Netanyahu’s joint war with the US began with talk of regime change in Tehran but may leave him with few strategic gains Middle East live – latest updates When Donald Trump launched a pre-emptive war on Iran with Israel in February, many in the country hailed the campaign as the crowning triumph of Benjamin Netanyahu’s political and diplomatic career. Three months on the regime is still in power in Tehran, Trump is chasing a deal that will reopen the strait of Hormuz to oil tankers, and the reported terms have provoked alarm, dismay and anger in Israel. Continue reading...
Netanyahu vows ‘strong blows’ against Hezbollah as fighting escalates Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the military will step up its campaign against Hezbollah, pledging intensified strikes. He said Israel is “at war” with the group and claimed its forces have killed 600 Hezbollah members in recent weeks. “We will increase the scale of our strikes against Hezbollah and we will not stop,” he said.
Israeli mayor warns residents to prepare for escalation 'in the coming days' due to war on Lebanon The mayor of the northern Israeli town of Shlomi has warned residents to brace for an escalation in fighting in the coming days, the Times of Israel reported. Gabi Naaman said “the war will intensify even more tonight and in the coming days, so we must be more vigilant than usual”. Naaman issued the warning in a Facebook post after meeting senior military officials.
US may back expanded Israeli offensive in Lebanon: Report A senior US official has signalled Washington could support a wider Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, as cross-border attacks intensify. Speaking to Channel 12 and Axios reporter Barak Ravid, the official said Hezbollah’s continued retaliation to Israeli attacks seemed to be the problem. “Hezbollah has ignored repeated requests to stop firing at Israel, including a recent ultimatum.
Iran orders internet restoration after months-long blackout Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the restoration of internet access across the country, according to a report by Mehr News Agency. Citing a source at the Ministry of Communications, the outlet said the decree follows months of severe restrictions on connectivity nationwide. Monitoring group NetBlocks said authorities had enforced a near-total internet blackout for more than 87 days.
Saudi Arabia says only ‘irreversible pathway’ to Palestinian state enables normalisation with Israel Saudi Arabia’s position on Palestine remains unchanged, with a Saudi source saying any regional deal must include a clear path towards statehood. Speaking to Al Arabiya English, the source said “there needs to be an irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state”. The remarks come as US President Donald Trump told Muslim-majority countries to normalise ties with Israel in exchange for ending the war with Iran.
Tehran [Iran], May 25 (ANI): Iranian media on Monday claimed that a 'hostile drone' was downed by air defence systems over maritime areas near Qeshm Island, situated close to the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. According to reports by the Fars news agency, the unmanned aerial vehicle was neutralised over the Persian Gulf late on Monday.
Mexico to host Iran team after US refusal ahead of World Cup Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her government has agreed to host Iran’s national football team during the upcoming World Cup after the United States refused to accommodate the squad. Speaking at her daily news conference, Sheinbaum said Fifa approached Mexico following Washington’s decision not to allow the Iranian team to stay in the US throughout the tournament, despite their group matches being scheduled there. “We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico,” she said.
Lebanese cling to memories of Liberation Day as Israel reoccupies the south Submitted by Rita Kabalan on Mon, 05/25/2026 - 16:18 Israel's war on Lebanon has displaced more than a million people and razed half the towns in the south, but residents nurture hope of the day 26 years ago when occupation forces were forced out Mourners attend the funeral of Lebanese civil defence members Hussein Jaber and Ahmad Noura, who were killed in an Israeli strike on the southern town of Nabatieh, Lebanon, 13 May 2026 (Aziz Taher/Reuters) Off Abeer was 19 when she heard the news on 25 May 2000 that southern Lebanon had been liberated after 18 years of Israeli occupation. Within hours, her family had left Beirut and was heading south to their hometown Kfar Kila, a centuries-old village right on the border with Israel. “It was a joy like I had never experienced before,” said Abeer, now an events coordinator for musicians.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – In his first message to the Iranian nation, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), underlined the country’s determination to defend the rights of the Iranian nation.
Lebanon says 3,185 killed since Israel launched war on country Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health says Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,185 people since restarted its war on the Lebanon on 2 March. The ministry added that 9,633 others have been wounded over the same period.
New Delhi [India], May 25 (ANI): Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture and Janata Dal (United) leader Sanjay Jha, on Monday, said that the Shipping Ministry addressed the issues concerning seafarers coming from the Strait of Hormuz, and presented relevant facts before the panel.
By Vishu Adhana Tel Aviv [Israel], May 25 (ANI): Israel has conveyed its expectation to India to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organisation. Speaking on the issue, an Israeli official said several countries had already recognised the nature and activities of the IRGC and expressed hope that India would take a similar decision.
Washington DC [US], May 25 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Monday pushed for several Muslim and Arab nations to join the Abraham Accords as part of a broader regional settlement tied to the potential deal with Tehran, while noting that the negotiations with the Islamic Republic were 'proceeding nicely.
Tehran [Iran], May 25 (ANI): The Iranian navy has announced that a fleet of 32 vessels successfully crossed the strategic Strait of Hormuz after 'obtaining permission with the coordination and security of the IRGC Navy', according to a report published by the semi-state Tasnim news agency.
US and Israel 'actively working' to strip Jordan of Al-Aqsa custodianship, sources say Submitted by Faisal Edroos on Mon, 05/25/2026 - 09:45 The plan has sparked fears that regional and international actors are seeking to sideline Jordan's role in Jerusalem in favour of a new arrangement closely aligned with Israeli interests This aerial image taken on 22 March 2023 shows the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque on the compound in Jerusalem's Old City (Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters) On The US and Israel are "actively working" to strip Jordan of its historic custodianship of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, and are pursuing a new arrangement that would see the management of the revered Muslim site closely align with Israeli interests, multiple sources have told Middle East Eye. US, Jordanian and Palestinian officials, as well as western and Gulf Arab sources, told MEE that under the plan, championed by President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and the US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, the authority of the Jordanian-backed Islamic Waqf would abruptly end and a new body created by the Israeli government would declare the Al-Aqsa Mosque a "multi-faith centre". According to the officials, all of whom requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, the "new arrangement" would grant Jews "equal access" to the Muslim site and formally allow large-group Jewish prayer.
Gaza genocide death toll rises to 72,797 as Israeli attacks continue The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza says the death toll from Israel’s genocide on the enclave has climbed to 72,797, with 172,821 people wounded since 7 October, 2023. Officials said hospitals across Gaza received six bodies over the past 24 hours, including one person who died from earlier injuries, along with five newly killed victims and eight wounded. The ministry added that since the "ceasefire" on 11 October, at least 904 people have been killed and 2,713 wounded, while 777 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble.
Israeli strike on cemetery in south Lebanon kills four Lebanon’s official National News Agency says an Israeli air strike has killed four people and wounded three others in the south of the country. The agency reported that Israeli warplanes targeted a cemetery in the town of Kfar Remman, in Nabatieh governorate, on Sunday afternoon. Three others were wounded in the attack, according to the report.
