Category: Middle East
Coverage of geopolitics, international relations, and current affairs from across the Middle East, including conflicts, alliances, energy politics, peace processes, and regional security issues.
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Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, has reiterated Tehran’s stance on international sanctions and national resilience. – Iran warns of reciprocal action • He stressed that Russia and China, permanent members of the UN Security Council, have rejected attempts to reimpose sanctions on Iran. • He warned that states enforcing what he described as “illegal…
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United Nations sanctions have been reimposed on Iran after European powers and the United States judged that Tehran had failed to meet its nuclear commitments. – UN sanctions reimposed on Iran The move followed the UK, Germany and France (E3) triggering the snapback mechanism, giving Iran 30 days to address concerns. According to US Secretary…
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Syria has issued an arrest warrant for former president Bashar al-Assad, according to state media. The move could be circulated to Interpol, potentially opening the way for international enforcement. – Syria issues arrest warrant for former president The warrant lists charges including:• Premeditated murder• Torture leading to death• Deprivation of liberty These stem from lawsuits…
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday (Sep. 24), blaming the United States and Israel for undermining peace efforts and calling for renewed diplomacy ahead of the imminent reinstatement of sanctions. • Pezeshkian’s speech is his first at a global forum since the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict in June, which saw the…
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French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed France’s recognition of a Palestinian state, joining the UK, Australia, Canada, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Malta. Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Macron said that “nothing justifies” Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, now approaching its second year. He warned that failure to act could undermine the…
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Afghan authorities have dismissed former US President Donald Trump’s request to return Bagram airbase, stressing the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Officials urged Washington to respect agreements and adopt a “policy of realism and rationality.” • Bagram airbase is located 50km north of Kabul and was the largest US military facility in Afghanistan. • It…
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out the establishment of a Palestinian state, responding to the decisions by Britain, Canada and Australia to formally recognise Palestinian statehood. Speaking on Sunday (Sep. 21), Netanyahu accused the countries of “rewarding terror” following the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, and reiterated that no Palestinian state would…
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Iraq has inaugurated its first industrial-scale solar plant in Karbala province, southwest of Baghdad, marking a significant step toward diversifying its energy supply. Safaa Hussein, executive director of the Karbala solar plant, said the project will support the national grid, cut fuel use during peak demand, and reduce emissions. At full capacity, the site will…
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Iraq has inaugurated its first industrial-scale solar plant in Karbala province, southwest of Baghdad, marking a significant step toward diversifying its energy supply. – Iraq opens first large scale solar Safaa Hussein, executive director of the Karbala solar plant, said the project will support the national grid, cut fuel use during peak demand, and reduce…
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President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday (Sep. 20) that Iran can overcome any return of sanctions through the U.N. Security Council’s “snapback” mechanism. His comments followed a Security Council vote on Friday, which did not permanently lift sanctions after Britain, France, and Germany initiated a 30-day process citing Tehran’s alleged breaches of the 2015 nuclear…
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