Trump says ‘progress made’ in Lebanon US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he believed progress was being made between Israel and Lebanon and that Lebanon deserved to have peace. “Lebanon has been under attack for so many years and always like an underdog, and it would be really nice if it could end,” Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and "I actually spoke to Hezbollah about it.
Russia could help resolve the Iranian crisis, Putin says President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia has a trusting relationship with Iran and so could help resolve the Iranian crisis. Putin also said that the advantages for Russia from the Iranian crisis are temporary, and he hopes the US and Iran find a compromise and end the conflict.
UN nuclear watchdog calls on Iran to fully cooperate, let inspections resume The UN nuclear watchdog sent a report to member states on Thursday, repeating its calls on Iran to urgently inform the agency of the fate of its enriched uranium since its atomic sites were bombed a year ago and let inspections resume fully. "The (International Atomic Energy Agency) Director General has emphasised to Iran that it is indispensable and urgent to implement effectively the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) Safeguards Agreement ... and that its implementation cannot be suspended by Iran under any circumstances," the confidential report seen by Reuters said.
Exclusive: UK says Jordan Al-Aqsa custodianship 'must be respected' Submitted by Imran Mulla on Thu, 06/04/2026 - 10:34 MEE reported last week that the US and Israel are 'actively working' to strip Jordan of custodianship Keir Starmer speaks during a signing ceremony of a UK-Poland defence and security treaty with Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the Battle of Britain Bunker in west London on 27 May 2026 (AFP) Off The British government has said Jordan's custodianship of Jerusalem's holy sites "must be respected" in a statement to Middle East Eye. Lat week MEE reported that the US and Israel are conspiring to strip the Jordanian royal family of its historic custodianship of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is enshrined in a long-standing status quo agreement. MEE put a recent letter independent MP Shockat Adam wrote to the British foreign secretary about the reported US-Israeli plans to the Foreign Office.
Iran's Khamenei warns against divisions after 'enemy's defeat on battlefield' Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a message on Thursday that Iran's enemies, having been defeated on the battlefield, were now seeking to undermine public resilience and sow internal divisions. Khamenei called for national unity in the face of those threats and said any action that created pessimism or frustration among the public amounted to helping the enemy. The message was read on his behalf during ceremonies marking the anniversary of the death of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ruhollah Khomeini, as well as a major Shia holiday.
‘No reshape’: Algeria prepares for elections but few hold out hope for change Submitted by Adlene Meddi on Thu, 06/04/2026 - 09:15 Opposition parties are willing to re-engage with political process, even though it remains under establishment control Elections staff count ballots during the last Algerian elections, at a polling station in Bouchaoui, near Algiers, on 12 June 2021 (Ryad Kramdi/AFP) Off As Algeria prepares to hold parliamentary elections next month, there is scant hope that these could mark a new political opening, seven years after the derailed pro-democracy Hirak protests. On 2 July, Algerians will be called upon to elect the 407 members of the National People's Assembly (APN) for a five-year term. The last legislative election in 2021 saw a record abstention rate: only 23 percent of eligible voters participated, according to official figures, while the vote was also boycotted by most opposition parties.
Israel's Smotrich rejects future Palestinian state Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls an end to the Oslo Accords and rejected the prospect of a future Palestinian state. "And indeed, in this term, in my role at the Defense Ministry, I am leading the mission of killing that terrible idea of dividing the land and handing over territory. " Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for an end to the Oslo Accords and rejected the prospect… pic.
Trump says Strait of Hormuz will reopen once deal is signed US President Donald Trump says the Strait of Hormuz will reopen “immediately upon signing” an agreement with Tehran. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he was seeking to separate efforts to reopen the strategic waterway from the ongoing fighting in Lebanon. As Israeli forces continue heavy attacks across southern Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted military operations there will proceed as planned.
Iranian foreign minister says contact with US not cut off Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says communication with the United States has not been cut off, but negotiations have yet to make any progress. Speaking to Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen, Araghchi said both sides were currently reviewing and studying the texts that had been exchanged during the talks.
Rubio says US remains committed to NATO but wants major changes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the Trump administration has no plans to leave NATO but will continue pressing for significant reforms within the alliance. Speaking to lawmakers, Rubio said President Donald Trump will attend the NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara on 7-8 July, where he is expected to renew calls for member states to increase defence spending. “The president himself will be attending the next NATO, a meeting of heads of state where all of these points will be made clear,” Rubio said.
US House Speaker says Trump focused on reopening Hormuz US House Speaker Mike Johnson says he spent three hours at the White House with President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as efforts continue to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump is working on “that final piece” needed to restore commercial traffic through the waterway, Johnson told reporters at the Capitol. “I am, all of us, are calling on our allied nations and friends — the Arab states in the region, and NATO partners and everyone else,” the Republican lawmaker said.
Eight Muslim countries denounce Israeli incursions at Al-Aqsa Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 16:22 Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also call for recognition of Jordan's custodianship A Muslim man prays outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during Friday noon prayers in the Old City of Jerusalem, 10 April 2026 (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP) Off The foreign ministers of Qatar , the UAE , Jordan , Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have condemned Israeli settler incursions at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque and called for the acknowledgement of Jordan's jurisdiction over the holy site. In a statement posted by Qatar's foreign ministry on social media on Wednesday, the ministers said the incursions, which were conducted under the protection of Israeli forces, constitute “a clear violation of international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the historical and legal status of the holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem”. The ministers further rejected Israeli attempts to alter "the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites," and urged the recognition of Jordan's historic custodianship the Al-Aqsa compound.
British MP asks government to clarify stance on Jordanian custodianship of Al-Aqsa Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 15:31 Leicester MP Shockat Adam asked for UK government position on reports that US and Israel plan to strip Jordan of oversight role Muslim devotees with their children gather at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on 27 May 2026, to mark the start of Eid al-Adha (AFP) Off Shockat Adam, the Independent MP for Leicester South, has written to the British foreign secretary urging the government to "unequivocally" oppose attempts by the US and Israel to remove Jordan's custodianship over Al-Aqsa Mosque. The comments come after Middle East Eye reported last week that the US and Israel are conspiring to strip the Jordanian royal family of its historic custodianship of Al-Aqsa, which is enshrined in a long-standing status quo agreement. A US official has denied the report, but under the plan described to MEE by American, Jordanian and Palestinian officials, Israel would gain control over the appointment of imams and senior mosque officials.
Egyptian-born doctor and Gaza volunteer wins New Jersey Democratic primary Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Mon, 06/01/2026 - 16:31 Adam Hamawy is now all but guaranteed to become a US congressman after the November midterms Adam Hamawy, right, gives an interview to Agence France Presse in Washington, DC on 14 June 2024 after returning from a medical mission in Gaza (Drew Angerer/AFP) Off Adam Hamawy, an Egyptian -American surgeon who gained national attention for his harrowing 2024 medical mission to Gaza , is now all but assured a congressional seat in Washington next year after he handily won the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s 12th district on Tuesday. With more than 93 percent of the vote counted at nearly 10am local time on Wednesday, Hamawy secured more than 28 percent of ballots, far ahead of his nearest opponent. The 12th district, which encompasses the elite Princeton University, has been a solid blue district for at least 15 years, meaning voters will most likely be sending Hamawy to the US Congress when he runs against his Republican opponent in November’s midterms.
Rubio hopes Lebanon-Israel talks will produce action plan US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he hopes ongoing talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials in Washington will result in a joint statement and an action plan. The latest round of negotiations, facilitated by the US and aimed at ending fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and advancing a longer-term agreement, began on Tuesday and is expected to conclude today. Rubio has previously described the talks as a “historic opportunity” and said they could help establish a framework for future progress.
Starmer accuses Farage of inciting rage in wake of Southampton riot Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 15:15 Prime minister tells Reform UK leader he is ignoring wishes of family of murdered 18-year-old Henry Nowak Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaks in parliament on 3 June 2026 (Screenshot) Off British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of ignoring the wishes of a murdered 18-year-old boy’s family by calling for “rage” in response to his death. Starmer’s comments, delivered in parliament on Wednesday, came after a riot on Tuesday night in Southampton, a city on England’s south coast, which saw far-right protesters and known neo-Nazis clash with police. The riot was sparked in part by inflammatory rhetoric in response to the case of Henry Nowak, 18, who was stabbed to death in Southampton in December last year by Vickrum Digwa, a 23-year-old British Sikh man.
Exclusive: How Britain is moving towards a ban on Israeli settlement goods Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 06/02/2026 - 14:06 MPs across different parties tell MEE the government must take action in line with other European countries Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure to change course on Israel (AFP) Off The UK could soon impose a ban on the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements, according to MPs from various different parties, including from the ruling Labour Party, who are pressing for stronger action. A significant shift in British policy now appears highly plausible in the near future – even likely – the sources told Middle East Eye. According to several people close to the government, Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer told Labour MPs late last year that a ban on settlement goods is desirable.
Trump says Iran has agreed to not have a nuclear weapon US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed not to have a nuclear weapon and that he would probably meet with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khameneiat at some point if things "work out". "They've already agreed they're not going to have a nuclear weapon," Trump told Pod Force One in an interview broadcast on Wednesday, while speaking about Iran. Asked about Khamenei's involvement in talks with the US on ending hostilities, Trump said: "He's involved, absolutely...
'Attack on our democracy': Inside an Israeli influence campaign in France's local elections Submitted by Pauline Ertel on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 11:11 The electoral interference by Israeli company 'BlackCore' took many by surprise and stirs fears ahead of 2027 presidential vote France Unbowed member of parliament Francois Piquemal on the rooftop of the National Assembly in Paris, France, on 5 May 2026 (Benoit Tessier/Reuters) Off A foreign influence campaign in French local elections by an Israeli firm earlier this year presents an unprecedented attack on France's democracy, victims of the operation and people familiar with it told Middle East Eye. Earlier this month, Reuters revealed that the French authorities were examining whether an alleged smear campaign against three mayoral candidates from the left-wing, pro- Palestinian party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed - LFI) ahead of March's municipal elections was carried out by an obscure Israeli firm called BlackCore. The operation's broad outlines were first exposed by newspaper Le Monde in March, when Viginum, a digital interference detection service within the French prime minister's office, revealed a "foreign digital interference" scheme with "limited" reach targeting a "French political party" and its candidates in Marseille, Toulouse and Roubaix.
Slovenia reportedly blocks Israeli flight for political reasons An Israir Airline flight headed to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, was forced to divert to Zagreb, Croatia, after Slovenian authorities denied permission to the Israeli plane to land, Ynet has reported. Ynet quoted Israir as having said that the decision was politically motivated. Uri Sirkis, the airline's chief executive, said: “The Israir flight scheduled for Ljubljana had to land in Zagreb because the authorities in Ljubljana are refusing Israeli carriers to land, due to their firm political opposition to the route operated by the Israeli government.
