English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News
& Editorials
For March 26/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven
opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man
John 01/47-51: “When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he
said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael
asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the
fig tree before Philip called you. ’Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son
of God! You are the King of Israel!’Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I
told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than
these.’And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’”
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on March 25-26/2026
The Weapon of Files: From the Hell of Epstein to Seizing Lebanese
Decision-Making by Castrated Leaders, Officials, Clerics, and Influential
Figures Implicated in Scandalous Files."/Elias Bejjani/March 25/2026
Link to a video
of an important and bold interview from Al Arabiya with the Shiite Shiek Abas
Yazbek who openly and strongly opposes the concept of Welaet AlFakea nd
Hezbollah
Expulsion of Iran Ambassador Tests Diplomacy between Beirut and Tehran
Netanyahu Says Israel Is Expanding ‘Buffer Zone’ in Lebanon
Hezbollah Says Negotiating with Israel Would Be Surrender, amid Strikes on
Lebanon
Will Lebanon Be the Biggest Loser After the Ceasefire?
Spanish PM Says Israel Wants to Inflict on Lebanon ‘Same Destruction’ as in Gaza
Syria on Alert to Protect its Borders with Iraq, Wary of Intervening in Lebanon
Trump eyes Iran deal, but no end in sight for Israel war in Lebanon
Report: Israel plans to move its border to Tyre's outskirts
Qassem says talks under fire are 'surrender', urges govt. to reverse decisions
What has the army revealed about Keserwan missile?
Lebanese govt. stuck between Israel and Hezbollah in war it didn't want
Defying Israeli bombs, Lebanese hold out in southern city of Tyre
UN chief says Lebanon must not become next Gaza amid fighting
Israel strikes south Lebanon, Beirut suburbs as Hezbollah keeps up attacks
Axis Missiles Rain Explosive Warheads on Keserwan/Colonel Charbel Barakat/March
25/2026
Hezbollah and the Responsibility of the Lebanese/Hazem Saghieh/Asharq Al Awsat/March
25/2026
The War on Hezbollah-The Iranian Terrorist Proxy Continues/LCCC website
links to several important news websites
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published
on March
25-26/2026
LIVE: Pete Hegseth holds Pentagon briefing as US hits Iran with
intense strikes | US News Live
Video-Link/Pentagon LIVE: Hegseth Biggest Statement | US Army Ready To Takeover
Iran? | Pete Hegseth LIVE
Iran receives 15-point US plan, Pakistani officials say, Tehran insists no talks
happening
US says Iran talks continue, will ‘unleash hell’ if no deal
UN rights council condemns Iran strikes on Gulf states
Tehran’s initial response to US proposal ‘not positive’: Iranian official
Iran says it is reviewing US proposal but has no interest in holding talks
Iran could take action in Bab al-Mandab Strait if provoked, Tasnim news agency
says
Pentagon says it will ramp up war supplies with defense companies
Gulf states slam Iran attacks on their territories as flagrant violation of
sovereignty
UK forces can board Russian shadow fleet in British waters: Downing Street
US says two-thirds of Iranian missile, drone production capacity hit
Kuwait arrests six affiliated with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, thwarts ‘terrorist’ plot
Trump reschedules Iran-delayed China visit for May 14-15
Iran military claims it fired missiles at USS Abraham Lincoln carrier
Saudi Arabia condemns Iran’s strikes on neighbors, blocking of Strait of Hormuz
Tehran Rejects Trump's Talk of Negotiation, as Israel and Iran Launch Airstrikes
Iran Speaker Warns US Not to Test 'Resolve to Defend Our Land'
Strikes Near Iran, Israel Nuclear Sites Risk ‘Unmitigated Catastrophe’, Says UN
Pakistan Willing to Host Peace Talks to End US-Israeli War on Iran
Rosatom Says Situation at Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Plant Unfolding Under
Worst-Case Scenario
Arab League Meeting to Discuss Iran Attacks, Regional Escalation on Sunday
Strike on Western Iraq Kills Seven Security Personnel
UK, Pakistan Condemn Iranian Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Baqer Zolghadr: A Man with Strong Connections at the Heart of Iran’s
Revolutionary Guards
Fire at Kuwait Airport After Drones Hit Fuel Tank
War in the Middle East: Latest developments
links to several television channels and newspapers
Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis &
editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on March
25-26/2026
Disarming Hamas Must Remain Trump's Top Priority in Gaza/Con
Coughlin/Gatestone Institute/March 25/2026
Iran and proxies continue attacking regional airports, energy facilities,
military bases, and residential areas (March 20-23 updates)/Ahmad Sharawi/FDD's
Long War Journal/March 25/2026
Military Bases in Shopping Malls!/Mamdouh al-Muhainy/Asharq Alawsat/March
25/2026
Between the Mindset of Escalation and the Wisdom of De-escalation/Dya-Eddine
Said Bamakhrama/Djibouti’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia/Asharq Alawsat/March
25/2026
X Platform & Facebook Selected twittes for March 24/2026
on March 25-26/2026
The Weapon of Files: From the Hell of Epstein to Seizing Lebanese
Decision-Making by Castrated Leaders, Officials, Clerics, and Influential
Figures Implicated in Scandalous Files."
Elias Bejjani/March 25/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/153046/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE3vBxWCH2E&t=939s
1. The Doctrine of Political
Blackmail: A Global Lesson in "Epstein"
The Jeffrey Epstein case in the United States serves as a chilling blueprint for
how vice and scandal are converted into political assets. The ultimate goal of
compiling compromising files (Kompromat) on leaders and influencers—whether
sexual or financial—is not merely defamation; it is political enslavement. Once
a "handler" possesses incriminating evidence, the official’s free will is
extinguished. They cease to serve the public interest and become a mere
instrument, forced to execute the handler’s agenda to avoid exposure or
imprisonment.
2. The "KGB" Legacy and Its Levantine Iteration
This school of thought, pioneered by the Soviet KGB, was meticulously adopted by
regional intelligence apparatuses (namely the Syrian and Iranian regimes). The
strategy is simple yet lethal: "Fabricate or Entrap." Since the late 1970s, the
forces occupying Lebanon have ensured that no political, military, financial, or
even religious figure ascends to power without first being "secured" by a
scandalous file.
In Lebanon, this has evolved into a comprehensive system of "Social and
Political Engineering." The pervasive corruption from the bottom to the peak of
the state is not coincidental; it is systemic and protected. Any official who
fails to perform their constitutional or sovereign duties is likely shackled by
a file (sexual, financial, or treasonous) wielded by intelligence agencies at
every national crossroads.
3. The Lebanese Reality: A "Facade State" Controlled by the Deep State
The blatant failure to make sovereign decisions and the disintegration of
Lebanese institutions are rooted in a grim reality: the vast majority of
secular, spiritual, and financial leaders have lost the ability to say "No."
Field Control: Hezbollah, acting as the military and security arm of the Iranian
"Wilayat al-Faqih" and the remnants of the Syrian Ba'athist influence, holds the
keys to these files.
The Deep State: Hezbollah manages a "Deep State" that dominates
director-generals, judges, security commanders, and bankers through intimidation
and pre-packaged scandals.
Absolute Subordination: Lebanese officials have been reduced to executive
facades for an expansionist Iranian policy, executed by Hezbollah—a group
operating on a cross-border agenda that disregards Lebanese national identity.
4. The Path Forward: From "Rogue State" to International Guardianship
Given this paralysis, which has rendered Lebanon a "failed and rogue state"
managed by a designated terrorist organization, internal democratic mechanisms
are no longer viable. The only exit strategy involves:
International Guardianship: Placing Lebanon under international supervision to
rehabilitate its institutions away from the pressures of intelligence-based
blackmail.
Dismantling the Parallel Structure: A surgical operation to dismantle
Hezbollah’s military, financial, and intelligence wings, and the seizure of
assets built upon the ruins of the state.
Accountability and Deportation: Bringing the leaders who sold out national
sovereignty to justice, recovering looted funds, and purging the state of
political "mercenaries."
Conclusion: Lebanon does not merely suffer from "mismanagement"; it suffers from
"Occupation by Blackmail." The nation will not rise until those "black files"
are burned and those who used them to enslave a country are held accountable.
NB: Kompromat
Kompromat is a Russian term (short
for kompromitiruyushchiy material or "compromising material") that refers to
damaging information about a politician, public figure, or businessperson used
to create negative publicity, exert blackmail, or ensure loyalty. While the term
became internationally famous due to Russian intelligence tactics, the practice
itself is a universal tool of "dirty politics" and espionage. How Kompromat
Works. The goal of kompromat is rarely just to destroy someone's reputation; it
is more often used to control them. Once an agency or a rival has "the files,"
the target becomes a puppet who must follow orders to prevent the information
from going public. Collection: Information is gathered through surveillance,
wiretapping, financial audits, or "honey traps" (using romantic or sexual
entrapment). Verification: The material must be credible enough (photos, videos,
bank statements) to pose a real threat.The "Lever": The target is informed that
the material exists. They are then given a choice: total cooperation or total
ruin. Weaponization: If the target refuses to comply, the material is leaked to
the media or "anonymously" posted online to trigger a scandal.
Link to a video of an
important and bold interview from Al Arabiya with the Shiite Shiek Abas Yazbek
who openly and strongly opposes the concept of Welaet AlFakea nd Hezbollah
He describes Hezbollah as an Iranian terrorist organization that
is an Iranian faction occupying Lebanon and taking its sect hostage in service
of its mullah masters.
Main Title: Sheikh Abbas Yazbek: Hezbollah is an Iranian Faction that will
confront the Lebanese people if they protest.
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/153089/
March 25/2026
Key Points:
Hezbollah's Identity: Yazbek describes Hezbollah as an "organic affiliate" and a
"military faction" of the Iranian regime on Lebanese soil, rather than a
national Lebanese movement [01:01].
Sacrificing Lebanon: He accuses the party of using Lebanon as a "bargaining
chip" for Iranian interests, depriving the country of stability, prosperity, and
the deployment of its national army [01:33].
Wilayat al-Faqih: He argues that this concept is an "ideological newcomer" and
"alien" to traditional Shia history, calling it a failed experiment that has
brought ruin to the region [04:36] [09:42].
Domestic Repression: Yazbek warns that the Iranian regime and its factions
prioritize "preserving the system" over everything else, and would not hesitate
to use extreme violence against their own people—even Shias—if they rose up in
protest [15:47] [16:32].
Deceptive Narratives: He describes Hezbollah's justifications for war as
"delusions and misguidance" (ضلالات) intended to cover up the humanitarian
catastrophe and the displacement of over a million Lebanese [03:46].
Expulsion of Iran Ambassador Tests
Diplomacy between Beirut and Tehran
Beirut: Asharq Al Awsat/March
25/2026
Diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Iran have entered a new phase with
Beirut’s unprecedented withdrawal on Tuesday of its approval of the
accreditation of Tehran’s new ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani. The Foreign
Ministry said in a statement that it had summoned the Iranian charge d'affaires
in Lebanon and informed him of “the Lebanese state's decision to withdraw
approval of the accreditation of the appointed Iranian ambassador, Mohammad Reza
Sheibani, and declare him persona non grata, demanding that he leave Lebanese
territory no later than next Sunday.”The ministry said it had also summoned
Lebanon's ambassador to Iran “in light of what the Lebanese state described as
Tehran's violation of diplomatic norms and established practices between the two
countries”, after Beirut accused Iran's Revolutionary Guards of commanding
Hezbollah's operations in its war against Israel. The government has accused
Hezbollah of dragging Lebanon to war after it fired rockets at Israel on March 2
in wake of the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the beginning of
the conflict. CrisisAfter three decades of calm, relations between Lebanon and
Iran started to grow strained after the 2024 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
Iranian parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared at the time that
Tehran was ready to negotiate with Paris about the implementation of United
Nations Security Council resolution 1701 in Lebanon, sparking condemnation from
Lebanon.Then Prime Minister Najib Mikati slammed it as flagrant meddling in
Lebanon’s sovereign affairs. He informed the foreign minister at the time to
summon Iran’s charge d’affaires to file a formal complaint. Relations became
more strained in 2025 after Ambassador Mojtaba Amani’s suitcases were searched
at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport. Youssef Raggi, who became
Lebanon’s foreign minister in 2025, summoned the Iranian ambassador for the
first time since the 1990s last year. In April, he summoned Amani after he
posted that the “project to disarm Hezbollah is an obvious conspiracy.”
The Lebanese government had issued a decision on the disarmament of Iran-backed
Hezbollah last year. In December, media close to Hezbollah reported that Raggi
had suspended procedures on approving the accreditation of the new Iranian
ambassador.
Last week, he summoned the charge d’affaires over statements attributed to the
Iranian mission in Beirut and Iranian officials over security and military
developments in Lebanon. Ties between Raggi and Iranian officials have been
strained for months. Last year he declined an official invitation from his
Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqhchi to visit Tehran, suggesting that they meet in
a third neutral country.The withdrawal of accreditation is rare and it
effectively means that a country refuses to welcome a diplomatic representative,
reflecting deep political disapproval of the concerned country’s behavior.
The withdrawal was the latest Lebanese measure against Iran. On March 5, the
government took a series of steps that reflect a hardening approach towards
Tehran. It imposed visas on visiting Iranians that had been suspended since 2011
in an effort to encourage trade and tourism between Beirut and Tehran. The
government also banned any activity by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in
Lebanon. Dozens of Iranians have since been deported from Lebanon.
‘Correcting’ relations
Lebanon had in the early 1990s launched a phase to “correct” relations with Iran
after the end of the Lebanese civil war. Then Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz was
responsible for “reorganizing diplomatic work in line with the Vienna
Convection”, said Lebanese sources.
During the 1975-90 civil war, Iranian officials would move freely to Lebanon
through Syria and meet with Hezbollah officials in Beirut. Lebanese authorities
had opposed the behavior.In previous statements to Asharq Al-Awsat, Boueiz said
Iranian delegations would travel to Lebanon through Syria without coordinating
with the state. The situation was later addressed through official diplomatic
channels, he added. The Iranian ambassador at the time was informed of the
authorities’ objection and the stance was relayed to then Iranian FM Ali Akbar
Velayati, said Boueiz. Two days later, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry received an
approval to “correct relations”, leading to an exchange in official visits and
the signing of agreements that “regulated” the ties.
Netanyahu Says Israel Is Expanding ‘Buffer Zone’ in Lebanon
Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that his country's
forces were expanding a "buffer zone" in southern Lebanon as the military
pressed ahead with its campaign against Hezbollah. "We have created a genuine
security zone preventing any infiltration toward the Galilee and the northern
border," Netanyahu said in a video statement. "We are expanding this zone to
push the threat from anti-tank missiles further away and to establish a broader
buffer zone."Netanyahu said that dismantling Hezbollah "remains central" to
Israel's objectives in Lebanon. "It is connected to the broader confrontation
with Iran," he said. "We are determined to profoundly transform the situation in
Lebanon," he added. Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when Iran-backed
Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Hezbollah Says Negotiating with Israel Would Be Surrender, amid Strikes on
Lebanon
Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said Wednesday that negotiating with Israel under
fire would amount to "surrender" for Lebanon, as Israel launched new strikes and
Hezbollah said it was targeting Israeli troops. UN Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres warned that "the Gaza model must not be replicated in Lebanon", a
comparison previously drawn by Israel officials talking about operations in
Lebanon. "Hezbollah must stop launching attacks into Israel. And Israel must
stop its military operations and strikes in Lebanon, which are hitting civilians
the hardest," Guterres told reporters at the United Nations.
Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when Hezbollah began firing rockets
into Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali
Khamenei. "When negotiations with the Israeli enemy are proposed under fire,
this is an imposition of surrender," Qassem said, as the pro-Iran group
announced attacks on Israeli soldiers in south Lebanon, northern Israel and the
occupied Golan Heights. Lebanon's president is calling for unprecedented direct
negotiations with Israel, which has so far rebuffed his proposal. Israel, which
occupied southern Lebanon for around two decades until 2000, has sent ground
troops into the south since the latest bout of fighting began. On Tuesday,
Israel said its military would take control of the border area up to the Litani
River, around 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the frontier. Lebanon's state-run
National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli strikes and artillery shelling in
several locations in the south on Wednesday. It also said that "enemy
warplanes... launched a strike" on Beirut's southern suburbs, after a renewed
Israeli army evacuation warning. An AFP correspondent saw a street covered in
debris including shattered cement and warped metal after the early morning
strike, while an apartment building's upper floors appeared damaged. The area
has been targeted multiple times during the conflict and is largely empty of
residents, who have fled. Israel's military said it struck Hezbollah targets
across Lebanon overnight "including a command center" in Beirut's southern
suburbs.
It also said it attacked petrol stations belonging to the Al-Amana fuel company,
which it says is controlled by Hezbollah and finances the group.
Paramedics killed -
Lebanon's health ministry said on Wednesday that two paramedics were killed when
an Israeli strike "targeted their motorbike as they headed to carry out a rescue
mission in the city of Nabatieh" in the south on Tuesday. The ministry condemned
the strike on the pair, saying they wore full rescue workers' uniforms and the
motorbike was also marked for emergency response. According to the ministry, 42
health workers are among more than 1,000 people killed in Lebanon in more than
three weeks of Israeli strikes. Lebanese authorities say upwards of one million
people have been displaced. Hezbollah said its fighters on Wednesday targeted
Israeli troops "massed in the border towns of Naqoura and Qawzah" and in sites
across the border "with more than 100 rockets". The statement came as the group
claimed a series of attacks on Israeli troops in south Lebanon and northern
Israel. Israel's military in an earlier statement said ground troops in southern
Lebanon had "dismantled a weapons storage facility", and the air force killed
"several terrorists". It also said troops had "dismantled Hezbollah command
centers in which numerous weapons were located", without specifying where.
Lebanese authorities reported deadly Israeli strikes on the south on Tuesday,
including a raid that killed two people in the Mieh Mieh Palestinian refugee
camp. On Tuesday in northern Israel, where repeated air raid warnings have sent
residents to shelters, a woman was killed following rocket fire from Lebanon,
authorities said.
Will Lebanon Be the Biggest Loser After the Ceasefire?
Beirut/Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
Political sources in Beirut warned Lebanon could emerge as the biggest loser
when the current regional war ends, outlining their concerns to Asharq Al-Awsat.
Lebanon is heading toward a severe internal crisis, the sharpest in its modern
history with the dispute centering on Hezbollah’s weapons. The majority of
Shiites in the country insists on keeping them, while most other segments say
Lebanon’s survival depends on implementing government decisions to limit arms to
the state, in line with Lebanese, Arab, and international positions.
The sources noted that Hezbollah has again entered a regional war it cannot
influence, risking burdens Lebanon cannot bear.
Hefty price
The war is proving costly for those involved and for countries hit by its
spillover. A ceasefire would likely show Iran suffered heavy damage to its
defense, industrial sectors, and infrastructure, potentially setting it back
decades. But its size, energy resources, and experience with economic hardship
may help it manage the aftermath, unless losses destabilize the system. Iranian
missiles are expected to have caused damage to Israeli institutions and
infrastructure, despite a high interception rate. The cost of interception is
steep, but Israel appears ready to absorb it, calling the conflict an
existential war and relying on strong US support. Lebanon will struggle the
most. Its economy is already near collapse. The country faces a catastrophic
situation, with about one million displaced and heavy destruction along the
border with Israel. Israel has said it intends to establish a “buffer zone”
inside Lebanese territory, signaling a return of occupation to parts of the
country “pending guarantees for the safety of Galilee residents.”The most
dangerous scenario is that Israel’s campaign on the Lebanese front continues
even if a ceasefire is reached between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on
the other. The fallout is worsened by a deepening rift among Lebanon’s
components, raising the risk of internal conflict. The role of parliament
Speaker Nabih Berri appears diminished as the conflict widens. The current
crisis over the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador reflects a deeper divide
between the Shiite camp and others over weapons, the war, and Lebanon’s regional
role. Hezbollah described the expulsion as a “sin”, demanding that the
government reverse it.
‘Impossible to coexist’
Voices are rising in Lebanon, warning that it was “impossible to coexist”
between a “quasi-state” and a “Hezbollah’s statelet.” Countries that once backed
Lebanon’s reconstruction, especially in the Gulf, are now focused on their own
losses from Iranian attacks. They have also made clear that they will not help
unless the Lebanese state takes full control over decisions of war and peace.
The sources reiterated their warning that Lebanon risks being the biggest loser,
especially if Israel expands its ground offensive and internal divisions deepen
to the point of questioning the country’s very formula of coexistence.
Spanish PM Says Israel Wants to Inflict on Lebanon ‘Same
Destruction’ as in Gaza
Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "seeks to inflict the same level of
damage and destruction" on Lebanon as Israeli forces had wrought on the Gaza
Strip, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told lawmakers on Wednesday.
Sanchez, who appeared before the lower house to explain his government's
stance against the US-Israeli war on Iran, added that Iran's new Supreme
Leader was more hardline than his predecessor."Mojtaba Khamenei is an equally
dictatorial and even more bloodthirsty tyrant than his father," Sanchez said.
Sanchez warned that the Middle East war presented a "far worse" scenario than
the invasion of Iraq in 2003. "This is not the same scenario as the illegal war
in Iraq. We are facing something far worse. Much worse. With a potential impact
that is far broader and far deeper," he added.
Syria on Alert to Protect its Borders with Iraq, Wary of
Intervening in Lebanon
Damascus: Souad Jarous/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 25/2026
The Syrian armed forces said they were on full alert in wake of a rocket attack
from Iraq against a Syrian military base in the Hasakeh province. The army
stressed that it will perform its duties in defending Syrian territories and
deterring any attack.
Iraq arrested four people in connection with an earlier rocket attack launched
against a military base in neighboring Syria, officials said late Tuesday.
Monday's attack targeted a northeastern Syrian military base in Hasakeh that had
until recently hosted US forces with an international anti-ISIS coalition. These
are the first arrests announced in Iraq related to the Middle East conflict that
broke out on February 28. Monday’s attack took place hour after the bust of an
Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) cell in Syria’s eastern Deir Ezzor
province. A Syrian security source told local radio that investigations are
ongoing with the detainees to determine what they were planning. He revealed
that they were collecting information and smuggling weapons in the area.
Assistant defense minister for the eastern region Sipan Hamo held Iraqi
authorities fully and directly responsible for the attack on Hasakeh. In a post
on the X platform, he called on Baghdad to take the necessary measures to
prevent a similar attack from taking place in the future.The attack reflects the
Iraqi authorities’ “inability” to impose control over their territories and
failure “to prevent them from being used to launch attacks that threaten Syria’s
security and safety,” he added.
Border with Lebanon
On the Syrian-Lebanese border, sources close to the Damascus government spoke of
signs of an internal Lebanese escalation that is a “source of alarm for Syria.”
The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat: “It will be difficult for Syria to steer clear
of any possible internal unrest in Lebanon. It will work on preventing any
threat to Syria’s security.”Hezbollah leaders had warned Lebanese authorities in
recent days that the Iran-backed party would adopt a different approach towards
them when the war is over.Hezbollah has been critical of the government for
banning its military operations, calling for its disarmament, calling for
negotiations with Israel and recently for expelling the Iranian ambassador to
Beirut. Syrian Defense Ministry sources told Asharq Al-Awsat said Damascus was
weighing three options. The first favors waiting for the end of the war before
acting in Syria’s interests; the second believes in striking Hezbollah during
the war because it is hostile to the Syrian people and its illegal weapons are
tied to Iran and so, their presence is a threat to Lebanon and Syria; the third
calls for coordination with Arab and regional parties, led by Saudi Arabia,
Qatar and Türkiye, before any intervention can happen. The unrest along the
borders with Lebanon and Iraq will prompt Damascus to increase its coordination
with those countries to prevent the smuggling of weapons and drugs and dry up
the sources of support for Hezbollah and Iran-backed militias. Military expert
Abdul Jabbar al-Oqaidi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the possibility of Syria
joining the conflict through intervening in Lebanon “is a very great challenge”
and will have dire consequences for the security of the region and Syria that
Iran can exploit.Perhaps Iran is trying to lure Syria into the conflict “given
that Tehran has been impatiently waiting for a moment to unleash its fury on the
new Syria that expelled its forces, which marked the beginning of the end of the
Iranian expansionist project in the region,” he added. Al-Oqaidi said, however,
it would be wise for Syria to stay out of the war. It should limit its role to
securing borders and security coordination with the relevant parties. He
predicted that Syria would stay on the side and avoid becoming involved in a
conflict that does not benefit it. The Iranian and Zionist projects only have
ill intentions towards the region and Syria, he warned. The Defense Ministry
sources noted the Lebanese government’s recent decision to ban Hezbollah’s
military and security operations, saying it was a positive sign.The Syrian state
will “strike with force any attempt by the party to cross the border. At the
same time, it is avoiding escalation and assuring Lebanese parties,” they added,
underlining the importance of stability in Syria and Lebanon and the need to
avert sectarian wars.
Trump eyes Iran deal, but no
end in sight for Israel war in Lebanon
Agence France Presse/March 25/2026
While Washington has signalled a diplomatic off-ramp from its war with Iran,
Israel is preparing for the opposite in Lebanon -- an open-ended military
campaign against Hezbollah. Analysts said the message from Israel was a blunt
one: Hezbollah must be disarmed, and that will take time. "I suppose that
(Israel's military) would like to have some more time to deal with Lebanon after
the ceasefire with Iran," Orna Mizrahi, from the Tel Aviv-based Institute for
National Security Studies, told AFP. "The declared objective is to disarm
Hezbollah -- it's a very hard job and they need a lot of time to do that," she
said. Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when the Iran-backed Hezbollah
began firing rockets into Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran's
supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a wave of U.S.-Israeli strikes. On
Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that talks were underway with Iran.Yet
the day after, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's forces
were expanding a "buffer zone" in southern Lebanon intended to protect northern
Israel. His defense minister, Israel Katz, had previously said the zone would
reach the Litani River, which flows as far as 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of
the border. Netanyahu linked the campaign to Israel's war with Tehran, saying
"it is connected to the broader confrontation with Iran.""We are determined to
profoundly transform the situation in Lebanon," he added.
'Until the job is done' -
Joost Hiltermann of the International Crisis Group, told AFP that if it were up
to Israel, "it would stay in Lebanon, as it does in Gaza, until what it
considers the job is done." But, he added, much depended on Washington. "It
really depends on what Trump, when he decides to end U.S. involvement in the
war, does he tell Israel to do the same or not? Does that include both Iran and
Lebanon or just Iran?" He noted that, despite his unpredictability, Trump had
clearly told Israel to stop its campaign in Iran at the end of the 12-day war in
June last year. Israel argues that Hezbollah should have withdrawn from southern
Lebanon under the terms of a November 2024 ceasefire that ended more than a year
of fighting that began shortly after the war in Gaza. That fighting displaced
more than 60,000 Israelis in the north, who endured sustained rocket fire from
Hezbollah. In recent weeks, Israeli forces have dynamited buildings in several
southern Lebanese villages and clashed with Hezbollah fighters, with Israeli
ground operations, airstrikes and evacuation warnings displacing around one
million people in Lebanon.
Hezbollah can 'thrive'
While Israel has again turned to its military might in southern Lebanon, some
have expressed doubts over what this war could achieve that previous ones
didn't. A flash poll conducted by the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National
Security Studies two weeks into the latest war found that 48 percent of Israelis
believed the campaign in Lebanon would only achieve its objectives "to a small
or very small extent." There have been calls to hold direct talks to end the
fighting in Lebanon, but Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected negotiations "with
an enemy that occupies our land and carries out daily attacks."Hiltermann warned
that the deepening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon could further fuel unrest even
after Israel withdraws. "It's something to be really concerned about, because
that's the kind of environment in which an active military non-state actor can
thrive," he said, referring to Hezbollah. The group first emerged during
Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon and went on to fight an 18-year insurgency
against Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon, greatly boosting its popularity
when Israeli forces withdrew in 2000. In the end, Israel may have to negotiate
with Hezbollah, said Mizrahi, who pointed to the fact that the group had
military capabilities beyond south Lebanon. "It will be an agreement in the end.
You cannot do it just by military means," she said. Hiltermann, however,
suggested that Netanyahu might choose to prolong the war regardless, in an
effort to restore his political legacy. "His calculation is quite different from
what you would say the rational security people's calculation is," he said.
Report: Israel plans to move its border to Tyre's outskirts
Naharnet/March 25/2026
Israel's political leadership has agreed to move the northern border with
Lebanon by approximately eight kilometers into Lebanese territory, Israel's
Channel 14 reported on Wednesday."It has been agreed to extend Israeli ground
control in Lebanon to the outskirts of Tyre and to establish at least 18 Israeli
military positions in Lebanon," the report said. Israel will expand its
surveillance and firing ranges beyond the Litani River and the decision to
extend Israeli control to the outskirts of Tyre will remain in effect until
Hezbollah is "completely disarmed," the report added.
Qassem says talks under fire are 'surrender', urges govt. to reverse decisions
Agence France Presse/March 25/2026
Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said Wednesday that negotiating with Israel
under fire would amount to "surrender" for Lebanon, and urged the government to
reverse its ban on the party's military activities. "When negotiations with the
Israeli enemy are proposed under fire, this is an imposition of surrender,"
Qassem said, rejecting the Lebanese president's initiative to start direct
negotiations "with an enemy that occupies our land and carries out daily
attacks". Qassem called on the Lebanese people to embrace "national unity,"
saying this could be achieved by the government reversing its March 2 decision
to ban Hezbollah's military activities.
What has the army revealed about Keserwan missile?
Naharnet/March 25/2026
The Lebanese Army confirmed Wednesday that the projectile that exploded over
Keserwan on Tuesday was an Iranian ballistic missile. "Following the fall of
missile fragments over a wide geographical area, specialized army units
conducted an immediate field survey, collected the fragments, and analyzed them.
The analysis revealed that the missile was a guided ballistic missile of the
Qadr-110 type, manufactured in Iran, approximately 16 meters long with a range
of about 2,000 kilometers, and containing several smaller missiles," the army
said in a statement. "It exploded at a high altitude, indicating that its target
was outside Lebanese territory. The cause of the explosion was either a
technical malfunction or an interceptor missile," the army added. "In this
context, the Army Command notes that there are no interceptor missile launchers
within Lebanese territory," it said. It added that it is continuing its
investigation to uncover the circumstances of the incident. The explosion of the
missile over Keserwan, which had been spared the Israel-Hezbollah hostilities
until Tuesday, sparked panic and confusion among the area's residents. A
Naharnet journalist in Jounieh heard around six loud explosions. Footage
broadcast by LBCI television in the coastal town of Sahel Alma showed a building
with shattered windows and shrapnel piercing one of its walls, and a crack in a
small wall beside it. Videos on social media showed smoke rising from several
locations. "A number of citizens sustained minor injuries from flying shrapnel,"
the National News Agency said. Israeli strikes have mostly struck Lebanon's
south and east, as well as areas in and around Beirut, killing more than a 1,000
people.
Lebanese govt. stuck between Israel and Hezbollah in war it
didn't want
Agence France Presse/March 25/2026
Lebanon's government has been wedged into a war not of its choosing between
Hezbollah and Israel, as the Iran-backed militants harden their stance and
Israel demands the group's elimination. Beirut has been struggling to pull the
country back from the brink after Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East
war on March 2, firing rockets into Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's
supreme leader. With more than 1,000 dead in Lebanon and more than one million
others displaced, what are the government and Hezbollah's positions, and what
are the chances for negotiations?
What measures has Beirut taken?
Faysal Itani, senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Policy Council,
said Lebanese authorities face "a brutal choice: confront Hezbollah or watch
Israel do it for them."A Lebanese official source told AFP that "the Israelis
have made it known" -- through the mediation of United Nations special
coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, who visited Israel this
month -- that "they want Hezbollah wiped out."But "Hezbollah can't be disarmed
overnight," the source added, requesting anonymity. Created after Israel invaded
in 1982, Hezbollah is the only group to have kept its weapons since the
country's 1975-1990 civil war, doing so in the name of "resistance" against
Israel. Since the latest war erupted, Lebanon's government has taken
unprecedented steps to try to rein in Hezbollah and its patron Iran. Beirut has
banned Hezbollah's military and security activities, and all activities of
Iran's Revolutionary Guards, whom Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has accused of
commanding Hezbollah's operations. Lebanese authorities have also decided to
expel Iran's ambassador, a move that has incensed Hezbollah. A source from the
group told AFP on condition of anonymity that Hezbollah has requested the
ambassador disregard the measure.
Avoiding confrontation?
The government has taken no steps to implement the ban on Hezbollah's military
activities, and the group has kept attacking northern Israel and Israeli troops
in south Lebanon.
Authorities fear any domestic confrontation with Hezbollah, which has a strong
popular support base among the Shiite Muslim community. They also want to shield
the army, an under-funded and under-equipped institution seen as a rare source
of unity in a country riven by sectarian and political divisions. Itani said
that, if the military confronts the Iran-backed group, "there is a risk of a
sectarian split in the armed forces, though this depends in part on Hezbollah's
response."The army once split along sectarian lines in 1976 during Lebanon's
devastating civil war.
State hamstrung in south? -
Authorities say the war has scuttled the army's plans to disarm Hezbollah --
which it had been doing in south Lebanon following a November 2024 ceasefire
that sought to end the previous war between Israel and the militants. The army
in January said it had finished dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure between the
Israeli border and the Litani River, around 30 kilometers to the north -- where
Hezbollah says fighting is underway with advancing Israeli troops, and where
Israel wants to establish a "security zone". For Israel, Lebanon's army "lost
total credibility to the degree that it is now ignored altogether", Itani said.
The military has even withdrawn from border areas to avoid being caught up in
the conflict, despite pleas from villagers still defying Israeli army orders to
evacuate.
Hezbollah's position? -
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Wednesday urged the government to reverse its ban
on the group's military activities. Mahmoud Qmati, an official from the group,
has called the government's decision illegal, even comparing it to France's Nazi
collaborationist Vichy regime in World War II. A Lebanese security source told
AFP on condition of anonymity that Iranian advisers and liaison officers have
been assisting Hezbollah and helping it regroup since the 2024 ceasefire with
Israel. Hezbollah and the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of Iran's
military, have announced joint operations against Israel since the start of the
war. A Western diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity that Hezbollah had
hardened its position since coming under the Guards' supervision.
Negotiations? -
In a bid to break the political impasse, President Joseph Aoun has proposed
direct negotiations with Israel and a full truce. But for now, prospects for a
ceasefire or talks between the two countries, who have officially been at war
since 1948 and have no formal diplomatic relations, seem remote. Hezbollah's
Qassem said negotiating under fire would amount to "surrender". According to the
Lebanese official source, "Israel wants negotiations under fire" and won't
accept a truce as proposed by Aoun. For now, the source said, the government can
do little more than try, "through diplomatic contacts, to spare Lebanon from
strikes on (vital) infrastructure."
Defying Israeli bombs, Lebanese hold out in southern city of Tyre
Agence France Presse/March 25/2026
Khalil and his young family are sheltering in a theater in south Lebanon's Tyre,
refusing to leave despite Israeli bombardment on the city that is now almost cut
off from the rest of the country. "They'll have to take us by force," said the
man in his thirties, who fled his home with his wife and two-year-old son,
insisting they "will not surrender."Despite Israeli ground operations and the
specter of a full-blown invasion, "we don't want to leave our land... our heart
is here", he told AFP. Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when
Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on March
2 to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel
has responded with intense strikes and has sent ground troops into south
Lebanon. Around 20,000 people, including some 15,000 displaced from nearby
villages, are defying Israeli army evacuation orders covering most of the
coastal city and swathes of the country's south. In Tyre's old city, people are
crammed into a Christian district that has not been ordered to evacuate, and
into a few schools. But many wonder how long the city can hold out. On Tuesday,
around a dozen explosions rocked Tyre and nearby, the heaviest bombardment there
since the start of the war. Israeli fighter jets and drones circled the sky
until nightfall, launching attacks that wounded at least 24 people, according to
authorities, and sending black smoke billowing into the air. Hezbollah has a
strong presence in Tyre. Its yellow flag bearing a Kalashnikov flies from
lampposts in the city famous for its long sandy beaches and ancient ruins.
Black-clad men are seen stationed near roundabouts, zipping through deserted
streets on scooters or inspecting buildings reduced to rubble.
After Israeli army strike warnings, they shoot into the air to warn remaining
civilians to flee.
Stocks depleted
Mustafa Ibrahim al-Sayed, 50, said he never leaves the school compound where he
has taken refuge with his two wives and their 11 children. Originally from a
border village, they fled to Tyre during the previous war between Israel and
Hezbollah in 2024."Everyone is afraid for their homes and land, but what can we
do?" he said. "In my lifetime, this is the fifth time I've been displaced," he
said, explaining that the first time was after Israel invaded south Lebanon in
1978. "I don't want to be displaced again."Israel's army on Wednesday accused
Hezbollah of stationing military infrastructure in residential areas in Tyre and
nearby. A day earlier, Israel said it intended to take control of a "security
zone" in south Lebanon up to the Litani River, which runs north of Tyre. The
move would effectively create a buffer zone stretching around 30 kilometers (20
miles) from the Israeli border. Israel has bombed several bridges spanning the
Litani, saying it wants to prevent Hezbollah from resupplying there, while
Lebanon's president has accused Israel of wanting to cut off the area from the
rest of the country. Only one bridge still links Tyre to areas further north,
along a narrow, battered coastal road winding between banana plantations and
orange trees. "If they target that bridge, we're headed straight for a
humanitarian catastrophe," warned Alwan Charafeddine, Tyre's deputy mayor. "It
will be a siege -- supply convoys will no longer be able to reach Tyre.""Our
stocks are almost depleted," he said, listing urgent needs including food and
fuel for electricity generators.
'End it'
Several local and emergency officials told AFP they had received calls from
Israeli officers telling them to make residents comply with Israel's evacuation
orders. "'I know my job, you do your job,'" Mortada Mhanna, head of Tyre's
disaster management unit, said he told the Israeli officer. "We advised all the
people to leave. And we told them we can get buses" escorted by the army, he
told AFP. "Everyone says, 'no, we want to stay here'," Mhanna said, adding: "I
will be the last one to leave."Nada Reda Abu Sari, 82, however, has not stayed
by choice. She has been sleeping on a mattress on a classroom floor for months
after fleeing her now destroyed border village after the previous hostilities
between Israel and Hezbollah erupted. "I'm sick and I don't even have the money
to buy medication," she said, empty boxes in her wrinkled hands. "I'm not
sleeping. Every time we hear a strike, we get up... we're dying every day," she
said."We have no more homes, no land... nothing," she said. "My children are all
in different areas... I can only reach them by phone, but I don't have a
phone."Weeping, she asked: "Is this life?" "Sometimes I think I should throw
myself into the sea and end it, just end it."
UN chief says Lebanon must not become next Gaza amid
fighting
Agence France Presse/March 25/2026
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that fighting between
Israel and Hezbollah must not condemn Lebanon to the same fate as Gaza, the
Palestinian territory decimated by years of conflict. "The Gaza model must not
be replicated in Lebanon," Guterres told reporters, also saying the wider war in
the Middle East is "out of control," as the United States, Israel and Iran have
carried out strikes for more than three weeks. "Across the region, and far
beyond, civilians are enduring serious harm and living under profound
insecurity. I witnessed some of these consequences firsthand during my recent
visit to Lebanon," he said. "There, too, the war must stop. Hezbollah must stop
launching attacks into Israel. And Israel must stop its military operations and
strikes in Lebanon, which are hitting civilians the hardest."In early March,
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened Beirut's southern suburbs
-- a stronghold of Iran-backed Hezbollah -- with the same devastation that
Israel has inflicted on Gaza in its war against militant group Hamas. Beyond
Lebanon, Guterres voiced alarm at the wider regional war triggered by U.S-.Israeli
strikes on Iran in late February that killed the country's supreme leader Ali
Khamenei. "The conflict has broken past the limits even leaders thought
imaginable," he said. "The world is staring down the barrel of a wider war, a
rising tide of human suffering, and a deeper global economic shock. This has
gone too far."The U.N. chief also announced the appointment of French diplomat
Jean Arnault as his special envoy to lead U.N. efforts regarding the conflict
and its consequences.
Israel strikes south Lebanon, Beirut suburbs as Hezbollah
keeps up attacks
Agence France Presse/March 25/2026
Israel launched strikes on south Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs on
Wednesday, as Hezbollah said it kept up attacks on Israeli troops. Lebanon was
pulled into the Middle East war when the Iran-backed Hezbollah began firing
rockets into Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel, which occupied southern Lebanon for around two
decades until 2000, has intensified strikes across Lebanon and sent ground
troops into the country's south since the latest bout of fighting began. On
Tuesday, it said its military would take control of the border area up to the
Litani River, around 30 kilometers from the frontier. Lebanon's state-run
National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli strikes and artillery shelling in
several locations in south Lebanon on Wednesday. It also said that "enemy
warplanes... launched a strike" on Beirut's southern suburbs at 4:30 am, after
Israel's military late Tuesday renewed an evacuation warning for several
districts in the Hezbollah stronghold. An AFP correspondent saw a street covered
in debris including shattered cement and warped metal after the early morning
strike, while an apartment building's upper floors appeared damaged. The area
has been targeted multiple times during the conflict and is largely empty of
residents, who have fled. Hezbollah said its fighters on Wednesday targeted
Israeli troops "massed in the border towns of Naqoura and Qawzah" as well as in
sites across the border "with more than 100 rockets". The statement came after
the group claimed a series of attacks targeting Israeli troops in south Lebanon
and in locations in northern Israel, where there were no immediate reports of
casualties. Israel's military in a statement said ground troops in southern
Lebanon had "dismantled a weapons storage facility", and the air force killed
"several terrorists". It also said troops had "dismantled Hezbollah command
centers in which numerous weapons were located", without specifying where.
Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes on the country's south on Tuesday
killed nine more people, including two in an apartment in the Mieh Mieh
Palestinian refugee camp. The Israeli campaign has killed more than 1,000 people
in Lebanon, with more than one million people displaced, according to
authorities. On Tuesday in northern Israel, where repeated air raid sirens have
sent residents to shelters, a woman was killed following rocket fire from
Lebanon, Israeli authorities said.
Axis Missiles Rain Explosive Warheads on Keserwan
Colonel Charbel Barakat/March 25/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/153076/
What exactly happened yesterday in Keserwan? It is a question circulating among
citizens with no clear answer. The Army Command issued a statement explaining
the matter with such total ambiguity that it seemed as if they had no connection
to the event whatsoever. The statement merely clarified to citizens that the
explosive remnants of the missile—some of which fell among people and on their
homes—indicate that it was Iranian-made, calling this a "new discovery."
As for its source, the army claims not to know. Nor does it know the target, the
entity that launched it, or the party that intercepted it. It remains unclear
whether it exploded upon reaching its primary target or was downed over Keserwan
to prevent it from reaching that target. Yet, the statement asserts with
certainty that it fell in this area "by mistake." Congratulations to the
Lebanese people on this "precise" information, which could have just as easily
been issued by "Abu Hassan," the local vegetable vendor, or an irresponsible
social media commentator.
Does the Lebanese Army have no contact with the forces present in the region
considered allies—such as the Americans, French, or British—who might have
intercepted it with missiles from the sea? If so, could the trajectory, target,
and launch point not be identified? What about Hezbollah, which could be
responsible for the launch or at least know the target and the reason behind it?
Have allied armies ceased to view the Lebanese Army as a friendly force,
withholding information for fear of it leaking to Hezbollah and, subsequently,
to their superiors in Tehran? Is the army merely adopting Hezbollah's narrative
and general information about Iranian missiles because the group also refuses to
disclose the target or launch site? Furthermore, does this army possess any
radar capable of tracking missile trajectories, at least around Beirut and
nearby areas? The radars at Beirut Airport, Hamat, and Rayak airbases should
have recorded part of this missile's path—unless they are prohibited from
tracking such projectiles.
The problem lies not only with the Lebanese Army and its statement but with all
the politicians representing Keserwan and Lebanon. Their primary concern seems
to be the reactions of Hezbollah and its "big brother," who has sat atop the
parliamentary throne for over thirty years, obstructing any decision that points
to the group’s heinous acts and its masters in Tehran. They care more about this
than the suffering of their constituents in Keserwan and other regions affected
by Iran’s malice and irresponsible behavior.
As for why Tehran launches its missiles at Lebanon—specifically at safe areas
that do not share its views and seek to avoid the fate promised to Iran’s
proxies—history shows that Tehran disregards people's feelings and interests.
This started with its neighbors in the Gulf, whose cities and production centers
were shelled without cause. Iran has sought to cut global transport routes for
everyone, including those who believe they are on its side, from East Asia to
China, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Korea—countries that are not hostile but
rely on the Strait of Hormuz for oil.
Why is Lebanon, and Keserwan in particular, being bombarded by missiles launched
perhaps from Iran, but most likely from its bases in the Beqaa? Because the
Lebanese government decided to exercise its right to object to the wars and
displacement carried out by Iranian factions. The Foreign Minister ordered the
new Iranian ambassador to return to his country and recalled Lebanon's
ambassador from Tehran. This was within the state's rights, and it has not even
severed ties yet. The swift response was the targeting of safe areas in Lebanon
to signal that "Imperial" orders are not to be rejected or contested.
Subsequently, its groups were unleashed to prevent the state from exercising its
authority, intimidating it into not implementing its decisions for fear of a
"response in the streets."
Lebanon stands today at a crossroads, and the authorities must choose: either
uphold the right to make and execute decisions—seeking help from friends if
unable, which could lead to a mutual defense agreement with the United States as
Senator Lindsey Graham once suggested—or succumb to Iranian pressure. To declare
commitment to the Iranian alliance is to join a dying pact, leading Lebanon to
perish with it. Such a move would also liberate Israeli, American, and other
forces from any obligation to protect Lebanese institutions or civilians in the
ongoing war against Iran and its local henchmen—those who hold Lebanese
citizenship but have stained it with the mud of drugs, terrorism, and senseless
killing.
Citizens of Lebanon, young and old: do not fear those who have held your country
hostage for over forty years, impoverishing you, assassinating your leaders, and
ruining your global reputation. They are now destroying the homes of their own
community and causing their displacement. Does such a force have the right to
lead or even be heard? If those in power are incapable of making the right
decision—even after it was revealed that plots were made to kill them by renting
the apartment below theirs in Hazmieh, as was done with Sheikh Bachir—then they
should apologize to the people and depart without regret.
If there is enough courage, initiative, and honor left, let them declare war on
those destroying the country. Let them lead a suffering people toward victory
over the nation's enemies and cleanse the land of their evils. Perhaps then they
will earn respect and save the country from this downward spiral. Talk of
negotiation is outdated; if one does not hold the power of decision and control
the ground from which they address the world, no one will listen. As for the
"civil war" narrative, it is being imposed on all Lebanese. No one will escape
drinking from its bitter cup because the one imposing it is arrogant and only
understands the language of force.
Finally, this country needs heroes to lead it out of crisis, not hesitant and
cowardly politicians who shy away from confrontation. May God have mercy on
leaders like Churchill and De Gaulle, who faced the looming evil over their
countries and, despite the losses, led their nations to victory and liberation
from regimes that know only dominance and nothing of living in peace.
Hezbollah and the Responsibility of the Lebanese
Hazem Saghieh/Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
I ask the reader to pardon me for recalling an image I had used years ago to
characterize the relationship between Lebanon and Hezbollah:
For decades, the Iranian and Assad Syrian regimes fed and stuffed a beast inside
a small room, Lebanon. And the beast grew indeed, so much so that it hardly fit
in the entire room anymore, and getting rid of it risked bringing the entire
room down.
Though the names vary, this state of affairs is not unlike several others seen
in countries across the Arab world where, for one reason or another, beasts were
similarly fattened and led a foreign actor whose movements, aims, and intentions
are difficult to control or predict to step in to do the job.
This is, in a sense, what happened in the Iraq that the Baath ruled from 1968 to
2003 and in the Libya that Gaddafi ruled from 1969 to 2011. An abundance of
experiences from our modern history demonstrates how pursuits described as
religious, nationalist, or tribal are far more powerful than impulses for change
stemming from issues tied to the political system and social relations. It is
this reality that allowed rulers who did not flinch as they committed genocides
on their peoples to go on ruling for decades, and that allowed a party like
Hezbollah to do to Lebanon and the Lebanese (and to Syrians, Iraqis, and
Yemenis) what it has done while continuing to be regarded as the glorious
resistance.
It is true that many Lebanese, like the counterparts of theirs just mentioned
above, resisted this and endured violence and its repercussions, and it would be
dishonest to belittle their repeated attempts to stand up to two vicious regimes
that had conspired to empower the "resistance party" and shaped the “regime”
alongside it.
Nonetheless, it would be excessive to speak of a broad sense of responsibility.
Coexistence with this "regime," its nourishment and justification, went very far
indeed, and a reckoning with the country’s share of the blame for the
catastrophes that Hezbollah has precipitated - let alone learning from these
mistakes - continues to be deferred.
Among the Lebanese, many in the country’s milieu of spineless notables, minor
and major - figures who are, by definition, not without representation or
influence - did their part. In these circles, competition to lavish praise on
"the party" and its victory-promising leader dripping in charisma had become a
tribute paid for favors and services.
A milieu of ideologues also played its part, seeing "the party" as an engine of
the "sacred cause." And because this milieu is more concerned with ideas and
meaning, it developed the notion that the party’s existence had been inevitable
because occupation brings resistance. Occupation, however, had not been
inevitable. It was the Palestinian resistance at the time that had introduced
it. Instead of a national effort to avoid repeating this tragedy, the remedy
amounted to re-administering the initial disease: Hezbollah's resistance, which
surpassed its predecessor in its strength, hubris, and capacity to summon
occupation.
Later on, the occupation forces withdrew in 2000, but the resistance stayed, and
it became clear that resistance was an end in itself - not a means to remove
occupation - and that it was the resistance that had led to occupation, not the
other way around. When there seemed to be a domestic and regional need to harden
the grip that the March 14 movement and the Syrian forces’ withdrawal from
Lebanon had undermined, "the party" kidnapped two Israeli soldiers, and the
ensuing war was labeled an "assault on Lebanon"; everyone was complicit in
drawing from this evasive lexicon. There was more of the same during the
"support war" that "the party" had initiated, earning us another "assault on
Lebanon".
If we add the third milieu, which is mechanically bound to "the party" and is by
very far the broadest of the three, we put our finger on the failure to do
justice to the country and to fulfill the duties undertaken by peoples that
produce elites who think and take the initiative to avert defeat and calamity.
Historians and students of ideas often point to a classic case offered by
Germany after the First World War. Instead of an effort to dig up the
intellectual, political, and military roots of this defeat, the myth of a "stab
in the back" that the German nation had supposedly suffered prevailed. The
nation had not been defeated in the war, but by a cabal of politicians,
socialists, and Jews who had stabbed it in the back, and that is why what
happened happened. This myth paralyzed debate around the nation's conditions by
shifting the blame onto others, and this played a role in the rise of the Nazi
beast and eventually the outbreak of the Second World War.
However, evading collective responsibility could manifest differently this time,
in reliance on Israel to get the job done. Instead of simply accepting, broken
and grieving as we are, this fait accompli we have no alternative for - holding
on to our countless reasons for fear, apprehension, and doubt - there prevails
naive celebration of the "Magnificent Seven," with the Israel’s seen as Yul
Brynner’s heroes, coming to liberate us just as the seven had liberated the
hapless people of the Mexican village from the bandits.
"The party's" destructive acts may explain this inclination among some, but it
does not hinder the repetition of tragedies nor teach the Lebanese the lesson -
or demand self-transformation - that would allow them, for the first time, to
seize control of their history and steer its course, if, that is, there is any
space left in the room that the beast occupies after it had been allowed to grow
as large as it has.
The War on Hezbollah-The Iranian Terrorist Proxy Continues/LCCC website
The just war being waged by the United States and Israel against Iran and its
proxies—devils, terrorists, drug traffickers, and mafia networks—continues
relentlessly and will not stop before their complete defeat.
To follow the news, below are- links to several
important news websites:
National News Agency (Lebanon)
https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar
Nidaa Al Watan
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
MTV Lebanon
https://www.mtv.com.lb/
Voice of Lebanon
https://www.vdl.me/
Asas Media
https://asasmedia.com/
Naharnet
https://www.naharnet.com/
Al Markazia News Agency
https://almarkazia.com/ar
LBCI (English)
https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/en
LBCI (Arabic)
https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/ar
Janoubia Website
https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/ar
Kataeb Party Official Website
https://www.kataeb.org
The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports
And News published
on March 25-26/2026
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1teoUsXpMHw
Watch live coverage as the Pentagon issues a critical statement following
confirmed Iranian attacks on US military bases. Tensions escalate rapidly as the
Department of Defense addresses the recent aggression by Iranian-backed forces
against American personnel. This broadcast covers potential US retaliatory
strikes, diplomatic fallout, and the impact on regional stability in Iraq,
Syria, and the broader Middle East. We analyze the Biden administration's
foreign policy, defense strategy, and the growing risk of a wider war. Stay
tuned for expert insights on US military capabilities and live reactions from
Washington DC and global leaders regarding this major security breach.
Video-Link/Pentagon LIVE: Hegseth Biggest Statement | US Army Ready To Takeover
Iran? | Pete Hegseth LIVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B52qR1yIaQo
Times Now/March 25/2025
The Pentagon has issued a furious and direct warning to Iran, signaling a
significant escalation in tensions under the Trump administration, as United
States military forces in the Middle East are placed on high alert. The stern
message from the Department of Defense follows reports of increased hostile
activity by Iranian-backed proxies, prompting President Donald Trump to convene
with national security advisors. Officials warned of a 'swift and decisive'
American response to any aggression against U.S. interests or allies in the
region, fueling international concern over a potential military conflict in the
Persian Gulf as the White House reviews all options.
Iran receives 15-point US
plan, Pakistani officials say, Tehran insists no talks happening
Al Arabiya English/25 March/2026
Iran has received a 15-point proposal from the US to reach a ceasefire in the
war, two Pakistani officials said on Wednesday. The Pakistani officials
described the proposal broadly as touching on sanctions relief, civilian nuclear
cooperation, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program, monitoring by the
International Atomic Energy Agency, missile limits and access for shipping
through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Arabian Gulf. The
officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they
weren’t authorized to release the details. Iran has insisted it isn’t engaged in
negotiations with the US and a military spokesman mocked America over its
diplomatic efforts Wednesday. Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan was quoted as saying
on Wednesday by state media, that no direct or indirect talks between Tehran and
Washington have taken place.
“Based on my information, contrary to Trump’s claim, no direct or indirect
negotiations have taken place between the two countries so far,” Reza Amiri
Moghadam said, adding that “friendly countries seek to lay the ground for
dialogue between Tehran and Washington, which we hope will be fruitful in ending
this imposed war.” A senior Iranian source, however, told Reuters on Wednesday,
that Pakistan has delivered the US proposal to Iran, but the venue of any talks
between Tehran and Washington to end the war has yet to be decided. The source,
who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, did not disclose
details of the proposal and whether it was the 15-point US framework proposal to
end the war reported by news outlets. The source also said Turkey was helping to
find ways to end the way and “either Turkey or Pakistan are under consideration
as the venue for such talks.”Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on
Tuesday that Islamabad was ready to host any talks. Meanwhile, an Egyptian
official involved in mediation efforts between Iran and the US described the
15-points put forward by the Americans as “a comprehensive deal” to reach a
truce in the war. The official said the proposal includes restrictions on Iran’s
missile program and its arming of armed groups, as well as allowing traffic to
flow through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the proposal “is being treated” as a
base for further negotiations between the nations, he added. The official, who
spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the yet-publicized details of the
proposal, said Iranian officials remain “very skeptical” of the Trump
administration. The official likened the 15-point plan to Gaza ceasefire’s
20-point plan - which means it requires “immense efforts to hamper the details
if there is an agreement from both sides to sit down and negotiate.” Mediators
were pushing for a possible in-person negotiation between the Iranians and the
Americans, perhaps as soon as Friday in Pakistan, the Egyptian official and the
two Pakistani officials said. However, that would require the Americans to
immediately start traveling from the US to reach there in time. Meanwhile,
Iranian officials likely remain worried about the Israelis, whose airstrikes in
the war have killed officials up to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The remarks
from Islamabad and Cairo came even as the US began to move paratroopers to the
Mideast to back up a contingent of Marines heading there on Wednesday. Iran’s
military scoffed at the diplomatic effort and launched on Wednesday more attacks
on Israel and the Gulf region, including an assault that sparked a fire at
Kuwait International Airport. With growing pressure on the US to end the war as
it nears the end of its first month, Washington submitted the 15-point plan to
Iran through intermediaries from Pakistan who have offered to host renewed
negotiations, according to a person briefed on the contours of the proposal who
spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak
publicly.Iran’s attacks on regional energy infrastructure and its chokehold on
the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world’s
oil is shipped, has sent oil prices skyrocketing and rocked world markets over
fears of a global energy crisis. With agencies
US says Iran talks continue, will ‘unleash hell’ if no deal
AFP, Washington/25 March/2026
The White House said Wednesday it was still in talks with Iran despite Tehran
reportedly rejecting a US plan to end the war - but warned President Donald
Trump is ready to “unleash hell” if there is no deal. Iranian state media cited
an unidentified official as saying that the Islamic Republic had responded
“negatively” to the reported overture from Trump as the Middle East war nears
the four-week mark. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that
negotiations with Iran had hit a dead end. “Talks continue. They are
productive,” Leavitt told a briefing when asked about the Iranian report.
Leavitt said that there were “elements of truth” to media reports on the details
of a 15-point US plan setting out demands on Tehran, but said some of the
reporting was “not entirely factual.” US and Israeli media said the points
involved Iran giving up any right to a nuclear program and agreeing to dismantle
its ballistic missile arsenal. Leavitt declined to say whom the US was dealing
with in Tehran following the assassination of supreme leader Ali Khamenei, whose
son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public. Reports have
suggested the Trump administration’s interlocutor is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf,
Iran’s speaker of parliament and one of its most prominent non-clerical figures.
The spokeswoman also declined to confirm reports that top US officials including
Vice President JD Vance were set to hold talks with the Iranians in Pakistan,
which has emerged as a key mediator.
‘Unleash hell’
But Leavitt warned that it was time for Iran to make a deal, asserting that
Trump was nearing what the White House says are the key US military objectives
of “Operation Epic Fury.”“If Iran fails to accept the reality of the current
moment, if they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily and
will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they
have ever been hit before,” Leavitt said. “President Trump does not bluff and he
is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again.”Trump is moving
thousands of airborne troops and extra marines to the Gulf amid speculation that
he might order a ground invasion to either seize Iranian oil assets in the Gulf
or secure the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The White House meanwhile appeared to
stick to the four to six-week timeline it has previously given for the war.
Trump announced Wednesday that his visit to China to meet Xi Jinping had now
been rescheduled for mid-May, having postponed it by six weeks to deal with the
conflict. “We’ve always estimated approximately four to six weeks (for the
length of military operations against Iran), so you could do the math on that,”
Leavitt added. “President Xi understood that it’s very important for the
president to be here throughout these combat operations right now.”
UN rights council condemns Iran strikes on Gulf states
Al Arabiya English/25 March/2026
The UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday condemned Iran’s “egregious attacks” on
its Gulf neighbors, calling for full and swift “reparation” to all victims of
its strikes. The 47-member council backed a resolution brought by the six Gulf
Cooperation Council countries and Jordan condemning Tehran’s actions aimed at
closing the Strait of Hormuz, and demanding Iran immediately “cease all
unprovoked attacks.”The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on
February 28 that killed its supreme leader and triggered a war in the Middle
East. Tehran has since responded with drone and missile attacks across the
region, including strikes on neighboring Gulf countries that say they are
neither involved in the conflict nor have allowed their territory to be used to
launch attacks. According to an Al Arabiya tally, Iran has launched far more
missiles and drones at Gulf states than at Israel since the war began, with
about 85 percent of its attacks targeting Gulf countries compared with roughly
15 percent aimed at Israel.Iran has also maintained a chokehold on the Strait of
Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil is
shipped.During the session, Saudi Arabia’s representative at the United Nations
Human Rights Council Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila said that “Iranian
aggression cannot be justified,” stressing that Iran would have to be held
responsible for its actions. With AFP
Tehran’s initial response to US proposal ‘not positive’:
Iranian official
Reuters/25 March/2026
Iran’s initial response to the US proposal to end the war has not been
“positive,” a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday, adding that
Tehran is still reviewing it. The official said that Tehran's initial response
has been delivered to Pakistan to be conveyed to Washington. Meanwhile, an
official reportedly told Iran’s Press TV Iran considers the conditions of the
proposal to end the war excessive, according to Reuters. The official added that
Tehran will end the war only at a time of its own choosing and if its conditions
are met. A senior Pakistani security official said that Pakistan had followed up
with Iran’s foreign minister and was still awaiting a formal reply. A second
Pakistani source said: “The Iranians told us they will get back to us tonight.
The media is reporting they’ve said no. But we have not received any official
confirmation from Iran. So we are just waiting. They are all underground and
communication is big challenge.”Another senior Iranian official had earlier
confirmed that Tehran had received a proposal and said that talks, if they went
ahead, could be held in either Pakistan or Turkey.
Pentagon to send more troops
Oil prices fell and shares regained some ground on Wednesday after reports that
Washington had sent the 15-point plan to Iran, with investors hoping for an end
to a war that has killed thousands of people and disrupted global energy
supplies. The senior Pakistani security official said Pakistani intelligence had
delivered the US proposal to Iran, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had followed
up with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. So far there had been no
response from the Iranians, or any confirmed dates or venue for talks, the
Pakistani official said. Three Israeli cabinet sources said Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet had been briefed on the US proposal. They
said its terms included removing Iran’s stocks of highly enriched uranium,
halting enrichment, curbing its ballistic missile program and ending funding for
regional allies. The Pentagon is meanwhile planning to send thousands of
airborne troops to the Gulf to give Trump more options to order a ground
assault, sources have told Reuters, adding to two contingents of Marines already
on their way. The first Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard a huge amphibious
assault ship could arrive around the end of the month.
Iranian military rules out deal with Trump
Pakistan has offered to host talks attended by senior US officials as soon as
this week. A senior ruling party official in Turkey, Harun Armagan, told Reuters
that Ankara was also “playing a role passing messages” between Iran and the US.
But so far there has been no public recognition from Iran that it is willing to
negotiate at all, and its assertions that it will not do so have become
increasingly caustic. “Has the level of your inner struggle reached the stage of
you negotiating with yourself?” the top spokesperson for Iran’s joint military
command, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, taunted Trump in comments on Iranian state TV.
“People like us can never get along with people like you,” he said. “As we have
always said ... no one like us will make a deal with you. Not now. Not
ever.”Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Beghaei, appearing on
television in India, said nuclear talks had already been under way when Trump
attacked. He called this “a betrayal of diplomacy” that proved further talks
were pointless. There are “no talks or negotiations between Iran and the United
States,” he said. “No one can trust United States diplomacy.”
A senior Israeli defense official said Israel was skeptical Iran would agree to
the terms, and that Israel was concerned that US negotiators might make
concessions in any talks.
Trump's softer stance soothes markets
A source familiar with Israel’s war plans said Israel wanted any US-Iranian
agreement to preserve Israel’s option to conduct pre-emptive strikes. Trump said
early in the war that it would end only with Tehran’s “unconditional surrender,”
but has abruptly changed tack this week, saying “productive” talks were already
under way with unspecified Iranian officials. His softer stance has brought a
respite in financial markets, which have see-sawed but largely stabilised since
Monday when he postponed a threat to escalate the bombing by
attacking Iran's civilian energy system. Iran has derided Trump's announcement
as an attempt to buy time and placate markets.
More strikes
The war has raged on with no let-up in air attacks against Iran, or in Iranian
drone and missile strikes against Israel and US allies. An Israeli military
official, asked whether Israel had adjusted its military plans since Trump said
talks were under way, said it was “pretty much business as usual.”The Israeli
military described several new waves of attacks on Iran during the day,
including one on Iran’s construction of ships and submarines. The semi-official
Iranian SNN News Agency said a residential area was hit in Tehran, with rescuers
searching the rubble. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had launched new
attacks against Israel and US bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain. Since the
start of what the US calls “Operation Epic Fury,” Iran has attacked countries
that host US bases and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, conduit for a
fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas. Iran has told the United
Nations Security Council and the International Maritime Organization that
“non-hostile vessels” may transit the strait if they coordinate with Iranian
authorities. In practice, however, only Iran’s own oil and a handful of ships
from friendly countries have made it through.
Iran says it is reviewing US proposal but has no interest in holding talks
Reuters/26 March/2026
Iran is reviewing a US proposal to end the war but has no intention of holding
talks to end the widening Middle East conflict, the country’s foreign minister
said on Wednesday. Still, the exchange of messages through mediators “does not
mean negotiations with the US,” Abbas Araghchi said on state television. “They
put forward ideas in their messages that were conveyed to top authorities, and
if necessary, a position will be announced by them,” Araghchi said. US President
Donald Trump’s 15-point proposal, sent through Pakistan, calls for removing
Iran’s stocks of highly enriched uranium, halting enrichment, curbing its
ballistic missile program and cutting off funding for regional allies, according
to three Israeli cabinet sources familiar with the plan. The White House
declined to disclose specifics of its proposal and threatened to escalate its
strikes. “If they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily,
and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than
they have ever been hit before,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt
told reporters. A senior Israeli defence official said Israel was sceptical Iran
would agree to the terms, and that Israel was concerned US negotiators might
make concessions. Israel also wants any agreement to preserve its option to
conduct pre-emptive strikes, a second source said.
Markets respond positively to proposal
Global equity markets regained some ground while oil prices fell on Wednesday
after reports that Washington had sent the proposal to Iran, with investors
hoping for an end to a war that has disrupted global energy supplies and risks
fuelling inflation.
The Pentagon is meanwhile planning to send thousands of airborne troops to the
Gulf to give Trump more options to order a ground assault, sources have told
Reuters, adding to two contingents of Marines already on their way. The first
Marine unit, aboard a huge amphibious assault ship, could arrive around the end
of the month.Iran could open a new front at the mouth of the Red Sea if attacks
are carried out on its territory, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency cited
an unnamed military source as saying on Wednesday. The source said that Iran has
the capability to pose a “credible threat” in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which
lies between Yemen and Djibouti. Since the start of what the US calls “Operation
Epic Fury,” Iran has attacked countries that host US bases and effectively
closed the Strait of Hormuz, conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil and
liquefied natural gas. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday
warned: The “world is staring down the barrel of a wider war” in the region. “It
is time to stop climbing the escalation ladder – and start climbing the
diplomatic ladder,” he said at the UN headquarters in New York.
Iran could take action in Bab al-Mandab Strait if provoked,
Tasnim news agency says
Reuters/25 March/2026
Iran could open a new front in the Bab al-Mandab Strait if attacks are carried
out on Iranian territory or its islands, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim cited an
unnamed Iranian military source as saying on Wednesday. Yemen’s Iran-aligned
Houthi group has previously launched attacks in the region where the strategic
Bab al-Mandab Strait is located.
Pentagon says it will ramp up war supplies with defense
companies
Reuters/25 March/2026
The Pentagon said on Wednesday it had reached framework agreements with BAE,
Lockheed and Honeywell to boost production of defense systems and munitions as
part of its shift to “wartime footing.”Under the deals, Honeywell Aerospace will
“surge production of critical components for America’s munitions stockpile,” as
part of a $500 million multi-year investment, the Pentagon said. BAE Systems and
Lockheed Martin will also quadruple production of seekers for the Terminal High
Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor, while a new framework agreement with
Lockheed will accelerate production of its Precision Strike Missile, the
Pentagon added. The announcements come more than three weeks after US President
Donald Trump and Israel launched a war on Iran.
Gulf states slam Iran attacks on their territories as
flagrant violation of sovereignty
Al Arabiya English/25 March/2026
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan said in a joint
statement on Wednesday that Iranian attacks on their territories constitute a
flagrant violation of their sovereignty. They also called on Iraq to take the
necessary measures to immediately stop attacks launched against neighboring
countries from Iraqi territory. The statement said the call comes to preserve
“brotherly relations” and avoid further escalations. Since the start of the
Israeli-US war on Iran, Iran-backed Iraqi militias have claimed responsibility
for attacks on several US bases in the region. They also reiterated their right
to self-defense. “We reaffirm our right to self-defense against these criminal
attacks… and right to take all necessary measures to preserver [our]
sovereignty, security and stability.”The statement also warned that sleeper
cells loyal to Iran plan to destabilize the region and commended security
authorities for thwarting their schemes.with Reuters
UK forces can board Russian shadow fleet in British waters:
Downing Street
AFP, London/26 March/2026
UK forces will be able to board and seize ships sanctioned as part of Russia’s
so-called shadow fleet passing through its waters, the government announced
Wednesday. “British military will be able to board shadow fleet vessels
transiting UK waters as the UK steps up its pressure” on Russian President
Vladimir Putin, Downing Street said in a statement.London has sanctioned
hundreds of vessels suspected of being part of the shadow fleet used by Russia
to bypass Western embargoes since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The ships -
usually ageing tankers with dubious ownership - are banned from accessing UK
ports and services. “The prime minister has agreed that the UK Armed Forces and
law enforcement officers will now be able to interdict vessels that have been
sanctioned by the UK and are transiting through UK waters,” Downing Street said.
“The UK will put a further stranglehold on the shadow fleet, closing off UK
waters, including the Channel, for sanctioned vessels. This will in turn force
operators to either divert to longer, financially painful routes, or risk being
detained by British forces.”“Putin is rubbing his hands at the war in the Middle
East because he thinks higher oil prices will let him line his pockets,” said UK
Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “That’s why we’re going after his shadow fleet even
harder, not just keeping Britain safe but starving Putin’s war machine of the
dirty profits that fund his barbaric campaign in Ukraine.”Starmer is due to
address a summit of the Joint Expeditionary Force - a UK-led defense alliance of
10 member countries - in Helsinki on Thursday. The move comes as Washington
eased restrictions on Russian oil to soften prices sent soaring by the US-Israel
war against Iran. In January, London provided support to Washington during a US
operation to seize a Russia-linked oil tanker called the Marinera - previously
known as the Bella-1 and accused of flying a false flag. France, Belgium,
Finland and other European countries have also recently seized sanction-busting
vessels believed to belong to Russia’s ghost fleet. “Following the detention of
a ship, criminal proceedings may be brought against the against the owners,
operators and crew, for breaches of UK sanctions legislation,” Starmer’s office
said. Each operation under the new approach will be considered by law
enforcement and require ministerial sign-off, according to the government. The
UK government says it has sanctioned 544 vessels thought to be part of the
shadow fleet - which it claims transports around 75 percent of Russia’s crude.'
US says two-thirds of Iranian missile, drone production capacity hit
AFP, Washington/26 March/2026
The United States has hit two-thirds of Iran’s production facilities for
missiles and drones, and a similar proportion of its naval production, a top
officer said Wednesday. In a video posted on X, Admiral Brad Cooper, head of
Central Command, also estimated that 92 percent of the Iranian navy’s largest
vessels had been damaged or destroyed. “And my operational assessment is that
they’ve now lost the ability to meaningfully project naval power and influence
around the region and around the world.”With the war now in its fourth week, he
added that “we remain on plan or ahead of plan in achieving very clear
objectives” for the war launched with Israel. “We have damaged or destroyed over
two-thirds of Iran’s missile drone and naval production facilities and
shipyards, and we’re not done yet,” he said, adding that US forces had now
struck over 10,000 military targets. Iran has retaliated for the US and Israeli
strikes by launching missiles at targets throughout the Gulf almost daily. But
Cooper said that Iran’s drone and missile launch rates were down by 90 percent,
and “we’ve also removed the regime’s ability to rebuild them.” Iranian Foreign
Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Iran did not plan to negotiate with
the United States and intended to keep fighting, after the White House said
talks were ongoing.
Kuwait arrests six affiliated with Lebanon’s Hezbollah,
thwarts ‘terrorist’ plot
Al Arabiya English/25 March/2026
Kuwait on Wednesday arrested six people affiliated with the Iran-backed Lebanese
Hezbollah group for planning assassinations in the country, the interior
ministry said. “State Security Apparatus thwarted a terrorist plot and detained
six members of a cell…who were planning assassinations of state leaders and
recruiting others to carry out [similar] plots,” the ministry said in a
statement, adding that five of those arrested are Kuwaiti while the sixth is a
Kuwaiti whose nationality had been revoked. According to the ministry, the cell
also includes 14 other members who fled Kuwait: five nationals, five Kuwaitis
whose nationalities have been revoked, two Iranians and two Lebanese. The
arrested members confessed “to joining a terrorist organization,” the ministry
said, adding that they had received “advanced military training by Hezbollah” in
a foreign country.
Trump reschedules Iran-delayed China visit for May 14-15
AFP/25 March/2026
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he would visit China for a
rescheduled state visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 14 and 15,
rescheduling a closely watched trip that was delayed due to the ongoing Iran
war.
Trump added that he would host Xi for a reciprocal visit in Washington later
this year. “Our Representatives are finalizing preparations for these Historic
Visits,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “I look very much forward to
spending time with President Xi in what will be, I am sure, a Monumental
Event.”The visit had originally been slated for next week.
Iran military claims it fired missiles at USS Abraham Lincoln carrier
AFP/25 March/2026
Iran fired cruise missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, the
military said in a statement carried by state television, warning of further
launches when the strike group’s ships come in range. “The Iranian Navy’s Qader
cruise missiles (shore-based anti-ship missile) targeted the USS Abraham Lincoln
carrier belonging to the US and forced it to change its position,” the statement
said. It cited Navy chief Admiral Shahram Irani, who said the carrier group’s
movements were “constantly being monitored... and as soon as this hostile fleet
comes within range of our missile systems, it will be subjected to powerful
strikes by the Iranian Navy.”
Saudi Arabia condemns Iran’s strikes on neighbors, blocking
of Strait of Hormuz
Al Arabiya English/25 March/2026
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday reiterated its condemnation of Iran’s attacks on
neighboring countries. “Iranian aggression cannot be justified,” Saudi Arabia’s
representative at the United Nations Human Rights Council Ambassador Abdulmohsen
bin Khothaila said, stressing that Iran would have to be held responsible for
its actions. Furthermore, he warned Iran of pursuing its current policy saying
that it would yield no results. “Iran must review its miscalculations,” he
added. In addition to the attacks on neighbors, the ambassador also criticized
Iran for disrupting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in the Arabian Gulf.
Since early March, Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, attacking merchant
ships and only granting passage to some vessels. The blocking of the narrow
waterway has had serious impacts on global trade as 20 to 30 percent of daily
oil consumption and roughly a fifth of global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) trade
pass through it. The US and Israel have launched strikes on Iran since February
28. Iran has responded with attacks both on Israel and US military bases in the
region in addition to strikes on civilian infrastructure in neighboring
countries. Despite not being a warring party, Saudi Arabia has become a major
target of Iranian drone and missile attacks. It has been able to thwart the vast
majority of them.
Tehran Rejects Trump's Talk of Negotiation, as Israel and
Iran Launch Airstrikes
Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
Israel and Iran exchanged airstrikes on Wednesday, as Iran's military rejected
President Donald Trump's claim Washington was in negotiations to end to the war,
saying the US is negotiating with itself. The rejection of negotiations by the
unified command of the Iranian Armed Forces, which is dominated by the
Revolutionary Guards, comes amid reports the US has sent a 15-point plan for
discussion to Tehran. "Has the level of your inner struggle reached the stage of
you (Trump) negotiating with yourself?" the top spokesperson for Iran's joint
military command, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, said on Iranian state TV.
"People like us can never get along with people like you.""As we have always
said... no one like us will make a deal with you. Not now. Not ever."Iran's
leadership has previously said it cannot negotiate with the US as it has
attacked the country twice during high level negotiations in the past two years.
Four weeks into the war that has killed thousands, created the worst energy
shock in history and sparked global inflation fears, there was no letup in
airstrikes from Iran and Israel on Wednesday. The Israeli Defense Forces said in
a Telegram post it had launched a wave of strikes targeting infrastructure
across Tehran. The semi-official Iranian SNN News Agency said the strikes hit a
residential area in the city, with rescuers searching the rubble. Iran's
Revolutionary Guards said it had launched a new wave of attacks against
locations in Israel including Tel Aviv and Kiryat Shmona, as well as U.S. bases
in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, Iranian state media reported. Trump told
reporters at the White House on Tuesday the US was in "negotiations" with "the
right people" in Iran to end the war, adding the Iranians wanted to reach a deal
very badly. Stocks rose and oil prices fell on Wednesday on reports the US is
seeking a month-long ceasefire and had sent a 15-point plan to Iran for
discussion, raising hopes for a resumption of oil exports out of the Arabian
Gulf. The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Washington sent Iran a
15-point plan to end the war in the Middle East. Israel's Channel 12, quoting
three sources, said the US was seeking a month-long ceasefire to discuss the
15-point plan. A source familiar with the matter confirmed that the US had sent
a plan to Iran but provided no further details. The Israeli media outlet said
the plan would include the dismantling of Iran's nuclear program, ceasing
support for proxy groups, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, and the reopening of the
Strait of Hormuz. The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28
after saying they had failed to make enough headway in talks aimed at ending
Iran's nuclear program, although mediator Oman said significant progress had
been made.The US struck Iran's nuclear facilities in June 2025. Since the start
of "Operation Epic Fury" by the US in February, Iran has attacked countries that
host US bases, struck Gulf energy infrastructure and effectively closed the
Strait of Hormuz, conduit for a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural
gas.
Iran Speaker Warns US Not to Test 'Resolve to Defend Our Land'
Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
Iran's parliament speaker on Wednesday warned Washington not to test Tehran’s
determination to defend its territory after the United States was reported to be
sending more troops to the Middle East. "We are closely monitoring all US
movements in the region, especially troop deployments. What the generals have
broke, the soldiers can't fix; instead, they will fall victim to (Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's delusions," said Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in an X
post in English. "Do not test our resolve to defend our land." At least 1,000
troops from the 82nd Airborne Division will be sent to the Mideast in the coming
days, three people with knowledge of the plans told The Associated Press. They
spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans.The Pentagon
is also in the process of deploying two Marine units that will add about 5,000
Marines and thousands of sailors to the region.
Strikes Near Iran, Israel Nuclear Sites Risk ‘Unmitigated Catastrophe’, Says UN
Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
Strikes around Iran and Israel's nuclear sites risk unleashing an "unmitigated
catastrophe", the United Nations rights chief said Wednesday, warning that the
Middle East war had created an "extremely dangerous" situation. Speaking before
the UN Human Rights Council, where countries were holding an urgent debate on
Tehran's attacks across the Gulf, Volker Turk warned that many of the strikes in
the weeks-long war "raise serious concerns under international law".In
particular, Turk cautioned that "recent missile strikes near nuclear sites in
both Israel and Iran underscore the immense danger of further escalation".
"States are flirting with unmitigated catastrophe."His comments came after the
UN nuclear watchdog said Iran had informed it that "another projectile hit the
premises" of the Bushehr nuclear power plant on Tuesday, without damaging it.
Over the weekend, an Iranian strike hit the southern Israeli town of Dimona,
home to a nuclear facility, in what Tehran said was in response to an earlier
attack on its nuclear site at Natanz. "The situation is extremely dangerous and
unpredictable, and has created chaos across the region," Turk said, insisting
that "we cannot go back to war as a tool of international relations".The UN
rights chief also warned that "this conflict has an unprecedented power to
ensnare countries across borders and around the world"."The complex dynamics
could ignite further national, regional or global crises at any moment, with an
appalling impact on civilians and people everywhere."
Pakistan Willing to Host Peace Talks to End US-Israeli War on Iran
Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
Pakistan's prime minister said on Tuesday he was willing to host talks between
the US and Iran on ending the war in the Gulf, a day after President Donald
Trump postponed threats to bomb Iranian power plants, saying there had been
"productive" talks. In a post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan
welcomed and fully supported ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the war.
"Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honored to
be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive
settlement," he said. The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28
after saying they had failed to make enough headway in talks aimed at ending
Iran's nuclear program, although mediator Oman said significant progress had
been made. Since then, Iran has attacked countries that host US bases, struck
Gulf energy infrastructure and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, conduit
for a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, creating the worst
energy supply shock in history. A Pakistani government source said discussions
on a meeting were at an advanced stage and if it did happen, "a big 'if'", it
would take place within a week. The war is already taking a toll on major
economies around the world, according to business surveys on Tuesday which
showed how a surge in energy prices and rising uncertainty were dampening
activity and pushing inflation expectations higher.
IRAN DENIES TALKS HAVE TAKEN PLACE
On the ground, there were no signs of conflict abating in the Gulf or Lebanon,
where Israel is carrying out a parallel operation against the Hezbollah group,
which has fired at Israel in support of its patron Iran. An Iranian missile was
intercepted over Lebanese airspace for the first time on Tuesday, three senior
Lebanese security sources said, with two of them saying a foreign naval vessel
was responsible for the interception. Trump said on Monday the US and Iran had
held "very good and productive" conversations about a "complete and total
resolution of hostilities in the Middle East" and that he was postponing for
five days a plan to hit Iran's energy grid. He said talks had begun on Sunday
and continued into Monday, with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law
Jared Kushner involved. But after Trump's Truth Social comment on Monday, Iran
denied that any talks had been held. Iran's powerful parliament speaker Mohammad
Baqer Qalibaf - the interlocutor on the Iranian side, according to an Israeli
official and two other sources familiar with the matter - described reports of
direct talks as "fake news". Trump's threat to bomb Iran's electricity plants
had prompted Tehran to threaten retaliatory strikes on the power infrastructure
of US allies across the region, sending the price of benchmark Brent crude oil
soaring as high as $114.43 on Monday morning. After declining on Trump's
step-back, prices were about 3% higher again on Tuesday around $103 on concern
over supply shortages.
Three senior Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump
appeared determined to make a deal, although they viewed it as unlikely that
Iran would agree to US demands. They said these were likely to include curbs on
Iran's nuclear program and ballistic weapons development. Three senior sources
in Tehran said Iran's negotiating stance had only hardened since the start of
the war, under the growing influence of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps,
and that it would demand significant concessions from the US. Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who spoke to Trump less than 48 hours before their
countries began the war, was expected to convene security officials for talks on
Trump's bid for a deal with Iran, two senior Israeli officials said.
AIR SIRENS SOUND IN TEL AVIV
Iranian missiles triggered air raid sirens in densely populated Tel Aviv,
Israel's commercial hub, where there are also military sites. A missile carved a
massive crater in the road of one neighborhood, and the blast blew out the walls
of a multi-storey apartment building, scattering debris across the street. It
was the latest in a series of Iranian attacks in recent days that have
penetrated Israel's sophisticated air defenses. There were no reported deaths.
Israel's military said its fighter jets had carried out a wave of strikes in
central Tehran on Monday, targeting command centers including facilities
associated with the IRGC's intelligence arm and the Intelligence Ministry. It
said it had hit more than 50 other targets overnight, including ballistic
missile storage and launch sites. Air defense systems were activated across
Tehran as explosions were heard simultaneously in several areas of the capital,
according to the Iranian news agency Nournews. At least eight people were killed
and 28 injured in a strike on a residential area of Tabriz, a city of 1.7
million in Iran's northwest, the provincial director for crisis management told
Tasnim news agency.
Rosatom Says Situation at Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Plant Unfolding Under
Worst-Case Scenario
Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
The situation at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant continues to develop along a
worst-case scenario, the head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom,
Alexei Likhachev, said on Wednesday. The International Atomic Energy Agency on
Tuesday said it had been informed by Iran that a projectile struck the
premises of the Bushehr NPP.Likhachev said the strike, which caused no
casualties, occurred at around 1800 GMT on Tuesday and hit an area near an
operational power unit. He added that Rosatom had begun a third phase of
personnel evacuation, with one group departing by road towards the
Iranian-Armenian border on Wednesday morning and two more groups set to leave
shortly. Until the situation stabilizes, Rosatom is temporarily reducing the
number of staff at the plant to a minimum.
Arab League Meeting to Discuss Iran Attacks, Regional
Escalation on Sunday
Cairo: Fathiya al-Dakhakhni/Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
Bahrain will chair on Sunday the 165th regular session of the Arab League on the
level of foreign ministers amid the US-Israeli war on Iran. An Arab diplomatic
source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting, held video-conference, will only
focus on the Iranian attacks on Arab countries. Speaking on condition of
anonymity, the source said the officials will discuss taking a unified Arab
stance against the attacks. Foreign ministers of Gulf, Arab and regional
countries met in Riyadh last week to condemn Iran’s flagrant violation of
principles of good neighborliness and of the sovereignty of nations, saying it
will have grave repercussions against it and the security of the Middle East.
“Iran's attacks will cost it highly and impact relations with the countries and
peoples of the region that will not stand idly by as they are threatened,” they
warned. “The attacks cannot be justified under any excuse,” they stressed,
saying they were a violation of sovereignty of nations and international law.
They held Iran “fully responsible for the losses”, saying the countries reserve
the right to defend themselves. The Arab diplomat said Sunday’s meeting was
already scheduled before the eruption of the conflict and was supposed to
include on its agenda articles related to joint Arab work, but discussions over
them will be postponed to solely focus on the Iranian attacks. Egyptian Foreign
Minister Badr Abdelatty held a series of telephone calls from his counterparts
from Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq to prepare for the summit. A Foreign Ministry
statement underlined “the importance of issuing a unified Arab stance against
the common security and political challenges and the dangerous escalation in the
region.”Political analyst Dr. Abdel Moneim Saeed told Asharq Al-Awsat the
ministerial meeting aims to reach a unified Arab stance on how to handle the
current situation. The situation is rapidly changing amid the erratic American
stances, he remarked. “It is important to hold Arab consultations to come up
with a united stand towards the situation.”
Strike on Western Iraq Kills Seven Security Personnel
Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
A strike on a base in western Iraq killed seven security personnel, the defense
ministry said Wednesday, a day after an attack on the same base targeted the
Popular Mobilization Forces. "This resulted in the death of seven of our heroic
fighters and the injury of 13 others," the ministry said of the strike in Anbar
province, saying it specifically targeted the base's military healthcare clinic.
Rescue operations were ongoing, it added. The base hosts Iraqi police, soldiers
from the regular army and PMF, a security official told AFP. It was hit by a
deadly strike on Tuesday that the former paramilitaries blamed on the United
States. Iraq said late on Tuesday it would summon the US charge d'affaires and
the Iranian ambassador after deadly strikes blamed on their countries, as Iraqi
authorities granted the targeted groups the "right to respond".Iraq has been
pulled into the war sparked by US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28,
and which has since engulfed much of the region. Iraq has long been a proxy
battleground for the United States and Iran, and has struggled to balance
diplomatic ties with both countries. Since the war began, pro-Iran armed groups
have claimed responsibility for attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the
region, while strikes have also targeted these groups, including state-linked
positions. In the statement from the prime minister's office, however, Iraq
granted former paramilitaries within the official armed forces the right to
"respond to military attacks" by drones and aircraft that targeted their
headquarters.
UK, Pakistan Condemn Iranian Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime
Minister, received on Tuesday separate telephone calls from British Prime
Minister Keir Starmer and Pakistani PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who underlined
their condemnation of Iran’s continued attacks against the Kingdom.They warned
that the attacks are a threat to security and stability. The leaders reviewed
regional security developments amid the current military escalation, discussing
its impact on regional and global peace and its risks to international maritime
security and the global economy.
Mohammad Baqer Zolghadr: A Man with Strong Connections at
the Heart of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards
London: Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
Mohammad Baqer Zolghadr was not an unfamiliar figure when he was appointed on
Tuesday as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. One week after
the killing of Ali Larijani, and amid a war that has thinned the ranks of Iran’s
top leadership, authorities turned to a man shaped within one of the deepest
layers of the “Islamic Republic’s” power structure. Mehdi Tabatabaei, the
Iranian president’s deputy communications director, said on Tuesday that General
Zolghadr had been appointed to replace Larijani. He wrote on X that Iran’s new
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the decision. The Supreme National
Security Council, formally headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian, coordinates
security and foreign policy. It includes senior military, intelligence and
government officials, as well as representatives of the Supreme Leader, who has
final authority in state affairs. Zolghadr’s appointment appears to reflect
state priorities in a time of crisis. A further decree is expected to name him
as the Supreme Leader’s representative on the council, allowing him to vote
under the constitution. Unlike politicians who rise through elections or public
platforms, Zolghadr belongs to a different category: a figure who boasts
internal networks that predate the state and later embedded themselves within
it. He accumulated power within the agencies instead of confronting them. His
career resembles less a sequence of administrative posts and more a continuous
thread linking some of the most entrenched centers of power in Iran. His
elevation to one of the country’s top security posts is significant not only for
the positions he has held, but for the role he has played within the system. A
veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, he developed expertise in organization and
network-based operations, consolidating his position within the Iranian
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and later extending his influence through the
interior ministry, judiciary and Expediency Council. The appointment signals a
broader logic within Iran’s ruling establishment: in moments of heightened
pressure, figures rooted in institutional networks tend to take precedence over
those with a public political profile.
Early career
Zolghadr’s career is closely tied to the political environment from which he
emerged. He belongs to a generation associated with the “Mansouroun” network, an
early group that later produced influential figures within the IRGC, including
Mohsen Rezaei, Ali Shamkhani, Gholam Ali Rashid, and Mohammad and Ahmad
Forouzandeh. The significance of this affiliation lies not only in early
organizational ties, but in the nature of the group itself: an ideologically
driven pre-revolutionary network that repositioned itself within the state
through the IRGC. Zolghadr’s rise was not an individual climb through
institutional ranks, but growth within a web of relationships and loyalties
embedded at the core of the system. He emerged not simply as a professional
military officer, but as part of a generation that viewed security and politics
as intertwined domains in safeguarding the regime. This gave him the rare
ability to “reposition” himself and retain power as successive government ruled
Iran.
War and the ‘Ramadan’ headquarters
After the fall of the Shah, Zolghadr, like other members of Mansouroun,
initially operated through revolutionary committees before joining the IRGC. His
most defining wartime role was leading the “Ramadan Headquarters,” a key unit
during the Iran-Iraq war. This post was central to his political and security
development. The Ramadan Headquarters served as a nucleus for external
operations, coordinating cross-border activities with Iraqi Kurdish and Shiite
groups opposed to Saddam Hussein and managing operations inside Iraq. It later
evolved into what became the Quds Force, the IRGC’s current foreign arm.
There, Zolghadr developed a hallmark approach: operating at the intersection of
military, intelligence and political spheres. The role involved not only
managing battlefield operations, but also building networks, cultivating allies
and leveraging conflict to generate long-term influence. This model — combining
military structure, indirect operations and proxy management — became a defining
feature of Iran’s regional strategy. Within this environment, Zolghadr gained a
reputation as a manager and strategist rather than a public-facing commander.
Rise within the IRGC
Following the end of the war in the late 1980s, Zolghadr spent 16 years at the
top of the IRGC hierarchy: eight years as chief of the joint staff and eight
years as deputy commander-in-chief. These roles emphasized administration,
coordination and institutional discipline rather than field command. His
influence was rooted not in public charisma but in his position within the
IRGC’s internal machinery. Over time, he became firmly aligned with Iran’s
conservative camp. His political role became more visible during the reformist
presidency of Mohammad Khatami, when tensions between reformists and hardline
institutions intensified.
Reform era
During the late 1990s, Zolghadr was among military figures associated with the
conservative bloc within the IRGC. His name was linked to a letter sent by IRGC
commanders to President Khatami, widely seen as a signal of military
intervention in political affairs at a time of unrest. He was also associated
with hardline opposition to the reform movement and the student protests of that
period. This phase highlighted a structural aspect of his career: his political
role did not begin after leaving the military, but was embedded within the IRGC
itself as it became increasingly politicized during its confrontation with
reformists.
Interior Ministry under Ahmadinejad
When Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became president in 2005, Zolghadr was appointed deputy
interior minister for security affairs. The position placed him at the heart of
internal security, overseeing provincial governors and managing crises, protests
and local tensions. It marked a transition from military service to the
executive branch, while maintaining a focus on security.His move illustrated a
broader pattern: shifting from protecting the system through force to
safeguarding it through security bureaucracy, expanding his network within the
state apparatus.
Basij
Zolghadr left the interior ministry in 2007 amid reports of differences with
Ahmadinejad, but his departure did not signal a loss of influence. In December
of that year, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed him deputy chief of staff of
the armed forces for Basij affairs, a newly created role. The Basij, a
paramilitary force, plays a key role in ideological mobilization and maintaining
the IRGC’s presence in Iranian society. The decree emphasized strengthening and
expanding the Basij’s reach, underlining the importance of Zolghadr’s
assignment.
Judiciary and expanding influence
In 2010, Zolghadr moved to the judiciary, serving first as deputy for social
prevention and crime reduction, and later as strategic deputy to the head of the
judiciary until 2020.
The shift did not represent a departure from security work, as Iran’s judiciary
operates closely under the authority of the Supreme Leader. Instead, it
broadened his influence across another pillar of the state. In September 2021,
he was appointed secretary of the Expediency Council, succeeding Mohsen Rezaei.
The role involves overseeing the council’s committees and acting as a link to
the highest levels of decision-making.
Zolghadr also has family ties that extend his influence. He is the father-in-law
of Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international
affairs and a prominent figure in nuclear negotiations. Gharibabadi previously
served as Iran’s ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, including
the International Atomic Energy Agency.
From Larijani to Zolghadr
Larijani’s death deprived Iran of a political figure skilled in navigating
between power centers. The choice of Zolghadr suggests a shift in priorities.
While Larijani represented balance and negotiation, Zolghadr embodies
institutional discipline and internal cohesion. His selection follows
speculation over other candidates, including former defense minister Hossein
Dehghan, who was ultimately not appointed. The decision reflects the system’s
preference, in wartime conditions, for figures trusted by security networks over
those known for political flexibility. He may not be a prominent public figure,
but he represents a type of official often relied upon in times of crisis: a man
with internal networks, brought back to the forefront as Iran faces one of its
most challenging periods.
Fire at Kuwait Airport After Drones Hit Fuel Tank
Asharq Al Awsat/March 25/2026
Drones hit a fuel tank and sparked a fire at Kuwait International Airport, the
Gulf state's civil aviation authority said on Wednesday, as Iran presses on with
its attacks in the nearly four-week regional war. Citing preliminary
information, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in a statement
posted online that the attack had caused only "limited" damage and no
casualties.Firefighters were working to bring the blaze under control, said
agency spokesman Abdullah Al-Rajhi. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a
statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB that they had launched missiles and
drones at military bases hosting US forces in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain as well
as targets in Israel. The Kuwait National Guard said in a statement that its
forces intercepted six drones early Wednesday, and the army said air defenses
were "responding to hostile missile and drone attacks".In Bahrain, the interior
ministry said air raid sirens were activated, while Jordan's public security
directorate reported shrapnel fell near the capital Amman, resulting in no
casualties or damage. In Israel, the military said air defenses responded to
Iranian missiles that triggered warning sirens across much of the country's
central region.
The Kuwait airport is largely closed to commercial flights and has come under
attack several times since the regional war began on February 28, when Israel
and the United States launched strikes on Iran.On March 14, the civil aviation
authority said an attack with "several drones" targeted the airport and "struck
its radar system". No casualties were reported. Major airlines have suspended
flights to the Gulf, or cut back due to fuel shortages linked to the war.
War in the Middle East:
Latest developments
Agence France Presse/March 25/2026
Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:
'Do not test our resolve' -
Iran's powerful parliament speaker on Wednesday warned Washington not to test
the Islamic republic's determination to defend its territory after the United
States was reported to be sending more troops to the Middle East. "We are
closely monitoring all U.S. movements in the region, especially troop
deployments. What the generals have broke, the soldiers can't fix; instead, they
will fall victim to (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's delusions,"
said Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in an X post in English.
"Do not test our resolve to defend our land."
Deadly 'mistake' -
The leader of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region told local media on Wednesday
that Tehran acknowledged that a strike that killed six security personnel a day
earlier was a "mistake". On Tuesday, six members of the Kurdistan region's
peshmerga forces were killed in a ballistic missile strike, the first deadly
attack of its kind since the outbreak of the Middle East war.
'Far worse' than Iraq -
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned Wednesday that the Middle East war
presented a "far worse" scenario than the invasion of Iraq in 2003. "This is not
the same scenario as the illegal war in Iraq. We are facing something far worse.
Much worse. With a potential impact that is far broader and far deeper," he told
parliament.
No talks
Iran's ambassador to Pakistan said Tehran and Washington have not held talks,
after U.S. President Donald Trump signalled tentative progress in diplomatic
efforts to end the war.
"We have also heard such details through the media, but according to my
information -- and contrary to Trump's claims -- so far no negotiations, direct
or indirect, have taken place between the two countries," said Reza Amiri
Moghadam, adding that it was "natural that friendly countries are always engaged
in consultations with both sides to end this illegitimate aggression".
'Unmitigated catastrophe' -
Strikes around Iran and Israel's nuclear sites risk unleashing an "unmitigated
catastrophe", the UN rights chief said, warning that "recent missile strikes
near nuclear sites in both Israel and Iran underscore the immense danger of
further escalation."
Gulf shipping -
China's shipping Giant Cosco said it was resuming new bookings for shipments to
some Gulf countries, which it halted because of the war. The state-owned firm
"resumed new bookings for general cargo containers for shipments" to the UAE,
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq "with immediate effect",
according to a company statement.
Earlier Iran said "non-hostile vessels" can transit the Strait of Hormuz,
according to a statement released to the International Maritime Organization.
Missile sites hit -
The Israeli military said it had struck two naval cruise missile production
facilities in Tehran that were used to "develop and manufacture long-range naval
cruise missiles".
Deadly Iraq strike -
A new strike in western Iraq targeted the former paramilitary coalition Hashed
al-Shaabi has killed seven. The coalition is part of Iraq's armed forces but
includes brigades belonging to Iran-backed groups. The previous day, a similar
attack killed 15 Iraqi fighters, the deadliest attack in Iraq since the start of
the war and blamed on the U.S., while a strike blamed on Iran in the autonomous
Kurdistan region killed six fighters.
After those strikes, Baghdad granted former paramilitary groups the "right to
respond" and summoned U.S. and Iranian diplomats.
IEA on oil release -
The head of the International Energy Agency said he was "ready to move forward"
with an additional release of oil reserves "if and when necessary". Fatih
Birol's comments in Tokyo came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
asked the agency "to prepare to implement an additional release in case the
situation drags on" with the war in the Middle East.
U.S. bases targeted -
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had fired missiles and drones at military
bases hosting U.S. forces in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, as well as targets in
Israel, according to a statement carried by Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.
Oil prices drop -
Brent crude oil, the global market benchmark, was down 6.3 percent at $97.90 per
barrel at around 0200 GMT. Benchmark U.S. oil contract, West Texas Intermediate,
was down 5.2 percent at $87.52.
Kuwait airport fire -
Drones hit a fuel tank and sparked a fire at Kuwait International Airport, the
Gulf state's civil aviation authority said, reporting no casualties.
News of
the ongoing war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other. The
news is abundant, fragmented, and difficult to keep track of as it evolves
constantly. For those wishing to follow the course of the war, the following are
links to several television channels and newspapers:
Asharq Al-Awsat Newspaper
https://aawsat.com/
National News Agency
https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar
Al Arabiya/Arabic
https://www.alarabiya.net/
Sky News
https://www.youtube.com/@SkyNewsArabia
Nidaa Al Watan
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
Al Markazia
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
Al Hadath
https://www.youtube.com/@AlHadath
Independent Arabia
https://www.independentarabia.com/
The Latest
LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on March 25-26/2026
Disarming Hamas
Must Remain Trump's Top Priority in Gaza
Con Coughlin/Gatestone Institute/March 25/2026
Several members of Trump's Board of Peace, especially Turkey and Pakistan, have
expressed serious concerns about, if not outright hostility to, disarming Hamas,
a factor that many believe has resulted in talks on the disarmament of the
terror group being put on hold.
Mladenov's optimism about persuading Hamas to disarm, however, was not shared by
the terrorist organisation itself. A Hamas official, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, stated that, while the terrorist group had received a written
document, it denounced the initiative as a "take it or leave it" offer. He said
Hamas would first wait to see the outcome of the Iran war before responding.
Hamas's refusal to provide a clear-cut commitment to meeting the disarmament
demand, moreover, comes at a time when it continues to consolidate its hold over
Gaza, especially since the start of the Iran war. In an attempt to control
Gaza's civilian population, Hamas has been enforcing price controls and managing
the distribution of goods arriving from outside the Strip, moves that suggest it
has no intention of relinquishing its grip over Gaza.
Trump must not abandon his demand that Hamas fully disarm before going forward
with his Gaza peace plan.
US President Donald Trump must not abandon his demand that Hamas fully disarm
before going forward with his Gaza peace plan.
US President Donald Trump's ambitious plan to bring lasting peace to Gaza risks
being completely ruined after suggestions that members of his Board of Peace are
not fully committed to disarming Hamas terrorists, a key requirement of the
Trump administration's peace plan.
Prior to the war in Iran, Trump made disarming Hamas his top priority as he
sought to implement his ambitious 20-point peace plan for Gaza's reconstruction.
As the president wrote on his Truth Social platform in January in response to
Hamas's continuing prevarication over the disarmament demands, "they can do this
the easy way, or the hard way."
Since then, the Trump administration's focus on disarming Hamas appears to have
taken a back seat as the American leader has become preoccupied by the
challenges of the war in Iran since launching Operation Epic Fury on February
28.
Despite the fact that Iran for decades has been one of Hamas's most devoted
supporters, providing funds and military equipment for its terrorist
infrastructure, the demand for the terror group to disarm has been put on hold
for the duration of the conflict, a move many believe could be a first step by
some members of the Board of Peace to abandon completely the demand for Hamas to
disarm.
Several members of Trump's Board of Peace, especially Turkey and Pakistan, have
expressed serious concerns about, if not outright hostility to, disarming Hamas,
a factor that many believe has resulted in talks on the disarmament of the
terror group being put on hold.
There are even concerns that Trump's own envoys involved in negotiations taking
place in Cairo to safeguard the existing ceasefire might be tempted to water
down the disarmament demands in return for making progress on other areas of the
peace plan, such as increasing aid and NGO access to Gaza.
The Gaza ceasefire has been under serious strain since the start of the Iran
war, prompting members of the Board of Peace to attend meetings with Hamas
representatives in Cairo aimed at easing tensions.
Following the meetings, Israel announced that it would soon reopen the sole
crossing for pedestrians between Gaza and Egypt, shut since the air campaign
against the Iranian regime began. One official said he believed the Israeli
announcement was a direct result of the meeting between Hamas and the board.
Trump's board was represented at the talks with Hamas by Aryeh Lightstone, an
American aide to Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff. A US official said that
Lightstone had attended Gaza-related meetings in Cairo in the past several days,
without confirming whether he met with the Hamas delegation.
In an attempt to break the impasse over the disarmament issue, mediators meeting
in Cairo said in an interview with NPR that they had given Hamas a formal
proposal to lay down its weapons. The proposal calls for Hamas and all other
terrorist groups in Gaza to hand over all weapons, making an emerging governing
authority responsible for all the arms.
The proposal is said to call for a comprehensive framework to ensure the
"complete handover" and "full decommissioning" of arms belonging to Hamas and
all other armed groups in Gaza, and that if Hamas accepted the proposal, it
would ensure large-scale reconstruction of Gaza.
Nickolay Mladenov, the former UN diplomat charged with implementing Trump's plan
for postwar Gaza, said that the ceasefire's mediating countries had agreed on a
"framework" to see Gaza rebuilt, but that Hamas must be disarmed.
He said executing on the framework "requires one clear choice: full
decommissioning by Hamas and every armed group, with no exceptions and no
carve-outs."
Mladenov's optimism about persuading Hamas to disarm, however, was not shared by
the terrorist organisation itself. A Hamas official, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, stated that, while the terrorist group had received a written
document, it denounced the initiative as a "take it or leave it" offer. He said
Hamas would first wait to see the outcome of the Iran war before responding.
Hamas's refusal to provide a clear-cut commitment to meeting the disarmament
demand, moreover, comes at a time when it continues to consolidate its hold over
Gaza, especially since the start of the Iran war. In an attempt to control
Gaza's civilian population, Hamas has been enforcing price controls and managing
the distribution of goods arriving from outside the Strip, moves that suggest it
has no intention of relinquishing its grip over Gaza.
Another key factor that could have an important positive bearing on the future
of Trump's Gaza peace plan is that, with the war against Iran in full flow,
Washington has received the support of its long-standing Gulf allies, who now
find themselves the target of unprovoked Iranian missile attacks.
Trump must not abandon his demand that Hamas fully disarm before going forward
with his Gaza peace plan.
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22364/disarming-hamas-priority**Con
Coughlin is the Telegraph's Defence and Foreign Affairs Editor and a
Distinguished Senior Fellow at Gatestone Institute.
© 2026 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.
Iran and proxies continue
attacking regional airports, energy facilities, military bases, and residential
areas (March 20-23 updates)
Ahmad Sharawi/FDD's Long War Journal/March 25/2026
Between March 20 and March 23, Iran and its allied militias continued launching
drones, missiles, and rockets against Arab countries. The attacks targeted
energy infrastructure, airports, military bases, diplomatic facilities, and
residential areas in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain,
Iraq, and Syria. Air defense systems intercepted many incoming projectiles, but
several strikes still caused fires, infrastructure damage, and casualties,
particularly in Kuwait, Iraq, and parts of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. The
following is a detailed account of the attacks conducted by Iran and its
affiliated militias against Arab states between March 20 and 23.
March 20
In Saudi Arabia, Iranian drone activity remained concentrated in the Eastern
Province and Al Jawf. Saudi authorities reported intercepting repeated drone
waves, including groups of two, two, one, five, five, four, two, four, one, two,
three, four, three, two, one, and three drones. In the United Arab Emirates, the
Ministry of Defense announced that it confronted multiple waves of attacks,
including a total of four ballistic missiles and 26 drones, alongside other
unspecified missile-and-drone attacks. In Kuwait, Iranian attacks targeted key
energy infrastructure. Two drones struck the Mina al-Ahmadi refinery, sparking a
fire that was later contained, with no casualties. Kuwaiti forces also reported
intercepting one missile and 15 drones in a single wave, while eight drones fell
in uninhabited areas. Additional missile-and-drone barrages were intercepted in
multiple incidents. In Bahrain, authorities reported intercepting two missiles
and four drones. Shrapnel from one interception caused a fire, which was later
brought under control without injuries. In Iraq, two drones were intercepted
targeting Baghdad International Airport.
In Iraqi Kurdistan, a drone struck a residential home in Erbil’s Talar City,
causing damage.
March 21
In Saudi Arabia, Iranian drone activity intensified further in the Eastern
Province. Saudi defenses reported intercepting repeated waves, including groups
of one, five, two, one, two, two, 12, 10, six, six, five, six, two, one, one,
and one drones. In the United Arab Emirates, authorities reported intercepting
aerial projectiles targeting Ras al Khaimah after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps threatened to hit it and issued evacuation warnings earlier that
day. The UAE Ministry of Defense also announced that it intercepted three
ballistic missiles and eight drones in a single wave, along with unspecified
additional attacks. In Kuwait, the Kuwaiti Armed Forces reported intercepting
nine missiles, along with a separate drone interception.
In Bahrain, authorities said they intercepted two drones.
In Iraq, attacks intensified significantly. Three drones struck Abu Ghraib,
wounding two people. A drone also hit the Iraqi National Intelligence Service
headquarters in Baghdad, killing one officer. Additional attacks targeted the
Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center and a residential home near Baghdad
International Airport. In Iraqi Kurdistan, four drones targeting Erbil
International Airport were intercepted. Elsewhere, a drone fell in Duhok, and
three drones targeted the Komala Party headquarters in Sulaymaniyah without
causing casualties.
March 22
In Saudi Arabia, Iranian attacks continued to focus on the Eastern Province and
Riyadh. Saudi authorities reported intercepting multiple drone waves, including
groups of four, one, three, one, one, one, two, and seven drones. Saudi defenses
also intercepted a ballistic missile targeting Riyadh, while two additional
missiles fell in an uninhabited area. In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry
of Defense reported intercepting multiple waves of attacks, including a total of
four ballistic missiles and 25 drones, alongside other unspecified
missile-and-drone attacks. In Kuwait, the Kuwaiti Armed Forces reported
intercepting four drones, while three additional drones fell in empty areas.
In Bahrain, authorities said they intercepted two drones and two missiles.
In Iraq, a drone crashed near the US Embassy complex in Baghdad without causing
damage. More significantly, between six and eight attacks composed of rockets
and drones targeted the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center at Baghdad
International Airport overnight, with at least one rocket striking the Iraqi
Counter-Terrorism Service headquarters and injuring five personnel. In Iraqi
Kurdistan, a drone strike targeted a Peshmerga base in Makhmur, injuring three
personnel.
March 23
In Saudi Arabia, Iranian attacks again concentrated on the Eastern Province and
Riyadh, plus the northern border region. Saudi authorities reported intercepting
multiple drone waves in the Eastern Province, primarily small groups of one to
two drones. Near Riyadh, one ballistic missile fell in an uninhabited area while
another was intercepted. Saudi defenses also intercepted a drone along the
northern border. In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Defense announced
multiple interception events involving a total of seven ballistic missiles and
16 drones. In Kuwait, authorities reported intercepting a ballistic missile. In
Bahrain, the Bahrain Defense Force announced that it intercepted 36 drones and
two missiles. In Iraqi Kurdistan, two drones were intercepted near Erbil
International Airport. Elsewhere, four drones crashed across the region without
causing casualties. Additional drone strikes targeted a KDP-Iran camp near
Erbil, damaging a medical facility. Other drones crashed in Khalifan, struck a
residential home in Erbil and caused a fire, and fell in an empty area near
Kesnazan.In Syria, five rockets launched from Iraq hit the Kharab al Jir
military base in northeastern Syria.
*Ahmad Sharawi is a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of
Democracies focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the Levant.
Military Bases in Shopping Malls!
Mamdouh al-Muhainy/Asharq Alawsat/March 25/2026
Some commentators have asked why the Iranian regime is striking airports, energy
infrastructure, and shopping complexes in Gulf countries and then claimed these
locations are foreign military bases! The real answer, of course, is that the
Iranian regime knows full well what these sites contain. Its intention is
sending a clear message: the regime survives or the region burns. The Gulf
states have refrained from entering the war and declared their opposition to it
early on, but this means nothing to the authorities in Tehran, who had made
their decision beforehand. Indeed, even before the war began, they had decided
to turn the Gulf states into hostages as means for applying pressure to ensure
the regime's survival. All attempts by supporters of the Iranian regime to
rationalize its behavior are failing. Their actions defy rationalization,
rendering these efforts an impossible task. No state can justify striking
airports or destroying the oil and gas facilities of neighboring countries that
have not attacked it. But the Iranian regime is ultimately less a conventional
state than a transnational ideological project, and this war has made that
abundantly clear, as have the armed ideological groups it has fostered in across
several Arab countries. The more important question is this: what are the
regime's objectives? Why does it insist on obtaining nuclear weapons,
antagonizing its neighbors, and projecting influence in far-flung arenas? The
answer is that Tehran seeks to reshape the regional order in its image. It is
determined to overturn what it describes as the American or Western order and
impose its own. To this end, it is targeting "American interests" and attacking
what it calls "America's allies" in the Gulf. The goal is to create chaos and
push Washington to withdraw, and it has pursued this strategy before, succeeding
in some cases, failing in others.
In Iraq after 2003, it contributed, through its allies, to bogging down American
forces and accelerating their withdrawal in 2011. In Beirut in 1983, the bombing
of the US Marine barracks, which killed 241 American soldiers and coincided with
the rise of Iran-linked groups, led the Reagan administration to pull out of the
country. Iran was also behind the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia,
which was carried out by its affiliates. It even hosted al-Qaeda members on its
soil, despite their ideological differences, when their objectives converged. It
used them as the terror group as part of its broader struggle and its effort to
shift the balance in Saudi Arabia - an effort that failed. The cultivation of
IRGC-modeled militias across multiple arenas and undermining of Arab states seek
to achieve the same objective: creating a quagmire in the region. Given that the
US no longer tolerates prolonged entanglements, Iran’s bet is that the former
will eventually grow weary, pack up its back, and leave, clearing the field for
Tehran.
All forms of unlawful activity are undertaken as part of this strategy: support
for armed groups, drug trafficking, undermining states, and spreading chaos.
This is the model Tehran favors and seeks to consolidate, fostering allies in
pursuit of this ultimate objective. The Palestinian cause, needless to say, is
invoked as a convenient narrative.This is all unfolding within a broader
international struggle. Iran is aligned with China and Russia, and they seek to
counterbalance American and Western influence and a more prominent role in
managing Gulf and Middle Eastern affairs. It is also worth noting that, although
this vision is contrary to the interests of most Gulf states, which see
themselves as strong allies of Washington, other regional actors who do not
necessarily view this as contrary to their interests and facilitate Iran’s
project by cooperating with it in a game of shared influence.
Despite its consistent efforts, Iran has not succeeded in dismantling the Gulf
system, which is built on everything the Iranian regime opposes: strong states,
capitalist economies, and close financial and military ties with the United
States and the West. Undermining this model serves the Iranian regime's
interests, which is why, from the very first hours of the war, it did not
hesitate to attack these countries with thousands of missiles and drones. The
goal was to break the two pillars of the GCC model: stability and development.
There is no point in asking Iranian officials why they target airports, disrupt
air traffic, and kill civilians. They state their intentions clearly: eroding
this regional order and precipitating its collapse.
Between the Mindset of Escalation and the Wisdom of
De-escalation
Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama/Djibouti’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia/Asharq Alawsat/March
25/2026
When tensions run high, some actors tend to see military power as a swift path
to redrawing balances or imposing new realities on the ground. Recent
experiences have shown, time and again, that this is not the case: wars,
especially in strategically sensitive regions, do not resolve crises; they
deepen them, pulling everyone into a downward spiral. What we are witnessing
today (the war that the United States and Israel are waging against Iran) was
not inevitable. It broke out with channels of dialogue still open, however
fragile. The decision to slide into confrontation has, therefore, cut off the
path of diplomacy and foreclosed opportunities for understanding that, despite
the challenges, remained possible.On the other hand, Iran's attacks on its
neighbors in the Gulf amount to a reprehensible and unacceptable course of
action. They do nothing to change the power equation. Instead, this strategy
deepens its trust deficit with neighboring states and lays the groundwork for
antagonisms that serve neither the region's stability nor its future. Relations
between neighbors are not built on military signals but good neighborliness,
shared interests, and mutual respect.
Amid this escalation, the stance of the Gulf Cooperation Council presents a
model of strategic prudence and restraint. Despite the direct attacks on their
territory, these countries have chosen not to be drawn into military
retaliation, recognizing that broadening the confrontation would only lead to
further chaos and instability. This approach does not reflect weakness but a
deep understanding of the nature of this moment and awareness that safeguarding
regional stability is a collective interest that transcends immediate
considerations. It also sends a clear message: political responsibility is not
measured by countries’ reaction but their ability to avoid slipping into what
cannot be controlled.This conflict is not only dangerous militarily; geography
is another dimension of the threat. The Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab
are not merely waterways; they are vital arteries of the global economy. Any
threat to these arteries affects not only oil prices but also global trade,
supply chains, and international economic stability.
Indications of this impact have already begun to appear: rising energy prices,
increased shipping costs, and growing anxiety in markets show that the security
of this is no longer a regional issue but a shared global responsibility.
Some parties may imagine that they can achieve political or military gains.
Reality is more complex, and even if a temporary advantage is secured, the
long-term costs (economic, political, and security-related) will make claims of
a genuine "victory" tenuous.
Iran will face mounting pressure, both domestically and globally. The United
States will bear additional strategic burdens in an already complex region.
Countries in the region will pay the price of instability, whether in their
security or their economies. As for the global economy, it will be undermined by
inflation and uncertainty. The clearest conclusion that can be drawn from this
war is that, whatever the outcome, no one will win. All parties will lose to
varying degrees.
Continuing along this escalation ladder serves no one, including Israel. It
might believe, as its current actions in Lebanon and Syria suggest, that
perpetuating or expanding the conflict grants it strategic gains in neighboring
countries; however, experience shows that security cannot be built on permanent
warfare and that real stability can only be achieved through fair political
settlements.Sooner or later, Israel will not cease to benefit from the flames
across the region. Like everyone else, it will be exposed to the repercussions
of instability. Accordingly, returning to the logic of peace is the most
sensible course of action, as it is the only path to sustainable security.The
current war is not a fleeting conflict but a test of the international
community’s resolve.Will it choose to slide further into confrontation or revive
the logic of dialogue? The lesson that must not be overlooked is this: when wars
become disconnected from politics, they become a burden to everyone involved.
Peace, however difficult it may seem, remains the least costly and most
realistic option. In a world as interconnected and interdependent as ours, no
party can lose without everyone else losing with it.
X Platform & Facebook Selected twittes for
March 24/2026
makram rabah
Our late mentor, the great Kamal Salibi, had a beautiful tradition: he would
place the publications of his friends and students on the piano at the entrance
of his living room—a quiet yet generous way of announcing and honoring their
work.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Alhurra is a US Gov trademarked media outlet funded by Congress through
@USAGM . After it was Doged, it shut down its channel but seems to have
maintained its digital operation. How? On tax payers' dime? If yes, I take an
issue for Alhurra's characterizing of the conflict in the Middle East as
"Israel's wars on Gaza, Lebanon and Syria." We all know that it was Hamas that
launched war from Gaza on Israel, on October 7, 2023. A day later, Hezbollah
launched war on Israel from Lebanon.
Such characterization is factually incorrect, parrots the talking points of the
enemies of our ally, Israel, and is antisemitic.
Nadim Koteich
https://x.com/i/status/2036810042708574397
Unheard of in history:
Arab/Muslim states and Israel are practically in the same trench in this war!
Elites are confused! I joined @robsatloff of the @WashInstitute
to break down this geopolitical paradox and the internal soul-searching required
as we in the region redefine our relationship with Israel in the face of the
Iranian threat.