English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News
& Editorials
For May 06/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
If any want to
become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow
me
Matthew 16,21-28: “From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that
he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders
and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord!
This must never happen to you.’But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me,
Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; for you are setting your mind not on
divine things but on human things.’Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want
to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and
follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who
lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they
gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return
for their life? ‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of
his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell
you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the
Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’
Titles For Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News &
Editorials published on
05-06
May/2026
Text and Video, Arabic and English/The “Shoes” Culture Used by Hezbollah
to Attack Al-Rahi is the Language of All Political “Parties-Corporations,” and
the Conflict Between Al-Rahi and Hezbollah is an “Internal Friendly
Dispute”/Elias Bejjani/ May 02, 2026
Video, Text, Arabic & English/On Labor Day, we remind the Lebanese that the
General Labor Union in Lebanon, in all its branches and leadership, is a product
of Syrian and Iranian intelligence incubators and a destructive tool in the
hands of Berri and Hezbollah/Elias Bejjani/May 01/2026
Death toll in Lebanon reaches 2,702 since Israel-Hezbollah war began
Israeli FM: Israel Seeks Normalization with Lebanon
Rubio Says Lebanon-Israel Peace Deal “Imminently Achievable”
US official: Trump believes direct Lebanon-Israel talks key to lasting peace
Report: Netanyahu tells Trump he's 'interested in' escalating against Hezbollah
Hezbollah and Israel exchange hostilities as two Lebanese troops hurt in Israeli
strike
Aoun says army must be sole authority in south, stresses civil peace is 'red
line'
German FM offers qualified support for Israeli offensive in Lebanon
Bassil meets Berri, calls for preventing civil strife
Geagea tells Hezbollah that Aoun and govt. are the representatives of the
Lebanese people
Ceasefire as entry point: Lebanon defines framework for Israel negotiations
Lebanese Army cracks down on gunfire at funeral in Beirut's southern suburbs
France's Macron to speak with Iran president on Tuesday
Kataeb Party condemns attacks on UAE and Oman
Prime Minister Salam: No Retreat on State Authority as Lebanon Moves to Enforce
Weapons Monopoly in Beirut
US pushing ahead with efforts to broker Lebanon-Israel deal, asks Israel to show
restraint/Joseph Haboush - Al Arabiya English/May 05/2026
US Ambassador to Beirut Stresses Importance of Aoun-Trump Meeting/Caroline Akoum/Asharq
Al Awsat/May 05/2026
Hezbollah and Resisting Lebanon’s Fatigue/Yousef Al-Dayni/Asharq Al-Awsat/May
05/2026
Trump’s Deal of the Century for Lebanon/Hussain Abdul-Hussain/This Is Beirut/May
05/2026
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published
on
05-06
May/2026
Israel ready to deploy ‘entire air force’ against Iran if needed: New chief
A proposed UN resolution threatens Iran with sanctions or other measures if it
doesn’t halt
UAE attacked by Iranian drones, missiles for second day in a row
Trump says Iran knows what not to do in terms of violating ceasefire
US Says Iran Ceasefire Holds Despite Exchange of Fire; UAE Under Attack
Middle East truce in doubt as US and Iran fight for control of Strait of Hormuz
Ceasefire with Iran is not over, Pentagon’s Hegseth says
World Leaders Pressure Iran as Ceasefire on Brink
Ten Hurt in Fire at Shopping Center West of Tehran
Washington Presses China to Ramp Up Pressure on Tehran to Open ‘Hormuz’
Iran Nobel Winner Mohammadi ‘Between Life and Death’, Say Supporters
Macron Says US and EU Are Wasting Time on Tariff Threats as Trump Fumes Over
Germany
Armenia Hosts a Historic EU Summit as It Charts a Course Away from Russia
Arab League Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Attacks on UAE
Germany’s Wadephul Says Aid to Gaza Must Be Improved
Gaza Factions Prepare Defensive Plans as Fears of War Rise
Israeli Strikes Kill Three Palestinians, Including a Child, in Gaza, Medics Say
Israeli Court Extends Detention of Two Gaza Flotilla Activists Until May 10
With Wood Scarce, Gaza Carpenters Make Simple Beds from Pallets
Anticipated Syrian Cabinet Reshuffle Considers SDF Integration
Intense Negotiations Underway to Form New Iraqi Govt
Alberta Separatist Group Says It Has Enough Signatures to Trigger Referendum on
Leaving Canada
Texas police say a man shot five people in Texas, killing two, in a city north
of Dallas
Russian attacks kill 22 as ceasefire proposed by Kyiv approaches
Titles For The Latest
English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on
05-06
May/2026
Iran's Terror Regime Has Shown Its True Face/Ahmed Charai/Gatestone
Institute/May 05/2026
Breaking the Architecture of Iran's Regime Power/Ahmed Charai/Gatestone
Institute/May 04/2026
The Strait of Hormuz and Options for Future at the Jeddah Summit/Dr. Abdulaziz
Hamad Al-Aweisheg/Asharq Al-Awsat/May 05/2026
Israeli opposition parties unite to fight forthcoming election/David Powell/Al
Arabiya-English/05 May ,2026
Iran between fragmentation and change/Abdulrahman al-Rashed/Asharq Al Awsat/May
05/2026
Selected Face Book & X tweets for May 05/2026
Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials
published
on
05-06
May/2026
Text and Video,
Arabic and English/The “Shoes” Culture Used by Hezbollah to Attack Al-Rahi is
the Language of All Political “Parties-Corporations,” and the Conflict Between
Al-Rahi and Hezbollah is an “Internal Friendly Dispute”
Elias Bejjani/ May 02, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/05/154129/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRp5lwL9YjQ
There has never been a day when Patriarch Al-Rahi, his entourage,Waled Ghayad
and his subordinate Abu Kasm were not aligned with Assad, Iran, and
Hezbollah—remaining in a fatal estrangement from Lebanon, the rights of its
people, independence, and sovereignty. From his first day as Patriarch, Al-Rahi
supported Iran’s terrorist party in Lebanon, Hezbollah, glorified what is
falsely and blasphemously called “Resistance,” cheered for the criminal of
“human presses” Bashar al-Assad, and participated—via his henchman Father Abu
Kasm—in “Quds Day” in Tehran. He also toured the world marketing Assad, Iran,
and Hezbollah as the protectors of Christians in the Middle East.
Al-Rahi has always, whether indirectly or directly, been considered an ally of
Hezbollah. Therefore, Herzbollah’s attack on him is an “internal friendly
dispute” that does not warrant all this performative “Zajal” of condemnation.
Let them resolve the dispute among themselves.
As for the language and “culture of shoes” used by Hezbollah—which wretchedly
reflects its mindset and caliber—this is the language and culture of all owners
of the “political Parties-Corporations” in Lebanon, whether they are foreign
proxies or local family-run businesses.
Ultimately, the poetic statements of condemnation are mere words that change
nothing; they are devoid of credibility or effectiveness. In conclusion, the
best service His Eminence Al-Rahi can provide to the Church, the Maronites, and
Lebanon is to resign—to find peace and grant others peace.
Video, Text, Arabic &
English/On Labor Day, we remind the Lebanese that the General Labor Union in
Lebanon, in all its branches and leadership, is a product of Syrian and Iranian
intelligence incubators and a destructive tool in the hands of Berri and
Hezbollah
Elias Bejjani/May 01/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/05/154084/
Lebanon marks Labor Day today under the umbrella of a vile Iranian occupation,
and in the shadow of a General Labor Union in Lebanon that is a creation of
Syrian and Iranian intelligence services. This labor body from top to bottom, is
nothing but a tool of destruction, sabotage, and corruption in the hands of the
Iranian occupier, represented by its two Lebanon's enemies: Nabih Berri, the
king of corruption and the corrupt, and Hezbollah, the Iranian, terrorist,
Persian, and jihadist army.
Out of the necessity to raise awareness among the Lebanese people, it is
essential to expose the facts, call things by their names, and inform all
concerned parties in Lebanon and abroad that all current labor unions—with their
leaders, administrations, and officials—are enemies of the workers and their
rights. They act under the orders of their handlers, mobilizing workers in the
service of Berri and Hezbollah through hypocrisy and deceit, using misleading
slogans that present falsehood disguised as truth.
Among the Trojan figures tasked with corrupting and “Iranizing” labor unions are
Beshara Al-Asmar and Bassam Tlais. Like the rest of the union leadership, they
are merely tools in the hands of Nabih Berri and Hezbollah, operating according
to their directives, with little to no concern for workers or their rights.
Since these unions function as tools of destruction in the hands of the
occupation and its symbols, they do not truly represent workers nor act in their
interest. Therefore, it is imperative that they be dissolved and that fair laws
be reestablished to protect the rights and responsibilities of labor unions in
Lebanon, in accordance with international legal standards.
In conclusion, the current labor unions in Lebanon do not represent the workers.
Rather, those who placed them in their positions did so in service of the
occupation project of Berri and Hezbollah.
Death toll in Lebanon reaches 2,702 since Israel-Hezbollah war
began
Associated Press/May 05/2026
The Health Ministry in Beirut said Tuesday that 8,311 people were also wounded
during the same period. The latest Israel-Hezbollah war started on March 2, when
Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel following the U.S. and Israel’s attacks on
Iran. A ceasefire has been in place since April 17 but both Israel and Hezbollah
have been carrying out daily attacks since then.
Israeli FM: Israel Seeks Normalization with Lebanon
This is Beirut/May 05/2026
At a joint press conference on Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar
said Israel intends to pursue a diplomatic track with Beirut, stating, “We will
work with the Lebanese government toward a path of peace and normalization.”He
also underscored Israel’s security priorities in the north, stating, “We are
working to protect northern regions and dismantle Hezbollah.” At the same time,
he reiterated that Israel has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon, adding, “We
have no ambitions to seize territories in southern Lebanon.”German Foreign
Minister Johann Wadephul, for his part, raised concerns about Lebanon’s internal
security framework and political balance. He said the Lebanese Armed Forces are
“not currently operating with the required level of effectiveness.”Wadephul also
highlighted Hezbollah’s role in the country’s governance dynamics, stating that
the group “undermines Lebanon’s sovereignty and the exclusivity of
decision-making.”
Rubio Says Lebanon-Israel Peace Deal “Imminently
Achievable”
This is Beirut/May 05/2026
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday a peace deal between Lebanon
and Israel is “imminently achievable” and emphasized that the Lebanese Armed
Forces must have both the will and capability to directly confront Hezbollah’s
arms. Rubio said there is no fundamental conflict between the Lebanese and
Israeli governments, adding that Israel does not claim any Lebanese territory.
He noted that a central challenge to enforcing a lasting ceasefire lies with
Hezbollah, which he said operates from within civilian areas in Lebanon while
conducting attacks against Israel. He added that the group is also responsible
for endangering Lebanese civilians, while arguing that Israeli military actions
are largely responses to Hezbollah activity or perceived threats. Hezbollah
operates as an extension of Iran’s regional strategy, he said, arguing that
Tehran is behind several armed groups in the Middle East, including Hamas and
the Houthis. He described Hezbollah as part of a broader network of Iran-backed
actors contributing to regional instability. Rubio said Washington aims to
facilitate talks between Lebanon and Israel under U.S. mediation. Progress would
require strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces so they have the “capability to
challenge Hezbollah and disarm them.”
Iran: sanctions and escalation
Turning to Iran, Rubio emphaszied that U.S. actions in the region are
“defensive.”“This is not an offensive operation. This is a defensive operation.
If Iran attacks a ship, we will respond to it,” he said, adding that two
U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio said the U.S. is stepping up sanctions enforcement aimed at limiting
Iran’s ability to generate revenue. He warned that any foreign financial
institution or commercial actor facilitating sanctions evasion would face
secondary sanctions and potential exclusion from the U.S. financial system. He
said the measures are designed to cut Iran’s financial capacity, claiming the
blockade is costing Tehran $500 million a day and that 90% of total Iranian
trade has been halted. “The President’s preference is peace,” he said, adding
that a negotiated path could lead Iran toward stability. However, he warned that
Iran “should not test the will of the United States,” adding that sustained
diplomatic engagement remains conditional on de-escalation.
US official: Trump believes direct Lebanon-Israel talks key to lasting peace
LBCI/May 05/2026
A U.S. State Department official stated that President Donald Trump believes
direct communication between Lebanon and Israel is the most effective way to
accelerate efforts toward a lasting peace agreement and security. The official
added that diplomatic efforts are ongoing, declining to comment on the details
of current discussions with both sides. He also accused Hezbollah of attempting
to obstruct negotiations through attacks on Israel and threats within Lebanon.
The United States, he said, is working to create the necessary conditions and
political momentum to move the process forward.
Report: Netanyahu tells Trump he's 'interested in'
escalating against Hezbollah
Naharnet/May 05/2026
If the Iran ceasefire collapses, Israel is eyeing the possibility of escalating
strikes on Hezbollah across Lebanon, an Israeli source told CNN on Tuesday.
Washington is still pushing for diplomacy between Israel and Lebanon, but the
U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Lebanon appears to be on the verge of collapse. U.S.
President Donald Trump extended the truce to the end of next week, but Israel
and Hezbollah have continued to exchange fire on a daily basis.Israel has
carried out multiple waves of daily strikes against what it says are Hezbollah
targets in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has continued launching drone and
rocket attacks at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Nearly
400 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon since the ceasefire
went into effect, the country’s health ministry said. According to the source,
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has informed Trump that Israel is
"interested in resuming high-intensity fighting against Hezbollah."An Israeli
security source said the Israeli army is pushing to lift the U.S.-imposed
restrictions so it can resume strikes against Hezbollah north of the Litani
River that separates southern Lebanon from the rest of the country. Shortly
after the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire went into effect in mid-April, Trump barred
Israel from bombing Beirut and other areas of Lebanon. On April 17, Trump said
on social media: “Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are
PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A.”
Hezbollah and Israel exchange hostilities as two Lebanese troops hurt in Israeli
strike
Agence France Presse/May 05/2026
Hezbollah on Monday claimed a series of attacks on Israeli military targets in
south Lebanon that it said were in response to "the Israeli enemy's violation of
the ceasefire."The state-run National News Agency (NNA) meanwhile reported
Israeli air strikes on more than 20 south Lebanon locations, some of them towns
where the Israeli military earlier Monday told residents to evacuate. Lebanon's
army said that "an officer and a soldier were lightly wounded" in an Israeli
strike on the town of Kafra "while they were travelling in a military vehicle
between army posts."According to Lebanon's health ministry, Israeli strikes
since March 2 when the latest war erupted with Hezbollah have killed nearly
2,700 people and wounded more than 8,200.
Under the ceasefire, Israel reserves the right to act against "planned, imminent
or ongoing attacks".
Aoun says army must be sole authority in south, stresses
civil peace is 'red line'
Naharnet/May 05/2026
President Joseph Aoun affirmed Tuesday that his actions are in the interest of
"all Lebanese, not just a specific group," and that the path of negotiations is
"the only remaining option after all other solutions, including war, have been
exhausted." He added that the Lebanese people suffered greatly when the Lebanese
Army was absent from the south, and that "the time has come for its return to
fully assume its responsibilities and be solely responsible for security in the
south."The president stressed that everyone must rally around the army and the
security forces, otherwise "the losses will affect everyone." Aoun also
reiterated that "anyone attempting to incite sectarian or religious strife will
not succeed," and that anyone who does so would be "handing a free gift to
Israel."He also emphasized that "civil peace is a red line," and that "there is
sufficient awareness among the people and the majority of officials."On a
separate note, the president condemned the Iranian attacks that targeted the
United Arab Emirates on Monday, considering them "a serious violation of its
sovereignty, security and stability, and an affront to human values and
international law."He accordingly affirmed "Lebanon's full solidarity with the
UAE, its leadership and its people in confronting these challenges," stressing
his support for "all measures taken to protect its security and preserve its
sovereignty."
German FM offers qualified support for Israeli offensive in Lebanon
Agence France Presse/May 05/2026
Germany's foreign minister Tuesday offered qualified support for Israel's
military invasion of Lebanon during a visit of his Israeli counterpart to
Berlin, while also criticizing humanitarian conditions in Gaza and "de facto
annexation" in the West Bank. Johann Wadephul underscored Germany's staunch
support after a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, but said
close alliances would not "avoid difficult topics". In Lebanon, the Israeli
military has continued strikes despite a truce, and declared a 10-kilometer
(six-mile) exclusion zone near the border off-limits to Lebanese residents and
the press. Saar defended the continued fighting, arguing that Israel needed to
destroy Hezbollah and other militant groups operating in the area who have
launched attacks on Israel. But Saar said he offered Wadephul assurances that
"Israel has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon". "Our presence in the areas by
our northern border has one goal: to protect our citizens," Saar said. Wadephul
endorsed that stance, calling Israel's ongoing invasion "necessary". "There's
every right for Israel to be there," Wadephul said. But Wadephul also warned
that "Lebanon must not be allowed to become a theatre of war where it is the
civilians who pay the price" and said that "a younger generation growing up
amidst the ruins of their parents' homes" would not make Israel any safer.
Wadephul condemned Hezbollah attacks on Israel "in the strongest possible terms"
and said direct talks between Israel and the Lebanese government offer "hope".According
to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israeli strikes have killed nearly 2,700
people and injured more than 8,200 since March 2, when Hezbollah drew the
country into the regional war with attacks on Israel. In the devastated Gaza
Strip, Wadephul stressed that "humanitarian aid must be significantly improved
as a matter of urgency" and contended that stabilising conditions in the
territory "also contributes to Israel's security."Wadephul said Berlin has
"great concern" about Israeli settlement policy and violence against
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. "We cannot accept a de facto annexation
of parts of the West Bank," Wadephul said. "We unequivocally condemn the
violence perpetrated by some settlers in the West Bank against the Palestinian
civilian population. And we expect the Israeli justice system to prosecute these
crimes."At the same time, he praised German-Israeli cooperation, particularly in
defense and technology sectors. Germany has long been among Israel's staunchest
allies, something Berlin has grounded in the country's responsibility for the
Holocaust.
Bassil meets Berri, calls for
preventing civil strife
Naharnet/May 05/2026
Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil met Tuesday in Ain el-Tineh with
Speaker Nabih Berri. "I met today with the Speaker to follow up together on the
proposal to protect Lebanon, because today we are not only facing an Israeli
war, the systematic destruction of the South, and the systematic displacement of
our people there. This presents us with a major challenge: we are not just
facing a passing war, but a deliberate change that we must confront with
internal solidarity."He added: "But what is more dangerous is that we are
experiencing internal instability every day, and this should make us all more
vigilant and protective of our internal unity."Bassil pointed out that "we all
realize that an external war is easier than an internal one," adding: "We are
all concerned with solidarity to prevent it, and that is why we consulted on the
idea of protecting Lebanon and our internal unity, strengthening our internal
front, and how we can implement it.""We concluded that broader national
consultation is the best way to solidify these ideas and reach a comprehensive
national consensus on them," Bassil went on to say.
Geagea tells Hezbollah that Aoun and govt. are the representatives of the
Lebanese people
Naharnet/May 05/2026
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Tuesday responded to Hezbollah's repeated
announcements that it is not concerned with any direct negotiations between
Lebanon and Israel and subsequently by their outcome. Hitting back, Geagea said:
"We are not concerned with your words or anything you do, except that it has
brought disasters upon Lebanon and the Lebanese people. Lebanon has a
democratically and effectively elected parliament that truly represents the
Lebanese people.""This parliament elected President Joseph Aoun with a majority
of 99 votes out of 128, and it subsequently granted confidence to the current
government twice consecutively with a majority exceeding two-thirds. Therefore,
the President of the Republic and the government are the ones who represent the
Lebanese people, each according to the powers granted to them by the
Constitution," Geagea pointed out. He added: "Those who say they are not
concerned with legitimate and constitutional negotiations conducted by the
President of the Republic in cooperation and solidarity with the Prime Minister
and the government are, by saying this, disavowing Lebanon as a state, the
majority of the Lebanese people, and consequently, Lebanon as a nation."He
concluded that whoever does not recognize what the "legitimate president" of
Lebanon and the legitimate government are doing "does not recognize the
existence of a state in Lebanon." Geagea accordingly called on the officials in
the state in Lebanon to "act on this basis."
Ceasefire as entry point: Lebanon defines framework for
Israel negotiations
LBCI/May 05/2026
Lebanon's official position on potential negotiations with Israel is centered on
three key conditions: securing a stable ceasefire, ensuring Israel's compliance,
and obtaining U.S. guarantees to enforce commitments already made in Washington.
The stance is being led by the presidency under Joseph Aoun, which insists that
no formal negotiation track will begin before a ceasefire is firmly established.
Any talks would be headed by Ambassador Simon Karam. Discussions about a
possible visit by Aoun to Washington, D.C. remain undefined. Officials say that
if such a trip takes place, it would be limited to talks with Donald Trump, with
no meeting currently planned with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Any
meeting between Aoun and Netanyahu would depend on progress in the negotiation
process. Questions have been raised about how Lebanon would respond if
Washington were to push for such a meeting. Official sources told LBCI that Aoun
remains firm in his position and that the United States understands the
sensitivity of the issue at this stage. According to these sources, Washington
is aware that Israel has not fully adhered to the ceasefire it had agreed to,
including commitments made directly to Trump. Despite the diplomatic activity,
negotiations are not entirely stalled. Near-daily contacts are ongoing between
Lebanon's ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, and the U.S. State
Department. Lebanon is also awaiting Washington's decision on a date for a third
round of talks, which would bring together Moawad and the Israeli ambassador,
with a focus on securing a ceasefire. However, for now, no significant
breakthroughs have been achieved. Attention is also turning to upcoming
international developments, including a summit in Beijing and the outcome of
ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, both of which could influence the trajectory of
the Lebanon-Israel file.
Lebanese Army cracks down on gunfire at funeral in Beirut's southern suburbs
LBCI/May 05/2026
Lebanon's military has launched a security crackdown following gunfire during a
funeral procession in Beirut's southern suburbs, in a move that underscores a
zero-tolerance policy toward celebratory shooting. Units from the Lebanese Armed
Forces, backed by military intelligence, carried out a series of raids targeting
individuals involved in firing weapons during the procession held on Sunday in
the suburbs. According to a security account obtained by LBCI, the raids began
hours after the incident rather than immediately, as commanders sought to avoid
civilian casualties among the large crowds attending the funeral. Operations
initially focused on the Kafaat area, resulting in the arrest of one suspect.
Raids continued on Sunday in Laylaki and Borj El Brajneh, resulting in the
detention of three additional individuals and bringing the total number of
arrests to four. Security sources said the operations were conducted without
confrontation or resistance, including from members affiliated with Hezbollah.
The Lebanese Army also seized weapons and ammunition during the raids.
Authorities say the campaign is ongoing, noting that dozens of people are
believed to have fired shots during the funeral. Efforts are underway to
identify and apprehend all those involved, including individuals who concealed
their identities with masks. Officials signaled that further arrests are
expected as the investigation continues, amid calls to curb the widespread and
dangerous practice of firing weapons during public gatherings.
France's Macron to speak with Iran president on Tuesday
LBCI/May 05/2026
French President Emmanuel Macron will speak with his Iranian counterpart Masoud
Pezeshkian later on Tuesday, as he pushed for Tehran to reopen the Strait of
Hormuz. "I will be speaking with the Iranian president shortly," Macron told
reporters at a press conference in Yerevan, adding that France had long
advocated for "the restoration of freedom of navigation" in the vital waterway.
AFP
Kataeb Party condemns attacks on UAE and Oman
LBCI/May 05/2026
The foreign relations department of the Kataeb Party strongly condemned what it
described as a missile attack targeting one of the world’s largest oil storage
facilities in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates on May 4, 2026, as well as an
attack on Oman, calling it a dangerous and unjustified escalation threatening
regional security and stability. In a statement, the party said launching
missiles toward Emirati and Omani territory constitutes a hostile act and a
clear violation of international law and principles of good neighborly
relations. The Kataeb Party’s foreign relations body held Iran “fully
responsible” for what it described as hostile behavior, saying the continued
attacks reflect “the Iranian destabilizing project targeting peaceful
neighboring states.”It also expressed full solidarity with the UAE and Oman,
their leaderships and peoples, stressing what it described as their legitimate
right to take all necessary measures to protect their sovereignty and national
security.
Prime Minister Salam: No Retreat on State Authority as Lebanon Moves to Enforce
Weapons Monopoly in Beirut
This is Beirut/May 05/2026
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared on Monday in a joint press
conference with the Lebanese Interior Minister that the government will move
forward with enforcing full state control over Beirut, stressing that there will
be “no retreat” from the decision to restrict weapons to state institutions.
Speaking after a meeting of the Central Internal Security Council at the
Interior Ministry, Salam framed the government’s position as a decisive shift,
following security tensions in Beirut’s southern suburbs a day earlier. “The
decision to extend the state’s authority over all of Beirut will be implemented
in full,” he said, adding that the process of limiting arms to the state “is
irreversible,” even if it requires time.
Firm stance after security escalation
Salam’s remarks come after tensions erupted in Beirut’s southern suburbs on
Sunday, when Lebanese Army units deployed to the Al-Kafaat area following
gunfire during a funeral procession. He described the incidents as
“unacceptable” and warned of their serious consequences, confirming that
authorities have already begun arrests and will continue to pursue those
involved in the shooting, including the use of heavy weapons such as
rocket-propelled grenades. “We will continue to detain anyone who opened fire,”
Salam affirmed, noting that the events had direct repercussions on Beirut’s
airport security.
Security measures intensify in the capital
The Prime Minister emphasized that security forces will increase their presence
across the capital, including the deployment of both mobile and fixed
checkpoints at key entry points and inside the city. Authorities will also
tighten controls on the movement of weapons and vehicles with falsified license
plates as part of broader efforts to restore order. The Lebanese Army confirmed
that it carried out immediate security measures in the affected area, including
raids, patrols, and the establishment of temporary checkpoints. At least one
suspect has been arrested, with weapons and ammunition seized.
A broader political trajectory
Salam underlined that the government’s approach is part of a wider political
shift initiated following recent cabinet decisions, including the August 5
resolution, which he said has placed Lebanon on a “new path.”“There will be no
reversal of these decisions,” he stated, adding that implementation will take
weeks or months but remains firmly underway.He reiterated that the objective is
to reestablish the state’s exclusive authority over security matters,
particularly in Beirut.
Message amid internal tensions
Sunday’s incidents highlighted ongoing friction between state forces and armed
actors after reports that Hezbollah supporters formed a human barrier to prevent
army units from arresting individuals involved in the gunfire. The developments
have reinforced concerns over the state’s ability to assert control in areas
traditionally outside its full authority.
State authority as a red line
Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar echoed the prime minister's position, warning
that security forces will not tolerate any actions that undermine public safety,
particularly incidents involving gunfire and heavy weapons in civilian areas. He
confirmed that the state is committed to enforcing its authority in Beirut and
called on citizens to refrain from illegal activities, including celebratory or
political gunfire.
US pushing ahead with efforts to broker Lebanon-Israel deal, asks
Israel to show restraint
Joseph Haboush - Al Arabiya English/May 05/2026
The Trump administration is pressing ahead with efforts to broker a
Lebanon-Israel deal and has urged Israel to show restraint despite Hezbollah’s
attempts to derail the process, US officials told Al Arabiya English on Tuesday.
Washington has facilitated two rounds of direct negotiations between the
Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States in recent weeks.A third
round is expected in the near future, according to Lebanon’s president. “We have
asked Israel to show restraint and give this diplomatic process space because we
think there is an opening to create real political change in Lebanon, and they
are continuing to do so,” a US official told Al Arabiya English. The official
urged the Lebanese government “to rapidly follow through with its plan to make
Beirut a zone safe from weapons.”Both Lebanon and Israel are expected to
increase their level of representation after the next round of talks, sources
familiar with the process said. Asked about progress on scheduling a new round,
a State Department official said diplomacy was ongoing but declined to comment
on discussions about the next date. “We are working to create the conditions and
political momentum needed to move this forward,” the State Department official
said. Nevertheless, the State Department official criticized Hezbollah for its
efforts to sabotage progress on direct talks between Beirut and Israel.
“Hezbollah is still trying to derail negotiations with attacks on Israel and
threats inside Lebanon.”The official added: “President Trump has been clear that
direct engagement between the two countries is the best way to swiftly advance a
lasting peace and security agreement.”
During the second round, the US president chose to sit in, prompting the talks
to be moved from the State Department to the White House. In a sign of Trump’s
interest in the negotiations, he tasked Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of
State Marco Rubio, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Caine with
presiding over the talks. Trump has also suggested that Lebanese President
Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet soon at the
White House. But Beirut has said it is premature to discuss such a meeting
before a ceasefire is agreed and Israeli troops fully withdraw from Lebanon.
Last Friday, the US Embassy in Beirut said the current ceasefire with Israel
gives Lebanon “the space and the opportunity to put all of its legitimate
demands on the table with the full attention of the United States Government.”In
a post on X, the embassy urged Aoun to meet directly with Netanyahu,
“facilitated by President Trump,” to “give Lebanon the chance to secure concrete
guarantees on full sovereignty, territorial integrity, secure borders,
humanitarian and reconstruction support, and the complete restoration of
Lebanese state authority over every inch of its territory—guaranteed by the
United States.”The embassy added that this was Lebanon’s “moment to decide its
own destiny, one which belongs to all its people. The United States is ready to
stand with Lebanon as it seizes this opportunity with confidence and wisdom. The
time for hesitation is over.”Aoun and the Lebanese government have been
repeatedly criticized for engaging in direct talks with Israel, with Hezbollah
and its Shia allies in the Amal Movement claiming this constitutes a concession.
On Monday, Trump’s envoy to Beirut pushed back on that criticism, saying an Aoun-Netanyahu
meeting would allow the Lebanese president to lay out his demands directly
before Trump and Netanyahu. “I don’t understand why people describe this as a
concession,” Ambassador Michael Issa said in remarks to the press. In an
interview with Fox News, Rubio said Israel has no territorial claims on Lebanon
and that its problem is with Hezbollah, not the Lebanese state. He also
suggested the US is working on a system to support vetted units within the
Lebanese army with training, equipment, and capabilities to take on Hezbollah.
The top US diplomat said the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) may have the
willingness but lack the full capability to address all threats emanating from
Hezbollah inside Lebanon. Pushing back on claims that Israel has territorial
ambitions in Lebanon, Rubio said the US opposes any permanent buffer zone inside
the country. “I don’t think the Israelis want it indefinitely… The Israelis will
tell you that. They don’t want to permanently be in Lebanon,” Rubio said.
**This article has been updated with additional comments from a US official
US Ambassador to Beirut Stresses Importance of Aoun-Trump
Meeting
Caroline Akoum/Asharq Al Awsat/May 05/2026
US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa reiterated on Monday the importance of
President Joseph Aoun visiting the United States, saying it should not be viewed
as “defeat”.He also underlined his efforts to achieve rapprochement between
various Lebanese officials, meeting with parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi. Sources close to the presidency told Asharq
Al-Awsat that Aoun has not received an invitation to visit the US. They added
that a meeting between Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not
on the table at the moment. They instead said that a third meeting between
Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the US is expected to be held in Washington
this week. In Beirut, Issa met with Berri for talks on the developments in
Lebanon and the region, said a statement from the speaker’s office. The
ambassador left the meeting without making any statement. After meeting with al-Rahi,
Issa said a meeting between Aoun and US President Donald Trump must not be seen
as a “defeat” for Lebanon. He explained that instead, Aoun could visit
Washington and clearly present his positions to Trump and even Netanyahu. Trump
could be witness to these stances. Afterwards and upon his return to Lebanon,
negotiations with Israel can begin. Asked if Aoun will coordinate his stances
with the parliament speaker and prime minister ahead of going to negotiations,
Issa said the president will present all of Lebanon’s demands, starting with
underlining the importance of Lebanon’s sovereignty. Moreover, he noted that
when Israel says that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon, but that it
wants peace, that means that Hezbollah no longer has any justification for its
existence. If Israel maintains its presence in Lebanon even after that, then
that means it has undisclosed ambitions, he added. Issa stressed that at the
moment, efforts are focused on delivering the message that the US wants to help
Lebanon and protect its independence, economy and “dignity”. He revealed that he
is working with the American administration to deliver this message to the
international community. Asked about the purpose of his meeting with Berri, Issa
said he wanted to learn why the speaker was not meeting with the president and
that he wanted to come to the bottom of the differences between them. He noted
that the two leaders were coordinating with each other, but it came to a stop
for unknown reasons. He urged the need for Lebanon’s leaders to communicate with
each other regardless of the circumstances.
Qassem
Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem continued to slam officials, accusing
the authorities of “reaching an agreement with Israel to confront the resistance
[Hezbollah].”He reiterated the importance of Iran’s role in the Lebanese file,
rejecting that negotiations over Lebanon be separated from the negotiations
between the US and Iran. “Is there a country in the world in which the ruling
authorities agree with the enemy in confronting the resistance that is fighting
occupation?” he wondered. Lebanon is the victim here and it needs guarantees for
its security and sovereignty, he demanded. On the ground, Qassem said the
Lebanese army has deployed south of the Litani River in line with the November
2024 ceasefire, but Hezbollah has since “developed means to adapt” with the
changes. He said the Iran-backed party is relying on guerrilla tactics against
Israel to deal it losses and prevent it from consolidating its occupation. The
resistance is firm in its drive to liberate territories and it will not
surrender, he declared. “The solution does not lie in surrender or by making
Lebanon a weak and subordinate country,” he added. “The situation demands that
the resistance continue and for benefitting from the Iranian-American
agreement.”
Hezbollah and Resisting Lebanon’s Fatigue
Yousef Al-Dayni/Asharq Al-Awsat/May 05/2026
Hezbollah faces a historical dilemma it cannot overcome. Armed organizations
that built their identity on the ruins of the authority of the state constantly
need to identify a foreign adversary to maintain domestic legitimacy. The
weaknesses and vacuums of states allow such groups to fill the gap, eventually
leaving little left of the state after its erosion, ultimately leading to
fragmentation once the organization reaches the point of obliterating civil
peace and the very concept of nationhood.
Hezbollah emerged and developed amid Israeli occupation, feeding off of its
aggression and using it as ideological fodder for its slogans and mobilization.
This equation has limits, however. Its base of support eventually grows weary,
especially when it suffers the consequences of a war it had never been consulted
about. The party’s dilemma is not a question of its declining popularity, doubts
over legitimacy, or even the defeats it has suffered, including the
assassination of key leaders and the penetration of its cells and networks.
Rather, its main challenge is improving its image in the eyes of fellow Lebanese
citizens and its own social base, whose suffering and sacrifice are unlike
anything it has experienced since the party’s founding.
There is a structural contradiction that cannot be ignored. Hezbollah MPs stress
that Lebanon’s democracy is consensual and that major decisions about the
country’s future cannot be made by simple majority, while the party had
unilaterally dragged Lebanon into a war without consulting anyone. It clings to
the rhetoric of consensus when it seeks to obstruct, but abandons this
commitment entirely when it seeks to impose its will in matters of war, peace,
and negotiation. The depth of this contradiction is underscored by repeated
public statements by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who has openly said that
Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into war without consulting anyone. Lebanon is
undergoing its worst economic crisis. Its collapse is peaking, though its roots
predate the war by several years. Moreover, the displacement of more than a
million Lebanese - most of them sympathizers of the party - within weeks cannot
be justified. They are paying the price for a war that they had had no say in.
Hundreds of thousands remain unable to return to their villages, while Israel
occupies more than five percent of the country in the south. Now, doubt is
beginning to grow among the party’s supporters, prompting them to embrace the
logic of the state.
The party is seeking to deflect these doubts by pursuing a tried and tested
tactic: harnessing sectarian loyalties to produce alternative legitimacy. It
invests in security and economic crises, leveraging them to apply pressure, fuel
divisions, and effectively turn its supporters into hostages of the
institutional and service networks it has built. Without building national
resistance that transcends sectarian calculations, however. Lebanon’s real
dilemma remains a domestic question around the state’s capacity to rally the
people around it, develop a new public discourse, and restore national cohesion,
regardless of the scale of external support. The logic of statehood seemed like
a lifeline when the Lebanese government boldly banned the party’s military
activities and when President Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam pursued direct
talks with Israel, taking a step that would have been unimaginable just months
ago. The party is opposed to this effort, but it cannot stand in their way,
which is perhaps the clearest indicator of just how much things have changed...
Still, the party retains the capacity for intimidation. Some of its members
compare President Aoun to Anwar Sadat, making an insinuation that needs no
explanation. These kinds of threats are themselves a reflection of the depth of
its crisis: attempts at intimidation are often a sign that persuasion seems
impossible. The sweeping conditions it has set for its disarmament, such as full
liberation of territory, comprehensive reconstruction, and an agreed national
defense strategy, seem more like a defensive wall than a viable program.
Lebanon is a model of what happens to a country where an ideological project
tied to Tehran is pursued. The same project was exported to Iraq, Yemen, and
Syria before being abandoned. In every one of these cases, the militias have the
same modus operandi: undermining the state and hijacking its will.
Today, it falls to moderate states, foremost among them Saudi Arabia, to
encourage approaches that defuse the risk of implosion threatening what remains
of Lebanon. This includes applying pressure on Israel to prevent it from being
used as a perpetual justification and source of legitimacy for the party after
every war it loses and claims to have won. Hezbollah today faces a form of
resistance that it does not have the tools to confront: growing fatigue among
its supporters before its opponents. In this battle, missiles, speeches, and
foreign enemies are of no use.
Trump’s Deal of the Century for Lebanon
Hussain Abdul-Hussain/This Is Beirut/May 05/2026
Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas do not end wars; they only pause them. They make
limited concessions to secure a ceasefire, only to exploit the fragile status
quo to rearm and prepare for the next round. This is why they shun direct
negotiations, whether between Lebanon and Israel or the U.S. and Iran,
preferring instead to haggle over irrelevant details while buying time.
U.S. President Donald Trump operates on the opposite principle. The author of
The Art of the Deal seeks decisive, comprehensive agreements that resolve
conflicts once and for all. That is why, when Lebanese President Joseph Aoun
visits Washington, he should be presented with a detailed Lebanon-Israel peace
plan. This Deal of the Century for Lebanon must include not only security
arrangements but also concrete economic incentives: realistic projections of
post-treaty foreign investment, a roster of committed international donors, and
a clear roadmap for national revival.
Under this grand bargain, the U.S. would assist Lebanon in the full disarmament
of Hezbollah. In return, Israel would return occupied territory and end its
aerial policing of Lebanon. If Israel suspects any threat from Lebanon, its
military would contact its Lebanese counterpart and resolve it jointly. Once the
border is permanently demarcated and Israeli operations cease, Washington would
oversee a transparent economic reconstruction program.
Lebanon’s revival must include the privatization of failing state monopolies,
such as Electricité du Liban and regional water authorities. It should also
attract investment to rebuild the country’s crumbling infrastructure, replacing
dilapidated roads with a modern network and developing revenue-generating
projects such as a world-class airport capable of handling tens of millions of
passengers annually.
Peace with Israel would also restore lucrative direct flights between Lebanon
and North America. This east–west air corridor, currently dominated by carriers
from the UAE, Qatar, and Turkey, represents a significant economic prize that
Lebanon has long forfeited.
Each of these elements—security, sovereignty, economic incentives, and
infrastructure—must be packaged together as an all-or-nothing offer. Lebanon
cannot be permitted to cherry-pick a lesser deal in which Israel halts its
operations and returns land in exchange for a truce and mere promises of future
Hezbollah disarmament and vague reforms. Such incremental approaches have been
tried repeatedly and have always failed. Lebanon desperately needs a genuine
grand bargain.
Clarity is essential because segments of Lebanon’s intellectual and political
elite habitually channel Western anti-Israel ideology and Third World
internationalism. They thrive on ambiguity, filling every gap with conspiracy
theories, chief among them the claim that Israel seeks to annex southern Lebanon
as part of a mythical “Greater Israel” stretching from the Euphrates to the
Nile.
History offers a sobering precedent. When Israeli prime ministers Ehud Barak and
Ehud Olmert offered the Palestinians a state on 98 percent of the West Bank and
Gaza, along with land swaps to cover the remainder, Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud
Abbas refused to accept.
Instead, they accused Israel of bad faith and of harboring secret plans for
ethnic cleansing. Both Israeli leaders, along with President Bill Clinton, later
stated that the offers met nearly every Palestinian demand. The Palestinians
lost their nerve at the final moment. They simply could not sign an agreement
ending the conflict. The lesson for Lebanon is clear: the details of any peace
plan must be made fully public from the outset. Transparency places the burden
of success or failure squarely on Beirut. If Israel approaches in good faith and
America offers its full backing to restore Lebanese land, sovereignty, and past
glory, only Lebanon’s refusal would explain continued conflict.
By extending such a Deal of the Century to Aoun, Trump would present him with a
defining choice. Lebanon could accept the comprehensive package, paving the way
for a historic handshake between Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu. Alternatively, Lebanon could reject the offer, making any future
Israeli military action against Hezbollah—and the resulting Lebanese
suffering—the responsibility of Beirut, rather than Washington or Jerusalem.
In sponsoring potential peace between Lebanon and Israel, clarity must be
paramount. Whatever path Lebanon chooses, its people and leaders will bear the
consequences. History will record that, like the Palestinians before them, the
Lebanese were offered a chance to escape misery and build a prosperous,
sovereign nation. If Lebanon lacks the courage to seize the opportunity, the
responsibility for failure will rest on its shoulders.
**Hussain Abdul-Hussain is a research fellow at The Foundation for Defense of
Democracies (FDD) in Washington, DC.
The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on
05-06
May/2026
Israel ready to deploy ‘entire
air force’ against Iran if needed: New chief
AFP/05 May ,2026
Israel’s new air force chief Major General Omer Tischler said on Tuesday that
the country was prepared to deploy its entire fleet of fighter jets against Iran
if necessary. He spoke weeks into a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East war,
which erupted when Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran in
February. “We are closely monitoring the developments in Iran and are prepared
to deploy the entire air force eastward if required,” Tischler said at a
ceremony where he assumed command from his predecessor Major General Tomer Bar.
“The air force will continue to act with determination, with power and with
responsibility against threats in every arena, at every stage and against every
enemy.”Born in 1975 in northern Israel, Tischler is a career airman who rose
through the ranks as a combat pilot and commander.
Speaking at the same ceremony, Israel’s military chief Lieutenant General Eyal
Zamir said the country remained “on high alert across all fronts.”He said the
military was “prepared to respond with force to any attempt to harm
Israel.”Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Israeli air force
has conducted an extensive and sustained air campaign across multiple fronts,
particularly in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
A proposed UN resolution threatens Iran with sanctions or
other measures if it doesn’t halt
The Associated Press/05 May ,2026
A proposed UN resolution threatens Iran with sanctions or other measures if it
doesn’t halt attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, stop imposing “illegal
tolls,” and disclose the placement of all mines to allow freedom of navigation.
The draft resolution, co-sponsored by the United States and Gulf nations and
obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, also demands that Iran “immediately
participate in and enable” United Nations efforts to establish a humanitarian
corridor in the strait to enable the delivery of vital aid, fertilizer and other
goods. It is the latest diplomatic effort by the US and its Gulf allies after a
watered-down resolution aimed at opening the strait was vetoed by China and
Russia hours before Washington and Tehran announced a temporary ceasefire in
early April. US Ambassador Mike Waltz told reporters he believes the new, narrow
proposal will gain the necessary support it needs to pass the 15-member council,
without triggering opposition or a veto from Iran’s allies. The US and Gulf
nations proposed the new draft as the Trump administration tries to restore
freedom of navigation in the strait, which carried about 20 percent of the
world’s crude oil before the US and Israel began the war on Feb. 28. A shaky
ceasefire remains in effect. The proposed resolution, which was drafted under
Chapter 7 of the UN Charter and thus could be enforced militarily, threatens
“effective measures that are commensurate with the gravity of the situation,
including sanctions” if Iran doesn’t comply. It reaffirms the right of all
countries to defend their vessels from attacks and provocations and orders all
other countries not to assist Iran in closing the strait or levying tolls.
The draft also “welcomes ongoing efforts to deconflict and coordinate safe and
secure transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz, expresses support for
ongoing efforts to seek a durable peace in the region, and encourages member
states in the region to strengthen dialogue and consultations in this regard.”
UAE attacked by Iranian drones, missiles for second day in
a row
Al Arabiya English/05 May ,2026
The UAE said Tuesday that its air defense systems were responding to incoming
missile and drone threats from Iran, marking the second day in a row that it has
come under attack. The Emirati Ministry of Defense says its air defense systems
were “actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats.”UAE President Sheikh
Mohamed bin Zayed on Tuesday praised his country’s armed forces for their
response to Iran’s attacks, saying the UAE is “capable, through the efficiency
of its military and the cohesion of its society, of repelling any aggression and
confronting any threat.”On Monday, Emirati air defenses intercepted 12 ballistic
missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones launched from Iran on Monday,
resulting in three moderate injuries. The UAE said it reserved the “full and
legitimate right” to respond to the latest Iranian attacks. Also Monday, the UAE
condemned an Iranian drone attack on an ADNOC oil tanker in the blockaded Strait
of Hormuz, as the United States prepared to begin escorting ships through the
waterway. Separately, two drones struck the MV Barakah off the coast of Oman on
Monday, but no injuries were reported, ADNOC said, adding that the vessel was
not carrying cargo.
Trump says Iran knows what not to do in terms of violating
ceasefire
Agencies/05 May ,2026
President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed Iran’s military capability and when
asked what could constitute a violation of a fragile ceasefire, said: “They know
what not to do.”Trump on Tuesday sought to minimize the war with Iran, calling
it “a little skirmish.”
“We're in a little skirmish military. I call it a skirmish, because Iran has no
chance. They never did. They know it,” Trump said during an Oval Office event on
physical fitness among American kids. Trump often touts the conflict as a
resounding success, insisting for example that Iran’s navy has been destroyed.
He sometimes openly calls it a war but more often tries to minimize it because
the war is unpopular at home.On Monday he called it a “mini-war.”
And last month he described US military operations against Iran as “a little
excursion.”
US Says Iran Ceasefire Holds Despite Exchange of Fire; UAE
Under Attack
Asharq Al Awsat/May 05/2026
The United Arab Emirates said it was under attack from Iranian missiles and
drones on Tuesday, even as Washington said a shaky ceasefire was intact despite
an exchange of fire the previous day as US forces attempted to force open the
Strait of Hormuz. The US military said it had destroyed six Iranian small boats,
as well as cruise missiles and drones, after President Donald Trump sent the
navy to escort stranded tankers through the strait in a campaign he called
"Project Freedom". US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation to
protect commercial ships was temporary and the four-week-old truce was not over.
"We're not looking for a fight," he told a press conference. "Right now the
ceasefire certainly holds, but we're going to be watching very, very closely."
Iran fired missiles at US ships on Monday and attacked the UAE with missiles and
drones. Shortly after Hegseth spoke on Tuesday, the UAE's defense ministry said
its air defenses were again dealing with missile and drone attacks coming from
Iran. The Gulf state's foreign ministry said in a statement that the attacks
were a serious escalation and posed a direct threat to the country's security,
adding that the UAE reserved its "full and legitimate right" to respond. There
was no immediate comment on that from Iran, though earlier its parliament
speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, had said breaches of the ceasefire by the US
and its allies endangered shipping through the strait, which carries a large
share of the world's oil and fertilizer supplies. "We know well that the
continuation of the current situation is unbearable for the United States, while
we have not even begun yet," he said in a social media post.
ATTACKS IN THE GULF
The narrow strait has been virtually shut since the United States and Israel
began attacks on Iran on February 28, triggering disruptions that have pushed up
commodity prices around the world. Hegseth said the US had successfully secured
a path through the critical waterway and that hundreds of commercial ships were
lining up to pass through. Iran has effectively sealed off the strait by
threatening to deploy mines, drones, missiles and fast-attack craft. The United
States has countered by blockading Iranian ports and mounting escorted transits
for commercial vessels. The US military said two US merchant ships made it
through the strait, without saying when, with the support of Navy
guided-missile destroyers. Iran denied any crossings had taken place, though
shipping company Maersk said the Alliance Fairfax, a US-flagged ship, exited the
Gulf under US military escort on Monday. The commander of US forces in the
region said his fleet had destroyed six small Iranian boats, which Iran also
denied. Iranian media quoted a military commander as saying US forces targeted
civilian and cargo vessels, killing five civilians.
Iran also said it fired warning shots at a US warship approaching the strait,
forcing it to turn back. Reuters could not independently verify events in the
strait as the two sides issued contradictory statements. General Dan Caine, the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that since the ceasefire was
announced on April 7, Iran had fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized
two container ships. He said Iran has attacked US forces more than 10 times.
However, the attacks fell "below the threshold of restarting major combat
operations at this point", Caine told reporters. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas
Araghchi said peace talks were progressing with Pakistan's mediation, and warned
the US and the UAE against being drawn into a "quagmire". He was travelling to
Beijing on Tuesday for talks with his Chinese counterpart, his ministry said.
Iranian drone and missile attacks on the UAE on Monday included one that caused
a fire at Fujairah, an important oil port. Iran's state television said military
officials had confirmed they attacked the UAE on Monday in response to the "US
military's adventurism".
PEACE EFFORTS STALLED
The war in the Middle East has already killed thousands and roiled the global
economy. US and Iranian officials have held one round of face-to-face peace
talks, but attempts to set up further meetings have failed. Trump has said the
US-Israeli attacks aimed to eliminate what he called imminent threats from Iran,
citing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, its support for Hamas and
Hezbollah and its "menacing activities". Iranian state media said on Sunday that
the US had conveyed its response to a 14-point Iranian proposal via Pakistan,
and Iran was reviewing it. Neither side gave details. A senior Pakistani
official involved in the talks said "backdoor diplomacy" was continuing. "We
have put in a lot of efforts, actually both the sides have narrowed gaps on a
majority of the issues," the source said. Tehran's proposal would defer talks on
its nuclear energy and research programs until after agreements to end the war
and on shipping security. Trump said over the weekend he was still studying it,
but would likely reject it.
Trump has insisted Iran must surrender its enriched uranium stockpiles to
prevent it producing a nuclear weapon - an ambition Tehran denies.
Middle East truce in doubt as US and Iran fight for control
of Strait of Hormuz
Al Arabiya English/May 05/2026
The fragile truce in the Middle East was in jeopardy on Tuesday after the US and
Iran launched new attacks as they wrestled for control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military said on Monday it destroyed six Iranian small boats, as well as
cruise missiles and drones, after President Donald Trump sent the navy to escort
stranded tankers through the strait in a campaign he called “Project
Freedom.”Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said in a social
media post on Tuesday that the security of shipping and energy transit had been
threatened by breaches of the four-week-old ceasefire by the US and its
allies.The strait is a vital thoroughfare for global supplies of oil, fertilizer
and other commodities that has been virtually closed since the US and Israel
began attacks on Iran on February 28, causing price rises around the world.
Several merchant ships in the Gulf reported explosions or fires on Monday, and
an oil port in the United Arab Emirates was set ablaze by Iranian missiles.
Conflicting reports
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has effectively closed the narrow
waterway under threat of mines, drones, missiles and gunboats. The US has
responded with a blockade of Iranian ports. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas
Araghchi said Monday’s events showed there was no military solution to the
crisis. He said peace talks were progressing with Pakistan’s mediation, and
warned the US and the UAE against being drawn into a “quagmire.”The US military
said two US merchant ships made it through the strait, without saying when, with
the support of Navy guided-missile destroyers. While Iran denied any crossings
had taken place, Maersk said the Alliance Fairfax, a US-flagged ship, exited the
Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz accompanied by the US military on Monday. The
commander of US forces in the region said his fleet had destroyed six small
Iranian boats, which Iran also denied. Iranian media quoted a military commander
as saying US forces targeted civilian boats, killing five civilians. Iran also
said on Monday it had fired on a US warship approaching the strait, forcing it
to turn around. Iranian officials later described the fire as warning shots.
Reuters could not independently verify the full situation in the strait on
Monday as the warring sides issued contradictory statements. South Korea
reported one of its merchant ships, HMM Namu, in the strait suffered an
explosion and fire in its engine room, though no one aboard was hurt. A South
Korean government spokesperson said it was unclear if the fire was caused by an
attack. Also on Monday, the British maritime security agency UKMTO reported two
ships had been hit off the coast of the UAE, and the Emirati oil company ADNOC
said one of its empty oil tankers was hit by Iranian drones.
UAE oil port ablaze
Iranian authorities released a map of what they said was an expanded sea area
now under their control, extending far beyond the strait to include long
stretches of the UAE’s coastline. After reported drone and missile attacks
inside the UAE throughout the day, including one that caused a fire at Fujairah,
an important oil port, the UAE said Iranian attacks marked a serious escalation
and it reserved the right to respond. Fujairah lies beyond the strait, making it
one of few export routes for Middle East oil that does not require passing
through it.
Oil prices eased 1 percent on Tuesday after climbing by as much as 6 percent in
the previous session on signs the US Navy is loosening Iran’s grip on the Strait
of Hormuz. The war in the Middle East has cost thousands of lives and roiled the
global economy. US and Iranian officials have held one round of face-to-face
peace talks, but attempts to set up further meetings have failed. Trump has said
the US-Israeli attacks aimed to eliminate what he called imminent threats from
Iran, citing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, its support for Hamas
and Hezbollah and its “menacing activities.”Iranian state media said on Sunday
that the US had conveyed its response to a 14-point Iranian proposal via
Pakistan, and Iran was reviewing it. Neither side gave details. The Iranian
proposal would postpone discussion of Iran’s nuclear energy and research
programs until after an agreement to end the war and resolve the standoff over
shipping. Trump said over the weekend he was still studying it, but would
probably reject it. The latest US intelligence shows limited damage to Iran’s
nuclear program since the war began, officials told Reuters. Trump wants to
remove Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium to prevent it from processing it to
the point where it could make a nuclear weapon. Iran denies any intention to
build a nuclear bomb. With Reuters
Ceasefire with Iran is not over, Pentagon’s Hegseth says
Reuters/05 May ,2026
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that the ceasefire with Iran
was not over, even as the US and Iran exchanged fire in the Gulf as they
wrestled for control of the Strait of Hormuz. Hegseth said the US had
successfully secured a path through the critical waterway and that hundreds of
commercial ships were lining up to pass through, as Washington seeks to break a
chokehold Iran has asserted on the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began on
February 28. “We know the Iranians are embarrassed by this fact. They said they
control the strait. They do not,” Hegseth told a Pentagon news conference. The
US military says it sank six Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian cruise
missiles and drones, after President Donald Trump sent the navy to escort
stranded tankers through the Strait of Hormuz in a day-old campaign he called
“Project Freedom.”Several merchant ships in the Gulf reported explosions or
fires on Monday, the first day of the operation. General Dan Caine, the chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Iran attacked Oman once on Monday and waged
three attacks on the United Arab Emirates, before adding that, at least so far,
“today is quieter.”Caine said that since the ceasefire was announced on April 7,
Iran had fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships.
Iran has attacked US forces more than 10 times, he added. However, the attacks
fell “below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point,”
Caine told reporters. Asked whether the ceasefire with Iran still held, Hegseth
said: “No, the ceasefire is not over.”“We said we would defend and defend
aggressively, and we absolutely have. Iran knows that, and ultimately, the
president can make a decision whether anything were to escalate into a violation
of a ceasefire,” he said.
Blockade
The operation is Trump’s latest effort to force an end to the disruption of
international energy supplies caused by Iran’s blockade of the strait, which
carried a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas before the war. The US
Navy is also enforcing a maritime blockade of Iran, which prevents ships from
going to Iran or departing Iranian territory. The two military operations seek
to pressure Iran to strike a deal to end the conflict on Trump’s terms. But Iran
has countered that there is no military solution to the crisis, and it has
threatened to fight for as long as necessary. The US military said on Monday two
US merchant ships made it through the strait, with the support of Navy
guided-missile destroyers. Iran denied any crossings had taken place, though
shipping company Maersk said the Alliance Fairfax, a US-flagged ship, exited the
Gulf under US military escort on Monday. Caine estimated 22,500 mariners
embarked on more than 1,550 commercial vessels were stuck in the Gulf, unable to
transit. “CENTCOM, along with partner nations, is in active communication with
hundreds of ships, shipping companies and insurers,” Hegseth said, referring to
the US military’s Central Command, which leads operations in the Middle East.
“All of these ships from all around the world want to get out of the Iranian
trap that they have been stuck inside.”
World Leaders Pressure Iran as Ceasefire on Brink
Asharq Al Awsat/May 05/2026
World leaders on Tuesday piled pressure on Tehran to stick to diplomacy to bring
an end to the Middle East war, after a salvo of attacks in the region left a
ceasefire crumbling. The scramble for more talks came after Iran and the United
States traded fire over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, while the United Arab
Emirates reported Iranian attacks for the first time since the truce was
declared nearly a month ago. Diplomacy between Washington and Tehran has been
deadlocked since the ceasefire, with the United States twice aborting plans for
senior officials to attend talks in Pakistan. Tehran has vowed not to surrender
control over the Strait of Hormuz -- the narrow waterway through which one-fifth
of the world's oil flowed before the United States and Israel attacked Iran on
February 28. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz implored Tehran to "return to the
negotiating table and stop holding the region and the world hostage", echoing
calls from French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir
Starmer. Saudi Arabia, whose energy infrastructure has been hit by Iran, joined
the calls on Tuesday to de-escalate and called for "diplomatic efforts to reach
a political solution". The United States on Monday said its forces had sunk at
least six small Iranian ships, but Iran denied any combat vessels had been hit
and accused Washington of killing five civilians on boats.
'Dangerous escalation' -
The UAE said it was targeted by a barrage of missiles and drones from Iran,
calling the attacks "a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable transgression".
A strike targeting an energy installation in the emirate of Fujairah injured
three Indian nationals, UAE authorities said.
They said four cruise missiles were launched, with three successfully shot down
and another falling into the sea. Iran also fired drones at a tanker affiliated
with the UAE's state-owned oil giant ADNOC, authorities said. A senior Iranian
military official did not deny the strikes but said Iran had "no pre-planned
program to attack the oil facilities in question". "What happened was the
product of the US military's adventurism to create a passage for ships to
illegally pass through" the Strait of Hormuz, the official said, according to
state television.
"The US military must be held accountable for it."Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas
Araghchi -- seen as a moderate in the cleric-run state -- said the clashes
showed there was "no military solution to a political crisis" and pointed to
Pakistan's efforts to keep mediating. "The US should be wary of being dragged
back into quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE. Project Freedom is Project
Deadlock," he wrote on X.
US flexes muscle in strait -
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded that Iran reopen the strait --
which was open before the war and which Tehran considers a main point of
leverage. On Sunday, Trump announced what he called "Project Freedom" to guide
ships from neutral countries out of the Gulf, saying it was a humanitarian
effort to help stranded crews. Much remained unclear about how the plan would
operate and how the United States would assist. US Central Command said Monday
that guided-missile destroyers had transited Hormuz and that, as a first step in
the project, two US-flagged merchant vessels had travelled out. But Iran's
Revolutionary Guards denied the claim, saying: "No commercial vessels or oil
tankers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past few hours." Seoul
said on Monday that an "explosion and fire" had also struck a South Korean ship
in the strait. As of April 29, more than 900 commercial vessels were located in
the Gulf, according to maritime intelligence firm AXSMarine. Trump appeared to
play down the Iranian strikes, writing on social media that Iran had "taken some
shots" but that it caused little damage. Oil prices climbed further after the
attacks, with the benchmark international contract Brent crude for July delivery
jumping more than five percent. Soaring energy costs for consumers due to the
war have caused economic pain around the world and created a political headache
for Trump months before congressional elections. In Lebanon, a separate
ceasefire with Israel aimed at halting fighting with Iran-backed armed group
Hezbollah also faced further strain on Monday. Hezbollah and Israeli troops
clashed in southern Lebanon, with Israel reporting moderate injuries to two of
its soldiers. Israel has heavily bombed and invaded southern Lebanon in response
to aerial attacks by Hezbollah that dragged Lebanon into the war in early March.
Israeli strikes have killed more than 2,700 people since the fighting began,
according to Lebanon's health ministry. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has
called for a security deal and an end to Israeli attacks before any meeting with
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a potentially historic encounter
which Trump has proposed should take place this month at the White House.
Ten Hurt in Fire at Shopping Center West of Tehran
Reuters/May 25/2026
At least 10 people were hurt after a fire broke out in a shopping center west of
Tehran, Iranian media reported on Tuesday. Iran's state broadcaster IRIB cited
the fire department as saying that the fire had been "largely contained".
The cause of the incident remains unknown, the semi-official Fars news agency
reported. Iranian media, including Fars, showed video of a plume of heavy
smoke rising from the site. Reuters was able to verify the location by the
buildings, utility poles, trees and road layout that matched the archive and
satellite imagery of the area.
The fire broke out as a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States
comes under renewed pressure following an exchange of fire between the two sides
on Monday.
Washington Presses China to Ramp Up Pressure on Tehran to Open ‘Hormuz’
Washington: Asharq Al Awsat/May 05/2026
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday pressed China to ramp up
diplomatic pressure on Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to international
shipping, adding that the subject will be discussed when President Donald Trump
meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week.
“China, let's see them step up with some diplomacy and get the Iranians to open
the strait,” Bessent said on Monday during a live Fox News interview. He said
China was buying 90% of Iran's energy and accused Beijing of “funding the
largest state sponsor of terrorism.”The US official said that he was urging
China to "join us in this international operation" to open the strait, but he
did not specify what action Beijing should take. He added that China and Russia
should stop blocking initiatives moving through the United Nations, such as a
resolution encouraging steps to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of
Hormuz. Bessent said Trump and Xi have been discussing the Iran situation and
will exchange views on this in person during their May 14-15 summit in Beijing.
But he emphasized that the two will strive to maintain stability in the US-China
relationship that was established with their trade truce reached last October in
Busan, South Korea. “We've had great stability in the relationship, and again,
that comes from the two leaders having great respect for each other,” he said.
Bessent also insisted that Washington is fully in control of the Strait of
Hormuz through its blockade of Iranian shipping and that the new US Navy
operation to guide shipping through the strategic waterway will bring oil prices
down. The market, because of the war around the strait, is in deficit of between
eight and 10 million barrels of oil a day right now, Bessent added. “Every crude
carrier that goes through has about two million barrels,” he said. He expects
there are “more than 150, 200 crude carriers that can come out,” and that the
“market is going to be very well supplied.” Bessent called high fuel prices a
“temporary aberration” that will end in a matter of weeks or months. “Again, we
are cognizant that this short-term blip up in prices is affecting the American
people, but I am also confident on the other side of this, prices are going to
come down very quickly,” he said, adding that the oil market will be
well-supplied.
Iran Nobel Winner Mohammadi ‘Between Life and Death’, Say
Supporters
AP/May 25/2026
Jailed Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi is fighting for her
life after being hospitalized under guard for the last five days with a heart
condition, her supporters said on Tuesday. "We are not just fighting for the
freedom of Narges, we are fighting so that her heart continues to beat," said
her Paris-based lawyer Chirinne Ardakani at a news conference of her supporters,
adding that the 2023 laureate was now "between life and death".Jonathan Dagher
of Paris-based press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which is
also part of her support committee, said: "This is the first time we are saying
that she is between life and death, that there is a risk of death.""We must act
before it is too late," he added. Mohammadi, who has spent much of the past two
decades in and out of prison for her activism, was arrested most recently in
December after denouncing Iranian authorities at a funeral for a lawyer. Already
suffering from a heart condition, she had two suspected heart attacks on March
24 and May 1 in prison in Zanjan in northern Iran, according to her supporters.
After the most recent incident, she was rushed to hospital in Zanjan for
treatment but remains under constant guard, Ardakani said. Mohammadi is
experiencing an "unprecedented degradation" of her health, said Ardakani. "We
have never been so afraid for Narges's life; she could leave us at any moment,"
she added. Mohammadi has lost 20 kilograms (44 pounds) in prison, has difficulty
speaking and is currently "unrecognizable" from her former state before her
latest arrest. Her supporters want Mohammadi to be transferred to Tehran for
treatment by her personal medical team but there has been no sign of her being
moved from Zanjan. Mohammadi's twin teenage children and her husband live in
Paris and Ardakani urged the French foreign ministry and President Emmanuel
Macron to take a tougher line on her case.
"We are expecting the president of the republic (Macron) to take a strong
position. I don't think this is something excessive," she said.
Macron Says US and EU Are Wasting Time on Tariff Threats as
Trump Fumes Over Germany
Asharq Al Awsat/May 05/2026
Europe and the United States have more important things to do than waste time on
tariff threats, French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday, after President
Donald Trump announced higher duties on European vehicles. Trump said on Friday
that he would increase the tariffs charged on cars and trucks from the European
Union this week to 25%, a move that could further harm the global economy as it
reels from war in the Middle East. “Especially in the geopolitical period we are
experiencing, allies like the United States of America and the European Union
have much better things to do than to stir up threats of destabilization,”
Macron told reporters in Armenia. “For our businesses, our households, our
populations, we should rather send a message of stability and confidence,”
Macron said. He added that he hoped “reason will prevail soon.”EU and US trade
officials were due to meet in Paris on Tuesday to discuss the issue. Trump
accused the EU of “not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal,” without
elaborating. The threat of tariffs comes as Trump fumes over remarks by German
Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said the US has been humiliated by Iran in talks
to end the war. Germany is a major automobile manufacturer, and higher tariffs
would damage its industry. Trump has since threatened to pull thousands of US
troops out of Germany. Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der
Leyen agreed to a trade deal in July 2025 that set a tariff ceiling of 15% on
most goods, though the US Supreme Court this year ruled against the legal
authority that Trump had used to charge that tax. Asked at the EU-Armenia summit
in Yerevan on Tuesday about the threat of another tariff hike, von der Leyen
said: “A deal is a deal, and we have a deal. And the essence of this deal is
prosperity, common rules and reliability.”The commission, the EU’s executive
branch, negotiates trade on behalf of the 27 member countries. Von der Leyen
said that “we are prepared for every scenario” if things go wrong. Macron
insisted that agreements must be respected. “If they were challenged again, it
would reopen everything,” he said, and warned that “the European Union has
instruments that would then need to be activated.”
Armenia Hosts a Historic EU Summit as It Charts a Course
Away from Russia
Asharq Al Awsat/May 05/2026
Armenia hosts its first bilateral summit with the European Union on Tuesday, a
landmark diplomatic moment for the Caucasus Mountains nation that has formally
declared its ambition to join the bloc and is cautiously loosening its ties with
longtime ally Russia.
The EU-Armenia summit in Yerevan follows the eighth gathering of the European
Political Community, which brought dozens of European leaders to the Armenian
capital. The officials addressed European security issues and the US-Israeli war
in Iran in remarks on Monday.
The two meetings underscore how Armenia is seeking to turn westward and shed
Russia's influence. Armenia’s relations with Moscow, its longtime sponsor and
ally, have grown increasingly strained since 2023, when neighboring Azerbaijan
fully reclaimed the Karabakh region and ended the decades-long rule by ethnic
Armenian separatists. Armenian authorities accused Russian peacekeepers who were
deployed to the region of failing to stop Azerbaijan’s onslaught. Moscow, busy
with its war in Ukraine, rejected the accusations, arguing that its troops
didn’t have a mandate to intervene. The war was “a belated demonstration that
Russia is dangerously unreliable as a partner,” Richard Giragosian, director of
the Regional Studies Center in Yerevan, told The Associated Press.
Pursuing ties with Europe
Since then, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government has pursued closer ties
with the West, a move welcomed by the EU. In remarks to the EPC conference on
Monday, EU Council President Antonio Costa thanked Pashinyan for “the courageous
political decisions he has taken to bring Armenia closer to the European
Union.”“The direction of travel is unmistakable,” Costa said, stressing that it
was “vital to strengthen Armenian democracy and fight external interference and
misinformation.”The opening ceremony of the EU-Armenia summit on Tuesday saw
Costa walk the red carpet side-by-side with Pashinyan and European Commission
President Ursula von der Leyen, while a military band played against a
background of Armenian and EU flags. In her opening statement, von der Leyen
said that Europe was ready to aid Armenia in becoming a regional hub for global
trade routes, including the building of physical infrastructure. “We’re ready to
invest in the local energy production and the energy links across the Black Sea,
and we are ready to connect your booming digital scene to Europe’s digital
market and turn Armenia’s position at the heart of this region into a motor of
growth,” she said. Armenia joined the International Criminal Court in 2023, a
move Moscow condemned as an “unfriendly step.” The court has issued an arrest
warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of personal
responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine.Armenia also froze
its participation in the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization in
2024. The following year, the Armenian parliament passed a law formally
declaring the country’s intention to seek EU membership. It is the EU, rather
than the United States, that has stepped into the vacuum left by Russia,
Giragosian said. “EU engagement is much more prudent and much more productive
than the US becoming involved, simply because European engagement is less
provocative to Russia over the longer term,” he added. However, Armenia remains
a member of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union — a single market allowing
the free movement of goods, capital and labor. The organization also includes
Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan — and Putin has made the trade-offs plain.
Speaking at talks with Pashinyan in Moscow earlier this year, Putin warned that
Armenia could not simultaneously belong to both the EEU and the EU, noting that
Yerevan currently receives Russian natural gas at prices far below European
market rates. Pashinyan acknowledged the incompatibility but said Armenia could,
for now, combine EEU membership with deepening EU cooperation. Giragosian
described Tuesday's summit as “a focus on deepening the preexisting
relationship” rather than a step toward candidacy, referencing the Comprehensive
and Enhanced Partnership Agreement that has governed EU-Armenia ties since
coming fully into force in 2021.“The symbolic significance is much greater as a
message to Russia,” he said.
Benefits for Armenia and its prime minister
Yet some concrete results are expected, Giragosian said. Financing for domestic
reform and military assistance through the European Peace Facility — a fund
created primarily to support Ukraine — is among the anticipated announcements.
An EU monitoring mission has been deployed along Armenia’s border with
Azerbaijan for several years, and a new mission targeting hybrid threats has
recently been approved. Pashinyan, who has been in office since 2018 and faces
parliamentary elections in June, stands to benefit politically from the
international profile the European meetings confer. Giragosian noted that
Pashinyan's government is likely to be returned largely by default, with the
opposition unable to offer a credible alternative program. But Giragosian warned
against framing Armenia’s foreign policy as purely a pivot from Russia to the
West.“Armenia is also pivoting beyond the black and white zero-sum game
paradigm,” he said, pointing to significant diplomatic investment in Asia,
including with Japan, South Korea and China. “This is not about replacing Russia
with the West. This is much more innovative, much more sophisticated.”
Heightened tensions
The summit also comes at a moment of heightened tension between Azerbaijan and
the EU. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the EU ambassador last
week to protest a European Parliament resolution demanding the release of
Armenian prisoners of war and criticizing the treatment of Armenians in Karabakh.
Lawmakers in Azerbaijan subsequently voted to suspend all cooperation with the
European Parliament. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, who addressed the EPC
conference via video link, accused the European Parliament and the Parliamentary
Assembly for the Council of Europe of “double standards” for placing sanctions
on Azerbaijan's PACE delegation. There were also protests outside the EPC summit
venue, which was surrounded by tight security. Demonstrators held photos of
Armenian prisoners being held in Azerbaijan. Opposition leader Aram Sargsyan,
head of the Democratic Party of Armenia, told the Armenian Press Agency that the
European officials were voicing support for Pashinyan ahead of the election and
have “forgotten about the Armenians in prison in Azerbaijan.”
Arab League Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Attacks on
UAE
Asharq Al Awsat/May 05/2026
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned the drone and missile
attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates, describing them as a blatant
violation of international law and the ceasefire agreement. He called for an
immediate halt to such attacks, holding Iran fully responsible for their
consequences, which he warned pose a threat to international peace and security,
the Saudi Press Agency said on Tuesday. Aboul Gheit reaffirmed that Arab
national security is indivisible, reiterating the league’s full solidarity with
the United Arab Emirates.
On Monday, the United Arab Emirates said it came under attack by Iran for the
first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April.
Germany’s Wadephul Says Aid to Gaza Must Be Improved
EPA/May 05/2026
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Tuesday aid deliveries to Gaza
had to be improved and he repeated Berlin's position that any de facto
annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank by Israel would not be
acceptable to Germany. "The plight of the more than two million people whose
situation has not improved must not be overlooked amidst the conflict in Iran.
Humanitarian aid must be improved as a matter of urgency," Wadephul said at a
joint news conference in Berlin with his visiting Israeli counterpart Gideon
Saar.
Gaza Factions Prepare Defensive Plans as Fears of War Rise
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 05/2026
Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip have raised their level of alert among
fighters as Israeli threats grow over a possible return to war. Field sources in
Hamas and Islamic Jihad told Asharq Al-Awsat that factions are working on “clear
defensive plans” in case Israel resumes fighting along the same lines as its
previous military operations in Gaza. Residents are increasingly concerned about
a broad resumption of war months after a ceasefire agreement between the two
sides in October, which has been marked by repeated Israeli violations that have
killed more than 800 people. Four sources from the two groups said the plans are
based on self-defense if Israel carries out its threats, stressing there are “no
plans or intentions to initiate any attack.”
Israeli newspaper Maariv quoted Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir as saying
during a visit to troops in Lebanon days ago that the next battle could be in
the Gaza Strip, because it has not ended yet, warning that if Hamas obstructs
efforts to disarm it, the army would have to resume the war “with full force.”
Avoiding provocations
Two Hamas sources said instructions have been issued to avoid any provocative
actions and maintain the current calm despite Israeli violations. A third source
said the primary goal is to confront any Israeli military incursions into
cities, as was the case before the ceasefire. For months, Palestinian factions
have deployed armed members at night across various areas of the enclave,
especially in locations where Israeli special forces or armed groups aligned
with Israel could infiltrate, aiming to confront them. Fighters rotate shifts
under a system that requires each member to participate in security duties once
or twice a week. Since a ceasefire was announced under a plan proposed by US
President Donald Trump, a boundary known as the “yellow line” has divided the
Gaza Strip. Areas east of the line are held by Israel and make up about 55% of
the territory, while areas to the west remain under the control of Hamas and
other factions. Factions accuse Israel of using armed groups cooperating with
its military to expand the scope of the yellow line and force residents in
non-occupied areas to flee.
Killings of Hamas members
Israel has recently targeted security checkpoints manned by faction members, as
well as police and security forces affiliated with the Hamas-run government,
killing at least 33 police and security personnel since the ceasefire. The
latest victim was a lieutenant colonel in Hamas’s internal security service,
Mohammad al-Ghandour, who was killed in an airstrike in Sheikh Radwan
neighborhood shortly after midnight between Monday and Tuesday. Gaza’s Interior
Ministry said al-Ghandour was killed when his vehicle was struck, while field
sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the attack targeted him and another member of
the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, who was critically wounded as they were
stationed at a checkpoint on Al-Jalaa Street in Sheikh Radwan. Sources said al-Ghandour,
who was also active in the Qassam Brigades, had previously survived two
assassination attempts, one by drone and another in a strike on his home. The
strike came days after Israeli attacks had paused in deeper western areas beyond
the yellow line, where Hamas maintains control. The Israeli military also
announced on Tuesday it had killed what it described as a “Nukhba commander” in
Hamas, Anas Mohammad Ibrahim Hammad, accusing him of taking part in the Oct. 7,
2023, attack. Israeli strikes have decreased in recent days at the request of
mediators and the senior Gaza representative to the “Board of Peace,” Nickolay
Mladenov, to allow room for negotiations underway in Cairo on a new roadmap for
the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli Strikes Kill Three Palestinians, Including a Child,
in Gaza, Medics Say
Reuters/May 05/2026
Israeli strikes killed at least three Palestinians, including a child, and
wounded several others in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, health officials said.
Medics said a Palestinian was killed and two others were wounded by an Israeli
airstrike near the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, while another was
killed and several others were wounded by Israeli tank shelling near the central
area of the enclave. Later on Tuesday, an Israeli strike targeted a police
station in northern Gaza, killing a 15-year-old child, medics said. The
Hamas-run interior ministry said some policemen were also wounded in the
attack. Reuters has previously reported that Israel has intensified its
attacks on Gaza's Hamas-run police force, which the group has used to reinforce
its hold in the areas it controls in the strip. There was no immediate Israeli
comment on any of the incidents. Violence in Gaza has persisted despite an
October 2025 ceasefire, with Israel conducting almost daily attacks on
Palestinians. Israel and Hamas have blamed each other for ceasefire violations.
At Al Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility still partially functional
in the enclave, relatives and friends arrived to bid farewell to one of those
killed on Tuesday, Mohammed Al-Ghandour. Two girls were crying and being
comforted by a woman outside the hospital's morgue. "The Zionist enemy doesn't
know anything called truce and does not commit to international treaties or laws
or humanitarian laws," said the victim's uncle, Abu Omar Al-Naffar. At least 830
Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire deal took effect, according
to local medics, while Israel says fighters have killed four of its soldiers
over the same period.
Israel says its strikes are aimed at thwarting attempts by Hamas and other
Palestinian fighters to stage attacks against its forces. More than 72,500
Palestinians have been killed since the Gaza war started in October 2023, most
of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities.
Since the truce last October, Israel still occupies more than half of Gaza,
where it has ordered residents out and demolished almost all remaining
structures. Nearly the entire population of more than 2 million Palestinians now
lives in a narrow strip along the coast, mainly in tents and damaged buildings,
under the de facto control of Hamas.
Israeli Court Extends Detention of Two Gaza Flotilla Activists Until May 10
AFP/ 05/2026
An Israeli court has extended by another six days the detention of two activists
arrested aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla that was intercepted by Israeli forces in
international waters near Greece. Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, and
Brazilian Thiago Avila were detained by Israeli authorities last Wednesday and
brought to Israel, while more than 100 other pro-Palestinian activists on the
boats were taken to the Greek island of Crete. Abu Keshek and Avila's detention
had initially been extended until Tuesday, but the Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court
extended it further until May 10. The activists were part of a second Global
Sumud Flotilla launched in an attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza by
delivering humanitarian assistance. The ships set sail from Barcelona on April
12. Court documents show that Israel accuses Abu Keshek and Avila of offences
including aiding the enemy, contact with a foreign agent and a terrorist
organization, prohibited activity involving a terrorist component, and providing
means to a terrorist organization. "I am convinced that there is reasonable
suspicion," Judge Yaniv Ben-Haroush concluded after hearing parties' arguments
in granting the extension. Lawyers for human rights group Adalah had argued
during the hearing that the allegations were baseless and there were no legal
grounds for the continued detention of the two men. They said no formal charges
have been filed, and their detention was for purposes of ongoing interrogation.
Adalah said it would appeal the decision and would demand the immediate and
unconditional release of Abu Keshek and Avila. It also said the men had been
tortured in custody - a charge dismissed by Israel. Abu Keshek's wife, Sally
Issa, told Reuters on Tuesday she had not been allowed to speak directly to her
husband since his detention, relying instead on information from the Spanish
consul and lawyers. "They've told us that he's in good condition. He's hunger
striking," Issa said. "But he's okay. He suffered from torture on the boat when
he was attacked by the Israelis."
SPAIN, BRAZIL DEMAND RELEASE
Israel's foreign ministry has said that Abu Keshek and Avila are linked to
Palestinian group Hamas, and that the flotilla "is another provocation designed
to divert attention from Hamas' refusal to disarm". A ministry spokesperson
denied "false and baseless claims" of torture.
"Following violent physical obstruction by Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila
against Israeli staff members, staff were compelled to act in order to stop
these actions. All measures taken were in accordance with the law," the
spokesperson said. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares demanded Abu
Keshek's immediate release, saying there was no evidence linking him to Hamas.
Albares said he had personally told his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, that
the activists' detention was illegal because Israel lacked jurisdiction in
international waters. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva demanded Abu
Keshek and Avila's release, saying the Brazilian's detention "is an
unjustifiable action by the Israeli government, causes great concern, and must
be condemned by all." "The detention of the flotilla activists in international
waters had already represented a serious affront to international law," Lula
said. Avila's spouse, Lara Souza, said her husband was on the sixth day of a
hunger strike and was being monitored by doctors. "He's better from the
injuries, but he is very weak, and the embassy is very worried about this," she
said. Due to the hunger strikes, the court ordered Israel's Prison Service to
monitor the detainees' medical condition.
With Wood Scarce, Gaza Carpenters Make Simple Beds from
Pallets
Reuters/May 05/2026
As Israeli restrictions continue to curb the entry of goods into Gaza, local
carpenters are turning to scrap wood and shipping pallets to make much-needed
basic beds and tables in a strip battered by two years of war between Hamas and
Israel. In a workshop in southern Gaza, carpenters dismantle used pallets to
make beds, cupboards, and shelves for families displaced by fighting, after
regular construction materials became scarce or prohibitively expensive.Mohammed
Wafi, 34, a carpenter in Khan Younis, said pallets became one of the few
available sources of wood when limited aid trucks began entering Gaza. Demand
for his handiwork has grown as people living in tents seek basic furniture to
get by, Wafi said. Even recycled furniture has become more costly as prices for
basic components soar. "Today people say, 'I just need something to get by,
something to get my clothes off the floor'... especially those (living) in
tents," said Wafi, who has worked in carpentry for 16 years. "Due to the rats
and cockroaches, they need a tent or a bed to be lifted off the ground," he
said. Rats and parasites are spreading through Gaza's tent camps, biting people
as they sleep, gnawing through possessions, and spreading disease. COGAT, the
Israeli military agency that coordinates aid into Gaza, didn't respond to a
request for comment. Wood is a construction material that Israel bans from
entry to Gaza because it is considered a dual-use item - items for civilian but
also potential military use. "We used to get a kilo of nails for 5 shekels
($1.70). Today, a kilo of nails costs around 100 or 130 shekels," Wafi said.
Hinges and other fittings have also multiplied in price. Still, furniture made
from pallets remains far cheaper than conventional bedroom sets, consisting of
a bed, closet and dresser, he said. A pallet set sells for 4,000 to 5,000
shekels compared to 18,000 for a traditional set. Shortages of electricity and
wood have slowed production, he added, leaving carpenters unable to guarantee
delivery times. The ceasefire in Gaza has been repeatedly violated, with over
830 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers reported killed since it began in
October, according to Palestinian and Israeli tallies. Israel cites security
concerns for curbs on Gaza, and COGAT has previously said it invests
considerable efforts to ensure aid reaches Gaza and has denied restricting
supplies. In tent encampments near Khan Younis, Mohammed Tayseer, who has lived
in a tent for two years, said he slept on the ground until recently. "The ground
is sandy and dirty, and as you can see, you find the clothes full of sand. There
are rats and mice," he said. "One's back hurts and is stiff from sleeping on the
floor... now (we) have a bed," he said.
Anticipated Syrian Cabinet Reshuffle Considers SDF Integration
Damascus: Asharq Al Awsat/May 05/2026
Sources close to the Syrian government told Asharq Al-Awsat that a cabinet
reshuffle is expected in the coming days, alongside a restructuring of several
ministries, including sovereign portfolios, as well as a wave of changes
affecting several provincial governors.
The anticipated changes come more than a year after the formation of the Syrian
government in March 2025, which followed the end of the caretaker
administration’s mandate. Sources said the reshuffle is expected to affect
several service ministries, most notably Local Administration and Environment,
Health, Sports and Youth, Agriculture, Transport, Education, and Higher
Education. The process has already begun at the Ministry of Agriculture,
followed by the Health Ministry. Information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat
indicates that some of the anticipated changes come at the personal request of
ministers for various reasons, including health-related issues. Some dismissed
ministers may assume senior leadership roles, while other changes stem from
performance evaluations. The sources did not rule out that the ongoing
rapprochement and efforts to accelerate the integration of the Syrian Democratic
Forces (SDF) are also a factor.
No Change to Sovereign Portfolios
In recent weeks, there had been speculation about changes at the Interior
Ministry, including the possible transfer of Interior Minister Anas Khattab to
head the National Security Council and the appointment of his deputy Abdul Qader
Tahan as minister. However, government sources confirmed that no sovereign
ministries will see changes at the ministerial level. The sources said the
presidency aims to preserve stability in these ministries, citing their recent
successes, including the arrest of several war criminals linked to the former
regime, such as Amjad Youssef. They also pointed to the continued work of
ministries involved in the SDF integration project, including Defense, which is
restructuring the military, Justice, which is overseeing judicial facilities in
the eastern region, as well as Energy and Economy.
Easing Public Discontent
The sources noted that despite strong public approval of some ministries,
including Interior and Defense, there is dissatisfaction with other sovereign
ministries, particularly Energy, Economy, and Finance, which face public demands
for ministerial dismissals due to the burdens placed on citizens. However, the
authorities are aware of the complex nature of these challenges and continue to
support these institutions and their development projects, making them largely
insulated from change. Still, the sources stressed that such steps must be
accompanied by “urgent decisions to ease public frustration,” particularly
regarding high electricity bills, which have affected public satisfaction
despite clear improvements in service quality and reduced outages. A similar
trend is seen in the telecommunications sector, where network coverage and
access have improved significantly, but costs have also risen.
Broad Restructuring
The anticipated changes are not limited to ministerial portfolios but extend to
restructuring directorates and senior positions across institutions, including
Interior, Defense, Tourism, Communications, Technology, Information, and Media,
through dismissals and new appointments. Asharq Al-Awsat has learned of a broad
campaign of changes aimed at reorganizing Syrian institutions and ministries.
These include deputy ministers and administrative directors, particularly in the
Tourism Ministry, as well as labor unions and committees.
Among those affected is the head of the General Federation of Trade Unions,
Fawaz al-Ahmad. Efforts are also ongoing to restructure and appoint new
leadership in bar associations across several provinces. There is also talk of
an impending reshuffle of governors that may affect major provinces, including
Aleppo and Homs. Local sources in Aleppo said Governor Azzam Gharib has been
offered a senior leadership role within the executive authority close to the
presidential palace, pending his approval, as he continues to focus on
provincial affairs.
No Quota-Based Appointments
Wael Alwan, executive director of the Jusoor Center for Studies, attributed the
reported wave of ministerial, administrative, and local changes — one year after
the formation of the current government — to a presidential evaluation of
government performance. He added that based on monitoring the selection process
for ministers, there appears to be no reliance on quota-based or
appeasement-driven appointments. Nevertheless, he expects that the next phase
may include SDF figures in decision-making positions, such as ministers,
deputies, or governors. “This would be a natural development within a framework
of power-sharing and avoiding monopolization,” he said, noting that appointments
are based on competence, evaluation, and periodic review, with positions subject
to ongoing oversight rather than personal favoritism.
Intense Negotiations Underway to Form New Iraqi Govt
Baghdad: Fadhel al-Nashmi/Asharq Al-Awsat/May 05/2026
Iraqi parties are holding intense negotiations with Prime Minister-designate Ali
al-Zaidi over the formation of a new government to ensure that they reap their
share in the cabinet, reportedly based on their representation in parliament.
Appointments are based on points, meaning the president, parliament speaker and
prime minister boast around 15 points, which translates into 30 parliamentary
seats. Obtaining a sovereign portfolio in government, such as the oil or foreign
ministry, requires five points, translated into ten seats in parliament.
Non-sovereign ministries demand four points, or around eight seats. The
PM-designate has some three weeks to form a government before the end of a
constitutional deadline. He will submit a lineup to the parliament for a vote.
The lineup is expected to win a vote a confidence given the support he already
enjoys with the majority of the political parties in parliament, US President
Donald Trump and the majority of regional and western countries. Parliamentary
sources predicted that al-Zaidi will submit a preliminary lineup next week. The
government is expected to be formed of 22 portfolios, 12 that will go to the
ruling Shiite Coordination Framework, six to Sunni blocs and four to Kurdish
parties. The government formation process will be a test to al-Zaidi given his
lack of political experience. Observers have questioned whether he will be able
to run a country suffering from so many security problems tied to armed
factions, as well as a crumbling economy tied to the closure of the Hormuz
Strait. They have also questioned his ability to stand up to political parties
and groups that have held sway in Iraq for years. He will be tested in whether
he will hold his ground against figures that want to obtain influential
government posts even though they are not qualified for the post as is often the
case in the country. An informed source predicted that al-Zaidi will rely on a
trusted “formula”, meaning he will ask parties to submit their candidates for
various positions, and he will then choose who he deems fit. He will undoubtedly
come under pressure from various parties to name their favored candidates.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source told Asharq Al-Awsat that an
unprecedented number of parties are clamoring for government positions,
unconcerned with the cabinet’s actual ministerial program or the proposals al-Zaidi
will offer to tackle Iraq’s pressing problems. President of the Kurdistan Region
in Iraq Nechirvan Barzani was in Baghdad on Monday for talks with Framework
leaders over political developments and government formation efforts. He is
expected to meet with al-Zaidi and other parties during his two-day visit to
settle the issue of Erbil’s share in the government. The Kurdistan Democratic
Party is expected to obtain two or three portfolios in the cabinet, including
the sovereign ministry, such as the foreign ministry. The Patriotic Union of
Kurdistan will not receive any ministry because one of its members is president
of Iraq.
Alberta Separatist Group Says It Has Enough Signatures to Trigger Referendum on
Leaving Canada
AFP/May 05/2026
Alberta separatists said Monday they have formally submitted almost 302,000
signatures to try to trigger a referendum on the province leaving Canada. The
group needed 178,000 signatures to force the province to consider such a vote.
The question of separation could go on a provincewide ballot as early as
October, as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she would move forward if
enough names are gathered and verified. Smith has said she personally does not
support the oil-rich province leaving Canada. A “yes” vote would not trigger
independence automatically. Negotiations with the federal government would have
to take place and Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill
University in Montreal, said some Indigenous groups who are already using the
courts to prevent an independence referendum would use venues including the
courts to stop independence from happening. Mitch Sylvestre, the head of Stay
Free Alberta, arrived at the Elections Alberta office in Edmonton on Monday
leading a convoy of seven trucks to deliver the names. “This day is historic in
Alberta history,” Sylvestre said. “It’s the first step to the next step — we’ve
gotten by Round 3 and now we’re in the Stanley Cup final.”He said most papers
were handled five times to verify the signatures. More than 300 supporters
gathered, waving the provincial flag and chanting “Alberta strong.”However, the
petition could face another hurdle this week as an Edmonton, Alberta, judge is
expected to rule on a court challenge launched by a group of Alberta First
Nations who say Alberta separation would violate treaty rights.Smith has accused
previous federal Liberal governments of introducing legislation that hamstrings
Alberta’s ability to produce and export oil, which she said has cost the
province billions of dollars. She also said she doesn’t want the federal
government meddling in provincial issues. Prime Minister Mark Carney's federal
government did not immediately respond to the development. Béland, the political
science professor at McGill, said a referendum is likely to lose. “Right now,
support for independence in Alberta is rather low. Less than 30% and much lower
if we only focus on hard core supporters. And the odds of a victory of the
pro-independence camp appear to be low at this stage," he said. Béland also said
considering recent news of a large data breach involving an Alberta separatist
group, the formal verification process is especially crucial to make sure the
signatures are authentic. “Mark Carney is indeed popular, even in Alberta. The
push for independence by some Albertans predates his prime ministership and it’s
related to economic, fiscal, and political grievances about the seemingly unfair
treatment of Alberta by the federal government," he said. “These concerns
increased during the Justin Trudeau years but they have peaked and even declined
since he left office.”
Texas police say a man shot five people in Texas, killing two, in a city north
of Dallas
The Associated Press/05 May ,2026
A man shot five people in Texas on Tuesday, killing two, in a city north of
Dallas, police said. Carrollton Chief Roberto Arredondo said it was not a random
act of gunfire and that the victims knew the attacker, who was later arrested.
“We don’t know exactly what the meeting was about, but we understand it to be a
business relation,” Arredondo said. Carrollton is 20 miles (32.1 kilometers)
north of Dallas. Video posted online showed officers with their guns drawn as
they walked past doors at K Towne Plaza in an area of the city known as
Koreatown. Agents from the FBI and another federal agency were among law
enforcement at the scene.
Russian attacks kill 22 as ceasefire proposed by Kyiv
approaches
Reuters/05 May ,2026
Russian attacks on Ukraine killed at least 22 people on Tuesday, including 12 in
one of the worst strikes so far this year, as the deadline approached for a
proposal from Kyiv for an open-ended ceasefire to begin at midnight. Russia
announced a ceasefire for May 8-9, dates when it commemorates the Soviet Union
victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two and holds a military parade.Ukraine,
in response, announced a proposal for an open-ended ceasefire starting at
midnight on Wednesday, urging Russia to reciprocate. President Volodymyr
Zelenskiy said it was not an option for Russia to halt strikes for one day for
its military parade while having heavily pounded Ukraine. At least 12 people
were killed in the city of Zaporizhzhia, emergency services said on the Telegram
app. According to the regional governor Ivan Fedorov, at least 16 more were
injured. Residential buildings, a car repair service and a car wash were damaged
in the attack, he said. The attack also sparked fires at a shop and an
unidentified enterprise, he added. Images from the site that he shared showed a
heavily damaged building with billowing flames and smoke. Cars are seen burning
as first responders help bloodied people leave the site. Three aerial bombs
dropped on the eastern frontline city of Kramatorsk killed five other people,
Zelenskyy said on Telegram. Five people were injured, he added, warning that the
death toll might rise.A Russian overnight strike on the gas production
facilities in the Poltava region killed five, Ukrainian officials said. In
Russia, a Ukrainian drone attack on the Chuvashia region killed two on Tuesday,
the Russian state news agency reported.
The Latest
LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on
05-06
May/2026
Iran's Terror Regime Has Shown Its True
Face
Ahmed Charai/Gatestone Institute/May
05/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/05/154218/
The United States cannot continue negotiating with a terrorist regime that
violates ceasefires, attacks American allies, and weaponizes diplomacy.
By striking the UAE, Tehran has made one point unmistakably clear: it does not
respect ceasefires, international law, or restraint.
For decades, Tehran has used negotiations to buy time, sanctions relief to
rebuild capacity, truces to reposition, and Western hesitation to expand its
regional power.
The question is whether the United States and Israel are prepared to destroy the
regime's ability to wage war, finance terror, intimidate the Gulf, and blackmail
the world.
The objective is not war against the Iranian people. The Iranian people are the
first victims of the Islamic Republic. The objective is to destroy the regime's
military, financial, political, and coercive architecture.
Each incomplete response teaches Tehran that escalation works.
A regime that jails women, executes protesters, tortures dissidents, and
silences students cannot be trusted to honor international agreements. The
Iranian people must hear a clear message: America's conflict is not with them,
but with the system that has stolen their country and converted its national
wealth into missiles, militias, corruption, and fear.
Pressure should punish loyalty to the regime and reward separation from it.
The job is not finished when Hormuz reopens. It is finished when Iran's regime
can no longer threaten Hormuz.... It is finished when the regime can no longer
rebuild the missile, drone, and proxy networks that allow it to threaten the
region.
The job is finished when the regime can no longer rebuild the missile, drone,
and proxy networks that allow it to threaten the region.
Yesterday, the Islamic Republic of Iran launched a new wave of drone and missile
attacks on the United Arab Emirates, a close American ally and a country not at
war with Iran. This attack came despite the ceasefire agreement agreed on April
8.
By striking the UAE, Tehran has made one point unmistakably clear: it does not
respect ceasefires, international law, or restraint.
America has given Tehran many opportunities. The regime has failed every test.
It lied about its nuclear ambitions, armed terrorist proxies, destabilized the
Middle East, threatened shipping lanes, repressed its own people, and built a
regional war machine under the cover of diplomacy.
The question is whether the United States and Israel are prepared to destroy the
regime's ability to wage war, finance terror, intimidate the Gulf, and blackmail
the world.
The objective is not war against the Iranian people. The Iranian people are the
first victims of the Islamic Republic. The objective is to destroy the regime's
military, financial, political, and coercive architecture.
The strategic mistake of past policy has been to treat Tehran as a difficult but
ultimately manageable negotiating partner. In reality, the regime is a
revolutionary security system. Its priority is survival, regional intimidation,
and ideological expansion. Weakness encourages it. Concessions finance it. Delay
makes the next confrontation more dangerous.
A regime that attacks the UAE today will continue to threaten shipping lanes
tomorrow. A regime that survives every crisis with its command structure intact
can later test American forces more directly. Each incomplete response teaches
Tehran that escalation works.
The United States must therefore move beyond crisis management. Reopening the
Strait of Hormuz is necessary but not sufficient. Hormuz is the only instrument
of Iranian coercion. The core problem is the regime that uses Hormuz, proxies,
missiles, drones, terrorism, and ceasefire violations as tools of pressure.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is the regime's central operating
system. It commands domestic repression, exports terrorism, manages proxy
warfare, controls strategic industries, and protects the ruling elite. Its
missile infrastructure, drone production, naval harassment capabilities, command
centers, weapons pipelines, and links to foreign militias must be disabled.
Temporary degradation is not enough. The regime's ability to rebuild must also
be targeted.
The second pillar is the economic architecture that sustains the regime. The
Islamic Republic is kept alive by banks, ports, shipping networks, exchange
houses, oil smuggling, front companies, gold channels, foundations, privileged
merchants, and commercial collaborators. Individual sanctions against commanders
are no longer sufficient. Washington must shift to network destruction: mapping,
exposing, sanctioning, seizing, and disrupting the commercial universe that
feeds the IRGC and the ruling class.
The third pillar is the proxy network. Iran often avoids direct accountability
by fighting through militias, terrorist cells, cyber units, and regional
clients. That model must be broken. Any Iranian-backed group that threatens
American forces, Israel, the Gulf states, or the Abraham Accords countries must
understand that the cost will not stop with the proxy. It must reach the regime
that arms, trains, funds, and directs it.
The fourth pillar is internal repression. A regime that jails women, executes
protesters, tortures dissidents, and silences students cannot be trusted to
honor international agreements. The Iranian people must hear a clear message:
America's conflict is not with them, but with the system that has stolen their
country and converted its national wealth into missiles, militias, corruption,
and fear.
The attack on the UAE is a warning. Tehran is testing whether America will
defend its allies, protect global commerce, and impose costs beyond symbolic
retaliation. It is testing whether President Donald Trump will allow the regime
to violate a ceasefire, attack a US ally, and still survive another crisis with
its essential machinery intact. That cannot happen.
The job is not finished when Hormuz reopens. It is finished when Iran's regime
can no longer threaten Hormuz. The job is not finished when sanctions are
announced. It is finished when the regime's financial arteries are cut. The job
is not finished when one missile launcher is destroyed. It is finished when the
regime can no longer rebuild the missile, drone, and proxy networks that allow
it to threaten the region.
The United States has tried patience, warnings, diplomacy, and restraint. Iran
has answered with deception, missiles, drones, proxy warfare, and now an attack
on the UAE in violation of the ceasefire understanding. Now the answer must be
strength.
The Islamic Republic must not be managed, rescued, or rewarded. It must be
defeated as a military machine, dismantled as an economic network, isolated as a
political regime, and weakened psychologically until the architecture of terror
that sustains it collapses.
Ahmed Charai is the publisher of The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune and serves on
the boards of directors of the Atlantic Council, the International Crisis Group,
the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Foreign Policy Research
Institute, and the Center for the National Interest.
*This article originally appeared in The National Interest and is reprinted here
by the kind permission of the author.
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22498/iran-terror-regime
© 2026 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.
Breaking the Architecture of Iran's Regime
Power
Ahmed Charai/Gatestone Institute/May
04/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/05/154218/
For decades, Tehran has delayed, promised, denied, escalated, and recalibrated —
all while rebuilding its capabilities... and preserving the machinery of regime
survival.
The Iranian regime is not sustained by ideology alone. It is sustained by money,
contracts, ports, banks, smugglers, foundations, front companies, privileged
merchants, terrorist proxies, and commercial collaborators. Washington... must
target the networks that feed it.
The regime does not move money through uniforms and official titles. It moves
money through family members, front companies, exchange houses, shipping firms,
insurance brokers, commodity traders, gold dealers, charities, banks, and
offshore accounts. Every one of these channels must be mapped, exposed, and
disrupted.
[W]holesalers, currency dealers, gold traders, import-export operators, shipping
intermediaries, and commercial families who help the IRGC evade sanctions,
manipulate markets, launder money, or finance repression should face direct
consequences.
The objective is not to destroy Iranian commerce. The objective is to liberate
it from the regime.
The [US] strategy should ...reward defection.
[T]he regime's networks do not stop at Iran's borders. They extend across the
region through proxies, terrorist cells, cyber units, propaganda platforms, and
intelligence operations.
The Abraham Accords should not only be a diplomatic framework. They should
become a protected strategic architecture against Iranian coercion.
The message to the Iranian people must remain clear: the conflict is not with
Iran as a nation, nor with Persian civilization, nor with ordinary families
struggling to survive. The target is the regime's theft of Iran's economy. Iran
is not poor because it lacks resources. Iran is poor because the Islamic
Republic has converted national wealth into repression, missiles, militias,
corruption, and foreign adventurism.
Hormuz must be reopened, but the regime's economic, financial, military, and
proxy networks must be dismantled.
The regime does not move money through uniforms and official titles. It moves
money through family members, front companies, exchange houses, shipping firms,
insurance brokers, commodity traders, gold dealers, charities, banks, and
offshore accounts. Every one of these channels must be mapped, exposed, and
disrupted. As the United States moves to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore
freedom of navigation, Washington must not lose sight of the larger strategic
reality: Hormuz is not the core issue. It is the latest instrument of Iranian
blackmail.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has long mastered the politics of manipulation. It
uses propaganda to project strength, disinformation to confuse public opinion,
threats to intimidate the region, and negotiations to buy time. For decades,
Tehran has delayed, promised, denied, escalated, and recalibrated — all while
rebuilding its capabilities, consolidating its networks, and preserving the
machinery of regime survival.
This is one of the regime's most effective methods: turning the original problem
upside down.
At the beginning, the issue was Iran's nuclear program, its ballistic missiles,
its terrorist proxies, and the future of the regime itself. Today, Tehran wants
the world to discuss something else: how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, how to
avoid energy disruption, how to prevent escalation, and how to negotiate a
temporary exit from the crisis. This is not diplomacy. It is strategy.
The regime creates a crisis, then demands to be treated as the indispensable
party to solving it. It threatens regional stability, then asks for recognition
when it reduces the threat. It uses escalation to shift the agenda from
accountability to de-escalation.
Washington should not be fooled again.
The United States and its allies have tried nearly every approach: engagement,
sanctions relief, warnings, indirect negotiations, limited pressure, and
diplomatic patience. None has changed the essential nature of the Islamic
Republic. The regime has used time not to moderate, but to adapt. It has used
diplomacy not to reform, but to survive. That is why the next phase of Western
strategy must begin from a different premise.
The Iranian regime is not sustained by ideology alone. It is sustained by money,
contracts, ports, banks, smugglers, foundations, front companies, privileged
merchants, terrorist proxies, and commercial collaborators. To weaken it,
Washington must move beyond targeting only the men who command the regime. It
must target the networks that feed it.
Break the economic architecture, and the political architecture begins to crack.
The Islamic Republic is not merely a government. It is an ecosystem of coercion.
The clerics provide ideological cover. The Revolutionary Guards provide force.
The security services provide repression. The propaganda machine provides fear.
But the economic networks provide oxygen.
Without that oxygen, the system cannot breathe.
Iran today remains dangerous, but it is not strong. It can still threaten
shipping lanes, activate proxies, repress its citizens, and destabilize its
neighbors. But these are not signs of confidence. They are symptoms of a regime
that has lost the ability to inspire, persuade, or govern.
The Islamic Republic survives by turning loyalty into a business model. Those
who serve the regime receive contracts, licenses, access to foreign currency,
import privileges, protection, and immunity. Those who oppose it face exclusion,
surveillance, prison, exile, or death.
This is not ideological strength. It is organized corruption protected by
violence.
At the center of this system stands the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The
IRGC is not only a military institution. It is an economic empire, a political
machine, a sanctions-evasion network. Its influence extends through
construction, energy, ports, telecommunications, transport, procurement,
smuggling, banking, and foreign operations.
To weaken the IRGC, it is not enough to sanction commanders. The commercial
universe that sustains them must be dismantled.
The regime does not move money through uniforms and official titles. It moves
money through family members, front companies, exchange houses, shipping firms,
insurance brokers, commodity traders, gold dealers, charities, banks, and
offshore accounts. Every one of these channels must be mapped, exposed, and
disrupted.
This requires a shift from individual sanctions to network sanctions.
The same logic applies to the Bazaar. The United States and its allies should
not punish Iran's merchant class as a whole. Many ordinary merchants are
themselves victims of inflation, corruption, currency collapse, and the IRGC's
domination of trade. But regime-linked commercial networks operating inside and
around the Bazaar must be treated as part of the regime's survival structure.
There must be a clear distinction between legitimate private commerce and
collaboration with the regime economy. Ordinary traders should be separated from
the system. But wholesalers, currency dealers, gold traders, import-export
operators, shipping intermediaries, and commercial families who help the IRGC
evade sanctions, manipulate markets, launder money, or finance repression should
face direct consequences.
The objective is not to destroy Iranian commerce. The objective is to liberate
it from the regime.
Pressure must also create incentives for separation. Business figures who break
with the IRGC economy, expose sanctions-evasion channels, reveal corruption, or
stop financing the regime's machinery should have pathways to avoid punishment.
The strategy should not only punish loyalty. It should reward defection.
That is how economic pressure becomes political pressure.
But the regime's networks do not stop at Iran's borders. They extend across the
region through proxies, terrorist cells, cyber units, propaganda platforms, and
intelligence operations.
The recent dismantling of Iran-linked networks in the UAE and Bahrain should be
treated as a strategic warning. These were not isolated incidents. They were
symptoms of a broader Iranian method: use commerce as cover, finance as oxygen,
proxies as weapons, and regional instability as leverage.
The United States should therefore intensify intelligence cooperation with
regional partners targeted by Iranian-backed networks, especially countries that
have joined the Abraham Accords. These states should receive stronger
intelligence-sharing, cyber defense, maritime protection, counterterrorism
coordination, financial-investigation support, and early-warning capabilities.
The Abraham Accords should not only be a diplomatic framework. They should
become a protected strategic architecture against Iranian coercion.
The message to the Iranian people must remain clear: the conflict is not with
Iran as a nation, nor with Persian civilization, nor with ordinary families
struggling to survive. The target is the regime's theft of Iran's economy. Iran
is not poor because it lacks resources. Iran is poor because the Islamic
Republic has converted national wealth into repression, missiles, militias,
corruption, and foreign adventurism.
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is necessary. But it is not enough. Freedom of
navigation must not become a substitute for strategic clarity. The United States
should not allow Tehran to transform a crisis it created into a diplomatic
escape route. Hormuz must be reopened, but the regime's economic, financial,
military, and proxy networks must be dismantled.
The Islamic Republic survives because repression is financed, loyalty is
purchased, corruption is protected, and national wealth is privatized by the
regime's guardians. That fortress can be dismantled.
Break the money machine, break the proxy machine, and the political machine
begins to fail.
Ahmed Charai is the Chairman and CEO of World Herald Tribune, Inc., and the
publisher of the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune, TV Abraham, and Radio Abraham. He
serves on the boards of several prominent institutions, including the Atlantic
Council, the Center for the National Interest, the Foreign Policy Research
Institute, and the International Crisis Group. He is also an International
Councilor and a member of the Advisory Board at the Center for Strategic and
International Studies.
This article originally appeared in the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune and is
reprinted here by the kind permission of the author.
© 2026 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.
The Strait of Hormuz and Options for Future at the Jeddah Summit
Dr. Abdulaziz Hamad Al-Aweisheg/Asharq
Al-Awsat/May 05/2026
At the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin
Abdulaziz, Gulf Cooperation Council leaders convened in Jeddah last week.
Chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the
summit addressed the lessons drawn from the war with Iran and went over the
progress GCC states have made in response.
Since the war erupted on February 28, Gulf officials have been in constant
consultation. On March 1, GCC foreign ministers held an emergency meeting; on
March 5, they met their counterparts from the European Union, followed by a
joint summit with European leaders and separate meetings with the foreign
ministers of Britain and Russia. Coordination among military, security, and
economic officials was sustained throughout.
The GCC has long favored political solutions for its disputes with Iran. Some
member states maintained close diplomatic and economic ties with Tehran, and
several strenuously sought to prevent this war. Iran "rewarded" the GCC by
directing more than 85 percent of its attacks on its territory, creating deep
resentments among Gulf states, who feel that Tehran's conduct has permanently
undermined their confidence in its intentions.
While GCC countries still prefer to resolve their differences with Iran through
diplomatic channels, the collapse of trust makes pairing diplomacy with stronger
defensive and deterrent capabilities necessary, as well as obliging them to
leverage the broad international support that has coalesced around the GCC since
the onset of Iran’s assault.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz was the most pressing issue on the table in
Jeddah. The Gulf position is unambiguous: it must be resolved immediately, in
accordance with international law, and independently of American-Iranian
negotiations. Three months on, the closure has triggered a global economic
slowdown, a severe energy crisis, and a food security emergency affecting
hundreds of millions of people worldwide who have nothing to do with this war.
The war has also underscored the strategic value of Saudi Arabia's logistical
and transport infrastructure. Its Red Sea ports have become an alternative
gateway for Gulf imports and exports. Thousands of trucks now traverse the
Kingdom after Hormuz was closed. This has been supported by its railway network
and more than 30 airports, nearly half of them international, which have
absorbed much of the traffic from Gulf airports forced to shut down.
The war has equally underscored the urgency of accelerating connectivity and
integration among GCC states, a conclusion the Jeddah summit reaffirmed.
Logistic integration has been a central priority for Crown Prince Mohammed for
over a decade: first linking Gulf countries internally and then capitalizing on
their unique geographic position as a global bridge between continents.
Beyond infrastructure investments - in roads, railways, airports, and ports -
this integration demands streamlining the regulatory frameworks, standards, and
protocols that govern land, rail, air, and maritime transport.
Gulf states have built some of the world's most capable airlines. Saudi Arabia
has invested heavily in expanding its railway, which has grown sixfold in the
past decade, from 800 kilometers to 5,000, and the UAE and Qatar have
established new railway companies. The Kingdom has also launched an initiative
to connect Gulf capitals by rail, and the first agreement of its kind was signed
in December, linking Riyadh and Doha by high-speed train. Further agreements are
currently in the works. Meanwhile, the long-planned GCC railway, which had first
been agreed upon two decades ago, remains under development; the Jeddah summit
called for accelerating the process.
The summit also reaffirmed the GCC's commitment to digital transformation,
investment in artificial intelligence, and cloud data infrastructure. The war,
however, has exposed the threat Iran poses to underwater cables, highlighting
the need to develop local alternatives and localize these industries.
The GCC Interconnection Authority has been operational since 2010. Its plans
extend beyond the region despite considerable challenges. In October 2024, Crown
Prince Mohammed proposed extending the power grid to Europe, a proposal now
actively being discussed.
A swift end to the war cannot be taken for granted. A chasm separates the two
sides. But the early phase of the conflict exposed Iran's willingness to target
infrastructure and oil, gas, and petrochemical industries in GCC states,
compelling the Jeddah summit to accelerate a number of critical integration
projects.
The strategic value of the oil pipeline between Dammam and Yanbu has been made
evident by this war. Despite its considerable cost, the past couple of months
have offered a reminder of the shortsightedness of evaluating strategic projects
purely on commercial grounds. Other oil transport projects will accordingly be
reassessed in light of this experience.
Maritime interconnectivity may be even more urgent and considerably more
complex. Previous studies deemed it economically unviable, but Iranian attacks
and threats against desalination plants demand a fresh assessment, particularly
given the rising security risks and the potential threat of nuclear
contamination to Gulf waters.
Iran has used thousands of ballistic missiles and drones in its attacks on GCC
states. Defense officials were among the first to coordinate after the war
began, through the GCC's unified military command and its specialized
committees. More than 90 percent of Iran’s attacks were intercepted - a
testament to the capabilities of Gulf forces and the quality of their equipment.
Even so, there is a clear drive to do better: raising interception rates,
extending early-warning times, reducing costs, and developing domestic drone and
missile industries as future deterrents.
In the weeks ahead, the outcomes of the Jeddah summit will spark a flurry of
activity across the GCC aimed at reinforcing political coordination, bolstering
defense capabilities, deepening logistical integration, rebuilding damaged
infrastructure, restoring states’ energy and petrochemical export capacities,
and enhancing connectivity across airports, railways, ports, roads, and
communications networks.
Israeli opposition parties unite to fight forthcoming
election
David Powell/Al Arabiya-English/05 May ,2026
This year is an election year in Israel, giving voters a chance to pass
judgement on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition
government for the first time since the Hamas attacks on Israel of October 7
2023. It remains unclear when Netanyahu will call the election but it must be
held before October 27. His standing plummeted in the wake of the Hamas rampage
and hostage taking two and a half years ago, which exposed a complacency at the
heart of government and the military over the danger posed by Hamas. Netanyahu
has steadfastly refused to accept any responsibility for these failings and is
banking on Israel’s subsequent military successes against Iran’s various
regional proxies to restore his popularity. But with the latest joint US-Israeli
attack on Iran offering a less than clearcut victory for Netanyahu to present to
the Israeli public, and a new round of fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the
possibility that Netanyahu will call an election early to capitalize on military
successes seem to have waned. The danger for him of waiting till late October,
however, means holding an election just after the third anniversary of October
7, which will remind Israelis of the catastrophic security failings that
occurred on Netanyahu’s watch.
The latest predictions are therefore for an election probably in September. But
whenever Netanyahu decides to go to the polls, two of his biggest political
rivals have now effectively fired the starting gun in the campaign with the
announcement of an electoral merger. The right-wing former prime minister
Neftali Bennett and centralist opposition figure Yair Lapid have joined forces
to form a new party – “Together”. They confidently predict victory in the
election and promise a “new era” for the country.
Bennett and Lapid have cooperated before, most notably when they defeated
Netanyahu’s Likud party in the 2021 election and went on to run a joint
broad-based government that included the Arab Islamist party Ra’am. Bennett
served as prime minister for a year and then Lapid took over, until the
government collapsed partly because Bennett’s support drifted off to Netanyahu’s
Likud. Bennett hopes to reverse that trend now and attract right-wing voters who
have had enough of Netanyahu together with more centrist Israelis who are happy
to see him team up with the Lapid.
If this new party ends up in power, Bennet will become prime minster. Lapid,
whose own Yesh Atid party is struggling in the polls, is happy for Bennett to
hold the premiership this time as the price for running a joint list that would
give Lapid’s party more seats than if it ran alone. Lapid has even said he would
be happy with third place on the party electoral list. This is meant to entice
another major opposition figure, Gadi Eisenkot, to join the new party.
Eisenkot, a former chief of staff and who lost a son and a nephew in the war on
Hamas in Gaza, is currently the most popular political figure in Israel. So
Bennett and Lapid would relish having his support for their new venture. But so
far he is keeping his distance. And there are reports now of discussions between
Eisenkot and another right-wing party leader, Avigdor Liberman, on a possible
electoral link up.
It is tempting to dismiss these internal Israeli political maneuvers by mainly
right and center right political rivals to Netanyahu as having little effect on
the actual security policies of the Israel government, particularly in relation
to the spiraling settler violence in the West Bank. Bennett, after all, was head
of the council representing Israeli settlers before he went into politics. But
this would be a mistake. Under Israel’s proportional representation system, no
party ever wins a majority outright. Coalitions between parties are therefore
the norm and elections are often followed by much haggling over which party
holds which ministries.
The disaster of Netanyahu’s current coalition is his dependence on two extreme
right parties, which have little support in the country, but which give him
enough seats for a governing majority. One of these two minor parties is led by
Itamar Ben Gvir – an avowed anti-Arab racist with a history of violence – for
whose support Netanyahu rewarded by making him internal security minister. He
has used this position to stop the police doing anything to curb attacks by
Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank. Israel’s chief of staff, Lt
Gen Eyal Zamir, warned that such violence was “morally and ethically
unacceptable” and a danger to security. The other party is headed by Bezalel
Smotrich, whom Netanyahu made finance minister and offered a powerful role over
settlement expansion, which he strongly supports on ideological grounds.
Neither of these men and their far-right parties would be allowed into
government by any of the figures standing against Netanyahu. Bennett called Ben
Gvir a “clown.” And he and Lapid have also promised to confront the Haredi
(ultra-orthodox) parties in the current government, whose demands Netanyahu has
bowed to in exchange for their support. These parties have successfully
prevented Haredis being drafted into the army, despite demands by the Supreme
Court, the president and millions of angry Israelis, whose sons and daughters
have died in battle in the last few years and resent what they see as
freeloading by the Haredis.
Bennett and Lapid have noticed the importance of this issue in the public mind
and favor the ultra-Orthodox being compelled to serve in the military and the
work force, instead of living on state handouts. They also promise to appoint
ministers based on their capability, not as rewards for loyalty, as in the cases
of Ben Gvir and Smotrich. And they undertake to tackle organized crime and the
spiraling murder rate, especially in Arab towns, neglected by Ben Gvir’s
ministry. Their electoral platform is one of providing good governance and
competence over corruption.
It is hard to forecast whether the Together list can replace Netanyahu’s Likud
as the biggest party in the Knesset. Opinion polls taken after its launch show
little change in the number of seats each party would win, though they suggest
the public sees Bennett and Eisenkot as more suitable as a prime minister than
Netanyahu.
Ultimately what matters is not which of the anti-Netanyahu parties wins the most
Knesset seats in the forthcoming election, but whether they can together draw
enough support away from Likud to form a workable governing coalition. This
would at least end the disproportionate power of the fringe extremist anti-Arab
and pro-settler parties, that are doing such damage to the country and to
Israel’s international standing.
Iran between fragmentation and change
Abdulrahman al-Rashed/Asharq Al Awsat/May 05/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/05/154226/
The war with Iran has been ongoing for more than two years, sparked by Hamas’
attacks on October 7, 2023. After its regional arms were diminished, a
fundamental question emerges about the ultimate goal of this war on Iran. There
appears to be American-Israeli agreement on starting the war, but each side
seems to have its own vision for how it should end. Israel wants to topple the
Iranian regime, while President Trump’s administration speaks of changing the
leadership while preserving the structure of the system. In other words, the
Venezuelan model. Another possibility is pushing Tehran to make strategic
concessions, foremost among them ending domestic uranium enrichment.
As for Israel’s objectives, I discussed in my previous article the view of
Daniel Levy, the Israeli political analyst, who believes Israel wants to topple
the regime and fragment Iran into smaller states. He said this aligns with
Israel’s regional vision of managing large regional powers.
Discussing these proposals requires pausing at a golden rule in dealing even
with adversaries, one based on three pillars: preserving the unity of states,
respecting their borders, and avoiding direct involvement in regime change.
Iran, like all major regional states, carries structural complexities that make
any radical change a source of broad regional risks. Remember that the fall of
the Shah and Khomeini’s rise to power in 1979 took place without a single shot
being fired, and was seen as merely a limited and peaceful change, based on the
assumption that there were established institutions such as the army and the
civil state. But the few years that followed revealed that what happened in
Tehran plunged the entire region into cycles of chaos and conflict.
Indeed, the idea of regime change in Tehran enjoys a degree of international
acceptance, even if silent, including among European states, despite the
distance between them and Washington over this war. Even Tehran’s allies are not
enamored with its policies. Moscow is not fully aligned with Tehran on the
nuclear file and supports external enrichment, while China opposes its regional
behavior. However, both powers fear the installation of a pro-Washington regime,
or a slide into subsequent chaos that could threaten their vital interests.
In theory, neighboring states may view the scenario of toppling the Iranian
regime positively and believe its repercussions can be contained, by comparison
with the experience of toppling Saddam Hussein’s regime, when conditions beyond
the borders remained calm. But this argument lacks precision, because Iraq was
controlled by around 200,000 American soldiers, a scenario that does not appear
to be on the table in the Iranian case. Accordingly, the risks of change for the
countries of the region are significant and could last for many years.
In the same context, talk of breaking up Iran and separatist proposals may
appear politically suitable and comfortable for some parties, but they may carry
tremendous risks.
Major powers have calculations that differ from those of regional states. The
United States is a geographically distant superpower. It has the ability to
change regimes and destroy states, and if its project fails, it can pack its
bags and leave. The countries of the region cannot escape the legacy of crises
and their
repercussions.
This does not mean avoiding involvement in influencing the internal situation,
which is different from direct projects of change through hard power.
The reason Iran is being targeted today is that it itself did not respect the
rules of the regional order, and it is responsible for what is happening to it.
The expansion of Tehran’s regime and its dominance over four Arab capitals led
it to drag the Assad regime to its demise, weaken the Iraqi and Lebanese
authorities, and fuel chaos and war in Yemen. As a result of these policies,
Tehran now finds itself besieged and facing its most dangerous ordeal since the
establishment of the republic.
Some ask: As long as the regime is threatened and in danger, why does it adopt
hardline positions in negotiations instead of backing down? The reason is that
it realizes making concessions abroad would weaken it domestically, threaten it
with defections, and expose the system to collapse. The regime believes that
“steadfastness” against an external enemy is easier for it than confronting
potential rebellions and revolution.
Selected Face
Book & X tweets for
May 05/2026
Antoine Breidy
To the leaders of the world, to regional powers, and to all who
hold influence over the fate of nations, We, the people who love Lebanon, write
with heavy hearts and urgent hope. Our country—small in size but vast in
spirit—stands once again on the edge of devastation. Families are displaced,
communities are living in fear, and the future feels unbearably uncertain. We
ask you to hear us not as political actors, but as human beings who want only to
live in safety and dignity. We call on every nation with the power to intervene
diplomatically to act now. Press for an immediate ceasefire. Support
negotiations that prioritize civilian lives. Use your influence to de‑escalate
tensions before more innocent people are harmed.
Lebanon has endured too many cycles of conflict. We cannot afford another. We
ask for your leadership, your compassion, and your commitment to peace. Let this
be the moment when the world chooses dialogue over destruction, humanity over
hostility.
For the sake of our children, our homes, and our future, we ask you:
Help stop the violence. Help bring peace to Lebanon.
With hope,
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
I’ve been doing this for decades. There is no doubt in my head, whatsoever, that
America, Israel and the UAE will prevail over Islamic Iran and Hezbollah. It’s
only a matter of time.
Lindsey Graham
https://x.com/i/status/2051479492472836133
Normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel would be an incredible
achievement. That outcome is within reach thanks to the decisive action
President @realDonaldTrump took when others stood by.
Shadi khalloul שאדי ח'לול
The American Ambassador to Lebanon is right. Those who attacked the Aramaic
Syriac Maronite Patriarch don't belong to Lebanon. For us, we look at them as
invaders thru Islamic conquest. They stole Christian Maronite lands and towns.
Watch the names of the towns in south Lebanon. All carries Atamaic names and
Christian names but are inhabited by Shitte today. This is a clear evident of
ethnic cleansing to our people. These Shitte people came from Iran and Iraq and
they better go back there. Let our people be free and make peace with Israel.