When US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran on 28 February, triggering one of the most serious geopolitical crises in years, the Strait of Hormuz – a narrow channel just 34 kilometres wide at its narrowest point – became a global flashpoint overnight.
Israel sent troops to 'Azerbaijan, UAE, Iraq and Somaliland' during Iran war Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 06/05/2026 - 11:49 CNN reports Israeli special forces operated near the Iranian border, with covert sites established across the region Israeli army soldiers patrol around a position along Israel's southern boundary with the Gaza Strip on 13 June 2024 (Jack Guez/AFP) Off Israel deployed special forces to Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates , Iraq and Somaliland during its war with Iran , according to a CNN report published on Friday. Citing four sources familiar with the matter, CNN said Mossad agents and elite Israeli military units, including an airborne rescue unit of the Israel Air Force, were sent to southern Azerbaijan, near the Iranian border and around 100km from the city of Tabriz at its closest point. The personnel reportedly carried out drone operations and intelligence-gathering missions.
Israel issues expulsion orders for nine villages in south Lebanon The Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee issued expulsion orders for residents of nine towns and villages including south Lebanon's Sarafand, a town on the coastal road between Sour (Tyre) and Saida. In one post on X, the warning included Sarafand, Tefahta, al-Babaliyeh, Qaaqaiyet el-Snoubar, Marwaniyeh, Saksakiyeh. In an earlier post, Adraee warned three villages north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, including Arnaya (Arnabba), Anqoun, Kafr Fila, to leave their homes.
Israeli strikes on Lebanon's Sour kill six people Israeli strikes overnight on the historic southern Lebanese city of Sour (Tyre) killed at least six people, a civil defence source told Middle East Eye on Friday. One strike near Jabal Amel hospital killed four people, wounded seven others and caused minor damage to the facility, the source said. A second strike on a residential area killed three people and wounded five, including a child.
Tehran [Iran], June 5 (ANI): Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday recounted that he survived an attack on the office of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the opening hours of the US-Israeli conflict against Iran, saying he emerged from the 'rubble' of the targeted building while fearing for the fate of the Supreme Leader, as per the report by the Iranian State Media Press TV.
DUBAI/BEIRUT: The Iran-backed Hezbollah group rejected a new ceasefire in Lebanon on June 4, while Israel said it would not pull its troops out of the country. This weakens U. S.
Operations at Oman's key terminal resumes following blast Operations at Oman's Mina al-Fahal terminal have resumed hours after it was halted due to an explosion. According to reports, the blast was a result of an alleged drone attack.
Lawmakers vote to curb Trump war on Iran but fail similar effort on Lebanon A resolution to end US support for Israel's war in Lebanon was met with a rebuke from most Democrats in the House of Representatives late Thursday, as a total of 324 lawmakers from both sides of the aisle rejected it, and only 92 voted in support. Key to Iran agreeing to any deal for nuclear concessions and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as US President Donald Trump has demanded, is a ceasefire in Lebanon. On Thursday, Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib forced a vote on her war powers resolution to end US participation in what she called "the genocidal war on Lebanon", given Washington's logistical and intelligence support to Israel, including the sale of weapons.
In today’s newsletter: Global powers are focused on oil markets and elections but those living through conflict in the Middle East feel abandoned Good morning. It’s been another week of brinkmanship via Truth Social and ceasefires broken before they’ve been announced. While US president Donald Trump claims an agreement with Iran could happen soon, for those living in the Middle East it does not feel like peace is anywhere near.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Here are the latest developments: A blast at Oman's Mina al-Fahal terminal has reportedly lead to a halt in crude oil loading operations. The explosion was a result of an alleged drone attack. US President Donald Trump said that he spoke with both the Israeli prime minister and Hezbollah in order to end war on Lebanon.
New posts 11:59 WFP Warns Middle East Conflict Pushing Millions Into Hunger Millions of people are being pushed closer to the brink of hunger amid the Iran war and the broader Middle East conflict, the United Nations' World Food Program (the WFP) said on June 5.
New posts 15:33 US Central Command Denies Naval Clash With Iran An Iranian claim that its forces fired on two US destroyers has been denied by US Central Command (CENTCOM). Iranian forces did NOTattack or fire at US Navy warships. Doing so would be a gross violation of the ceasefire, CENTCOM said in a statement on social media.
New posts 22:44 Lebanese Leaders Tell Tehran To End Inference In War-Torn Country Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun called on Tehran to stop interfering in the affairs of the war-torn Middle East nation amid Iran-backed Hezbollah's continued battles with Israeli forces.
New posts 00:37 Iran Reportedly Fires Warning Shots Toward US Vessels Near Strait CNN has quoted an unnamed US official as saying Iran launched multiple drones toward the Strait of Hormuz early on June 6, a report that comes as US President Donald Trump told NBC news that Tehran likely retains 21-22 percent of its prewar missile stock.
Halting resistance is 'Satan's dream of Paradise' to Israel, Hezbollah top leader says Hezbollah Secretary General, Naim Qassem, asserted that the group would continue to resist Israeli attacks. "For the primary objective to be the disarmament of the resistance as a starting point for any agreement means the elimination of Lebanon’s power and an existential threat to the annihilation of its resistant people," he said. He said that the group's main concern is a "comprehensive cessation of hostilities, a ceasefire, and Israel's withdrawal" from Lebanese territory.
Israeli attacks ongoing despite latest ceasefire agreement Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon continued on Friday morning, despite a US-led ceasefire agreement reached late on Wednesday. According to the National News Agency, Israeli shelling targeted the area nearby Nabatieh's Burj Qalaouiyah and the area around Deir Kifa in Tyre. Meanwhile, an air strike that hit the vicinity of Jabal Amel Hospital has lead to the wounding of at least 12 civilians.
One killed, over a dozen injured in Israeli attack on displaced Palestinians in Gaza An Israeli strike targeted displaced Palestinians early on Friday, killing at least one and injuring over a dozen in al-Mawasi, south Gaza. Meanwhile, local media reported ongoing Israeli air strikes, artillery shelling, and gunfire across the Gaza Strip. The attacks come despite a ceasefire that was signed in October.
Top Iranian military adviser says missiles were ready after Israeli threats to Beirut Senior military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Mohsen Rezaei, said that missiles were ready to be launched after Israeli threats to target Beirut’s southern suburbs. In an interview with Iranian state television, Rezaei said Tehran remains committed to supporting its allies, particularly Hezbollah, saying that Lebanon is an "inseparable part of any agreement". He warned that any confrontation would put Israel at threat, warning that its northern area will face "far more difficult" conditions than those it experience during the over month-long war.
Oman halts crude oil loading following explosion at key terminal A blast at Oman's Mina Al Fahal terminal has reportedly lead to a halt in crude oil loading operations. The explosion was a result of an alleged drone attack.
Trump says 'would be really nice' if Lebanon had peace US President Donald Trump said that he spoke with both the Israeli prime minister and Hezbollah in order to end war on Lebanon. "That’s been like a little bit of a different world but it’s interconnected with Iran and it would be really nice if Lebanon could have some peace," he told reporters at the Oval Office. "Lebanon’s been under attack for many years and always is like an underdog, and it would be really nice if it could end.
