English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News &
Editorials
For September 07/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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https://eliasbejjaninews.com/aaaanewsfor2026/english.september07.26.htm
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Bible Quotations For today
For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there
will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind
Letter of James 03/13-18: “Who is wise and understanding among
you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of
wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not
be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above,
but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish
ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the
wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full
of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a
harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.”
Titles For The English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News &
Editorials published on September 06-07/2026
Lebanon's Martyrs Are Its Righteous Ones, Its Pride, Glory, and
Dignity/Elias Bejjani / September 06, 2016
Who is Saint Charbel of Edessa, Whose Feast the Church Celebrates Annually on
September 5, and Who is His Martyr Sister, Barabia?/Elias Bejjani/September
05/2025
Elias Bejjani/Video Link to My Interview on Al-Hawiya Youtube Platform
From the archives/The full text of the book “The Ordeal of Reason in Islam” by
the martyred writer Mustafa Juha / The book was published in 1982
Hezbollah Throws Blame on Lebanese State for Israeli Escalation
Seven Victims in a Tragic Sunday... A Ring of Fire Envelops Nabatieh and More
Than 15 Tunnels Destroyed
Ali al-Taher Hill: Israeli Control or Election Narrative?
What's Next After the Destruction of the Tunnels in Ali Taher?
Israel Prepares to Detonate Tunnels in Ali al-Taher Heights, Southern Lebanon
Aoun Condemns Attacks on Nabatieh: A Dangerous Escalation Beyond Repeated
Violations
Prime Minister Salam Follows Up on Nabatieh Situation: Attacks Will Not Deter Us
from Supporting the Return and Resilience of Residents
Berri: Israel is turning the South into a "ballot box of blood"
Salam responds to Geagea: No diminishment of the Foreign Minister's role, nor
exclusion
Patriarch Al-Rahi from Diman: Lebanon does not belong to a team and we refuse to
let it remain an arena for dialogue
Metropolitan Elias Audeh, Greek Orthodox Archbishop: Seeking the nation's best
interests by excluding, insulting, or accusing others of treason harms and
fragments the country.
Mufti Qabalan: Protecting the South is an Important Part of Protecting Beirut
and Baabda
Lebanon: Beyond the Hills, the Mountains/Samir Atallah/Asharq Al Awsat/6
September 2026
A Little Honesty Would be Useful in Lebanon These Days/Eyad Abu Shakra/Asharq Al
Awsat/6 September 2026
The lion grew old and gray, and became a laughingstock for the dogs!/George
Younes/September 6, 2026
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News
published on
September 06-07/2026
Iran Retaliates after US Strikes Oil Tankers
Iran's Top Negotiator Threatens 'Faster, More Intense' Response to US Attacks
US Intelligence: Iran Appears Determined to Continue War
Netanyahu: Determined to Topple the Iranian Regime
Trump Announces Recovery of Oil Flows Through the Strait of Hormuz and the
Stifling of Iranian Exports
Iran mobilizes its "soft war" against America... "We will not surrender"
US Energy Secretary: Over 9 Million Barrels of Oil Pass Through the Strait of
Hormuz Daily; Navy Wins Battle in the Strait
Iran to Raise Gasoline Prices for Those Consuming More Than 110 Liters Per Month
Starting Tuesday; Second Increase Since December
Iran Escalates: "Restricted" Maritime Zone Outside the Strait of Hormuz Within
Days
A Fuel Tanker Explosion in West Iran Kills 11 and Injures 7
Netanyahu Orders Evacuation of Some West Bank Settler Outposts
Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman Reaffirm
Commitment to Market Stability
PKK Threatens to Halt Peace Process with Türkiye
Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials
from miscellaneous sources published
on September 06-07/2026
Peace with the Islamic Republic of Iran is a Fantasy/Nima Gholam Ali
Pour/Gatestone Institute/September 06/2026
The Great Powers' Dilemma!/Abdel Moneim Said/Al-Masry Al-Youm/September 6, 2026
One thousand American soldiers kidnapped!/Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed/Asharq
Al-Awsat/07 September 2026
Myths of the Ancients/Samir Attallah/Al-Sharq Al-Awsat/September 7, 2026
Syria and the Turkish-Israeli Tension/Sam Mansi/Middle East/September 7, 2026
Does the Revolutionary Guard realize it is turning the Strait of Hormuz into an
ordinary body of water?/Gerard Dib/An-Nahar/September 6, 2026
From Hormuz to Bab al-Mandab: When the Houthis Replicate the Geography of
Iranian Blackmail/Dr. Basma Rou/Al-Arabiya.net/September 6, 2026
The Iran War: Between the Costs of Peace and War/Kifah Mahmood/Asharq Al Awsat/6
September 2026
Selected Face Book & X tweets on September 06/2026
Latest English LCCC Lebanese &
Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on September 06-07/2026
Lebanon's Martyrs Are Its Righteous
Ones, Its Pride, Glory, and Dignity
Elias Bejjani / September 06, 2016
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2016/09/28625/
From the 2015 Archives
Today, we commemorate the memory of our righteous martyrs whose sacrifices and
witness have enabled us, despite all hardships and challenges, to continue
enjoying our freedom, preserving our dignity, and holding our heads high. They
are the grain of wheat that died so that it might bear much fruit, as our Lord
Jesus Christ said: "Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into
the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it bears
much fruit" (John 12:24).
They are the leaven that continually nourishes the determination, courage,
conscience, spirit, and resolve of our people, inspiring them to continue the
journey of sacrifice, Calvary, crucifixion, and resurrection with faith,
bravery, devotion, and perseverance.
Lebanon, the Land of the Cedars, is a land of holiness, redemption, and mission.
It is the stronghold of martyrs and free people, and a refuge for every
oppressed and weary soul. Such has always been Lebanon, and such it shall remain
until the end of time. It is the duty of every Lebanese—morally, spiritually,
and patriotically—to bear witness to truth without fear, and to uphold the
banners of brotherhood, freedom, love, faith, generosity, and forgiveness.
Saint Paul writes in his Epistle to the Romans (8:31-32): "If God is for us, who
can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all,
how will He not also graciously give us all things with Him?"
He also teaches in his First Epistle to the Corinthians: "And now these three
remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians
13:13).
Indeed, God is with us and with Lebanon. Therefore, neither evil forces,
terrorism, extremism, fanaticism, nor those who seek to impose fear and
subjugation will ever succeed in breaking our spirit, imposing their dark will
upon us, or forcing us to abandon our freedom and dignity.
Thank you to every martyr who armed himself with love and, for its sake, offered
his life upon the altar of the Land of the Cedars so that Lebanon might remain
free, sovereign, and independent, and so that every Lebanese might continue to
live with dignity, pride, and liberty.
Thank you to the families of the martyrs whose faith and patriotism gave birth
to heroes and righteous men and women. Thank you to Lebanon's sacred soil that
nurtured these martyrs and embraced their remains. Thank you to Almighty God who
blessed Lebanon with such heroic sons and daughters.
To ensure that their sacrifices are never in vain, it is our sacred duty to
remain faithful to the cause for which they died—the cause of Lebanon, its
people, their freedoms, and their faith. Likewise, those who were abducted,
disappeared, or forcibly exiled remain living martyrs, and their fate is a trust
placed in our hands.They gave without measure. They gave generously and
selflessly to Lebanon. They offered everything they possessed without being
asked. They even gave their lives joyfully because they believed in the words of
Christ: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's
friends" (John 15:13).
They also believed that "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts
20:35). Therefore, they willingly and joyfully offered themselves upon the altar
of their homeland, preserving its existence, protecting its people, and
defending its freedoms.
Let us honor them as they honored us. Let us remain faithful custodians of the
sanctity of their sacrifice by safeguarding our cause, our homeland, our
dignity, and our faith.
Those who deny the sacrifices of the martyrs or betray the cause for which they
gave their lives deny truth itself and forfeit the honor of belonging to
Lebanon—the Lebanon of holiness, sacrifice, and freedom.
Every religious leader, politician, official, or citizen who betrays Lebanon,
its people, and its freedoms betrays the blood and sacrifices of the martyrs and
places himself in opposition to truth, justice, and history.
Likewise, whoever embraces submission instead of freedom, and betrayal instead
of loyalty, becomes morally complicit in the martyrdom of those heroes and in
the betrayal of the homeland and its sacred legacy.
Today, as we pray for the repose of the souls of Lebanon's righteous martyrs, we
must not forget the living martyrs among our forcibly disappeared compatriots
who languished in Syrian prisons. We must remain committed to uncovering their
fate and securing justice for them and their families.
And as we beseech God to grant eternal rest to our martyrs and welcome them into
His heavenly kingdom, we must also remember our compatriots who sought refuge in
Israel after the year 2000 and who continue to be denied the right to return to
their homeland because of policies of exclusion, intimidation, and political
vengeance.
These faithful Lebanese were deprived of the right to return to the land they
defended and for which they sacrificed so much. They chose to stand against
domination and coercion, and for that they continue to pay a heavy price.
In conclusion, nations whose sons and daughters are unwilling to sacrifice for
them are nations destined to disappear. Lebanon, rooted in history, faith, and
freedom, would not have survived were it not for the sacrifices of its martyrs
and the dedication of its honorable and patriotic citizens.
May God bless Lebanon, protect it, and shield its people from all evil.
O Martyr of Lebanon, rest in peace, for thanks to heroes like you, Lebanon shall
remain free. It shall neither kneel nor accept humiliation.
Let us pray with reverence for the souls of the martyrs of the Land of the
Cedars, asking God to grant them eternal rest among the saints and the
righteous, and to bless Lebanon with the grace to remain faithful to their
sacrifices and steadfast on the path of truth, freedom, and love.
Who is Saint Charbel of Edessa, Whose
Feast the Church Celebrates Annually on September 5, and Who is His Martyr
Sister, Barabia?
Elias Bejjani/September 05/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/09/157241/
Note: The information contained in this study is drawn from numerous documented
ecclesiastical, theological, research, and media references.
Introduction
On the Fith Of September the Church celebrates the annual feast of Saint Charbel
of Edessa—after whom Lebanon’s Saint Charbel Makhlouf was named—and honors his
martyr sister, Barabia.
It is worth mentioning that the name “Charbel” is closely associated with
Lebanon’s great saint, Charbel Makhlouf. However, Charbel of Edessa had the
historical precedence and priority in receiving the crown of Christian martyrdom
and defending the faith to death, becoming a milestone in the history of the
martyrs of the East.
Birthplace and Year of Birth
Birthplace: The city of Edessa (modern-day Şanlıurfa in southeastern Turkey),
which was an ancient Syriac Christian and cultural center.
Year of Birth: He was born in the second half of the 1st century AD and lived
and was martyred at the beginning of the 2nd century AD, specifically around the
year 105 AD.
Stages of His Life While a Pagan
Religious Position: Before his conversion, Charbel was the high priest of the
pagan temples and the chief of the priests in the city of Edessa.
Appearance and Role: He enjoyed a high social standing and broad authority.
During major feasts and celebrations, he would wear the finest robes and place a
golden crown on his head, directing the rituals of offering incense and
sacrifices to the pagan gods amidst the noise and official celebrations ordered
by the Roman Emperor Trajan.
The Turning Point: Conversion and Repentance
The credit for Charbel’s conversion goes to Saint Barsimaeus (whose name means
“Son of the Blind” in Syriac), who was the Bishop of Edessa at that time.
The Confrontation: In the midst of a massive pagan celebration presided over by
Charbel, Bishop Barsimaeus stepped forward courageously and confronted him,
saying: “May Christ, the Lord of heaven and earth, hold you accountable for all
those whom you mislead, deceive, and turn away from the true God.” He then began
to preach to him about the true faith in the one Creator and the futility of
bowing down to “worthless, created idols incapable of doing anything.”
Conversion: The words of Bishop Barsimaeus acted like magic on Charbel’s heart.
His inner sight was enlightened, and he abandoned his paganism, announcing his
repentance and faith in Christ. He was followed in this by his sister Barabia
and some of his close associates.
Monastic Services and Spiritual Struggle
After embracing Christianity, Charbel embarked on a path of repentance and deep
spiritual service:
Renouncing Vain Glory: He abandoned his high position, rejected pagan offerings,
and embraced a life of asceticism, prayers, and deep immersion in the teachings
of the Gospel.
Martyrdom and Evangelism: Charbel did not content himself with personal faith;
he professed it openly. He was accompanied in his new journey by his sister
Barabia, who dedicated her life to the Lord and shared with them the path of
suffering and martyrdom. Together, they became an example of Christian
steadfastness in the face of the harsh Roman persecutions ordered by Emperor
Trajan against anyone who refused to bow down to the idols.
Martyrdom
Due to his absolute refusal to return to idol worship and offer sacrifices to
the Roman gods in compliance with Emperor Trajan’s decrees, Charbel and his
sister Barabia were arrested.
Torments: They were subjected to various forms of cruelty and severe tortures to
break their faith, but they showed unmatched steadfastness.
End of the Struggle: Charbel and his sister Barabia received the crown of
martyrdom at the beginning of the 2nd century AD (specifically around 105 AD),
ending their lives by decapitation for the sake of Christ’s name, thus being
harvested into the registry of the early Church’s martyrs.
The Connection to Lebanon’s Saint Charbel of Edessa
Naming: Lebanon’s great saint (Charbel Makhlouf) was named after Saint Charbel
of Edessa as a blessing from his fragrant life, struggle, and heroism in the
faith.
Annual Feast: The Church celebrates the commemoration of the martyrdom of Saint
Charbel of Edessa and his sister Barabia on September 5 of every year.
A Prayer for Lebanon Through the Intercession of Saint Charbel of Edessa
O Lord God, You who granted Saint Charbel of Edessa the grace of steadfastness
unto blood and martyrdom for Your holy name, we place before Your heavenly
throne today our occupied, tortured, and oppressed homeland, Lebanon. Through
his intercession and the intercession of his pure and martyr sister, Barabia, we
ask You to guide its people, protect them, strengthen their faith and patience,
and restore the blessings of peace, stability, faith, and love to its holy land.
We ask You to wipe away its wounds, deliver it from the abomination of
occupation, terrorists, jihadists, and all crises, and plant true peace in the
hearts of its people. Through the intercession of Your martyr, restore the light
of hope to Lebanon, and anchor its citizens in faith and love, that it may
remain a land of martyrdom and faith. Amen.
Elias Bejjani/Video Link to My Interview on Al-Hawiya Youtube Platform
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/09/157173/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGWz35mW1Tw&t=101s
Elias Bejjani/Video Link to My Interview on Al-Hawiya Youtube Platform: An
In-Depth Critical Analysis and Exposure of the Positions of President Aoun,
Patriarch Al-Rahi, the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, Prime Minister Salam and
His Government, and the Rest of Lebanon’s Ruling Class Amid a Conspiracy Against
Sovereigntists and an Intelligence-Driven Narrative Criminalizing and
Prosecuting Anyone Who Says Hezbollah Is Iranian, an Enemy of the Shiites, and
Not a Resistance Movement—Aimed at Circumventing the Recent U.S. Law Declaring
Hezbollah an Iranian Organization, Beginning with the Judicial Pursuit of
Director Youssef El Khoury
Interview conducted by journalist Abdul Rahman Darnika for Al-Hawiya Website –
September 2, 2026
From the archives/The full text of the book “The Ordeal
of Reason in Islam” by the martyred writer Mustafa Juha / The book was published
in 1982
Mustafa Juha
(Google Translation from Arabic)
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/09/105731/
Mustafa Juha was a Lebanese writer and thinker who wrote on politics and
philosophy. He was born in the village of Al-Jabine in southern Lebanon in 1942.
In 1974, he began publishing his articles in the newspapers “Al-Amal,”
“Al-Ahrar,” and “An-Nahar,” directing harsh criticism at the Palestinian
intervention in Lebanon, and at the same time criticizing the Shiite community's
alignment with the Fatah movement. His articles disturbed the Palestinian forces
and their allies present in southern Lebanon. He was kidnapped in 1975 by the
Palestinian Fatah movement for 20 days, during which he was subjected to the
most severe forms of torture. His alleged crime was that he was dealing with
right-wing parties, namely the Lebanese Kataeb Party and the National Liberal
Party. At that time, the late President Pierre Gemayel, head of the Kataeb
Party, the late President Camille Chamoun, head of the National Liberal Party,
and the late President Suleiman Frangieh intervened to free Mustafa Juha from
the clutches of Fatah. He then left southern Lebanon and fled to Badaro (in the
eastern region). In 1978, he published "Lebanon in the Shadow of the Ba'ath,"
which addressed the crimes of the Syrian army and intelligence services in
Lebanon, provoking the anger of the Syrians and their allies in Lebanon. In
1980, he published "Khomeini Assassinated Zarathustra," criticizing the Shiites
for abandoning their Lebanese identity and being drawn into projects foreign to
Lebanon. He also criticized the positions, policies, and actions of the Supreme
Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini, which angered
Shiite and Iranian clerics, and later Hezbollah. In 1981, he published "The
Ordeal of Reason in Islam," in which he philosophically critiqued certain
aspects of Islam. On Tuesday, April 12, 1983, the Jaafari Sharia Court, headed
by Judge Sheikh Abdullah Naama, assisted by court members Sheikh Khalil Yassin
and Sheikh Abdul Hamid Al-Hur, issued a Sharia fatwa stating that Mustafa Juha
was an apostate and an infidel! This was also agreed upon by a number of
religious figures at Dar Al-Fatwa.
Hezbollah Throws Blame on Lebanese State for Israeli
Escalation
Asharq Al Awsat/6 September 2026
Lebanon’s Hezbollah party continues to throw the blame on Lebanese authorities
for Israel’s military escalations in the South, as a ministerial source
questions the party’s silence over the fall of the strategic Ali al-Taher hill
following reports of an Iranian-US deal. “It is
unfortunate that this rhetoric of holding the authorities responsible continues,
while everyone knows who dragged the country into this war and whose interests
they served by doing so”, the source told Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of
anonymity on Sunday. Hezbollah didn’t issue any clear
position after the downfall of Ali al-Taher into Israel’s control. The source
questioned why the group had not defended it or explained to its supporters what
had actually happened there. “Why did they not defend Ali al-Taher? Why don’t
they tell their supporters the truth about what actually happened there, instead
of maintaining this complete silence?” said the source. The source also pointed
to a shift in Hezbollah’s rhetoric, from portraying Ali al-Taher as strategic
and issuing threats over it, to downplaying its significance following its
downfall.
Israeli Escalation in the South and Bekaa
Israeli strikes on southern and eastern Lebanon on Friday killed four people and
wounded 32, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The strikes hit seven
villages mainly striking Nabtieh. In Mayfadoun, an 18-year-old woman was killed.
Israel said it targeted Hezbollah personnel and weapons infrastructure in
response to a drone launch toward its forces. Also,
Israeli drones flew at low altitude over Beirut and its southern suburbs on
Saturday, while Israeli aircraft struck homes in Mansouri and carried out
several explosions in the area. Large explosions were also reported in Bani
Hayyan, with footage showing extensive smoke.
Hezbollah Steps Up Rhetoric against the Government
Hezbollah escalated its rhetoric against the Lebanese authority, considering
Israel’s continued aggression against Lebanon showed the failure of the state’s
approach toward Israel. In a statement it issued on
Saturday, Hezbollah said: “The Israeli enemy continues to escalate its
aggression and crimes against Lebanon, through killings, bombardment,
destruction and the systematic demolition of homes and villages, amid complete
international silence, blatant US complicity and the total absence of the
Lebanese authorities from assuming their responsibilities”.It added that the
authorities’ continued pursuit of “wrong choices and a concessionary and
submissive approach” had only served to entrench the occupation and allow the
enemy to continue its aggression and crimes against the Lebanese people.
Hezbollah said the Israeli aggression was putting pressure on the
Lebanese authorities to carry out what it described as “agendas” with known
objectives, warning that continuing along the negotiating path “gives the enemy
cover to continue its aggression and more time to achieve its goals and impose
its conditions and dictates on Lebanon.”Hezbollah also criticized the direct
US-sponsored Lebanese-Israel talks and the “framework agreement,” arguing that
the continued occupation and Israeli attacks undermined any claims of progress
achieved through the process.
Seven Victims in a Tragic Sunday... A Ring of Fire Envelops
Nabatieh and More Than 15 Tunnels Destroyed
Al-Markazia/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority announced this evening that the Israeli army
is preparing to detonate tunnels in the Ali al-Taher area within days.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that more than 15 tunnels were destroyed
simultaneously by bombs in the Nabatieh area, stretching from al-Shaqif to Ali
al-Taher. This evening, the cities of Nabatieh and Nabatieh al-Fawqa were
subjected to an aerial attack. Warplanes launched a series of raids targeting
the Fakhr al-Din parking lot in Nabatieh, resulting in partial destruction of
buildings and the burning of vehicles. The area surrounding the Farah amusement
park in Nabatieh al-Fawqa was also subjected to a ring of fire from airstrikes
that also targeted the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa towards Ali al-Taher. The
raid on Nabatieh resulted in injuries to Al-Manar TV correspondent Ali Shbeib
and his cameraman. They were transferred to Sheikh Ragheb Harb Hospital and
their condition was reported as stable. A statement issued by the Ministry of
Public Health's Emergency Operations Center announced that an Israeli drone
strike on a parking lot in Nabatieh al-Tahta resulted in three fatalities.
Warplanes also launched an airstrike targeting Wadi Zibqin near the town of
Shihine. A drone strike targeted the vicinity of the Darb al-Qamar rest area on
the outskirts of the town of Mayfadoun. The Israeli army carried out a
large-scale bombing operation in the town of Kfar Tebnit in the Nabatieh
district. Warplanes also targeted the town of Mansouri in the Tyre district.
Later in the afternoon, Israeli occupation forces conducted bombing operations
in Wadi al-Salouqi in the Bint Jbeil district. Israeli military vehicles were
observed moving in the fourth district of Mansouri, and artillery shelling was
reported targeting the town.
Targeting Arab Salim
The Israeli army launched airstrikes on the threatened building in Arab Salim in
response to Hezbollah firing two drones at its forces. The attack resulted in
the deaths of Basima Haidar Hassan and Israa Bahjat, and injured six others who
were transported to hospitals in Nabatieh by ambulance crews from various
organizations.
Evacuation Warning Issued for Arab Salim
The Israeli army issued an urgent evacuation warning to residents of a building
in the town of Arab Salim in the Nabatieh district at 6:00 AM on Sunday. Israeli
army spokesperson Ella Wawiya stated that the warning came "following a blatant
violation of the ceasefire agreement by Hezbollah, after launching an
explosive-laden drone at Israeli army forces." She added in a post on X: "We
demand that all residents in the building marked in red on the attached map and
in adjacent buildings evacuate immediately." The Ministry of Public Health's
Emergency Health Operations Center issued a statement announcing the initial
toll from the Israeli army's airstrikes this morning as follows:
- Nabatieh al-Fawqa: Two dead and two wounded
- Nabatieh - al-Rahibat neighborhood: Eight wounded, including a woman and a
child
- Arab Salim: Two dead and six wounded, including two children
- Kfar Rumman: Four wounded
Simultaneous airstrikes and targeting of Ghandour Hospital
This warning in the town of Arab Salim coincided this morning with a series of
successive Israeli airstrikes targeting villages in the Nabatieh district since
dawn. These villages included Kfar Rumman, Doha Kfar Rumman, Nabatieh al-Fawqa
and Nabatieh al-Tahta, the al-Ruways neighborhood, and the nuns' quarter in the
city of Nabatieh. Injuries were reported as a result of these airstrikes.
Reports also indicated that al-Ghandour Hospital was targeted and completely
destroyed. A medical team from the Islamic Scout Association managed to recover
the body of Habib Mansour Houmani from under the rubble of the al-Ghandour
Hospital building in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, which was destroyed by the airstrikes at
dawn today. In another statement, Wawiya said, "The Israeli army is currently
attacking southern Lebanon in response to Hezbollah launching two suicide drones
towards our forces in the security zone." She added, "Our fighters fired at one
of the drones and intercepted it. There were no casualties among our forces."
Artillery shelling targeted Doha Kfar Rumman and the Qounine forest in the Bint
Jbeil district, causing a fire. The Israeli army conducted a search operation
towards the town of Barashit. Later that afternoon, it carried out a heavy
explosion in the town of Mansouri, coinciding with artillery shelling of the
Marj area between the towns of Haniyeh and Mansouri, south of Tyre. A drone flew
at medium altitude over Kfarhouna, Jabbour, and Toumat in the Jezzine region.
Later, Israeli army spokesperson Ella Wawiya wrote on her Twitter account:
"Earlier today (Sunday), the IDF attacked terrorists and infrastructure
belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon." She
added: "As part of the raids, the Air Force attacked weapons depots and
terrorist buildings used by Hezbollah terrorists to plan and direct terrorist
plots in the security zone." She continued: "In addition, the army attacked a
Hezbollah command post located inside a building that was previously used as a
hospital in southern Lebanon." Recently, Hezbollah terrorists had been operating
from within the post, engaging in, among other activities, reconnaissance and
artillery work. All targets were struck to eliminate the threat, after
terrorists within the organization plotted terrorist attacks against IDF forces
and Israeli citizens. She added, "The Hezbollah terrorist organization uses
medical infrastructure to advance its terrorist plots." She continued, "The
strikes were carried out in response to Hezbollah's attempted attack yesterday
against IDF forces operating in the Ali Taher Heights area, during which two
suicide drones were launched toward the forces. There were no casualties among
our forces. Prior to the strikes, measures were taken to minimize potential harm
to civilians, including the use of precision munitions and aerial
reconnaissance." She concluded, "The IDF will continue to operate in the Ali
Taher Heights area and will not allow terrorists in the area to plot and carry
out terrorist attacks against IDF forces. The IDF will not allow Hezbollah to
harm Israeli citizens and its forces and will continue to act to eliminate
threats and uphold the ceasefire agreement," according to Wawiya.
Ali al-Taher Hill: Israeli Control or Election Narrative?
Al-Markazia/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
The Israeli announcement of achieving "operational control" over Ali al-Taher
Hill, coinciding with talk of a possible reduction of Israeli forces south of
the Litani River, has opened the door to conflicting narratives regarding what
transpired and the extent of the field achievement. While one group sees the
control as a strategic victory and a message concerning the future of the
Israeli presence in the south, others question the Israeli narrative,
emphasizing that the nature of what occurred remains unclear. This divergence
was the focus of a discussion between writer and political researcher Badih
Younes and academic and political researcher Ali Matar during their interview
with Sky News Arabia.
Two Messages from Israel
Younes stated that talk of reducing Israeli forces carries two messages. The
first relates to what he described as the victory achieved at Ali al-Taher, and
the second is directed at the Lebanese state and the United States, implying
that Israel does not intend to expand or remain if its borders are secured and
the threat ends, according to what the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted a
security source as saying. He explained that the term "operational control"
means ending the possibility of using the hill to target Israeli territory,
given its geostrategic importance, even if Hezbollah maintains a field presence
north of the Litani River. In contrast, Matar said that the extent of the
Israeli achievement requires further understanding and clarification,
considering Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement still
ambiguous. He pointed to information indicating that Israeli forces did not
actually enter the facilities, and that the area contains two or more
facilities, not just one. He also noted that the circulated video did not show
complete control. He added that Lebanese newspapers not supportive of Hezbollah
also questioned the Israeli narrative.
Who exaggerated the importance of the site?
Younes believes that what happened reflects a familiar pattern for Hezbollah:
exaggerating the value of sites before losing them and then downplaying their
importance afterward. He pointed out that sources close to the party spoke of an
Iranian presence at Ali al-Taher and described the battle as "Karbala-like,"
before Israel determined the timing of the incursion, the party's fighters
withdrew, and about 15 fighters were killed inside a tunnel, according to him.
Younes argued that Israel exploited the site's significance to present an
achievement Netanyahu could use for electoral gain. Matar rejected this
characterization, asserting that official Hezbollah sources never stated the
battle for Ali Taher would lead to a "major war," and that the term
"Karbala-like" was used by journalists and analysts, not party officials. He
maintained that Israel exaggerated the facility's size to showcase a
pre-election victory, emphasizing that no one downplayed the site's importance.
Weapons and the Party's Relationship with the State
Younes argued that the Ali Taher affair reveals the nature of Hezbollah's
relationship with the Lebanese state, stating that the party preferred handing
the site over to Israel rather than the Lebanese army, fearing it would open the
door to disarmament. He called on the state to take decisive action to implement
resolutions concerning weapons, arguing that the overlap between the party's
political and military wings increases Lebanon's involvement. Matar, however,
stated that the Lebanese army did not enter the Ali Taher facilities because
they fall outside the scope of Resolution 1701, and because the army wished to
avoid a conflict with Hezbollah that would not serve Lebanon's interests. He
added that the party did not hand over the site for fear that Israel would
exploit the army's entry to bomb it again or expand its operations, noting that
Hezbollah had handed over facilities, missiles, and equipment to the army after
the October 24 agreement.
The Shifting Balance of Power and the Negotiation Trap
Matar affirmed that Hezbollah is aware of the shift in the balance of power in
Israel's favor, but is refraining from responding because "the circumstances do
not permit it," leaving the field open for the state without considering its
role over. He explained that after two brutal wars, the party needs to rebuild
its capabilities, but it will not declare defeat because, for them, that would
mean surrender. In contrast, Younes said that the party faces two options:
ending its military role and embracing diplomacy, or remaining tied to Iranian
decision-making, which could broaden Israeli targeting. Both speakers agreed
that the Ali Taher case gives Israel an additional bargaining chip in any direct
negotiations, but they differed on who bears responsibility. While Younes held
Hezbollah responsible for weakening the state's position, Matar warned that
Israel has a history of extracting concessions through direct negotiations,
calling for the confrontation to become a shared Lebanese objective.
What's Next After the Destruction of the Tunnels in Ali Taher?
Al-Markazia/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
The Israeli army is preparing to destroy the underground infrastructure in the
Ali Taher Heights and withdraw from the Yellow Line, according to Israeli media
reports. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that the army is
preparing to withdraw from the "Yellow Line" and establish a new defensive line
2 to 4 kilometers from the border, which will include the construction of
approximately 20 permanent positions. Concurrently with the destruction of the
underground infrastructure in the Ali Taher Heights, Israel informed the
Lebanese government that the return of residents to the evacuated areas will
depend on the outcome of negotiations scheduled to resume next week in Rome. The
Israeli army is preparing to detonate what it claims are two underground bunkers
located beneath the Ali Taher Heights in the coming days. Military sources
confirmed to Kan News that no one survived inside the bunkers. Following this,
the Israeli army will begin a phased withdrawal from the Israeli security zone
in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, the planned withdrawal plan will be submitted
this week to the Northern Command chief for approval, and then to the political
leadership. According to the plan, after the destruction of the Ali Taher
tunnels, the forces will withdraw from the "yellow line" and redeploy to the
"gray line," a strip extending 2 to 4 kilometers from the Israeli border.
Approximately 20 permanent outposts are planned along this line. Operational
control of the evacuated areas will rely on surveillance and air force aircraft,
which will monitor for any armed groups. Meanwhile, Israel conveyed a message to
the Lebanese government through the United States, stating that it would not
allow the return of residents to the evacuated areas at this stage. The issue of
the residents' return is expected to be raised during the direct negotiations
between the two countries, which will resume next week in Rome.
Israel Prepares to Detonate Tunnels in Ali al-Taher
Heights, Southern Lebanon
Riyadh - Al-Arabiya.net/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation
from Arabic)
The Israeli army is preparing to detonate two underground tunnels located
beneath the Ali al-Taher Heights in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon in
the coming days, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, citing
military sources on Sunday. According to the sources, no militants remain alive
inside the complex located beneath the strategic heights. Following the
destruction of the tunnels, the Israeli army is expected to begin withdrawing
from parts of the security zone it established in southern Lebanon. The
Broadcasting Corporation also reported that the withdrawal plan is scheduled to
be presented this week to the commander of the Northern Command of the Israeli
army for approval, and will subsequently be submitted to the political echelon
for final approval. The plan stipulates the withdrawal of Israeli forces to
beyond the "line" The "yellow line" will be established after the destruction of
the Ali al-Taher tunnels and the deployment of forces near the Israeli border,
at a distance of between two and four kilometers. It also includes the
establishment of approximately 20 permanent military positions along what is
known as the "gray line." The areas from which Israeli forces will withdraw will
be monitored, including any armed individuals present, through surveillance and
air force aircraft, without a direct Israeli military presence in those areas.
In the same context, Israel conveyed messages to the Lebanese government via the
United States, confirming that it will not allow the return of Lebanese
residents to the areas from which the Israeli army will withdraw. According to
the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, the issue of the return of Lebanese
residents to the villages will be discussed exclusively within the framework of
negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, which are scheduled to resume next week
in Rome.
Aoun Condemns Attacks on Nabatieh: A Dangerous Escalation
Beyond Repeated Violations
Central News Agency/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
President Joseph Aoun condemned the renewed Israeli attacks on the city of
Nabatieh and its surrounding towns, which resulted in the deaths of innocent
civilians, significant damage to the Ministry of Finance building, and the
destruction of Ghandour Hospital. He emphasized that this targeting constitutes
a dangerous escalation that goes beyond the repeated violations of the Cessation
of Hostilities Agreement and the Framework Agreement, this time targeting
Lebanese state institutions and their service facilities that deal with
citizens' affairs and vital interests, in addition to a hospital and health
centers. President Aoun pointed out that targeting the Ministry of Finance
building, following the attack on the State Security center which previously
resulted in fatalities, reveals a persistent pattern of attacks that extends
beyond alleged military targets to purely civilian administrations and health
centers, reflecting a clear intention to disrupt the continuity of Lebanese
institutions and paralyze people's daily lives. President Aoun held Israel fully
responsible for this ongoing escalation, calling on the United States and the
international community to take immediate action to halt these violations and
hold the perpetrators accountable. He affirmed that Lebanon, despite all these
attacks, remains committed to preserving its sovereignty, the stability of its
south, and the safety of its citizens. The President offered his condolences for
the innocent victims, wished a speedy recovery to the wounded, and reiterated
his full solidarity with the residents of the Nabatieh region and the employees
of the affected government departments and institutions.
Prime Minister Salam Follows Up on Nabatieh Situation:
Attacks Will Not Deter Us from Supporting the Return and Resilience of Residents
Central News Agency/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam contacted the Mayor of Nabatieh, Abbas Fakhr
al-Din, to inquire about the safety of the residents and to learn about the
extent of the damage caused by the Israeli attacks that targeted the city at
dawn today. He emphasized that these attacks will not deter the government from
its commitment to supporting the return and resilience of the residents and
ensuring everything necessary for the continued operation of public facilities
and meeting the needs of citizens. Prime Minister Salam also contacted the Imam
of Nabatieh, Sheikh Abdul Hussein Sadiq, expressing his solidarity with the
city's residents, offering condolences to the families of the civilian victims,
and wishing a speedy recovery to the wounded. Prime Minister Salam also
contacted Finance Minister Yassin Jaber to learn about the damage inflicted on
the Ministry of Finance building in Nabatieh. He commended the minister's
efforts and swift action in taking the necessary measures to ensure the
continuity of work, safeguard citizens' interests, and prevent any disruption to
their transactions.
Berri: Israel is turning the South into a "ballot box of blood"
Al-Markazia/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri affirmed that Israel's shedding of civilian
blood, including children, women, and innocent civilians, yesterday in Mefdoun,
Al-Ramadiyah, and Midoun, and this morning in Arab Salim, along with the
destruction of Ghandour Hospital in Nabatieh al-Fawqa and the targeting of the
Ministry of Finance office in Nabatieh, in addition to Israel's continued war of
extermination and destruction of homes and villages in the districts of
Nabatieh, Marjeyoun, Bint Jbeil, and Tyre, are crimes in their nature and scale,
amounting to state terrorism, which is condemned and denounced. If this
indicates anything, it indicates that Israel, through continuing its destructive
war in this unprecedentedly bloody manner, is proving beyond a shadow of a doubt
that it has not adhered to any ceasefire agreements and is disregarding all
rules, agreements, and understandings. It is now, at all its political and
military levels, proceeding to turn the South, its people, and their property
into a ballot box of blood in the upcoming elections, in a battle where...
Everyone is focused on who is killing and destroying the most. Berri added:
"Again, what has happened and is happening in the South is not only an
international responsibility requiring urgent intervention to stop the war on
Lebanon and its South, but also a national responsibility that requires all
parties to stand with the South, consider its cause as the cause of all
Lebanese, and defend it as defending Lebanon." He concluded: "Mercy to the
martyrs and a speedy recovery to the wounded."
Salam responds to Geagea: No diminishment of the Foreign
Minister's role, nor exclusion
Al-Markazia/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam responded to the positions of Lebanese Forces leader
Samir Geagea, clarifying the circumstances surrounding the issues raised
regarding the Foreign Minister's role, financial reforms, and the budget gap
law. In a statement, he said:
"I listened to Dr. Samir Geagea's speech today, and two points caught my
attention:
Firstly, while I appreciate the Hakim's concern for the functioning of
institutions, the Constitution stipulates that the Council of Ministers sets the
government's general policy in all areas, including foreign policy, while each
minister manages the affairs of his ministry and implements this policy within
his jurisdiction. Therefore, the foreign policy of the Lebanese state is not the
policy of an individual or a ministry operating independently of the government.
As for the formation of official delegations and the participation of ministers
in foreign visits, these are determined according to the nature of each visit,
its agenda, and its requirements. I maintain constant coordination and
cooperation with His Excellency Minister Geagea on all matters related to
foreign policy. In this context, and as the Foreign Minister knows, he is
scheduled to accompany me to the meetings of the upcoming session of the General
Assembly." The United Nations, as required by the nature of the mission and the
meetings scheduled during it. I also asked him to join me afterward in the
meeting I will hold with the US Secretary of State in Washington. His role is
not diminished or excluded.
Secondly, regarding financial reforms, the government has completed, in less
than a year of its work, the preparation of three fundamental reform projects in
this area: laws related to banking secrecy, banking reform, and what is known as
the fiscal gap. The government is not shifting responsibility with Parliament.
After the first two laws were passed, the fiscal gap law has remained with
Parliament for more than nine months. I assure Mr. Hakim and all those concerned
that the government is not attempting to withdraw it, as some are suggesting.
Rather, it is still eager to begin discussing it in the parliamentary committees
and have it passed by Parliament as soon as possible. It is diligently following
up on the matter with the relevant parties in Parliament to expedite this
process. The Lebanese people, especially depositors, cannot—and rightly so—bear
any further delays. Furthermore, any procrastination in this matter puts our
credibility with the International Monetary Fund at risk. And let everyone
concerned rest assured that the government is in almost daily contact with the
IMF to expedite reaching an agreement; there will be no procrastination,
stalling, or delay on our part.”
Patriarch Al-Rahi from Diman: Lebanon does not belong to a
team and we refuse to let it remain an arena for dialogue
Central/06 September 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Al-Rai presided over the mass of
the sixteenth Sunday of Pentecost in the Church of the Patriarchal Shrine in
Diman, assisted by the head of the Diwan, Priest Khalil Arab, and the Secretary
General, Father Fadi Tabet, with the participation of Monsignor Victor Kayrouz,
Father Camelio Mikhael, and a number of priests, in the presence of the
president and members of the Caritas Al-Jebba region, a delegation from the
International Organization for Human Rights, a delegation of activists, the
people of the town of Mishmish, and a crowd. Of the believers.
After reciting the Holy Bible, the shepherd delivered a sermon in which he
stated the following regarding the national and political situation:
: “He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be
exalted (Luke 18:14). National humility begins with everyone recognizing that
Lebanon does not belong to a group, and that no one alone has the right to
self-determination. The state is not a spoil, power is not a privilege, and
public position is not a means to ennoble people, but rather a trust to serve
people. In order for Lebanon to regain its health, there must be a single
national reference and a sovereign decision. Protecting Lebanon is by
restricting weapons to the state, because the state cannot protect its citizens
or demand respect for its sovereignty. If the security decision remains divided
between multiple authorities, this path must be carried out wisely and
responsibly, away from incitement and sedition, and in a way that preserves the
dignity of all Lebanese. As for the negotiations, it is not permissible to
remain rounds without results. What is required is to stop the attacks and
Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory, and to guarantee the security of
the people and their right to return to their villages and homes.
He pointed out that "the south is not a card to be used in calculations, but
rather it is Lebanese land and its dear people who have the right to stability
in safety, life and reconstruction. It is not permissible for southerners to
remain prisoners of waiting, nor for their suffering to be turned into material
for bargaining."
He said: "Lebanon needs an army that knows that its mission is not only to
protect the borders, but to protect the meaning of the state itself. An army
that is present where the state should be, and is resolute when the homeland is
threatened, backed by a political will that does not leave it alone in the face
of dangers. A state whose army does not have the final say in protecting its
land remains a state lacking sovereignty. Lebanon needs neutrality to protect it
from the conflicts of others. Neutrality is not a withdrawal from national
issues, nor an abandonment of rights, but rather a refusal to turn Lebanon into
an arena for axes." It is a way to restore free decision-making, preserve
relations with everyone, and keep Lebanon a homeland, not an open front. Lebanon
does not rise when one team triumphs over another, but rather when everyone wins
for the state. The country is not built by the logic of victory, but by
partnership, respect for the law, and putting the public interest before private
accounts. Then national humility becomes strength, and salvation becomes
possible.
He added: “With regard to national affairs, we hope that the signing of the
general amnesty law will be a door to mercy and an opportunity to open a new
page entitled justice, reconciliation and peace in Lebanon. Pardon, if combined
with truth and justice, is not merely a reversal of punishment, but rather a
step toward healing wounds, rebuilding trust, and giving those who deserve a new
opportunity to return to society and life. We hope that this law will open the
door to more reconciliations, and will help close the pages of pain and
division, in a spirit that preserves human dignity, safeguards the rights of
those affected, and puts Lebanon’s interest and unity above all considerations.”
He added: “Many citizens raise their pain to us and say: Lebanon and its people
have reached a stage where silence is no longer acceptable. Citizens are
suffocating from high prices and poverty, the sick are suffering, and families
are struggling to secure the most basic necessities of life, while electricity,
generators, and bills increase people’s pain. Our enemy kills us once, while
corruption, neglect, and lack of accountability kill us every day while we open
our eyes and see our homeland collapsing. We need a strong voice like yours that
stands by the people and speaks the truth without fear or courtesy. Lebanon does
not need pity, but rather a state, justice, and accountability. We have great
confidence in your voice and conscience, and our hope is that the Lebanese’s
pain will remain a priority.”
The shepherd concluded: “Let us pray, beloved brothers and sisters, O Lord,
teach us to pray with humility and to act with love. Preserve Lebanon, and raise
it with truth and peace. Glory and thanks be to you forever, Amen.
Metropolitan Elias Audeh, Greek Orthodox Archbishop:
Seeking the nation's best interests by excluding, insulting, or accusing others
of treason harms and fragments the country.
Al-Markazia/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
Metropolitan Elias Audeh, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut and its
dependencies, presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. George Cathedral. After
reading the Gospel, he delivered a sermon in which he said: “Today we heard the
parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 2:22-14), which reveals to us God’s
invitation stemming from the depth of His love for humanity and the extent of
the freedom He grants. It says, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a king who
prepared a wedding feast for his son.’ The kingdom is not merely a future
concept, nor is it a set of rituals that one performs to secure one’s destiny.
Rather, it is a wedding feast, a celebration, and an entry into communion with
God. The king symbolizes God the Father, who invites us to the feast of His Son,
Jesus Christ, not because He needs us, but because He desires to share His love
and life with us. The tragedy, however, is that those invited ‘did not want to
come.’ Some ignored the king’s invitation and turned to their own affairs, while
others rejected it outright. ‘The rest seized his servants, abused them, and
killed them.’ This is a picture of the rejection and persecution of the prophets
in the Old Testament.”
He added: “This parable touches the wound of modern man, whom God calls to
return to Him, but he does not respond because he is preoccupied with worldly
matters. How often does man hear God’s voice and then postpone responding until
he rests, or finishes his work, or his circumstances change, or he grows older?
And the years pass, and postponement becomes a habit, and life turns into a
constant preoccupation with fleeting things, while neglecting the one thing that
does not perish. The Lord said: ‘What good is it for someone to gain the whole
world, yet forfeit his soul?’” (Matthew 16:26). Modern man chases after money,
power, and success, yet feels his life is empty. He may have constant means of
communication but lose touch with God; he may know the news of the entire world
but is unaware of what is happening in his heart; he may possess thousands of
images but fail to see his own true self; he may have wealth, status, prestige,
and influence but lack the true riches that bring peace and tranquility. The
parable speaks not only of those who refused the invitation but also of the man
who entered the wedding "without wearing wedding clothes." "Many are invited,
but few are chosen" because not all are ready. Physical presence in church can
be merely symbolic. A person can attend services, fast, wear a cross, and
memorize Scripture, but his heart remains far from Christ. Similarly, a person
can profess love for his country while his heart is preoccupied with matters
that could harm it. True belonging to one's country, like true belonging to the
church, requires complete dedication, sincerity and integrity, and awareness and
discernment between what is good and what is harmful. To destruction. The
wedding garment is the robe of grace, that is, the new life in Christ, the life
of baptism, repentance, and the ongoing purification of the heart. It is the new
person the believer in Christ puts on. The Apostle Paul says, “Put on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires”
(Romans 13:14). Christianity is not an outward appearance, but a transformation
of the person from within, until the life of Christ is manifest in them.
He continued: “In today’s reading, the Apostle Paul reveals to us the source of
this new life when he says, ‘He who establishes us with you in Christ and has
anointed us is God, who has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a deposit,
a guarantee of our lives’ (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). It is God himself who
establishes the believer in Christ, who anoints and seals him, and gives him the
promises of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Christian life is not a human
project dependent on our own strength. God calls us, bestows grace upon us, and
establishes us; and we, in turn, are called to accept this grace and respond to
it with repentance, faith, humility, and love. This is very important for people
today who live in a turbulent world tossed about by the hurricanes of war, the
storms of conflict, and material, social, and moral problems. Many think that
they must be strong and solve their problems on their own, and that their lives
must appear perfect. But the Apostle reminds us that the foundation of our
steadfastness is not our own strength, but God who ‘establishes us in Christ.’
When we weaken, God does not abandon us; when we fall, the path is not blocked.
Grace raises us up.” From his fall, she restores hope to him if he opens his
heart to her. The apostolic passage reveals another crucial point. The Apostle
Paul says, “For if I cause you grief, who will bring me joy but the one I cause
grief to?” He adds: “For it was out of great sorrow and anguish of heart that I
wrote to you with many tears, not to grieve you, but so that you might know the
love I have for you all the more” (2 Corinthians 2:3-4). Here we see the heart
of a true shepherd. The Apostle Paul does not rebuke from a position of
arrogance, nor does he correct others because he enjoys condemning them, but
rather he writes to them with many tears because he loves them. For truth
without love can turn into harshness, advice without tears can turn into
condemnation, zeal for the faith without a heart that aches for the sinner can
turn into pride, and concern for the good of the nation by excluding, insulting,
or accusing others harms and divides the nation. Christ did not call us to
rejoice in the downfall of others, but to grieve for their sins and work for
their salvation. Saint Isaac the Syrian connects the perfection of the heart
with mercy. A person whose heart is filled with God’s mercy cannot look upon the
weakness of his brother with coldness, gloating, or indifference. He concluded:
“Today we have two intertwined callings: to clothe ourselves in Christ and let
our lives be a mirror of His teachings, and to share His love with others. We
must ask God to strengthen us in Christ, to place in our hearts the ‘foretold
spirit,’ and to grant us the heart of the Apostle Paul, who could correct with
truth, but also with tears; who did not say to the person far from God, ‘You are
rejected,’ but rather, ‘The wedding is prepared, the door is open, and Christ is
calling you.’ Let us not delay responding to God’s call, for no one knows how
much time we have left. Let us respond today, let us repent humbly and clothe
ourselves in love, and let us remain in Christ, who strengthens us with His
grace. When we ourselves become a place of joy for Christ, we can carry this joy
to a world filled with anxiety, sorrow, and loneliness, and thus be witnesses to
the wedding feast prepared by the Father for His Son, and to the love that ‘does
not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.’”
Mufti Qabalan: Protecting the South is an Important Part of
Protecting Beirut and Baabda
Al-Markazia/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
The distinguished Jaafari Mufti, Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan, affirmed that "nothing is
more dangerous to Lebanon than the killing of political citizenship, and no
betrayal of this country is greater than betraying the idea of homeland,
citizenship, and the sovereignty of the South." This came during his patronage
of the "Ajyal Al-Nour - Ajyal Al-Quran" Association's ceremony at the Sayyida
Khawla Shrine in Baalbek, honoring 700 outstanding participants in the central
Quranic competition. The event was supported and blessed by the Iraqi Ansar
Al-Imam Association and attended by religious, municipal, and social figures.
Qabalan said, "The resistance and its historical context, which the entire world
recognizes today, have not been and will not be defeated, thanks to our
unwavering faith in the Holy Quran, the Prophet Muhammad, and his pure family,
peace be upon them." He continued, "Our position today is firm, a position of
faith, steadfastness, moral and national commitment, and a cumulative protection
of this country, so that we may affirm its national identity and prevent its
Zionization, Americanization, or transformation into a pawn in the hands of the
region and the world." He added, "Without a consensus-based authority and
without internal unity, the country is headed from one collapse to another, and
any authority that loses its consensus-based authority loses its national
function." Today, the sovereignty of the South is the most important test of the
state's sovereignty. What is required is the return of the occupied strip of the
South, not its surrender to the Zionists and their security projects. He
addressed President Joseph Aoun, saying, "The other Lebanese is your founding
partner in this country, and protecting the other is part of protecting Lebanon,
just as protecting the South is an important part of protecting Beirut and
Baabda." He emphasized that "the state is not above the concept of national
foundation, and any authority that contradicts this fact is committing national
suicide. When an authority needs Washington to protect it, it will inevitably
lose its legitimacy."
Lebanon: Beyond the Hills, the Mountains
Samir Atallah/Asharq Al Awsat/6 September 2026
In military language, when a town "falls," it means that it is no longer a place
where people can live safely. The latest town declared fallen in the South
Lebanon war is Ali al-Taher. Since the fighting began, it has been referred to
by several names and descriptions, including the facility, the center, and the
command post. Whatever the case, its fall after a long resistance represents a
change in the broader battle map between Hezbollah and Israel.
The South has lost its major and symbolic towns after fierce battles,
including Bint Jbeil, Khiam, and others. The Israelis have burned away the
fertility of life and destroyed its landmarks to make clear that this is not a
passing war, but a war for survival. If we add up all the battles so far, it
becomes clear that they amount to a full-scale invasion. The most important
question is where we go from here. Where will Hezbollah's fighters go? And what
will Israel's next move be now that the South is filled with its people as
refugees and displaced persons? There are still two
cities resisting beneath the rubble: Tyre and Nabatieh. Symbols of beautiful
life and bitter living. For half a century, the South has been abandoned or
emptied of its people, while its residents have carried their homes on their
backs. But this time, the Israelis are adopting barbaric policies with long-term
consequences in the Arab-Israeli conflict. The most
important question now is: where will Israel stop in this military spectacle
between earth and sky? And will Netanyahu fight his election here, or his war?
And what about the American president, who has entered the labyrinths and
pitfalls of power, forgetting where he left his safety belt? It is clear that
there is one power capable of dismantling this global storm and steering the
world back toward calm. Otherwise, we will move from the war of the hills to the
war of the mountains.
A Little Honesty Would be Useful in Lebanon These Days
Eyad Abu Shakra/Asharq Al Awsat/6 September 2026
The issue of the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon has ended as a
"distraction" and a different phase has begun—one that changes nothing in the
substance of the matter.
The Israeli propaganda machine, organized and disseminated by experts in
psychological warfare, gave many people, including numerous Lebanese, the
impression that we were witnessing something akin to the "Normandy landings" of
World War II or the "Fall of Saigon" at the end of the Vietnam War.
Yet these heights, which I suspect the vast majority of Lebanese outside the
South had never even heard of, are no different in terrain from many areas
across Lebanon. In the calculations of modern warfare and Israel's strategic
objectives alike, they were already militarily indefensible.
Let us momentarily set aside the dramatization surrounding the "extraordinary
tunnels" and the supposedly "exceptional" strategic value of the ridge. The
confrontations of recent months in southern Lebanon were not a conventional war
of direct engagement in the traditional sense.
Rather, they were attempts to disrupt, exhaust, raise the costs of, and
complicate plans. All of this unfolded amid the countdown to Israeli and US
midterm elections on one hand, and the Israeli-American confrontation with Iran
on the other.
The "support war" launched by Hezbollah undoubtedly provided many with more than
enough justification for Israeli occupations and displacement measures. Yet
observers, including many Lebanese who are neither sympathetic to Hezbollah nor
to Iran, understood the reality that the party's leadership had been drawn,
perhaps unwillingly, into a conflict it likely knew from the outset was unequal,
pitting it against the strongest regional power in the Middle East, backed by
the world's most powerful nation.
The problem for Hezbollah, on one hand, is that it does not handle politics as
skillfully as it handles armed resistance. On the other hand, even had it
avoided becoming involved, it would still have suffered losses after losing its
Syrian corridor and a significant portion of its financial resources, while also
forfeiting much of the sympathy it once enjoyed among Sunni communities in
Lebanon, Syria, and many Arab countries. Meanwhile,
Israel is now governed by its most hardline militaristic and
religious-nationalist leadership, with Benjamin Netanyahu serving as its
political face. Behind Netanyahu, his generals, and the settler extremists who
support his rule stand powerful American and international lobbying groups that
have crossed the point of no return in pursuing what they see as the "final
solution": eliminating the Palestinian people as an identity, a cause, a
culture, and a living presence.
In my view, Hezbollah's silence regarding the deliberate Israeli exaggeration of
what was achieved in the Ali al-Taher ridge stems from its desire to preserve
the morale of its supporters without having to admit that it "lost a battle but
not the war."
Nevertheless, the party undoubtedly faces a serious challenge from Shiite groups
that oppose its conduct and slogans, and that have every right to object after
years of marginalization and accusations of disloyalty. What is striking today
is that some of these groups have lost all restraint in their political and
media retaliation. Even some Shiite liberals and
leftists no longer hesitate to express schadenfreude and, at times, to
participate in incitement, despite fully understanding the complexities of the
Lebanese arena and the potential consequences, now more than ever, of absolute
Israeli dominance in Lebanon and across the region.These people have yet to
grasp that the choice is no longer between Iranian clerical extremism fueled by
sectarian rhetoric and a democratic, moderate Western alternative offering
reasonable models of coexistence. Even if the current conflict were to bring
down the regime in Tehran, there is no indication on the horizon that Israeli or
Western racism, whether in Europe or the United States, would begin to recede.
If this is the situation within parts of Lebanon's Shiite community, then
how can we imagine the feelings of others, their sense of triumph, and their
eagerness to provoke?
Can we truly be optimistic that Lebanon's official institutions will act
rationally, free from spite and gloating, and independently of the ongoing and
escalating Likud-inspired rhetoric that Washington appears largely unconcerned
about despite its future risks?
Will the Lebanese public accept official assurances that Israel has "no
territorial ambitions in southern Lebanon" beyond disarming Hezbollah in order
to "protect" its settlements? And will they believe
that the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and the destruction of
dozens of towns and villages in southern and southeastern Lebanon are merely
temporary measures whose consequences will simply disappear once Netanyahu feels
his settlers are safe?I realize that these are not comfortable times, neither in
the Arab world nor beyond it. I fully understand that the "game of nations" is
now being played without rules or restraints, indeed without a referee. Yet I
believe that the visionaries among international leaders must recognize, before
it is too late, that the cost of repairing the damage inflicted over the past
two years could be extraordinarily high.I also hope that the courageous among
them, those capable of helping to reduce tensions, will acknowledge that the
structures of power and governance, even in long-established Western
democracies, have become vulnerable to potentially devastating collapse at the
hands of racist and populist forces poised to assume power in several pivotal
countries.
The lion grew old and gray, and became a laughingstock for
the dogs!
George Younes/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation
from Arabic)
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/09/157266/
Oh, how awful these days are! When the wicked one, through deceit, devours the
merchant's wealth! When the clown and the drunkard want to shatter the history
of heroes! When the murderer wants to kill the victim and then offer prayers for
him, lying to God! When heroism is attributed to every one who hid and
tactically fled in a time when the horsemen of the squares were many, but the
true heroes were few! And when money stolen from the sweat and blood of the true
resistance fighters becomes the measure of manhood, the standard of distorted
truths, and the compass of the stolen cause! The pictures of the Pasha, we
didn't order their removal from the offices. The cross of resistance, we didn't
issue a memorandum prohibiting its use. The Quran—we didn't declare it divinely
revealed in our magazine! The weapons—we didn't raise them against Bashir! Our
comrades in the squares—we didn't deny their sacrifices, no matter how much we
disagreed with them! The weapons shipments—we didn't send them to Sheikh Naim of
the Resistance when he was besieged in Hajjaj Street! And on the day the
Lebanese Resistance was threatened with annihilation, we were the ones who left
our homes for years to defend its right to exist. With the Syrians, with the
Iranians, with the Palestinians, to this day we haven't had a single photo, a
single meeting, a single electoral alliance, or even a single condolence visit;
while your photos, God willing, appear on numerous occasions and visits, and you
call us the Saraya! We are the ones who carried Bashir's legacy with our broken
hearts, our empty bank accounts, our humble homes, and our dream that hasn't
faded since his departure. Our pride lies in the fact that the majority of us
were closest to his heart, his pulse, his path, and the record of his secrets
and achievements, no matter how much you tried to tarnish our image. It is
enough that, at the moment of decision, the honorable and heroic among us were
his executive arm. The hills of Zahle, the eyes of Siman, the canal, the floors
of the Holiday Inn, the alleyways of the markets during the two-year war, the
roads of Chekka, the decision-making rooms in the United States, the streets of
Ashrafieh and Beirut, and the small team that brought Bashir to the
presidency—they are the ones who inscribed history in our name and through our
actions, whether you love us or deny us. You invented the lie and believed it.
You tailored treachery to fit the heroes whose history exposes you, and you sold
it to generations who know nothing of your true nature. You washed away your
dark deeds in the minds of young people who know nothing about you except what
you told them, in your quixotic narratives. It is enough for us to be proud of
the respect people have for history and truth wherever any of us may be. It is
enough for us to be proud that we have never once tried to distort the truth. It
is enough for us to be proud that to this day we have learned to speak nothing
but the truth, no matter how difficult it may be. It is enough for us to be
proud that, from within the leadership council, we were against the Taif
Agreement and against relinquishing powers. It is enough for us to be proud that
we fought and confronted for a cause, but we did not kill for revenge. Even the
character assassination you try to carry out against us every now and then, we
did not do to you, because your actions alone are enough to etch your image in
the minds of those who understand and those who do not know how to lie. It is
enough for us to be proud that we were and remain Bashirists, and that we are
among those who laid the foundations of the Bashir Gemayel Academy, no matter
how much you try to distort our image and replicate the academy. Ultimately,
your verdict is "final" on the pages of the judiciary and at the hands of its
most honorable knights, and our verdict remains regarding our existence and our
commitment to the 10,452 km², and regarding the principles that Bashir instilled
in our dreams and minds. Bashir lives on within us.
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on September 06-07/2026
Iran Retaliates after US Strikes Oil Tankers
Asharq Al Awsat/6 September 2026
Iran said Sunday that its forces attacked a US naval drone trying to enter the
Strait of Hormuz, hours after targeting ships in retaliation for American
strikes on three oil tankers. The latest round of
clashes, which began with US raids last week, comes amid a deadlock in their
six-month war. Iran has maintained its stranglehold on the strategic Strait of
Hormuz while Washington continues a counter-blockade of Iranian ports.
Washington is also seeking to choke Iran's economy, rolling out sanctions on
entities with financial links to Tehran in a bid to force it into submission.
According to AFP, the Revolutionary Guard Corps said Sunday it "attacked an
American military unmanned surface vessel" attempting to enter the strait,
according to a statement carried by state television. Hours earlier, the IRGC
said its naval forces "targeted three oil tankers on the unauthorized route of
the Strait of Hormuz and three vessels affiliated with the child-killing America
in other areas.”It warned ships not to attempt to transit by unapproved routes.
On Saturday, US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military
operations in the region, said it struck tankers linked to the Iranian Guards,
accusing the most powerful arm of the Iranian military of unsuccessfully firing
at American warships. "Following Iran's failed attacks, CENTCOM permanently
disabled the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and
M/T Stark 1 near Jask," it said. "American forces also
completely destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo... in the Gulf of
Oman, striking the vessel in multiple critical locations to render it inoperable
after the crew was directed to abandon ship." Video posted by CENTCOM showed
large fireballs and billowing flames after projectiles slammed into the ships.
The three vessels were "part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds
the IRGC and its regional proxies", it said. The
Guards meanwhile claimed the two American warships they targeted had been
"forced to retreat" after "suffering damage", but CENTCOM said those ships
successfully evaded Iranian attacks. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said
after the operation: "If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even
higher economic cost -- taking out three of yours." The Iranian foreign ministry
hit out at Washington over the strikes on oil tankers, calling them "illegal and
aggressive actions".
Iran's Top Negotiator Threatens 'Faster, More Intense'
Response to US Attacks
Asharq Al Awsat/6 September 2026
Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf threatened on Sunday to launch
swifter and more forceful responses to US attacks, after Tehran targeted
American warships in retaliation for US attacks on tankers."The Americans must
have understood that the era of proportionate responses has come to an end,"
said Ghalibaf in a speech carried by state media, adding that "any aggression
against Iran's interests and security will receive a faster, more intense and
more painful response.” Iran said Sunday that it struck an unmanned US military
boat in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command, which oversees the US military
operations in the Middle East, did not confirm the claim or respond to request
for comment. It comes one day after the US said it struck Iranian oil tankers in
retaliation for Iran launching ballistic missiles at Navy warships.
US Intelligence: Iran Appears Determined to Continue War
Washington: Julian Barnes, Dustin Volz/*The New York Times/September 06/2026
Iran has grown more confident in its ability to attack targets in the Middle
East and appears determined to continue the conflict for months to frustrate the
United States, according to US intelligence reports in recent weeks.In many
respects, the assessments reflect what has been observable on the ground as
fighting erupted again after a period of relative calm. In the past week, Iran
targeted ships in the Strait of Hormuz and American troops in the region, and US
forces struck inside Iran, killing military personnel and civilians.
The new exchanges have been limited so far. But the intelligence reports,
according to people who have read them, suggest that Iran’s hard-line government
might be contemplating a significant escalation. Iran has emerged from months of
the on-again, off-again war with a far better understanding of its military
strengths and is more sure of its capabilities, according to officials briefed
on the intelligence. The reports, some current and former officials said,
suggest that any agreement to fully end the war will be hard to reach. There are
few signs that Iran is ready to make any sort of deal with the United States,
content to exacerbate US President Donald Trump’s political problems ahead of
the US midterm elections, according to some officials.
A man drives next to a billboard of Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei in a
street in Tehran, Iran, 09 July 2026. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
Trump, for now, is not pursuing negotiations and has said he believes he can
apply economic pressure on Iran that would force Tehran to make concessions on
its control of the strait and perhaps, eventually, its nuclear program. But in
the short term, US economic sanctions are likely to continue to provoke
escalation, according to officials who have read the intelligence reports. In
the coming weeks, Iran could take actions akin to what it did in July, according
to US officials. At that time, Iran attacked American military bases in the
Middle East, killing three Americans in Jordan; struck shipping in the Strait of
Hormuz; and struck infrastructure in Kuwait and elsewhere.
US officials also believe that Iran-linked hackers were most likely
responsible for cyberattacks on more than 100 water systems throughout the
United States in late July. Though there were no indications any system was
degraded in a way that made water unsafe to drink, the attacks in some cases led
to disruptions that required manual overrides and precautionary boil-water
advisories. Current and former officials said the
hackers have also shown interest in attacking American oil and gas
infrastructure, though those systems are generally seen as harder to penetrate.
It is not clear whether any energy systems have been breached.
There are signs that Iran-linked hackers may have regrouped in recent
months after sustaining some losses at the start of the war, according to
current and former US officials. Even absent serious
disruptions, cyberattacks are likely to remain an appealing way for Iran to seek
to undermine public support in the United States for an already unpopular war,
former intelligence officials and security experts said.
Alex Orleans, a former US government cybersecurity contractor who
specializes in tracking Iranian hacking groups, said Iran’s cyberoperators
probably feel emboldened. “Even if such attacks fail to meaningfully unsettle
the American public, they can still play into a broader effort to exhaust
domestic patience with this administration’s handling of the conflict,” he said.
At a news briefing on Thursday, Vice President JD Vance appeared to
acknowledge that such attacks could further erode support for a conflict that
has no clear end in sight. He sought to downplay the threat to Americans, but
said the Trump administration expected Tehran to continue to “try to do a lot of
things” to target the United States. “If you look at
the Iranian ability to disrupt the normal lives of Americans, I think it is
quite limited,” Vance said, responding to a reporter’s question about
cyberattacks. “It’s not zero, but it’s quite limited. I’d be much more worried
about cyberattacks from other actors.”Trump predicted a quick and decisive
victory as US and Israeli forces launched the war on Feb. 28. After waves of
punishing attacks, the president’s critics say it is painfully clear that the
Trump administration underestimated Iran’s resilience.
“Iranians are feeling pretty bullish about their position,” said Representative
Jason Crow, Democrat of Colorado and a member of the Intelligence Committee.
“They have taken substantial damage, but that has always been built into their
system. They understand they can take damage, and they are playing a much longer
game here.”Crow declined to comment on classified assessments, but he said the
Iranians believe that they are in a stronger position for several reasons.
First, he said, Iran’s formerly splintered leadership is now more united, and
the internal opposition has been silenced. Iran also continues to have a
stockpile of missiles and drones. Iran’s leadership also appears to have a more
precise understanding of how to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz, which
carried one-fifth of the world’s oil before the war. “They have always known the
strait was a big bargaining chip, but have come to realize to a greater degree
the leverage that gives them,” Crow said. Others briefed on the reports said
Iran probably believes that the US military will be hard pressed to mount major
new strikes as its munitions stockpiles dwindle.And there are signs that Iran is
intent to drag out the conflict until at least the midterms, current and former
officials said. Iran, according to officials, understands that the war — and the
high gas prices that closing the strait has caused — is politically damaging to
Trump and the Republican Party. “The Iranians think they have maximum leverage,”
said Representative Josh Gottheimer, Democrat of New Jersey. “So, from their
perspective, why not keep sticking it to the president?”There are indications
that Iran is seeking to spread propaganda that would undermine Trump
electorally, as it did during the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections.
*The New York Times
Netanyahu: Determined to Topple the Iranian Regime
Riyadh - Al-Arabiya.net/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his threats to topple the
Iranian regime on Sunday, emphasizing that Israel is determined to continue its
actions against Tehran. During a cabinet meeting marking the Jewish New Year,
Netanyahu stated that Israel's primary objective is the overthrow of the Iranian
regime, warning that Tehran would suffer an "unimaginable" blow should it decide
to attack Israel. He described the Iranian regime as "weak, fighting for its
life, and floundering," indicating that its end is near. He stressed that there
is "another mission" to be completed, affirming Israel's resolve to accomplish
it, referring to the regime's downfall. Netanyahu's statement comes amidst
repeated pronouncements by the Israeli prime minister regarding the future of
the Iranian regime. On Thursday, he stated that regime change in Iran is "within
reach," asserting that the regime is weaker than ever in light of the conflict
that erupted on February 28 between Tehran, Washington, and Tel Aviv. Netanyahu
reiterated his threat in a press interview on Wednesday, saying, "We will topple
the regime in Iran, and it will fall. All our agencies are working to topple the
regime." He added that if Iran decides to attack Israel, it should understand
that this will be one of its "final decisions." It is worth noting that Israeli
Defense Minister Yisrael Katz had threatened two days earlier that his country
would bomb civilian and energy infrastructure in Iran if the latter attacked
Israel, in the latest Israeli threat amid a recent escalation in hostilities
between Washington and Tehran. Meanwhile, the Israeli army launched a surprise
General Staff-level exercise on Sunday morning to test its readiness to deal
with a sudden, multi-front event.
Trump Announces Recovery of Oil Flows Through the Strait of
Hormuz and the Stifling of Iranian Exports
US President Publishes Graphics on the Decline of the Iranian Rial and the
Collapse of Tehran's Oil Exports
Riyadh - Al-Arabiya.net / September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
US President Donald Trump announced that the amount of oil passing through the
Strait of Hormuz has returned to levels close to those before the war, stating
that it has reached 18 million barrels per day, coinciding with the continuation
of the US embargo on Iran. Trump posted a graphic on his Truth Social account
titled "Oil Flows Through Hormuz Are Back," comparing approximately 20 million
barrels per day before the war to 18 million currently. These figures align with
recent statements by US administration officials. Energy Secretary Chris Wright
said on Sunday that slightly less than 18 million barrels passed through the
strait on a day last week, while the average through the southern route of the
strait is around 9 million barrels per day. Two US officials reported that the
US military escorted approximately 40 commercial vessels carrying 18 million
barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz last Tuesday, the highest level
during the war, compared to about 20 million barrels per day before it began. In
another post, Trump highlighted Iranian oil exports, asserting that they had
plummeted to "zero" as part of Washington's economic pressure campaign against
Tehran. The White House had announced on August 28 that Iran had not exported
any oil from its shores since the reimposition of sanctions in July, claiming
that Gulf oil flows were beginning to recover under US protection. Trump also
posted another graphic illustrating the decline of the Iranian currency, stating
that the rial was heading toward "the abyss," at a time when Tehran is facing
high inflation and increasing pressure on its economy. However, disagreements
persist regarding the actual and sustainable volume of oil flows through Hormuz.
Private estimates suggest lower figures than those of the US administration,
while US officials say that some ships turning off their tracking devices makes
monitoring their actual movements more difficult. The Trump administration is
thus seeking to establish a formula based on restoring Gulf oil flows through
the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for preventing Iran from using the strait to
export its oil, as part of its ongoing military and economic pressure on Tehran.
Iran mobilizes its "soft war" against America... "We will
not surrender"
Riyadh - Al-Arabiya.net / September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
In the face of what Tehran considers an extension of the conflict with the
United States beyond military confrontation, Iran has intensified its focus on
what it calls the "soft war" file; countering what it perceives as media and
psychological campaigns targeting Iranian society, in parallel with the
continuation of military confrontations. The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed
Forces and Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, Ali Abdollahi, stated
that the Americans and Israelis "are trying to compensate for their strategic
shortcomings and failures through soft war, cognitive warfare, and economic
pressure," as he put it. During a meeting with officials from the "Soft Warfare"
branch of the Iranian Armed Forces on Sunday, Abdollahi added that "the
Americans have not received a negative response from any country in over eight
decades." He continued, "They were under the illusion that the Iranian people
would surrender," but emphasized that "this perception will never be realized."
He also stressed "achieving national unity and utilizing all capabilities in
this dangerous confrontation," asserting that "in the face of soft and cognitive
warfare, all national and transnational capabilities must be employed against
the enemy." Within the Iranian military establishment, soft warfare initiatives
are handled by entities concerned with cultural, media, and cognitive affairs,
including Abolfazl Shekarchi, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Cultural and Soft
Warfare Affairs, who also serves as the Armed Forces spokesperson. This
portfolio focuses on "monitoring media, psychological, and cultural campaigns
that Tehran considers directed at the Iranian domestic audience," in addition to
attempting to counter them by strengthening what it describes as the "moral home
front," alongside military preparedness, according to Iranian reports. Days
earlier, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned officials that publicly
discussing the country's weaknesses could be "a great help to the enemy," urging
them to avoid any rhetoric that might spread "despair" or harm "social
cohesion." He added that "weaknesses, shortcomings, and deficiencies do not need
to be narrated or highlighted, but rather addressed through planning and action
to eliminate and resolve them." He called for emphasizing what he described as
Iran's "strengths, capabilities, and positive aspects," according to a message
published late last month. The United States and Iran have recently exchanged
blows after a period of relative calm since last July, while Washington has
intensified its economic pressure on Tehran through sanctions, also threatening
to target countries that help Iran circumvent those sanctions.
US Energy Secretary: Over 9 Million Barrels of Oil Pass
Through the Strait of Hormuz Daily; Navy Wins Battle in the Strait
Riyadh - Al Arabiya/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that over 9 million barrels of oil are
transported daily through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most
important maritime energy chokepoints. Wright added that the US Navy is "winning
the battle in the Strait of Hormuz." He told ABC News that the Trump
administration "may not" reach a nuclear agreement with the Iranian regime,
adding, "There may not be a nuclear deal. It may simply be the destruction of
their ability to do so." The Energy Secretary emphasized that a nuclear
agreement with Iran "may have to wait for the next administration." The conflict
in the Middle East has entered its seventh month, with no indication of an
agreement between the United States and Iran to end military hostilities and
curb Iran's nuclear program. The United States and Israel launched the war in
late February, with President Trump and his administration officials stating
that the objective was to destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities. U.S. Central
Command said that U.S. forces bombed several Iranian oil tankers on Saturday in
retaliation for an attack by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on two U.S. warships.
Iranian state media reported that the Revolutionary Guard retaliated on Sunday
by striking a U.S. vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. On Friday, Trump dismissed
the conflict as “little business” for the United States and said he
“understands” Vice President Vance’s statement that he does not consider the
conflict with Iran to be a war. On Sunday, Wright stated that the United States
must “destroy” Iran’s nuclear capabilities, saying that U.S. forces are
“degrading their ability to develop nuclear weapons and, ultimately, to deliver
them if they develop them.” He added to Radatz: “This is no small feat, but the
United States will get the job done. And we will work in conjunction with our
allies in the region.”
Iran to Raise Gasoline Prices for Those Consuming More Than
110 Liters Per Month Starting Tuesday; Second Increase Since December
Riyadh - Al Arabiya/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Sunday that Tehran
will raise gasoline prices for those consuming more than 110 liters per month
starting Tuesday, as part of increasing efforts to address problems stemming
from the war and crippling US economic sanctions. Mohajerani added in remarks
carried by official media that the price of the first two quotas, which cover
110 liters, will remain unchanged, but the price of the third quota will be
raised to 100,000 Iranian rials per liter (about four cents based on the free
market price). The government had previously discussed raising gasoline prices
in Iran, which are among the lowest in the world, but postponed the decision
amid concerns that it could spark renewed protests. Iran witnessed widespread
protests in 2019 over the same issue. Mohajerani stated that the fuel price
increase would only affect consumers who require more than 110 liters per month
and was due to "current circumstances." She added that other motorists could
still purchase up to 60 liters at 15,000 rials per liter and an additional 50
liters at 30,000 rials per liter. In December, Iran partially raised the price
of subsidized gasoline for most users, in an attempt by the OPEC member nation
to control rising fuel demand.
Iran Escalates: "Restricted" Maritime Zone Outside the Strait of Hormuz Within
Days
Riyadh - Al-Arabiya.net/September 6, 2026 (Google Translation from Arabic)
As the US naval blockade of Iran continues, Tehran has announced a new
escalation: its intention to declare a "restricted" maritime zone outside the
Strait of Hormuz in the coming days. Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme
National Security Council, stated that Iran intends to declare a "restricted"
maritime zone outside the Strait of Hormuz, extending from the US naval blockade
line to areas in the Gulf, warning that "any ship entering the new zone will be
added to the sanctions list." During a televised interview on Sunday, Rezaei
asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is "completely closed," refuting US President
Donald Trump's claims that the strait remains open, describing them as "a big
lie." He further noted that "Iranian forces are monitoring and targeting US
ships attempting to cross illegally." As Rezaei explained, more than 100 ships
used to transit the Strait of Hormuz before its closure, transporting over 100
million tons of goods. Currently, only seven or eight ships at most pass through
the strait, carrying essential goods to Iran, according to his estimate. The
senior Iranian security official also indicated that his country "has not made a
decision to sink American ships attempting to transit," explaining that "these
ships carry oil, and their sinking could cause environmental damage in the
region." On the economic front, Rezaei denied the possibility of famine in Iran
as a result of the economic blockade, stating that "the Iranian government has
been preparing for this situation for a long time and possesses sufficient
stockpiles of food and essential goods." He further explained that Tehran "sells
oil and the proceeds return to Iran," indicating that Tehran continues to
receive revenue from its oil exports despite the US sanctions and embargo. In
the context of the military escalation, Rezaei stated that Iran had tested, for
the first time, an Iranian anti-destroyer missile over a US warship 48 hours
prior. Meanwhile, the United States denied on Sunday that Iran had targeted an
unmanned US military vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Regarding the negotiations,
Rezaei called on Washington to "gain Iran's trust in order to continue the
negotiating process," explaining that the "major problem" Tehran faced
concerning the memorandum of understanding was related to trust in the
guarantees provided by the mediators during the negotiations. Nevertheless, he
affirmed that Iran continues its diplomatic efforts while insisting on obtaining
guarantees, without specifying the nature of these guarantees or the parties
expected to provide them. In response, CENTCOM announced the continuation of the
naval blockade against Iran, stating that as of September 6, US forces had
diverted 92 commercial vessels, disrupted three ships, and inspected two vessels
"to ensure full compliance with the blockade." These developments follow the
resumption of attacks by the United States and Iran last week, after a period of
relative calm lasting about a month, amidst renewed tensions in the Strait of
Hormuz and the Iranian waters bordering it. The United States and Iran had
announced ceasefire agreements in April and June aimed at restoring freedom of
navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, as part of efforts to end the nearly
six-month-long conflict, but both agreements quickly collapsed. In response, the
United States reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports and restrictions on shipping
on July 13, in an attempt to limit Iranian oil revenues, a key source of foreign
currency for the country.
A Fuel Tanker Explosion in West Iran Kills 11 and
Injures 7
Asharq Al Awsat/6 September 2026
A fuel tanker exploded in western Iran, killing 11 people and injuring seven
others, state media said. IRNA reported late Saturday that the tanker hit other
cars before bursting into flames near a traffic police station close to the
Kurdish city of Sanandaj, some 400 kilometers (248 miles) west of the capital,
Tehran. The report cited a faulty brake system, The Associated Press said. The
injured were transferred to hospitals. In 2018, a
similar road accident between a fuel tanker and an intercity passenger bus near
Sanandaj killed 15 people and injured four. Road and traffic accidents annually
leave more than 17,000 dead in Iran. Experts blame the high fatality rate on
unsafe vehicles, disregard for traffic rules, and inadequate emergency services.
Netanyahu Orders Evacuation of Some West Bank Settler
Outposts
Asharq Al Awsat/September 06/2026
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the evacuation of some West Bank
settlements deemed illegal under Israeli law, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich
said Sunday. "To my knowledge, Netanyahu has given the
instruction to evacuate" certain settlements, AFP quoted Smotrich as saying. He
added that he did not approve of the measure. While
all Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under
international law, some established without government approval -- often
consisting of just a few prefabricated homes -- are also considered illegal by
Israel.It was not immediately clear when the operation would begin.UN bodies and
most governments deem all Israeli settlements illegal under international law
and consider the West Bank to be occupied territory under military control.
Israel argues the territory is disputed, not occupied. US Ambassador to Israel
Mike Huckabee on Saturday denounced violent settlers as terrorists and called
for them to face severe consequences following a meeting with several
Palestinian Americans in a West Bank Palestinian town.Israeli website Ynet
earlier reported the orders targeted around 100 outposts across the occupied
territory.
Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria,
and Oman Reaffirm Commitment to Market Stability
Asharq Al Awsat/6 September 2026
The seven OPEC+ countries, which previously announced additional voluntary
adjustments in April and November 2023, namely Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq,
Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman met virtually on September 6, 2026, to
review global market conditions and outlook, SPA reported. The seven
participating countries decided to maintain September 2026 required production
for October 2026 as detailed in the table below. The
seven countries reiterated their collective commitment to achieve full
conformity with the Declaration of Cooperation. The seven OPEC+ countries will
continue to hold monthly meetings to review market conditions. The next meeting
will be held on October 4, 2026.
PKK Threatens to Halt Peace Process with Türkiye
Ankara: Saeed Abdulrazek/Asharq Al Awsat/September 06/2026
PKK leaders in northern Iraq threatened to halt a peace process with Türkiye
centered on the group’s dissolution and disarmament unless Ankara takes concrete
steps toward democratic reform. Cemil Bayik, a member of the Executive Council
of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), an umbrella organization that includes
the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), said the initiative, which the Turkish
government calls the “terrorism-free Türkiye,” would come to a halt unless
democratic measures were introduced. Bayik discussed the disarmament of the PKK
as a condition for moving into the democratic political arena and integrating
its members into Turkish society. He criticized the National Solidarity and
Social Integration Law, passed by the Turkish parliament on Aug. 10 and known as
the “framework law,” saying it represented a beginning but remained
“incomplete.”
Criticism and warning
Bayik said the rationale for enacting the law had not been made clear and that
merely stating that terrorism would end had weakened it. He said the law’s
purpose would have been clearer had it specified that laying down arms was
linked to democratic measures.
“The language used in the law is deeply flawed,” Bayik said in remarks to the
PKK-linked Firat News Agency that were carried by Turkish media on Saturday.
“We have made clear on every occasion that this process is not limited to
disarmament. It is important to spell out the democratic steps that disarmament
requires, because arms will be laid down in order to enter a democratic
political arena,” he said. Bayik said another
important issue was the status of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and the group’s
senior cadres. Excluding the leadership and a large number of cadres involved in
the process from the framework law was a serious problem, he said, adding that
the issue must also be resolved for those who would return to Türkiye. The law,
approved by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Aug. 18, provides for deferred
sentences, the suspension of prosecutions and the conditional return of PKK
members who surrender their weapons. However,
according to information that has emerged, it excludes 230 senior figures who
will not be allowed to return and may instead be housed in a safe zone in
Sulaimaniya in northern Iraq. In an explicit warning that the process could be
halted, Bayik said: “If the process falters because democratic steps are absent,
the responsibility will lie with the Turkish government.
Democracy can provide a solution to the Kurdish issue, and through this
law the government implicitly acknowledges these matters. “If this process does
not advance through democratic steps, it will be obstructed, and the government
will bear responsibility.”Bayik said parliament would “undoubtedly” be the
decisive institution in resolving the Kurdish issue. He called for
constitutional and legal amendments recognizing the existence of the Kurds,
their language, culture and political will, as well as their rights to local
self-government, saying lasting peace could not be achieved without them.
Implementation steps
Bayik’s remarks came as work continued to establish four subcommittees approved
at the first meeting of the National Solidarity and Integration Monitoring and
Coordination Council on Aug. 24. The council is chaired by Turkish Vice
President Cevdet Yilmaz and includes the ministers of justice, defense, interior
and foreign affairs, as well as the intelligence chief, the secretary-general of
the presidency and the secretary-general of the National Security Council.
Sources in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) said the four
subcommittees — Judicial and Legal Coordination; Follow-up and Monitoring;
Social Consensus and Integration; and Disarmament and Strategic Coordination —
would be formed, and their working mechanisms would be determined during
September. The sources, however, ruled out granting
Ocalan formal status or direct membership in any committee. They said Ocalan
could contribute in particular to the work of the Disarmament and Strategic
Coordination Committee because of his important role in the disarmament phase.
The Kurdish side and the head of the Nationalist Movement Party, an ally of the
ruling party, have repeatedly called for Ocalan to be appointed as general
coordinator for political participation and integration. At the same time,
Turkish media reports said a security mechanism established among Ankara,
Baghdad, Erbil and Sulaimaniya would work intensively until the Turkish
parliament begins its new legislative session on Oct. 1.
The mechanism will seek to confirm whether the PKK has withdrawn from 72
positions along the Turkish-Iraqi border and whether the Kurdistan Regional
Government has been notified about underground depots containing weapons and
heavy ammunition. Turkish intelligence will verify the
information. Under the plan, camps and caves extending to the Qandil Mountains,
including those in the Metina, Zap, Avasin, Basyan and Haftanin areas, will be
evacuated by Oct. 1. About 3,800 PKK members at 18 camps will surrender their
weapons. Iraqi border guards and Peshmerga forces will be deployed, particularly
in areas near the Turkish border, with the Baghdad and Erbil administrations
cooperating in those locations. Türkiye’s Nefes newspaper, citing unidentified
sources, said weapons would be surrendered in the towns of Amedi and Kani Masi
in Duhok; at the foot of Mount Qandil and in the town of Koy Sanjaq in Erbil;
and in the Ranya district and the town of Said Sadiq in Sulaimaniya.
The Latest LCCC analysis & editorials from
miscellaneous sources published
on September 06-07/2026
Peace with the Islamic Republic of
Iran is a Fantasy
Nima Gholam Ali Pour/Gatestone Institute/September 06/2026
At some point, people will also ask the obvious question: if the US had military
dominance, why is the regime still in power? This is a regime that defied
America yet remains in power. What does that mean? Can the US no longer defeat
its enemies? Has the regime of the mullahs transformed Iran into a country that
can actually defy the US? If so, then they have fulfilled the promise they made
to the people in 1979. Iran was supposed to become a country that would not be
ruled by "American imperialism." Through the Islamabad MOU, the mullahs have
fulfilled that promise.
What people in Iran see is that the United States made promises that this regime
would be removed from power. The US and Israel did everything they could and
failed. The Islamabad MOU gives the impression that Iran is the victor dictating
its terms to the US. All of this provides a great deal of legitimacy to a regime
whose ideology is based on hostility toward the US and Israel.
The Islamabad MOU will not lead to peace.
Every Friday, the regime's supporters chant, "Death to America, Death to
Israel." The regime does not promise welfare reforms or tax cuts. Its ideology
is hostility toward the United States and Israel -- and by appearing as the
victor in this war, it has gained legitimacy.
This is an aggressive regime that will start more wars and that must be removed
from power.
Peace with the Islamic Republic of Iran is a fantasy. Both Obama and Trump
appear to have embraced that fantasy, and future generations, along with the
Iranian people, will pay the price for it.
Every Friday, the Iranian regime's supporters chant, "Death to America, Death to
Israel." They do not promise welfare reforms or tax cuts. The regime's ideology
is hostility toward the United States and Israel -- and by appearing as the
victor in this war, it has gained legitimacy.
The US and Israeli military conflict with Iran, which began on February 28 and
does not appear to have come to an end, was a complete failure for both the
United States and Israel. If this has not yet been recognized by everyone
because the current US administration needs to portray itself as victorious for
the midterm elections, it is nevertheless important to see this reality.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has so far emerged as the victor from this military
conflict. The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) cements the current
regime in Iran and its legitimacy among the enemies of the United States and
Israel, especially jihadists. President Donald Trump himself keeps repeating
that he is not seeking regime change in Iran.
In the public narrative, a military victory for the Islamic Republic has always
been defined as the defense of Iranian territory and the survival of the
Islamist regime. This definition also applied when Iraq invaded Iran in 1980.
Although the US did not play a direct role in the Iran-Iraq War, events
involving the US were nevertheless used to portray the inconclusive outcome of
the war as evidence that the Iranian regime had stood up to "American
imperialism" and survived.
The same military figures who, by their own account, stood up to "American
imperialism" during the Iran-Iraq War later went on to wage proxy wars across
the Middle East and continued their war against the US in Iraq by killing many
American soldiers. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Qasem Soleimani,
Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, Abbas Araghchi, and Ali Larijani are all veterans of
the Iran-Iraq War. The examples of such veterans within the Iranian regime are
countless – and they believe they already defeated "American imperialism" once
by repelling Saddam Hussein's invasion of Iran.
Now that they have defended their regime and Iranian territory for a second
time, they naturally believe that they have defeated "American imperialism"
again. It does not matter that the US has decimated the regime's leadership and
achieved military dominance. As in the Iran-Iraq War, the deaths of political
and military leaders were portrayed as acts of martyrdom, and in the current
narrative of the Islamic Republic, dying as a martyr is considered an honor.
The military dominance of the United States and Israel will be compared to the
Battle of Karbala in 680, where Imam Hussein was defeated by the vastly superior
army of Caliph Yazid. The argument will be that Iran was an underdog, just like
Imam Hussein, but that "the truth" and what was "morally right" ultimately
triumphed.
This is the theological message at the heart of the story of Karbala. It was
used by the regime even when the Iran-Iraq War was going in Iraq's favor.
Of course, one may ask whether the Iranian people will embrace these religious
messages once again, 38 years after the end of the Iran-Iraq War. That is by no
means certain. The regime, however, has not fallen. When a person is portrayed
as a martyr over and over again through parades, films, and books, people
eventually begin to accept that narrative. A repeated lie eventually becomes an
indisputable truth. That is how propaganda works.
At some point, people will also ask the obvious question: if the US had military
dominance, why is the regime still in power? This is a regime that defied
America yet remains in power. What does that mean? Can the US no longer defeat
its enemies? Has the regime of the mullahs transformed Iran into a country that
can actually defy the US? If so, then they have fulfilled the promise they made
to the people in 1979. Iran was supposed to become a country that would not be
ruled by "American imperialism." Through the Islamabad MOU, the mullahs have
fulfilled that promise.
One can, of course, debate and question all of this. What people in Iran see is
that the United States made promises that this regime would be removed from
power. The US and Israel did everything they could and failed. The Islamabad MOU
gives the impression that Iran is the victor dictating its terms to the US. All
of this provides a great deal of legitimacy to a regime whose ideology is based
on hostility toward the US and Israel.
Even if the Iranian people are dissatisfied with the regime, they see that it
can defend Iran's territorial integrity and deliver on what it promises -- which
has always been to defy the United States and "American imperialism."
Every Friday, the regime's supporters chant, "Death to America, Death to
Israel." The regime does not promise welfare reforms or tax cuts. Its ideology
is hostility toward the United States and Israel -- and by appearing as the
victor in this war, it has gained legitimacy.
We never needed to end up in this situation at all. Even without being a
military expert, it was obvious from the outset that the US had no plan for how
to remove the Iranian regime when the war began at the end of February. There
was no step-by-step roadmap from the start of the operations to the fall of the
regime. After the Twelve-Day War last year, it became
clear that for such a scenario to be feasible, it would be necessary to arm
volunteers from the Iranian diaspora. That is why in August, I wrote the
following:
"Regime change can happen if all the necessary conditions are in place. This
means Middle East-based exiled Iranian opposition groups that wish to remain
relevant must be prepared to move into Iran when armed intervention is needed to
aid in regime change. It also means that the countries in the region that want
regime change in Iran must facilitate the movement of Iranian opposition groups
within and across their borders, and enable them to be armed and trained for
such a mission.
"The next time Iran is in a war like the recent conflict, Iranian opposition
groups must be on the ground, armed and ready to support regime change and
exploit the vulnerabilities that emerge in the wake of airstrikes."
It was always obvious that the American and Israeli militaries would not be able
to overthrow the regime. It was always obvious that, if regime change were the
objective, this would require a prolonged conflict. It was always obvious that
the American political climate and economic realities would not permit a
prolonged war with Iran. As a result, there was never a realistic plan for
removing the current regime.
The Islamabad MOU will not lead to peace. The Iranian regime will continue to
advance its interests and expand its influence. Despite this war, the regime
still wields significant influence in Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon. This regime is
far from defeated as a regional power.
This is an aggressive regime that will start more wars and that must be removed
from power. Therefore, the Iranian opposition must be armed if regime change is
ever to become possible. It is only Iranians who are prepared to sacrifice their
lives to liberate Iran in a prolonged war, which will be bloody because the
mullahs' regime has nowhere to flee and will fight to the last man.
War will come. Peace with the Islamic Republic of Iran is a fantasy. Both Obama
and Trump appear to have embraced that fantasy, and future generations, along
with the Iranian people, will pay the price for it.
*Nima Gholam Ali Pour is a Member of the Swedish Parliament
*Follow Nima Gholam Ali Pour on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook
© 2026 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.
The Great Powers' Dilemma!
Abdel Moneim Said/Al-Masry Al-Youm/September 6, 2026
(Google Translation from Arabic)
Although the world is experiencing a period of intense drama, evidenced by the
war in Ukraine and the Middle East conflict, which encompasses the fifth Gaza
war and its aftermath, as well as the fourth Gulf War and its consequences, this
situation is unprecedented. It is not a world war, nor even a case of a single
war in which a superpower engaged with another state, such as the Vietnam War
with the United States, or the war in Afghanistan with both the Soviet Union
and, later, the United States. The global war on terror had its own unique
characteristics, as it remained caught between organized crime and the claim
that it was an expression of resistance and defiance. The current situation is
resulting in a state of embarrassment due to involvement in a war that was not
anticipated, and which now seems to have no end in sight. The war in Ukraine has
been ongoing for more than four years. Initially, Russia considered it a kind of
"limited military operation" for training the Russian army and disciplining the
Ukrainian state, which was wavering between independence and deference to the
Russian mother state during the Soviet era. President Putin was and remains the
embodiment of war, both in its course and its harbor. The classical balance of
power underwent numerous upheavals when Russian supremacy turned into a
liability as Ukrainian drones began to penetrate Russian territory. Russia's
predicament deepened when the strategic objective of the Russian war—preventing
Ukraine's accession to NATO—was to find that the alliance threw its full weight
behind Kyiv. Moreover, it extended its support to Finland and Sweden, both
geopolitically aligned with Russia. At the outset of the American-Israeli war
with Iran, which began in June 2025 and lasted 21 days, then resumed on February
28, 2026, the leader of the world's foremost—and sometimes sole—superpower
declared the war's estimated duration to be six weeks. More than six months
later, the outcome of the war remains elusive. In truth, at the time of writing,
the war has not been decisive at any stage, and it is now escalating again. The
price of a barrel of oil has exceeded $90, and with it, the value of the dollar
has risen, and the global economy has returned to the state of instability that
characterized the war. There is no longer a decisive moment in which the
American president can declare victory and withdraw from a war whose duration
and objectives were not predetermined. In a way, his great predicament is that
when he looks in the mirror, he will see American leaders like Johnson, who
served only one presidential term, and Nixon, who ended up leaving the White
House because he did not achieve a victory in Vietnam sufficient to escape the
Watergate scandal. Is the predicament of superpowers beneficial to humanity? It
is a strategic matter that requires much study and analysis. In any case, Moscow
is still mired in Ukraine; Washington is bogged down in the Strait of Hormuz;
President Putin has not restored the status of a superpower; and it is not
certain that the outcome of the war in the face of President Trump will not make
America great again.
One thousand American soldiers kidnapped!
Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed/Asharq Al-Awsat/07 September 2026
(Google Translation from Arabic)
Mohsen Rezaei speaks in a recent video that Iran will kidnap a thousand American
soldiers and bargain with them. The video is correct, but I found that the
statement is old and dates back to 2015. Today, Rezaei is the right-hand man of
the new Supreme Leader, and holds the position of Secretary of the Supreme
National Security Council. Does Iran still imagine war with the same thinking?
The confrontation lasted a year ago, and it was not able to arrest anyone or
destroy a single battleship, and the human losses among the American ranks are
the lowest in the history of its wars. Iran's enemy is its excessive sense of
power, which makes ideas such as continuing the asymmetrical war, closing the
straits, strangling the global economy, and bombing neighbors seem like great
plans. The arrogance of power led Napoleon and Hitler to invade and then defeat
Russia. This feeling of superiority may be justified among major powers, but it
seems strange among moderately powerful and economically weak countries. This is
what makes it thrive on unrealistic fantasies for decades on end, and then, in
the first confrontation, it loses all of its first rank of leaders and most of
its military capabilities. It is strange that the Iranian leadership believes
that it is able to win against a superpower with such ease. Has the military
leadership misled the political leaders in Iran? Post-war events show that their
understanding of the world is not far from what a megalomaniac like Saddam
Hussein would have imagined in the 1980s and 1990s. Their perceptions of the
balance of war do not match their capabilities in confronting the capabilities
of two fierce enemies: America and Israel. Their previous statements, for years,
were unanimous in two conclusions: The first is that “America will not dare to
attack us,” and the second is that “if it does, it will be defeated”! One of
Saddam's close associates narrates that they were having a barbecue session by
the pool in Saddam's palace after the invasion of Kuwait, and he asked him: Why
doesn't he take caution? He says: “Saddam responded sarcastically: (You know
that they can see us with their satellites, and they know that we are together
here at the pool roasting meat? They are able to reach us, but they do not dare
to target me).” Because successive American administrations did not enter into a
war with Iran, despite the attacks carried out or planned by the Revolutionary
Guard that befell its citizens and interests around the world. The impression
was created among leaders, both clerics and the military, that Iran was immune
to any attack thanks to its growing military capabilities. These condescending
perceptions of Tehran against the United States may differ from their view of
the much smaller Israeli force. They were always worried about the possibility
of war with her. This largely explains their insistence on implementing their
military nuclear program, because it is the weapon that will protect them from
it, as they imagine. During the period before achieving the Iranian nuclear
bomb, they established a wide belt in the region protecting them from Israel, in
Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Yemen and Iraq. Hezbollah leaders often echoed the
mistaken belief that these proxy camps would be able to defend Iran if Israel
dared to launch an attack, and that they would be destroyed. Superiority,
dominance, success, and national pride; All of this was represented in one
project; Building a huge military force until it became an Iranian obsession. It
began to direct the regime’s policies and motivate it to challenge itself
further. “Power makes its possessor believe that he is capable of everything”!
“Military superiority” made Tehran delusional that it was able to control,
expand, impose political hegemony, and change or maintain regimes. Iran's
growing power has resonated throughout the world. It has become the main
supplier of lethal marches to a major country like Russia in its war in Ukraine.
It built thirty underground missile cities, produced tens of thousands of
missiles every month, more than American factories, dug mountains for nuclear
plants, and dug tunnels hundreds of kilometers underground to hide ballistic
missiles. It began to boast of its families of missile products: “Fateh,”
“Qiam,” “Shihab,” “Qadr,” and “Sajjil.” Tehran has reached a stage of thinking.
“If you have a hammer, it is tempting to treat everything around you like
nails”! A perverted intellectual high that was revealed in the war with the
weakness of its defensive capabilities, and the failure of its strategies to
close the straits and strangle the world’s markets. Now Iran knows that it is no
match for America and Israel. Today, its airspace is penetrated and defensively
eroded, and it is no longer able to harm anyone except its neighbors who are
less willing and equipped for war than it is. However, Iran has not yet changed
its behavior and narrative, but it humbly calls steadfastness a victory. It is
true that the regime’s failure to fall was a victory for it, but the results of
two short rounds of war were frightening. The elimination of the first echelon
of its political and military leaders, the massive destruction of its offensive
capabilities, and a stifling siege unlike any other before. After all this, can
Iranian leaders think with a more realistic mind? Precedents say that
ideological systems do not follow the survival instincts that natural systems
know; Rather, she rarely learns, and preserving her image becomes her primary
concern, so she becomes increasingly challenging.
Myths of the Ancients
Samir Attallah/Al-Sharq Al-Awsat/September 7, 2026
(Google Translation from Arabic)
Our generations have lived with two myths about the absolute power of the West,
and consequently, about the absolute impotence of the Arabs. The first was
called "the English"—that is, Great Britain, with its magical influence
everywhere, and its spies who spoke Arabic with great difficulty and an Essex
accent. Every conspiracy was attributed to "the English." Every political
movement, every mysterious demonstration, was said to be "English." With the
decline of British influence and the waning of the empire, and the rise of the
United States in place of the West, the naive accusation was directed at
America. Every government that succeeded had America behind it, and every
government that failed was America's fault. And if it neither succeeded nor
failed, it was because America refrained from intervening. "America" and
Americans became the title of dignitaries or agents. Many sought its favor,
hoping against hope, and many joined the war against it, for if its favor was of
no use, then its enmity would. Of course, there was some truth to this. There
was the United States, the emerging superpower after the war, which immediately
entered the Cold War. As with any war, regardless of its nature or intensity,
superpowers need both overt and covert forces, and men to wield their power. But
the popular and naive exaggeration of America's role was laughable, much like
the British role before it. America recorded 500 official interventions that
failed to achieve their objectives. It faltered in several wars, most notably
Vietnam. American power is floundering in the current conflict, far from the
anticipated decisive victory, without anyone knowing what happened to the magic
of its past. Was there ever any American magic in the past, or do people simply
exaggerate the importance of both their friends and enemies?
Syria and the Turkish-Israeli Tension
Sam Mansi/Middle East/September 7, 2026 (Google
Translation from Arabic)
The Turkish-Israeli tension is no longer merely a reflection of the dispute over
Gaza or the political animosity between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Developments in Syria and Lebanon reveal
that the relationship has moved to a deeper level of competition over shaping
the balance of power in the Middle East after the US-Iranian conflict and the
decline of Tehran's ability to play its former regional role. Will Turkey become
Israel's main regional rival? Or will the rivalry remain contained within limits
that prevent direct confrontation? This question arose after the Israeli
airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria, following a visit by a
Turkish delegation. Israel justified the strike by claiming the base was
potentially being used to station Turkish forces, while Damascus denied this,
and Ankara accused Netanyahu of pursuing an expansionist policy that threatens
the stability of the region. The incident demonstrated that the competition is
nearing a military clash that could lead to a wider escalation if either side
misjudges the other's intentions. Syria represents the epicenter of this
competition because the two sides operate from conflicting visions for its
future. Ankara desires a unified and stable Syria with a central government
close to it, one that controls its borders and prevents the establishment of an
independent or semi-independent Kurdish entity. It also sees the rebuilding of
the army and economy as an opportunity to expand its influence, facilitate the
return of refugees, and solidify its position as the most influential power in
the new Syria. Conversely, Israel is concerned about the emergence of a strong
Syrian state or a Turkish military presence near its borders. It seeks to
maintain its freedom of action in the air and prevent the development of
capabilities that could restrict its movements. Therefore, it prefers to keep
Syria militarily weak and subject to security arrangements that limit its
sovereignty, particularly in the south. Thus, the dispute transcends a specific
military base and extends to the very nature of the Syrian state: Turkey wants
to rebuild it, while Israel wants to constrain it. The rivalry also extends to
Gaza, where Turkey leverages its support for the Palestinians to bolster its
Arab and Islamic presence, while Israel views these relations as a threat.
Lebanon has also become part of this equation, with Ankara seeking to expand its
political and security role and expressing its willingness to participate in
security arrangements to replace UNIFIL forces in the south. These contacts do
not signify a rapprochement, especially given the two sides' animosity in Syria,
but they do indicate a convergence of interests driven by a shared interest in
curbing Israeli actions. Israel views any Turkish presence in Lebanon as an
extension of Ankara's influence and an attempt to restrict its military freedom,
thus adding a new front to the existing tensions. In the Eastern Mediterranean,
the dispute revolves around gas, maritime borders, and Israel's alliance with
Greece and Cyprus, which Turkey considers an attempt to encircle and isolate it
from energy projects. The military dimension of this conflict has been
reinforced by an Israeli-Greek deal worth approximately three billion euros to
establish a multi-layered air and missile defense network, deepening the
strategic partnership and fueling Ankara's concerns. Iran's decline does not end
the struggle for influence; rather, it may gradually shift its focus to
Turkish-Israeli competition. However, Turkey is not another Iran. It is a member
of NATO, possesses a large economy and a powerful military, and maintains
extensive relations with the West and Arab states. Furthermore, it builds its
influence through political, military, and economic presence, not solely through
the model of armed groups. Therefore, it is difficult for Israel to use the
tools it employed against Iran and its allies against a state that is linked to
the West and intertwined with it economically and militarily. Washington will
also not easily allow its two allies to slide into war, which explains the
establishment of de-escalation channels in Syria. These channels do not indicate
a decrease in tension, but rather that the possibility of friction has become a
reality, requiring permanent mechanisms to contain it. Therefore, it is
preferable to maintain a balance that prevents either side from unilaterally
leading the region. The upcoming Israeli elections may influence the level of
escalation; Netanyahu's continued leadership favors a forceful approach, while a
new leadership might allow for more pragmatic security arrangements, without
resolving the underlying structural conflict of interests. Direct war is
unlikely, as economic interests, relations with the West, and the fear of
attrition impose limits on escalation. The most probable outcome is a
continuation of a relationship that combines political animosity, regional
competition, and the necessary security coordination to prevent a full-blown
conflict. Thus, the question is not whether Turkey and Israel will go to war,
but rather what kind of regional order each seeks to establish. Turkey seeks a
stable neighborhood led by central states aligned with it, while Israel seeks a
weak neighborhood on its borders that guarantees its supremacy and freedom of
action. Between the two projects, Syria remains the most important test, while
Lebanon opens an additional arena that may make controlling the competition more
difficult.
Does the Revolutionary Guard realize it is turning the
Strait of Hormuz into an ordinary body of water?
Gerard Dib/An-Nahar/September 6, 2026 (Google
Translation from Arabic)
The South Korean container ship "Pan Staracro" set sail on Saturday, August 22,
on its first trial voyage to Europe via the Arctic route, in a move aimed at
assessing the commercial viability of this route. According to the South Korean
Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the ship, which departed from the southeastern
port of Busan, is expected to cross the Arctic waters on September 7. This trial
voyage comes as a possible alternative given the ongoing tensions on the shores
of the Strait of Hormuz between the United States, whose military continues to
carry out airstrikes against Revolutionary Guard positions in Iran, and,
notably, at the request of its ally Moscow, which has access to the northern
passage adjacent to the Russian coast. To put it bluntly, there is no way to
sail except through Russia, which is under European sanctions. This gives Moscow
a significant advantage in establishing an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz,
potentially leading it to encourage tensions there, as this would provide Europe
with a new advantage.
In light of this military turmoil, which seems to have no end in sight, the
question of when the strait will return to normal traffic, free from tension, is
no longer as important as the effectiveness of the proposed alternatives, or
even their viability in the context of international conflicts that have shifted
from energy resources to their safe passage. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed
to international shipping. According to estimates issued by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) in its report at the end of August 2026,
approximately 400 ships with nearly 6,000 sailors on board remain stranded and
unable to safely exit the Gulf waters due to the military operations and the
imposed closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has
prompted both the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to activate alternative
routes to reduce their dependence on the Straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb,
which are under the control of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC),
either directly, as in the case of the Strait of Hormuz, or indirectly through
the Houthi movement in Yemen. Amid the complexities of the situation, and with
the ongoing exchange of blows between Washington and the IRGC, Riyadh has
resorted to a strategic weapon: relying on the East-West (E-West) pipeline,
which transports oil from production and processing areas in eastern Saudi
Arabia to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea. Similarly, the UAE possesses a
significant geographical advantage with the Habshan-Fujairah (ADCOP) pipeline,
which transports oil from Abu Dhabi's oil fields across the UAE to the port of
Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, thus bypassing the Strait of Hormuz and exiting
into the Indian Ocean. The tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz are
reshaping the maritime trade routes in favor of the Indian Ocean corridor at the
expense of the Belt and Road Initiative. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery
for the Chinese economy, given Beijing's heavy reliance on energy imports from
both the Gulf region and Iran. This explains the repeated US strikes on Iranian
ports, aimed at undermining confidence in the strait and accelerating efforts by
Saudi Arabia and the UAE to find alternative waterways beyond the reach of the
Iranian Revolutionary Guard. One such project is the King Salman Canal,
initially proposed in 2015, which could potentially become a viable alternative
to the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard operates under the
guise of "the right to self-defense" and to retaliate against US aggression, but
its miscalculations are further isolating Iran, while neighboring countries are
pursuing alternative routes. This is why observers have begun to feel that the
American rounds of intermittent strikes on Iran aim to prolong the tension on
the Strait of Hormuz in order to later turn it into a mere financial space with
no value in energy security after the appropriate conditions are created for the
Indian corridor at the expense of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, and the
world opens up to new alternatives in which Iran is transformed from a central
player in energy security into a rogue state?
From Hormuz to Bab al-Mandab: When the Houthis Replicate the Geography of
Iranian Blackmail
Dr. Basma Rou/Al-Arabiya.net/September 6, 2026
(Google Translation from Arabic)
In strategic geography, the value of a place is not measured by its size, but by
its vital location and geographical significance. A strait, no more than tens of
kilometers wide, can be more influential in a nation's calculations than vast
stretches of land. Instability in a narrow geographical area can have
repercussions extending to markets and countries thousands of kilometers away.
Bab al-Mandab is at the forefront of such places: narrow in size, vast in
impact. The value of Bab al-Mandab becomes clear when answering a simple
question: What happens if passage through the strait becomes dangerous? In the
second quarter of 2026, approximately 8.1 million barrels per day of oil and
petroleum products passed through the strait, compared to about 5.4 million
barrels per day in the last quarter of 2025, after its importance as an
alternative route increased following the disruption of global oil supplies
through the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, interpreting the recent Houthi
escalation on Yemen's western coast as merely another round in the Yemeni civil
war overlooks its most dangerous aspect. What is happening, from western Taiz to
southern Hodeidah, and the attempts to advance towards areas connected to Mocha
and Bab al-Mandab, is not simply about changing territorial control or front
lines. It is about approaching a geography capable of transforming a local
terrorist group into a regional and international security threat.
Recent developments on the ground indicate large-scale Houthi attacks in areas
west of Taiz and on the western coastal fronts. Yemeni government forces have
recaptured some positions and high ground amidst some of the fiercest battles in
years, while Yemeni sources reported Houthi attempts to advance towards high
ground overlooking Mocha and Bab al-Mandab. But why Bab al-Mandab at this
particular time? The answer lies in a lesson the Iranian regime has learned for
decades: when it is difficult to subdue or break the enemy's power, geography
can make the option of confrontation more costly and draining. Herein lies the
most dangerous paradox: the more crises tighten around the Strait of Hormuz, the
more the Bab el-Mandeb Strait becomes an alternative safety valve for
international navigation. If both straits become threatened, the crisis is no
longer merely Iranian, Yemeni, or Gulf-related, but rather a crisis that
cripples the global economy. This is precisely what makes the Iranian model
appealing to the Houthis; they don't need to completely close Bab el-Mandeb to
achieve strategic gains. It is enough for their missiles and drones to reach
ships for insurance premiums to skyrocket, shipping companies to reroute
vessels, and tanker owners to decide that circumnavigating the Cape of Good
Hope, despite the cost, is less risky than crossing the Red Sea. Fear itself
then becomes a weapon. The comparison with the Strait of Hormuz takes on vital
dimensions; in the Iranian model, closing Hormuz was not an end in itself, but
rather the threat of disrupting navigation through it was a tool for deterrence
and bargaining. In this equation, as pressure mounts on Tehran, the cost is
passed on to global oil markets, shipping, supply chains, and international
trade, without the need for a complete shutdown that would push the
confrontation to a level with uncontrollable repercussions. This is where the
value of the threat itself lies: keeping the risk of disrupting navigation
active, thus granting Iran room to maneuver and a continuous bargaining chip.
This is precisely the most important dimension of the model the Houthis are
trying to replicate in Bab al-Mandab.
On July 20, the Houthis announced what they described as a naval blockade of
Saudi Arabia, threatening that escalating the confrontation could place Bab
al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz in a single operational equation. Following
this announcement, the Yemeni government issued a clear warning, cautioning that
the Houthis were seeking to replicate the Iranian model in the Strait of Hormuz
within the Red Sea. This warning signaled a radical shift in the nature of the
power the Houthis are attempting to acquire.
The Houthi replication of the Iranian model is not limited to missiles and
drones, nor is it simply a matter of the Houthis imitating Iranian tactics. It
extends to adopting a broader methodology in the use of force: if you are weaker
than your adversary, do not seek parity in power, but rather make the cost of
confrontation unbearable.
The Iranian model is based on expanding the scope of the conflict as pressure
mounts: if the scope of military confrontation narrows, its geographical reach
expands; and if imposing a direct cost on the adversary proves impossible, the
cost shifts to energy resources, trade, or navigation. In this way, the strait
is transformed from a shared international interest into a hostage in a military
and political equation. Here, a distinction must be made between controlling the
Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the ability to threaten maritime traffic through it.
The Houthis do not need to control Bab el-Mandeb to influence shipping. However,
if they consolidate their positions near the coast and maintain their missile
and drone capabilities, they can raise the level of risk to international
shipping and pose a threat to transiting vessels. Naval power here is not
measured solely by the number of ships the Houthis can target, but also by the
number of ships that change course for fear of being targeted. Since the Houthi
attacks on shipping in the Red Sea began in late 2023, the number of targeted
ships has been limited compared to the volume of trade passing through the
region. However, the repercussions of these attacks have extended far beyond
their immediate geographical scope. Shipping companies have been forced to alter
their routes, transportation and insurance costs have increased, and the
security threat has become an economic decision within the chambers of
international shipping companies. US maritime warnings continue to emphasize
that ships associated with the United States, Britain, or Israel face a high
risk of hostile acts when transiting the southern Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb
Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. Some Western analysts interpret the Houthi
escalation as a pressure tactic against Saudi Arabia. This interpretation is not
entirely wrong, but it is superficial and ignores a broader reality: when an
armed terrorist group uses an international waterway to pressure a political or
military adversary, the cost is not borne by that adversary alone, but rather
reverberates throughout the entire region. Therefore, reducing Bab el-Mandeb to
merely a pressure tactic against Saudi Arabia is a limited perspective. The
strait is a shared Arab and regional interest, and a vital artery of
international trade. When the Bab al-Mandab Strait is disrupted, it's not just
the region's security that is shaken, but the repercussions extend to the
economies of countries whose citizens may not even know its location on a map,
yet feel its impact on fuel bills, commodity prices, and market activity. The
Houthis may possess the capability to threaten and disrupt navigation in Bab
al-Mandab for limited periods, but transforming this threat into a complete and
sustained closure of the strait remains an extremely difficult challenge.
Furthermore, any advance towards the coastal areas they seek to control will
open a more costly and complex front for them, given the fierce military
resistance on the ground and the operational burdens imposed by expanding the
scope of the confrontation. When an armed terrorist group manages to influence
the decisions of an insurance company in London, a tanker owner in Asia, or a
shipping company in Europe, it has acquired a degree of influence that far
exceeds the size of the territory it controls, and surpasses its political
weight and legitimacy. The danger of Bab al-Mandab lies not only in who controls
its shores, but also in who can make the world hesitate before passing through
it. From the Strait of Hormuz to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the geography
differs, but the threat is the same: that the narrowness of the strait will
become a tool for expanding influence. The battle over Bab al-Mandab, at its
core, is not a battle over a few kilometers of Yemeni coastline, but over an
issue that transcends Yemen's borders: Will maritime straits remain open
waterways governed by the rules of international law and freedom of navigation,
or will they be allowed to become tools of pressure and blackmail in the hands
of rogue states and terrorist groups? If the world becomes accustomed to
rewarding those who threaten international waterways with influence and
gunpowder diplomacy, the problem will not be limited to the Bab al-Mandab Strait
alone, but will set a precedent that tempts anyone with weapons to hold
geography hostage.
The Iran War: Between the Costs of Peace and War
Kifah Mahmood/Asharq Al Awsat/6 September 2026
The confrontation between Washington and Tehran is entering its seventh month
without victory or resolution. This outcome does not necessarily mean that
either side is incapable of winning. Rather, it means that each has found that
prolonging the war costs less than ending it. Wars are not measured by their
stated objectives, but by the calculations of those who control them. Here,
conflicting calculations converge on a single outcome: remaining in a gray zone
between war and peace.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sees the cost of peace as higher
than the cost of war. Despite the heavy losses the war has inflicted on its
leadership and infrastructure, it gives the IRGC something no political
arrangement can provide: a justification for exceptional rule. A permanent state
of emergency puts domestic questions about a collapsing economy, the suppression
of protests, and the economic empire the Guard has built on the margins of the
state on hold. Peace, by contrast, would mean opening all these files at once,
demanding accountability, redistributing influence, and perhaps bringing an end
to its control over Iran's resources. In this sense, prolonging the war is less
a strategic choice than a survival instinct.
On the other side is a different calculation, one centered on the price of a
barrel of oil. The American voter does not read maps of military operations.
They read the fuel price board. Any rise above $90 a barrel becomes a negative
psychological factor during a midterm election season. This is why Washington
has gradually shifted from broad military escalation to what it calls "economic
pressure": a calibrated naval blockade, targeted sanctions, and limited strikes
that keep the adversary's capabilities depleted without igniting the energy
market. It is a war managed by the market's thermometer, not by the logic of
decisive victory.The clearest embodiment of this equation is what is happening
in the Strait of Hormuz. It is a double blockade. Washington imposes one side of
it on Iranian ports, while Tehran imposes the other on the waterway as a whole.
A total closure would trigger a response beyond the threshold of tolerance,
while a complete reopening would restore half a billion dollars a day to Tehran.
So the strait is being managed incrementally, just as the war is being managed
incrementally, and just as ceasefires are reached, violated, and renewed without
ever becoming a settlement.
But the strait has another, more dangerous function: cover. Since Tehran
manufactured the crisis around it, the world's attention has shifted to tankers,
mines, and insurance costs, while the issue that the war began over has
disappeared from the conversation: the fate of Iran's highly enriched uranium.
The International Atomic Energy Agency recently reported, in a restricted
report, that it remains unable to verify the location or status of this
stockpile: more than 400 kilograms enriched to 60 percent, just one step away
from the military threshold. Noise on the water is covering silence in the
tunnels, and a strait is being closed to ships so that a file can be closed with
it.
Against this backdrop, the quiet deal with Beijing becomes understandable:
American tolerance of China's purchase of Iranian oil, along with a public
commitment to lift sanctions on Chinese companies that buy it, in exchange for
Beijing refraining from supplying Tehran with advanced military equipment:
radars, air defense systems, and aircraft. In other words, Washington has
accepted that Iran can breathe financially as long as it does not breathe
militarily. Reports of a deal involving man-portable air defense systems with
hundreds of launchers do not undermine this equation. They clarify its limits:
what raises the cost of low-altitude air operations is permitted, while what
could rebuild Iran's air defense umbrella is not.
Tehran, meanwhile, is managing the war through distribution rather than
endurance. Where it has been unable to respond directly at the same pace, it has
moved its cards in Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen, pushing the war away from its own
territory and turning neighboring geography into an absorption zone. Through its
proxies in Iraq, attacks have been carried out by factions aligned with Tehran
against countries in the region. Then comes the economic bill, with countries
being bombed because they are neighbors rather than parties to the conflict, and
being blockaded because their wealth passes through a corridor Iran wants for
itself. More dangerous still are what could be called the "economic offices" of
Iraqi factions and militias, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. They are no longer
merely military arms, but financial networks that fund the war from the
resources of the states in which they operate. US sanctions targeting Iraq's
deputy oil minister and leaders of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada
have clearly exposed how the system works. Iraq is thus transformed from a
sovereign state in control of its own resources into a financing corridor for a
war in which it has no real stake, paying the price through a damaged financial
reputation that drives away investors and international banks.
A single thread connects all these fronts: every side gains more from prolonging
the war than from ending it. The IRGC buys its survival with time. The White
House buys a manageable oil price through gradual escalation. Beijing buys cheap
oil through neutrality. The proxies buy influence through smuggling.
That is why betting that one more strike will end the war is a losing bet. Wars
of this kind are not ended by firepower, but by changing the cost equation:
peace must become cheaper than war for those who control the decision. That
begins with cutting the financial arteries that make war profitable. Without
that, the war will remain open, not because anyone is incapable of ending it,
but because none of those who hold the power to end it wants it to end.
Selected Face Book & X tweets
on September 06/2026
Alberto Miguel Fernandez
This may well be true, that the Iranian regime is plotting this broad front
attack, but Iran's surrogates in Lebanon and Gaza are extremely weak now. Houthi
Yemen is too far away. If Iran tries this anytime soon, it will be really
pummeled by the IDF.
Tom Harb
Many in Lebanon say Hezbollah should have handed Ali-Taher to the Lebanese Army.
I disagree ! If the army took it, they would have
given it right back to Hezbollah within a month. They knew about that base &
tunnels for years and did nothing.
It was far better that Israel took it, cleaned it out, and eventually destroyed
the tunnels. The area is safer now.There are plenty of places the Lebanese Army
could control today but under this leadership, nothing will happen.Clean the
army of Hezbollah sympathizers and loyalists first. Only then can anyone rely on
it. Stop pretending otherwise.
GBC
BREAKING:
Carney: "The global economy today is radically different from yesterday. The
U.S.-centered global trading system is over. Our old relationship of growing
integration with the U.S. is over. The 80-year era of U.S. economic leadership
is over. As tragic as that is, this is the new reality."
https://x.com/Acyn/status/1907842780371759588/video/1
Ambassador Tom Barrack
We are dismayed by the renewed escalation in Suwayda.
Nearly a year ago, alongside Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shaibani and Jordanian
Foreign Minister Safadi, we put our signatures to a trilateral roadmap for peace
in Suwayda: a path to the dignified reintegration of the province into Syria,
with the full rights and the full obligations of citizenship for its Druze
community. That path remains the only one that leads anywhere but back to grief.
Syria’s Druze are a people of noble and ancient history. Yet where governance is
absent, gangs fill the void, and today a very few with toxic motives are turning
on their own, men such as Atef Hunaidi, arbitrarily detained and driven from his
home. Our team is in contact with Mr. Hunaidi and with others caught in this
campaign of intracommunal violence. Cooperation among the Druze, the Arab
tribes, and the neighboring nations along Suwayda’s borders must continue to be
built in threads of tolerance and understanding: one nation and one people, of
diverse and respected cultures and faiths, interacting through communal dialogue
and empathy, and leaving the kinetic, knee-jerk reflex where it belongs, in the
hands of the nation-state alone. The Syrian government has begun to confront the
grave crimes committed by its forces last July and to hold those responsible to
account before its courts. That is the direction of hope, and it must continue.
The only way forward is a dialogue that delivers accountability, restores
security, and opens the road for the displaced to return and for what was
destroyed to be rebuilt. This is a sensitive hour, in the neighborhood and in
the world. We urge upon all parties the two disciplines that peace has always
asked of the brave: restraint in action, and communication in
earnest. The alternative to talking is not victory. It is only the next round of
mourning.
Dr Walid Phares
Two views on Syria in Washington
There is clearly a division in Washington over perceptions of the nature of the
HTS-led regime in Damascus and the identity and future of the Druze community in
southern Syria.
One camp considers the current regime in Damascus to have been “fully
transformed” from a jihadi movement into a “liberal” government, despite
evidence suggesting otherwise. The other camp views the same regime as still
actively jihadi, operating under a more moderate façade. The massacres on the
Syrian coast and in Suwayda provide ample evidence supporting the concerns of
the latter camp. One camp wants the Druze, Alawites,
Christians, Kurds, and moderate Sunnis to be absorbed into the jihadi-led regime
and ultimately lose their distinct identities. The other camp supports these
communities’ right to defend themselves against genocide and to preserve and
represent their own identities. I support the second
camp within the United States, and I believe that a majority of Americans share
this view.