Israel to approve new funds for illegal settlement expansion in West Bank Israel is expected to approve on Thursday the allocation of 1 billion shekels ($337. 8 million) to build new settlements and connect them to infrastructure in the occupied West Bank, Israeli rights group Peace Now said. The plan is being promoted by Israel's far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, a proponent of Israeli illegal settlement expansion who has said he wants to bury the idea of Palestinian statehood.
Hamas condemns Palestinian Authority for occupied West Bank arrests Hamas has denounced the Palestinian Authority's arrest of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, calling an end to the “farce of the so-called security coordination” with Israel. “We warn of the danger of these flawed practices and the unpatriotic approach being carried out by the Palestinian Authority and the continuation of their security coordination, in light of the escalation of the war genocide waged by the occupation and its settler militias against the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,” the group said in a statement. It accused Palestinian Authority of suppressing resistance, adding that Israel’s arrest of resistance members after they were released from PA prisons was a “national crime”.
US administration investigating Iran war critic Trita Parsi, says report Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Thu, 06/11/2026 - 09:49 The Free Press reports officials in the US government are looking to deport the Swedish-Iranian analyst Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute in Washington DC on 12 February 2020 (AFP/Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Off The Trump administration has launched an investigation into prominent Iran war critic Trita Parsi, according to a report in the Free Press. According to US officials and documents reviewed by the pro-Trump outlet, officials are looking into the possibility of deporting Parsi, who holds both Iranian and Swedish citizenship. Parsi, who is co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and co-founded the National Iranian-American Council (NIAC), has been a vocal opponent of the ongoing US attacks on Iran .
US-Iran talks still on track despite trading attacks, CNN reports Talks to reach a deal between Washington and Iran are still on track after overnight negotiations, CNN reported on Thursday, citing a diplomatic source. The US and Iran traded air attacks for a second straight day on Thursday, with President Donald Trump vowing further strikes if Tehran does not immediately agree to a peace deal.
Tehran denies Trump claims that Iranian officials contacted him Tehran's state media denied US President Donald Trump's claims that he had direct contact with Iranian officials following American attacks on the country. "Trump's false claim that Iranian officials contacted him is a cover to evade war with Iran," an unnamed official was quoted as saying. Trump on Wednesday told Fox News that he spoke directly with Iranian officials who asked him to stop strikes on the country.
Saudi crown prince orders resumption of Lebanese exports Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered on Wednesday the resumption of Lebanese exports to the kingdom "in light of positive steps" taken by the Lebanese government toward rebuilding state institutions, Saudi state news agency SPA reported. Ties between Riyadh and Beirut have been strained for years due to the power of Hezbollah over Lebanese political and security affairs, but the kingdom sees an opening after the group was severely weakened by war with Israel last year.
No sustainable deal can be reached under threats, Iran's UN envoy says Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, told the Security Council on Wednesday that a sustainable deal to end the war could not be reached through threats, intimidation, and the use of force and urged the US to refrain from threats like those made by President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Pezeshkian says Iran ‘will stand firm against any pressure or threat’ Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian says the country will “stand firm” amid threats from Trump of more attacks against the country. In a post on X, Pezeshkian also denounced attacks on Iranian infrastructure. “Threats to target them – from transportation networks to the electricity and water industries – are not a show of strength but a sign of desperation in the face of a nation’s will,” he said.
Revealed: New details of London event promoting Israeli settlement-linked companies A Middle East Eye investigation has uncovered previously unreported details of an upcoming London event's connection to illegal Israeli settlements. The Great Israeli Real Estate Event is scheduled to be held in London this Sunday 14 June but its location is being kept secret. Prominent politicians, including Green Party leader Zack Polanski and Your Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, have told MEE the event should be banned.
Iran envoy slams 'counter-productive' new nuclear resolution Iran's ambassador in Vienna on Wednesday called a new resolution passed by the UN nuclear watchdog demanding access to Tehran's nuclear sites "counter-productive" and an obstacle to talks with Washington. Ambassador Reza Najafi told AFP the International Atomic Energy Agency resolution was "politically motivated" and "legally flawed". The vote "cannot help and, would indeed be counterproductive to the current situation," he added.
Rubio to visit Bahrain and reassure Gulf ally amid Iran war, sources say Submitted by Sean Mathews on Wed, 06/10/2026 - 11:10 Secretary of state's visit would come as the country reels from Iranian attacks and economic pressure from Hormuz closure US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a signing ceremony with Bahrain's foreign minister at the State Department in Washington on 16 July 2025 (Umit Bektas/Reuters) Off US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is planning to visit Bahrain in the coming weeks, Arab, Western and US officials familiar with the matter have told Middle East Eye, in a trip that would be seen as a show of support for the kingdom's ruling Al Khalifa monarchy and a signal of Washington's commitment to the Gulf. The Arab official, who requested anonymity as they were not authorised to speak with the media, told MEE that Rubio's visit would be viewed as a vote of confidence in Bahrain from the Trump administration and a sign of support for the wider Gulf region. The US official, who also requested anonymity, told MEE that "Rubio's visit would be a sign of support to the Khalifa family and demonstration of its importance as a US ally to Iran.
IAEA board passes resolution demanding Iran report uranium stocks The UN nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors have passed a US-backed resolution telling Iran to declare its remaining enriched uranium stocks and let inspectors verify them. The development could complicate Washington's talks with Tehran. The resolution submitted by the US, Britain, France and Germany was passed with 21 votes in favour, three against and 10 abstentions, diplomats at the closed-door meeting told Reuters.
Qatari negotiators in Tehran to finalise truce deal, official says Qatari negotiators travelled to Tehran early Wednesday to finalise a US-Iran ceasefire agreement, Reuters reported. According to an official with knowledge of the situation who spoke to Reuters, the negotiators made their way to the Iranian capital after consultations with the United States.
Iran official accuses US of double standards over helicopter crash and school attack Following the US’s allegation that Tehran is responsible for the downing of a US army helicopter, Iranian official Ebrahim Rezaei contrasted that quick response with the Minab school attack , which killed more than 165 children and teachers. “In just two days, the Pentagon and the White House concluded that the helicopter crash in the Strait of Hormuz was Iran’s doing,” Rezaei, spokesman for Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, said in a post on X. “Yet 102 days have passed since the Minab school massacre, and the investigation into the killing of the Minab girls is still ongoing.
Netanyahu to run in upcoming election despite Trump’s comments, Likud says Following comments from US President Donald Trump, Israel's Likud party announced on Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to run in the next election, according to Haaretz. Netanyahu will run in the upcoming election and "will win, God willing," the party said in a statement. Speaking to ABC News's chief Washington correspondent on Monday, Trump said it was unclear whether Netanyahu "even wants to continue" in his role as prime minister.
Tony Blair's latest intervention reveals a man who learned nothing from Iraq Submitted by Barry Malone on Fri, 06/05/2026 - 18:35 It's high time that the UK's commentariat stop worshipping a man whose hubris has fuelled massacres across the Middle East Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks in Vienna, Austria, on 3 June 2025 (Joe Klamar/AFP) On There were two words everywhere late last month after former British Prime Minister Tony Blair treated us to a 5,700-word essay on UK politics . The 73-year-old, several commentators and media outlets said, had made a “rare” intervention. For others, the intervention was “extraordinary”.
Meet the Mamdani-endorsed candidate that could become the first Palestinian in New York Senate Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Tue, 06/09/2026 - 15:59 Aber Kawas has been organising locally around the issues closest to her community for more than a decade Aber Kawas speaks to members and supporters of the New York Immigration Coalition during a rally for immigration reform in Foley Square, New York City, on 28 June 2016 (Drew Angerer/Getty Images via AFP) Off There are fewer than 10 Palestinian Americans who have ever been elected to statewide offices in the US, and Aber Kawas is looking to add to that number. On 23 June, the Democratic Socialist from the New York City borough of Queens is seeking the Democratic candidacy for Senate District 12, in a primary race that pits her against Filipino-American assemblyman Steven Raga. The winner will carry their campaign through the November midterm elections, and if successful, will begin their term in New York's capital, Albany, in January.
Turkey advances historic Hejaz railway project with Saudi Arabia deal Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Tue, 06/09/2026 - 16:30 Riyadh signs a railways cooperation deal with Ankara after Syria and Jordan, which could help revive the Hejaz connectivity project A locomotive is exhibited outside the historic Hejaz train station in Damascus, Syria, on 26 January 2025 (Louai Beshara/AFP) Off Turkey and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday signed two separate memorandums of understanding to expand cooperation on railways and connectivity between the two countries. With the agreement, Riyadh has become the latest country to indirectly participate in the revival of the historic Hejaz railway, which would connect Turkey, Syria , Jordan , and Saudi Arabia. Turkish Transportation Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu travelled to Riyadh on Tuesday for talks with his Saudi counterparts.
UK: Study shows Gaza a major reason for collapse in support for Labour Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 06/09/2026 - 10:40 Findings indicate the enormous significance the genocide continues to have in British politics Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at London Tech Week in London, 8 June (AFP) Off A new study has revealed that over half of former Labour voters who intend to vote for a centre or left-wing party in the next general election cited Israel 's genocide in Gaza as a factor in their decision. The findings indicate the enormous significance the genocide and the UK 's cooperation with Israel throughout it continue to have for British politics. Contrary to some popular misconceptions, the study further explodes the view that outrage over the genocide is a niche, sectarian or purely Muslim concern.
Hezbollah thanks Iran for retaliation, calls for closer Lebanon-Tehran ties Following Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel for attacks on Beirut, Hezbollah thanked Tehran and urged the Lebanese government to strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic, according to Haaretz. The group issued a statement on Tuesday calling on Lebanese authorities to seize this opportunity to “correct their official relations with the Islamic Republic in a way that serves the interests of both countries. ” It emphasised that ongoing truce talks between the US and Iran offer an opportunity for Lebanon to achieve its key national goals, specifically "the liberation of their land, the return of displaced persons, reconstruction, and safeguarding national sovereignty.
