English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News &
Editorials
For July 10/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
The Bulletin's Link on the lccc Site
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/aaaanewsfor2026/english.july10.26.htm
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Bible Quotations For today
Who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will
acknowledge him before the angels of God; but whoever denies me before others
will be denied before the angels of God
Luke 12/06-10: "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet
not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are
all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. ‘And I
tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will
acknowledge before the angels of God; but whoever denies me before others will
be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the
Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will
not be forgiven."
Titles For Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related
News & Editorials published on 09-10 July/2026
Walid Jumblatt’s stance on the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel is
a shameful and dhimmitude capitulation to the terrorism of Berri and
Hezbollah/Elias Bejjani/July 08/2026
Khamenei's Funeral Turned Quranic Verses into Diplomatic Tools Serving Iran's
Terrorist, Sectarian, and Expansionist Project/Elias Bejjani/July 06/2026
Conscience in Faith Concepts: The Divine Voice Dwelling in Man/Elias Bejjani/July
05/2025
Trump thinks Israel is 'going to' withdraw from south Lebanon
US says Lebanon, Israel enter next phase of Hezbollah disarmament deal
Katz: Tel Aviv Doesn't Need Permission to Enter or Remain in Lebanon
Let us Live & not only survive/Abu Arz/Facebook/July 9, 2026
Israeli Chief of Staff: Hundreds of Aircraft on “Immediate Readiness” to Monitor
Developments in Lebanon and Iran
US ambassador to Lebanon foresees Israeli withdrawal
US official says first pilot zone in Lebanon will be launched 'in a matter of
days'
Lebanon heads into a busy July of diplomacy with a Trump meeting and Rome talks
with Israel
Lebanon Says US Delegation will Oversee Israeli Withdrawal from 'Pilot Zones'
Lebanese president’s aide Jean Aziz, says Hezbollah must be disarmed, calls for
Israeli withdrawal
Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon: Washington Announces First “Trial Zone” for
Israeli Troop Withdrawal Within Days
200 Meters Long: Israeli Army Announces Destruction of Two Tunnels in Majdal
Zoun
Lebanese Presidency: US Military Delegation to Arrive Soon to Oversee Israeli
Withdrawal in Accordance with Framework Agreement to End War
Lebanon's President to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Chose Negotiation to Limit the
Occupation and the Suffering of Southerners/Beirut: Ghassan Charbel/Asharq
Alawsat/July 09/2026
Link to a video comment (Facebook from Red TV: by Engineer Alfred Mady): “I
don’t understand why the Lebanese-Syrian Higher Committee was established? I
don’t understand how the Syrians can help us get rid of Iranian influence
without entering Lebanon?”
Article text, video link, and commentary by journalist Ali Hamadeh
Israeli Army Arrests Citizens Attempting to Enter Syrian Territory
Lebanese Army Enters Wadi al-Salouqi to Repair Water Network... Israeli
Escalation Continues in the South
Earthquake Strikes Off Sidon… Here’s What the National Center for Geophysics
Announced
Amnesty Urges Investigating Israeli Attacks on Lebanon as ‘War Crimes’
UNIFIL expands operations in South Lebanon as violence declines but situation
remains fragile
Jordanian businessman Al Khawaja responds to BDL statement on judicial
proceedings
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on
09-10 July/2026
Israel says ready to attack Iran for ‘third time if necessary’
Israel raises alert level after US strikes on Iran
Wider war threatens as Iran says it struck U.S. bases
Several explosions heard in areas in southern Iran
Rubio meets Princess Reema at State Department, reaffirms strong US-Saudi ties
GCC condemns Iran’s ‘repeated heinous’ attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait
Iran fired ten ballistic missiles on Jordan's Azraq military base
Missile alert sirens sound in Jordan as Iran retaliates across wider Mideast
Iran says it hits US military targets in Gulf, lays slain leader to rest
Iran says millions are mourning Khamenei. That’s not the full picture
Iran launches more strikes after accusing US of striking near nuclear plant
Regional rivalries expand across multiple fronts: Israel faces growing tensions
with Turkey
Iraq Moves to Mend Gulf Ties, Al-Zaidi Proposes New Partnership
Iraq Moves to Mend Gulf Ties, Al-Zaidi Proposes New Partnership
US to Remove Syria from Terror Blacklist
Chemical Weapons Watchdog Reinstates Syria’s Voting Rights
Palestinian Legislative Vote Set for Nov 28: Presidential Decree
Hamas Shifts Its Center of Gravity to Türkiye, Seeks Rapprochement with Syria
Kremlin says US wrong to think escalation of Ukrainian strikes can help end war
MBS, Canada’s Carney discuss regional developments, bilateral ties in Jeddah
Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials
from miscellaneous sources published
on 09-10 July/2026
The Politics of Managing
Deadlocks/Charles Chartouni/Ici Beyrouth/July 09/2026
La politique de gestion des impasses/Charles Chartouni/Ici Beyrouth/09 juillet
2026
Hamas's Latest Trick: Leaving Government, Keeping Weapons/Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone
Institute/July 09, 2026
Iran Continues Work at Key Nuclear Site, Violating U.S.-Iran Agreement/Andrea
Stricker/FDD-Policy Brief/July 09/2026
Trump Shouldn’t Delist Syria Without Conditions/Ahmad Sharawi/National
Review/July 09/2026
The forgotten history of Muslim socialism/Clifford D. May/The Washington
Times/July 07/2026
In Iraq... the Country's Good Comes Before Any Other Interest/Suleiman JawdaAmr
el-Shobaki/Asharq Alawsat/July 09/2026
In Syria, the Logic of the State Prevails/Amr el-Shobaki/Asharq Alawsat/July
09/2026
Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese
Related News & Editorials published on 09-10 July/2026
Walid Jumblatt’s stance on the framework agreement between
Lebanon and Israel is a shameful and dhimmitude capitulation to the terrorism of
Berri and Hezbollah
Elias Bejjani/July 08/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/155776/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmpz6yGfjUA
Walid Jumblatt may be in need of psychological treatment, as he lives in a
bygone era of Lebanese history that will never return. He remains a prisoner of
the “worn-out” culture and mentality of the Lebanese, anti-peace, jihadist, and
hypocritically Arabist “National Movement.” He has been and continues to be
submerged in a culture of hatred, animosity, acrobatics, arrogance, and
deception. Ever since he inherited the legacy of his father—who was assassinated
by the Hafez al-Assad regime—he has humbly accepted working against the Lebanese
entity, state, norms, coexistence, and diverse social segments under the
umbrella of the so called “National Movement.” For this reason, he wore the
Arafat-era terrorist, jihadist, and Arabist keffiyeh, alongside his friend Nabih
Berri and the leftist faction that hates even itself, and he subserviently
joined the criminal Assad regime that openly assassinated his father.
His positions are chameleon-like, with a hundred different colors, and cannot be
understood outside the culture and mentality of opportunism, dhimmitude,
personal agendas, and self-interest. Because he is a captive of feudal and
arrogant thinking, he often begins his speeches by saying, “I have agreed with
Taymour,” as if the country belongs to him and his son Taymour, and that they
are the ones who decide for the Druze community in particular, and for the
Lebanese people in general.
He has become addicted to—or rather, inherited—a worn-out culture that has
become a thing of the past. Consequently, Lebanon will not see any positive
change as long as he, his partner in corruption and decadence Nabih Berri,
Hezbollah, and the majority of local political parties’ owners and their deep
state remain in control of all state institutions.
As for the stupidity, ignorance, and sterility of the thought of those
sycophantic politicians and journalists who applaud the “intelligence” and
“vision” of Walid Jumblatt… words fail to describe it.
In this narcissistic context, Jumblatt’s stance on the framework agreement
between Lebanon and Israel, sponsored by the United States, is the height of
stupidity, opportunism, lack of vision, and hostility toward Lebanon and the
Lebanese people. This disgraceful position was expressed yesterday in a
memorandum he presented to the Druze Religious Council on July 07, 2026, which
stated: “The framework agreement is not a tripartite agreement, but a unilateral
one dictated by Israel and the United States, which is not a guarantor power to
be relied upon.” “Israel dictated this agreement to a Lebanese team—both abroad
and inside—with limited experience in law and diplomacy, along with some
bureaucrats who met with the Baabda and Saray (PM headquarter) groups.” “I
supported negotiation in principle, but not to arrive at this agreement or
framework, which will not lead to a ceasefire.” He stated that “talking about
peace with Israel is impossible,” citing the words of Prince Turki al-Faisal,
whom he described as “very important,” regarding the policy of Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel.
He said, “Let us abandon the word ‘peace’ out of respect for ourselves and
history,” pointing out that “the term ‘Zionist enemy,’ which we have not heard
from some in the country, was mentioned in the statement that condemned the
ongoing and persistent Zionist aggression.” He considered that “the framework
memorandum has overthrown all the foundations of the Taif Agreement, which is a
very dangerous matter,” noting that “since the 1949 Armistice Agreement, through
to the Taif Agreement and all international resolutions, a withdrawal from the
South were mentioned, except in this treaty and this dictate.” He added, “This
is what we have reached when the fate of the country is handed over to groups
with no experience in international politics, whose only concern is power.”
Jumblatt addressed the mayors in the South, calling for “rejecting calls to join
Israel and showing solidarity with our people in the South.”
To begin with, any stances, regardless of their nature, content, or level, and
any narative—whether negative or positive—taken by Walid Jumblatt have no value,
weight, or credibility. The saying we use in the mountains applies to him 100%:
“His word is not to be relied upon.”
The disaster in Lebanon with Jumblatt, and other political merchants, is that
they are a group of hypocrites, frauds, opportunists who bow to the power,
switch jackets, change hats, and are defined by defeatism and surrender. With
them, we can only reap defeats, disasters, poverty, and misery.
If free people everywhere in the world had accepted their submissive and
prostrate logic, nations would never have been liberated, democracy would not
have spread, and there would be no human rights charters or United Nations.
Walid Jumblatt specifically is a strange and peculiar creature, and one of the
most dangerous politicians to Lebanon in general, and to his own Druze community
in particular, because he permits for himself whatever suits his personal
interests, rather than what is in the interest of his sect and the homeland.
Anyone who looks back at his frightening chameleon-like past and his series of
fluctuations and betrayals since entering politics sees that he is
opportunistic, power-seeking, inconsistent, and narcissistic. He has no
permanent friendship with anyone, and he has no problem with swallowing his
words at any time and replacing them with others, always under the slogan: “One
hour of abandonment and one hour of manifestation.”
He fought the Lebanese using the Palestinians, the Syrians, Gaddafi, Nasserism,
and Saddam Hussein—every infiltrator, invader, and occupier—and then turned
against them the moment their strength waned.
He exploited the March 14 alliance, then betrayed it and the Cedar Revolution.
He is now surrendering to Hezbollah’s weapons and subserviently begging for the
approval of Berri and Hezbollah.
Wisdom dictates that Saudi Arabia and the Arab Gulf states should stop providing
him with money. And in short, the man is a major Lebanese political disaster,
and he is always prepared to burn Lebanon and the world for the sake of his own
interests. Ultimately, containing the evil and danger of Walid Jumblatt lies in
keeping him strictly in the category of “neither friend nor foe,” and keeping
him in front of us, not behind us or on the side.
The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website:
https://eliasbejjaninews.com
Khamenei's Funeral Turned Quranic Verses into
Diplomatic Tools Serving Iran's Terrorist, Sectarian, and Expansionist Project
Elias Bejjani/July 06/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/155706/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuVErvArXao
Woe to you, destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, betrayer,
you who have not been betrayed! When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed;
when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed.(Isaiah 33:01)
The funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was not merely a farewell
ceremony for a man who ruled Iran for decades. Rather, it was a massive
political and ideological display that once again exposed the essence of Iran's
terrorist regime, which uses religion to serve a dictatorial authority and
exploits religious texts to justify influence, expansion, and domination.
In reality, Khamenei was not a religious symbol or a spiritual authority. He was
the head of a criminal and terrorist regime responsible for decades of internal
repression against the Iranian people, foreign interference, and the export of
the mullahs’ revolutionary project based on the doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih.
During his rule, Iranians were subjected to repeated waves of killings, arrests,
persecution, impoverishment, displacement, humiliation, and isolation, while the
country's wealth was squandered on wars, militias, terrorism, Shiite
proselytization, and expansionist projects stretching from Lebanon to Syria,
Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza.
Therefore, the image that Iran's rulers attempted to present as a popular
referendum on Khamenei's popularity does not change the fact that millions of
Iranians view his legacy very differently—as a legacy of repression, poverty,
international isolation, and the squandering of the nation's resources.
Iran's Quranic Diplomacy
The most striking aspect of the funeral ceremonies was not the crowds or the
foreign delegations, but what can be described as "Quranic diplomacy," whereby a
specific Quranic verse was assigned to each official or political delegation
attending the funeral.
The issue was not the recitation of the Quran itself, but the transformation of
Quranic verses into political messages carrying meanings of endorsement,
classification, criticism, or praise depending on each delegation's position
toward Iran's regional project.
First: The Saudi Delegation
The following verse was recited:
"There has already been for you a sign in the two armies that met in battle: one
fighting in the cause of Allah and the other disbelieving." (Quran 3:13)
From a political perspective, this verse speaks of a confrontation between
believers and unbelievers. Many therefore viewed its selection during the
reception of the Saudi delegation as intentional and politically insulting,
suggesting an ideological and moral classification of the other side.
If this interpretation is correct, then the Iranian regime used a Quranic text
to send a negative and offensive political message to a major Arab and Islamic
country officially participating in the event.
Second: The Hamas Delegation
The following verse was recited:
"Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah..."
(Quran 33:23)
This verse speaks of loyalty, steadfastness, and sacrifice. Politically, it
appeared to be a direct tribute to Hamas, its leaders, and its members, while
reaffirming its place within the Iranian axis.
Third: Hezbollah's Delegation
The following verse was recited:
"Whoever takes Allah, His Messenger, and the believers as allies, then indeed
the Party of Allah will be victorious." (Quran 5:56)
Here, the message required little interpretation. The appearance of the phrase
"Party of Allah" (Hezbollah) in the verse made its selection a direct
declaration of solidarity with the Lebanese group that represents one of Iran's
most important political and military arms outside its borders.
It was clear that the mullahs' regime intended through this verse to reaffirm
its commitment to the expansionist and sectarian project it built in Lebanon
through Hezbollah, which the author views as an Iranian army made up of Lebanese
mercenaries, despite the destruction, divisions, crises, displacement, poverty,
and futile wars that this project has caused.
Fourth: The Official Lebanese Delegation
The following verse was recited:
"If We had prescribed for them: 'Kill yourselves' or 'Leave your homes,' they
would not have done so except for a few of them." (Quran 4:66)
The verse speaks about the unwillingness of most people to endure major
sacrifices or carry out difficult commands. Politically, many observers
interpreted it as a message of criticism directed at the Lebanese state and as
an indication that Lebanon was not moving in accordance with Tehran's wishes or
providing the level of commitment expected to its regional project.
The message was viewed as arrogant, offensive, and an intrusion into Lebanese
affairs, coming from a defeated, terrorist, and criminal regime that has no
right to judge the patriotism of the Lebanese people or the choices of their
state.
The Most Dangerous Aspect
The most dangerous aspect of the funeral was that the conduct of the mullahs'
regime reflected a political and sectarian mentality immersed in illusions,
delusions, and fantasies, detached from reality, while presenting itself as the
guardian of truth, religion, scripture, and the classification of nations and
peoples.
Instead of being a human or national occasion, the funeral became a platform for
reproducing divisions and political axes, and a political festival using the
Quran as a diplomatic and propaganda tool.
Turning Quranic verses into political messages does not serve religion. Rather,
it places religion in the service of power and transforms sacred texts into
instruments of conflict and influence.
It was neither surprising nor new that chants of "Death to America" and "Death
to Israel" were repeatedly heard from participants in the funeral.
Official Lebanese Participation
In Lebanon, the decision to send an official high-level delegation to the
funeral sparked criticism from many Lebanese who believe that the Iranian regime
occupies Lebanon, bears responsibility for wars carried out through Hezbollah,
and continues to undermine Lebanese sovereignty through its ongoing support for
the group.
From this perspective, many believe that the official participation ignored the
heavy price Lebanon has paid as a result of being transformed into a
battleground for regional conflicts linked to Iranian policies.
Conclusion
The funeral was less a funeral ceremony than a massive political event aimed at
reinforcing the image of the Supreme Leader as the symbol of a regional axis
that transcends borders and at affirming the continuation of the path that has
governed Iran for decades.
The clearest message emerging from the event was that the Iranian regime still
views religion as a political and ideological tool used to justify influence,
classify allies and opponents, and provide a religious aura to an expansionist
authoritarian project that has burdened both Iran and the wider region with
conflict, war, and destruction.
The question remains: When will the countries of the region free themselves from
the logic of axes and foreign tutelage and build sovereign states that do not
seek anyone's approval, do not submit to blackmail, and do not allow any
external power, regardless of its religious or revolutionary slogans, to
confiscate their national decision-making or the dignity of their peoples?
The author is a Lebanese expatriate activist.
Author's website: https://eliasbejjaninews.com
Email: phoenicia@hotmail.com
Conscience in Faith Concepts: The Divine Voice
Dwelling in Man
Elias Bejjani/July 05/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/146391/
The study of conscience in the evangelical tradition is not merely an inquiry in
psychology or ethics, but a spiritual journey to explore the intimate
relationship between Creator and creature. Conscience, in its essence, is not
simply a human feeling or a product of social upbringing, but the Divine voice
dwelling in man—the presence of God guiding us to discern between good and evil.
It is the inner compass placed by the Creator in every human heart to be the
“judge” of thoughts and actions.
Conscience as a Divine Compass and Grace
Conscience is the “presence of God” within us. This is what distinguishes it
from a mere “feeling of guilt.” Saint John Chrysostom said: “Neither fame, nor
wealth, nor authority, nor bodily strength, nor a splendid table, nor elegant
clothes, nor any other human distinction can bring true happiness; but all these
come from a pure conscience.” This teaching affirms that true happiness springs
from inward harmony with God’s will, realized only through a straight
conscience. Christ likened conscience to the eye, saying:
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole
body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full
of darkness.” (Matthew 6:22-23)
Here the “eye” is conscience—pure and undefiled, allowing the light of God to
fill the whole of life.
Conscience as an Inner Witness and the Voice of God
God, who created man in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:27), did not
abandon him in the face of trials. He gave him conscience as a living voice, a
witness warning and restraining him—a kind of inner adversary against evil
intentions. Christ in the Sermon on the Mount said:
“Agree with your adversary quickly… lest your adversary deliver you to the
judge.” (Matthew 5:25)
This “adversary” is the conscience, confronting our wrongful desires to bring us
back to repentance before standing in divine judgment. The Apostle Paul
emphasized this truth, showing that conscience serves as a law written in the
heart even for the nations that did not receive the written Law: “For when
Gentiles, who do not have the Law, by nature do the things in the Law, these,
although not having the Law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the
Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between
themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them.” (Romans 2:14-15)
The Relationship Between Conscience and Freedom
In Christian understanding, freedom is not liberation from God but liberation
from sin. Jesus said:
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
Conscience directs and guards freedom. Neglect of conscience turns freedom into
demonic chaos leading to moral and social corruption. True freedom, however, is
the fruit of the Holy Spirit, freeing man from slavery to passions. Paul
declared:
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are
lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Corinthians
6:12)
Thus, a pure conscience empowers man to exercise freedom responsibly, without
falling captive to desires, while considering the weakness of others:
“Conscience, I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty
judged by another man’s conscience?” (1 Corinthians 10:29)
Conscience and Shame as Signs of Spiritual Life
Shame is the fruit of a living conscience. When man feels guilt, it is proof his
conscience is still listening to God’s voice. After the Fall, Adam and Eve felt
fear and shame:
“I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I
hid myself.” (Genesis 3:10)
Likewise, when Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees,
“Those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one,
beginning with the oldest even to the last.” (John 8:9)
The Apostle Paul warns against a “seared conscience”: “Speaking lies in
hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” (1 Timothy 4:2)
The death of conscience is the greatest spiritual danger—losing the ability to
hear God’s voice, leading to corruption and destruction.
The Saving Dimension of Conscience
A pure conscience leads to the Kingdom, for it brings repentance and holiness.
True peace comes only through forgiveness and the cleansing of conscience. Paul
proclaims:
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve
the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14)
Baptism is not merely an external washing but the renewal of conscience:
“There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21)
The Christian Mission of Conscience
The believer is called to maintain a pure conscience and bear witness to truth
in a world that justifies sin under false slogans. Paul declared:
“This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense
toward God and men.” (Acts 24:16)
And again: “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we
conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with
fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:12)
Conscience in the Qur’anic Understanding: The Voice of God Within Man
Surah Ash-Shams (91:7–8)
Qur’anic text: {وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا • فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا}/Interpretive
translation in Arabic: By the soul and He who proportioned it, and inspired it
with its wickedness and its righteousness.
Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:2)
Qur’anic text: {وَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالنَّفْسِ اللَّوَّامَةِ}/Interpretive
translation in Arabic: And I swear by the self-reproaching soul — the one that
reproaches its owner and blames him for his deeds.
Surah Al-Hashr (59:18)
Qur’anic text: {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنْظُرْ
نَفْسٌ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ}/Interpretive translation in Arabic: O you who
believe, fear Allah, and let every soul look to what it has sent forth for
tomorrow (the Day of Judgment).
Surah Al-Infitar (82:10–12)
Qur’anic text: {وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحَافِظِينَ • كِرَامًا كَاتِبِينَ •
يَعْلَمُونَ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ}/Interpretive translation in Arabic: Indeed, over
you are appointed guardians, noble recorders, who know whatever you do.
Surah Qaf (50:16)
Qur’anic text: {وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ
نَفْسُهُ}/Interpretive translation in Arabic: We have certainly created man, and
We know what his soul whispers within him.
Surah Al-Isra (17:14)
Qur’anic text: {اقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَ كَفَى بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا}/Interpretive
translation in Arabic: Read your book; sufficient are you today against yourself
as reckoner.
Surah Aal ‘Imran (3:30)
Qur’anic text: {يَوْمَ تَجِدُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَا عَمِلَتْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ مُحْضَرًا
وَمَا عَمِلَتْ مِنْ سُوءٍ}/Interpretive translation in Arabic: On that Day,
every soul will find present whatever good it has done, and whatever evil it has
done.
Surah Az-Zalzalah (99:7–8)
Qur’anic text: {فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ • وَمَنْ
يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ}/Interpretive translation in Arabic: So
whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s
weight of evil will see it.
Surah At-Takwir (81:14) Qur’anic text: {عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَا أَحْضَرَتْ}
Interpretive translation in Arabic: Then every soul will know what it has
brought forth.
Conclusion
In both the Bible and the Qur’an, conscience is understood as the inner voice of
God.
In Scripture: a witness of truth, guiding freedom, convicting of sin, and
leading to holiness.
In the Qur’an: the self-reproaching soul, the divine inspiration within man,
God’s knowledge of hidden thoughts, and the call to a pure heart.
Conscience, therefore, is the sacred meeting point between Creator and creature.
Whoever keeps his conscience pure lives in God’s light and tastes already the
pledge of the Kingdom. Whoever silences his conscience becomes enslaved to sin
and strays from God.
Let us pray to preserve this divine voice within us—alive, active, and obeyed—so
that our lives may glorify God and lead us into His eternal presence.
The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website: https://eliasbejjaninews.com
**Elias Bejjani
Canadian-Lebanese Human Rights activist, journalist and political commentator
Email phoenicia@hotmail.com &
media.lccc@gmail.com
Trump thinks Israel is 'going to' withdraw from south
Lebanon
Naharnet/July 08/2026
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he believes that Israel will
eventually withdraw from south Lebanon. “Well, I talked to Bibi (Israeli PM
Benjamin Netanyahu) about that. I think they’re going to, I think they want to,”
Trump said in response to a reporter’s question, during a joint press conference
in Turkey with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. “They’re getting along with
Lebanon, they’re signing deals with Lebanon – first time ever … It’s a big
thing; first time in many years,” Trump added about the latest Lebanese-Israeli
negotiations and framework agreement. Asked about a possible Syrian intervention
in Lebanon, Trump said: “They could help, we’ll find out. I think we’re making a
lot of progress.”
US says Lebanon, Israel enter next phase of Hezbollah
disarmament deal
Al Arabiya English/09 July ,2026
A US official said Thursday that Lebanon and Israel have entered the
implementation phase of a US-brokered agreement aimed at disarming Hezbollah.
“The first pilot zone will launch in a matter of days, and further pilot zones
are being mapped out and planned,” the official said, adding that the US Central
Command (CENTCOM) is coordinating with both countries to advance the effort.The
latest round of direct US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel is scheduled
for next week in Rome. Previous rounds, launched by the Trump administration
earlier this year, were held at the State Department and the White House. The
Rome talks will take place behind closed doors, the official said, allowing both
governments “to hand off to technical teams, which will work on all issues
outlined in the framework.”The official also said Washington will soon begin
engaging international partners to help Beirut “effectively restore sovereignty
in these zones and across their country more broadly.” Lebanese President Joseph
Aoun is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on July
21.
Katz: Tel Aviv Doesn't Need Permission to Enter or
Remain in Lebanon
South Lebanon/July 9, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz affirmed that Israel will continue its
military operations from within the "security zone" in southern Lebanon until
Hezbollah is disarmed, emphasizing that Tel Aviv does not need permission to
enter or remain in Lebanon. In remarks responding to statements by US President
Donald Trump regarding Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, Katz said that Israel
"did not request permission from any party to enter Lebanon, nor does it need
permission to remain there." He added that the Israeli army will continue
operating from within the "security zone" until the goal of disarming Hezbollah
throughout Lebanon is achieved. He pointed out that Israel has established a
"strong security zone" extending from the sea in the west to Beaufort Castle and
Mount Hermon in the east, considering this zone an integral part of its security
arrangements. Katz also claimed that the Israeli army "destroyed most of
Hezbollah's capabilities and leadership over the past two and a half years,"
asserting that military operations will continue as Israel deems necessary.
Katz's remarks come amid continued tensions on the border, and as international
efforts continue to solidify the ceasefire and implement UN Security Council
Resolution 1701, while Israel maintains its commitment to maintaining a military
presence in the areas it designates as the "security zone."
Let us Live & not only survive
Abu Arz/Facebook/July 9, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
Said Akl says:
“Instead of merely existing, you must truly live.
Existing is attending to worldly affairs,
but living is attending to the affairs of the mind.”
And we add: Human beings are not complete simply by their biological existence,
but rather they are elevated by rising from the level of instinct to the level
of humanity.
Labbayk_Lebanon
Israeli Chief of Staff: Hundreds of Aircraft on “Immediate
Readiness” to Monitor Developments in Lebanon and Iran
South Lebanon/July 9, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
During a speech at the graduation ceremony for the 192nd Air Force course, the
Israeli Chief of Staff announced that the Air Force had conducted a series of
highly complex military operations and security missions over the past two and a
half years. He described these operations as part of a “multi-front war”
strategy in the skies of the Middle East, noting that the actual scale and
magnitude of these operations were “difficult to describe in words” as they
extended to various regional fronts. The Chief of Staff explained that the Air
Force had succeeded in establishing “absolute air superiority,” enabling its
aircraft to fly and carry out missions over any geographical area chosen in the
region. He pointed to the launching of surprise and decisive military strikes
targeting senior leaders of the Iranian regime, officials in the nuclear
program, and weapons manufacturing and development facilities, as well as
neutralizing air defense batteries and ballistic missile launch sites.
Expanding the Target Range: Gaza, Beirut, Sana'a, and Tehran
In his assessment of the field situation, he noted that the military operations
had expanded the scope of the confrontation to an unprecedented degree, such
that the Gaza, Beirut, Sana'a, and Tehran fronts were all now within the direct
targeting range of the Air Force. He added that the Air Force Command had
simultaneously succeeded in managing air defense systems and achieving high
interception rates against missile and drone attacks, thus ensuring the
continuation of offensive operations and thwarting what he described as
"existential threats" before they could become imminent dangers.
Partnership with Washington and Immediate Readiness
In a related context, the Chief of Staff highlighted the nature of the strategic
cooperation with the US military, describing it as a "unique partnership" that
has resulted in the execution of joint operations and high-level field
coordination, which in turn has led to the development of unprecedented military
capabilities that enhance the multi-theater role of the Air Force. He revealed
that hundreds of fighter jets have been placed on high alert and ready for
immediate deployment in recent weeks, supported by the efforts of tens of
thousands of logistical and technical personnel from various specialties,
including air traffic controllers, planners, and command, control, and
communications staff. He emphasized the close monitoring of developments on the
ground in Iran and Lebanon, and the complete readiness to act immediately and
respond to any attempt to undermine the military with a "strong and swift"
military response.
Operational Integration and Yas'ur Helicopters in the Field
The Chief of Staff concluded by praising the level of joint operational
integration with the ground forces, noting that fighter jets and attack
helicopters have carried out thousands of airstrikes during the ongoing battles
in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. He affirmed that this air effort has provided
direct support and cover for ground forces in defensive, penetration, and
offensive operations, in addition to carrying out sensitive logistical missions,
including troop transport and the evacuation of the wounded from the front lines
using Yas'ur heavy transport helicopters. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that Israel would remain in the "security zone" in
southern Lebanon "as long as necessary," emphasizing that the war "is not over"
and that new challenges are emerging for Israel. Netanyahu stated that the
Iranian regime "received a severe blow," asserting that Israel's policy is
clear: it will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons, regardless of whether
an agreement is reached. He added that "had Israel not acted, Iran would have
already acquired nuclear weapons," noting that "axises are collapsing and others
are rising in the Middle East, and we are monitoring developments and preparing
for every scenario." Netanyahu stressed that maintaining Israel's air
superiority is "a cornerstone of national security and a key to maintaining
stability in the Middle East."
US ambassador to Lebanon foresees Israeli withdrawal
Arab News/July 09/2026
DUBAI: Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun met with US Ambassador to Beirut Michel
Issa to discuss his upcoming official visit to the United States on the
invitation of US President Donald Trump, as well as the current situation in
Lebanon and the wider region. During the meeting, President Aoun stressed the
importance of reinforcing the ceasefire in southern Lebanon and increasing
pressure on Israel to stop its military operations and comply with the framework
agreement announced following the Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations held in
Washington. He also called for an end to the hostilities by Israeli forces in
several occupied towns and villages. Following the meeting, Ambassador Issa said
President Aoun’s visit to Washington was particularly significant under the
current circumstances and reflects the level of attention President Trump is
giving to Lebanon, as well as his efforts to promote security and stability in
the country and alleviate the suffering of its people. Asked about the planned
meeting in Rome on July 14–15, Ambassador Issa explained that the decision to
hold the talks in the Italian capital was made solely for technical reasons
related to facilitating travel for ambassadors and delegation members. He noted
that the Rome meeting will focus on the organizational and implementation
aspects of the framework agreement, particularly the formation of specialized
working groups responsible for carrying out the arrangements agreed upon in
Washington. These teams may include legal or technical experts depending on the
issues involved.Issa said the Rome discussions were a continuation of the
understandings reached in Washington and added that additional meetings would
take place in Rome or other locations to monitor implementation according to
agreed stages.On the timeline for launching work in the pilot areas identified
during the Washington negotiations, Ambassador Issa said preparations were
underway to put the agreement into effect. He noted that a US military
delegation is expected in Beirut in the coming days to coordinate and establish
implementation mechanisms on the ground. He emphasized the need to prevent any
security vacuum following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the designated
areas, adding that the implementation timetable will be determined based on the
results of those coordination meetings.
US official says first pilot zone in Lebanon will be launched 'in a matter of
days'
LBCI/July 09/2026
"Rome is a closed discussion that will enable the governments to hand off to
technical teams, which will work on all issues outlined in the Framework," the
official said. He further noted that the first pilot zone will launch in a
matter of days, and further pilot zones are being mapped out and planned.
CENTCOM is coordinating with both countries to move forward."We will soon begin
outreach to international partners to help the Lebanese Government effectively
restore sovereignty in these zones and across their country more broadly."
Lebanon heads into a busy July of diplomacy with a Trump
meeting and Rome talks with Israel
LBCI/July 09/2026
Lebanon is set to take center stage in international diplomatic efforts this
July, with key meetings scheduled in Washington and Rome focusing on security,
sovereignty and relations with Israel.The most prominent event will take place
in Washington on July 21, when Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is expected to
visit the United States for official talks with President Donald Trump.
According to the Lebanese Embassy in Washington, discussions will focus heavily
on regional security, particularly developments related to Lebanon-Israel
relations, as well as continued U.S. support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and
stability.
The summit will mark the first face-to-face meeting between Aoun and Trump
following two phone calls between the two leaders. The first took place shortly
after the launch of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, while the
second occurred on June 27, when Trump congratulated Aoun on the signing of the
framework agreement. Ahead of the Washington meeting, Aoun discussed with Prime
Minister Nawaf Salam the need to consolidate the ceasefire and begin the Israeli
withdrawal from the pilot zones in South Lebanon. Aoun said he expects the
summit to bring positive developments for Lebanon, reiterating that the
negotiations, which have received support from a broad segment of Lebanese
society, including the Shiite community, helped curb the escalation of the war.
Before the Washington summit, Lebanon and Israel are expected to resume direct
talks, this time in Rome rather than the U.S. capital.
The next round of negotiations is scheduled for July 15 and 16, with Lebanon
represented by Ambassador Simon Karam and Ambassador Nada Moawad. The
composition of the delegation is expected to give the talks a political rather
than military character, as discussions continue over unresolved issues between
the two countries. The official invitation has not yet reached Beirut, but
coordination is underway through the Lebanese Embassy in Washington. According
to AFP, Lebanon has conditioned its participation in the Rome talks on Israel’s
withdrawal from two pilot zones in South Lebanon. Italy has welcomed hosting the
negotiations and expressed readiness to support dialogue aimed at achieving
peace. The choice of Rome has raised questions, particularly over why the talks
were moved away from Washington.
Diplomatic sources said holding negotiations in Washington had become
logistically difficult for both delegations due to the long travel distances.
Israel had reportedly proposed Cyprus as an alternative venue, while Washington
suggested Rome because its embassy there is equipped with the necessary
facilities to host the discussions.Italy was also viewed as an acceptable venue
by all parties, given its role as a key contributor to the United Nations
Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). However, the move to Rome does not indicate
any reduction in the U.S. role, as Washington will remain present and continue
serving as the main sponsor of the negotiations.
Lebanon Says US Delegation will Oversee Israeli Withdrawal
from 'Pilot Zones'
Asharq Alawsat/July 09/2026
A US delegation was expected to arrive in Lebanon soon to oversee the
implementation of Israel's withdrawal from "pilot zones" in the south, the
Lebanese presidency reported on Thursday, citing the American ambassador.
Lebanon is demanding that Israel withdraw from these zones before taking part in
a new round of negotiations scheduled for July 15 and 16 in Rome, a diplomatic
source familiar with the talks told AFP on Wednesday. The two countries reached
a framework agreement on June 26 that calls for Hezbollah's disarmament and a
gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory while Lebanon's army
deploys into "pilot zones".The US ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, told
President Joseph Aoun that "an American military delegation will arrive in
Beirut in the coming days to... determine the mechanism for implementation on
the ground," according to the Lebanese presidency. The agreement -- rejected by
Hezbollah -- does not set a timetable for Israel's withdrawal, and Israeli
officials have also vowed that their forces will remain in a "security zone" 10
kilometres (six miles) deep as long as Hezbollah remains armed. "It is essential
to avoid any vacuum when Israeli forces withdraw from the designated area," Issa
added, according to a statement from the presidency. Lebanese President Joseph
Aoun, for his part, once again called on the United States to "exert pressure on
Israel to halt military operations and comply with the provisions of the
framework". Aoun is expected to visit Washington later this month at the
invitation of his American counterpart Donald Trump.
Lebanese president’s aide Jean Aziz, says Hezbollah must be
disarmed, calls for Israeli withdrawal
Al Arabiya English/09 July ,2026
A senior political adviser to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Thursday there
is broad agreement in Lebanon on the need to disarm Hezbollah, while urging
Washington to press Israel to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory. “Everyone
agrees on the necessity to address Hezbollah’s weapons,” Jean Aziz, a political
adviser to Aoun, said. Speaking at Chatham House in London, Aziz described
Hezbollah’s disarmament as a three-stage process known as “DDR.” Disarmament,
demobilization and reintegration is a framework commonly used in political
science terms to best transform non-state armed groups, which Aziz said
Hezbollah was, into civilian or political actors. Aziz said Hezbollah was not a
“set of mercenaries” from outside Lebanon. “They are Lebanese people whom the
IRGC has invested tens of millions of dollars in for 40 years in technology,
indoctrination, education, schools, hospitals, and building an entire society
for the [Shia] sect,” Aziz said.
According to Aziz, the international community, particularly the United States
and Gulf states, must support Beirut’s calls for a complete Israeli withdrawal
from Lebanon to make Hezbollah’s disarmament possible.
“We cannot demobilize Hezbollah as long as there is an Israeli occupation in
Lebanon,” he said. Aziz added that a second requirement was an Israeli
commitment to a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue. “We are not
calling for [Palestinian] statehood or imposing our conditions on Palestinians;
they are the only ones who determine that. But we need a full withdrawal [from
Lebanon] and an irrevocable, just solution to the Palestinian cause,” Aziz
said.Hezbollah began launching attacks against Israel in October 2023, saying it
was acting in support of Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. The cross-border
fighting later escalated into a broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in 2024, hostilities resumed this year
after Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel following the killing of Iran’s supreme
leader.
After disarmament, demobilization would be “easy,” Aziz said, with the Lebanese
Armed Forces (LAF) asserting control over all Lebanese territory. On
reintegration, Aziz said Lebanon’s relatively small economy would require
limited international assistance. He pointed to billions of dollars in
remittances from the Lebanese diaspora as sufficient to help the country begin
rebuilding its economy. The Lebanese state could strengthen itself while
weakening non-state armed actors such as Hezbollah within one to three years,
Aziz said. “Throughout this period, the Lebanese army should control its borders
and be the sole decision-maker of war and peace so as not to give [Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu any excuse to continue destroying southern Lebanon
as he’s doing now.”
Why disarm Hezbollah?
Aziz concluded by explaining why, in his view, Lebanon needed to disarm
Hezbollah.He said the country could not become a fully functioning sovereign
state while an armed non-state actor operated outside government control. Aziz
also cited books written by Iranian leaders dating back to the 1979 revolution,
saying they shared common themes on how to ensure the survival of the regime.
One of those concepts, he said, translates as pride or supremacy, implying that
one group stands above all others.Another is “advanced defense,” which Aziz said
the Iranian regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have
practiced for decades by extending Iran’s influence beyond its borders to ensure
that any confrontation occurs abroad rather than inside Iran. Aziz urged Western
governments to recognize these elements of Iran’s strategy and ensure that
Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups are disarmed. Otherwise, he warned,
Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and the wider Levant could once again descend into chaos.
Separately, Aziz appealed to Israelis to recognize that displaced residents of
southern Lebanon would return to their homes and would not accept permanent
relocation elsewhere. He also urged Israelis to accept that they must ultimately
live in peace with their neighbors in Lebanon and Palestine.
“Anything else is suicidal.”
Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon: Washington Announces First “Trial Zone” for
Israeli Troop Withdrawal Within Days
South Lebanon/July 9, 2026
A US official involved in the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel revealed
that talks have moved from the negotiation phase to the implementation phase of
the “framework agreement,” indicating that the first trial zone for the Israeli
withdrawal in southern Lebanon will be determined in the coming days. The
official stated that work is currently underway to prepare maps and identify
additional trial zones, as part of implementing the understandings related to
the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. He added that the first trial zone
from which Israeli forces will withdraw will be finalized within days, to be
followed by other phases according to the agreed-upon implementation mechanism.
The US official explained that current efforts are focused on moving from
political understandings to practical steps, including preparing maps,
identifying withdrawal zones, and establishing mechanisms for implementing the
agreement on the ground.
200 Meters Long: Israeli Army Announces Destruction of Two
Tunnels in Majdal Zoun
South Lebanon/July 9, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
The Israeli army announced that forces from the 551st Brigade and the Yahalom
Unit, under the supervision of the 91st Division, destroyed two underground
tunnels in the town of Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon. The tunnels, totaling
approximately 200 meters in length and nearly 20 meters in depth, were destroyed
as part of operations conducted within what the army calls the "security zone."
The Israeli army stated that forces found living quarters and three launch sites
directed towards Israeli territory inside the tunnels, in addition to dozens of
weapons. It added that during the search operations, forces seized an arms cache
containing mortar shells, launchers, and RPG rounds. The army noted that the
town contains, as it described it, "extensive military infrastructure," and that
another underground tunnel in the area had been destroyed previously. The
Israeli army also stated that its forces killed a militant near one of the
tunnels last week, and affirmed that its operations to eliminate what it
described as threats in the area would continue.
Lebanese Presidency: US Military Delegation to Arrive Soon
to Oversee Israeli Withdrawal in Accordance with Framework Agreement to End War
Riyadh: Al-Arabiya.net and Agencies/July 9, 2026 (Google translation from
Arabic)
US Ambassador Michael Issa informed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut on
Thursday that a US military delegation will soon arrive in Lebanon to oversee
the start of Israel's withdrawal from two pilot areas, in accordance with the
framework agreement to end the war, the presidency announced. Lebanon and Israel
signed a framework agreement in Washington on June 26, which stipulated, in
particular, the disarmament of Hezbollah and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from
the territories it had occupied in southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army to
deploy there, beginning with two "pilot" areas. According to a statement from
the Lebanese presidency, Issa informed Aoun that "preparations are underway to
implement what was agreed upon regarding the pilot areas, and that a US military
delegation will arrive in Beirut within days to coordinate and determine the
implementation mechanism on the ground." Issa stressed that "it is essential to
avoid any vacuum during the Israeli withdrawal" from the designated area,
explaining that the implementation date will be determined based on "the results
of the coordination meetings." Lebanon is conditioning its participation in the
negotiations scheduled for next week in Rome on Israel's withdrawal from two
experimental areas in the south of the country, according to a diplomatic source
familiar with the negotiations who spoke to AFP on Wednesday. For his part, Aoun
emphasized "the necessity of consolidating the ceasefire in the south and
pressuring Israel to halt military operations and adhere to the terms" of the
agreement. The presidency quoted Aoun as affirming, during his meeting with a
delegation of mukhtars (local leaders) at the presidential palace, "the
importance of reaching an end to the state of hostility with Israel, after
fulfilling all Lebanese demands as quickly as possible," thus enabling the state
to "carry out its duties, protect everyone, and safeguard their interests,
instead of the sects and parties that previously assumed this responsibility."
The agreement does not specify a timetable for withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that their forces will not withdraw
from the ten-kilometer-deep security zone along the border until Hezbollah is
disarmed—a step analysts doubt the Lebanese state's ability to accomplish.
Hezbollah refuses to surrender its weapons and engage in direct negotiations
with Israel, relying instead on its backer, Iran, to end the conflict with the
Jewish state. An agreement signed by Washington and Tehran to end their conflict
in the Middle East, including in Lebanon, established a ceasefire days before
the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel was signed. The next round of
negotiations is scheduled to take place in Rome on the 15th and 16th of this
month, at the request of Washington, which hosted the first five rounds. Lebanon
has not yet officially confirmed its participation. A diplomatic source stated
on Wednesday that "the core issues to be discussed in the next phase, in order
to reach a final agreement between the two countries, require the negotiators to
return to their respective political leaderships for consultations. This is
impossible" if negotiations continue in Washington, given the geographical
distance from the decision-making centers in both countries. The next round of
negotiations will take place days before Aoun’s anticipated visit to Washington
at the invitation of his American counterpart, Donald Trump, which the Lebanese
presidency said on Thursday would take place during the last week of this month.
Lebanon's President to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Chose
Negotiation to Limit the Occupation and the Suffering of Southerners
Beirut: Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Alawsat/July 09/2026
With increasing military tension between the US and Iran in and around the
Strait of Hormuz, Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun is trying to hold onto
hope of emerging from the catastrophe that has afflicted his country. Using the
word "catastrophe" is not an exaggeration. The Israeli occupation in southern
Lebanon has expanded, bringing with it destruction, exacerbating the suffering
of displaced persons, and intensifying division over responsibility for the war
and ways out of it. Facing the Israeli military occupation of the South, Lebanon
has no choice but to rely on American assistance, which it hopes will
materialize further after the scheduled meeting at the White House on July 21
between the US and Lebanese presidents.
Aoun's Priorities for the Meeting with Trump
At Baabda Palace, Asharq Al-Awsat asked Aoun what Lebanon seeks from the White
House meeting.
He replied: "First, we want Lebanon to remain on the American agenda ... There
is no need to reiterate the importance of having a good relationship with the US
and benefiting from President Donald Trump's expressed desire to help us; his
role is vital, and we are counting on it." "We face an extremely difficult and
complex situation. We know well that the US is the only party capable of
exerting pressure on the Israeli government to prevent it from targeting the
southern suburbs (of Beirut), infrastructure, or expanding occupied areas in
southern Lebanon. No other party can fulfill this role." "We want the US
administration to help us restore our entire land. We will not relinquish a
single inch or a single citizen. The issue of our sovereignty is not subject to
concession or interpretation. It is at the forefront of the national principles
that we are keen to adhere to. We want the land to be returned and to be under
the sole authority of the Lebanese army, meaning under the authority of
legitimate Lebanese institutions," Aoun added. He stressed that Lebanon is
asking for its natural right to extend the authority of its legitimate
institutions over all Lebanese territories. "We cannot leave southern Lebanon
captive to regional developments, with its people paying heavy prices in lives
and property.""Lebanon's fate cannot be separated from the fate of its south,
neither in security, nor in economy, nor in stability," Aoun added.
Relatives of missing victims weep, as they gather at the site of destroyed
buildings that were hit in an Israeli airstrike in Qannarit village, southern
Lebanon, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
"We want President Trump to support our legitimate demands for the restoration
of our entire land, and he is expected to succeed in persuading Israel to
withdraw from Lebanon. I want to inform him of the reality in southern Lebanon
and the dangers of maintaining the current situation or returning to
escalation," Aoun told Asharq-Awsat. He also hoped for American support for the
Lebanese army, which is tasked with difficult missions, and for the
reconstruction of what the war has destroyed and assistance to stimulate the
Lebanese economy after the significant losses it has suffered.
Calculations of Direct Negotiation with Israel
Regarding the division over the method of direct negotiations with Israel, Aoun
said: "We were not in a situation that allowed for ideal choices. The war
threatened to expand, along with Israel threatening to occupy more territory.
The scenes of displacement were harsh, as were the scenes of destruction."
"There was a risk of widespread destruction to Beirut and its infrastructure. We
were effectively faced with a single option, especially given the significant
imbalance of power. We had no choice but to seek assistance from the US. Direct
negotiations were the only available option for us to make a serious attempt to
shorten the period of occupation of our land, alleviate the suffering of the
displaced, open the door for their return to their villages, and strive to
rebuild what was destroyed."
Aoun pointed out that "the state is responsible for the fate of every inch and
every citizen. There is no distinction between one inch and another, or one
citizen and another. We made difficult decisions based on our national
responsibilities. We cannot continue to pay prices for any other party."
"Lebanon's decisions must be made within its legitimate institutions. Lebanon
must defend its interests, sovereignty, and stability, which is why we said we
would not accept anyone else negotiating on our behalf or in our name, nor
becoming a bargaining chip in others' calculations," he stated.
Regarding the uproar caused by Trump's suggestion of a meeting between him and
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Aoun stated that
"the idea of this meeting is fundamentally ruled out, but social media and
others sometimes indulge in baseless scenarios."
Attempts to Overthrow the Government
Regarding the possibility of opponents of the framework agreement between
Lebanon and Israel resorting to overthrowing the government, he said: "Changing
the government is guided by constitutional frameworks. However, using the street
to overthrow the cabinet is rejected. Furthermore, institutions play their role,
always within the limits of available capabilities."He stressed that "the
government's performance is excellent, and the ministers are productive."
Regarding his ties with Hezbollah, Aoun said: "We did not choose to sever ties
with anyone. Our offices are open to everyone without exception.""There is an
objection to a choice made by the state to shorten the period of occupation and
the suffering of the people. Whoever has another option to achieve this goal
should present it, and we will discuss it. The option of continued war is not an
option," he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
On the inclusion of a ceasefire in Lebanon in the first clause of the
American-Iranian Memorandum of Understanding and its impact on the framework
agreement, he said: "We welcome any assistance that aligns with Lebanon's
interests. America is the only one capable of exerting pressure on Israel or
persuading it. And Iran is the only one capable of influencing Hezbollah and its
decisions. Of course, while affirming that Lebanon is the one negotiating on all
matters related to it."
Regarding Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's opposition to the framework
agreement with Israel, Aoun said: "Speaker Berri is a statesman, and we share
what are considered red lines, which are not compromising civil peace, the
reputation and role of the army, and not resorting to street protests."
He also noted that his relationship with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is
excellent.
Relationship Between Aoun and the Army Commander
Asked about the army's cohesion given Lebanon's circumstances and about rumors
of renewed tensions between him and Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, the
Lebanese president replied that "the army is cohesive and has not faltered. It
is already implementing government decisions, naturally within the available
capabilities."
"The army and all security institutions are doing everything they can. My
relationship with General Haykal is excellent. There is no truth to the claims
circulated by some media outlets."
President Joseph Aoun meeting with Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal
(Lebanese Presidency)
Aoun also expressed his satisfaction with Arab support for Lebanon. He said:
"Saudi Arabia, as always, has not hesitated to provide any assistance we request
to support our efforts in restoring our rights and sovereignty.""I would like to
thank the Saudi leadership, especially Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for the
decision to resume Lebanese exports. I also want to thank the Qatari government
for assisting Lebanon, and the same applies to the United Arab Emirates, which
allowed its citizens to visit Lebanon."
When asked if he was concerned about his safety, Aoun replied with a smile: "God
is the guardian. No one dies before their time comes."
Link to a video comment (Facebook from Red TV: by
Engineer Alfred Mady): “I don’t understand why the Lebanese-Syrian Higher
Committee was established? I don’t understand how the Syrians can help us get
rid of Iranian influence without entering Lebanon?”
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1571843927935889
Article text, video link, and commentary by journalist
Ali Hamadeh: A strategic analysis of the potential for renewed war between
Hezbollah and Israel, and the latest developments in the tensions between the
US, Iran, and the Gulf states.
Lebanon on the Brink of a Third War!
Ali Hamadeh/An-Nahar/July 9, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/155808/
When the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) warns global airlines of the
dangers of crossing Iranian, Iraqi, and Lebanese airspace, it signifies that the
geopolitical analysis of a major European agency concerned with aviation safety,
which monitors tens of thousands of flights to, from, and through Europe,
portends dramatic developments that are feared to occur in the foreseeable
future. Anyone following the rapidly escalating developments between the United
States and Iran, beginning Tuesday night, cannot help but grasp the gravity of
the regional situation, especially given that both President Donald Trump and
the Iranian leadership have spoken of the collapse of the memorandum of
understanding between the two countries and the breakdown of the ceasefire. The
situation is therefore extremely dangerous, especially since current events are
undermining the diplomatic process, particularly given the vast divergence in
positions and approaches between Washington and Tehran on all issues. Hence, the
likelihood of a new war erupting between the two sides in the foreseeable future
is very high, given the ongoing conflict over sovereignty of the Strait of
Hormuz, the Iranian nuclear program, and other major issues. There is a central
issue for the Iranians, one they place at the forefront of their points of
contention: Lebanon. In Lebanon, Iran is vying with the United States, Israel,
and the Lebanese state to maintain its remaining influence and security and
military presence, while simultaneously attempting to rebuild the security and
military capabilities of its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah. This is precisely what
prevents the Lebanese state from fulfilling its key commitments stipulated in
the tripartite framework agreement with Israel and the United States. And this
is precisely what gives Israel a pretext to prolong its control over occupied
Lebanese territory in the south and to continue treating the Lebanese front as
one destined to erupt at any moment. For its part, Hezbollah continues to defy
the decisions of the Lebanese state, in collusion with complicit political
forces, and to pressure the government and the presidency to obstruct the
process of "monopolizing weapons" and negotiating with Israel to reach permanent
agreements that would close the chapter on past wars forever.
However, the dramatic developments that characterize the region may not give the
Lebanese state a chance to catch its breath and begin implementing its
commitments. If war breaks out in the Arabian Gulf and around the Strait of
Hormuz between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other,
the Iranian arm in Lebanon will act in concert with its leadership in Tehran and
escalate the military situation in southern Lebanon without any regard for the
consequences of igniting a third war with Israel. This could lead to the
expansion of Israeli military control over all of southern Lebanon, reaching as
far as parts of the Jezzine district and parts of the western Bekaa Valley,
potentially including the Shiite towns.
These are very realistic possibilities, and it is entirely possible that they
will materialize on the ground should a third war erupt. And we're not even
talking about what will happen in the areas closest to the Israeli border, which
are threatened with complete erasure from the map over time. In conclusion: the
region is on the brink of a new war, from Hormuz to Lebanon!
Commentary
Summary published with commentary on Ali Hamada's YouTube channel
Lebanese security assessments: Hezbollah will open a Lebanese front in support
of Iran!
Lebanese security assessments: Hezbollah will be embroiled in a new war
alongside Iran!
War isn't over yet, but the region is on the brink. There's an exchange of
strikes between the United States and Iran, and an explosion could happen at any
moment. Has President Trump become convinced that the Iranian regime is beyond
reform? Or will he shift towards negotiations before war breaks out?
Lebanese security assessments speak of a decision by Hezbollah to engage in any
future Iranian-American war. While the US-Iranian memorandum of understanding is
on the verge of collapse, the Lebanese state is proceeding along a path of
negotiations under American auspices! Below is a summary, transcription, and
categorization of a commentary on Hamada (YouTube) by Elias Bejjani, with
complete freedom.
July 9, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/155808/
Key Headlines in Brief
* Escalating tensions between the United States and Iran and the potential for a
wider regional confrontation.
* The importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the disputes related to maritime
traffic and the targeting of ships.
* US strikes inside Iran and their impact on infrastructure and strategic
waterways.
* The position of the Gulf States and neighboring countries regarding the
Iranian-American escalation.
* The repercussions of the regional crisis on Lebanon and the course of
negotiations with Israel.
* The role of Hezbollah and the likelihood of a new confrontation in southern
Lebanon.
* General Conclusion: The region is on the brink of a wider war, but has not yet
fully entered it.
The Region on the Brink of Escalation: An Analysis of Regional Developments and
Their Repercussions on Lebanon
Israeli Army Arrests Citizens Attempting to Enter Syrian
Territory
Al-Arabiya.net, Agencies / July 9, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
The Israeli army press office stated that the incident occurred in the Mount
Hermon area of the Golan Heights, where Israeli forces stationed in the area
intercepted the infiltration attempt, arrested the infiltrators, and then handed
them all over to the Israeli police. The Israeli army statement read, "The
Israeli army strongly condemns this incident, which follows several similar
incidents in recent days, and emphasizes that such actions constitute a criminal
offense that endangers civilians." The Lebanese Presidency: A US military
delegation will arrive soon to oversee the start of the Israeli withdrawal.
Meanwhile, members of the far-right settlement movement "Halutzi HaBashan"
(Pioneers of Bashan), which advocates for the construction of Jewish settlements
in Syrian territory, regularly attempt to enter Syria illegally. Bashan is the
biblical name for a region in southeastern Syria encompassing the Golan Heights
and Mount Hermon (known as Pasan in Russian Orthodox tradition). The movement
confirmed its involvement in the recent incident on its X-platform page.
According to Halutzi HaBashan, several activists managed to spend a night in
Syria by climbing Mount Hermon. The organization affirms, "Despite attempts to
obstruct our activities, we are determined to strive for the establishment of a
permanent Israeli civilian presence in southern Syria to prevent a repeat of
what is happening in Lebanon."
Lebanese Army Enters Wadi al-Salouqi to Repair Water
Network... Israeli Escalation Continues in the South
South/July 9, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
Despite the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL's field operations in the south, Israel
continues its military operations through bombings, shelling, and drone flights,
while Israeli media outlets reveal new details about a secret annex related to
the agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv.
A Lebanese Army patrol, accompanied by a UNIFIL force and several technicians,
entered Wadi al-Salouqi at the intersection of the towns of Houla, Shaqra, and
Majdal Selm, to repair the water network that supplies the town of Shaqra from
the artesian well in the valley.
From the entry of an army patrol into Wadi al-Salouqi
Meanwhile, the Israeli army continued its operations in the south, carrying out
bombings in the towns of Houla and Haddatha. The National News Agency also
reported a bombing in the town of Taybeh, coinciding with artillery shelling
that targeted the outskirts of the town of Deir Siryan overnight.
From the bombing in Haddatha
In the skies, Israeli drones were observed flying over Beirut and its southern
suburbs. In a related development, Israel's Channel 12 reported that the secret
annex to the Lebanon-Israel agreement grants Israel "freedom of action" against
any threats within the Green Line, noting that this annex remained secret at the
request of the Lebanese government.
Earthquake Strikes Off Sidon… Here’s What the National
Center for Geophysics Announced
South Lebanon/July 9, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
The National Center for Geophysics, affiliated with the National Council for
Scientific Research, reported that it recorded an earthquake measuring 2.5 on
the Richter scale at 8:08 PM local time on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. The
epicenter was located in the sea off the coast of Sidon. The center explained
that the tremor was minor, as earthquakes below magnitude 3 often have limited
impact and are not felt by a large number of people, especially if their
epicenter is at sea or at a certain depth. It noted that it continuously
monitors seismic activity in Lebanon and the region through its monitoring
networks and issues periodic reports whenever any tremors or significant seismic
activity are recorded. Lebanon is considered a relatively seismically active
area due to its proximity to well-known geological faults in the eastern
Mediterranean, most notably the Yammouneh Fault and the Dead Sea Transform
Fault. This makes the recording of minor and moderate tremors a normal part of
ongoing scientific monitoring. The center noted that recent years have witnessed
a number of light and moderate tremors in Lebanon and its surrounding sea, most
of which did not cause damage, reiterating the importance of adhering to public
safety guidelines and raising awareness about how to act in the event of any
earthquake.
Amnesty Urges Investigating Israeli Attacks on Lebanon as ‘War Crimes’
Asharq Alawsat/July 09/2026
Amnesty International on Thursday accused Israel of wiping out families in its
strikes on Lebanon during its war with Hezbollah, calling for these attacks to
be investigated as war crimes. Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war
on March 2 by launching rockets at Israel in support of its backer Iran. Israel
responded with major airstrikes and a ground invasion, killing more than 4,300
people according to Lebanese authorities, including more than 250 children.
Amnesty analyzed three strikes on civilian homes between March 6 and 13, in
which 24 civilians were killed, 12 of them children. The London-based rights
group accused Israel of "wiping out families" in those strikes and called for
them to be treated as "war crimes". The group said it reached out to Israeli
authorities, who said that some of the attacks "were carried out against
Hezbollah military objectives", while others were "referred for examination".The
authorities told Amnesty they were "committed to mitigating harm to civilians
during operational activity". "Despite follow up, the Israeli military did not
provide specific information regarding the three attacks... including what the
targets may have been," Amnesty added. Its findings in the investigation were
based on interviews with 15 people, including survivors, relatives, paramedics,
journalists who visited attack sites and local officials. "Based on the evidence
gathered, in each of these air strikes, Amnesty International has reasonable
basis to conclude that Israeli forces violated international humanitarian law,
including by failing to distinguish between civilians and military objectives,
by carrying out attacks directed against civilians or civilian objects, or by
failing to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians," the
report read. Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty's deputy regional director for the
Middle East and North Africa, said that "within the space of just a week -- the
Israeli military obliterated entire families, including a dozen children, in
Lebanon, demonstrating a callous disregard for civilian lives". "States must
impose an immediate comprehensive arms embargo on Israel and use universal and
extraterritorial jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute those responsible,"
she added. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said, in a statement on
Thursday, that the military's operations in Lebanon were a response to attacks
by Hezbollah. "The terrorist organization Hezbollah has attacked Israel twice on
its own initiative," Katz said, without specifying whether he was responding to
Amnesty's report. "Israel responded with force and, over the past two and half
years, has crushed most of Hezbollah's capabilities and its leadership," adding
that Israeli forces would remain in their self-declared "security zone" inside
occupied Lebanese territory "as long as necessary" to protect Israel's northern
communities. Last month, Lebanon and Israel concluded a US-backed framework
agreement aiming to pave the way for a permanent end to hostilities. It was
preceded by a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States to
end the broader Middle East conflict, which included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Despite this, Israel still carries out intermittent strikes on southern Lebanon,
some of them deadly.
UNIFIL expands operations in South Lebanon as violence
declines but situation remains fragile
LBCI/July 09/2026
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said it has gradually
increased its operational activities across South Lebanon following a recent
decline in violence, as families begin returning to their villages. In a
statement, UNIFIL said peacekeepers have strengthened their presence in the area
to help consolidate the relative stability achieved over recent weeks. The
mission said its forces continue to monitor developments, maintain communication
with all parties and support local communities whenever possible, including
through assistance in repairing damaged roads and other infrastructure. UNIFIL
said these efforts are contributing to recovery efforts while also facilitating
movement needed to carry out its operations across southern Lebanon. Despite the
decrease in violence since late June, UNIFIL warned that the situation remains
fragile. The mission stressed that dialogue, coordination and the continuation
of operational activities remain essential to reducing tensions and restoring
stability in the region.
Jordanian businessman Al Khawaja responds to BDL statement
on judicial proceedings
LBCI/July 09/2026
The media office of Jordanian businessman Ala Mahmoud Al Khawaja issued a
statement on Thursday in response to a recent announcement by the Banque du
Liban (BDL) regarding judicial proceedings related to financial matters.The
statement said Al Khawaja took note of the BDL press release issued on July 3,
2026, which referred to ongoing judicial proceedings without naming any
individuals. According to the statement, Al Khawaja welcomed the stated
objective of the proceedings, which the central bank said were aimed at
restoring depositors’ rights and achieving financial justice.
The statement came as follows:
"We take note of the press release issued by the Banque du Liban (“BDL”) on July
3rd, 2026, concerning judicial proceedings, in which BDL was careful not to
mention any names, and which are aimed at restoring the rights of depositors,
the sanctity of which we, for our part, reaffirm. We further note that the
statement provides that the purpose of such proceedings is to achieve financial
justice. Against this backdrop, we express our surprise at and strongly denounce
the media campaign, whose motives are far from unknown, that has been directed
against the Jordanian investor, Mr. Ala Mahmoud Al Khawaja, both before and
after the issuance of the BDL press release, particularly given that Mr. Ala Al
Khawaja has not been notified of any legal proceedings against him by any
judicial authority. Instead, the coordinators of this media campaign have
singled him out, targeting him, his reputation, and his distinguished investment
record dating
Mr. Ala Mahmoud Al Khawaja wishes to clarify the following:
First: Mr. Ala Al Khawaback to 1990.
ja's investments have extended to several countries, including Jordan, Egypt,
France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Lebanon. They have also
spanned numerous sectors, including tourism and hospitality; the
telecommunications sector in Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Italy, and several
African countries; the banking and financial sectors, including Bank Al Ahli
Societe Generale (Egypt) and the Egyptian American Bank, which included American
Express Bank; in addition to real estate investments in several countries, as
well as investments in intellectual property rights. Second: The investment
climate, together with confidence in the laws and the judiciary systems of the
countries in which Mr. Ala Al Khawaja chose to invest, constituted the principal
incentive for investing in those countries. With particular regard to Lebanon,
having recognized a promising future in early 2005, Mr. Ala Al Khawaja decided
to take part in this anticipated journey of growth and development. Accordingly,
his first investments were in the real estate sector, followed by investments in
other vital sectors, which we shall not elaborate on herein. Third:
Throughout Mr. Ala Al Khawaja's investment track record across all jurisdictions
since 1990, his record has never been tainted by any reservations or disputes
with governmental authorities or regulatory bodies. Mr. Ala Al Khawaja further
confirms that he has never made any investment in Lebanon that would prejudice
the interests of the Lebanese State, the BDL, or the depositors. He continues to
place his full confidence in Lebanese laws and the Lebanese judiciary as his
first and final recourse.”
Press Release (Arabic+English) 9 July 2026
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on 09-10 July/2026
Israel says ready to attack Iran for ‘third time if necessary’
AFP/09 July ,2026
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday said his country was prepared
to resume its military campaign against Iran if needed, vowing to do so “with
even greater force.”The latest remarks came as new fighting erupted between the
United States and Iran, raising fears of a return to full-scale war after an
April ceasefire and a June US-Iran agreement to end hostilities.“The army is
ready and on alert for a resumption of fighting, in order to regain air
superiority and strike again... in Iran, to eliminate threats, including a third
time if necessary,” Katz said at a military ceremony.“If we have to go back, we
will go back, with even greater force,” he added. Speaking at the ceremony,
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had been weakened by the two
previous military campaigns Israel launched against it. But he also acknowledged
that the conflict was not yet over. “The Iranian axis is weaker than ever
before, while Israel is stronger than ever before,” he said. “We proved that the
long arm of the Israeli Air Force can reach anywhere, from Yemen to Iran. Yet we
must also acknowledge that the campaign is not over.”The war began on February
28, when the United States and Israel launched an air campaign against Iran that
killed the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader and other senior officials.It was
Israel’s second campaign against Iran, following a 12-day war in June 2025.
Israel raises alert level after US strikes on Iran
LBCI/09 July ,2026
Israel has returned to a state of maximum alert following U.S. strikes on Iran
and Tehran's retaliatory response targeting Bahrain and Kuwait, while air raid
sirens were also reported in Jordan. Security assessments were held throughout
the past 24 hours with the participation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, concluding that the confrontation between Washington and Tehran is
entering a more dangerous phase. On the Lebanese front, Israeli Defense Minister
Israel Katz renewed threats against Hezbollah and Lebanon, insisting that
Israeli forces would remain in areas they have occupied, whether inside what
Israel calls a security zone or in any other territory. Katz also issued a
direct challenge to Washington, saying Israel did not seek permission from any
party before entering Lebanon and would not need approval to remain there.
Meanwhile, Israel revealed that U.S. aerial refueling aircraft had returned
after being relocated from Ben Gurion Airport last month. All Israeli air
defense systems were placed on full readiness to respond to a range of possible
scenarios. Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir held a series of security
assessments at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv with senior
military commanders. He also held direct discussions with officials from the
U.S. Central Command and the Pentagon to monitor developments and coordinate
responses. An Israeli military official said any Iranian attack targeting Israel
would be met with a broad military response, as regional tensions continue to
rise following the escalation between Tehran and Washington.
Wider war threatens as Iran says it struck U.S. bases
Darryl Coote/UPI/July 9, 2026
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said early Thursday that it has
launched attacks targeting U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, hours after U.S.
Central Command announced the completion of its attacks against Iran. The
tit-for-tat strikes follow President Donald Trump a day prior saying the
cease-fire agreement between Washington and Tehran was all but over, and
threatened the return to all-out war in the Middle East.Fighting had simmered
between the two sides following last month's agreement to conditions that could
lead to an end of the war, but the Strait of Hormuz has proved a sticking point.
The Trump administration is demanding a return to freedom of navigation through
the chokepoint; Iran is seeking to maintain control over the vita energy transit
route. As negotiations were stalling, three commercial vessels were struck while
transiting the strait, resulting in the United States attacking Iran early
Wednesday, kicking off the continuing retaliatory strikes as Iran appears
unrelenting in its oversight of the Strait of Hormuz. "America still hasn't
learned that bullying and breaking promises are no longer cost-free. Let me put
it plainly: if you strike, you'll get hit," Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad
Bagher Ghalibaf said in a social media statement early Thursday. "Don't flail
around pointlessly, or you'll sink ever deeper: the Strait of Hormuz will only
open with 'Iranian arrangements,' not American threats."The IRGC said it had not
only attacked but "smashed important infrastructure and facilities" at Arifjan
and Ali Al Salem bases in Kuwait and Juffair and Sheikh Isa bases in Bahrain.
State-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that Iran early Tuesday
was attacking U.S. bases from Bushehr city, stating the United States had
targeted those assets hours earlier. The state broadcaster also claimed the U.S.
5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain was also hit.The extent of potential damage
was not immediately clear, but both Kuwait and Bahrain confirmed incoming
attacks. The elite military unit in charge of protecting the Islamic regime
warned that the United States that "should it repeat its aggression, our
crushing responses will expand to other American bases in the region," it said.
The attack came as the U.S. Central Command announced that it had completed
strikes against Iran late Wednesday. CENTCOM said late Wednesday that it had
completed strikes against about 90 Iranian military targets, including air
defense systems and coastal surveillance assets, were hit. The announced
follower an earlier round of U.S. attacks overnight Tuesday that struck about 80
targets in Iran.
Several explosions heard in areas in southern Iran
Al Arabiya English/09 July ,2026
Several explosions were heard in southern parts of Iran including Bushehr, where
one of Iran’s nuclear plants is located, Konarak and Choghadak, Iran’s Mehr news
agency reported on Thursday.
Sources familiar with the matter told Al Arabiya English that the US military
was not striking targets in Iran.
Rubio meets Princess Reema at State Department, reaffirms strong US-Saudi ties
Al Arabiya English/10 July ,2026
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Washington
Princess Reema bint Bandar on Thursday, the State Department told Al Arabiya
English. The meeting between Rubio and Princess Reema was initially scheduled to
take place at the White House, according to the secretary's public schedule, but
was ultimately held at the State Department. “They reaffirmed the strength of
the US–Saudi relationship and the importance of continued close coordination to
promote regional security,” a State Department spokesperson told Al Arabiya
English.
The meeting comes as Washington and Riyadh continue close coordination on key
regional issues, including the conflicts in Gaza and Sudan, security in the Red
Sea, and broader efforts to promote stability across the Middle East. The United
States and Saudi Arabia maintain a longstanding strategic partnership spanning
defense, counterterrorism, energy, investment, and economic cooperation.
Princess Reema, who has served as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States
since 2019, is the Kingdom’s first female ambassador and has played a central
role in advancing bilateral ties.
GCC condemns Iran’s ‘repeated heinous’ attacks on Bahrain,
Kuwait
Al Arabiya English/09 July ,2026
The Gulf Cooperation Council on Thursday condemned Iran’s “repeated heinous”
attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait. “Any attack on a GCC country is a direct attack
on all GCC states,” the council said in a statement, adding that Iran must
“fully commit” to the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the US.
Iran launched attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain on Thursday after the US military
said it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to
shipping, the latest escalation to derail efforts to end the war.
It also “strongly condemned” Iran’s attacks on the Saudi-flagged crude oil
supertanker Wedyan and the Qatari LNG tanker Al Rekayyat while transiting the
Strait of Hormuz, warning that this poses a threat to the security of
international navigation and global energy supplies. Wedyan and Al Rekayyat were
damaged near the strait on Tuesday following reports that Iran fired missiles at
ships in the waterway, prompting maritime authorities to raise the threat risk
for transiting vessels to “severe.”Iran is “fully responsible for these attacks
and their repercussions,” the GCC said, adding that these continuous “hostile
and destabilizing practices undermine regional and international peace and
security.”It also called on the international community to condemn these attacks
and take a firm stance to guarantee safe passage through international waterways
and guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz without any tolls or
charges.
Iran fired ten ballistic missiles on Jordan's Azraq military base
LBCI/09 July ,2026
Iran fired 10 ballistic missiles at Jordan's Azraq military base on Thursday,
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried by state media. Jordan
said earlier on Thursday that it had intercepted eight missiles launched from
Iran, with no casualties or damage reported, according to the state news
agency.
The Revolutionary Guards said U.S. bases in the region would be targeted if
"U.S. aggression" was repeated.
Reuters
Missile alert sirens sound in Jordan as Iran retaliates across wider Mideast
Agence France Presse/09 July ,2026
Sirens blared in Jordan on Thursday, an AFP correspondent reported, hours after
Iran's military said it had targeted sites in Gulf countries in retaliation for
U.S. strikes. State broadcaster Al-Mamlaka added: "Alarm sirens sounded in
Jordan on Thursday to alert citizens and urge them to follow instructions."
Iran says it hits US military targets in Gulf, lays slain leader to rest
Elwely Elwelly, Nayera Abdallah and Tala Ramadan/Reuters/July 09/2026
DUBAI, July 9 (Reuters) - Iranian armed forces launched attacks on U.S. military
infrastructure in Gulf states on Thursday following U.S. strikes on Iran's
southern coastal and eastern provinces, putting further strain on a
three-week-old ceasefire agreement.
The attacks came on the day that Iran buried its slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei at a shrine in Mashhad, the culmination of a week of mass funeral
processions and rallies. Khamenei was killed in a U.S. airstrike on the first
day of the war on February 28.
Khamenei's body was carried by truck slowly through crammed streets towards the
Shrine of Imam Reza. Black-clad mourners waved Iranian flags, photographs of the
late leader and red placards with revolutionary slogans. Iran's Revolutionary
Guards Navy said the U.S. attacks and intervention in redirecting shipping
through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupting the waterway's gradual reopening.
The Guards said the number of vessels transiting the strait under Iranian
supervision had recovered to about 50% of pre-war levels over the past two
weeks, adding that permission was being granted only to ships using routes
designated by Tehran. Any further U.S. intervention will draw a "crushing
response", the Guards said. The U.S. military said on Wednesday that its latest
strikes were aimed at keeping the Strait open after it said Iranian forces had
struck three tankers in the area. The assault came hours after U.S. President
Donald Trump said he believed the interim ceasefire with Iran to be "over".
While Iran has not claimed responsibility for the ship attacks, analysts say
Tehran uses such actions to gain leverage in negotiations. Oil prices, which
had spiked amid concerns over the impact of the renewed attacks on shipping and
global supplies, fell back on Thursday as investors weighed whether the flare-up
was tactical and temporary or might augur a complete collapse in the ceasefire.
[O/R] Iranian officials said the U.S. attacks had killed 14 people and injured
78 across five provinces on July 8 and 9, state media reported. The Fars news
agency said one U.S. strike had hit a rail bridge used for trade with Russia and
China. Several explosions were heard on Thursday morning in Iran's Bushehr
province and in Bandar Abbas, a port city on Iran's south coast, the
semi-official Mehr news agency reported. Bushehr is home to a Russian-built
nuclear power plant and a local official later told state media that a U.S.
projectile had hit the perimeter area of the facility. The perimeter had
already been hit several times before an April 8 ceasefire.
TARGETING U.S. BASES IN GULF STATES AND JORDAN
Iran's army said in a statement released by state media that it had launched
attacks at U.S. Patriot systems in Kuwait, an early-warning site in Qatar and a
U.S. Army fuel depot in Bahrain. Kuwait said its armed forces had engaged with a
cruise missile, three ballistic missiles and 10 drones in its airspace, and that
one person had been injured from falling shrapnel. Sirens also sounded in Jordan
after missiles launched from Iran were detected, the state news agency reported.
Eight were intercepted, with no injuries or damage reported. The Revolutionary
Guards later said Iran had fired 10 ballistic missiles at Jordan's Azraq
military base, which is used by U.S. forces, and also a U.S. military control
center in the Middle East, without elaborating. Qatar, which hosts the largest
U.S. base in the region and has often mediated between Washington and its
adversaries including Tehran, condemned attacks on commercial shipping but also
called for a return to diplomacy. The foreign ministers of Turkey and Oman also
stressed the need to avoid further military escalation in separate calls with
their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araqchi. In a call with the army chief of
Pakistan, which has also mediated in the conflict, Araqchi condemned what he
called U.S. "warmongering policies". The Strait of Hormuz handled about a fifth
of global oil supplies before the war. Tehran has since largely taken control
of the strait, allowing it to force a stalemate in its confrontation with the
world's most powerful military. "The Strait of Hormuz will be reopened only
under Iranian arrangements, not through U.S. threats," Iran's top negotiator,
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, wrote on X.
TRUMP DOES NOT EXPECT RETURN TO FULL-FLEDGED WAR
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday its forces had struck
approximately 90 Iranian military targets, including air defence systems,
coastal surveillance assets, and missile and drone storage sites. "This is in
retribution for yesterday's bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it
will get much worse!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. However, the
U.S. leader, who was attending a NATO summit in Turkey, also said he did not
think the latest military strikes would escalate into a full-fledged conflict
with Iran. "Anything that happens is going to be over very quickly ... and will
only make it safer, including for oil," he told reporters in Ankara. Asked
before the NATO summit on Wednesday whether the memorandum of understanding with
Iran was over, Trump said: "It's a very interesting question. To me, I think
it's over. I don't want to deal with them." (Reporting by Reuters
reportingWriting by Gareth Jones, Editing by Alexandra Hudson, William Maclean)
Iran says millions are mourning Khamenei. That’s not the full picture
Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN/July 9, 2026
As funeral prayers took place before the coffin of Iran's slain Supreme Leader
Ali Khamenei on Sunday, many top officials and three of the ayatollah's sons
were present. Among the noticeably missing, however, were some former presidents
at odds with the current regime.
Their absence cast doubt on Tehran's "unity" mantra, which has dominated
rhetoric throughout Khamenei's week-long funeral proceedings. This messaging was
intended to signal to the United States and Israel that military action has not
– and will not – bring down the Islamic Republic or foment dissent against the
regime, experts said.Khamenei's funeral events, culminating Thursday with his
burial in the northeastern city of Mashhad, have been crowded with millions of
mourners who genuinely believe in the Islamic Republic's cause. But that's not
the full story; with a population of 90 million, Iran is a tale of two peoples:
those who mourn, and those who don't. Many Iranians are angry at the spectacle,
associating Khamenei with an oppressive regime that has only silenced dissent
over the years. Others feel apathy, with some even treating the funeral days as
an opportunity to head out of congested cities. The absence of former public
figures also shows the tight grip imposed by organizers of the event, as the
current regime support base feels more galvanized than ever. The notable absence
of Khamenei's son and successor Mojtaba has however led to speculation about his
whereabouts. The new leader has not made a public appearance since his
appointment as supreme leader following his father's death. Arash Azizi, a
US-based Iran expert and author of the book "What Iranians Want," said that "the
organizing committee of the funeral had the opportunity to project regime unity
by including figures such as pro-reform former presidents." Azizi added that it
appears that the committee has "instead decided to go for a tight ship, only
core and top officials of the regime." The regime has used Khamenei's funeral to
invigorate its base, according to Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, adding that support within the
circle of leadership is likely higher than ever before. "I don't think it is a
majority of the country, however," Parsi said. Two of the reformist former
presidents who were absent from the funeral prayers on Sunday, Mohammad Khatami
and Hassan Rouhani, were both previously at odds with Khamenei, Azizi noted, and
were effectively ousted by him. The same is true for former President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, he said, a hardliner who later was at odds with the supreme leader
and consequently sidelined. Ahmadinejad attended the funeral ceremonies on
Monday, however, marking a rare public appearance after years of estrangement.
An image published by Iranian media showed him walking among the large crowds
attending the procession.
'Carefully choreographed'
Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, told CNN that
"Tehran wants to project that it can lose its supreme leader without losing its
continuity of governance." "Massive crowds and carefully choreographed
ceremonies reinforce that message, but the conspicuous absence of key figures
also reminds the world that the leadership still feels profoundly vulnerable and
is not seeking to cast a broad umbrella," Vaez said. At the outset of the war,
the US and Israel were heavily invested in the prospect of regime change in
Iran, which experts said was unlikely to happen given Tehran's succession plans.
Every assassination is followed by a new appointment, often much more hardline
than previous leaderships. Analysts say there is now a constellation of varying
sentiments in a country whose leadership for years used coercion and oppression
to silence dissent. Since the conflict with the US and Israel began earlier this
year, Iran has carried out a wave of arrests using the cover of what it calls
"wartime conditions," according to a May report by Amnesty International.
"Iranian authorities have arbitrarily arrested more than 6,000 people, including
protesters, journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, dissidents and members
of ethnic and religious minorities," the human rights group said. Last month,
more than 3,000 people were arrested in the country for collaborating with "the
enemy," judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said, according to a statement
aired on the semi-official Student News Network.
'I just don't care'
Iran said it expected up to 15 million mourners to turn up to the dayslong
funeral, which included events in Tehran and Qom, as well as Iraqi Najaf and
Karbala before the final burial in Mashhad in Iran, Khamenei's birthplace. But
not everyone was so keen to pay their respects. Speaking on condition of
anonymity for fear of security repercussions, some Tehran residents told CNN
they refused to join the crowds on the streets, feeling both frustration and
indifference over the large-scale commemorations. "Look, if I think deeply about
it, then I get angry that they've shut down the city for someone who ruined
lives," one 30-year-old man told CNN. "But honestly, I'm at the point where I
just don't care." He said that in the end, despite Khamenei's death, "nothing
has changed," adding that his absent successor may not be any different. Azizi
told CNN that there will inevitably be a wide range of views on the late supreme
leader in a country of 90 million people. "A vocal minority backs him fully and
others are more divided," he said. "He was Iran's head of state for almost four
decades and different aspects of his rule will be judged differently by various
Iranians."Another Tehran resident, 35, said they had decided "to ignore this
whole thing." "I'm going to relax, take it easy, have friends over to hang out
and remain unbothered," the resident, who owns a business in the Iranian
capital, told CNN, adding that the regime was "always going to put on a show." A
woman in her 30s who works as a part-time teacher in the city said the number of
mourners claimed by the regime was highly exaggerated. "Those figures of 10 or
20 million are complete nonsense," she assessed, citing the crowds she has seen
firsthand. "But you should see how much money they've spent on this!" Some
Tehranis took the opportunity to treat the funeral days as a holiday, with many
traveling north, especially to the Caspian Sea. Iran's state news agency IRNA
reported increased congestion on the Chalus Road, already one of the country's
busiest, and the Tehran–North Freeway, "due to heavy traffic on north-to-south
routes." Vaez, of the ICG, said this is a moment of mixed emotion for the
Iranian people as they contemplate what lies ahead. "For supporters of the
system, this is a moment of genuine grief and defiance. For many others, it is
less about mourning one man than about closing a traumatic chapter while hoping
the country can finally move beyond war and isolation," he said.
CNN's Aida Karimi contributed to this report.
Iran launches more strikes after accusing US of striking near nuclear plant
Vicky Wong; Matt Spivey; Tabby Wilson/BBC/July 9, 2026
The US and Iran have traded strikes for a second night, as observers report a
"dramatic" drop in the number of ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.
The US says it hit 90 military targets, some near the Strait. Iran says 14
people have been killed in the past two days. State media also reported that
targets near the Bushehr nuclear power plant were hit in the afternoon. Iran
said it targeted US assets in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar in response. Later on
Thursday, Tehran launched more strikes on sites in Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq,
state-linked media reported. Separately, huge crowds have gathered for the
burial of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei after six days of funeral
events. Crowds massed on the streets of Mashhad in north-eastern Iran waving
Iranian flags, while some were pictured holding signs carrying deaths threats
directed at US President Donald Trump.
Khamenei was killed on 28 February during the first hours of US and Israeli
strikes against Iran. Iran's foreign ministry denounced the latest US strikes as
a "grave war crime", describing the US administration as "evil and psychopathic"
Bridges and a railway route connecting Tehran to the city of Mashhad, where the
late supreme leader's funeral is being held, were also damaged, the foreign
ministry said.Iran's health ministry says 14 people have been killed during this
latest round of fighting. Gulf nations reported Iranian attacks following the US
strikes, with explosions in Bahrain's capital Manama, Kuwait intercepting
missiles and drones, and Qatar issuing a security alert. The Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed that it launched retaliatory
strikes on US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain overnight, and called them
the "first phase of the punitive response against the American treaty-breakers".
Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is also the country's
chief negotiator with the US, said on X that America "still hasn't learned that
bullying and breaking promises are no longer cost-free". "Let me put it plainly:
if you strike, you'll get hit," he wrote, adding that the Strait of Hormuz will
only open under Iranian arrangements - not "American threats".US Central Command
(Centcom) said the most recent round of strikes was carried out to "further
degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilian
mariners" in the vital waterway.
In a statement, it said it had struck 90 Iranian military targets, which
included air defense systems and military logistics infrastructure along Iran's
coastline. "The latest strikes follow successful execution of offensive strikes
in Iran the night before," Centcom added. Phil Belcher, marine director at
Intertanko, an international organisation for independent tanker owners, said
the number of ships travelling through the Strait via the southern route was now
in "single figures" following the step up in hostilities. Belcher the daily
figure of about 30 ships was down from about 70 a week ago and well below the
normal number of 130 ships that was seen before the Iran war began earlier this
year. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that there had been an "exuberance
of optimism" around shipping in the region following the signing of the
memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US last month, but now the mood
has changed. "This cycle of violence, this cycle of up-and-down,
positive-negative news, it's having an enormous impact both on business [and] on
the seafarers themselves," he said. A map of the Strait of Hormuz showing the
surrounding coasts of Iran to the north and Oman and the UAE to the south.
Several islands in the strait are labelled, including Hormuz, Larak, Qeshm, and
Hengam near Iran, and Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa further southwest.
A small inset globe highlights the region's location.
On Wednesday night, several explosions were reportedly heard on other parts of
the Iranian coast, including the cities of Konarak and Chabahar. Iranian state
TV reported eight explosions in Bandar Abbas, and said two missiles had hit the
ports of both Sirik and Jask - also in southern Iran.
It added that two projectiles had hit the island of Abu Musa, which has been the
subject of a longstanding ownership dispute between Iran and the United Arab
Emirates. Air defence systems were activated in Bandar Abbas, according to
reports in Iranian state media. The extent of damage from the US strikes is not
yet known, but Iranian media have reported power cuts in Chabahar and a fire at
an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) barracks in Bushehr.Two of three
power lines cut off in Chabahar had been restored quickly and a third would be
operational soon, the Iranian Students' News Agency said.
earlier on Wednesday, Centcom wrote in a statement that it held Iran accountable
for "recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian
crews freely navigating a vital international waterway."President Trump said
late on Wednesday that Iran had "called a little while ago" and wanted to make a
deal "so badly". Trump added: "I just don't know if they're worthy of making a
deal - I don't know that they're going to honour the deal, that's the
problem."On Tuesday, the US military said it had launched "powerful" strikes in
response to attacks on three tankers in the strait. The current flare up has
been the worst exchange of strikes between the US and Iran since the deal -
known as a memorandum of understanding (MoU) - was signed on 17 June. Trump said
the ceasefire agreement signed last month with Iran was now "over". He told
reporters: "I don't want to deal with them anymore, they're scum. You know what
scum is? They're scum. They're sick people."In response, Iran's Foreign Minister
Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X: "We do not answer vulgarity with vulgarity,
but with action: fearlessly and with great valour."The deal between the US and
Iran included 14 points, among them a 60-day period for a ceasefire during which
negotiations should continue, the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of
Hormuz and the US lifting sanctions on Iran. The 60-day period for negotiations
is not yet up, but Trump said he saw further talks as "a waste of time".
Regional rivalries expand across multiple fronts: Israel
faces growing tensions with Turkey
LBCI/July 09/2026
Between insisting on maintaining security zones in Syria and Lebanon, refusing
to begin implementing the framework agreement with Beirut, and preparing for
possible future conflicts in Gaza and with Iran, Israel is now facing a new and
increasingly challenging front: Turkey.
Turkey’s efforts to strengthen its regional influence have raised concerns in
Tel Aviv, particularly amid reports that Ankara is considering deploying air
defense systems in Syria that could limit Israeli air operations there. The
concerns have also grown following Turkey’s reported plans to acquire F-35
fighter jets, which Israeli officials view as a potential challenge to their
qualitative military edge.Israeli security assessments indicate that Ankara’s
expanding regional role poses challenges on four main fronts. The first is Iran.
Israeli officials believe Turkey is seeking to prevent Tehran’s defeat and limit
Israel’s ability to consolidate its influence in the region. The second front is
Gaza. According to Israeli assessments, Turkey has increased its support for
Hamas and is allegedly allowing members of the group to operate from Turkish
territory and coordinate activities targeting Israel. The third area of concern
is Syria, where Israel is increasingly wary of what it views as Turkish attempts
to expand its influence and presence. The fourth front involves the eastern
Mediterranean, where Israeli security officials fear growing Turkish influence
over waters they consider strategically important for military and economic
activities, as well as for Israel’s ties with Greece and Cyprus. Despite these
broader regional concerns, Lebanon remains a top priority on Israel’s agenda.
Citing the discovery of weapons and Hezbollah infrastructure in areas of South
Lebanon, the Israeli army has announced plans to intensify strikes and reinforce
its military presence, while delaying the start of implementing the framework
agreement with Beirut until it is assured that the Lebanese Army is prepared to
enforce the removal of Hezbollah weapons under full U.S. supervision.
Iraq Moves to Mend Gulf Ties, Al-Zaidi Proposes New
Partnership
Asharq Alawsat/July 09/2026
The United States has resumed cash shipments to Iraq after a delay, signaling
its support for Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's administration, with the premier
expected in Washington later this month, a government spokesperson said
Thursday. Iraq's revenues from oil exports are largely held at the Federal
Reserve Bank in New York, under an arrangement reached after the 2003 US-led
invasion that toppled former ruler Saddam Hussein. Under the system, payments
for oil are made into dollar-denominated accounts in the US which are then
either used to pay for imports or flow to Iraq as cash. Earlier this year,
Washington suspended the cash transfers to Iraq as it piled pressure on Baghdad
to disarm Iran-backed armed groups, which launched hundreds of attacks on US
facilities in Iraq during the Middle East war. Iraqi officials downplayed the
issues, saying the dollar shipments had ceased due to the closure of airspace
and the security situation. Government spokesperson Haidar al-Aboudi told AFP
that cash "shipments have resumed some time ago"."The resumption is a positive
indicator" ahead of Zaidi's visit to Washington, Aboudi said, adding "we look at
it through the lens of cooperation, coordination, and partnership." Aboudi said
that Zaidi's top priority in Washington would be "the economic partnership with
the United States". In May, a senior US State Department official, speaking on
condition of anonymity, said the US was looking for "concrete actions" from
Zaidi to distance the state from pro-Iran armed groups before resuming cash
shipments and security aid to the country. Zaidi, who only recently took office
with the blessing of the United States, has vowed to ensure a state monopoly on
weapons and urged armed groups to hand over their weapons to the state. During
his visit to Washington, the first since he took office in April, Zaidi hopes to
attract more US investment to Iraq, which urgently needs to revive its economy,
especially after revenue losses caused by the halt of oil exports during the
Middle East war. Iraq, a founding member of OPEC, was greatly affected by the
war. It is hugely dependent on oil exports, which make up about 90 percent of
its budget revenues, while the vast majority of its crude travels via the Strait
of Hormuz.
Iraq Moves to Mend Gulf Ties, Al-Zaidi Proposes New
Partnership
Baghdad: Hamza Mustafa/Asharq Alawsat/July 09/2026
The Iraqi government is intensifying diplomatic engagement with its Arab
neighbors, especially Gulf Arab states, ahead of an expected visit by Iraqi
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to the United States. It is an effort to strengthen
regional and international partnerships, address economic and security issues,
and recover funds linked to corruption cases.As part of that push, Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein began a visit to Kuwait at the head
of a delegation that included the national security adviser, the governor of
Basra and senior Foreign Ministry officials. Hussein said in a post on X that
the visit aimed to “discuss developing relations with Kuwait in a way that
serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples.”Hours after his arrival,
Hussein said in a separate statement that Kuwaiti authorities had agreed to
release Iraqi fishermen detained by the Kuwaiti coast guard last week. He said
they would return to Basra province with the Basra governor after legal
procedures were completed. The Iraqi minister said the decision came in response
to a request made by the Iraqi delegation during its meeting with Kuwaiti First
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud al-Sabah. A
government source said the Iraqi government was “keen to maximize its relations
with its Arab surroundings, especially the Gulf, which requires sending positive
messages that reinforce this direction,” adding that the foreign minister
carried several important files with him during the visit. The source told
Asharq Al-Awsat that the delegation also discussed economic files, including
strengthening investment partnerships and the possibility of Kuwait supplying
Iraq with gas to operate power plants, as Iraq faces chronic challenges in its
energy sector, particularly during the summer months.
‘Iraq will not join any axis’
The diplomatic moves come as al-Zaidi prepares to visit the United States. In
press remarks on Thursday, he said Washington’s release of cash dollar shipments
to Iraq after a suspension lasting several months represented “a gesture of
goodwill” toward Baghdad. Al-Zaidi said his expected visit would include “an
announcement of economic and political partnership with Washington,” adding that
the two countries could expand the exchange of security information.He stressed
that Iraq “will not join any axis” amid regional tensions, but said Baghdad
continued to seek to bring the United States and Iran closer together to help
resolve their disputes and achieve stability in the region.The prime minister
said his foreign tour would not be limited to Washington and would be followed
by visits to several Arab countries. He said it was “important for Iraq to be
part of the Arab incubator.”He added that Baghdad sought to establish an
economic partnership with Saudi Arabia during an expected visit to Riyadh before
heading to Damascus, citing the importance of strengthening economic cooperation
with neighboring Syria. On energy, al-Zaidi denied reports that Iraq intended to
withdraw from OPEC, saying his country would remain a member of the organization
but was seeking a “fair share” of oil exports.
Impact of Iranian influence
Observers say Iraq’s moves toward Gulf states are part of an effort to rebalance
its foreign policy, alongside its opening to the United States, as the regional
environment grows more complex. Issam al-Fayli, a professor of political science
at Mustansiriyah University, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the government faced the
challenge of balancing Iranian influence inside Iraq with the prospects of
relations with the United States.He said the prime minister was “serious about
limiting the influence of Iranian arms in preparation for a new Iraqi project
based on economic openness and energy projects in the region.”Ihsan al-Shammari,
head of the Political Thinking Center, said Iraq could repair its relations with
Gulf states if it adopted a new vision to redefine those ties, adding that
previous governments had not achieved tangible progress on that front.He said
Baghdad needed to restore Gulf Arab trust by reducing the impact of Iranian
influence and addressing the issue of armed factions, opening the way for
broader economic and trade partnerships.Ghalib al-Daami, a professor of
political science at Mustansiriyah University, said “loose weapons” represented
the biggest obstacle to developing relations with Gulf states. He said the
current government appeared serious about fighting corruption and addressing the
issue of armed factions.Talib Mohammed Karim, a professor of political science,
told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iraq had a real opportunity to strengthen relations
with its Arab surroundings, especially Gulf states, amid regional shifts.
But he said the success of that path depended on the state’s ability to entrench
stability, strengthen its sovereignty and provide an environment attractive to
investment. Muhannad Salloum, a professor of security studies, said Baghdad’s
success in rebuilding trust with Gulf states first required the state to
monopolize the use of force and address the issue of militias and armed
factions.Second, he said, Iraq needed to expand economic links with Gulf states
through projects such as railway connectivity, the Development Road and security
cooperation systems. Third, it needed to take confidence-building steps, address
mutual accusations of attacks that some Gulf states attribute to Iraqi factions,
and strengthen mutual understanding between the two sides.
US to Remove Syria from Terror Blacklist
Asharq Al Awsat/July 09/2026
The United States said Wednesday it will delist Syria as a state sponsor of
terrorism, a decades-old designation that severely impeded investment, in a new
vote of confidence in President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
formally informed Congress of the long-expected move, which will be effective in
45 days unless lawmakers take the unlikely step of blocking it. The step came as
President Donald Trump met on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Türkiye with
Sharaa, who led a 2024 opposition offensive that toppled the Assad family, which
ruled with an iron fist for a half century. "This is yet another historic step
by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness," Rubio said
in a statement. "Lifting sanctions on Syria will unlock international trade and
investment, give Syria a chance to rebuild, and open up a new chapter for the
Syrian people," he said. Trump's embrace of Sharaa comes despite misgivings from
Israel, which has repeatedly launched airstrikes in Syria. Trump had earlier
publicly pressed for Syria to make peace with Israel but went ahead with the
delisting decision despite a lack of tangible progress. Rubio said in his
statement that "a stable, unified Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors
benefits not only the region, but the entire world."A year ago, Trump started
lifting most sanctions on Syria after Saudi Arabia and Türkiye both encouraged
him to meet Sharaa. Meeting with Sharaa, Trump said: "He's doing an unbelievable
job in unifying Syria. What a job he's doing.""Syria was a mess with what
happened with the previous government," Trump said. The United States listed
Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979. The designation creates legal
risks to working in Syria for businesses, especially American ones or those with
transactions in the world's largest economy.
Chemical Weapons Watchdog Reinstates Syria’s Voting Rights
Asharq Al Awsat/July 09/2026
The global chemical weapons watchdog on Thursday reinstated Syria's voting
rights at the body, rewarding Damascus for “constructive engagement” with the
organization and a willingness to destroy previously hidden stockpiles of toxic
munitions. The decision by the executive council of the Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons underscores a new era of cooperation since the
ouster of former President Bashar Assad in 2024, and comes five years after
Syria’s voting rights were suspended as a punishment for the repeated use of
toxic gas by Damascus. It was the first time a member state had been hit with
such a sanction, The AP news reported. The new openness has already produced
results. In May, the OPCW announced that dozens of chemical bombs and rockets
left over from Assad's rule had been found in the country as previously
undeclared weapons sites were opened to inspectors. The OPCW’s executive council
also approved plans for destroying some of that recently declared stockpile at a
site in Al Qutayfah, 37 kilometers (23 miles) north of the capital, including
materials used to make a nerve agent. The decisions “reflect the tangible
progress achieved through continued cooperation and constructive engagement
between the Technical Secretariat and the Syrian Arab Republic,” supported by
other member states, OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias said in a statement.
The move comes a day after US authorities announced that Washington will remove
Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa,
a former insurgent who led the offensive that unseated Assad, seeks to rebuild
Syria and restore its long-shattered ties with the West. He also has pledged to
destroy any remaining chemical weapons from the Assad era. When Syria joined the
OPCW in 2013, under pressure from the West over alleged poison gas attacks,
Assad's administration claimed chemical weapons were present at 26 locations in
the country, but the watchdog has said it has reason to believe Syria had an
additional 100 sites.
Palestinian Legislative Vote Set for Nov 28: Presidential
Decree
Asharq Al Awsat/July 09/2026
The last legislative elections in the Palestinian territories were held in 2006,
when Hamas won, defeating Abbas's Fatah party, which had previously dominated
Palestinian politics. As a result, the Palestinian Legislative Council, which is
the parliament of Abbas's Palestinian Authority, has not met since 2007."The
presidential decree calls on the Palestinian people in Jerusalem, the West Bank
and the Gaza Strip to participate in free and direct legislative elections to
elect members of the Palestinian Legislative Council on the date specified," the
official Wafa news agency reported, citing the decree, AFP reported. Holding
elections is part of the reforms demanded by the international community,
including the European Union, which supports the Ramallah-based Palestinian
Authority financially. Abbas, 90, won the last Palestinian presidential election
in 2005 with a mandate of four years, meaning his term should have expired in
2009. However his term was extended and no presidential election has been held
since, with Abbas ruling by presidential decree, facing criticism at home and
abroad. Ghassan Khatib, a political science professor at Birzeit University,
said he believed Abbas was now serious about holding elections for both domestic
and international reasons. "There is a feeling among everyone that Palestinian
legitimacy has eroded because of how long it has been since elections were
held," Khatib told AFP, describing a "gap between the public and the leadership
and a need to 'renew the blood'" at the top.
"The absence of a legislative council for such a long time has caused
significant damage to the political system," he added. The PA has faced
widespread criticism over corruption, stagnation and declining legitimacy, with
donors increasingly tying their financial and diplomatic support to reform,
particularly of local governance. In 2021, Abbas announced legislative and
presidential elections to be held in May and July of that year respectively.
They were then postponed indefinitely due to the absence of guarantees that
voting could take place in Israel-annexed east Jerusalem. In April, Palestinians
went to the polls to elect municipal council heads in the occupied West Bank, in
the first vote since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. Khatib said
the main obstacle for elections would be logistical challenges arising from
Israeli measures in the Gaza Strip, as well as in east Jerusalem and the West
Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Under the October 2025 US-brokered
ceasefire, a technocratic committee has been formed to govern Gaza, but it has
yet to enter the Palestinian territory. Khatib added that the international
community had a responsibility to "pressure Israel to provide an appropriate
environment, or at least to refrain from measures that would hinder these
elections"."Israel seeks to rid itself of the Palestinian Authority, and since
elections would restore strength and legitimacy to the Authority, this runs
counter to what Israel is aiming for," he said. He added that he expected Israel
"to obstruct the holding of these elections in various ways".In June, Abbas
announced that presidential elections would be held in early 2027, without
saying if he would run. Khatib said he doubted the legislative elections would
produce major political change, and considered it unlikely that Fatah's rival
Hamas would achieve significant gains.
Hamas Shifts Its Center of Gravity to Türkiye, Seeks Rapprochement with Syria
Gaza: Asharq Al Awsat/July 09/2026
Hamas has shifted much of its organizational center of gravity toward Türkiye in
recent months, according to meetings, activities and public positions by the
group, after years in which it kept its operations there at a distance and
reduced its presence. The shift has coincided with statements of condemnation
and solidarity after bombings in Syria, whose new government Hamas is seeking to
approach. The clearest sign of Hamas’s growing reliance on Ankara came in May,
when the group chose Türkiye as the venue for internal elections to select the
head of its political bureau. The vote ended without a decisive result.
Three Hamas sources abroad told Asharq Al-Awsat that the group had recently
resumed holding its meetings in Türkiye, after using the Qatari capital Doha in
recent years for meetings and internal elections.
In recent years, Turkish security agencies have announced the dismantling of
“espionage networks working for Israel’s Mossad”. Turkish media reports, citing
investigations, said some of the networks’ activities involved tracking Hamas
members and activity in Türkiye, along with other missions.
Israel had repeatedly demanded that Türkiye deport senior Hamas figures,
including prisoners freed in a 2011 exchange deal for Israeli soldier Gilad
Shalit. The most prominent among them was Saleh al-Arouri, deputy head of
Hamas’s political bureau, who was in Türkiye from 2011 to 2015. He moved almost
permanently to Beirut’s southern suburbs in 2017 and remained there until Israel
assassinated him in January 2024. The three sources said in separate accounts
that the recent election for head of the political bureau, which ended without a
decision, was held in Istanbul with leaders from the political bureau and the
Shura Council present. They said the process would also resume there soon if the
voting inside the Palestinian territories is completed after its recent renewal.
A dispute with Qatar?
The sources said the vast majority of Hamas leaders have recently been based in
Türkiye and have stayed there for extended periods, including leaders whose
families live in Qatar. They said all meetings now being held, whether on
ceasefire discussions, internal affairs or other files, are taking place in
Türkiye.
Israel targeted a meeting of Hamas leaders in Doha last September. Hamas said
its senior officials survived, but five of its members were killed, along with a
member of Qatar’s security forces. Asked by Asharq Al-Awsat whether the transfer
of most meetings to Türkiye reflected security concerns or a dispute with Qatar,
one senior source said: “This does not amount to a dispute with Qatar; rather,
it came to ease the burden on Qatar in the face of US pressure, driven by
Israel, demanding the expulsion of the movement’s leaders.”A second source said:
“The Hamas leadership still maintains a solid and strong relationship with
Qatari officials, who continue to welcome the movement’s leadership.”The third
source said Türkiye was now a safer destination after the Israeli attack on
Hamas leaders in Doha. “Israel, at least, cannot attack targets in Türkiye from
the air, although it can carry out assassinations by other means. But its
options are also limited,” the source said. The source said the security
situation in Qatar, amid continuing tension and strikes between Iran and the
United States, could create a gap that Israel might exploit to carry out its
plan to assassinate the group’s leaders, “as it did last time.”Although Israel
pledged to US President Donald Trump’s administration not to repeat the attack,
the source said, “it cannot be trusted and may do it again.”
Moves toward Syria
The activity in Türkiye has notably coincided with two Hamas statements issued
about a week apart, condemning two bombings in Damascus. The first took place
near the Palace of Justice, while the second coincided with French President
Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Syria.
Syria and Türkiye have had strong ties since the overthrow of ousted President
Bashar al-Assad. Hamas’s condemnations came as Islamic Jihad, which is closely
linked to Iran, remained silent. In its statement condemning the first blast,
Hamas said that “targeting innocent civilians and terrorizing peaceful people is
a crime condemned by all standards, and serves only projects of chaos and the
destabilization of security and stability.”It offered condolences to “the
families of the victims, and to the Syrian Arab Republic, its leadership,
government and people.”Hamas also declared its “full solidarity with sisterly
Syria in confronting this crime” and said it was confident in “the ability of
Syria, its leadership and people, to overcome this ordeal and preserve its
security and stability.”The second statement used almost the same language.
Hamas said that “targeting Syria’s security and stability represents a blatant
assault that serves suspicious agendas aimed at undermining the region’s
security and stirring chaos in it.”The senior Hamas source said “openness to the
new Syrian government, or to other Arab, Islamic and international countries, is
natural, since the movement is a national liberation movement seeking normal
relations with everyone based on mutual respect, in line with the interests of
each party, and in a way that guarantees everyone’s safety and non-interference
in the affairs of others.”Asked whether any further step was expected in the
rapprochement, the source said: “So far, there is no plan for any official visit
by a delegation from the movement, but such an option appears likely after the
internal situation of the new government improves and it rearranges its domestic
and foreign priorities.”According to a source from one of the Palestinian
factions that had been active in Syria before suspending its activities there,
Hamas has what he described as “good relations with the Syrian government”. The
source said Hamas had mediated in cases involving Palestinians from several
factions who were detained over their previous activities before being released
and moving to other countries. Others, he said, were forced to leave voluntarily
for several countries. The Hamas sources declined to confirm or deny the
information.
Kremlin says US wrong to think escalation of Ukrainian
strikes can help end war
Reuters/09 July ,2026
Russia said on Thursday the United States was wrong to believe deep Ukrainian
strikes into Russian territory could help bring about an end to more than four
years of war, and warned that they could prolong it. Speaking at a NATO summit
in Turkey on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Russia was
finding it harder to defend its own skies, adding that this would hopefully
create more space to negotiate an end to the war. US President Donald Trump
said: “It’s an escalation, but it’s also an escalation that can help lead to an
end.”Asked about their statements, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told
reporters there were “certain misconceptions within the White House
administration... regarding the idea that escalation and military pressure can
help pave the way for a peaceful settlement.”He said this was a flawed premise,
adding that what Russia calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine might
go on for longer as a result.“It will result in our having to establish a larger
security zone — a larger buffer zone,” Peskov said. “Consequently, stoking
tensions and taking actions that drive escalation will in no way contribute to
the peace process.”
Putin’s position
Three sources close to the Kremlin have told Reuters that President Vladimir
Putin is rejecting calls to negotiate peace with Kyiv, and that Ukraine’s recent
drone strikes on Russia’s oil refineries and ports have strengthened his resolve
to keep fighting for now. Two of the sources said Putin was instead likely to
escalate the conflict. One of them, who meets regularly with the president,
described a “high probability” of escalation in the coming months.Asked about
Trump’s decision to allow Ukraine to make Patriot air defense interceptors under
license, Peskov said Moscow was under no illusion about US weapons supplies to
Kyiv. “We do not view the situation through rose-tinted glasses, and President
Putin is fully aware of this. At the same time, there is a certain duality in
the US position: unlike the Europeans, the United States maintains a desire to
facilitate a move toward a peace process. They may be mistaken or wrong at
times, but that desire strikes us as sincere.”Trump’s efforts to end the
conflict in Ukraine have stalled in recent months as Washington has focused on
the war with Iran, but Peskov reiterated that the Kremlin hoped US mediation
would resume once the Middle East crisis was resolved.
MBS, Canada’s Carney discuss regional developments,
bilateral ties in Jeddah
Al Arabiya English/09 July ,2026
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
held an official meeting at al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, where they discussed
regional and international developments. The talks covered bilateral relations,
areas of cooperation and opportunities to further develop ties across various
sectors, as well as the latest regional and international developments and
ongoing efforts to address them. Carney is visiting Saudi Arabia on an official
trip, his first since becoming prime minister last year.The Canadian prime
minister also took part in the Saudi-Canadian Investment Forum, where he said
Saudi Arabia’s leadership was playing an increasingly vital role for both the
world and Canada. Carney said he had seen the major transformations taking place
in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030, adding that the world needs new partners in
the energy sector. Observers view the visit as reflecting Canada’s recognition
of Saudi Arabia’s political and economic standing, its international weight and
its pivotal global role, as well as Ottawa’s keenness to strengthen
communication and coordination with Riyadh on regional and international issues
of mutual concern. Carney’s first visit also comes within the framework of a
shared Saudi-Canadian commitment to strengthening bilateral relations,
particularly given the two countries’ political and economic capabilities as
members of the G20.Separately, sources told Al Arabiya Business that Saudi
Arabia and Canada are expected to sign 13 agreements and memoranda of
understanding worth $1 billion during Carney’s visit to the Kingdom.A
Saudi-Canadian investment forum is also being held on the sidelines of the
visit. According to the sources, the agreements cover infrastructure, mining and
industry. The Royal Commission for Riyadh City is expected to sign two contracts
worth $440 million, while a partnership agreement between Saudi mining company
Maaden and Canada’s Hatch is also set to be signed, with a value of up to $700
million.The deals further strengthen trade relations between Saudi Arabia and
Canada and move them toward a phase of sustainable investment partnership, while
providing fertile ground for investors to exchange goods and innovative
services.Trade between Saudi Arabia and Canada reached around $2.909 billion in
2025. Saudi exports to Canada were valued at $1.719 billion, while Saudi imports
from Canada stood at $1.190 billion. Business ties between the two countries
have continued to develop. In January 2026, Riyadh hosted the Saudi-Canadian
Business and Investment Forum, which aimed to strengthen bilateral investment
partnerships in digital transformation, infrastructure and opportunities to
empower the private sector in both countries. The forum concluded with the
signing of six memoranda of understanding worth nearly $600 million, covering
cooperation initiatives in telecommunications, information technology,
cybersecurity, education and manufacturing.
The Latest LCCC analysis & editorials from
miscellaneous sources published
on 09-10 July/2026
The Politics of Managing Deadlocks
Charles Chartouni/Ici Beyrouth/July 09/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/155805/
(Translated from French)
Negotiations are stalling in both Lebanon and Iran, and the chances of a
breakthrough are visibly narrowing. This blockage is no coincidence and prompts
us to question the very purpose of these negotiations from the outset. It is
surely not a deliberate choice on the part of Iran and Lebanon, but rather a
result of constraints imposed by the realities of war and the subsequent
imbalances. It is also the result of an American will that initiated them at the
starting point. The disagreement between the United States and Israel regarding
the expediency of continuing the war also played a decisive role in implementing
the ongoing negotiation dynamics in both theaters.
Two Theaters, One Strategic Logic
The choice of these two theaters is not accidental; it was dictated by strategic
considerations that placed them in a symbiotic relationship, as they define the
real fabric of Iranian imperial policy. The temporary suspension of Gaza and its
ambiguities, the interim neutralization of the Iraqi-Yemeni theaters, and the
geopolitical mutations in Syria made the link between Iran and Lebanon
inevitable. Iran, eager to regenerate at all costs the connective tissues of its
policy of integrated operational platforms—from which it had operated for two
decades—sought to strengthen its influence.
The Israeli-American offensive had initiated this dynamic and was normally
intended to prelude their definitive destruction. American intervention,
although decisive at military and diplomatic levels, ended up being suspended in
favor of a resumption of negotiations, while the premises and dispositions of
the Iranian side had not changed. The [US] administration opted to negotiate
repeatedly, despite its characteristic skepticism. Differences of opinion
between President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, and Vice President Vance
continued to be heard as exchanges went on.
Lebanon Once Again Dissociated from the Iranian Dossier
On the Lebanese side, the nominal cessation of hostilities continues, while
negotiations have resulted in a framework agreement that should put an end to
fighting, military and political extraterritoriality, and restore Lebanese
sovereignty. The two trajectories pushed by the US administration finally
receded when the Lebanese-Israeli track and its framework agreement supplanted
the American-Israeli trajectory, which aimed to absorb it and annex it to the
Iranian agenda. This recapitulation is instructive in more ways than one. It
informs us about the underlying intentions of the Iranian approach. The latter
has no other goal than to rehabilitate the status quo ante, neutralize new power
relations, and relaunch exchanges with the international community based on
uninhibited unilateralism.
The benevolence of American diplomacy, instead of favoring a certain realism on
the Iranian side, has revived delusions of omnipotence, vindictiveness, and
reinstalled the ideological panopticon with its scotomas, institutionalized
psychosis, and paranoid diffractions. The United States, by divesting itself of
its military ascendancy and its gains, has attempted to re-engage the Iranian
regime on the path of gradual normalization. However, the course of negotiations
continues to hit obstacles of short-circuiting, sabotage, and ideological
diktat. The sole purpose of the negotiations remains the recovery of losses of
all kinds and the restoration of imperial policy.
Hormuz and the Nuclear File at the Heart of Iranian Demands
Linking negotiations on the Strait of Hormuz to the annexation of the Lebanese
dossier says a lot about the purpose of these negotiations. Any irenic intention
or negotiated search for an end to conflicts is, already, excluded. The
preliminary negotiations on the Strait of Hormuz concern the demining of
passages and estuaries, as well as the desire to subject these areas to the
regulations and discretionary power of the Iranian government regarding tolls
and security control. This brings us back to the starting point, whereas the
application of international law would have sufficed to restore circulation and
prevent conflicts. The same applies to nuclear demilitarization. This concerns
the various stages of uranium enrichment, the development of ballistic missiles,
and the sanctification of strategic choices and their links to imperial policy.
The Iranian regime does not hide its intentions and continues to pursue its
variable-geometry destabilization strategy. It approaches all files in an
integrated manner. This explains its naive and brazen desire to obtain the
lifting of financial sanctions as well as the disbursement of funds for
reconstruction, without offering any counterpart in terms of defusing
conflictual dynamics and dismantling their logistical infrastructures. Any
approach to security and strategic issues is associated with prohibitive
restrictions that prevent the peace dynamic from evolving.
Lebanon Facing the Risk of Deadlock
The Lebanese situation falls under the same geostrategic constellation and
clashes with the same prohibitions that have derailed the normalization
processes from start to finish. The frontal opposition to the stipulations of
the framework agreement, which provides for a direct link between the
disarmament of Hezbollah and the withdrawal of the Israeli army, testifies to a
desire for deadlock and to relaunch political disputes on the Lebanese scene,
thus threatening to plunge the country into civil war and institutionalized
chaos. The eventual failure of the Lebanese government to implement the
resolutions of the framework agreement will end up calling into question the
country's geostrategic and geopolitical balances, compromising civil peace, and
putting the viability of Lebanon at stake.
La politique de gestion des impasses
Charles Chartouni/Ici Beyrouth/09 juillet 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/155805/
Les négociations piétinent tant au Liban qu’en Iran et les chances d’un
déblocage se rétrécissent à vue d’œil. Le blocage des négociations n’est pas un
hasard et nous incite à interroger leur raison d’être dès l’origine. Il ne
s’agit sûrement pas d’une volonté délibérée du côté de l’Iran et du Liban, mais
plutôt des contraintes imposées par des faits de guerre et des déséquilibres
induits à leur suite. Il s'agit également d’une volonté américaine qui les a
suscitées au point de départ. Le désaccord entre les États-Unis et Israël quant
à l’opportunité de poursuivre la guerre a joué également un rôle déterminant
dans la mise en œuvre des dynamiques de négociation en cours sur les deux
théâtres.
Deux théâtres, une même logique stratégique
Le choix des deux théâtres n’est pas un effet du hasard, il a été dicté par des
considérations stratégiques qui mettaient les deux théâtres en relation
symbiotique car ils définissent la trame réelle de la politique impériale
iranienne. La suspension temporaire de Gaza et ses ambiguïtés, la neutralisation
intérimaire des théâtres irako-yéménites, et les mutations géopolitiques de la
Syrie rendaient inévitable le lien entre l’Iran et le Liban. L’Iran, désireux de
régénérer à tout prix les tissus conjonctifs de sa politique des plateformes
opérationnelles intégrées, à partir desquelles il avait opéré pendant deux
décennies, cherchait à renforcer son influence.
L’offensive israélo-américaine avait entamé cette dynamique et devait
normalement préluder à leur destruction définitive. L’intervention américaine,
quoique décisive aux niveaux militaire et diplomatique, a fini par être mise en
suspens au profit d’une reprise des négociations alors que les prémisses et les
dispositions de la partie iranienne n’avaient pas changé. L’administration a
opté pour négocier de manière récurrente, en dépit du scepticisme qui la
caractérisait. Les divergences d’opinion entre le président Trump, le secrétaire
d’État Rubio et le vice-président Vance continuaient de se faire entendre alors
que les échanges se poursuivaient.
Le Liban de nouveau dissocié du dossier iranien
Du côté libanais, l’arrêt nominal des hostilités se poursuit alors que les
négociations ont abouti à un accord-cadre qui devrait mettre fin aux combats,
aux extraterritorialités militaires et politiques et rétablir la souveraineté
libanaise. Les deux trajectoires impulsées par l’administration américaine se
sont finalement résorbées lorsque la voie libano-israélienne et son accord-cadre
ont supplanté la trajectoire américano-israélienne, qui visait à l’absorber et à
l’annexer à l’agenda iranien. Cette récapitulation est instructive à plus d’un
titre. Elle nous renseigne sur les intentions sous-jacentes à la démarche
iranienne. Cette dernière n’a d’autre but que de réhabiliter le statu quo ante,
de neutraliser les nouveaux rapports de force et de relancer les échanges avec
la communauté internationale sur la base d’un unilatéralisme décomplexé.
La bénévolence de la diplomatie américaine, au lieu de privilégier un certain
réalisme du côté iranien, a réanimé les délires de l’omnipotence, de la vindicte
et réinstallé le panoptique idéologique avec ses scotomes, sa psychose
institutionnalisée et ses diffractions paranoïdes. Les États-Unis, en se
dessaisissant de leur ascendant militaire et de ses acquis, ont tenté de
réengager le régime iranien sur la voie de la normalisation graduée. Or, le
cours des négociations continue de buter sur des procès de court-circuitage, de
sabotage et de diktat idéologique. Le seul but des négociations étant la
récupération des pertes en tous genres et la restauration de la politique
impériale.
Ormuz et le nucléaire au cœur des revendications iraniennes
Le fait d’avoir lié les négociations sur le détroit d’Ormuz à l’annexion du
dossier libanais en dit amplement sur la finalité de ces négociations. Toute
intention irénique ou de recherche négociée de la fin des conflits est, d’ores
et déjà, exclue. Les négociations préliminaires sur le détroit d’Ormuz portent
sur le déminage des passages et des estuaires, ainsi que sur la volonté de
soumettre ces zones aux régulations et au pouvoir discrétionnaire du
gouvernement iranien concernant le droit de péage et le contrôle sécuritaire.
Cela nous ramène au point de départ, alors que l’application du droit
international aurait suffi à rétablir la circulation et à prévenir les conflits.
Il en va de même sur le plan de la démilitarisation du nucléaire. Cela concerne
les diverses étapes d’enrichissement de l’uranium, de la mise au point des
missiles balistiques et de la sanctuarisation des choix stratégiques et de leurs
liens avec la politique impériale.
Le régime iranien ne cache pas ses intentions et continue de poursuivre sa
stratégie de déstabilisation à géométrie variable. Il aborde l’ensemble des
dossiers de manière intégrée. Cela explique sa volonté naïve et effrontée
d’obtenir la levée des sanctions financières ainsi que le déboursement des fonds
pour la reconstruction, sans offrir aucune contrepartie en matière de
désamorçage des dynamiques conflictuelles et du démantèlement de leurs
infrastructures logistiques. Toute approche des questions sécuritaires et
stratégiques est associée à des restrictions dirimantes qui empêchent la
dynamique de paix d’évoluer.
Le Liban face au risque de blocage
La situation libanaise relève de la même constellation géostratégique et se
heurte aux mêmes interdits qui ont déraillé les processus de normalisation de
bout en bout. L’opposition frontale aux stipulations de l’accord-cadre, qui
prévoit un lien direct entre le désarmement du Hezbollah et le retrait de
l’armée israélienne, témoigne d’une volonté de blocage et de relancer les
différends politiques sur la scène libanaise, menaçant ainsi de plonger le pays
dans la guerre civile et le chaos institutionnalisé. L’échec éventuel du
gouvernement libanais dans la mise en application des résolutions de l’accord-cadre
finira par remettre en question les équilibres géostratégiques et géopolitiques
du pays, compromettre la paix civile et mettre en cause la viabilité du Liban.
Hamas's Latest Trick: Leaving Government, Keeping Weapons
Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute/July 09, 2026
The key question is not who sits in ministerial offices in the Gaza Strip. The
key question is who holds the guns.
Nothing essential has changed.
Hamas is not dismantling its military wing. It is not surrendering its weapons.
It is not disbanding its security apparatus. It is not ending its command
structure. Thousands of Hamas employees and loyalists will also remain embedded
in the Gaza Strip's institutions.
"Hamas's apparent willingness to make room for a technocratic government is
designed to prevent its own disarmament.... [A]s long as Hamas retains its
weapons, any civilian government will of course operate as Hamas dictates." —
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar,
Sa'ar warned that Hamas seeks to replicate the Hezbollah model in the Gaza
Strip: a civilian administration would be responsible for garbage collection,
public services, reconstruction, and salaries, while Hamas would remain the
dominant military force.
This is not peace and stability. It is simply outsourcing civilian
responsibilities while preserving the machinery of jihad (holy war).
"The ceaseless headlines about Hamas 'ending its government' in Gaza and
'preparing to give up control' are yet another ruse and a nothing‑burger dressed
up as a concession by the terror group, which has zero intention of
relinquishing real power or disarming.... None of this resembles disarmament.
Hamas's al‑Qassam Brigades are working nonstop to repair tunnel networks and
rebuild munitions stockpiles... Yet the media coverage of this non‑event has
already reframed Hamas as cooperative, reasonable, even constructive; a
narrative shift that obscures Hamas's role as the primary obstacle to Gaza's
recovery. And this is landing successfully and working well for Hamas....
Ultimately, Hamas 'dissolving its government' will be judged by simple metrics
like whether Gazans can share posts on Facebook without being tortured, beaten,
or dragged into hospital interrogation rooms, abuses that continued from October
7 until just last week. Until that changes, the headlines are theater, and
Hamas's grip in Gaza remains intact." — Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, Palestinian
political analyst, x.com, June 6, 2026.
A technocratic government financed by foreign donors would relieve Hamas of the
financial burden of governing while allowing the terrorist group to concentrate
on rebuilding its military machine.
The full implementation of the Trump peace plan requires the dismantling of
Hamas's military capabilities and the complete demilitarization of the Gaza
Strip. Allowing Hamas to establish a Hezbollah-style state within a state would
guarantee continued instability and ensure that any future Palestinian
administration remained hostage to an armed terrorist organization.
The only meaningful solution is for Hamas to dissolve itself, and not merely one
of its governing committees. This means dismantling both its political and
military structures, surrendering all of its weapons, disbanding its security
apparatus, relinquishing every instrument of coercion, and disappearing as an
armed political force.
Until Hamas disappears as both a political movement and a terrorist
organization, declarations about dissolving committees amount to little more
than political make-believe designed to secure international legitimacy, unlock
billions of dollars in aid, and buy time for the next war.
The key question is not who sits in ministerial offices in the Gaza Strip. The
key question is who holds the guns. Hamas is not dismantling its military wing.
It is not surrendering its weapons.
Nearly three years after the October 7, 2023 massacre and more than six months
after President Donald J. Trump's 20-point peace plan called for the complete
demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, Hamas has announced that it is dissolving
its de facto governing body and is prepared to hand authority to a committee of
Palestinian technocrats.
At first glance, the announcement appears to represent an important concession.
It is not. It is merely Hamas's latest attempt to deceive the international
community into believing that it is complying with the requirements of the Trump
peace initiative while preserving what matters most to the terrorist
organization: its military power.
The key question is not who sits in ministerial offices in the Gaza Strip. The
key question is who holds the guns.
By Hamas's own admission, its ministries and thousands of employees will remain
in place. Even more importantly, Hamas says it will continue overseeing security
and policing in the areas still under its control.
In other words, Hamas is leaving government, not power. Nothing essential has
changed.
Hamas is not dismantling its military wing. It is not surrendering its weapons.
It is not disbanding its security apparatus. It is not ending its command
structure. Thousands of Hamas employees and loyalists will also remain embedded
in the Gaza Strip's institutions.
Without these steps, dissolving a governing committee is little more than a
cosmetic gesture.
So long as Hamas retains its military forces, every future civilian
administration in the Gaza Strip will operate under the shadow of Hamas's guns.
No technocratic government can function independently while an armed terrorist
organization remains the strongest force on the ground.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar immediately recognized the danger.
Hamas's trick is simple," he wrote. "Hamas's apparent willingness to make room
for a technocratic government is designed to prevent its own disarmament."
Sa'ar warned that Hamas seeks to replicate the Hezbollah model in the Gaza
Strip: a civilian administration would be responsible for garbage collection,
public services, reconstruction, and salaries, while Hamas would remain the
dominant military force. He noted that "as long as Hamas retains its weapons,
any civilian government will of course operate as Hamas dictates."
That assessment goes to the heart of Hamas's strategy.
The terrorist group is trying to replicate Hezbollah's "state within a state"
model in Lebanon. Under that model, a civilian government manages the country's
daily affairs while the terrorist organization retains its independent army,
intelligence apparatus, and the power to decide questions of war and peace.
The consequences for Lebanon have been catastrophic. Although successive
Lebanese governments formally governed the country, Hezbollah remained the real
power, using its vast arsenal and Iranian backing to dominate political life and
repeatedly drag Lebanon into destructive wars with Israel.
Hamas now appears to be pursuing precisely the same formula in the Gaza Strip.
It wants someone else to rebuild hospitals, schools, roads and homes, restore
basic services, and pay the salaries of civil servants, while Hamas quietly
rebuilds its military capabilities, recruits fighters, restores its tunnel
network, manufactures rockets, and prepares for another October 7-style massacre
against Israel.
This is not peace and stability. It is simply outsourcing civilian
responsibilities while preserving the machinery of jihad (holy war).
It is also not the first time Hamas has employed such tactics.
In 2014, after signing another reconciliation agreement with Mahmoud Abbas's
Fatah faction, Hamas similarly agreed to hand over the administration of the
Gaza Strip to a Palestinian unity government composed of technocrats. The belief
back then was that the arrangement would reduce Hamas's grip on Gaza. Instead,
Hamas maintained complete control over its military forces and security
agencies.
The unity government never exercised genuine authority. The result was
predictable. Hamas remained the main ruler of the Gaza Strip while others (the
Palestinian Authority and the international community) carried responsibility
for administration and public services.
Twelve years later, Hamas is attempting to repeat precisely the same formula.
History should serve as a warning. The international community has repeatedly
accepted Hamas's promises at face value. It has repeatedly convinced itself that
Hamas was becoming more pragmatic, more responsible, and more interested in
governing than fighting. Many Israeli and Western policymakers and political
analysts believed Hamas primarily wanted economic stability, reconstruction, and
periods of calm.
Those assumptions collapsed on October 7, 2023, when Hamas carried out the
deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
The lesson should have been obvious. Hamas has repeatedly used ceasefires,
reconstruction efforts, and diplomatic initiatives to strengthen its military
capabilities.
The latest Hamas announcement deserves to be examined through the same lens.
If Hamas genuinely wished to relinquish power, why wait until now? Why not
dissolve itself before the Gaza Strip suffered catastrophic destruction? Why not
step aside years ago to spare Palestinians the enormous human and economic costs
of another war?
The answer is straightforward.
Hamas is acting because it faces mounting international pressure to comply with
Trump's peace plan, whose central requirement is the complete demilitarization
of the Gaza Strip.
By announcing the dissolution of its governing committee, Hamas hopes to create
the impression that it is fulfilling its obligations while shifting diplomatic
pressure onto Israel.
The message Hamas wants the world to hear is simple: "We have done our part. Now
Israel must do its part."
It is a clever public relations strategy. However, it does not satisfy the
fundamental requirement of the Trump plan. The issue has never been who occupies
government offices. The issue is whether Hamas continues to exist as an armed
terrorist organization.
So long as Hamas remains armed, no civilian government can function
independently. So long as Hamas retains thousands of loyal employees embedded
throughout Gaza's institutions, any new administration risks becoming little
more than a façade behind which Hamas continues ruling from the shadows.
Palestinian political analyst Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib wrote on July 6:
"The ceaseless headlines about Hamas 'ending its government' in Gaza and
'preparing to give up control' are yet another ruse and a nothing‑burger dressed
up as a concession by the terror group, which has zero intention of
relinquishing real power or disarming. Similar announcements like this have
happened frequently in the past.
"The resignation of the head of the so‑called 'Emergency Committee,' or Hamas's
post–October 7 governing façade, is simply the removal of a figurehead. His
duties have already been quietly assumed by another 'temporary' Hamas
administrator while everyone pretends to wait for NCAG, the incoming
Technocratic Committee, to take over. Hamas has already announced that its
administrative and technical staff will continue working until NCAG arrives,
fully aware that the new transitional governing body will lack the capacity,
personnel, or infrastructure to run Gaza. This is Hamas's plan: recycle its
current/existing apparatus into the new administration expected to emerge from
the Trump Administration's transitional process overseen by the Board of Peace.
"What we're seeing is the sloppy rollout of a long‑predicted strategy: Hamas
shifting from direct control to indirectly reigning, Hezbollah‑style. It's
cheaper, it shields the group from accountability, and it allows new civilian
faces to absorb public anger while Hamas retains decisive control over every
meaningful lever of power in the Gaza Strip.
"None of this resembles disarmament. Hamas's al‑Qassam Brigades are working
nonstop to repair tunnel networks and rebuild munitions stockpiles using
unexploded ordnance and Israeli bombs from two years of war. Yet the media
coverage of this non‑event has already reframed Hamas as cooperative,
reasonable, even constructive; a narrative shift that obscures Hamas's role as
the primary obstacle to Gaza's recovery. And this is landing successfully and
working well for Hamas; not only with outlets, voices, and platforms who are
typically softer on the terror group, but even in some mainstream political
discourse, where some are treating this as tantamount to the initiation of
disarmament or the start of Phase II of the ceasefire.
"The timing is no coincidence: this move by Hamas comes one week after the Board
of Peace met in Cyprus and agreed to pursue 'Plan B,' the approach I've long
advocated: moving Gaza's civilian population across the 'Yellow Line' and
draining Hamas of access to resources and human shields it relies on.
"Ultimately, Hamas 'dissolving its government' will be judged by simple metrics
like whether Gazans can share posts on Facebook without being tortured, beaten,
or dragged into hospital interrogation rooms, abuses that continued from October
7 until just last week. Until that changes, the headlines are theater, and
Hamas's grip in Gaza remains intact."
Hamas's primary objective is survival. It understands that billions of dollars
in international reconstruction aid could soon flow into the Gaza Strip.
A technocratic government financed by foreign donors would relieve Hamas of the
financial burden of governing while allowing the terrorist group to concentrate
on rebuilding its military machine.
The full implementation of the Trump peace plan requires the dismantling of
Hamas's military capabilities and the complete demilitarization of the Gaza
Strip. Allowing Hamas to establish a Hezbollah-style state within a state would
guarantee continued instability and ensure that any future Palestinian
administration remained hostage to an armed terrorist organization.
The only meaningful solution is for Hamas to dissolve itself, and not merely one
of its governing committees. This means dismantling both its political and
military structures, surrendering all of its weapons, disbanding its security
apparatus, relinquishing every instrument of coercion, and disappearing as an
armed political force.
Anything short of that preserves the conditions that produced the October 7
massacre.
Both Israelis and Palestinians have already paid an unbearable price for
repeatedly believing Hamas's promises. They cannot afford to make the same
mistake again. The international community should not be fooled by another
carefully staged Hamas performance.
Until Hamas disappears as both a political movement and a terrorist
organization, declarations about dissolving committees amount to little more
than political make-believe designed to secure Hamas's international legitimacy,
unlock billions of dollars in aid for it, and buy time for it to prepare its
next war.
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22683/hamas-trick-keeping-weapons
*Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning journalist based in Jerusalem.
*Follow Khaled Abu Toameh 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. No
part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied
or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
Iran Continues Work at Key Nuclear Site, Violating U.S.-Iran Agreement
Andrea Stricker/FDD-Policy Brief/July 09/2026
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/07/08/iran-continues-work-at-key-nuclear-site-violating-u-s-iran-agreement/
New analysis of satellite imagery indicates that Iran is continuing construction
at the deeply buried nuclear facility known as Pickaxe Mountain, in violation of
the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Since 2021, the Islamic Republic has maintained that Pickaxe Mountain is a
centrifuge manufacturing facility. However, Western intelligence agencies
suspect that Tehran is also building an undeclared uranium enrichment plant
there.
The site is buried deeper than the Fordow enrichment plant, which was struck by
the United States in June 2025, and could be impervious to airstrikes. Under the
MOU signed on June 17, Tehran committed to “maintain the current status quo of
its nuclear program.” Any reasonable reading of that commitment precludes
further construction at nuclear facilities.Iran’s continued activity raises
questions about nuclear capabilities the regime may be advancing beyond the view
of satellites. It also highlights that the MOU — already faltering because of
continued Iranian provocations in the Strait of Hormuz — is unlikely to produce
meaningful restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program.
New Activity Observed
The Institute for Science and International Security reported on July 2 that
late-June imagery of Pickaxe Mountain showed “vehicle activity … on the roads
leading to the open set of Western tunnel portals, indicating that construction
inside the tunnel complex, as well [as] hardening of the tunnel entrance, are
ongoing.” The Institute has previously documented Iranian efforts to fortify the
site’s entrances against possible U.S. or Israeli strikes or raids, along with
apparent construction inside the deeply buried tunnel complex.Since the MOU was
signed, the Institute has observed no significant activity at Iran’s other major
nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, or Isfahan — all of which were targeted by the
United States in June 2025. Washington did not strike Pickaxe Mountain at that
time, likely because the facility was not yet nearing completion.The regime has
sharply limited International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to its nuclear
sites since the June 2025 strikes, barring inspectors from legally required
access to damaged facilities entirely. The IAEA has never visited Pickaxe
Mountain under Iran’s comprehensive safeguards agreement, as Tehran has never
declared it an enrichment facility. Since 2021, Iran has also suspended
implementation of the Additional Protocol, which requires enhanced safeguards at
centrifuge-manufacturing and other nuclear-related sites.
President Donald Trump has cited Iran’s resumed nuclear activity —
ostensibly at Pickaxe — as one justification for new U.S. military strikes
conducted between February and April 2026.MOU Violation Must Be Explained, U.S.
Military Preparations Warrantedز Trump has repeatedly,
and apparently successfully, warned Iran against attempts to recover surviving
enriched uranium stocks for further enrichment to weapons-grade levels.
However, Tehran could, over time, still seek to resurrect its uranium fuel cycle
at Pickaxe Mountain or elsewhere. This might include deploying a surviving set
of a few hundred advanced centrifuges to Pickaxe for enrichment, along with
potential new weaponization efforts. To advance this option, Iran would
prioritize completion of the Pickaxe facility, advancing the work under the
cover of negotiations with the United States while continuing to benefit from
sanctions relief to stabilize its economy.
The United States must demand that Iran explain the observed activity and its
clear violation of the MOU. To test Tehran’s seriousness about negotiations and
its interpretation of the agreement, Washington should insist that Iran grant
IAEA inspectors immediate access to the site to determine the true nature of its
work. If Iran stonewalls or continues construction, the United States must
prepare credible military options to disable Pickaxe or render it inaccessible
or inoperable.
*Andrea Stricker is a research fellow and deputy director of the
Nonproliferation Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). For
more analysis from the author and FDD, please subscribe HERE. Follow Andrea on X
@StrickerNonpro. Follow FDD on X @FDD. FDD is a Washington, DC-based,
nonpartisan research institute focused on national security and foreign policy.
Trump Shouldn’t Delist Syria Without Conditions
Ahmad Sharawi/National Review/July 09/2026
The inclusion of Syria on the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list is important
leverage the U.S. should not give up easily.
This Wednesday, on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Syrian president Ahmad al-Sharaa
will sit down with President Donald Trump for the third time. Less than a year
ago, Sharaa became the first Syrian leader to visit Washington. Since then,
world leaders have received the former al-Qaeda commander with open arms,
demonstrating their belief — or at least their hope — that he has turned away
from his extremist past and is seeking to reset Syria’s role on the world stage.
When Trump met Sharaa in Riyadh in May 2025, the U.S. president said he wanted
to give Syrians “a chance at greatness,” and so announced the lifting of
sanctions that had long constrained the country’s recovery. Washington
subsequently removed Caesar Act sanctions targeting the former Assad regime and
its enablers and rescinded Sharaa’s designation as a Specially Designated Global
Terrorist. Now, Sharaa is seeking to build on that momentum. During a May phone
call with Trump, he pressed for additional relief, most notably Syria’s removal
from the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST) list.
Washington designated Syria as an SST in 1979 because it supported Palestinian
armed groups and later reinforced it in response to Assad’s backing of Hezbollah
and other Iranian proxies. The listing is now the last major comprehensive U.S.
restriction on Syria. It bars most arms sales and foreign assistance, restricts
financial transactions involving U.S. persons, and exposes Syria to
terrorism-related lawsuits.
Sharaa is likely to raise Syria’s removal from the list during his meeting with
Trump; Syria views the designation as the “last milestone” needed to unlock
much-needed American investment in the war-torn country, according to Syrian
Finance Minister Yisr Barnieh. The designation has deterred not only U.S.
companies but also foreign governments and firms wary of the legal and financial
risks of investing in Syria. Gulf states have pledged roughly $30 billion in
investments, but much of that capital has yet to materialize as banks remain
reluctant to process Syria-related transactions while the designation remains in
place.
Still, Washington should not remove Syria from the SST list unconditionally.
Instead, Trump should use the designation as a source of leverage to secure
measurable progress from Syria on counterterrorism, minority protection,
accountability for sectarian violence, and the development of a stable
relationship between Syria and Israel.
The meeting between the heads of state is also expected to focus on what Syria
can deliver for U.S. interests. Lebanon and Hezbollah will likely feature
prominently. Trump has repeatedly suggested that Syria could play a role in
confronting the Hezbollah challenge, comments that officials and commentators in
Beirut and Damascus widely interpreted as a reference to a greater Syrian role
against the group inside Lebanon.
Behind closed doors, the more realistic discussion will presumably focus on
Hezbollah’s ability to rearm through Syrian territory. Damascus has already
shown a willingness to act against the Iran-backed group, intercepting weapons
shipments destined for Hezbollah and disrupting plots to launch attacks against
Israel from Syrian soil. Yet these steps have not stemmed the flow of arms.
Hezbollah continues to exploit long-established smuggling networks along the
porous Syrian–Lebanese border. Additionally, Hezbollah-linked financial entities
have continued to profit from their presence in Syria, even under Sharaa’s rule.
Two weeks ago, the U.S. Treasury Department designated a Syria-based company for
providing material support to Hezbollah. Trump is therefore likely to press
Sharaa on whether his government can move beyond isolated interdictions and
establish a strategy that includes sustained border control and financial
enforcement to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding and regenerating.
Washington has other reasons to proceed cautiously. Damascus joined the
anti-ISIS coalition after Sharaa’s first Washington visit. Yet ISIS has also
penetrated Syria’s own security apparatus. The U.N. Security Council’s
monitoring team warned that the terror group had “infiltrated newly formed
Syrian security structures, particularly at the lower and mid-level ranks,” a
concern that materialized when a member of Syria’s General Security Service
killed two U.S. servicemen in December 2025.
The challenge is heightened by Damascus’s integration of designated foreign
jihadist factions into the army, including the Uzbek-led Katibat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad
and the Uyghur-led Turkistan Islamic Party, whose leader, Abdul Haq al-Turkistani,
still sits on al-Qaeda’s Shura Council. Meanwhile, foreign fighters helped ISIS
families escape al-Hol, where residents had established their own “morality
police.” One observer described al-Hol as “less a refugee camp than a breeding
group. Children are raised on ISIS slogans.”
Washington must also assess whether Sharaa can keep his forces in check, prevent
sectarian massacres, and build a political system that acknowledges Syria’s
religious and ethnic diversity before deciding whether to remove the SST
designation. Domestically, the situation for minority groups remains deeply
troubling. Sharaa-affiliated forces have carried out massacres against
minorities, including Druze in Suwayda and Alawites on the Syrian coast. The
violence has pushed southern Druze communities to call for independence, while
clashes persist with the Alawites.
This fragmentation is risky for U.S. interests, as it could reopen the door to
civil war and create opportunities for security vacuums that would allow
America’s adversaries to reassert their influence. To achieve domestic stability
in Syria — and earn U.S. support — Sharaa must fulfill his pledge to “achieve
civil peace and pursue those who committed massacres.” Justice Minister Mazhar
al-Wais has promised public trials for those involved in sectarian massacres, a
step that could reassure minorities. But little is known about the judicial
mechanism, especially when suspects may include members of the government’s own
ranks.To convince Trump to delist Syria, Sharaa must prove that his government
has truly turned a page. Cooperation against Hezbollah and ISIS will matter, but
the U.S. should not view it as sufficient on its own. Washington should also
demand evidence of accountability and minority protection before it takes the
momentous step of removing Syria from the SST list.
For Washington, Assad’s fall created a rare chance for engaging a country that
was long aligned with America’s enemies in Moscow and Tehran. But that
opportunity will mean little if Sharaa cannot deliver genuine progress at home.
Trump should not trade delisting for symbolic cooperation. He should use the SST
designation as leverage to demand measurable changes in how Syria governs
itself, polices its borders, and treats its people.
https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/07/trump-shouldnt-delist-syria-without-conditions/
**Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of
Democracies. @AhmadA_Sharawi
The forgotten history of Muslim socialism
Clifford D. May/The Washington Times/July 07/2026
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jul/7/forgotten-history-muslim-socialism/
Zohran Mamdani, Aber Kawas, Rashida Tlaib, Darializa Avila Chevalier. These are
just some of the Democratic politicians who self-identify as both socialists and
Muslims. This gives me an opportunity to acquaint you with a bit of little-known
history.
We will begin in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 1904, when a Muslim social democratic
party known as Hummet was organized to draw the city’s Muslim oil workers into
Russia’s socialist movement. In 1920, Hummet merged with other leftist groups to
form the Azerbaijan Communist Party.
By 1917, Mirsaid Sultan-Galiev, a Volga Tatar, had joined the Bolsheviks and was
soon arguing that Muslim peoples, colonized by the Russian Empire, were a kind
of proletariat. His ideology became known as Muslim national communism.
The Bolsheviks took the idea further. Portraying themselves as the world’s
foremost anti-imperialists while simultaneously absorbing the Muslim territories
of the deposed Russian empire, they papered Central Asia with agitprop posters
aimed at recruiting Muslims for the Red Cavalry.
My favorite appeared in 1919. Artist Dmitrii Moor swapped the hammer and sickle
for a crescent and star and declared: “Comrade Mussulman! Under the Green Banner
of the Prophet, you fought for your land and villages. But then the enemies of
your people took your land. Now, under the banner of the workers’ and peasants’
revolution…join up from the east and west, north and south. Saddle up,
comrades!”This alliance didn’t last long. In 1923, Sultan-Galiev became one of
the first senior Bolsheviks purged from the Communist Party for the crime of
“bourgeois nationalism.” Joseph Stalin had him shot in 1940. For decades
afterwards, Soviet Central Asia was oppressed and immiserated under a regime
openly hostile to all religions – even the one it had assiduously courted.
However, the idea planted by Sultan-Galiev — that Muslims and socialists were
natural allies against a common enemy, Western imperialists — resurfaced a
generation later following the collapse of European colonialism. It split into
two camps.
In 1954 Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, an Arab nationalist socialist who
invoked Islam when it suited him jailed and executed leaders of the Muslim
Brotherhood, whose mission was then — and remains today — the reestablishment of
a powerful Islamic caliphate.
After Algeria won independence in 1962, its leaders also were Arab nationalists
and state socialists. While they treated Islam as part of the national identity
they were building, they had no tolerance for Islamists as independent political
actors.
The fusion Sultan-Galiev had imagined found its fullest expression in Pakistan
and Libya, countries whose leaders saw socialism and Islam as reinforcing, not
rival, claims to legitimacy.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto founded the Pakistan Peoples Party in 1967 under the slogan
“Islam is our faith, democracy is our polity, socialism is our economy.” After
taking power in 1971, he nationalized banks and heavy industry, arguing that
socialism reflected Islam’s commitment to social justice.
Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s 1975 Green Book proposed a “Third Universal
Theory,” that rejected both capitalism and communism, in favor of what he called
an authentically Arab alternative: a state that was socialist in its economics
and Islamic in its legitimacy. Ba’athism, though it landed closer to Nasser’s
camp than Gaddafi’s, may be the strangest hybrid of all. It was built by Michel
Aflaq, a Greek Orthodox Christian from Damascus who studied Marxism at the
Sorbonne.
He argued that Islam was the great achievement of the Arabs – a shared cultural
inheritance rather than a binding theology, available to Christian and Muslim
Arabs alike. Layer onto that a Leninist vanguard party, a socialist economic
program, and organizational habits influenced by the European fascist movements
Aflaq encountered in 1930s Paris, and you get the peculiar result that ruled
Syria and Iraq for decades: a socialist one-party state, legitimized by
selective borrowings from Islam, and eventually ruled by strongmen. Finally, we
come to Iran. The Tudeh Party — Iran’s communist party since 1941 — backed the
1979 revolution, calculating that the ruling mullahs were a useful vehicle
against American power and influence.
It was a bad bet. In 1983, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s government arrested the
Tudeh’s leadership en masse, made General Secretary Nur al-Din Kianuri go on
television to read a forced confession of treason and “espionage,” and banned
the party outright. By the mid-1980s, the socialist/communist allies of Iran’s
Islamic revolutionaries were all executed, imprisoned, or driven into exile.
I can’t resist mentioning Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, named after Vladimir Ilich
Lenin by his Venezuelan Marxist father. Trained in Moscow, he joined the
Marxist-Leninist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). In the
1970s he became known as “Carlos the Jackal” – among the deadliest terrorists in
history. Captured in 1994, he was sentenced to life in a French prison where, in
2003, he wrote “Revolutionary Islam,” calling on “all revolutionaries, including
those of the left, even atheists” to accept Islamist leadership, arguing that
was the only force capable of confronting the West after the Soviet collapse. He
praised bin Laden and called 9/11 a “lofty feat.” And he converted to Islam.
The Islamic socialist experiments produced dead-end economies, one-party
repression, and, in most of these states, Islamist movements turning against the
socialist regimes that had once claimed to speak for them. Given this history,
how is it possible that Muslim socialists have now suddenly become the cool kids
in the Democratic Party?
Their brand of socialism is based not on Quranic injunctions, but on whatever
strikes them as “social justice,” e.g., rent control, confiscatory taxes on “the
rich,” Medicare for All, public housing, and open borders. Their Islamic
supremacism comes into play in their justification of terrorism as “resistance,”
and their hostility toward Israelis and Jews who don’t toe the anti-Zionist
line.
History, they say, rhymes rather than repeats. If so, expect Mr. Mamdani and
friends to produce one more bad verse in a bloody, century-long poem.
**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.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jul/7/forgotten-history-muslim-socialism/
Read in The Washington Times
In Iraq... the Country's Good Comes Before Any Other Interest
Suleiman JawdaAmr el-Shobaki/Asharq Alawsat/July 09/2026
The Sadrist movement in Iraq has once again shown that it places the interests
of the people above all else.
First, it rushed to announce the integration of the members of its military
wing, the "Peace Brigades," into government forces - a commendable initiative.
Those who had heard Moqtada al-Sadr, the movement's leader, speak earlier of
integrating the brigades' members into government forces were caught between
belief and disbelief; they preferred to wait and see whether Sadr's promise
would be kept. Only a few days later, news agencies aired footage of his
militants celebrating their integration. The scene was striking for two reasons:
first, because no one had expected the day would come when we would watch such
an integration unfold before our eyes; second, because the militants themselves
showed no discontent. They were smiling, as the photos show, and then lowered
the movement's flag from atop its command headquarters in Samarra.
Because good things are contagious, just as bad things and diseases are, the
"Imam Ali Brigades" soon followed and announced they would take the same path.
Others have yet to take this path. It seems the groups that ought to have taken
the initiative and followed the example set by the Sadrist movement and the Imam
Ali Brigades are still hesitating. That is why Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi found
no alternative but to set a deadline for disarmament: September 30. After that,
they will have to face the consequences. The Sadrist movement's other
demonstration of patriotism was the number of its supporters demonstrating in
Najaf in support of al-Zaidi and his courageous stand against corruption. The
man introduced his term with an anti-corruption campaign unlike anything Iraq
has seen - note that he dispatched a security sweep into Baghdad's Green Zone at
dawn, and it returned with 47 people accused of corruption on a boundless scale.
Corruption has exhausted Iraq, and it has weighed on Iraqis for a long time.
We follow reports of corruption in Iraq, but we cannot fathom how corruption
grew like this, nor how it flourished to this extent. I am not speaking of
casual remarks about corruption, nor of the talk of ordinary people. I am citing
what was said, for example, by Munir Haddad, legal adviser to the head of
government in Baghdad. Haddad said that the sums looted from public funds in
Iraq since 2003 - that is, since the Americans toppled Saddam Hussein's regime -
exceed two trillion dollars. "How dreadful!" as Youssef Bey Wahbi used to
exclaim on stage.
Two trillion dollars means 2,000 billion dollars. It means the number 2 followed
by 12 zeros. It means an unfathomable sum. It also means that Iraq's thieves,
when they stole, left ordinary people nothing to live on.
Haddad said the looted public money exceeds such-and-such an amount, meaning the
figure he cited is only an approximation and that "the real number is something
else," as our brothers in the Levant say. Otherwise, what are we to make of the
report that 148 billion dollars were lost somewhere in government offices, with
no one knowing where the money went?
Were we to allow ourselves to list the announced figures, we would not finish
going through this forest of numbers with terrifying implications anytime soon.
The most important thing about the scene of Sadrist militants taking to the
streets in support of al-Zaidi is that it gives him popular legitimacy to press
on with his anti-corruption drive. A prime minister cannot confront corruption
alone - least of all corruption on so mythical a scale as Iraq's. The Sadrist
movement took the initiative and offered two steps that prove its commitment,
not one. In both, it placed Iraq - a homeland for all its people - above
everything else. All that is asked of the remaining groups is to follow the
Sadrist movement's example and walk in its footsteps, for that path will carry
Iraqis to where they ought to stand among nations, and to where a land like
theirs deserves to stand: a land that has everything and lacks only sincere
intentions.
In Syria, the Logic of the State Prevails
Amr el-Shobaki/Asharq Alawsat/July 09/2026
Syria rejected the United States' request that Damascus intervene in Lebanon to
confront Hezbollah. President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed this refusal, affirming
Syria's commitment to civil peace in Lebanon, wishing the Lebanese people well,
and hoping that Lebanon's relationship with Syria would be at its best.
Much of the praise for the new Syrian leadership's position has centered on the
logic of prudence, the refusal of revenge, magnanimity in the moment of power,
and the other virtues many have attributed to the new order. The truth is that
the larger and more important aspect of Syria's position toward Hezbollah is
that it was guided by the calculations of a head of state, not the leader of an
organization. Had Ahmed al-Sharaa still been leading Jabhat al-Nusra or Hayat
Tahrir al-Sham, and had the opportunity arisen to retaliate against Hezbollah
for its crimes in Syria, he might well have done so, because his calculations
would have been those of the leader of an armed organization, not those of a
head of state.
Imagine that, before the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
had been presented with an opportunity to retaliate against Hezbollah on its own
turf in response to what it had done in Syria, and that regional circumstances
had allowed it to seize that opportunity. It would most likely have acted
without much hesitation. The calculations of an armed organization are grounded
in revenge, retribution, and the pursuit of victories, regardless of the price
ordinary people pay or any collateral consequences or catastrophic outcomes of
such an intervention, just as Hezbollah and Iran did in Syria, where they lost a
large popular base of support.
Jabhat al-Nusra acted according to the logic of an armed organization when it
intervened in Lebanon, specifically in Qalamoun in 2014, in response to
Hezbollah's intervention in support of the Syrian regime. It did so despite the
difficult circumstances, the strength of the opposing side, and the Lebanese
army's support for Hezbollah at the time. Nevertheless, it entered into
confrontations inside Lebanon, took soldiers captive, and answered crimes with
crimes of its own.
That is why the current situation is so striking and so clearly revealing: the
balance of power favors Syria's new leadership, Hezbollah and Iran are in a
weakened position, there is a Lebanese constituency that supports any move
capable of breaking the power of Hezbollah's weapons, and there is a green
light, indeed, incitement, and perhaps American pressure, for Damascus to move
against what remains of Hezbollah's arsenal. Yet the Syrian president's refusal
was categorical because he understands the price that both Syria and Lebanon
would pay for such an intervention, however tempting it might be.
In truth, al-Sharaa's position does not stem only, or even primarily, from his
having reconsidered some of his ideas and put forward new ones that differ from
those prevailing within political Islamist movements. Rather, it stems from the
fact that he has become the president of a state with a popular base, seeking to
build institutions rather than militias built on revenge and retribution.
The calculations of a prudent and rational state, even one whose institutions
are still under construction, place national interests and the interests of its
people above every other consideration. Whether to make concessions or refuse
them on any political issue, whether it concerns Hezbollah, Iran, Russia, or
even Israel, is determined by the country's supreme interests, not by ready-made
ideological formulas or a recipe for revenge that ignores the costs of any
battle or confrontation with a rival or an enemy.
Therefore, we should not be surprised that the calculations of an armed
organization, whether it is called Hezbollah, Jabhat al-Nusra, or anything else,
remain governed by the organization's own cause, its interests, and the
interests of its allies. No rational state can ignore the consequences of
entering an armed confrontation for its people, as Hezbollah did when it brushed
aside the judgment of its partners in the homeland, who rejected the "war of
support" for Gaza because it harmed Lebanon without benefiting Gaza, and who
rejected the "war of support" for Iran because it defended another state at the
expense of the homeland and its people.
Perhaps if Hezbollah tried to understand the logic of the state, however weak
that state may be, and even tried to learn from Iran itself, not from anyone
else, it would recognize that people chanted before the war, "Neither Gaza nor
Lebanon, my life for Iran." And if it tried to "Lebanonize" that slogan, it
would understand that the majority of Lebanese who rejected a war for Iran's
sake are not agents of Israel. They reject the logic of an armed organization
deciding, in place of the state, to wage wars at home and abroad. They reject an
organization that recognizes no rights for individuals, treats their concerns
and lives with contempt, and regards them as sacrifices to be made in pursuit of
the organization's objectives. Had it sought to become part of the project of
rebuilding the state, it would have respected its partners in the homeland even
while disagreeing with them, and it would not have led them into the flames for
the sake of another state.
Selected Face Book & X tweets on
09 July
Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter
https://x.com/yechielleiter/status/2075222870473547825/video/1
The Mullahs of Iran are clutching to the Strait of Hormuz because they have no
other cards left after we degraded their military capabilities in operations
Roaring Lion and Epic Fury.
Watch my full interview with @jaketapper
Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter
https://x.com/yechielleiter/status/2059767968918127022/video/1
·If vicious lies were told about you, wouldn’t you want to respond?
That’s exactly what we did. The new #ModernBloodLibelBook is out now, online,
free of charge.
Read it and see the truth behind the web of lies.
ראש ממשלת ישראל
@IsraeliPM_heb
https://x.com/IsraeliPM_heb/status/2075226943197262327/video/1
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke today (Thursday) with the commander of
the Israeli delegation to Venezuela and Deputy Commander of the Home Front
Command, Brigadier General Elad Adari, and with Israel's Ambassador-designate to
Mexico, Yoad Magen. The Israeli delegation has been operating across the country
for ten days in several areas affected by the earthquake, with the aim of
assisting in the rehabilitation phase by sorting and classifying damaged
buildings, as well as in additional operations.
For the full announcement
Isaac
According to various reports, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain are
carrying out coordinated bombings against Iran. The Arabs have finally woken up!
Isaac Herzog
Five new Qadis, judges of Islamic law, were sworn in to serve in Israel’s Sharia
courts during a ceremony at the President's Residence in Jerusalem today. I was
especially moved as the second female Qadi in Israel's history, Rula
Masalha-Zahalka, was sworn in. Mabrouk!
Imtiaz Mahmood
Senior IRGC Navy official Mohammad Reza Khazini who earlier threatened to make
the gulf of Oman a graveyard for the US Navy ships & marines has been killed in
US strike on IRGC command & control center. Officially confirmed. @IsraelMillitary