Topic
1661 articles
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed three Palestinians on Sunday, as attacks also targeted displaced persons' tents in Khan Younis. Restrictions at the Al-Aqsa and Ibrahimi mosques continued, and Palestinian groups condemned escalating raids on medical workers and detainees.
A U.S.-brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, criticized for not requiring Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas, sparked protests in Beirut and condemnation from Hezbollah. The deal leaves key issues unresolved, with analysts warning of imbalances and potential internal strife in Lebanon.
Iranian Supreme Leader's Senior Advisor Ali Akbar Velayati declared Hezbollah the real defender of Lebanon's sovereignty amid rising regional tensions. He said no other force, including the Lebanese army, can fulfill this role as effectively, highlighting Hezbollah's key role in countering threats from Israel.
On October 12, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Baghdad to discuss security, bilateral cooperation, and regional developments. The meeting comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and unrest in Lebanon.
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said ending the conflict in Lebanon is a crucial element of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Islamabad, stressing the importance of regional peace. The statement came after Iran and Pakistan agreed to boost bilateral cooperation through the MoU, which includes provisions related to regional stability. Ghalibaf's remarks signal Tehran views ending hostilities in Lebanon as a top foreign policy priority.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has affirmed that his government is prioritizing diplomatic solutions to resolve disputes with relevant parties, amid heightened tensions with the West over the nuclear program and regional issues. He stated Iran remains open to dialogue without abandoning core national interests.
Israel resumed airstrikes on southern Lebanon just days after a US-brokered framework deal was signed, raising immediate doubts about the ceasefire. Hezbollah denounced the agreement as a surrender, while the Israeli far-right rejected it as well. The first death since the deal was recorded on Saturday, and Israeli forces continued operations in a buffer zone.
The U.S.-Iran MoU is not a peace treaty but a strategic pause understood by both sides. Iran has a consistent pattern of negotiating under pressure and reneging when the threat passes, as seen with the JCPOA. The Trump administration enters this pause aware of Iran's deceit, using it to prepare for future confrontation rather than expecting lasting compliance.
Iran and the U.S. are at odds over Article 5 of a June 15 memorandum on the Strait of Hormuz, which requires Iran to ensure safe, fee-free passage for commercial vessels. Recent clashes, including drone and missile attacks, have slashed daily ship transits from 70 to 40. Analysts warn of rising tension but see room for diplomacy.
