitive political backdrop surrounding the
case. Later in the evening, Hassan Itani was released, a move that contributed
to a gradual de-escalation on the ground. Following his release, protesters
began to disperse and roadblocks were progressively lifted across the capital.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for an immediate investigation into the
circumstances of the raid and urged restraint to prevent further escalation.
Al-Sharaa Receives Jumblatt: Emphasis on the Importance of
Developing Lebanese-Syrian Relations and Opening Political and Developmental
Horizons
Al-Markazia/April 25, 2026 (Translated from Arabic)
Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt visited Syria today,
accompanied by MP Hadi Abu Hassan, where they met with Syrian President Ahmed
al-Sharaa at the Presidential Palace. The visit was reportedly arranged suddenly
last night. The following statement was issued by the Progressive Socialist
Party's Media Commission: Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid
Jumblatt visited Syria, where he met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in
the presence of Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and the Syrian Chargé
d'Affaires in Lebanon, Iyad al-Hazzaa. He was accompanied on the visit by
Democratic Gathering members, MPs Wael Abu Faour and Hadi Abu Hassan, and
Progressive Socialist Party leader Khodr al-Ghadban. The meeting provided an
opportunity to reaffirm the following principles: First: Improving and
developing Lebanese-Syrian relations by the official authorities in both
countries, in a way that serves common interests, opens broad economic and
political horizons, and strengthens their stability and sovereignty, especially
after the fall of the era of Syrian tutelage, which also shattered the theories
of minority alliances. We now need an objective approach that takes into account
that Syria is a country with which we share historical, geographical, and
cultural ties, and which offers Lebanon many opportunities and resources.
Second: Supporting the stability and sovereignty of the Lebanese state, an
effort that requires the support of all of Lebanon's brothers and friends,
foremost among them the Syrian state. Third: Emphasizing the unity of Syria in
all its diversity and regions, and undertaking all necessary initiatives to
address the concerns of all components of the Syrian people. This necessitates
healing the painful wounds of the past and releasing the remaining detainees, a
demand that the Progressive Socialist Party has consistently raised and worked
towards by ensuring that all perpetrators are held accountable. This will pave
the way for reconciliation based on accountability and justice, as affirmed by
the tripartite roadmap announced in Amman, Jordan. Furthermore, it requires
opening the door to development, providing essential services, and protecting
religious sites.
IDF Exposes Hezbollah’s Use of Ambulances and Civilian Sites for Military
This is Beirut/April 25/2026
Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Friday that the Israeli
military identified what it described as new evidence of Hezbollah using
ambulances and civilian infrastructure for military purposes in southern
Lebanon. In a series of posts published on X, Adraee alleged that Hezbollah has
“repeatedly and systematically” used medical vehicles, including ambulances, to
transport fighters and weapons, warning that such practices could undermine the
protections granted to medical services under international law. According to
the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), troops from the Golani Brigade recently
conducted operations in the Qantara area, where they said they discovered an
ambulance allegedly used to conceal weapons, including explosive devices, mortar
shells, ammunition magazines, and a grenade. The military added that the
operation followed an encounter with armed individuals it described as militants
who had violated a ceasefire. In a separate incident cited by the army, forces
from the 7th Brigade engaged a Hezbollah operative near an ambulance. The
individual, who the IDF said was armed with an RPG launcher, was killed during
the exchange. The military claimed that weapons were later found inside the
vehicle. Adraee also said that surveillance footage showed individuals fleeing
Israeli airstrikes and later being transported by ambulance while concealed on
stretchers inside body bags. In a separate statement issued a day earlier, the
IDF said it had uncovered what it described as an underground Hezbollah command
center beneath a clothing shop in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam.
According to the military, the site included a tunnel approximately 25 meters
deep, as well as rooms allegedly used for operational planning and combat
management. The army said Hezbollah embeds military infrastructure within
civilian areas, arguing that such tactics place Lebanese civilians at risk. It
said operations would continue to dismantle what it described as militant
infrastructure in south Lebanon.
Hezbollah-Linked Suspect Extradited to Panama in
Long-Running Terror Investigation
This is Beirut/April 25/2026
The U.S. Embassy in Panama announced a major breakthrough in the decades-long
investigation into the 1994 bombing of Alas Chiricanas Flight 901, stating that
suspected Hezbollah-linked operative Ali Zaki Hage Jalil has been extradited to
Panama to face trial. The announcement described the move as the result of
coordinated efforts between the United States, Panama, and Venezuela’s interim
authorities, following a long-standing extradition request. According to the
statement, the suspect will now stand trial for the attack, which killed 20
people, including American and Panamanian citizens. Twelve of the victims were
members of Panama’s Jewish community. The Embassy said the extradition marks “a
major victory in the 30-year pursuit of justice” and highlighted what it called
sustained diplomatic and operational coordination between the three parties
involved. U.S. Ambassador to Panama Kevin Marino Cabrera said the case
demonstrates that the United States “has a long memory and an even longer
reach,” adding that those who target Americans or U.S. allies “will be found and
held accountable.”The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation provided intelligence
and technical support to Panamanian authorities during the investigation,
according to the statement. The case dates back to 19 July 1994, when Flight 901
exploded shortly after takeoff from Colón, killing all 21 people on board. The
attack, which also occurred one day after the AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires, has
long been attributed by U.S. and Israeli intelligence to Hezbollah-linked
operatives.In 2024, the United States offered a $5 million reward for
information on those responsible for the bombing.
Broader regional Hezbollah activity
The extradition comes amid a broader U.S. push to dismantle what it describes as
Hezbollah’s global networks, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. In recent
months, U.S. officials have signaled a shift toward aggressive counter-network
operations across Latin America. Following the reported capture of former
Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. special forces, Secretary of State
Marco Rubio stated that Hezbollah would no longer be allowed to operate in
Venezuela, declaring that “no more Iran/Hezbollah presence” would be tolerated
in the region. He also emphasized that the Trump administration aimed to prevent
Venezuela from becoming a “crossroads for Hezbollah, Iran and other malign
influences” in the Western Hemisphere. These remarks reflect a broader U.S.
strategic assessment of Hezbollah as not only a Middle Eastern militant group,
but also a transnational organization operating through extensive financial,
logistical, and criminal networks across Latin America, Africa, and Europe,
according to U.S. government analyses, U.S. Department of the Treasury sanction
designations, and congressional testimonies. Panamanian and U.S. officials have
described the recent move as a step toward long-delayed accountability for
victims’ families, while also underscoring the continued geopolitical relevance
of historical terrorist cases in shaping current U.S. policy toward Iran-linked
networks in the Americas.
All quiet on the Lebanese
front? ...Hezbollah is not just Israel’s enemy
Clifford D. May/The Washington Times/April 25/2026
This headline from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation last week was typical:
“Trump announces Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, but major disputes remain.”That
framing misses a basic truth: Ceasefires don’t resolve conflicts. Though they
can lead to productive negotiations, they are more often used by both sides to
prepare for the kinetic battles that lie ahead. Even ceasefires that hold don’t
necessarily produce good outcomes. The most obvious example: More than seven
decades after the 1953 Korean armistice, the U.S. remains in a frozen conflict
with a dynastic North Korean dictatorship that is now nuclear-armed and in an
axis with the anti-American rulers of China, Russia, and Iran. A ceasefire that
leaves the underlying power structure intact doesn’t end a war. It just defers
it.
A more significant question regarding the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire: Since the
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are not engaged in
combat, what’s the point?
The answer, of course, is that this ceasefire is really between Israel and
Hezbollah. Designated a terrorist organization by the United States and numerous
other countries, the “Party of Allah” has for decades been funded, armed, and
directed by Iran’s theocratic regime.
When Hezbollah is not engaged in combat with Israel, it is crippling Lebanon. A
once vibrant country where Sunnis, Shia, Christians, Druze and others built a
banking capital, a free press, and the Arab world’s finest universities, Lebanon
is today a failing state. A UN analyses put Lebanon’s poverty rate in 2021 as
high as 74%, more than triple what it was a decade prior.
The current ceasefire began on April 16, is to run for ten days, and can be
extended by “mutual consent.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to it at
Trump’s request, though the timing was plainly not to his liking.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has spent recent weeks eliminating Hezbollah
commanders and degrading its military infrastructure. Most Israelis would prefer
to finish the job which would reduce – if not eliminate – further attacks by
Hezbollah for the foreseeable future.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, the Lebanese government is not only to take
“meaningful steps” to prevent such attacks, but also to disarm Hezbollah. Few
analysts believe the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) can accomplish that mission.
The most intense conflict between Hezbollah and Israel took place in 2006. A
Hezbollah commando unit crossed into Israel where it killed three soldiers and
took two others hostage. Israel responded with a full-scale air campaign and
ground invasion, pounding Hezbollah positions and destroying much of its
long-range rocket arsenal.
After 34 days, then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stepped in and
orchestrated a ceasefire. The UN Security Council formalized it in Resolution
1701 which called for the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Lebanese and UN forces were deployed to get the job done. They of course failed
and, over the years, UN forces have often served as enablers for Hezbollah,
failing to interdict weapons flows and operating in areas where Hezbollah was
entrenched while turning a blind eye to its massive rearmament.
It appears no lessons were learned. Consider a brief chronology of the events
that have led to the current situation.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas carried out the deadliest massacre of Jews since the
Holocaust. The very next day, in solidarity with Hamas, Hezbollah began
launching rockets into northern Israel. Tens of thousands of Israelis were
forced to flee their homes.
A ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel went into effect on November 27, 2024,
ending nearly 14 months of cross-border fighting, under conditions that required
Hezbollah to withdraw to north of the Litani River and Israel to gradually
withdraw from southern Lebanon — conditions that were only partially met before
fighting resumed.
On Feb. 28 of this year, the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes on
Tehran’s illicit nuclear facilities and burgeoning military infrastructure. Two
days later, in solidarity with Tehran, Hezbollah resumed firing missiles at
Israeli targets.
Lebanon’s cabinet immediately convened an emergency session. Prime Minister
Nawaf Salam condemned the Hezbollah strikes as “reckless” and ordered Hezbollah
to cease military operations, disarm, and behave like a normal Lebanese
political party. Hezbollah refused.
Since then, Israel has struck back hard, reportedly killing more than 1,400
Hezbollah operatives and destroying more than 4,300 sites — including missile
arsenals, launchers, and weapons depots.
On March 24, Lebanon’s government declared Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Reza
Shibani, persona non grata and gave him five days to leave. But he remained.
Tehran’s response roughly translated: You don’t give orders to us. We give
orders to you. Our man stays.
On April 14, two days before the announcement of the ceasefire, Secretary of
State Marco Rubio convened a meeting in Washington between the Lebanese and
Israeli ambassadors. President Trump plans to follow up by inviting Lebanese
President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Netanyahu to Washington for a summit.
Could such a meeting produce normal relations between these neighboring
countries? Not according to Wafiq Safa, a senior Hezbollah official. He told the
BBC last week that his organization will “never, ever” disarm and that there can
be “no separation” between Hezbollah and Iran because they are “two souls in one
body.”In other words, contrary to media reports, there are no “major disputes”
between Israel and Lebanon. The major disputes are between Israel and Hezbollah
– and between Hezbollah and Lebanon.
So long as a forward-deployed arm of the Islamist dictatorship in Tehran
operates within Lebanon’s borders, the people of that country cannot be
independent, sovereign, and free.
Which leads to this conclusion: Israel, in pursuit of its own security, may be
Lebanon’s best hope for liberation. President Trump would do well to recognize
that irony — and act on it.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/apr/21/quiet-lebanese-front/
**Clifford D. May is founder and president of the Foundation for Defense of
Democracies (FDD), a columnist for the Washington Times, and host of the
“Foreign Podicy” podcast.
Six Decades Without the
State: Southern Lebanon’s Long Shadow of Militias
Marwan El-Amine/This is Beirut/April 25/2026
For nearly 60 years, the Shia of southern Lebanon have known only the rule of
militias. This reality dates to 1969, when the Lebanese state ceded part of its
sovereignty to Palestinian armed groups, allowing them to launch attacks against
Israel. Since then, the region has fallen under a succession of armed actors,
culminating in the firm dominance of Shia militias from the late 1980s to the
present, first the Amal Movement and then Hezbollah. During this time, southern
Lebanon became a battlefield with Israel, beset by recurring cycles of war that
caused thousands of casualties, widespread destruction, and the repeated
displacement of much of the region’s population. This prolonged history of
violence has engendered deep-seated anger, resentment, and fear across
generations of Shia in southern Lebanon.
This, in turn, has fostered a persistent inclination among Shia in southern
Lebanon to seek protection from powerful actors capable of providing security
and retaliation, reinforcing cycles of violence and entrenching militia power.
The relationship between southern Shia and Shia armed groups, particularly
Hezbollah, has been deeper and more firmly established than their ties to
earlier Palestinian or leftist organizations. This is largely due to shared
religious and sectarian identity, which has given this relationship greater
cohesion and continuity. Hezbollah benefited from a unique advantage after the
end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990, as it was allowed to retain its weapons
under the banner of “resistance” while most other factions were disarmed. This
gave the group a prominent role both politically and militarily, consolidating
its position as the dominant actor in the south.
Over time, its influence expanded beyond southern Lebanon, extending into
control of key segments of the country’s political, security, and military
spheres. This growth in power deepened the bond between Hezbollah and the Shia
community in Lebanon, particularly in the south.
Today, however, the Shia community finds itself in the grip of a profound crisis
after Hezbollah sustained heavy losses in its successive wars with Israel in
2024 and 2026. The Shia community’s suffering goes beyond the loss of life, the
destruction of homes and the inability to return to the border villages now
under Israeli occupation. It also reflects a deeper crisis, with existential
questions going unanswered: Why did this collapse occur? What justifies such
immense sacrifices? And what lies ahead?
In the past, Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s longtime leader who was assassinated
in September 2024, served as a key source of reassurance to the Shia community,
helping to calm fears and contain anxiety. He possessed a unique ability to
speak to this community and held significant moral authority within it. After
his death, Lebanese Shia lack not only answers to their questions but also a
figure capable of addressing them. No one in Hezbollah appears able to fill
Nasrallah’s role, exacerbating anxiety and tensions within the Shia community.
Hezbollah’s defeats extended beyond the military to the political, media, and
psychological spheres. A party that once maintained a coherent narrative—or at
least the ability to persuade its constituency—now struggles to rebuild one
capable of restoring confidence within its base.
Amid these developments, the Lebanese state now has a historic opportunity to
fill the vacuum left by Hezbollah’s defeats and reassert its presence in Shia-populated
areas. In this context, the government has taken a series of steps aimed at
stripping legitimacy from Hezbollah’s weapons and banning its military
activities, effectively placing it outside the law. At the same time, President
Joseph Aoun has outlined a path out of the crisis based on direct diplomacy
between Lebanon and Israel. The aim is to open the door to a sustainable
resolution and break the cycle of chronic conflict.
Now, the leadership of the Lebanese Armed Forces must translate these government
decisions into concrete actions on the ground, safeguard the negotiation process
set forth by Aoun, and begin restoring, at long last, what the Lebanese state
relinquished since 1969.
Will Lebanon Repeal Its Law Criminalizing Contact With
Israel?
Kaline Antoun and Ralph Atrach/This is Beirut/April 25/2026
As Lebanese and Israeli officials conclude their second round of U.S.-brokered
talks in Washington, a contradiction is becoming harder for Beirut to ignore.
The state is now negotiating with Israel, while its citizens can still face
prosecution for far less. Following Thursday’s meeting between Lebanese and
Israeli envoys at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said a
decades-old Lebanese law criminalizing contact with Israel must end. “I’m pretty
sure that will be ended very quickly. I will make sure of that,” Trump said at a
press conference, where he announced an extension of the ceasefire in Lebanon.
Lebanon’s boycott law, adopted in 1955, prohibits direct and indirect dealings
with Israeli individuals or entities, including commercial, financial, and
cultural institutions. It carries prison sentences ranging from several years to
harsher penalties under the broader criminal code.
“When the law was issued… it wasn’t meant to be used the way it is used now. It
was supposed to be a commercial boycott,” Lebanese parliamentarian Fouad
Makhzoumi told This is Beirut. Instead, Makhzoumi said, the 1955 boycott law has
been turned into a tool against Lebanese seeking to discuss peace with Israel.
Heavy-Handed and Politicized
The Lebanese judiciary’s enforcement of the boycott law has drawn criticism over
its politicized and heavy-handed application. “The bigger problem is the
interpretation of the law done by judges. These laws were mainly used for
political reasons,” attorney Majd Harb told This is Beirut.
Kataeb Party head of foreign relations Marwan Abdallah echoed this analysis.
“The law is sometimes applied as a tool to assert power or for political
purposes, rather than as a genuine application of the rule of law,” he told This
is Beirut. Harb explained that the 1955 law fails to distinguish between
legitimate security threats and innocuous civilian behavior. “Any individual who
transmits sensitive information to any foreign army should be imprisoned. But a
political activist who adds a friend on Instagram for example, should not be
imprisoned,” he argued. “We have defended several cases involving reporters,
politicians, and doctors. It was scary to see that a reporter is being charged
with a crime that could carry a life sentence,” Harb said. The 1955 boycott law
saddles Lebanon with economic and social costs. “These laws are the biggest
obstacle to the economy, a huge obstacle for development,” Harb said.
Abdallah underscored the risks the law poses to Lebanon’s diaspora. “Many young
Lebanese work abroad and, without realizing it, may come into contact with
Israelis,” he said. “This has led to legal proceedings or even arrests despite
the absence of criminal intent.”
Pathway to Repeal
The boycott law can only be repealed through new legislation, either referred to
Parliament by the government or proposed by one or more MPs. Political
opposition in Parliament is likely to focus more on procedural issues than on
substantive ones, Harb argued. “I don’t believe any bloc would vote against it,
but many will object to the timing more than the content,” he said. The Kataeb
Party has taken a clear stance in favor of abolishing the law. “We support
abolishing this law, not because of external pressure, but because it serves the
interests of the Lebanese people,” Abdallah explained.
He also rejects the idea that repeal should be framed as a response to foreign
demands. “This should be seen as a Lebanese national demand, not the result of
external pressure.”MP Makhzoumi told This is Beirut that he firmly supports
suspending the law, arguing that it no longer aligns with current realities.
Harb suggested that a full repeal may not be the only option. “If we fine-tune
the law instead of completely cancelling it, we can get a solid majority without
touching red lines,” he said. This would involve maintaining strict penalties
for espionage activity, while removing or clarifying provisions affecting
interactions between Lebanese civilians, businesses, and professionals and
Israelis, he explained. “The change of these laws should be done regardless of
the political situation. Let’s put politics aside. Let’s talk business,
humanity, and practicality,” Harb said.
Links to several
important news websites
National News Agency (Lebanon)
https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar
Nidaa Al Watan
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
MTV Lebanon
https://www.mtv.com.lb/
Voice of Lebanon
https://www.vdl.me/
Asas Media
https://asasmedia.com/
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The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on April 25-26/2026
Trump pulls U.S. negotiators from Iran talks, says Tehran can 'call' if
it wants a deal
Jack Brewster/Yahoo News/April 25,
2026
The president said U.S. representatives will not travel to Pakistan as planned,
and accused Iranian leadership of disarray. President Trump on Saturday called
off a planned trip by two of his top advisers to Pakistan for talks aimed at
ending the war with Iran, saying his team would not make the long flight. "I've
told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said,
'Nope, you're not making an 18 hour flight to go there. We have all the cards,'"
Trump said in a statement to Fox News. "They can call us anytime they want, but
you're not going to be making any more 18 hour flights to sit around talking
about nothing."Trump, in a post minutes later on Truth Social, said there was
"tremendous infighting and confusion" within Iran's leadership and that "nobody
knows who is in charge." Steve Witkoff, the special envoy, and Jared Kushner,
the president's son-in-law, had been scheduled to fly to Islamabad on Saturday
for a new round of talks. Pakistan has been mediating between Washington and
Tehran. On Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the
Iranians had asked for the talks and that Trump was "always willing to give
diplomacy a chance." Witkoff and Kushner, she said, were heading to Pakistan "to
hear the Iranians out."An earlier round of talks led by Vice President JD Vance
in Islamabad on April 11 and 12 ended without an agreement. Leavitt said Friday
that Vance would not travel this weekend. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas
Araghchi, had arrived in Islamabad on Friday and met with Pakistani leaders,
including the country's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, before leaving
Saturday, according to Pakistani officials and the Iranian embassy in Pakistan,
the New York Times reported. A spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry, Esmail
Baghaei, said Friday that no direct U.S.-Iran meeting was planned and that Iran
would convey its position through Pakistani officials. Iran's military warned
Saturday that it would respond if the U.S. continues its blockade of Iranian
ports, which Trump ordered after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S.
blockade should "face a response from Iran's powerful armed forces," the
military said in a statement carried by Iranian state media. An earlier round of
talks led by Vice President JD Vance ended without a breakthrough. The two-week
ceasefire announced on April 8 is set to expire on Wednesday.
Trump says cancelled
envoys' Pakistan trip, but war not resuming
Agence France Presse/April 25, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump announced he had cancelled his envoys' planned trip
to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran on Saturday, but said that did not mean an
immediate resumption of the U.S.-Israeli war against the Islamic
republic.Shortly before the announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas
Araghchi wrapped up his own diplomatic visit to Islamabad after meeting with
Pakistani military chief Asim Munir, a key figure in the mediation effort, as
well as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
The White House had previously said Trump emissaries Steve Witkoff and
Jared Kushner were heading to the Pakistani capital for an "in-person
conversation" with the Iranians that would "hopefully move the ball forward
towards a deal". But Trump told Fox News on Saturday that he had nixed the trip.
"We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going
to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing," the
president said he had told his team. Asked by U.S. media outlet Axios whether
that meant a resumption of hostilities, Trump said: "No. It doesn't mean that.
We haven't thought about it yet."Iran's foreign ministry said Araghchi had left
Islamabad and arrived in Muscat on Saturday for meetings with Omani officials.
He is also expected to travel on to Russia to discuss efforts to end the war,
which the United States and Israel began against Iran on February 28. Araghchi
described his Pakistan trip as "very fruitful" in a post on X, adding he had
shared Iran's position on a "workable framework to permanently end the war".
"Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy," he said.
Even before Trump's announcement, the prospect of new talks had been
uncertain, with Iranian state television saying Araghchi had no plans to meet
with the Americans, and that Islamabad would serve as a bridge to "convey"
Iranian proposals. Pakistani premier Sharif said he had spoken with Iranian
President Masoud Pezeshkian by phone on Saturday, and assured him that Islamabad
"remains committed to serve as an honest and sincere facilitator -- working
tirelessly to advance durable peace".
Opening Hormuz 'vital' -
The urgency of striking a deal to permanently end the war has mounted as the
Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for the world's oil and gas supplies, has
remained closed. But Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday that
they had no intention of ending their effective blockade of the waterway, which
has thrown energy markets into turmoil. "Controlling the Strait of Hormuz and
maintaining the shadow of its deterrent effects over America and the White
House's supporters in the region is the definitive strategy of Islamic Iran,"
the Guards said on their official Telegram channel. The U.S. has imposed a
blockade of its own on Iranian ports in retaliation. In a defiant statement
carried by state media, the Iranian military's central command said that if "the
invading U.S. military continues blockading, banditry, and piracy in the region,
they should be certain that they will face a response". Since the first and only
round of U.S.-Iran talks, also hosted by Pakistan, efforts to bring the two
sides back to the table have hit an impasse, with Iran refusing to participate
as long as the U.S. naval blockade remains in place. Iran, meanwhile, has
allowed only a trickle of ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. European
Council President Antonio Costa said the waterway "must immediately reopen
without restrictions and without tolling". "This is vital for the entire world,"
Costa said.
Talks stumble as Iran's top diplomat leaves Pakistan and Trump says he told
envoys not to go
Munir Ahmed, Samy Magdy And Jon
Gambrell/AP/April 25, 2026
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The latest ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran
appeared to fail Saturday before they began, as Tehran's top diplomat left
Pakistan and President Donald Trump soon afterward said he had told envoys not
to travel to Islamabad.
The negotiations were meant to follow historic face-to-face talks earlier this
month between the U.S., led by Vice President JD Vance, and Iran, led by
parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. But Iranian officials have
questioned how they can trust the U.S. after its forces started blockading
Iranian ports in response to Iran's war grip on the Strait of Hormuz waterway.
“If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!” Trump said on social
media, adding: “Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work!” The White
House on Friday said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would be going to
Islamabad. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad on Saturday
evening, two Pakistani officials told The Associated Press, speaking on
condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.
“Shared Iran’s position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war
on Iran. Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy,” Araghchi
later said on social media. Another ceasefire, between Israel and the
Iranian-backed Hezbollah, was shaken Saturday as each side fired at the other
and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to
“vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon."
Iran had said any talks would be indirect
Trump this week announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran. It
has paused most fighting, but the economic fallout is growing two months into
the war as global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and other
supplies are disrupted by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Both sides have continued to make military threats. Iran’s joint military
command on Saturday warned that “if the U.S. continues its aggressive military
actions, including naval blockades, banditry, and piracy” it will face a “strong
response."Even before Saturday’s developments, Iran’s foreign ministry said any
talks would be indirect and that Pakistani officials would convey messages. In
Pakistan, Araghchi met with Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif about what he called Iran’s red lines for negotiations.
Araghchi went on to Oman, a mediator in talks before the war and the country on
the other side of the Strait of Hormuz. The foreign minister will visit Pakistan
again on Sunday before visiting Russia, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
Trump later told journalists that within 10 minutes of him canceling the envoys'
trip to Pakistan, Iran sent a “much better" proposal, with no details. He
stressed that one of his conditions is that Iran “will not have a nuclear
weapon.” Contentious points in talks include Iran’s enriched uranium and the
standoff on the Strait of Hormuz as well as concerns about Iran’s missile
program and its support for armed proxies in the region. Tehran has noted that
indirect talks with the U.S. last year and early this year over its nuclear
program, the issue long at the center of tensions, ended with Iran being
attacked by the U.S. and Israel, adding to its wariness.
The standoff around the strait continues
The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, is nearly 50% higher
than when the war began because of Iran's grip on the strait, through which a
fifth of the world’s oil passes in peacetime.Iran attacked three ships this
week, while the U.S. maintains a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump has ordered
the military to “shoot and kill” small boats that could be placing mines.
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said his country was sending
minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean to help remove Iranian mines from the
strait once hostilities end. Also Saturday, Iran resumed commercial flights from
Tehran’s international airport for the first time since the war began with U.S.
and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28. Flights were scheduled to depart for Istanbul,
Oman’s capital of Muscat and the Saudi city of Medina, according to state-run
television. A growing toll even as ceasefires hold. Since the war began,
authorities say at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and at least
2,496 people in Lebanon, where new fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed
militant group Hezbollah broke out two days after the Iran war started. Trump
announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend a ceasefire
between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks. Hezbollah has not participated in
the Washington-brokered diplomacy. But Israel struck southern Lebanon on
Saturday, killing at least six people it aid were Hezbollah militants, and
several rockets and drones were launched at Israel from Lebanon. Additionally,
23 people have been killed in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states.
Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 U.S. service members in the region and
six members of the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon have been killed.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Leaves without Meeting US Envoys,
Pakistani Officials Say
Asharq Al-Awsat/April 25/2026
Iran 's foreign minister left Pakistan on Saturday evening, two Pakistani
officials told The Associated Press, before any sign that US envoys had even
arrived for indirect talks on the fragile ceasefire. Iranian Foreign Minister
Abbas Araghchi was seen off at an airport, the officials said, speaking on
condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
He had met with Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif about what he called Iran’s red lines for negotiations, and said
Tehran would engage with Pakistan’s mediation efforts “until a result is
achieved.” It was unclear when President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and
Jared Kushner were due to arrive in Islamabad. The White House declined to
comment. An open-ended ceasefire has paused most fighting, but the economic
fallout grows with global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer
and other supplies disrupted by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials have openly asked how they can trust the US after talks last
year and early this year over Tehran’s nuclear program ended with it being
attacked by the US and Israel.
Iran has said talks will be indirect
Islamabad had been in near-lockdown ahead of the expected talks. Pakistan has
been trying to get US and Iran back to the table since Trump this week announced
an indefinite extension of the ceasefire, honoring Islamabad’s request for more
diplomatic outreach. The White House on Friday said Trump was sending Witkoff
and Kushner to meet with Araghchi. But Iran's foreign ministry said any talks
would be indirect and Pakistani officials would convey messages. The first round
of talks in Pakistan, led on the US side by Vice President JD Vance, lasted over
20 hours and were face-to-face, the highest-level direct talks between the
longtime adversaries since the Iranian revolution in 1979. Araghchi and Trump's
envoys held hours of indirect talks in Geneva on Feb. 27 but walked away without
a deal. The next day, Israel and the United States started the war.
The standoff around the strait continues
The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, is still nearly 50%
higher than when the war began because of Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a
strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes in peacetime.
Iran attacked three ships this week, while the US maintains a blockade on
Iranian ports. Trump has ordered the military to “shoot and kill” small boats
that could be placing mines. Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said
Saturday his country is sending minesweeper ships to the Mediterranean to help
remove Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities end.
The squeeze on shipments through the strait has rippled through global maritime
trade, including through the Panama Canal nearly halfway around the world. Also
Saturday, Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehran’s international airport
for the first time since the war began with US and Israeli strikes two months
ago. Iran partly reopened its airspace earlier this month due to the ceasefire.
A growing toll even as ceasefires hold
Since the war began, authorities say at least 3,375 people have been killed in
Iran and more than 2,490 people in Lebanon, where new fighting between Israel
and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group broke out two days after the Iran war
started. Additionally, 23 people have been killed in Israel and more than a
dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 US service
members in the region and six members of the UN peacekeeping force in southern
Lebanon have been killed. Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon had
agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks.
Hezbollah has not participated in the Washington-brokered diplomacy.
Iran Resumes Commercial Flights from Tehran’s International
Airport
Reuters/25 April 2026
US envoys are expected to travel to Pakistan on Saturday in a new bid to salvage
ceasefire talks with Tehran, even as Iran ruled out direct negotiations with US
representatives as its top diplomat arrived in Islamabad. The latest effort to
broker a deal comes as an indefinite ceasefire has paused most fighting, but the
economic fallout is still mounting with global energy shipments disrupted by the
closure of the Strait of Hormuz. On Saturday, Iran resumed commercial flights
from Tehran’s international airport for the first time since the conflict with
the US and Israel began about two months ago. Iran’s state-run television
reported that flights took off from the Imam Khomeini International Airport in
Tehran bound for Istanbul, Oman’s capital of Muscat and the Saudi city of
Madinah. Iran partly reopened its airspace earlier this month amid a ceasefire
with the US which halted fighting between the two countries. The airport opening
comes as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met twice with Pakistan's top
military and political leaders since arriving in Islamabad on Friday night,
officials said. According to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, the Iranian delegation
will hold talks with Pakistan’s senior leadership as the US envoys were expected
to travel to Islamabad Saturday. Officials have not specified when Steve Witkoff
and Jared Kushner are due to arrive.
Iran Executes Man Over ‘Mission’ for Israel’s Spy Agency
AP/25 April 2026
Iran on Saturday executed a man for carrying out a "mission" on behalf of
Israel's spy agency during mass protests in January, the judiciary reported. It
is the latest in a string of executions since war broke out with Israel and the
United States. Erfan Kiani was hanged after his sentence was upheld by the
country's Supreme Court, the judiciary's Mizan Online website said. It described
Kiani as one of the "main operatives" in a "mission assigned by Mossad" during
unrest in the central Iranian province of Isfahan. The judiciary accused him of
"destruction of public and private property, arson, possession and use of
Molotov cocktails, carrying a bladed weapon, blocking vehicle routes, attacking
officers, and creating fear and panic among citizens". His execution follows the
hanging on Thursday of another man in Iran who was convicted of membership in a
banned opposition group. Iran has in recent weeks ramped up executions during
its war with Israel and the United States that began on February 28. Authorities
say January's protests were instigated by Israel, the US and opposition groups,
including the banned People's Mujahedin. Since March 19, Iranian authorities
have executed nine men on charges linked to the protests. Iran is the world's
second most prolific user of the death penalty after China, according to rights
groups including Amnesty International.
US Military Says It Struck Vessel in Eastern Pacific,
Killing Two
AFP/25 April 2026
The US military said on Friday it struck a vessel in the Eastern Pacific,
killing two people, in the latest such attack, condemned by rights groups as
"extrajudicial killings" and described by Washington as targeting "narco-terrorists."
The US Southern Command alleged that the vessel struck on Friday was operated by
"Designated Terrorist Organizations" that it did not identify. It said that
no US military forces were harmed. It described those killed as "male narco-terrorists,"
without offering details. "Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting
along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in
narco-trafficking operations," the US Southern Command said on X. A
16-second-long clip released by the Southern Command showed a vessel being
struck in the waters. The US military has made numerous such deadly strikes in
the Eastern Pacific in recent weeks. President Donald Trump's administration has
been striking vessels that it accuses of transporting narcotics. The US
military's strikes on such vessels have killed more than 170 people since
September. Experts and human rights advocates, both in the US and globally, have
questioned the legality of the strikes. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty
International have said the strikes amount to "unlawful extrajudicial killings."
The American Civil Liberties Union has cast the assertions by the Trump
administration against those it targets as "unsubstantiated, fear-mongering
claims."
US Imposes Sanctions on Chinese ‘Teapot’ Refinery for Buying Iranian Oil
Reuters/25 April 2026
The Trump administration said on Friday it had imposed sanctions on an
independent "teapot" refinery in China for buying billions of dollars' worth of
Iranian oil, as Washington and Tehran head into another round of peace talks
over the weekend. The Treasury Department targeted Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian)
Refinery, which it said is one of Iran's largest customers of crude oil and
petroleum products. The department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said it
also imposed sanctions on about 40 shipping companies and vessels that operate
as part of Iran's shadow fleet. China has said it opposes "illegal" unilateral
sanctions. On Friday, its embassy in Washington said normal trade should not
be harmed and called on Washington to stop "abusing" sanctions to target Chinese
companies."We call on the US to stop politicizing trade and sci-tech issues and
using them as a weapon and a tool and stop abusing various kinds of sanction to
hit Chinese companies," a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy said in a
statement. The Trump administration last year imposed sanctions on teapots Hebei
Xinhai Chemical Group, Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical and Shandong Shengxing
Chemical. That created some hurdles for the refiners, including difficulties
receiving crude and having to sell refined products under different names.
Teapots account for a quarter of Chinese refinery capacity, operate with narrow
and sometimes negative margins and have been squeezed recently by tepid
domestic demand.
CHINA BUYS MOST SHIPPED IRANIAN OIL
The US sanctions, which block US assets of those designated and prevent
Americans from doing business with them, have deterred some larger independent
refiners from buying Iranian oil. China buys more than 80% of Iran's shipped
oil, 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler showed.Sanctions experts have long
said, however, that the independent refineries are somewhat immune to the full
effect of US sanctions as they have little exposure to the US financial system.
Imposing sanctions on Chinese banks that help facilitate the purchases would
have a larger effect on purchases of Iranian oil, they say. Treasury Secretary
Scott Bessent said the US is imposing a "financial stranglehold" on the Iranian
government. "Treasury will continue to constrict the network of vessels,
intermediaries, and buyers Iran relies on to move its oil to global markets,"
Bessent said. Bessent told reporters at the White House on April 15 that
Treasury has written to two Chinese banks and "told them that if we can prove
that there is Iranian money flowing through your accounts, then we are willing
to put on secondary sanctions." The teapot refiners recently have had to buy
Iranian oil at premiums to international Brent oil prices after Washington's
temporary waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil at sea raised expectations that
India might buy more of the oil. The US last week allowed the waiver to expire.
Iran President Calls on People to Save Energy
Reuters/25 April 2026
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on his people Saturday to conserve
electricity, warning that while there were no shortages at present, the US and
Israel aimed to sow "dissatisfaction" among the Iranian people. "We have asked
our dear people, who are now ready and present on the ground, a simple request.
And that is to reduce their own electricity and energy consumption," the
president said on state TV. "We do not need people to sacrifice for the time
being, but we do need to control consumption. Instead of 10 lights, two lights
should be turned on in the house -- what is wrong with that?" he added. Despite
the US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran, there have been no reported power
cuts in Tehran in recent days. Pezeshkian accused Iran's enemies of hitting
infrastructure and imposing a blockade "so that the current satisfaction turns
into dissatisfaction".US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to
wipe out Iran's power infrastructure, but has so far not followed through. Even
before the current war with the United States and Israel, however, Iran suffered
frequent power outages during the winter and summer peaks in demand. According
to the International Energy Agency, Iran generates nearly four-fifths of its
electricity from burning natural gas, a resource in which it is self-sufficient
thanks to vast gas fields. It supplements this with low-quality heavy fuel oil,
known as mazout, used at older power stations. Nevertheless, ageing
infrastructure, a lack of investment and the impact of fierce international
sanctions that cut off access to technology and investment have left the
electricity grid unable to cope with demand. Pezeshkian has previously launched
several public awareness campaigns to reduce energy use.
Iran defense ministry says
US seeks 'face-saving' way out of war
Agence France Presse/25 April 2026
Iran's defense ministry on Saturday said the United States was seeking a
"face-saving" way to exit the war, as U.S. envoys travelled to Pakistan for
peace negotiations. "Our military power today is a dominant force, and the enemy
is looking for a face-saving way to escape the war quagmire it has become
trapped in," media outlet ISNA quoted a ministry spokesperson as saying.
It comes as emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner make their way to
Islamabad, though Iranian state media has said direct negotiations are not on
the cards.
Netanyahu Says He Was Successfully Treated for Prostate Cancer
Tel Aviv: Asharq Al Awsat/25 April 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that he had received
successful treatment for early-stage prostate cancer. In a statement on X, as
his annual medical report was released, Netanyahu, 76, said that during a
routine checkup a “tiny spot” of less than a centimeter was found in his
prostate and that further examination confirmed it was an early-stage malignant
tumor with no spread or metastasis. The PM had previously undergone surgery
about a year and a half ago for an enlarged benign prostate. Neither the recent
medical report nor Netanyahu said when the treatment occurred, but the PM said
he opted for immediate targeted treatment which successfully eliminated the
issue. Netanyahu said that he had delayed the release of the medical report by
two months to prevent Iran from spreading “false propaganda against Israel.”The
PM underwent surgery on his prostate in 2024 after he was diagnosed with a
urinary tract infection resulting from a benign prostate enlargement. In 2023,
he was fitted with a pacemaker. Elections are due to be held in Israel by
October.
Saudi Arabia
Condemns Drone Attacks on Kuwait Launched from Iraq
Asharq Al-Awsat/April 25/2026
Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Friday the drone attacks against Kuwait that
were launched from Iraq. A Foreign Ministry statement underlined the Kingdom’s
“categorical rejection of the violation of the sovereignty of nations and
attempts to threaten the security and stability of the region.”
It reiterated importance of the Iraqi government “acting responsibly towards
those threats against the Gulf countries.”Saudi Arabia expressed its solidarity
with Kuwait’s government and people and support for all measures the country
takes in protecting its sovereignty, stability and security. Kuwait's army said
two drones launched from Iraq targeted two northern border posts on Friday,
causing damage. It added there were no casualties. Iraq's prime minister
ordered an investigative committee to examine the attack and identify those
responsible, Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari said, adding Iraq
condemned the attack in a call with his Kuwaiti counterpart. Kuwait had on
Wednesday summoned the Iraqi envoy to the country to protest attacks against it
by Iraqi armed factions.Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem
Albudaiwi strongly condemned the “treacherous attacks” on Kuwait.
“The continuation of these brutal attacks from Iraq is a flagrant violation of
the principles of good neighborliness and all international laws and norms,” he
said. He expressed the GCC's “full solidarity with Kuwait, affirming absolute
support for all measures it takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security and
stability.”
The Muslim World League (MWL) strongly condemned the drone attacks.In a
statement, Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars
Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa “reiterated condemnation of these criminal attacks,
which violate the sovereignty of countries in the region and threaten their
security and stability.”e expressed his full solidarity with Kuwait, its
leadership, government and people, in all measures taken to safeguard its
security, sovereignty and the safety of citizens and residents.
Syria to Begin Trying Assad-Era Figures on Sunday, Says
Justice Official
Asharq Al-Awsat/April 25/2026
Trials of prominent figures from the rule of ousted Syrian leader Bashar
al-Assad are set to begin this weekend, a justice ministry official told AFP on
Saturday, starting with a former security official. "The first trial sessions
for symbolic former Syrian regime figures will begin on Sunday" with Atif Najib,
who was arrested in January of last year, the official told AFP on condition of
anonymity. Najib is the former head of political security in south Syria's Daraa
province, the cradle of the country's 2011 uprising, and is accused of
orchestrating a crackdown there. He is also a cousin of the ousted leader. The
ministry official said trials would follow for Wassim al-Assad -- another of the
former president's cousins -- and Amjad Youssef, the main suspect in a 2013
massacre who was arrested this week, as well as "pilots who took part in bombing
Syrian cities and towns". Syria's civil war began with a brutal crackdown on
pro-democracy protests and spiraled into a 13-year conflict that killed more
than half a million people.Assad's forces pounded opposition-held areas,
including with airstrikes and crude barrel bomb attacks, while tens of thousands
of people disappeared, some into the country's brutal prison system. Since
seizing power in December 2024, Syria's new authorities have repeatedly
announced the arrests of former officials, vowing to provide justice and
accountability for Assad-era atrocities. Assad fled to Russia with only a
handful of confidants, abandoning senior officials and security officers, some
of whom reportedly went abroad or took refuge in the coastal heartland of
Assad's Alawite minority. Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais said Friday on
X that the Damascus criminal court was ready "for the moment that victims have
long waited for: the start of public trials", calling them "part of the
transitional justice process".
Rights groups, activists and the international community have repeatedly
emphasized the importance of transitional justice in the war-ravaged country.
The protest movement against Assad began in Daraa on March 15, 2011, after 15
students were arrested for allegedly writing anti-government slogans on the
city's walls. Residents said the students were tortured, leading to a protest to
demand their release that ended in bloodshed. Najib, blamed for the crackdown,
was dismissed soon after. He was on a US Treasury sanctions list alongside other
Syrian officials. Wassim al-Assad was arrested last June. The US Treasury
sanctioned him in 2023, saying he had led a paramilitary unit and was "a key
figure in the regional drug trafficking network".
Palestinian Local Elections Give Some Gazans First Chance
to Vote in Years
Asharq Al-Awsat/April 25/2026
Palestinians voted in local elections on Saturday that for the first time in two
decades include Gaza and are a gauge of the political mood as Israel's
government seeks to destroy any future for a Palestinian state. The West
Bank-based Palestinian Authority has said it hopes the inclusion of the Gazan
city of Deir al-Balah will reinforce its claim to authority over the territory
from which it was ousted by Hamas in 2007. Some Gazans, who are struggling to
meet their basic needs in the devastated enclave, welcomed the opportunity to
vote. "As a Palestinian and a son of the Gaza Strip, I feel proud that after
this war the democratic process is returning," said voter Mamdouh al-Bhaisi, 52,
at the Deir al-Balah polling station. Turnout, however, was low at 13.8% in Deir
al-Balah by 1 p.m. (1000 GMT) and at 25.3% in the West Bank, according to
official figures. Voting will continue in the West Bank until 7 p.m., while in
Deir Al-Balah it ends an hour earlier due to electricity constraints. Casting
his ballot in a polling station in the Al-Bireh area, near Ramallah, Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas said eventually elections will be held across the
Gaza Strip. "Gaza is an inseparable part of the state of Palestine. Therefore,
we have worked by all means to ensure that elections take place in Deir al-Balah
to affirm the unity of the two parts of the country together," he said.
ISRAEL HAS EXTENDED CONTROL OVER GAZA AND WEST BANK
Since a US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza between Hamas and Israel took effect in
October, intermittent talks led by the United States have made little progress
towards a settlement that envisages international supervision of Gaza. European
and Arab governments broadly support an eventual return of Palestinian Authority
governance in Gaza, together with the establishment of an independent
Palestinian state. It would comprise Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank,
where the Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule under Israeli
occupation. Western diplomats say local elections could be a step towards the
first national elections in nearly two decades and advance reforms to increase
transparency and accountability that the PA says are under way. "We hope that
the procedure carried out today will be crowned with legislative and
presidential elections," said Munif Treish, one of the candidates in the West
Bank. Saturday's vote is the first of any kind in Gaza since 2006 and the first
Palestinian elections to be held since the Gaza war started more than two years
ago with a cross-border Hamas assault on southern Israeli communities. Municipal
elections were last held in the West Bank four years ago.
The Palestinian Authority has struggled to pay wages as Israel withholds tax
revenues it collects on its behalf, raising fears of economic collapse. Israel
justifies withholding the funds in protest at welfare payments to prisoners and
families of those killed by its forces, which it says incentivize attacks. The
Israeli government has also taken steps to help settlers acquire West Bank
land. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has repeatedly said: "We will continue
to kill the idea of a Palestinian state." In Deir al-Balah, which has suffered
less damage from Israel's assault since 2023 than other Gazan cities, banners
bearing candidate lists hang from buildings. The Palestinian election committee
cited widespread destruction among the reasons voting could not be held across
the rest of Gaza, more than half of which is controlled by Israel, with the rest
under Hamas rule.
HAMAS BOYCOTTS VOTE BUT SOME CANDIDATES ARE ALIGNED
Some Palestinian factions are boycotting the elections in protest at the PA's
request that candidates back its agreements, which include recognition of the
state of Israel. Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades, has not
formally nominated any candidates but one list in the Deir al-Balah election is
widely viewed by residents and analysts as aligned with it. Analysts say the
performance of candidates linked to the group could gauge its popularity. Most
candidates, including in the West Bank, are running under Fatah, the main
political movement behind the PA, or as independents. Hamas has said it would
respect the results. Palestinian sources told Reuters ahead of the vote that the
group's civil policemen would be deployed to safeguard polling stations in Gaza.
The Palestinian Central Elections Committee said more than one million
Palestinians, including 70,000 in Gaza, are eligible to vote, with results
expected late on Saturday or on Sunday.
Sharaa: Syria Is a Safe Artery Linking Central Asia, Gulf,
Europe
Nicosia: Asharq Al Awsat/25 April 2026
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Friday that a meeting of European Union
leaders and regional partners in Nicosia marked a new level of political and
strategic maturity, reflecting a shift toward a geopolitical reality that goes
beyond traditional cooperation frameworks. Speaking at a press conference after
the informal gathering, al-Sharaa said Syria had presented the “Four Seas” and
“Nine Corridors” initiatives as a safe alternative artery linking Central Asia
and the Gulf to the heart of Europe.“Standing on the shores of our shared
Mediterranean confirms a firm reality that the security of the European
continent and the stability of the region form a geopolitical balance that
cannot be divided, and requires a spirit of partnership and collective
responsibility,” he said.He added that the weight of that responsibility was
evident amid mounting challenges affecting regional security and global trade,
warning that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz would pose a major risk and
require a new strategy rooted in the region itself. Al-Sharaa said Europe needs
Syria as much as Syria needs Europe, describing the Euro-Arab Mediterranean
partnership as an inevitable path and a safe haven for sustaining energy flows
and ensuring global supply security.He urged the international community to
assume its responsibilities over what he described as ongoing Israeli violations
of Syrian sovereignty, including ground incursions, airstrikes and near-daily
breaches of Syrian territory and airspace, in violation of the 1974
Disengagement Agreement and international law. “These attacks not only target
Syrian security, but also undermine recovery and reconstruction efforts and
destabilize the region, which forms the basis of partnership with the European
Union,” he said. Al-Sharaa called on European partners to take a firm stance
obliging Israel to immediately halt its attacks, saying that protecting the
political track launched at the meeting begins with safeguarding the territory
on which it stands.Syria, once a battleground for others’ conflicts, was now
choosing to become “a bridge for stability and a cornerstone for solutions,” he
remarked, stressing that “geography is our destiny and partnership is our
decision.”Al-Sharaa said the meeting marked a confident starting point ahead of
a larger event in Brussels on May 11, where a high-level Syrian-European
political dialogue would be launched. “We have 17 days of intensive work ahead
to consolidate Syria’s role as a strategic partner contributing to building
Europe’s future and ensuring stability in our region,” he said. Al-Sharaa
attended the informal meeting in Nicosia at the invitation of Cypriot President
Nikos Christodoulides and European Council President Antonio Costa, where he
stressed the need to strengthen regional stability and boost international
coordination to address shared challenges.
Iraq Deadlock Persists Over Next Prime Minister
Asharq Al Awsat/25 April 2026
Iraq's main Shiite alliance failed on Friday to agree on a new candidate for
prime minister after US pressure stymied the chances of frontrunner Nouri al-Maliki.
Leaders of the Coordination Framework -- a ruling coalition of Shiite groups
with varying ties to Iran who had initially nominated Maliki -- have been locked
in intense discussions to settle the question of the premiership, but to no
avail. They have met three times this week. After Friday's meeting, the INA
state news agency reported that they would meet again on Saturday to "decide on
the candidate for the prime minister". In January, US President Donald Trump
threatened to stop supporting Iraq if Maliki -- a two-time former premier with
close ties to Iran -- returned to the post. In Iraq, a nomination by the largest
Shiite bloc effectively brings a candidate to power through presidential
appointment, but Trump's threats reshuffled the cards. Although the Coordination
Framework has not yet officially withdrawn its backing for Maliki, its leaders
are discussing other potential candidates. They include incumbent premier
Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, intelligence chief Hamid al-Shatri, and Bassem al-Badri
who heads a committee that bars members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party from
public office. Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences
of its allies, neighboring Iran and its archfoe the United States.
Macron Reaffirms Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz, as
TotalEnergies Warns of Energy Shortages
Reuters/25 April 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated on Saturday that he was focused on
efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a day after the head of TotalEnergies
warned of global energy shortages if the Iran war continues for months. Macron,
speaking at a news conference in Athens alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos
Mitsotakis, said panic caused by geopolitical uncertainty can in itself lead to
shortages. "Our goal is to achieve a full reopening in the coming days and
weeks, in accordance with international law, guaranteeing freedom of
navigation without tolls on the Strait of Hormuz. Then things can gradually
return to normal," Macron said. TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne pressed on
Friday for the reopening of the strait, through which about a fifth of the
globe's oil and gas supply normally flows. Movement through the strait, which is
also a key transport route for goods including fertilizers and pharmaceuticals,
has been choked due to the US-Israeli war with Iran, as Iran has seized
container ships and the United States has mounted a blockade on Iranian ports.
"If it lasts two, three months more, we are entering in a world of scarcity of
energy, which Asian countries have already suffered," Pouyanne told the World
Policy Conference in Chantilly, outside Paris. "You cannot have 20% of the oil
and gas of the planet being stranded and not accessible without major
consequences."More than a dozen countries have said they are willing to join an
international mission led by France and Britain to protect shipping in the
strait when conditions permit, even as US President Donald Trump has said he
does not need allies' help. "We're all in the same boat, and it's not a boat we
chose, if I may say. We're victims of geopolitics and we're victims of this war
that started several months ago," Macron said on Saturday.
Türkiye May Consider Role in Hormuz Demining After Iran-US
Deal, Minister Says
Reuters/25 April 2026
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Türkiye could consider taking
part in demining operations in the Strait of Hormuz following a possible peace
agreement between Iran and the United States. Fidan, speaking to reporters in
London on Friday evening, said a technical team was expected to carry out
mine-clearing work in the strait after any agreement, adding that Türkiye
viewed such efforts positively in principle as a humanitarian duty. Fidan said
any demining work would be carried out by a technical team from various
countries, formed after a possible Iran-US peace agreement. Türkiye would have
"no problem" with participating in mine-clearing operations under those
conditions. Fidan cautioned that Türkiye would reassess its position if any
future technical coalition of countries became a party to renewed conflict. He
also said he believed issues related to Iran's nuclear program could be resolved
at the next round of talks in Pakistan.
Links to several important news
websites
Asharq Al-Awsat Newspaper
https://aawsat.com/
National News Agency
https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar
Al Arabiya/Arabic
https://www.alarabiya.net/
Sky News
https://www.youtube.com/@SkyNewsArabia
Nidaa Al Watan
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
Al Markazia
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
Al Hadath
https://www.youtube.com/@AlHadath
Independent Arabia
https://www.independentarabia.com/
The Latest
LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on April 25-26/2026
Finish the job:
Why a half war with Iran is the most dangerous outcome
Saeed Ghasseminejad and Navid Mohebbi/Fox News Digital/April 25/2026
Iran's regime is already shifting tactics, and an unfinished war gives Tehran
exactly what it needs: time
President Donald Trump made a difficult but ultimately correct decision in
striking the Islamic Republic. For years, the regime’s nuclear advances, missile
expansion and regional terrorism were allowed to grow while the world hesitated.
At home, it carried out one of the most brutal crackdowns on street protesters
in modern Iranian history. None of this was theoretical. The regime was becoming
more dangerous by the year.
The strikes changed that trajectory. Iran suffered serious military losses. Its
nuclear infrastructure was heavily damaged. Its missile capacity was sharply
reduced. Senior figures were eliminated. For the first time in years, the regime
was forced onto the defensive.
That alone is not victory.
The real danger now is not the war itself, but how it ends. A half-finished war
gives the Islamic Republic what it has always relied on. Time. Time to rebuild
its capabilities, reassert control at home and present survival as strength.
That is already what Tehran is trying to do.
The regime is acting as if it has absorbed the blow without changing course. It
has not stepped back from its nuclear posture or its regional ambitions.
Instead, it is shifting from direct confrontation to leverage, most notably
through the Strait of Hormuz. This is familiar territory for Iran. When under
pressure, it raises the cost for everyone else. It disrupts shipping, creates
uncertainty in energy markets and turns that pressure into bargaining power. We
are already seeing early signs of that shift, alongside new demands from Iranian
officials, including the release of blocked assets before negotiations even
begin.
This is less a negotiating position than an attempt to extract concessions after
taking a hit. And it highlights the central issue. Iran is not offering an
off-ramp. It is testing whether the United States wants a real outcome or just a
pause that looks like de-escalation.
Inside Iran, the mood is more straightforward than many assume. People may not
support widespread strikes on infrastructure, but their bigger fear is not
escalation. It is regime survival. After everything that has happened, the idea
that the Islamic Republic could once again absorb pressure and emerge intact is
what worries many the most.
Iranians have seen this pattern before, which is exactly why so many are uneasy
now. The regime’s strategy has always been patience. It absorbs pressure, waits
out political cycles in Washington and re-emerges when the moment is favorable.
A temporary concession today often leads to renewed escalation later. This is
also what makes the regime different. Islamist systems with apocalyptic
worldviews tend to have a higher tolerance for pain and loss. Their resilience
is not just institutional, it is ideological. That resilience cannot simply be
tested. It has to be broken.
That is why stopping now would be a mistake. It would allow the regime to turn
survival into recovery, and recovery into renewed strength.
If the goal is to truly neutralize the threat, then six measures matter.
First, Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile must be removed from the country. As
long as it remains inside Iran, the nuclear issue is not resolved. It is
delayed.
Second, the military operation should decimate the regime’s ballistic missile
arsenals, launchers and missile and drone production facilities.
Third, the Strait of Hormuz should reopen but not through negotiations and
diplomacy; it should reopen through military force and decimation of Tehran’s
capability to use the threat of closure in the future.
Fourth, the regime’s ability to generate oil revenue must be constrained.
Without oil money, which generates a large portion of hard currency under direct
control of the government, its military recovery and internal repression become
much harder. Fifth, pressure on the regime’s leadership structure must continue.
This is not about symbolism. It is about breaking the chain of command and the
sense of untouchability that sustains it. This should include military,
political and economic leadership. Ideological regimes do not respond to
pressure the way normal states do. They adapt, absorb and continue unless their
core structures are disrupted. Sixth, the regime’s oppression forces must be
targeted and degraded. The Israeli initiative to target the security checkpoints
was important and effective. The regime uses its oppressive forces to terrorize
the people. The terrorizers should feel the terror, the hunters should feel
haunted.
If the war stops here, the regime survives with fewer resources but with its
core intact. It will rebuild. It will reassert control. And the next
confrontation will come under worse conditions.
Trump was right to act. But acting is only half the equation. What matters now
is whether the outcome matches the decision.
Right now, the United States still holds the advantage. Iran is weakened,
exposed and on the defensive. This is the moment to translate that position into
a lasting result.
Because unfinished wars do not end. They pause and return later on worse terms.
Saeed Ghasseminejad is a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of
Democracies and director of the Iran Prosperity Project at the National Union
for Democracy in Iran. Follow him on X @SGhasseminejad. Navid Mohebbi is an
independent Iran expert living in Washington, D.C., and an advisor to the Iran
Prosperity Project. Follow him on X: @navidmohebbi.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/finish-job-half-war-iran-dangerous-outcome
Read in Fox News Digital
Trump's Iran Doctrine: A Strategy for the History Books
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone
Institute/April 25, 2026
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22470/trump-iran-doctrine
The narratives often suggest that the US campaign has failed and that Tehran
remains firmly in control. In reality, however, US President Donald J. Trump has
pursued a strategy that departs radically from decades of precedent — one that
has left the Iranian regime cornered in ways not previously seen.
Rather than adhering to the usual norms of the international system, Trump
redefined them — combining military force, economic coercion, serious deadlines
and diplomatic "off-ramps" in rapid succession — denying Iran the ability to
settle into its familiar pattern of adaptation and delay.
Trump met Iran's moves with countermoves that were even stronger, instead of
with restraint.
"Trump Time" has transformed warfare. In just two sets of days, in June 2025
then again in February 2026, Iran's core military infrastructure was almost
totally obliterated, allowing the focus to shift to sustained economic pressure.
Trump's "little excursion" has been one of the fastest, most effective, least
costly military operations in modern history.
"Trump Time" also brought negotiation techniques that departed from past
practice. Historically, diplomatic engagements with Iran have been lengthy,
baroque, often stretching over years to provide Iran with opportunities for
delay and recalibration. Trump instituted shorter timelines sown with threats of
escalation, evidently to prevent Tehran from using its favorite stalling tactic:
forever-talks.
A regime accustomed to orchestrating prolonged cycles of pressure and relief,
now finds itself encountering a series of uncowardly, high-impact shocks.
Through his unconventional statecraft, and his breaking from a long run of US
failures, Trump – in a blend of military assertiveness, economic pressure and
strategic unpredictability – decided to win.
US President Donald Trump's dual approach of rapid degradation of Iranian
military capabilities combined with sustained economic pressure has reduced
Iran's ability to project power abroad and limited its options internally by
forcing it to react rather than dictate terms. Pictured: Trump sits between
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at a
cabinet meeting in the White House in Washington, DC, on March 26, 2026. (Jim
Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
If you listen to the mainstream media, you might come away with the impression
that Iran is somehow prevailing — resilient, defiant, and still shaping events
across the Middle East. The narratives often suggest that the US campaign has
failed and that Tehran remains firmly in control. In reality, however, US
President Donald J. Trump has pursued a strategy that departs radically from
decades of precedent — one that has left the Iranian regime cornered in ways not
previously seen.
Trump is attempting something that should have been done long ago. Seven U.S.
presidents — both Democratic and Republican — along with the European Union and
much of the international community, avoided taking such a decisive course.
Whether out of caution, strategic calculation, fear of escalation, or simply
cowardice, prior leaders stopped short of confronting the leadership of Iran.
Then came a leader finally unwilling to appease, bribe or concede. Trump, with
his businessman's grounding in reality, broke from established, failed patterns,
and he forced confrontation on different terms.
Since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution, its regime has mastered the art of
"strategic patience." It learned how to navigate and exploit the rules of the
international system and the United Nations. It adapted to the politics of the
West, where leadership changes frequently, while its own system — anchored by a
long-term Supreme Leader — remains stable and constant.
When Democrats occupied the White House, Tehran pursued negotiations. During the
presidency of Barack H. Obama, with his JCPOA "nuclear deal," Iran extracted
unprecedented concessions and sanctions relief, receiving $1.7 billion in cash
from the US, in addition to billions more allegedly owed it, without having to
give up anything for it – not even its nuclear program, which, due to the
JCPOA's "sunset clauses," was due to become fully unrestricted in October 2025.
That money helped accelerate Iran's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile
programs, as well as being used to fund Tehran's proxy terrorist groups,
Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Under earlier Republican administrations, Iran's regime may have braced for
sanctions but assumed, correctly, that impediments would stop short of military
action.
The Iranian regime built a formidable arsenal and a dependable network of proxy
terrorist organizations across the Middle East. Behind them, for optimal safety
and plausible deniability, Iran's regime not only "exported the revolution" to
Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; it also attacked
Argentina, United States assets and officials (such as here, here and here), and
was ordered by US courts to pay $6 billion for participating in the September
11, 2001 attacks. Iran advanced its military capabilities, edged closer to
acquiring nuclear weapons, and bought time.
Trump's strategy not only applied pressure, but also used unpredictability,
escalating beyond the reassuring playbook when required. Rather than adhering to
the usual norms of the international system, Trump redefined them — combining
military force, economic coercion, serious deadlines and diplomatic "off-ramps"
in rapid succession — denying Iran the ability to settle into its familiar
pattern of adaptation and delay.
Trump met Iran's moves with countermoves that were even stronger, instead of
with restraint. Iran, for instance, has historically relied on the threat of
disruption in the Strait of Hormuz as leverage over global energy markets.
Trump, in a reversal of roles, turned that pressure back onto Iran's mullahs,
economically and strategically, by blockading them.
In the economic realm, Iran remains dependent on oil, which makes up nearly 80%
of its exports, making it very vulnerable to sustained maritime shipping
disruptions. When revenues decline sharply, government budgets tighten, public
sector salaries come under strain, and internal dissatisfaction could grow.
Unlike larger and more diversified economies, Iran has only a limited capacity
to absorb a prolonged blockade without consequences for the stability of its
regime.
Trump's dual approach of rapid degradation of Iranian military capabilities
combined with sustained economic pressure has reduced Iran's ability to project
power abroad and limited its options internally by forcing it to react rather
than dictate terms.
The success of Trump's approach can also be attributed to speed. Wars that the
US fought in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan dragged on for years and even
decades, consuming vast resources and countless lives. Even ongoing conflicts
such as Russia's war on Ukraine have stretched over years with no conclusion. In
Iran – and Venezuela – by contrast, "Trump Time" has transformed warfare. In
just two sets of days, in June 2025 then again in February 2026, Iran's core
military infrastructure was almost totally obliterated, allowing the focus to
shift to sustained economic pressure. Trump's "little excursion" has been one of
the fastest, most effective, least costly military operations in modern history.
"Trump Time" also brought negotiation techniques that departed from past
practice. Historically, diplomatic engagements with Iran have been lengthy,
baroque, often stretching over years to provide Iran with opportunities for
delay and recalibration. Trump instituted shorter timelines sown with threats of
escalation, evidently to prevent Tehran from using its favorite stalling tactic:
forever-talks.
Trump's strategy presents an ever-broader transformation in facing adversaries.
Rather than operating as a passive actor within the frameworks of the so-called
"established" global rules, such as the corrupt, feckless United Nations, he
rewrote the rules. He rejected the role of a compliant participant and instead
has shaped his actions to suit the goals he wishes to achieve.
If critics question whether this strategy is sustainable, its effectiveness lies
precisely in its departure from predictability. By refusing to operate within
the established "rules," it disrupts the very framework that Iran has counted on
and been comfortable with for decades. A regime accustomed to orchestrating
prolonged cycles of pressure and relief, now finds itself encountering a series
of uncowardly, high-impact shocks.
Other US presidents said that Iran must never be allowed to have nuclear
weapons, but none of them would ever do anything about it. They failed to
confront Iran. The European Union failed. Aside from Israel, all the rest of the
world failed. After nearly half a century, only Trump chose to take a stand
against the "top state sponsor of terrorism for 39th year in a row."
Through his unconventional statecraft, and his breaking from a long run of US
failures, Trump – in a blend of military assertiveness, economic pressure and
strategic unpredictability – decided to win.
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh, is a political scientist, Harvard-educated analyst, and
board member of Harvard International Review. He has authored several books on
the US foreign policy. He can be reached at dr.rafizadeh@post.harvard.edu
**Follow Majid Rafizadeh on X (formerly Twitter)
© 2026 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.
Why Iran is Hanging Tough
Ray DiLorenzo ——Bio and Archives/America's Free Press/April 25, 2026
https://canadafreepress.com/article/why-iran-is-hanging-tough
Iran plans to support the political Left in their public relations efforts until
public opinion turns against Trump, gas prices rise again, or gas shortages
occur in China and other countries;
President Trump made a decision to deal with Iran, a decision his predecessors
would not make. They kicked the can for so long that you couldn't recognize it
anymore, and the problem only got worse.
It made little difference when Iran killed 241 Marines, sailors, soldiers, and
civilians in Beirut. So what if Iran executed 30,000 of their citizens for
offenses any other country would consider trivial... adultery, homosexuality,
apostasy, blasphemy, or fornication? Who is concerned that they executed 40,000+
protesters recently due to their political dissent?
Iran's focus is not necessarily on the country and its people, but rather on the
regime
Persia (Iran) has been wanting Europa (Europe, or the West) since Darius I
(reigned 522-486 BC) tried to invade Greece several times, creating the
Greco-Persian Wars. A storm destroyed his fleet in 492, followed by the Battle
of Marathon in 490, in which Greece won a decisive battle.
His son Xerxes I (reigned 486-465 BC) continued his assault on Europe. It was
Xerxes who launched the massive attack in 480 BC, making the battles of
Thermopylae (the 300 Spartans) and the naval Battle of Salamis famous. The
Persians were defeated at the battles of Plataea and Mycale in 479 B.C. and
Western civilization was saved.
When Islam conquered the Middle East and North Africa during the 7th century,
the 'religion of peace' did not waver from its original mission to conquer
Europe and Western civilization. But this time, the West was facing Islam, which
was not just a religion but also a geopolitical movement disguised as one. Most
of Spain was under Muslim control by 713 AD. Muslim forces then crossed the
Pyrenees, a mountain range along the Spanish and French border, to expand into
Gaul (France). They were ultimately defeated at the Battle of Tours in 732.
It was not until 1492 during the Reconquista that the Muslims were driven out of
Spain and out of Europe. Again, the West survived in time for the bulk of the
Renaissance, the cultural movement that lasted 300 years. It began in Italy and
was characterized by massive developments in art and science.
Iran, after five weeks of war, has no navy, no air force, no missiles (or close
to it), and no nukes; its army seems to be in hiding. And yet, they remain
steadfast. Their promises are worthless. They intend to survive and will agree
to almost anything, including opening the Strait. Their focus is not necessarily
on the country and its people, but rather on the regime.
The more modern version of the Persian Wars is Iran's push to force Islam on the
world from inside Europe and the United States. They intend to be the power in
the Middle East, not Israel.
The Iranian people want to make peace with the West
I watched a video statement from an Iranian who is active in the regime-change
movement. He said, paraphrased:
"This is for people who are confused about what is happening in Iran. People are
celebrating. The Iranian people are not the government.
“This Islamic Republic is like an organized crime syndicate, a mafia. They are
not interested in change or reform. This mafia celebrates death, martyrdom, and
grieving.
“We have tried to co-exist with this fanatic regime. We attend many peaceful
protests. We even voted in their elections, hoping we could vote for the lesser
evil.
“They use the wealth of the country and spend it on malicious groups like Hamas
and Hezbollah and spend our money on weapons for other nations, other
terrorists, and day by day, Iran goes deeper and deeper into poverty.
“They executed a young girl because she didn't cover her hijab properly. Most
recently, they killed 40,000 of us. They brought soldiers even from Hashad Al-Shabi
from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine to kill Iranians in their own home.
“I hope you understand why we celebrate when the United States and Israel attack
this regime. The regime must go. They don't belong here and have never been. If
Israel and the United States weaken them, we appreciate it.
“Nobody can do what the United States and Israel have done. They try their best
to not hit civilians. All 31 provinces in Iran have been protesting.
“They give Captagon (1) to their soldiers so they don't feel guilty.
“They are told they will go to Heaven. Before you say things like 'no war' or
'let's be peaceful,' understand what you should do to support us."
The Iranian people want to make peace with the West, while the regime wants to
make war with it. Iranians do not want any deal made with this regime. They want
them gone. The people of Iran are prepared to endure economic hardships,
confident that they will eventually recover and attain freedom.
Why Iran has been hanging tough is because their regime is committed to its
nuclear weapons program, its ballistic missile development, and its proxy forces
network. Their continued existence depends on it.
Iran's leaders see the constant Democrat and media attacks on Trump's presidency
What gives them great encouragement are the leftist Americans and people around
the world protesting the war, not supporting President Trump and Israel. Iran's
leaders see the constant Democrat and media attacks on Trump's presidency.
Unlikely figures such as Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Marjorie Taylor Greene,
and Pope Leo, who lives behind a 40-foot wall, are criticizing Trump for going
too far or not far enough.
The pope thinks we should take in all immigrants. He should consult some of the
thousands of families that have violently lost sons and daughters, grandparents,
uncles and aunts, mothers, and fathers. They are getting lost in the minutiae.
The Democrats attack Trump because it is an opportunity to undermine his
influence and gain political advantage in upcoming elections, particularly as
they seek to rally their base and capitalize on any perceived weaknesses in his
perception. They are despicable.
Iran cannot be trusted to comply with any agreements they will make, especially
given their history. The Iran regime is barbaric. They are the cause of most of
the instability of the region. NATO says it's not their war. But it is their
war. Like so many enemies in Europe's history, they saw it coming only when it
was too late. A late report says Europe has offered to help with getting
movement going in the Strait now that Trump has done all the heavy lifting. So
sad.
Iran plans to support the political Left in their public relations efforts until
public opinion turns against Trump, gas prices rise again, or gas shortages
occur in China and other countries.
The Iranian leadership is hoping that we will have more concern over prices, our
comfort level, and the coming elections than a world with Iranian nukes at the
ready. They will use them whether militarily or as substantial leverage.
Captagon is a highly addictive, illicit stimulant (amphetamine-type) widely
produced in Syria and consumed in the Middle East, generating billions for
traffickers. Originally a 1960s pharmaceutical for narcolepsy, modern illicit "Captagon"
is often a counterfeit, dangerous mix of amphetamine and caffeine, causing
psychosis, violence, and cardiovascular issues.
Ray DiLorenzo——Bio and Archives
Ray DiLorenzo is a career pilot having retired after 22 years as a contract fire
pilot with the California Department of Forestry (Cal-Fire). He is presently
affiliated with Stand Up America US Foundation founded by Maj. Gen. Paul E.
Vallely (Ret).
Islam's War With the West
Ray DiLorenzo ——Bio and Archives/American Free Press/--April 25, 2026
https://canadafreepress.com/article/islams-war-with-the-west
America, remains the best opportunity for anyone seeking a fulfilling life on
this planet. Unfortunately, many have yet to realize the truth. God bless
America;
Considering that Islam has been at war with the West for 1,400 years, it is
vital that we understand this struggle in these modern times.
Most people would say that Islam is just another religion, perhaps somewhat more
zealous than others, but a religion nonetheless. Well, no! Nothing about Islam
is that simple.
Understanding the relationship between Christians, Jews, and Muslims is vital to
understanding the front-page news almost every day.
Around 610 AD, Muhammad claimed to have a vision to be a prophet of God. While
Muhammad was seeking converts, he attempted to appeal to the Jews and Christians
by sharing stories of messages he received from an angel. These messages
emphasized tolerance toward his Judeo-Christian neighbors and characterized the
Meccan Period from 610 to 622 AD.
Some would say that Muhammad wanted acceptance as another bona fide religion,
but that would be wrong. Muhammad wanted acceptance as a new prophet from God
among both Jews and Christians. His message was for everyone to accept that he
was the one true prophet from God.
Muhammad incorporated many Jewish practices into Islam. He took in the Jewish
Day of Atonement and even initially instructed his followers to face Jerusalem
during prayer. He adopted the Sabbath, which started on a Friday evening.
The first 10 years for Muhammad were challenging. He tried to prove his status
as a prophet, but his failed miracles and teachings won him few followers, which
contributed to his struggles in gaining acceptance and support from the
community during this early period. The Jews were not about to abandon Jehovah,
Yahweh, the Rock of Ages, who freed them from bondage in the land of Egypt, to
worship a new god.
The Medinan Period began when Muhammad's own tribe drove him out of Mecca
because they refused to abandon their idol worshiping and follow Muhammad's new
god, Allah, once the moon god from the previous pagan religion; hence the
crescent moon.
Islam offers non-believers three choices: become Muslim, pay dearly for the
privilege of living among them, or die. It's called Dhimmitude
After his eviction, he sought refuge in Medina, where he raised an army and
became a warring prophet, waging war on those who would not believe. With his
new army, he turned to conversion by force. He returned to Mecca and
successfully negotiated a treaty with the Meccan merchants, which allowed him to
amass the city's wealth and power.
Muhammad waged 29 wars against Christians and Jews who refused to become his
followers. Entire Jewish tribes were wiped out, and their women and children
were taken.
Their cry of "Allah Akbar" just before they kill you does not mean God is great.
It means "Allah is greater" or "Allah is the greatest." A very significant
difference. It tells me they do not recognize the Judeo-Christian God.
During this period Muhammad's message and the Quran changed from peace to war
and hatred to those who would not follow him, empowering him to eradicate
non-believers and make them enemies forever, thus becoming a geopolitical
movement.
It seems Muhammad held a grudge. The Quran and Hadith then said of Jews that
they are of apes and swine and need to be put down. The Quran says that Jews
were given the truth but have rejected it, making them enemies:
Muhammad said: ‘The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews,
and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. ‘O Muslim! There is a
Jew hiding behind me, so kill him.’” Hadith al-Bukhari 2926
Many regions of the Middle East and Africa were Christian but became Muslim due
to conquest, not peaceful conversion. Generally, Islam offers non-believers
three choices: become Muslim, pay dearly for the privilege of living among them,
or die. It's called Dhimmitude.
Islam is a violent belief system
After the death of Muhammad, Muslims split into two groups, Shia and Sunni. The
main difference lies in their beliefs about succession of leadership after the
prophet's death. The Sunni believe that it should be consensus, while the Shia
believe the new leader must come from the prophet's family, specifically with
Ali, his cousin and son-in-law. The Sunni emphasize the Quran, while the Shia
venerate Imams, and in Iran they're yelling, "KILL!"
About 85-90% of the global Muslim population is Sunni. The balance are Shia,
living mostly in Iran and Iraq. Their conflicts with each other have been heated
at times, preventing a stable Middle East. That is why T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence
of Arabia) called them a silly people.
"So long as the Arabs fight tribe against tribe, so long will they be a little
people, a silly people—greedy, barbarous, and cruel." ~ T.E. Lawrence
When Israel became a nation after WW2, the event was a dark time for Islam. They
reject Israel's existence, and many still do. America's close relationship with
Israel has transferred that hate to the United States and all those who would
support Israel.
Understand this: Islam is a violent belief system. They believe that anyone who
does not adhere to Muhammad's call is worthy of death. Just In March of this
year, Jihad attacks worldwide resulted in the deaths of 758 people and injuries
to 1,171 others. (thereligionofpeace.com)
It is said that about 15-25% of Muslims are jihadists. That means between
180-300 million Muslims around the world want you dead.
President Trump is one of the few presidents who knows how to confront Islamic
radicals
Now that you have this background, it should be clear why we are witnessing both
Islamic terrorism and a silent Islamic conquest occurring in Europe and, to a
lesser extent, in America.
Muslims have made significant progress in Europe, particularly in the UK and
France. Many Muslims in Europe refuse to assimilate and instead demand the
implementation of Sharia law. Europe's open border policy has been tantamount to
national suicide.
The reasoning behind the open-border policy of many European countries remains
unclear. They seem to have gone all out to welcome them, a culture in total
conflict with Western ideals.
They said it was to address a labor shortage. But here we are a few years later,
and AI promises to create a labor surplus. What will millions of Muslims do when
there is no work?
President Trump is one of the few presidents who knows how to confront Islamic
radicals. The Iran War has clearly demonstrated the challenges of dealing with
traditional Islam, including lying, backstabbing, and breaking deals.
Liberals, Democrats, Socialists, and Bolsheviks exasperate our conflict with
Islam and hinder our quest to continue being the great nation we are. They will
align with any group, any enemy, to destroy the country they hate.
Being the communists they are, they see our country as unfair, void of equality
(without knowing what equality means), lacking safety nets, and racist. Should
they win the White House in 2028, they will open our borders once again and
forever dilute our American culture, destroying our nation but guaranteeing
themselves power.
America, though not without its flaws, remains the best opportunity for anyone
seeking a fulfilling life on this planet. Unfortunately, many have yet to
realize the truth. God bless America.
Ray DiLorenzo——Bio and Archives
Ray DiLorenzo is a career pilot having retired after 22 years as a contract fire
pilot with the California Department of Forestry (Cal-Fire). He is presently
affiliated with Stand Up America US Foundation founded by Maj. Gen. Paul E.
Vallely (Ret).
Bigger Than an Arrest
Fayez Sara/Asharq Al-Awsat/April
25/2026
Amjad Youssef has finally fallen into the hands of officers from the Syrian
Ministry of Interior. He is among the most wanted figures of the Assad regime
and among the most notorious war criminals of the regime’s war on its own people
between 2011 and 2024 - a war that ended with the regime’s collapse, Assad’s
escape, the disintegration of its security and military institutions, and the
flight of its officials, with some managing to escape and go into hiding abroad.
Youssef is notorious for being the principal perpetrator of the Tadamon massacre
that was carried out in the southern Damascus neighborhood of the same name,
where 41 people, including women and children, were killed in April 2013. Their
arbitrary detention and execution encapsulated the regime’s sick mind, as the
victims were herded into a pit in the middle of a residential area, they were
shot, and the pit was then filled in over their corpses.
This massacre, like dozens of others still being uncovered in Tadamon even a
year and a half after Assad’s fall, could have faded into obscurity if a video
recording of the killings had not gotten into the fands of activists, among them
Syrian researcher Annsar Shahhoud and Professor Uğur Ümit Üngör of the Holocaust
and Genocide Studies Center at the University of Amsterdam. They spent three
years analyzing the footage, reconstructing its details, including Youssef’s
role, before publishing their findings in the British newspaper The Guardian in
2022.
The arrest of Amjad Youssef carries real weight; it is comparable to those of
others who had committed crimes against the Syrian people. It offers some solace
to the families of victims who lost loved ones, affirming that perpetrators will
be held accountable and that rights are neither forgotten nor erased by the
passage of time.
None of that amounts to full redress for the devastation wrought by the crimes
inflicted on Syrians during the war. One reason is the scale and nature of those
crimes, which reflect deep social pathologies, particularly in terms of national
cohesion and communities’ sense of belonging to a single country. The
pathologies were evident from the discourse and conduct of the regime’s thuggish
local enforcers, or Shabiha, and its leadership, which repeatedly promoted the
notion of a “homogeneous society.” Only those who supported the regime were
truly Syrian, while opponents and critics were enemies and traitors that deserve
death, displacement, and exile.
Another reason is the ripples of the regime’s crimes, which goes beyond the
direct victims and touches their families, relatives, and even friends.
Moreover, Syrians have not only suffered from crimes committed under Bashar
al-Assad, but also from those committed in the 1970s and 1980s by his father
Hafez. These crimes have left behind humanitarian, moral, social, and financial
devastation to families and entire communities.
In this environment shaped by the criminality of the fallen regime, Syrians and
the international community have come to recognize that transitional justice is
the only viable path to a real path further. This entails holding perpetrators
accountable and imposing penalties but also goes further: creating a climate of
civic peace that can rebuild relationships within national communities on the
basis of tolerance, equality, justice, restitution of rights, and reparations.
These are indispensable steps toward addressing what has happened and preventing
its recurrence. Success requires the participation of all Syrians, alongside
social, civil, and community organizations in a holistic political, economic,
social, and legal process.
The arrests of Amjad Youssef and others are particularly significant because
they came within a broader environment moving toward deeper engagement with
transitional justice. The signs are many: surging public demands for this
process; government action to arrest perpetrators who had remained in hiding for
a year and a half; referrals of detainees to court, with promises that some
trials will be public; and the involvement of transitional justice bodies,
alongside statements pointing to tangible progress. All of this gives Syrians
and observers reason to expect meaningful progress, perhaps starting with
transitional justice.
From the Shah’s Ambition to the Mullahs’ Project
Mohammed al-Rumaihi/Asharq Al-Awsat/April
25/2026
Iranian ambitions in the Gulf did not begin with the Iranian revolution. They
are an extension of a conception that had taken shape during the reign of
Mohammad Reza Shah in the 1970s amid Iran’s rapid ascent, which was driven by an
unprecedented oil boom, military modernization, and an explicit ambition to
become the region’s dominant power. It is not the ambitions that changed after
the revolution, but the tools and discourse through which they were pursued.
Amid all the analytical noise surrounding the current war, an important book
that resonated deeply with Gulf elites has largely been overlooked. In the
mid-1970s, Iranian diplomat Fereydoun Hoveyda, who served as Iran’s ambassador
to the United Nations and was the brother of Prime Minister Amir-Abbas Hoveyda,
offered an early diagnosis by warning of a looming shift in the regional balance
of power and that the Shah’s Iran had been on course to become the Gulf’s
dominant force, thanks to its vast surplus and a modernized army. More troubling
still was his contention that such dominance would naturally lead to
expansionism, even if it is not explicitly pursued. He identified the late 1970s
as a critical juncture, warning that unchecked ambition would ultimately drain
society; this dynamic did indeed contribute to the revolution.
Hoveyda believed that Britain’s withdrawal from the Gulf had left a vacuum the
Shah sought to fill, casting Iran as the region’s “policeman.” This vision is
underpinned by a sense of ethnic superiority, reinforced by the Shah’s
self-image as heir to a historic Persian legacy. The core insight remains: when
resources converge with ambition, expansion becomes an option, and its costs
rise.
This nationalist project never came to fruition. The revolution toppled Iran’s
political system, but did not undermine the expansionist drive; it merely
reshaped it. The project shifted from a purely nationalist framework to a
nationalist-religious hybrid that instrumentalized sectarianism for political
ends. The discourse was not built around “modern Iran as a great power,” but
about “revolutionary Iran,” “exporting the model,” and the regime’s divine
mandate.
The new regime inherited the instruments of power and added a more potent one:
ideology. Where the Shah relied on the army and the economy, the post-1979
regime relied on ideological networks and layered military force. This project
did not require direct invasion. Instead, loyalist factions were formed in other
societies. The same costs that had weakened the Shah weighed on the mullahs as
well, deepening poverty and hardship at home.
In Iraq, Tehran invested billions of dollars in a multi-layered network of
ideological projection. In Lebanon, Hezbollah became a model for building a
state within a state. In Syria, Iran intervened to protect a strategic ally,
successfully entrenching military and political influence, until it failed. In
Yemen, it backed the Houthis as a lever it could pull on the Gulf’s southern
flank.
Expansion within the Gulf states themselves manifested itself differently:
forming parallel entities on the Lebanese or Iraqi model was not feasible, and
efforts were made to plant limited networks focused on ideological propaganda.
These attempts largely remained contained, as the overwhelming majority of Gulf
citizens maintained their national loyalties.
The fundamental differences between the Shah’s project - as it was outlined by
Hoveyda - and the mullahs’ project are in the means, not the objective. The
former was a nationalist project seeking dominance through hard power. The
latter is a nationalist-religious project that instrumentalizes sectarianism and
draws on both soft and hard power. In both cases, the Gulf remains the pivotal
arena and the strategic prize.
It is striking that Hoveyda’s views, written before the revolution, provide
insights into today’s landscape. His warnings about imbalance in the regional
order, the dangers of power being concentrated in a single country, and the toll
this exacts on its economy all resonate today, albeit in a different register.
The difference is that the tools have grown more complex. The contest has
shifted from geographic control to winning hearts and minds.
The relationship with the West has also transformed. The Shah was a Western
ally; the current regime has taken an adversarial posture. Yet the outcome is
structurally similar: leveraging the West to consolidate Iran’s regional
position- through alliance in the former and through confrontation in the
latter. Both, in the framework of their respective regimes, serve the same goal:
cementing Iran’s role as an indispensable regional player.
The question remains: can this ambition be contained? Experience suggests the
answer does not lie in direct confrontation but in building a coherent regional
balance. The Gulf states, which Hoveyda once described in the 1970s as weak,
have demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and capacity for resistance.
Nonetheless, the challenge persists and attempts at infiltration continue.
Iran’s ambitions in the Gulf are not an aberration; they are the culmination of
a trajectory. Regimes have changed and slogans have evolved, but the underlying
project remains: the pursuit of a regional role, often at the expense of the
Iranian people themselves. Tracing this arc back to the Shah shows that while
the form changes, the essence does not: a power in search of a sphere of
influence.
Final thought: from the Shah’s nationalism to the mullahs’ ideological rule, the
defeat is one and the same.
Selected Face
Book & X tweets for April 25/2026
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Lebanese Military Tribunal summoned the lady on the left for
threatening national security by criticizing Hezbollah but didn’t interfere with
the Hezbollah official on the right even after he had threatened Lebanese
President Aoun with assassination if he pressed on with talks with Israel.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
For those who don't know who President Chamoun was or his policy, during his
term (1952-1958), he transformed Lebanon into America's main ally in the Middle
East. At the time, America had not yet noticed the prowess of Israel, which was
the closest ally of France, until after Israel won the 1967 War that the Jewish
state fought using French arms. At that point, Washington noticed that Israel
was a worthy ally (and not because Jews run the United States). The mutual
benefit alliance has been standing strong since.
Now back to Lebanon. The country was designed as a Christian nation in a
predominantly Sunni Muslim Levant, just like Israel was designed as the Jewish
state. The Jews knew how to grow their state, the Christians engaged in
politicking and internal bickering, often inviting outsiders (Sunni or Shia
Muslims) against each other. Israel thus became a miracle of a country while
Lebanon became the global standard for failing states.
Hanin Ghaddar
If he has read my and my colleagues’ work, he wouldn’t throw these easy
accusations that we don’t care about local or regional dynamics. That’s
literally what we’ve been doing for the past few decades. These guys live on
attacking other people’s serious work because they have nothing important to
say.
Tom Harb
https://x.com/i/status/2047436632966508935
Praise to Anthony Merchak, MTV Lebanon’s top White House journalist, for asking
Pres Trump about Lebanon’s 70-yr law criminalizing Israeli contact—no one ever
did! Trump offered help, calling it “crazy”—historic moment for Lebanese voices!
@WhiteHouse @realDonaldTrump @anthonymerchak @MTVLebanonNews commend this brave
reporter! 🇱🇧🇺🇸 #Lebanon #Trump
Hanin Ghaddar
That’s the worst recommendation I’ve ever heard. Hezbollah is an Iranian faction
(IRGC) - you want to infiltrate the LAF with Iranian troops? We should clean the
army from those who coordinate with Hezbollah, instead of allowing the IRGC to
be part of it.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
The irony of Lebanon is that
@LBpresidency
President Aoun and @nawafsalam PM Salam say that if
the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF - @LebarmyOfficial )
disarm Hezbollah, there will be civil war. In reality, however, the injustice
between the armed Shia Hezbollah and the not-armed all other sects (Christian,
Sunni, Druze) is feeding the Lebanese outrage against the Shia and their militia
and will likely drive Lebanon to a civil war.Injustice and continued Hezbollah's
armament and tyrannizing of others is what causes civil war. Disarming Hezbollah
and making all Lebanese equal is what staves off civil war.
Ambassade du Liban en France
During the visit of His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Lebanese Republic
to Paris, Dr. Nawaf Salam, the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron
has decided to exempt Lebanese students enrolled in French public universities
from the fees
Dana Levi דנה🇮🇱🇺🇸
If we look in detail at the Jumblatt family, the dominant clan of the Druze in
Lebanon, they are actually Kurds from Aleppo by origin, who were sent as
governors to the unruly Druze in Lebanon during the Ottoman times in the 19th
century. They settled in Mukhtara, where the Turks gifted them a palace. Later,
one of the Jumblatt ancestors married a Druze woman from Beit-Wahab, after which
they began to call themselves Druze. Since then, they have considered themselves
the leaders of the Lebanese Druze, having expelled all those who disagreed with
them during the Turkish times, distributing land to the poor in exchange for the
loyalty of the population. They also bought a large amount of land in the
region, being considered major landowners in Lebanon today.
In the 20th century, the Jumblatts supported the uprising against the Turks and
declared their commitment to Arab nationalism. Kamal Jumblatt, father of the
current leader Walid, asked the Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser for Al-Azhar
to recognize the Druze as Shia Muslims so that he could claim a higher post in
the state, and Nasser agreed to expand his influence in Lebanon. The Social
Progressive Party of the Jumblatts entered an alliance with the Palestinians,
Yasser Arafat personally armed the Druze and they were allies, making them one
of the key forces during the Lebanese Civil War.
However, the Jumblatts faced criticism within the Druze community in Lebanon
when they established good relations with the new authorities in Syria, which
was in contrast to the majority of Druze in their own country. The Jumblatts did
this to expand their influence and on Syrian Druze. They fiercely feud with the
spiritual leader of the Druze of Israel Muwafak Tarif, considering him a
pro-Zionist collaborator, and additionally with the Syrian leader of the Druze
Hikmat al-Hijri, who is also accused of collaborationism.
The Jumblatts differ greatly from the leaders of the Druze of Israel and Syria
in that they are completely secular, not being clerics, not focusing on
leadership solely over the Druze, considering the Druze an integral part of the
Arab nation, then claiming within this framework the supreme power in Lebanon in
principle, therefore they call for the dismantling of the confessional system,
when the highest power in the country is distributed by religious sign, wishing
to create a strong state and a single political nation in Lebanon. Moreover,
they are consistent supporters of the Palestinians.