English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News
& Editorials
For June 12/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
I do not say to you that I
will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because
you have loved me and have believed that I came from God
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to
Saint John 16/25-28:”‘I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The
hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you
plainly of the Father. On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you
that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you,
because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from
the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am
going to the Father.’”
Titles For Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related
News & Editorials published on 11-12 June/2026
Yazed Bin Farhan's Remote control and the
corrupted owners of all the Lebanese political parties/Elias Bejjani/June
08/2026
The terrorist group Hezbollah and its demented mullah masters understand only
the language of force./Elias Bejjani/June 07/2026
A video link to an English-language panel discussion from the “Defense of
Democracy” website featuring researcher Hussein Abdul-Hussein, US envoy Morgan
Ortagus, and well-known US politician David Schenker. The topic of the panel is:
“The Arab approach to Israel: history, mythology, and paths to peace.”
President Aoun: Lebanon will not withdraw from negotiations despite pressure
Aoun to Reuters: Lebanon will not accept Iranian dictates
UN chief Guterres calls for full ceasefire in Lebanon
Fifth round of Washington talks between Lebanon and Israel set for June 22–24:
The details
Lebanon’s Education Minister says official exams plan under review to ensure
student safety
Beyond Lebanon: Israel and Turkey on a collision course
Prince Yazid bin Farhan in Beirut
Qaani: Hezbollah Will Remain at the Forefront of Defending Lebanon
Syrian Interior Ministry: Lebanon is not a backyard as the previous regime saw
it
NDAA advances to Senate, calls for major boost to Israel and conditions Lebanon
aid
Lebanon’s Christians flee Tyre, fearing Israel’s campaign will prevent return
Israel Advances in South Lebanon Toward Heights Overlooking Nabatieh, Galilee
Israeli Military Says Two 'Launches' Fall near Israeli Troops in Southern
Lebanon
Report: Alleged Spy’s Escape in Lebanon Exposes Israel’s Shadow War on Hezbollah
Lebanon’s Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Decision on Exports Came after
Beirut Met Standards
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Berri Sabotages President Trump’s Peace Agenda/Hussain
Abdul-Hussain/The Algemeiner/June 11/2026
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published
on 11-12 June/2026
Details of the draft final terms of the
agreement between the US and Iran: 60-day extension of the truce and reopening
of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Text of Memorandum of Understanding with the US Nearly
Complete
Iranian Forces Warn of "Wider-Range" War if Washington Launches New Strikes
Vance Criticizes Netanyahu: He Made Mistakes on Some Issues, and Israel's
Interests Don't Always Align with America's
Vance: Washington Will Choose the Interests of the American People When They
Conflict with Israeli Interests
Iran Says US Strikes Render Ceasefire 'Meaningless,' Talks on Funds Mechanism
Still on Track
Trump says 'great' deal with Iran to be signed within days in Europe
Trump says canceling Iran strikes, flags possible deal
Report: Trump said Iran deal imminent after 'gaps narrowed' between US, Iran
Pakistan Calls for US-Iran 'Negotiated Settlement' after Escalation
US military says it struck tanker violating Iran port blockade
Iran warns Mideast truce ‘practically meaningless’ after US strikes
US plans to deport Iranians to Central African Republic, sources say
False alarm at the Pentagon triggers brief shelter-in-place order
Kuwait says morning Iran strikes hit airport radar, caused injuries
Iranian attack on Kuwait airport caused injuries, serious damage: Civil aviation
authority
EU’s Kallas says discussed escalation in Iran conflict with Iran foreign
minister
1.3 million UN-registered refugees return to Syria in 2025
Syrian president receives invitation to US mid-June: Diplomatic source
Zaidi Urges Sharaa to Boost Baghdad-Damascus Coordination
Israel releases Hamas co-founder after two years of detention: son
UN reports record levels of settler violence in the West Bank
on 11-12 June/2026
The Ongoing Charade of Hamas Disarmament/Khaled
Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute/June 11, 2026
Kosovo’s unique case a shining example in international relations/Lulzim Mjeku/Arab
News/June 11, 2026
Iraq’s long road to reclaiming the factions’ weapons/Hassan Al-Mustafa/Arab
News/June 11, 2026
Rare earth elements should be a priority for regional states/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab
News/June 11, 2026
A Faint Light from Iraq/Suleiman Jawda/Asharq Al Awsat/11 June 2026
Iran’s missile diplomacy and its collapse of credibility/Hani Hazaimeh/Arab
News/June 11, 2026
on 11-12 June/2026
Yazed Bin Farhan's Remote
control and the corrupted owners of all the Lebanese political parties
Elias Bejjani/June 08/2026
The greatest service Saudi Arabia can offer Lebanon and the Lebanese is to stop
funding the corrupted owners of all the Christian, Druze, and Sunni political
parties, to let Lebanon make peace with Israel,end the heresy of the two-state
solution, and also to stop Berri's posturing and sto welcoming his thug's
mouthpiece, Ali Hassan Khalil, who is being sanctioned for corruption.
The terrorist group Hezbollah and its
demented mullah masters understand only the language of force.
Elias Bejjani/June 07/2026
The demented rulers of Iran understand only
Netanyahu's language: force, humiliation, and assassinations. Trump remains
ignorant of Iran's culture of delusions, fantasies, and empty bravado.
A video link to an English-language panel
discussion from the “Defense of Democracy” website featuring researcher Hussein
Abdul-Hussein, US envoy Morgan Ortagus, and well-known US politician David
Schenker. The topic of the panel is: “The Arab approach to Israel: history,
mythology, and paths to peace.”
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/06/155220/
June 11/2026
The Palestinian statehood narrative rests on a foundation that FDD’s
Hussain Abdul-Hussain argues was constructed, not inherited. In The Arab Case
for Israel, he traces Palestinian national identity to 1964 and inter-Arab
rivalry, not ancient roots, and contends that the “lost state” narrative is a
vision for a Middle East without Israel, not a recoverable past. U.S. pressure
on Iran’s nuclear program, Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, and the
demonstrated dividends of the Abraham Accords have cracked open a moment of
genuine regional realignment. Hussain’s argument isn’t academic — it’s a call
for Arab leaders to seize that window and embrace normalization publicly, before
it closes.
Join FDD for a policy conversation on what Arab-Israeli peace actually requires,
and whether the region is ready to get there. FDD research fellow and author
Hussain Abdul-Hussain will be joined by Morgan Ortagus, former U.S. deputy
Presidential Envoy to the Middle East, in a discussion moderated by David
Schenker, Taube senior fellow and director of the Rubin Program on Arab Politics
at the Washington Institute.
Speakers
David Schenker
David Schenker is director of the Program on Arab Politics at the Washington
Institute, where he is also senior fellow. He served as assistant secretary of
state for Near Eastern Affairs from June 2019 until January 2021, in which
capacity he was the principal Middle East advisor to the secretary of state and
the senior official overseeing the conduct of U.S. policy and diplomacy in a
region stretching from Morocco to Iran to Yemen, including the Palestinian
Authority and Western Sahara. David served as Levant country director in the
Office of the Secretary of Defense. He was awarded the Office of the Secretary
of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service in 2005.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Hussain Abdul-Hussain is a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of
Democracies and author of The Arab Case for Israel (2026). As a reporter, and
later managing editor, at Beirut’s The Daily Star, he reported from war zones on
the Lebanese border with Israel, and from Iraq. Hussain helped set up and manage
the Arabic satellite network Alhurra Iraq, after which he headed the Washington
Bureau of Kuwaiti daily Alrai. He has worked as a visiting fellow with London’s
Chatham House, and has published in The New York Times and The Washington Post
and in Arabic in various publications.
Morgan D. Ortagus
Morgan D. Ortagus is a former American government official with over two decades
of experience in diplomacy, national defense, and intelligence operations. She
has held numerous high-ranking roles across administrations, including: deputy
presidential special envoy to the Middle East, special representative for
Lebanon, counselor to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, and spokesperson
for the U.S. Department of State. She led the first direct negotiations between
Israel and Lebanon in 32 years, secured an Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire extension,
negotiated the end of the UNIFIL mission, and was part of the Abraham Accords
team in 2020.
President Aoun: Lebanon will not withdraw from negotiations
despite pressure
LBCI/June
11/2026
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Thursday that Lebanon will continue
participating in negotiations despite what he described as pressure to withdraw.
“Despite the pressure to withdraw from the negotiations, we will not withdraw
and will continue on this path until we reach conclusions that serve the
interests of our country,” Aoun said. The president reiterated Lebanon’s demand
for an end to hostilities with Israel, outlining several conditions, including
an Israeli withdrawal, a halt to attacks, the deployment of the Lebanese Army,
and the return of displaced residents and detainees. Aoun also stressed the
importance of state institutions, saying Lebanon’s choice remains the state
because it protects all citizens. “We must be convinced that we are a sovereign
state,” he said.
Aoun to Reuters: Lebanon will not accept Iranian dictates
LBCI/June
11/2026
President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon rejects any attempt by Iran to dictate its
decisions, stressing the country's sovereignty and warning that continued
conflict would come at a high cost to Lebanese society. In remarks to Reuters,
Aoun said that if Hezbollah chooses to remain in a state of war, it would
ultimately harm the very community it claims to defend. "We do not accept that
Iran tells us what we should do," Aoun said. "We are a sovereign state, and it
has no right to speak on our behalf."
UN chief Guterres calls for full ceasefire in Lebanon
LBCI/June
11/2026
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the need for all
parties to work toward a diplomatic settlement that fully respects Lebanon's
territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence. In a post on X,
Guterres called for a comprehensive ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of
ending hostilities and advancing a political solution to the conflict.
He also voiced full support for the exclusive right of the
Lebanese government to possess and control weapons, reaffirming the principle of
state authority over arms throughout the country.
Fifth round of Washington talks between Lebanon and Israel set for June 22–24:
The details
LBCI/June
11/2026
The fifth round of U.S.-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel is scheduled
to take place in Washington, with military discussions set for June 22 and
political talks on June 23–24, Lebanese and American sources told LBCI. The
sources said preparations are underway to define the agenda for both the
military and political tracks. They added that the first item on the agenda will
be the implementation of the June 3 agreement, which includes a ceasefire
framework and the concept of a “pilot zone.” The proposed mechanism is based on
an Israeli withdrawal from designated areas in exchange for the Lebanese state
extending its authority over them. However, no agreement has yet been reached on
the geographic scope of the first pilot zone. The
sources said no changes to the current agreement are under consideration at this
stage, adding that any amendments would not depend solely on Lebanese
preferences, but also on U.S. and Israeli positions, which reportedly oppose any
modifications. They noted that several regional
actors, including Saudi Arabia, contributed to the earlier agreement. Saudi
envoy Prince Yazid bin Farhan has been in contact with Lebanese officials during
previous negotiation rounds and is currently in Lebanon ahead of the new talks.
The sources also said there are attempts by both Israel and
Iran to disrupt the negotiations. Israel, they said, is increasing pressure on
the ground through territorial advances and argues that talks should be delayed
to achieve further gains, while also citing Lebanon’s alleged failure to fully
extend state authority. Iran, according to the sources, is encouraging Hezbollah
to reject the ceasefire arrangement, arguing that it will not abandon the group
in negotiations with the United States and that it will impose military
equations in its favor. Amid these developments,
Lebanese officials are working to strengthen internal coordination, particularly
between the presidency and the parliament speaker’s office. This was reflected
in a meeting on Wednesday between presidential adviser Andre Rahal and MP Ali
Hassan Khalil, an aide to Speaker Nabih Berri. Lebanon’s leadership has
reiterated its commitment to continuing negotiations, despite what President
Joseph Aoun described as pressure to withdraw. Officials say they see the U.S.
as the guarantor of the talks and any potential final agreement.
Lebanon’s Education Minister says official exams plan under
review to ensure student safety
LBCI/June
11/2026
Lebanon’s Education Minister Rima Karami said Thursday that the ministry will
review its plan for holding official examinations to ensure student safety.
Speaking after a meeting of the parliamentary Education Committee, Karami said
there was a broad consensus on prioritizing student security during official
exams. She said she had promised lawmakers that the ministry would reassess the
plan and meet security officials at the Ministry of Defense to discuss possible
measures and implementation mechanisms. Karami added that the ministry is
seeking a formula that guarantees student safety, urging students to continue
their studies in the meantime. Following discussions with MPs, she said it had
become clear that the ministry must reconsider and potentially amend its current
exam plan. She also noted that if Parliament takes a formal decision on the
matter, the ministry would be bound to implement it.
Beyond Lebanon: Israel and Turkey on a collision course
LBCI/June
11/2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a special cabinet meeting, dismissing Ankara's
efforts to link Turkey's security to that of Beirut, Damascus, and Aleppo, and
pledging that Israel would continue its military operations in Lebanon. Speaking
during an extraordinary government session held in the town of Nof HaGalil,
built on lands associated with the city of Nazareth in the Galilee, Netanyahu
described Erdogan's statements as little more than "moral sermons" and
reiterated Israel's commitment to maintaining military pressure on Lebanon. The
remarks came amid growing regional tensions and an increasingly heated war of
words between Israel and Turkey. According to
assessments presented during a security review meeting, any Turkish involvement
in the conflicts that emerged following the events of October 7 could contribute
to continued instability and escalation across the region. Israeli security
officials also warned that any direct confrontation involving Iran could create
a new and potentially more dangerous regional dynamic, further complicating an
already volatile security environment. The diplomatic dispute between Israel and
Turkey has expanded to include tensions involving Greece and Cyprus. However,
Israeli assessments indicate that the current confrontation is unlikely to
develop into a direct military clash between the parties.
Despite that assessment, security sources cautioned that the
risk of miscalculation remains significant. Officials warned that an unintended
incident could trigger a sharper escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, where
competing regional interests increasingly intersect.
While concerns persist over Syria and Lebanon, Israeli security officials
reportedly believe that the potential for an accidental escalation is currently
greater in the Eastern Mediterranean theater than on either the Syrian or
Lebanese fronts.
Prince Yazid bin Farhan in Beirut
Al-Markazia/June 11, 2026
Saudi envoy Prince Yazid bin Farhan arrived in Beirut on an official visit
following the recent royal decree opening Saudi markets to Lebanese exports. Bin
Farhan's visit aims to support legitimate Lebanese institutions, Lebanon's
sovereignty and territorial integrity, the well-being of its people, and the
reform process.
Qaani: Hezbollah Will Remain at the Forefront of Defending Lebanon
Al-Markazia/June 11, 2026
The commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Brigadier
General Ismail Qaani, emphasized that Hezbollah will remain at the forefront of
defending Lebanon and will achieve victory. Qaani asserted that the Zionists
should know that the aggression against southern Lebanon will not break the will
of its people and Hezbollah, stating: "Southern Lebanon has been and will remain
a land of pride, resistance, and steadfastness."
Syrian Interior Ministry: Lebanon is not a backyard as the
previous regime saw it
Al-Markazia/June 11, 2026
Al-Hadath TV quoted the Syrian Interior Ministry as affirming that "Lebanon is a
sovereign state and not a backyard as the previous regime saw it," noting that
"coordination with Lebanon is the cornerstone of any assistance Syria provides
to it."While the ministry pointed out that "we have succeeded in preserving the
borders and security of neighboring countries," it emphasized that "we will
spare no effort to alleviate the security pressure on neighboring countries."
NDAA advances to Senate, calls for major boost to Israel
and conditions Lebanon aid
Al Arabiya English/11 June ,2026
The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) voted 18-9 to advance the Fiscal Year
2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), sending the legislation to the
full Senate for consideration. Among its Middle East provisions, the bill calls
for expanded defense cooperation with Israel and efforts to strengthen security
ties with countries that normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham
Accords. One of the more controversial provisions would establish a US-Israel
Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative aimed at expanding and accelerating
bilateral research, development, testing, evaluation and industrial cooperation
in defense technologies. The legislation also
authorizes increased funding for joint US-Israel programs focused on countering
drones and subterranean threats. In addition, lawmakers directed initiatives to
deepen defense cooperation between the United States and countries that have
signed normalization deals with Israel under the Abraham Accords.
Lebanon and Syria under scrutiny
The bill calls for conditioning US security assistance to the Lebanese Armed
Forces (LAF) based on its “willingness to counter Hezbollah,” reflecting growing
congressional frustration over the pace of efforts to curb the Iran-backed
group's influence. Regarding Syria, lawmakers said support for Damascus should
be tied to measurable efforts to disarm foreign fighters and militants operating
inside the country. The legislation also continues authorization for training
and equipping Iraqi and Kurdish partner forces involved in the campaign against
ISIS. Separately, lawmakers called for formally authorizing the Civil Military
Coordination Center (CMCC) as a subsidiary of the US-led Board of Peace. The
center would be tasked with overseeing implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and
supporting efforts aimed at Hamas' complete and permanent disarmament.
The NDAA must still be approved by the full Senate and reconciled with the House
version of the legislation before it can be sent to the president for signature.
SASC Chairman Roger Wicker said the threats facing American have never been more
complex and more urgent.
“An axis of aggressors challenges America’s interests across the globe, and the
character of warfare is changing rapidly,” he said, adding that the current text
“ensures our military remains the most capable fighting force in the world.”
Ranking Member Jack Reed said the bipartisan NDAA strengthens national defense
and enhances oversight and accountability. “It forces the Secretary [of Defense]
to be more accountable to Congress and will prevent many errors of the past from
being repeated in the future,” Reed said.
Lebanon’s Christians flee Tyre, fearing Israel’s campaign
will prevent return
Reuters/11 June ,2026
Christians have been living in south Lebanon for as long as the religion has
existed, and today are thought to make up around 30 percent of Lebanon’s
population. After a ceasefire was announced between
Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel in April, Darine Al Jouny Safadi thought the worst
was behind her and returned home to the Christian quarter of southern Lebanon’s
port city of Tyre. Around three weeks later, Safadi and her family were on the
run again, fleeing Israeli bombardment for the second time in almost as many
months, despite worries they’d never return. Their fears were compounded this
week when Israel’s military ordered the evacuation of their historic district in
Tyre and launched deadly strikes, saying Hezbollah militants were operating
there without providing evidence. Previous evacuation orders had excluded the
ancient city’s Christian quarter. Christians in Lebanon like Safadi have watched
in horror as their ancestral lands in the south of the country have been
pounded. Some have insisted on staying, and are now almost encircled by Israeli
troops. Others, like the Safadi family, fled north. “This time it felt harder,”
she said of their second displacement. “Maybe because we had come back and said,
“That’s it, we’re back.’”On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said
the residents of Tyre’s Christian neighborhood could return home. Several told
Reuters they didn’t feel safe to do so yet.
Fears of erasure
Lebanon was drawn into the wider conflict centered on Iran on March 2, when
Tehran-backed Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in solidarity with Iran, which
was under US-Israeli attack, prompting a major Israeli air and ground campaign.
The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Tyre, Sidon and Dependencies, Elias Kfoury, who
has served in the region for more than 30 years through multiple wars, said the
scale of destruction is unlike anything he’d seen before. “This is the hardest
round,” Kfoury told Reuters. “It has spared neither people nor stone nor places
of worship nor antiquities.”Christians have been living in south Lebanon for as
long as the religion has existed, and today are thought to make up around 30
percent of Lebanon’s population. Some believe Jesus
performed his first miracle of converting water into wine in Qana, a village in
south Lebanon, and the region is dotted with ancient churches and religious
sites. Kfoury estimates that the Israeli military has caused more than $100
million in damage to places of worship in south Lebanon. The St. George Melkite
Catholic Church was hit by an Israeli strike in a previous war, and remains in
ruins. “Israel is trying to erase the memory of the country,” he said. “Erasing
heritage means erasing the record of the region: the history, the archaeology
and a person’s connection to them.”In response to a request for comment,
Israel’s military said it was acting “solely against Hezbollah military targets,
in accordance with international law.”
“The [Israeli army] rejects any claim of intentional harm to civilians, places
of worship, or heritage sites in southern Lebanon,” it said. Kfoury accused the
international community of failing to hold Israel accountable and called for
greater protections for the people of south Lebanon.
Fears of permanent displacement
More than 3,600 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon and more
than 1 million - a fifth of the population - are displaced. The US declared a
ceasefire on April 16 but fighting has continued, and Lebanon says Israel has
carried out nearly 3,500 strikes since the truce was announced. Sitting
surrounded by family, Safadi wept at the prospect of being permanently uprooted
from her home and community. “Why? I mean, churches that are thousands of years
old, how can they be gone? Where are we supposed to go back to?” she said. “You
can’t explain the feeling,” said her 13-year-old daughter Salma. “You won’t see
your house anymore ... You won’t see your church.”
Israel Advances in South Lebanon
Toward Heights Overlooking Nabatieh, Galilee
Beirut: Nazir Rida/Asharq Al Awsat/11 June 2026
my pushed forward again on Thursday around the southern Lebanese city of
Nabatieh, seeking to reach the strategic Ali al-Taher heights, an area it has
pounded with dozens of strikes over the past two years. Lebanese security
assessments suggest the aim is to reach tunnels and facilities belonging to
Hezbollah. The move followed a similar strategic advance two weeks earlier, when
Israeli forces reached the strategic Beaufort Castle east of Nabatieh before
expanding around it. Their next objective is Ali
al-Taher hill, one of the last strategic heights overlooking Nabatieh from the
west. The hill also overlooks Lebanese towns occupied by Israel and, in some
places, has a line of sight toward settlements and towns in Galilee in northern
Israel’s eastern sector.
New advance
Israeli military vehicles and bulldozers were seen at the Zafata site in Kfar
Tebnit, east of Nabatieh, on the main road linking Marjayoun to Nabatieh.
Reports said Israeli forces had seized eastern and central neighborhoods of Kfar
Tebnit amid widespread destruction. Local media said tanks advanced from Kfar
Tebnit into Nabatieh al-Fawqa, southeast of Nabatieh city.
Security sources in southern Lebanon said the push toward
Nabatieh al-Fawqa aimed to widen Israel’s “fire safety zone” and prevent
Hezbollah fighters from launching drones and guided missiles at Israeli armor.
The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat the expansion was an attempt to push fighters
away from the Beaufort Castle area and its surroundings, giving armored vehicles
and other military vehicles room to advance toward the heights without being
targeted. The sources said reaching Zafata, a former
artillery position used by Israeli forces before their withdrawal from southern
Lebanon in 2000, meant the objective was to seize the Ali al-Taher heights, no
more than two kilometers from the point reached. They said taking the hill was a
strategic goal for Israeli forces, given their repeated shelling of it in recent
months with bunker-buster and concussion bombs, strengthening the belief that
Israel seeks to enter underground facilities thought to belong to Hezbollah. The
Israeli army paved the way for the advance overnight Wednesday into Thursday
with heavy airstrikes on wooded areas in Jarmaq and Kfar Rumman and on hills
overlooking the area, aiming to prevent armor from being hit by guided missiles
or drones. Artillery fire also intensified across the surrounding area, a tactic
usually used during attempts to push into new territory. Israeli artillery
targeted the outskirts of Qatrani in the Jezzine area near Shbeil School.
Warplanes carried out four strikes on the same location.
Artillery also hit Ali al-Taher woods on the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, the
area around Al-Najdeh Al-Shaabiya Hospital in Nabatieh and the Kfar Rumman
roundabout, all close to the incursion points.
Western sector
The incursion coincided with other movements that appeared to test Hezbollah’s
defenses in the Mansouri area of the western sector. Two military vehicles were
spotted in Mansouri after advancing from Tayr Harfa and Shama, but they quickly
turned back. Hezbollah said in two separate statements
that it had targeted gatherings of Israeli vehicles and soldiers with rockets at
the Rajman area near Tayr Harfa in southern Lebanon.
Local media said Israeli forces tried to advance from the Tayr Harfa-Jebbayn
triangle toward the valley, in preparation for entering Majdal Zoun. The move
coincided with more than 15 airstrikes on Majdal Zoun and Wadi Hassan, as well
as heavy artillery fire. Heavy clashes broke out
overnight Wednesday into Thursday with Hezbollah fighters, who used
rocket-propelled grenades and a loitering drone. The fighting forced Israeli
forces to retreat and withdraw from the axis along which they had
advanced.Israeli artillery resumed shelling Wadi Hassan and its surroundings on
Thursday morning with heavy 155 mm rounds, as warplanes and drones flew
intensively over the area.
Continued shelling
In parallel, an Israeli airstrike on a residential building near Hiram Hospital
in Tyre killed one person and wounded 17 others, including 10 nurses and
hospital employees. Flying glass from shattered windows and doors caused the
injuries. The strike also damaged ceilings in some patient and emergency rooms
and window panes, and destroyed cars belonging to doctors and employees in the
hospital courtyard. The Health Ministry’s Public Health Emergency Operations
Center said Israeli strikes on Tayr Debba in the Tyre district killed nine
people, including a woman, and wounded 10 others.
Operations inside Lebanon
The Israeli army said on Thursday that forces from the 91st Brigade had killed
35 Hezbollah militants over the past week as they moved near Israeli forces in
southern Lebanon. It said the forces destroyed a rocket launcher hidden among
trees and killed another militant in the area over the past day. The army also
said troops had seized quantities of weapons and ammunition, including rockets
and RPG rounds, at various sites during ongoing military operations. In the
morning, the Israeli army said the Home Front Command had issued a precautionary
directive after detecting launches from Lebanon toward northern Israel, urging
people to enter protected areas when warnings are activated.
Israeli Military Says Two 'Launches' Fall near Israeli
Troops in Southern Lebanon
Asharq Al Awsat/11 June 2026
The Israeli military said on Thursday that two "launches" were identified
falling adjacent to an area where Israeli troops are operating in southern
Lebanon, after sirens sounded in several areas of northern Israel. Earlier, the
military said Home Front Command had issued a precautionary directive after
detecting "launches" from Lebanon toward several communities in northern
Israel, urging residents to enter protected spaces. More than three months
since the US-Israeli attack on Iran ignited conflict around the Middle East,
Lebanon remains a major frontline in the war.
Report: Alleged Spy’s Escape in Lebanon Exposes Israel’s
Shadow War on Hezbollah
Beirut: Asharq Al Awsat/June 11/2026
As Israeli warplanes pounded Beirut’s southern suburbs last March and residents
fled in panic, one man found his opportunity. Amid the chaos, he slipped out of
his imprisonment in a Hezbollah cell and made his way to Baabda, the green,
upscale diplomatic district overlooking the Lebanese capital, where he
disappeared behind the gates of the Ukrainian Embassy. His whereabouts remain
unclear, according to The Associated Press, in a case that has become part of a
broader intelligence battle as Hezbollah tries to identify alleged Israeli
operatives they believe are linked to Israel. The man identified by Lebanese
officials as Khaled al-Aydi is said to be a Palestinian refugee from Syria who
also holds Ukrainian citizenship. He had been detained by Hezbollah in the
Beirut suburbs and accused by Lebanese officials of being part of a thwarted
Israeli intelligence plot to carry out bombings and assassinations. Details of
al-Aydi's escape and a Lebanese military court's case against him were provided
by three judicial officials and two senior security officials in Lebanon who
spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment
publicly. A senior political official in Hezbollah also provided details.
Al-Aydi's disappearance could have political implications for the Lebanese
government, which has largely remained silent about the case. If evidence were
to emerge that al-Aydi escaped Lebanon with help from the government, it could
inflame tensions with Hezbollah's base. The government already faces scrutiny
for directly negotiating with Israel, which has been engaged in fierce fighting
with Hezbollah since the early days of the Iran war. The Ukrainian Embassy asked
Lebanese authorities in March to facilitate al-Aydi’s departure from the country
after he escaped Hezbollah detention, according to a Lebanese official document
obtained by The Associated Press. But Lebanon’s General Security agency refused,
saying a judicial warrant for his arrest had been issued earlier, according to
the document. A Ukrainian official with knowledge of the case said al-Aydi is
not in the Ukrainian Embassy or its compound in Lebanon. The official, who spoke
on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, would not
say where al-Aydi is — and out of concern for the security of the embassy and
its personnel, would not say whether al-Aydi was ever in the embassy, or whether
Ukraine helped him escape.
Using human and high-tech surveillance, Israel has cultivated far-reaching
intelligence networks in Lebanon. That has helped it carry out dramatic
operations against Hezbollah. In the most elaborate
example, Israel infiltrated Hezbollah’s supply chain and sent the party
thousands of booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies. Israel remotely detonated
the devices in September 2024, killing tens of people. Also, Israel's
intelligence within Hezbollah allowed it to hit the group's senior leaders and
field commanders “with relative ease,” analysts said.
In return, Hezbollah and Lebanese authorities have stepped up efforts against
alleged spy networks. Lebanese judicial officials said dozens of suspects have
been convicted and are serving sentences, while others remain under
investigation. Cases filed in Lebanon’s military court describe operatives being
paid to provide intelligence on Hezbollah weapons depots and political offices.
Many of the alleged agents were recruited by Israeli handlers through social
media, judicial officials said. Other suspects are charged with providing the
Mossad with maps and coordinates of key Hezbollah sites later struck in Israeli
operations. “It’s ironic that they (Hezbollah) were spending a lot of time
accusing their opponents of being Israeli spies, and it turns out that the spies
were actually from within the organization and its support base,” said Mohanad
Hage Ali, a senior fellow at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in
Beirut.
Al-Aydi’s Disappearance Complicates Situation
Conflicting reports emerged about the whereabouts of al-Aydi. Some security
officials said the man is believed to have left Lebanon. It remains unclear
whether he crossed into Syria or any other country. The disappearance comes as
relations between the Lebanese government and Hezbollah are at a low point. The
government was angered by Hezbollah’s unilateral decision to enter another war
with Israel, while the party is furious the government has chosen to negotiate a
ceasefire and potentially wider security and political agreement directly with
Israel. Al-Aydi’s escape could exacerbate tensions and put the Lebanese state in
a difficult situation. If Lebanese authorities refused
to let al-Aydi leave the country, the US and Ukraine were “well-positioned to
exert significant pressure” to secure his release, said Hage Ali. On the other
hand, if the state is seen to have let al-Aydi escape, it would inflame internal
tensions, he said.
Lebanon’s Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Decision on
Exports Came after Beirut Met Standards
Riyadh: Ghazi al-Harthi/Asharq Al Awsat/11 June 2026
Lebanon’s ambassador to Riyadh said Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume imports
from Lebanon came after Beirut met the required standards to ensure the goods
posed no risk. The diplomat said the fight against
drugs had involved intensive work and high-level security and political
coordination between the two countries. Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister
Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday ordered the resumption of Lebanese exports to
the Kingdom at the request of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister
Nawaf Salam. The move followed what were described as
positive steps by Lebanon’s government to rebuild state institutions, work by
specialist teams over the past year, Beirut’s cooperation and the required
pledges it had made. In a phone interview with Asharq Al-Awsat on Thursday,
Ambassador Ali Karanouh welcomed the Crown Prince’s decision, saying it
reflected “the depth of the brotherly and historic relations between the two
countries, and the Saudi leadership’s keenness to support Lebanon, its
institutions, economy, and people, especially in these difficult circumstances.”
‘A lifeline’
Karanouh said Lebanon was going through a period in which it needed “a
lifeline,” adding that the step “is not surprising from Saudi Arabia, which has
always stood by Lebanon.”He cited Riyadh’s role in the Taif Agreement that ended
Lebanon’s civil war, as well as its support during reconstruction and recovery.
The ambassador said Lebanese people were grateful for the decision, which he
said would benefit agriculture, industry, trade, and services, and help Lebanon
regain access to one of the most important Arab and Gulf markets at a time when
it badly needs support. He said the decision was the result of efforts that
began with Aoun’s election and the formation of Salam’s government.
Intensive security coordination on drugs
Karanouh said the new Lebanese government “showed from the first day its
determination to return Lebanon to its natural place among its Arab brothers,
after a period of distance caused by political choices that were not in its
interest.”He said the government had repaired relations with Arab states,
especially Gulf countries, on the basis that Lebanon is an integral part of its
Arab surroundings. He said Beirut was determined from the start not to allow
Lebanon to be used as a platform to harm Arab countries. The anti-drug file, he
added, had seen intensive work and security and political coordination at the
highest levels between Lebanese and Saudi authorities.
Karanouh said Saudi authorities had appreciated Lebanon’s efforts, including
tighter controls at border crossings, airports and ports. Those efforts, he
said, continued for about 18 months and helped restore confidence in Lebanon and
its institutions, turning the page on a period that had damaged the country’s
reputation and foreign relations. Lebanon, he said, was now on the right path.
Karanouh said the decision to resume Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia was a
major step that would benefit Lebanon’s economy and economic cooperation between
the two countries. He said it came after Lebanon met the required standards,
ensuring Lebanese exports posed no danger to brotherly countries. The ambassador
said Lebanese exporters were ready to enter the Saudi market and that the
remaining technical and procedural issues were minor and could be resolved
easily. He said the Saudi decision would push bilateral ties into a broader
phase, whether through the signing and activation of partnership agreements or
through the Saudi-Lebanese Business Council, whose formation was completed
months ago.
He expressed hope that the move would be followed by the return of Saudi flights
and Saudi tourism to Lebanon when conditions allow.
Broad welcome in Lebanon
The Crown Prince’s decision was widely welcomed across Lebanon, nearly five
years after Saudi Arabia halted all Lebanese imports, citing at the time “the
importance of taking all necessary measures to protect the security of the
Kingdom and its people.”Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan conveyed
the Drown Prince’s directive in a phone call with Salam on Wednesday. He
affirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty over all
its territory and the well-being of its people, as well as Riyadh’s confidence
that Lebanon would take all necessary measures to ensure it is not used as a
platform to harm its brothers.
Aoun expressed deep gratitude to Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying the decision
was “a sincere expression of the depth of Arab brotherhood that binds the two
brotherly countries, and an embodiment of the wise Saudi leadership’s keenness
to support Lebanon and its people during the phase of recovery and revival it is
undergoing.”Aoun said: “This kind step will make a tangible contribution to
reviving the national economy and supporting broad segments of Lebanese
producers and exporters.”He added that the entire Lebanese people appreciates
the decision, and “views it as a gesture that strengthens the path of
Lebanese-Saudi relations rooted in the bonds of history and shared destiny.”
Salam said the decision to lift the ban on Lebanese exports reflected the depth
of the brotherly and historic ties between the two countries. He said it
embodied Saudi confidence in Lebanon and a shared desire to strengthen economic
and trade cooperation. Salam said the move was an
important step that would support Lebanon’s economy, open new opportunities for
Lebanese producers and exporters, and help promote growth and stability.
He said Lebanon looked forward to continued work and
coordination with Saudi Arabia to strengthen cooperation and partnership in
various fields for the benefit and prosperity of both countries.
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Berri
Sabotages President Trump’s Peace Agenda
Hussain Abdul-Hussain/The Algemeiner/June
11/2026
Lebanon and Israel signed a historic framework deal in Washington
last Wednesday that serves as a clear roadmap to disarm Hezbollah, end the war,
and put the two countries on the path to peace. A follow-up meeting is scheduled
for June 22. The Lebanese delegation reports to President Joseph Aoun. However,
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, has opposed the US-sponsored
agreement. This came days after Berri tried, with help from some in the Trump
administration, to sabotage direct Lebanese-Israeli talks and tie Lebanon to
Iran’s agenda.
Last Monday, Berri circumvented Aoun by opening a secret backchannel to
President Trump with assistance from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and administration
friends close to the speaker. In a rare New York Times interview, Berri
declared, “No one can make a real cease-fire except for Trump.” He guaranteed
Hezbollah’s commitment to a ceasefire, saying the message came directly from the
group. Trump boasted Washington had talked to Hezbollah, a Foreign Terrorist
Organization according to the State Department.
Berri’s offer may seem like a breakthrough. In reality, it is the third time
since 2000 that Berri has repeated this deception: promising Hezbollah will hold
fire and disarm if Israel stops and withdraws from war territories. This is his
signature tactic of deception.
In 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally and the UN certified compliance with
Resolution 425. Lebanon never disarmed Hezbollah, which expanded its armament
and launched war in 2006. Berri promised ceasefire and disarmament under
Resolution 1701 if Israel pulled back. The promises were broken as Hezbollah
strengthened. In October 2023, Hezbollah started war again. Berri promised to
enforce 1701 if Israel ceased fire and withdrew, which it did. In March 2026,
Hezbollah attacked to avenge Khamenei’s killing. Berri now offers the same empty
promises: Ceasefire, withdraw, expect a future war. Israel has had enough of
Hezbollah’s aggression and Berri’s duplicity.
Last month, the Treasury Department sanctioned Berri’s top aide and Israeli jets
struck his brother’s empty house as a warning. Berri remains undeterred,
continuing his smoke-and-mirrors game since becoming speaker in 1992.
The Washington agreement requires a complete ceasefire after Beirut forces
Hezbollah to stop firing projectiles on Israel and withdraw from south of the
Litani River. Israel will then hand over territory the Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF) as pilot experiments. If the Lebanese army clears and holds the zones
without Hezbollah rebuilding, more land follows. This allows Israel to clear
Hezbollah land and return it to the Lebanese state, a win-win for Beirut and
Jerusalem, loss for Hezbollah and Tehran.
Hezbollah defied the deal and kept firing to prove it rules Lebanon. Berri sided
with Hezbollah, calling the deal a “bastard” agreement. He said the text could
have been positive if it simply called for a ceasefire without conditions or
restrictions. Instead, Berri added the joint statement was “booby-trapped” as it
included a complete and total ceasefire by Hezbollah and the evacuation of all
its forces from south of the Litani River, but without an Israeli withdrawal to
the borders.
Berri also criticized the “pilot zones” experiment, and said that he only agreed
to a complete and comprehensive ceasefire without any conditions or
restrictions. Hezbollah’s withdrawal from south of the Litani, he argued, must
happen in parallel with the Israeli withdrawal to the borders between the two
countries. The rest of the text was worthless, Berri concluded.
Berri is hedging by positioning himself as the only channel for a Hezbollah
ceasefire, thus taking Hezbollah’s side, while avoiding collapse of the
government, therefore defying the pro-Iran militia. Berri wants the government
as a puppet with real power in Hezbollah and his hands. He sabotages Washington
talks by offering himself as the parallel solution, repeating the failed
formulas of 2000, 2006, and 2024. Had Berri backed
Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Hezbollah’s position would have become
politically untenable, coupled with Israel’s unrelenting military pressure on
the Iranian proxy militia.
Berri obstructs durable peace and, therefore, President Trump’s policy and US
interests in the Middle East. His overseas accounts should be frozen. Only this
threat will force him to support the deal, help dismantle Hezbollah, free
Lebanon from Iran, and secure peace between the two neighbors. Anything less
will only reward his sabotage and guarantee more conflict ahead.
*Hussain Abdul-Hussain is a research fellow at The Foundation for the Defense of
Democracies (FDD)
*The opinions presented by Algemeiner bloggers are solely theirs and do not
represent those of The Algemeiner, its publishers or editors. If you would like
to share your views with a blog post on The Algemeiner, please be in touch
through our Contact page.
The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
Details of the draft
final terms of the agreement between the US and Iran: 60-day extension of the
truce and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Al-Arabiya.net and agencies/11 June
2026
Sources told Al-Arabiya that the agreement between Washington and Tehran
stipulates a 60-day extension of the truce and the reopening of the Strait of
Hormuz. The sources added that during these 60 days, negotiations will take
place regarding highly enriched uranium, and that Washington, under the
agreement, will ease sanctions on Iran and lift the embargo. Al-Arabiya sources
indicated that Tehran has given its final approval, which was conveyed to the US
by Qatar, and that a mediator will oversee any violations of the agreement.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States and
Iran might sign a peace agreement early next week that would allow shipping to
resume through the Strait of Hormuz. If the agreement is finalized, it would be
the most significant diplomatic achievement to date in ending the
three-month-long war, which has killed thousands and caused global energy prices
to skyrocket. Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported that Tehran is
likely to approve the agreement, but has not yet given a formal response. "We
have just reached a great settlement to the war with Iran," Trump told reporters
in the Oval Office. "The Strait will officially open as soon as we sign the
agreement, which could happen very soon... very soon... perhaps this weekend in
Europe." He added that Vice President J.D. Vance might sign the agreement on
behalf of the United States. When asked whether Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah
Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the agreement, Trump said, "My understanding is
that the answer is yes." Trump's announcement came after he called off plans for
new US attacks on Iran, citing progress. Since mid-March, Trump has repeatedly
said that an agreement with Iran to end the war was imminent. The two sides have
exchanged fire in recent days, threatening the ceasefire announced in April.
"It's a very strong memorandum of understanding, but it's a bit tentative,"
Trump told reporters. Trump has repeatedly said that any peace agreement must
ensure that Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon. Iran's demands include lifting
international sanctions, releasing billions of dollars in frozen assets, and
recognizing its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. "We have an agreement
that states that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and that was the
fundamental purpose of what we had to do to get this agreement," Trump said
today. "So it was very important."
Trump: Regional leaders support the agreement
Iranian sources and Western officials said that indirect US-Iranian talks on a
preliminary peace agreement are gaining momentum. Three Iranian sources said a
political understanding has been reached, but some issues still need detailed
discussion. Critics within Trump's own Republican Party say any agreement must
prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. Hardliner opposition within the
party to Iran derailed a previous effort to reach an agreement that would have
reopened the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts said Trump is concerned that any
agreement will be compared to the 2015 deal, which he criticized as too lenient.
Trump withdrew from that agreement in 2018 during his first term. Trump wrote on
social media that the agreement was approved by the "highest level" of the
Iranian leadership, as well as by Middle Eastern countries including Saudi
Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Israel. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu spoke on Thursday. A statement from Netanyahu's office said that
Israel "is not a party to the memorandum of understanding," adding that
Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for Trump's commitment to reaching a final
agreement that includes a resolution to the issue of enriched nuclear materials.
Trump told reporters that he would soon speak with Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdoğan. Oil prices fell sharply following the news, while stock markets
rose. The war has killed thousands, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, and has driven
up global oil prices since the US and Israel launched intensive airstrikes on
Iran on February 28.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Text of Memorandum of Understanding with the US Nearly
Complete
Iranian Forces Warn of "Wider-Range" War if Washington Launches New Strikes
Riyadh: Al-Arabiya.net and
Agencies/11 June 2026
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Thursday evening that the text of the
memorandum of understanding with the United States is nearly complete.
The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry
spokesman Ismail Baghaei as saying Thursday that Tehran has not yet made a final
decision regarding a potential agreement with the United States and that it will
not compromise on its "red lines" in the negotiations. Baghaei said that reports
regarding the timing and location of the agreement's signing are still mere
speculation, and nothing has been decided yet. He added that a large part of the
negotiating text has been finalized, but the United States has repeatedly
changed its position during the talks. Earlier on Thursday, the semi-official
Iranian news agency Fars quoted a source close to the Iranian negotiating team
as saying that Iran has not yet agreed to any text of a preliminary memorandum
of understanding with the United States. Iranian
forces warn of a "wider" war if Washington launches new strikes. For its part,
the Tasnim news agency reported that "until Iran announces a potential
agreement, any statements from (US President Donald) Trump on this matter should
be ignored, just as his previous messages were." This comes as Mohammad Bagher
Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and Iran's chief negotiator in talks
with the United States to end the war in the Middle East, warned of an "endless
quagmire" after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran on Thursday
night. Ghalibaf wrote on the English-language platform X: "Wrong strategies and
reckless decisions will reshape the landscape for the worse, destroying energy
infrastructure and markets, and creating an endless quagmire in which you will
be stuck for years." He added, "You will see a different Iran." Meanwhile, the
Iranian armed forces warned of a "wider" war in the Middle East if the United
States carries out Trump's threats to bomb Iran and his vow to soon seize
control of its oil and gas sector.Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya
Headquarters, the central operations room of the Iranian armed forces, said in a
statement, "We warn that if the United States again attempts to carry out
attacks against heroic Iran, it will receive a response even more severe than
before, and the flames of war, in addition to creating a state of insecurity in
the region, will become wider and more widespread." He added, "In light of the
recent American threats against Iran's oil infrastructure, we emphasize that oil
and gas exports will either be available to everyone, or they will not be
possible for anyone." On Thursday, Trump announced that the United States would
strike Iran "very hard tonight" and that he ultimately wanted to seize Kharg
Island, a hub of Iran's oil infrastructure, following tit-for-tat attacks in the
Gulf that undermined a fragile ceasefire. Iranian sources and Western officials
have said that indirect US-Iranian talks on a preliminary peace agreement are
gaining momentum. However, the escalation of hostilities this week is
jeopardizing prospects for a swift end to the more than three-month-old war.
Trump threatened further attacks on Iran after the two sides exchanged
airstrikes on Thursday for the second consecutive day. Trump said in a social
media post, "The United States will be hitting Iran very hard today (whose navy,
air force, radar, anti-aircraft and all other forms of defense, plus most of
their offensive capabilities, have been destroyed!)." He added, "At some point
in the not-too-distant future, we will take control of Kharg Island, and other
oil infrastructure centers, and declare total control over their oil and gas
markets."Despite the latest escalation of hostilities, three Iranian sources and
European officials said that talks between Washington and Tehran are ongoing,
but some issues still require detailed discussion, such as the mechanism for
releasing tens of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets.
Vance Criticizes Netanyahu: He Made Mistakes on Some Issues, and Israel's
Interests Don't Always Align with America's
Vance: Washington Will Choose the Interests of the American People When They
Conflict with Israeli Interests
Washington: Bandar Al-Doushi/11 June
2026
US Vice President J.D. Vance acknowledged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu “has certainly made some mistakes,” in the latest public indication of
escalating tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv despite their close alliance
in confronting Iran. In an interview with CBS, Vance
said that Netanyahu “strongly defends his country’s interests,” but noted that
those interests do not always align with American interests. The US Vice
President declined to provide specific examples of Netanyahu’s mistakes,
asserting that some discussions “are better left behind closed doors.” Vance’s
remarks represent another public acknowledgment of growing strain in relations
between the two allies in recent weeks, particularly following reports of
disagreements between US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu regarding Israeli
military operations in Lebanon, which have led to renewed airstrikes and
jeopardized efforts to reach an agreement with Tehran. Vance said, “Israel is a
very close partner of the United States, but even among close partners, there
are sometimes shared interests and sometimes divergent interests.” He added that
the Trump administration prioritizes what serves American interests first,
explaining that “when there is a difference, we—unfortunately for the
Israelis—have to stand with the American people.” These remarks come as the past
few hours have witnessed a new exchange of strikes between the United States and
Iran for the second consecutive day, further straining the ceasefire agreement
in place between the two sides since last April. While Trump seeks an agreement
that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the global energy crisis
resulting from the Iranian embargo, in addition to imposing restrictions on the
Iranian nuclear program, the continuation of Israeli military operations in
Lebanon poses an obstacle to these efforts. Tehran demands that any peace
agreement include the situation in Lebanon, while Israel maintains that the
ongoing operations against Hezbollah are not covered by the ceasefire agreement
reached two months ago. Opinion polls within the United States indicate a
decline in public support for war with Iran, and Israel’s image is also
deteriorating among a segment of American voters ahead of the midterm elections
scheduled for next November. In contrast, Netanyahu faces an election this year,
where he is trying to convince Israeli voters that he is making gains in the
confrontation with Iran and its allies in the region. Despite signs of tension,
Netanyahu has tried to downplay the disagreements with the Trump administration,
saying in an interview with CNBC last week: “As happens in the best of families,
we sometimes have tactical disagreements, but we always find a way to resolve
them.”
Iran Says US Strikes Render Ceasefire 'Meaningless,' Talks on Funds Mechanism
Still on Track
Asharq Al Awsat/11 June 2026
Iran's foreign ministry condemned on Thursday the latest US strikes on the
country, saying the attacks rendered the nearly two-month ceasefire "practically
meaningless.”In a statement, the ministry said "the illegal and criminal attacks
perpetrated by the United States in recent hours not only constitute a flagrant
violation... but also render the ceasefire practically meaningless.”It added
that the "responsibility for the extremely serious consequences of this criminal
act lies with the leaders of the United States.”Despite the foreign ministry
statement, three Iranian sources told Reuters that efforts to reach a
preliminary deal between Iran and the US have intensified, as they discuss a
mechanism over releasing frozen Iranian funds. The sources said Iran and the
US were still exchanging messages over details of a memorandum of
understanding. The Iranian sources said a political understanding had been
reached, but some issues remained to be discussed in detail, including a
mechanism for the release of tens of billions of dollars of Iranian oil revenues
frozen in foreign banks. "Iran wants $6 billion to $12 billion of its frozen
funds to be released to Tehran, while Washington wants to release funds in
stages for humanitarian goods and rejects returning funds to Iran outright,"
said one of the Iranian sources. CNN also reported, citing a diplomatic source,
that talks to reach a deal are still on track after overnight negotiations. The
US and Iran traded air attacks for a second straight day on Thursday, with
President Donald Trump vowing further strikes if Tehran does not immediately
agree to a peace deal. Qatari negotiators have departed Tehran following
discussions on the war, a diplomat told AFP on Thursday. "The Qatari delegation
departed from Tehran this morning following talks with Iranian officials... that
lasted into the early hours of this morning," the diplomat said on condition of
anonymity, adding the discussions were "conducted in coordination with the
United States.” The US strikes overnight Thursday on Iran wounded at least three
people at sites in Tehran province, Iranian media reported.
"Three people were injured in incidents related to the brutal US attacks in
Tehran province," said head of the province's emergency services Mohammad Esmail
Tavakoli, according to the Fars news agency. The strikes were largely focused on
southern Iran but the country's Revolutionary Guards said other sites near the
capital were hit including in Karaj, Nazarabad and Pishva.
Trump says 'great' deal with Iran to be signed within days in
Europe
Agence France Presse/June 11/2026
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a "great settlement" with Iran
to end the Middle East war, saying he expected a deal to be signed in Europe in
the coming days. "We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran," Trump
told reporters in the Oval Office, saying that they would "subject to
finalization of documents, which should get done, over the next few days,
probably have a signing, maybe in Europe."
Trump says canceling Iran strikes, flags possible deal
AFP/11 June ,2026
US President Donald Trump said he was calling off strikes on Iran that he had
planned for Thursday, and flagged the signing of a possible deal with Tehran
after top-level talks. Trump’s latest sudden reversal on the war came after what
he said were the agreements of “final points” by numerous countries – except
Iran. “Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have
been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have...
cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening,” Trump
said on his Truth Social network.
Trump said that “discussions and final points have been, in both concept and
great detail, approved by all parties involved” including the United States and
Israel, who jointly launched the war in February, and a host of regional allies.
“Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly,” said Trump, adding that
a US naval blockade of Iran would remain in place until then.
There was no immediate reaction from Iran.
Trump has for weeks veered between proclaiming a deal and threatening Iran,
accusing Tehran as recently as Wednesday of “playing us for suckers.”Earlier on
Thursday, Trump vowed “very hard” strikes on Iran that evening and promised to
take the country’s key oil infrastructure in what would have been a major
escalation. “At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking
Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of
their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela,” he said on social
media. Kharg Island is at the heart of Iran’s oil export industry, a lynchpin of
the country’s battered economy. It sits off Iran’s Gulf coast, hundreds of
kilometers northwest of the narrow, strategic Strait of Hormuz.
‘Crazy’
Trump talked about a possible seizure of the island earlier in the US-Israeli
war in Iran, which began on February 28. A fragile ceasefire has been in place
since early April. He gave no details of how the United States would seize
Iran’s oil terminals, but any such operation would almost certainly require the
involvement of US ground troops. But the US leader himself appeared divided on
whether to go ahead with the move, in a telephone interview with Fox News
shortly after his social media post. “Look, my preference has always been take
Kharg Island,” Trump told Fox, before adding: “I don’t know that America has the
stomach for it, to be honest.”
Trump insisted that “I don’t want to have boots on the ground” but said that “if
I wanted to, we could put a small group of soldiers and take over the whole
place.”He also said he preferred not to hit Iran’s civilian infrastructure,
after previously threatening to strike power plants and bridges. “I’d rather not
do it, because once you do that, the people suffer,” Trump said. Trump also
vented his increasing frustration with Iran for failing to agree a deal to end
the war, open the Strait of Hormuz and agree not to develop a nuclear weapon.
“The whole thing is crazy, and they’re really in submission, they just don’t
know it yet,” Trump said. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent meanwhile vowed
Thursday to use Iranian funds to pay for damage that the country causes to Gulf
allies.
Report: Trump said Iran deal imminent after 'gaps narrowed'
between US, Iran
Naharnet/June 11/2026
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he canceled planned strikes against
Iran on Thursday and claimed Iran's leadership "approved" a draft agreement that
would extend the ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and launch 60 days of
negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. Trump has claimed an agreement was close
multiple times before, and Iran's Fars news agency has already pushed back on
his latest claims. However, three sources briefed on the talks told U.S. news
portal Axios that key gaps were narrowed during talks between Iranian officials
and Qatari mediators on Wednesday. "Based on the fact that discussions with the
Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian
leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America,
cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening," Trump
wrote on Truth Social.
He added that the final points of the deal have been, "in both concept and great
detail, approved by all parties involved," including the U.S., Israel, Saudi
Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Egypt. "The
Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is
finalized — Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly," Trump added.
Fars, a semi-official news agency affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards,
quoted an "informed source close to Iran's negotiation team" as saying that "no
text for a preliminary memorandum of understanding with the United States has
been approved."Negotiations continued late into Wednesday night in Tehran as
Qatari envoy Ali al-Thawadi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi worked
to bridge the remaining gaps between the U.S. and Iran. According to three
sources briefed on the talks, the Qataris and the Iranians believed on Wednesday
that they had reached an agreed-upon text that the U.S. would also accept. The
sources said the gaps were narrowed on three key issues: 1. The mechanism for
releasing Iran's frozen assets — the most important issue for the Iranians.2.
Arrangements for reopening the Strait of Hormuz during the 60-day ceasefire
period. 3. How negotiations over Iran's nuclear program would be conducted
during the 60-day ceasefire period. According to the sources, Iranian officials
told several countries on Thursday that the Tehran talks produced an agreement
in principle, but Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei still needed to give final
approval. The sources noted that both the Iranians and the Qataris had
emphasized that the U.S. strikes overnight significantly increased Iranian
suspicions about Trump's real intentions. Earlier on Thursday, Trump had
announced the U.S. would "be hitting Iran VERY HARD TONIGHT." The White House
has believed a deal was imminent at several points during the conflict, only to
see negotiations break down again.
Pakistan Calls for US-Iran 'Negotiated Settlement' after
Escalation
Asharq Al Awsat/June 11/2026
Pakistan's foreign ministry said on Thursday the country's leaders would
continue mediation efforts to end war between the United States and Iran despite
a surge in conflict, calling for a "negotiated settlement.”"Pakistan remains
deeply concerned at the situation in the region marked by recent escalation...
we are of the view that diplomacy and dialogue should be the guiding principles
for achieving a negotiated settlement of all contentious issues," foreign
ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi told journalists. The United States and Iran
traded air attacks for a second straight day on Thursday, with President Donald
Trump vowing further strikes if Tehran does not immediately agree to a peace
deal. The escalation in hostilities began this week with Monday's downing of a
US Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, which sparked a series of
tit-for-tat attacks across Iran and on Gulf countries.
US military says it struck tanker violating Iran port
blockade
AFP/11 June ,2026
US forces struck and disabled another oil tanker attempting to bypass their
blockade of Iranian ports this week, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Thursday.
A US aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the engine room of the
Guinea-Bissau flagged vessel “after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with
directions from US forces,” CENTCOM said. It was the third such US strike this
week and the ninth since the blockade began, said CENTCOM, which oversees
American forces in the Middle East. The strikes on the ship attempting to
transport oil through the Gulf of Oman happened around 11:20 pm EDT Wednesday
(0320 GMT Thursday), CENTCOM said, which are the morning hours in the region.
Early on Thursday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Center reported a
tanker fire 21 nautical miles northeast of Sohar, Oman, with the Indian embassy
in the country saying the Omani navy was evacuating crew members. According to
British marine security firm Vanguard, the tanker had 20 crew members aboard.
This latest strike followed a similar one on Wednesday off the coast of Oman.
Three Indian crew members were killed, leading the Indian government to lodge a
diplomatic protest. The US military said that since the start of the blockade on
April 13, it has “redirected 135 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels
supporting humanitarian aid to pass.”
Iran warns Mideast truce ‘practically meaningless’ after US
strikes
AFP/11 June ,2026
Iran warned on Thursday that the shaky ceasefire in the three-month Middle East
war was now “practically meaningless” following fresh strikes by the United
States that saw Tehran respond with attacks around the region. The war, which
began on February 28 with a wave of US-Israeli strikes on Iran, was paused by
the April truce, but efforts to hammer out a permanent end to the fighting have
stalled, and sporadic exchanges of fire have put the ceasefire under repeated
strain. In their second straight day of tit-for-tat attacks, Washington hit
surveillance, communications and air defense facilities, US Central Command (CENTCOM)
said, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a “punitive
operation” targeting a US base in Jordan and Gulf states reported incoming fire.
Mediators Pakistan and Qatar suggested backchannel efforts to negotiate an end
to the war were ongoing in spite of the flare-up, though Islamabad cautioned it
was “hard to be an optimist” in light of the latest escalation. The strikes took
place while a Qatari delegation was in Tehran, with a diplomatic source saying
the discussions were “conducted in coordination with the United States.”
US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly maintained negotiations with
Tehran were close to a deal, said on Wednesday that Iran keeps “playing us for
suckers” and will now “have to pay the price.”Hours after, CENTCOM said US
forces began strikes early Thursday on Iran in response to its “unwarranted and
continued aggression,” later adding it had completed its attacks. Iranian media
reported explosions across the south, with at least three people wounded in
Tehran province. Jordan said it had shot down 20 Iranian missiles, while
Kuwait’s military said its air defenses had engaged “hostile aerial
targets.”Bahrain said an 11-year-old girl suffered minor injuries and homes and
cars were damaged by “sinful Iranian aggression.”
‘Negotiate with bombs’
The renewed hostilities came as Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said that if Trump
required it, “we’ll negotiate with bombs.”Iran’s foreign ministry said on
Thursday that “the illegal and criminal attacks perpetrated by the United States
in recent hours not only constitute a flagrant violation... but also render the
ceasefire practically meaningless.” Mediators, however, were keeping up
diplomatic efforts, with a team of Qatari negotiators departing Tehran following
talks “that lasted into the early hours of this morning,” the diplomat said. A
foreign ministry spokesman for fellow mediator Pakistan, which hosted an initial
round of talks between the warring parties, said it had not “lost hope” in a
negotiated resolution. Still, said Tahir Andrabi, “It is hard to be an optimist
in the new exchange of hostilities.” Saudi Arabia, which also came under Iranian
attack during the war, called on Thursday for more talks under Pakistani and
Qatari mediation. China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, likewise called for
more negotiations on Thursday, with a foreign ministry spokesperson urging the
warring parties “to immediately cease military operations... respond to the
mediation efforts of relevant countries, and achieve a comprehensive and lasting
ceasefire.”
Hormuz threatened
Iran has renewed its warnings over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for
oil and gas transport which it has essentially closed. “Are you making the
sacred Strait of Hormuz unsafe?! We will make the region hell for you,” Majid
Mousavi, the head of the Iranian IRGC’s aerospace force, said in a social media
post. On Wednesday, three Indian sailors on a commercial vessel were killed when
the United States attacked the ship off the coast of Oman, New Delhi’s shipping
minister said Thursday. India’s foreign ministry summoned a top US diplomat in
New Delhi after the attack on the MT Settebello to lodge “a strong protest.”The
Iranian navy said it had also hit two ships trying to sail through the strait,
state television IRIB and the Mehr agency reported. Another Iranian news agency,
Tasnim, quoted the country’s military operational command as saying the crucial
waterway was “completely closed“ and that “any vessel traffic” there would be
targeted. But CENTCOM denied that, saying “commercial ships are continuing to
transit in and out of the Strait of Hormuz tonight.”
‘Bomb the S out of them’
Earlier, American broadcaster Fox News reported that Trump said Iranian leaders
had called him directly in the White House Situation Room as the US bombs began
falling. Iran’s Guards quickly denied Tehran had done so, the IRNA news agency
said. Fox reporter Trey Yingst, who spoke to Trump, quoted the president as
saying that if Iran did not accept US terms for ending the war, “We’ll bomb the
S out of them tomorrow night.”“We were really close to a deal, but they keep
tapping us along,” Trump told reporters Wednesday morning. Hegseth suggested the
strikes could extend into a third night, saying they would be “strong” and
“clear.”
US plans to deport Iranians to Central African Republic, sources say
Reuters/11 June ,2026
The Trump administration plans to deport a number of Iranians and other migrants
to Central African Republic, a chronically unstable country racked by violence
and poverty, two lawyers and an official briefed on the matter told Reuters. The
Iranians include two women who face potential torture and persecution if they
are forced to go back to Iran, their lawyer, Emily Trostle, said. One is a
Christian convert and the other is a pro-democracy activist, she added. The US
State Department and the presidency in the Central African Republic – which
recently reached a deal to accept so-called third-country deportees from the US
– did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Syrians and Afghans also expected on plane
Both the women were detained upon arriving in the US in November 2024, Trostle
said. They applied for asylum in the US and had secured a form of protection
known as withholding of removal from a US immigration judge, Trostle said. The
official briefed on the matter told Reuters the first flight to Central African
Republic under the deal was expected to take about 20 people, also including
Syrians and Afghans. The plane could leave as early as Thursday, the two lawyers
said. Another source familiar with the preparations said one Turkish national
was also expected to be deported. The Trump administration has used
third-country deportation deals – including with Central African Republic’s
neighbor the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is now facing an Ebola outbreak
– to deport people it can’t legally send home. Washington has defended the deals
as lawful, though rights groups and advocates have said the details of the deals
are opaque and many of the deportees are ultimately repatriated. The US and
Israel launched heavy strikes on Iran in late February, kicking off a now
three-month-old of war. US President Donald Trump told reporters in April that
he thought the Iranian people should rise up against the government in Iran if a
ceasefire were declared, but understood that it was too dangerous for them to do
so.
‘Hundreds’ could be deported under deal
The deportees will be held in apartments in Central African Republic’s capital
Bangui and are not expected to be repatriated immediately, the briefed official
said. Hundreds of migrants could ultimately be deported there under the deal,
the official added. The plan to deport Iranians was reported earlier on Thursday
by The New York Times. The US Department of Homeland Security said last week
that all deportees would receive full due process. A spokesperson for the
International Organization for Migration said the agency would “provide
post-arrival humanitarian assistance” to the migrants sent to Bangui, at the
request of the Central African government. The spokesperson said the IOM was not
involved in the removals and would provide assistance “on a strictly voluntary
basis and respecting applicable international standards.”The US this year
awarded $85 million to the IOM for operations in Central African Republic. The
country has endured repeated cycles of unrest since independence from France in
1960, leaving most of its 5.5 million people in poverty. Five years ago, Rwanda
deployed troops to prevent rebels from disrupting elections and maintains a
presence today. President Faustin-Archange Touadera signed peace deals this year
with several rebel groups, reducing violence in some regions.
False alarm at the Pentagon triggers brief shelter-in-place order
Reuters/11 June ,2026
A false alarm at the Pentagon following an air quality warning briefly triggered
a partial shelter-in-place order on Wednesday at the US military’s headquarters,
as first responders worked to rule out exposure to hazardous materials,
officials said. The lockdown applied to several corridors of the five-sided
building in Arlington, Virginia. Employees were told to stay put while tests
were carried out to determine whether a faulty sensor was to blame. Many
employees outside the areas of concern were told to leave the building as a
precaution, officials said. “Earlier this morning, Pentagon occupants were
notified of a potential air quality issue, prompting immediate precautionary
safety measures and evaluation. Subsequent testing confirmed no hazard exists,
and normal operations have resumed,” said chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.
“We express our sincere appreciation to the first responders for their swift
actions to ensure the safety of all personnel.”
Kuwait says morning Iran strikes hit airport radar,
caused injuries
AFP/June 11, 2026
It is the 2nd Iranian attack on Kuwait’s only international airport in just over
a week
KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait said Iranian strikes that targeted its territory on Thursday
morning and forced a temporary airspace closure had damaged an airport radar and
caused injuries. This marked the second Iranian attack on Kuwait’s only
international airport in just over a week, after a drone strike killed an Indian
national and injured 63 people on June 3. “The airport’s radar was targeted this
morning,” Kuwait’s civil aviation body said in a letter addressed to the
International Civil Aviation Organization. It added that the attack “injured
people and caused significant material damage and losses affecting radar
facilities, equipment and air traffic management systems.”Earlier, Kuwait said
it had reopened its airspace to commercial traffic after the latest volley of
Iranian attacks caused a brief shutdown. Kuwait’s military had earlier said air
defenses were engaging “hostile aerial targets,” after the United States
launched fresh attacks against Iran. A foreign ministry statement expressed
“Kuwait’s condemnation and denunciation of the continued sinful and repeated
Iranian attacks.”Iran has repeatedly targeted Gulf airports and other civilian
infrastructure throughout the war. Last week, Iran accused Kuwait and Bahrain of
allowing the United States to use their territory to launch attacks on an
Iranian tanker and island. Tehran said it attacked the US Navy’s Middle East
headquarters in Bahrain as well as the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, but did
not mention the airport. Kuwait has denied the accusations and demanded that two
Iranian embassy staff leave the country. Last week’s Kuwait airport attack was
particularly bloody, with authorities reporting some of the injured suffered
from head wounds, brain hemorrhaging or had to undergo amputations. Although
Kuwait’s airport has been targeted during the conflict, that was the Gulf’s
first deadly strike since a shaky ceasefire between the United States and Iran
came into effect on April 8.
Iranian attack on Kuwait airport caused injuries, serious
damage: Civil aviation authority
Reuters/11 June ,2026
Kuwait’s civil aviation authority said on Thursday that an Iranian attack
targeting Kuwait International Airport’s radar earlier in the day had caused
injuries and serious material damage to radar facilities and equipment linked to
air traffic management.
EU’s Kallas says discussed escalation in Iran conflict with
Iran foreign minister
Reuters/11 June ,2026
The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday she had
discussed the recent escalation in the war with Iran with Iran’s Foreign
Minister Abbas Araghchi, and she reiterated the need for a diplomatic way out of
the conflict. “I spoke to Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about the
latest escalation in the Gulf and the state of negotiations with the US. I’ve
also been in touch with the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber
Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The resumed attacks on the Gulf countries and their critical
infrastructure are unacceptable,” wrote Kallas on X. “A return to full-scale war
would come at a tremendous cost to the entire region. The diplomatic route
remains the best path out of this war,” she added.
1.3 million UN-registered refugees return to Syria in
2025
Arab News/June 11, 2026
ins one of six countries accounting for the majority of refugees globally
The Syrian civil war, which lasted from 2011 to 2024, displaced 12 million
people
LONDON: Around 1.3 million people returned to Syria in 2025, marking one of the
largest refugee return movements in the world in that year, according to the UN
High Commissioner for Refugees. The number of Syrian refugees has now dropped to
4.9 million as more people have returned to their homes following the collapse
of the Bashar Assad regime in December 2024. However, Syria remains one of six
countries accounting for the majority of refugees globally, along with
Afghanistan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine and Myanmar.
The Syrian civil war, which lasted from 2011 to 2024, displaced 12 million
people, with at least 5 million becoming refugees in neighboring countries,
including Turkiye, and in refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon. Ankara has hosted
over 3.5 million refugees while in Europe, Germany has taken in the largest
number of people fleeing the conflict with some 1 million living in the country.
The Syrian government has reaffirmed it will encourage the “voluntary” return of
refugees, as many international sanctions have been lifted to assist the
country’s recovery, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.
Syrian president receives invitation to US mid-June:
Diplomatic source
Al Arabiya English/11 June ,2026
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa received an invitation to head to the United
States later this month, where he met his counterpart Donald Trump last
November, a diplomatic source told AFP on Thursday. The invitation comes after
Trump had recently hinted at Syria’s willingness to intervene against
Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. “President al-Sharaa received an invitation to
head to the United States on June 14,” the source said, requesting anonymity,
without confirming whether the Syrian leader will go. Trump’s 80th birthday
falls that day and he will be hosting a cage fight on the White House lawn. Al-Sharaa,
who took over after toppling longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in 2024, was
received by Trump in November. It was the first visit of its kind by a Syrian
head of state since the country’s independence in 1946. The two countries have
been mending their ties since al-Assad’s overthrow, with Washington lifting
sanctions on Syria and Damascus joining the global coalition against ISIS. Trump
had told NBC last week that al-Sharaa was willing to help against Hezbollah,
which has been fighting a war with Israel since March 2 as part of the broader
Middle East conflict. “I’d like to see a more surgical attack on Hezbollah. I
think it should be more surgical. And we can help them with that, or we can
recommend Syria,” he said. “Syria’s doing a very good job of cleaning up their
act. They have a very good leader. They have a leader that’s really done a good
job in a short period of time. And he would love to help.” According to a
diplomat who requested anonymity, Washington has been exerting pressure on Syria
since the start of the Israel-Hezbollah war to intervene against the Iran-backed
group in Lebanon, with which the country shares a long porous border. Syria,
which under the al-Assad family was a close ally of Hezbollah, dominated Lebanon
for decades following a military intervention in the latter’s 1975-1990 civil
war, withdrawing only in 2005, making any new military involvement a fraught
proposition. Hezbollah fought alongside the Syrian government in that country’s
own civil war, making the new authorities in Damascus deeply hostile to it. With
AFP
Zaidi Urges Sharaa to Boost Baghdad-Damascus
Coordination
Baghdad: Hamza Mustafa/Asharq Al Awsat/11 June 2026
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has sent a message to Syrian President Ahmed
al-Sharaa calling for stronger ties and closer security and economic
coordination. The move reflects Baghdad’s push to rebuild regional relations
while, at home, working to bring weapons under state control and prepare for a
planned visit to the United States. The message was delivered by Hamid al-Shatri,
head of Iraq’s National Intelligence Service. The Iraqi prime minister’s media
office said late Wednesday that Zaidi’s message stressed the need to develop
relations between Baghdad and Damascus and step up coordination to confront
regional challenges and crises, particularly in security and economic affairs,
in line with the two countries’ shared interests. The statement said Sharaa
thanked Zaidi and the Iraqi government, and affirmed Syria’s commitment to
working with Iraq to address common challenges arising from recent regional
developments. He also stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral
cooperation, especially on security and the economy. The message comes as Iraq
seeks to repair ties with its Arab neighbors under a broader approach built
around three tracks: asserting state authority by “confining weapons to the
hands of the state,” expanding regional outreach, and diversifying the economy
by drawing foreign investment.
Zaidi to Washington
Baghdad has yet to set a date for Zaidi’s visit to the United States, which
follows an invitation from US President Donald Trump. Iraqi officials say the
visit is tied to a set of files the government has begun pursuing under fixed
timelines, led by the effort to bring weapons under state control.
Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi told a news conference that the deadline
for carrying out the weapons-control plan expires next September, coinciding
with the scheduled withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraq. The
timing is significant. It would complete arrangements agreed by the previous
government, including ending the mission of the coalition formed to fight ISIS,
moving Baghdad’s relationship with Washington into a bilateral framework based
on the 2009 Strategic Framework Agreement, and ending the work of the United
Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, known as UNAMI. The Iraqi government hopes
to make tangible progress on the weapons file before the Washington visit. But
positions taken by some Iran-backed armed factions have added pressure. Kataib
Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, two of Iraq’s most prominent armed factions,
have issued statements that raised questions over the future of the government’s
weapons-control measures. The Shiite Coordination Framework had granted the
prime minister a mandate over the mechanisms and procedures for confining
weapons to the state. The move was seen as a withdrawal of the political cover
long enjoyed by some armed factions, potentially putting them on a direct
collision course with the government. At the same time, influential forces
within the Coordination Framework, which holds about 80 parliamentary seats, are
seeking to expand their presence in government and secure ministerial posts
after earlier US reservations about their participation eased. The government
says its handling of these files is based on a “national vision” backed by
parliament. Aboudi said the government remains fully committed to confining
weapons to the state according to the timelines set in its program.
Regional outreach for development
On the economic front, Baghdad is betting on major investment projects to
reinforce long-term stability. Aboudi said the “Development Fund” is an
investment vehicle separate from the state budget, funded by international
contributions from friendly countries, with guarantees ranging from $100 billion
to $150 billion, to support development and sustainable stability. Observers say
the three files, security, regional outreach, and economic development, form the
broad framework for Iraq’s current domestic and foreign moves. Political science
professor Talib Mohammed Karim told Asharq Al-Awsat that Zaidi’s expected visit
to Washington cannot be separated from the changes underway in Iraq and the
wider region. He said Baghdad is working on three parallel tracks: strengthening
state authority by confining weapons to the state, opening up regionally,
including through improved ties with Syria, and diversifying the economy by
reducing dependence on oil and attracting investment. Karim said the visit
matters because of its timing, as the balance of power in the Middle East is
being reshaped after years of conflict. Iraq, he said, has a chance to move from
being shaped by regional developments to helping shape stability, drawing on its
geography and balanced relations with different sides.
Relations with Washington
Former prime minister Adil Abdul Mahdi also called for stronger Iraqi-US ties
while preserving the agreements signed between the two countries. Abdul Mahdi
said he hoped Zaidi would succeed in his mission, adding that it was too early
to judge the current government, which remains at the start of its four-year
term. He said Iraq needs friendly relations with the US and other countries
while honoring existing agreements between Baghdad and Washington. He said the
end of next September would mark a decisive point with the completion of the
international coalition’s withdrawal from Iraqi territory. Abdul Mahdi said
stronger political and economic ties between Iraq and the US would serve mutual
interests, citing the importance of Washington’s international role and
Baghdad’s regional standing, as well as the shared benefits that closer
relations could bring.
Israel releases Hamas co-founder after two years of
detention: son
AFP/June 11, 2026
RAMALLAH: The son of a Hamas co-founder said that Israeli authorities released
his father in the occupied West Bank on Thursday after holding him without trial
for more than two years. Hassan Yousef, 71, was “freed near the southern West
Bank city of Hebron” and taken to a hospital in Ramallah where he resides, his
son Owais Yousef said. Yousef is a senior leader of Hamas in the West Bank,
having co-founded the group in the 1980s along with Sheikh Ahmad Yassine and
other Palestinian members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Israeli police did not
immediately respond to an AFP request for confirmation. Yousef had been held in
Israeli administrative detention since October 2023, shortly after the Hamas
attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. Israel has increased its use of
administrative detention against Palestinians since the war. The system allows
it to detain individuals for renewable six-month periods without charge. Israel
says the procedure allows authorities to hold suspects and prevent attacks while
continuing to gather evidence, but critics and rights groups say the system is
abused. Israel has arrested Yousef several times over the years. He was last
released in July 2020 from 16 months of administrative detention. A member of
the now-defunct Palestinian parliament, Yousef is estranged from his eldest son
Mosab Hassan Yousef, who for 10 years spied against his father’s movement. From
1997 to 2007, Mosab Hassan Yousef worked for Israel’s internal security agency
Shin Bet, before relocating to the United States, where he lives under a new
identity and wrote the book “Son of Hamas.”
UN reports record levels of settler violence in the West
Bank
AFP/June 11/2026
Violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank has reached record
levels, with an average of six attacks daily causing casualties or damage, the
UN said Thursday. The number of such attacks this year has surpassed 1,000, said
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief, citing the UN’s Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). “Just last week, settler attacks
resulted in the injury of more than 30 Palestinians and widespread damage to
property, central infrastructure as well as livelihoods,” Dujarric said. “The
current pace of settler attacks causing casualties or property damage, with an
average of six incidents per day, is higher than any year on record,” he said.
More than 2,200 Palestinians have been displaced this year due to settler
violence or access restrictions, while hundreds more have been displaced due to
home demolitions by Israeli authorities, he said. More than a half million
Israelis live in the West Bank — excluding East Jerusalem, which has been
annexed by Israel — in settlements deemed illegal by the United Nations under
international law. Three million Palestinians also live there. Israel has
occupied the West Bank since 1967. Violence has escalated in the West Bank
during and since the Gaza war, which was triggered by an unprecedented attack on
Israel by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on October 7, 2023.
The Ongoing Charade of Hamas Disarmament
Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute/June 11, 2026
The Cairo meetings reportedly focused heavily on what mediators described as the
"restriction of weapons" rather than outright disarmament. Some proposals
reportedly envision Hamas and other armed groups "depositing" weapons with
Palestinian authorities or placing them under international supervision.
This brush-off alone should convince Washington that the current strategy of
negotiating with Hamas, as with Iran, is failing.
The notion that Hamas would voluntarily surrender the means that allow it to
dominate the Gaza Strip, intimidate Palestinians, and wage jihad (holy war)
against Israel is detached from reality. Hamas did not spend decades building a
military infrastructure, digging tunnels, stockpiling rockets, and
indoctrinating generations of Palestinians only to hand over its weapons because
mediators asked politely.
Any agreement that allows Hamas to survive politically while retaining influence
over the Gaza Strip is only postponing the next war.
That Qatar and Turkey are once again serving as mediators just adds another
layer of lunacy to the process. Both countries have long been among Hamas's most
important political and financial supporters.
Expecting Qatar and Turkey to pressure Hamas into disarming is asking sponsors
to dismantle the very organization they have spent years supporting.
For months, Washington has sought calm and stability across the Middle East.
America's adversaries, however, increasingly interpret this desire for stability
as weakness.
Hamas sees endless negotiations. Hezbollah, Iran's Lebanese proxy, sees repeated
efforts to preserve ceasefires. Iran sees a US administration eager to avoid
significant escalation at any cost.
Instead of complying with American demands, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran are
setting conditions and leading the Trump Administration around by the nose.
For the past few years, every ceasefire has allowed Hamas to regroup. Every
negotiation has given it time. Every diplomatic initiative has enabled it to
re-entrench itself.
That is not a sign of diplomatic progress. It is evidence of diplomatic failure.
At some point, the Trump Administration might confront a simple reality:
terrorist organizations do not voluntarily negotiate themselves out of
existence.
For both Hamas and Iran, survival means remaining armed so that they can
continue pursuing their ultimate goal: the elimination of Israel, and for Iran,
eventually Europe and the US.
Until this reality is acknowledged, the world will continue to witness the same
futile spectacle: mediators begging a terrorist organization to surrender
weapons it never intends to give up.
The notion that Hamas would voluntarily surrender the means that allow it to
dominate the Gaza Strip, intimidate Palestinians, and wage jihad (holy war)
against Israel is detached from reality. Hamas did not spend decades building a
military infrastructure, digging tunnels, stockpiling rockets, and
indoctrinating generations of Palestinians only to hand over its weapons because
mediators asked politely.
Nearly three years after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led massacre in Israel, and
more than six months after US President Donald Trump announced his ceasefire
initiative for the Gaza Strip, one reality remains painfully clear: Hamas is
still armed, still in control of large parts of the Gaza Strip, and still openly
refusing to surrender its weapons.
This week, mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey gathered in Cairo with Hamas
leaders and representatives of several Palestinian factions in yet another
attempt to persuade the Iran-backed Islamist group to comply with Trump's peace
plan, which calls for the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the
decommissioning of weapons held by Hamas and other armed groups.
That Hamas is still negotiating the issue of disarmament nearly three years
after October 7 is in itself a damning indictment of the international approach
toward the terrorist group. If there were any doubts about Hamas's intentions,
the latest round of talks should put them to rest.
According to reports from the meetings, Hamas continues to set conditions before
it would even consider surrendering its weapons. Among its demands are a full
Israeli withdrawal to the border, increased humanitarian aid, guarantees for the
safety of its leaders and members, the dismantling of armed groups it claims are
backed by Israel, and the integration of its administrative personnel into any
future governing structure in the Gaza Strip.
A Palestinian source told Sky News Arabia on June 9 that the Palestinian
factions negotiating in Cairo had not reached an agreement by midnight on Monday
regarding the fate of Hamas's weapons. The unnamed source said that Egypt, Qatar
and some Palestinian factions pressured Hamas to accept the formula of gradually
handing over weapons to the newly established Palestinian National Committee for
the Administration of Gaza overseen by the international "Board of Peace" to
avoid a return to war with Israel.
According to the source, Hamas still links the handover of its weapons to
guarantees regarding the safety of its members and leaders and that they will
not be harmed from potential acts of revenge.
In other words, Hamas is not agreeing to disarm. It is bargaining.
This should alarm anyone who genuinely seeks peace and stability in the Middle
East and wants to prevent more massacres against Israel.
The message Hamas is sending remains as defiant as ever. Hamas does not take
Trump's plan seriously. Hamas is not behaving like a defeated terrorist group
responsible for the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, but like a
victorious army dictating its terms.
This brush-off alone should convince Washington that the current strategy of
negotiating with Hamas, as with Iran, is failing.
The Cairo meetings reportedly focused heavily on what mediators described as the
"restriction of weapons" rather than outright disarmament. Some proposals
reportedly envision Hamas and other armed groups "depositing" weapons with
Palestinian authorities or placing them under international supervision.
Such ideas belong in the realm of fantasy.
The notion that Hamas would voluntarily surrender the means that allow it to
dominate the Gaza Strip, intimidate Palestinians, and wage jihad (holy war)
against Israel is detached from reality. Hamas did not spend decades building a
military infrastructure, digging tunnels, stockpiling rockets, and
indoctrinating generations of Palestinians only to hand over its weapons because
mediators asked politely.
Even more absurd is the suggestion that weapons could simply be "frozen" or
"deposited" for later use.
No serious observer believes that Hamas would permanently relinquish its
military capabilities while continuing to exist as a political movement. Any
agreement that allows Hamas to survive politically while retaining influence
over the Gaza Strip is only postponing the next war.
The fundamental problem with the current approach is that it treats Hamas as a
legitimate political actor rather than what it actually is: an Islamist
terrorist group committed to the destruction of Israel and the broader jihadist
project championed by Iran.
Negotiating with Hamas over whether it should surrender its weapons is like
negotiating with a bank robber over whether he should keep his gun.
That Qatar and Turkey are once again serving as mediators just adds another
layer of lunacy to the process. Both countries have long been among Hamas's most
important political and financial supporters. Hamas leaders have enjoyed safe
haven in Qatar and Turkey for years. Senior Hamas officials have operated from
these countries while raising funds, coordinating activities, and promoting
Hamas's agenda.
Expecting Qatar and Turkey to pressure Hamas into disarming is asking sponsors
to dismantle the very organization they have spent years supporting.
The latest negotiations also expose a deeper problem confronting the Trump
Administration. For months, Washington has sought calm and stability across the
Middle East. America's adversaries, however, increasingly interpret this desire
for stability as weakness.
Hamas sees endless negotiations. Hezbollah, Iran's Lebanese proxy, sees repeated
efforts to preserve ceasefires. Iran sees a US administration eager to avoid
significant escalation at any cost.
The result is predictable. Instead of complying with American demands, Hamas,
Hezbollah, and Iran are setting conditions and leading the Trump Administration
around by the nose.
Rather than accepting disarmament, they are attempting to create new facts on
the ground. Hezbollah insists that Israeli responses to attacks should be
limited. Iran claims a right to retaliate whenever it chooses. Hamas demands
concessions before discussing weapons.
All of them appear convinced that Washington is more interested in avoiding
confrontation than enforcing its own red lines.
This perception is dangerous. It emboldens the Iranian regime and its network of
proxies across the Middle East.
Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis in Yemen are not independent actors pursuing
local agendas. They are components of Iran's regional project. They share a
common objective: the destruction of Israel and driving America out of the
Middle East. Like their patrons in Tehran, they view the US as an enemy.
The continued discussion about Hamas's future role in the Gaza Strip misses the
central point. Hamas has no intention of laying down its weapons. It has no
intention of relinquishing control voluntarily. It has no intention of
abandoning its jihad against Israel. To do so would mean to them abandoning its
entire reason for being and signing its own death warrant.
For the past few years, every ceasefire has allowed Hamas to regroup. Every
negotiation has given it time. Every diplomatic initiative has enabled it to
re-entrench itself.
Today, nearly three years after October 7 and more than six months after Trump's
ceasefire plan was announced, Hamas remains armed, organized, and defiant.
That is not a sign of diplomatic progress. It is evidence of diplomatic failure.
At some point, the Trump Administration might confront a simple reality:
terrorist organizations do not voluntarily negotiate themselves out of
existence.
The ongoing effort to persuade Hamas to disarm has become a late-night comedy
skit. Each new round of talks further undermines the credibility of those
promoting them. Every additional meeting sends the message that Hamas can
continue rejecting demands while suffering no meaningful consequences.
If Trump truly wants peace and stability in the Gaza Strip, he would do well to
stop negotiating with Hamas and start increasing pressure on it and its
sponsors.
The lesson of the past three years is that Hamas and Iran are not interested in
peace. They are interested in survival. In their eyes, if they can maneuver the
"Great Satan," the US, to compromise, they win and America loses.
For both Hamas and Iran, survival means remaining armed so that they can
continue pursuing their ultimate goal: the elimination of Israel, and for Iran,
eventually Europe and the US.
Until this reality is acknowledged, the world will continue to witness the same
futile spectacle: mediators begging a terrorist organization to surrender
weapons it never intends to give up.
*Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning journalist based in Jerusalem.
Follow Khaled Abu Toameh on X (formerly Twitter)
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22596/hamas-disarmament-charade
© 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.
Kosovo’s unique case a shining example in international
relations
Lulzim Mjeku/Arab News/June 11, 2026
June 12 marks Kosovo’s Liberation Day of 1999, which — together with
Independence Day on Feb. 17, 2008 — constitutes one of the two most significant
national commemorations for my people and for a country committed to peace,
democracy and coexistence. Kosovo’s liberation in 1999 and its independence in
2008 reflect the realization of the political will of its citizens, supported by
a broad understanding within the international community. These historic
milestones brought freedom, dignity and statehood to Kosovo’s population and
have contributed to long‑term stability in Southeast Europe. Kosovo is widely
regarded as a sui generis case, one that does not set a precedent in
international relations.
and, subsequently, independence was long and marked by profound sacrifice.
Presenting an accurate, fact‑based historical narrative remains essential to
safeguard against misinterpretation or revisionism. During the nonconsensual
dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, Kosovo held a distinct federal
constitutional status. The unlawful abolition of its autonomy, followed by
systemic discrimination, segregation and repression of the Kosovo Albanian
majority throughout the 1990s resulted in grave human rights violations,
including crimes against humanity and war crimes. The forced displacement of
approximately 1 million civilians during the 1998-1999 war ultimately led to a
humanitarian intervention by NATO.
The adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the subsequent period of
international administration — distinct from a protectorate — created a
framework for a political process aimed at determining Kosovo’s future status.
Kosovo’s declaration of independence followed the exhaustion of all diplomatic
avenues, including a comprehensive negotiation process conducted under UN
auspices, culminating in the proposal of the UN special envoy and supported by
the UN secretary‑general. The path toward liberation and, subsequently,
independence was long and marked by profound sacrifice. Since its independence,
Kosovo has acted as a responsible and constructive international partner,
engaging through bilateral agreements and participation in international
organizations. Moreover, an independent and stable Kosovo has contributed
positively to regional peace, cooperation and European stability. Its sui
generis nature continues to be examined in academic, legal and diplomatic
circles due to the unique political and legal context surrounding its statehood.
Today, Kosovo stands as a European country firmly committed to peace, stability
and the advancement of human progress. Our institutions exercise full
sovereignty and our international standing continues to strengthen each day.
While the euro serves as our official currency, Kosovo is not yet a member of
the EU. Likewise, although NATO maintains a peacekeeping presence in our
country, Kosovo is not a NATO member. Nevertheless, our Euro‑Atlantic
aspirations are deeply rooted across society and have represented a broad
national consensus since our liberation in 1999. In recent years, the Kosovo
Security Force has undergone a steady transformation into a modern, professional
self‑defense force dedicated to peace and good neighborly relations. It has
earned a strong reputation in search‑and‑rescue operations, international
missions and in contributing to regional and global security. With a government
committed to digital transformation and a young, dynamic population, Kosovo is
preparing itself for the economy of the future. A new generation of information
technology professionals is bringing international recognition to our country
through their innovation and expertise.
Today, Kosovo stands firmly committed to peace, stability and the advancement of
human progress. Kosovo is endowed with significant natural resources. Our
lignite reserves — estimated at 14.7 billion tonnes — place us among the world’s
top 10 countries and we possess additional mineral wealth. As Kosovo enters a
new phase in which mining and minerals will be a national priority, we look
forward to attracting responsible investment, supporting the production of
minerals essential for the global energy transition and developing the skills
needed for this sector.
Our investment landscape is diverse. Opportunities exist in construction, wood
processing, textiles and leather, as well as in business process outsourcing.
Kosovo offers an experienced workforce, competitive advantages, a welcoming
business environment and a readiness to engage with international partners.
Since the declaration of independence in 2008, Kosovo has been recognized by 122
countries, in line with the 2010 advisory opinion of the International Court of
Justice, which confirmed that our declaration of independence did not violate
international law. This opinion, issued by the highest judicial body of the UN,
represents a collective recognition of Kosovo’s statehood.
We express our sincere gratitude to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and many other allies
and friends for their contributions before the court. Recognition is not
symbolic — it is a strategic act and a responsibility under international law.
To recognize Kosovo is to stand for international law, order and justice. We
also extend deep appreciation to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for its
continued adoption of annual resolutions encouraging member states that have not
yet recognized Kosovo to consider doing so. Our young republic has established
diplomatic relations with a wide range of countries across the globe. This year
marks the 17th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with
Saudi Arabia. Our ties continue to deepen, particularly in the economic sphere.
As Kosovo advances as a multiethnic, sovereign state, we remain committed to
nurturing and expanding our relations with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and all
our partners. We look forward to building an even stronger foundation for
cooperation, friendship and shared prosperity.
**Lulzim Mjeku is Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia.
Iraq’s long road to reclaiming the factions’ weapons
Hassan Al-Mustafa/Arab News/June 11, 2026
In an interview with Al-Arabiya, Lt. Gen. Qais Al-Muhammadawi, who heads Iraq’s
Disengagement and Arms Control Committee, made clear that the current phase of
bringing weapons under state authority reaches only the factions already folded
into the Popular Mobilization Units — not groups outside it. He credited an
initiative by Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada Al-Sadr involving the Saraya
Al-Salam militia, also known as the Peace Brigades, with setting the project in
motion and said its purpose was to “end the linkage of weapons to any political
or religious banner.” Any handover, he added, would follow “an agreement between
the army command and those who hold the weapons” — a process requiring “time”
that “cannot be settled in a single day.”
His comments give this sensitive file a political and legal character, situating
it within state institutions rather than treating it as a simple security sweep
against loose weapons. For now, Baghdad can neither practically nor legally
dissolve the PMU, a body forged in the war against Daesh. The aim instead is to
reshape it into a disciplined arm of the state, stripped of external or partisan
loyalties.
The 2016 law that created the force (No. 40) defined it as an independent
military formation, part of the Iraqi armed forces, answerable to the
commander-in-chief, and with members bound by standing military law. Cutting
partisan and political ties, then, is less a new departure than a return to a
legal framework that went largely unenforced through years of war and the
fragile balances that followed.
The aim is to reshape the PMU into a disciplined arm of the state, stripped of
external or partisan loyalties. PMU Chairman Falih Al-Fayyadh struck a similar
note, revealing that the new committee had started drafting mechanisms for a
clean break between the force and any political, factional or partisan
structures, with the goal of turning it into an institution under a single
command tied to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Remaining within a
state institution means accepting its rules, shedding cross-border loyalties and
avoiding anything that endangers national security or relations with Iraq’s
neighbors. None of this will come easily, least of all with “loyalist factions”
devoted to the doctrine of Velayat-e Faqih (guardianship of the Islamic jurist)
refusing to comply. Still, three developments offer something to build on — if
they prove genuine and are seen through without hesitation or compromise. The
first is Al-Sadr’s move on the Peace Brigades. The second is the decision by
Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq and Kata’ib Al-Imam Ali to set up committees inventorying
personnel, weapons and equipment in coordination with the commander-in-chief.
The third is the PMU’s own pivot, through Al-Fayyadh, toward the language of
professionalism and political disengagement. Yet such signals count for little
unless concrete steps actually begin, are sustained, and end with authority
resting in the hands of the Iraqi state alone.
The Associated Press characterized the announcement by Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq and
Kata’ib Al-Imam Ali as a major step in the government’s bid to restore state
control over armed groups that have long operated on their own, despite nominal
ties to Baghdad.
The road, however, is neither smooth nor easy. Groups like Kata’ib Hezbollah and
Harakat Al-Nujaba still reject disarmament outright, tying it to questions of
“sovereignty” and the “presence of foreign forces.” This open defiance betrays a
double standard: such factions do not reject the state as a source of legal and
financial cover, yet they insist on keeping weapons and operational decisions
beyond official reach. In other words, they want to reap money, politics and
legitimacy from the state while ignoring the Cabinet’s decisions. Some factions
want to reap money, politics and legitimacy from the state while ignoring the
Cabinet’s decisions. The stakes climb even higher when weapons are fired across
Iraq’s borders — notably the recent drone strikes launched from Iraqi soil
against the vital interests, energy platforms and oil fields of several Gulf
states. Al-Muhammadawi was emphatic that Baghdad “will not allow its territory
to be used to attack neighboring countries,” disclosing that Iraqi forces had
thwarted operations aimed at neighboring states.
Given these complexities, the effort to bring weapons under the control of the
state leans heavily on moral and religious cover from the Najaf seminary, which
has lent the campaign a political and ethical foundation. In a statement carried
by the Iraqi News Agency in 2024, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani urged that
foreign interference be barred, the rule of law upheld and weapons be confined
to the state. This position drains religious legitimacy from the parallel
arsenals and leaves the state as the sole arbiter of security.
With clashes between the factions and Iraqi forces a real fear, observers are
left asking the hard questions: Can the government committee account for the
drones, missiles, launchers and munitions depots? And will control of that
arsenal pass to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, rather than into
internal arrangements that keep the factions in control?
Should Baghdad manage to restrict the use of weapons, sever the armed
formations’ partisan and political ties and halt the hostile strikes on its Arab
neighbors, Iraq will have genuinely begun its passage from managing factions to
building a state that controls its own security.
**Hassan Al-Mustafa is a Saudi writer and researcher specializing in Islamist
movements, the evolution of religious discourse, and relations between the Gulf
states and Iran.
X: @Halmustafa
Rare earth elements should be a priority for regional
states
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/June 11, 2026
When it comes to modern economic and geopolitical landscapes, one significant
development has been the ascending role of rare earth elements and other
critical minerals. They have been transformed from simple geological commodities
into vital instruments affecting several key areas, such as economic
sovereignty, technological supremacy and military strength and power.
There are 17 chemically similar elements that possess unique properties that
make them indispensable across an array of advanced technological applications.
And as global demand surges amid digitalization, control over the extraction,
processing and refinement of these elements has emerged as a central arena of
strategic competition and even rivalry.
The geopolitical significance of rare earth elements is due to the multifaceted
roles they play in several sectors. These include advanced technologies, clean
energy systems, artificial intelligence, and the military and defense. China
holds about 44 million tonnes of rare earth element reserves, which is about 49
percent of the known global total. China also dominates the processing of these
minerals. Other major reserve holders include Brazil (21 million tonnes), India
(6.9 million), Australia (5.7 million), Russia (3.8 million) and Vietnam (3.5
million).
Control over the extraction, processing and refinement of these elements has
emerged as a central arena of strategic competition
Nevertheless, production remains far less diversified, as China accounts for the
majority of mined output and refined products. This area provides an opportunity
for other countries to step in.
Control over these supply chains is related to economic growth as well as
strategic autonomy. For example, nations capable of securing reliable access can
accelerate innovation.
Rare earth elements permeate virtually every facet of modern industrial and
military capability. Elements such as neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium are
essential for hard disk drives, smartphones and flat-panel displays. Cerium and
lanthanum are key in the sector of semiconductors. The transition to net-zero
emissions is also partially dependent on rare earth elements. Specifically,
Neodymium magnets can be used in wind turbines, enhancing their efficiency and
reducing maintenance requirements in offshore installations.
In electric vehicles, motors that are rare earth element-based deliver superior
power and range compared to the alternatives. Solar technologies and energy
storage systems also rely on rare earth elements for specialized components.
This is why projections indicate that demand for certain rare earth elements in
the clean energy sector could grow exponentially by 2040.
Rare earth elements also play a critical role in AI and data infrastructure. The
physical facets of AI, such as robotics, depend on these minerals for efficient
motors, cooling systems and advanced electronics. Another area is the defense
and military industries. For example, each F-35 fighter jet incorporates more
than 400 kg of rare earth elements, using them for tasks such as flight control.
Rare earth elements are also used in night-vision devices, precision-guided
munitions and satellite technologies.
These examples illustrate the importance of rare earth elements. Their
integration has provided concrete and tangible benefits in the technology, clean
energy and defense industries.
Their integration has provided concrete and tangible benefits in the technology,
clean energy and defense industries. Several Middle Eastern states have astutely
pivoted toward critical minerals, recognizing their alignment with their
economic diversification plans. Saudi Arabia exemplifies proactive stewardship.
Possessing substantial reserves in the Arabian Shield, the Kingdom has
integrated mining into its Vision 2030.
Maaden, its national champion, has forged partnerships with Ivanhoe Electric for
exploration and with MP Materials and US entities for a major rare-earth
refinery. A US-Saudi strategic framework, backed by Department of Defense
financing, aims to develop full value-chain capabilities. Alongside the Kingdom,
the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Jordan also participated in February’s US-led
Critical Minerals Ministerial, signaling diplomatic alignment and investment
interest. These developments position the region advantageously. Other Middle
Eastern nations ought to identify opportunities through various paths. For
example, governments can prioritize allocating capital to exploration, refining
capacity and magnet production.
To accelerate this process, partnerships with global powers can be helpful.
Creating incentives for private investment and providing environmental standards
that attract the required capital is another option. There could also be a
broader Middle Eastern collaboration on shared infrastructure, such as
processing hubs, to cut costs and achieve larger objectives. States should
invest in specialized education to produce local expertise.
These steps will help diversify regional states’ revenues and elevate their
geopolitical relevance. In this regard, Saudi Arabia’s trajectory — transforming
mineral endowments into refined strategic assets — provides a compelling model
for other countries in the region.
In a nutshell, one cannot deny the increasingly powerful and pervasive role of
rare earth elements and other critical minerals across a multitude of strategic
sectors. Their unique role has made them indispensable to economic
competitiveness and national security.
Several Middle Eastern countries have already taken commendable and
forward-looking steps in this direction — most notably Saudi Arabia, which has
integrated critical minerals development into its Vision 2030 framework. It is
important for others to follow suit by prioritizing sustained investments and
the cultivation of domestic expertise in this area. This will not only
contribute to long term economic growth but also enhance their geopolitical
significance.
**Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian-American political
scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh
A Faint Light from Iraq
Suleiman Jawda/Asharq Al Awsat/11 June 2026
Despite the darkness that fills the skies of the region and the world, a faint
light can sometimes appear in the distance, drawing us closer to hope than to
despair.
One such light came from Iraq, when the Sadrist Movement, led by Muqtada al-Sadr,
announced that it was handing over its military wing, the Peace Brigades, to the
government. The announcement was made on the morning of the fifth of this month,
and it appeared to be the most important news of that day and the days that
followed. Why would it not be, when the movement declared that all Peace
Brigades fighters had, from that moment onward, come under the command of Iraqi
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi?
Nor was that all. There were other details, including symbolic measures
accompanying the handover, among them the lowering of the movement's flag from
atop its headquarters in Samarra.
The news was accompanied by a photograph showing a number of Peace Brigades
fighters. They were carrying their weapons and smiling at the camera, with no
signs of distress or anger on their faces. This suggested, at least in part,
that they were satisfied with what had taken place, accepted it, and endorsed
the decision reached by Muqtada al-Sadr.
My own guess is that their apparent ease with the decision stemmed primarily
from a sense that they had become part of a broader Iraqi army, rather than
merely fighters serving a political movement, even if that movement was the
Sadrist Movement itself.
Which is preferable for any Iraqi fighter: to belong to a faction that at times
operates outside the state's framework and at other times does not, or to be a
soldier in an Iraqi army fighting for the security of an entire country rather
than for the interests of a particular group within it?
Any patriotic Iraqi would surely lean toward the second option if left to his
natural instincts. An Iraqi is born belonging to no faction and recognizing no
allegiance other than to his homeland. If, upon reaching adulthood, he joins one
group or another, then his allegiance is no longer properly placed, because true
allegiance does not put a group before the country or a faction above the
nation. The statement announcing the handover of the Peace Brigades said that
their fighters had come under the command of the prime minister. It remains
unclear, however, whether this means they have been fully integrated into the
Iraqi national army or whether they will remain within their existing brigades
while answering to the prime minister and the army.
That is not entirely clear, although full integration is naturally the desired
outcome. Even if integration is delayed, however, that is not necessarily a
problem. What matters most is that fighters such as these now take their orders
from the prime minister rather than from the leader of the movement. That alone
is an important development that should be welcomed and built upon.
More important still is that the process should not stop with the Sadrist
Movement. Other movements and factions exist alongside it, and all are called
upon to follow its example so that Iraq may reach a point where no entity other
than the state possesses a competing armed force.
Iraq deserves the sacrifice of its factions and movements, whatever their names.
The initiative launched by Muqtada al-Sadr must be only a first step. The new
prime minister is barely beginning his tenure, and he cannot succeed unless all
movements and factions come to embrace what the Sadrist Movement has embraced.
It acted not so much for al-Zaidi as prime minister as for Iraq as a homeland,
or so one would assume. Anyone in Iraq wishing to see the consequences of armed
groups operating outside the national army need only look at what the existence
of the so-called Rapid Support Forces has done to Sudan. The war waged by the
Rapid Support Forces against Sudan entered its fourth year in mid-April, and
there is scarcely a Sudanese household that has not suffered because of their
presence. The ruins visible in photographs from the country are merely an
illustration of the scale of that devastation.
Iraq's movements and factions can draw a living lesson from Sudan's tragic
situation. They can place themselves second and put first the country whose soil
they inhabit. If they do, they will come to know a cohesive homeland that
shelters all, rather than preserving their own interests in a country whose
foundations are crumbling and barely able to stand.
This may sound more idealistic than necessary, but realistic ideas often begin
as idealistic ones. Iraq, striving to complete the formation of its government,
is counting on its people to support it rather than let it down. Sadr's
initiative must not become like the rooster's egg, of which it is said that if a
rooster lays an egg, it lays only one.
Iran’s missile diplomacy and its collapse of credibility
Hani Hazaimeh/Arab News/June 11, 2026
As indirect negotiations between Iran and the US drift without any sign of a
resolution, Tehran’s continued missile and drone strikes against Kuwait and
Bahrain expose a pattern that is increasingly difficult to disguise as anything
other than strategic failure. What is unfolding is not leverage or bargaining
power. It is the erosion of diplomatic credibility disguised as regional
aggression. Iran appears to be operating under the illusion that pressure can be
manufactured through the targeting of sovereign Arab states that have neither
declared hostility nor sought confrontation. This approach is fundamentally
self-defeating. Rather than strengthening its hand in negotiations, Tehran is
undermining the conditions required for any sustainable agreement. The message
it is sending is not one of deterrence but of unpredictability and coercion.
The idea that attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain could somehow translate into
concessions from Washington reflects a deeply flawed reading of how diplomacy
functions. Negotiations, particularly those of this magnitude, are not advanced
through the punishment of third parties. They are advanced through restraint,
reciprocity and political maturity. What Iran is demonstrating is the opposite:
an escalating reliance on force as a substitute for coherent diplomatic
strategy.
The Gulf Cooperation Council states have consistently made their position clear.
They are not parties to the Iran-US confrontation and they have not sought to
escalate it. On the contrary, the region has repeatedly expressed support for a
political settlement that ends the cycle of escalation and restores stability.
Yet Iran’s conduct deliberately drags these states into the line of fire,
treating their sovereignty as expendable collateral in a broader geopolitical
confrontation.
Negotiations, particularly those of this magnitude, are not advanced through the
punishment of third parties.
This is not strategy. It is strategic distortion.
The repeated violation of Kuwait and Bahrain’s sovereignty represents a
dangerous precedent in regional security. It signals that internationally
recognized borders and civilian infrastructure can be instrumentalized for
external bargaining. That logic, if allowed to persist, does not create leverage
— it destroys trust, deepens insecurity and guarantees long-term regional
realignment against Iran’s interests. More importantly, this approach reveals a
narrowing of options in Tehran’s decision-making. States that rely on coercive
escalation against nonbelligerents are rarely projecting strength; they are
exposing constraint. Resorting to such tactics suggests that diplomatic channels
are either insufficiently understood or insufficiently valued within Iran’s
current strategic calculus. However, the consequences of this approach will not
be temporary. While crises in the Middle East often move through phases of
escalation and partial stabilization, the political memory of direct attacks on
national territory is far more enduring. Kuwait and Bahrain will not interpret
these events as isolated incidents. They will be recorded as structural shifts
in threat perception, shaping defense policies and alliances long after any
temporary ceasefire is reached elsewhere.
This is the long-term cost Iran appears to be ignoring. Even if a political
settlement is eventually achieved between Tehran and Washington, the regional
environment will not reset to its previous state. Trust, once broken through
repeated violations of sovereignty, is not easily restored. Security doctrines
in the Gulf will evolve accordingly and Iran will find itself facing a more
consolidated and cautious regional posture. There is also a broader irony that
cannot be overlooked. Iran frequently presents itself as a power resisting
external domination and advocating regional independence. Yet its actions
against neighboring Arab states contradict this narrative by reproducing the
very logic of coercion it claims to oppose. Sovereignty, if it is to mean
anything, cannot be selectively recognized depending on political convenience.
Sovereignty, if it is to mean anything, cannot be selectively recognized
depending on political convenience. At its core, the current trajectory reflects
a contradiction that cannot be sustained indefinitely: the simultaneous pursuit
of negotiations with one hand and coercive escalation with the other. These are
not complementary tools of statecraft. They are mutually destructive when
applied against sovereign states that are not part of the negotiating equation.
The continued reliance on this dual-track approach risks isolating Iran not only
from Western negotiating frameworks but also from the regional environment it
depends on for long-term stability and economic integration. No state can
indefinitely externalize its internal strategic pressures onto its neighbors
without generating cumulative diplomatic costs.
If there is any path toward de-escalation, it will require abandoning the notion
that regional stability can be manipulated as a bargaining chip. The Gulf is not
an auxiliary theater for external negotiations. It is a region with its own
security architecture, its own sovereignty and its own political thresholds.
Ultimately, Iran faces a narrowing strategic horizon. It can either recalibrate
its approach toward genuine diplomacy grounded in respect for sovereignty or
continue down a path on which each act of escalation further erodes its room for
maneuver. What it cannot do is sustain both simultaneously.Until that reality is
acknowledged, the cycle will continue: talks without trust and escalation
without restraint. And in that cycle, it is not only diplomacy that suffers —
but also the credibility of any actor that confuses pressure with policy.
• Hani Hazaimeh is a senior editor based in Amman.
X: @hanihazaimeh
on 11 June/2026
Washington Institute
https://x.com/WashInstitute/status/2065083259457798481/video/1
As the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Lebanon falters, here are three things that @haningdr
is watching, including the latest round of talks between Israel and Lebanon, the
IRGC’s role in Lebanon, and the prospects for Israeli-Lebanese peace.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Poor Lebanese Prez Aoun. He’s backpedaling because he was double crossed.
America told him we’re behind his direct talks and agreement with Israel. Then
Tom Barrack (alongside Turkey, Saudi) started pushing his own plans for Lebanon,
first by sabotaging Rubio’s official channel and inserting an alternative Trump-Berri-Hezbollah
channel, and second by scheduling a Syrian Prez Sharaa visit to White House
during which Trump will hand Sharaa Lebanon’s keys to take on Hezbollah. Erdogan
already said Beirut is part of Turkey’s security (since Sharaa will be taking
over) and an Erdogan minister went as far as promising to “retake” Jerusalem.
America is too chaotic for Aoun to bet on. Direct talks for peace seem to be too
good to be true. Barrack is wreaking havoc across the Middle East.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
If this is really what’s in the Memo Agreement with Iran, then Trump will be
remembered as the top U.S. president on foreign policy, next to Papa Bush.
“Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for President Trump's commitment that the
final agreement will include the removal of enriched material, the dismantling
of enrichment infrastructure, the limitation of missile production, and the
cessation of Iran's support for its terrorist proxies in the region.”
Hiba Nasr
Lebanese President : On the negotiations file, the Israeli side is being
intransigent, wasting time, and has not presented any clear plan. We, on the
other hand, are entering the negotiations with a clear plan. Nevertheless, we
remain
Nikki Haley
https://x.com/NikkiHaley/status/2065074921080758343/video/1
This needs to be said loud and clear. Israel is not attacking Lebanon. They are
targeting Hezbollah. An Iranian funded terror proxy that has struck Israel 2,000
times since the April ceasefire. Israel has every right to defend itself. Don’t
fall for the Iranian regime’s distraction.
ܬܐܘܕܪܘܣ ܒܪܝܘܠܝܘܣ ܐܠܟܣܢܕܪ Amine Bar-Julius Iskandar
@Amineiskandar2
Translated from French
Open Letter from a Lebanese Christian to the Political Tourists of La France
Insoumise
You land on our soil like conquistadors of sanctimoniousness, armed with your
ignorance and your Parisian certainties, believing you can lecture us on a
region whose soul and scars you neither know nor understand. Our history spans
three thousand years, that of Israel does too, and it didn’t wait for Jean-Luc
Mélenchon to come into being. You didn’t come in solidarity with the Lebanese
people; you came to campaign, to exploit our suffering to fuel your electoral
trade, to feed the megalomaniac who sent you. We, the Christians of Lebanon, who
resisted the PLO, survived Assad’s Syria, endured Hezbollah’s occupation, have
no need of your injunctions or your performative compassion. Hezbollah is not a
resistance: it’s a terrorist militia in the service of Tehran that has hijacked
our state, assassinated our leaders, and bled our economy dry.
Whatever happens, we will make peace with Israel, because peace serves our
interests, those of our children, and the logic of our millennia-old
civilization. And the terrorists of Hezbollah, we will hurl them into the sea
not with your slogans, but with our sovereign will. So go back to Paris, explain
to your suburban voters why you came to sow discord among us, and leave Lebanon
to the Lebanese.
Raoul Dagher, Beirut