Tehran rejects Rubio’s interpretation of peace deal
Tehran will not be tricked by Washington’s attempts to redefine the memorandum of understanding agreed between the sides, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has said.
· RT
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Iran’s ‘jellyfish drone’ sighting warns of a whole new type of frightening military threat
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· David Hambling
Israel's EL AL Suspends Moscow Flights as Drone Attacks Disrupt Air Traffic
Israel's flagship airline EL AL said Thursday it was temporarily suspending flights between Tel Aviv and Moscow, citing developments in Russian airspace as repeated Ukrainian drone attacks increasingly disrupt air traffic in and around the Russian capital.
· The Moscow Times
Armed reserve veteran suffering from PTSD safely disarmed after standoff in Netivot home
An individual reportedly suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was disarmed on Wednesday by the Israel Police after locking himself in his Netivot home with a handgun and threatening to commit suicide.
· YANIR YAGNA
Netanyahu testifies in defamation trial over journalist claims regarding his health and fitness
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to testify on Thursday in the NIS 500,000 defamation lawsuit he filed against protest activist and lawyer Gonen Ben Itzhak and journalists Uri Misgav and Ben Caspit.
· SARAH BEN-NUN
JD Vance is the face of the beleaguered Iran deal – is he its fall guy?
Vice-president, leading a foundering peace deal to end the kind of war he’s opposed in the past, is left holding the bag
· Roth Andrew
Chevron CFO says gas prices will normalize after Trump presses Big Oil
Chevron Chief Financial Officer Eimear Bonner told CNBC on Thursday that the oil major expects U.S. gasoline prices to fall as the Middle East situation continues to normalize.
· Sam Meredith
Israel denies US State Dept. claims of IDF withdrawal from Lebanon buffer zone, source tells 'Post'
Israel has withdrawn from some of the buffer zones in southern Lebanon created during its war with Hezbollah, a US State Department official claimed on Thursday, adding that Lebanon's armed forces should now step in.
· REUTERS, YONAH JEREMY BOB
Rare stele of Assyrian king who reigned 2,600 years ago unearthed in Iraq's Nineveh | The National
Archaeologists in Iraq’s Nineveh province have announced the discovery of a rare Assyrian stele dating to the reign of King Ashurbanipal, shedding new light on the ancient capital’s urban achievements nearly 2,600 years ago.
· Sinan Mahmoud
Trump, Republican senator engage in shouting match over Iran war
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
· Mia Gonzalez
Iraq threatens to leave Opec if demands for higher production quota are not met | The National
Iraq does not intend to exit from oil producers group Opec, but it will consider leaving if demands for higher production quota are not met, the country's Oil Ministry has said.
· Sinan Mahmoud
Iran warns against Hormuz crossings without authorization
TEHRAN — Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Thursday warned against any crossings of the Strait of Hormuz without authorization, saying vessels not complying "will be dealt with."
· Agence France-Presse
Iran warns against Hormuz crossings without authorisation
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have warned against any crossings of the Strait of Hormuz without authorisation, saying vessels not complying “will be dealt with” and criticising a new route through the waterway.
· Al Jazeera
Israeli minister says Turkey and Syria 'far more concerning than Iran'
An Israeli minister from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party said that Turkey and Syria are "far more concerning than Iran," claiming that there is a "Muslim Brotherhood axis".
· Middleeasteye
Half of stranded S. Korean ships exit Strait of Hormuz as transit gains pace
SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- Half of the South Korean vessels stranded inside the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict have successfully exited the strategic waterway, raising expectations that the remaining ships could soon follow, officials said Thursday.
· Oh Seok-min
Saint Levant becomes first Palestine-born Prada ambassador | The National
The trilingual singer-songwriter is the latest regional name to join a major fashion house
· Sarah Maisey
Israel offers support to Venezuela following earthquake, preparing to send rescue teams
Israel is preparing to send an aid delegation to Venezuela following the earthquakes that hit the country, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
· TOBIAS HOLCMAN, REUTERS
An oil tanker navigates the Strait of Hormuz despite threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
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· Associated Press
Israel says one soldier killed in Lebanon after vehicle overturned
An Israeli military official said on Thursday that a soldier was killed in southern Lebanon after a vehicle had overturned.
· Middleeasteye
Switzerland begins talks with Israel and others for second air defense system
Switzerland is moving to accelerate its long‑range air defense capabilities, resuming payments for the US‑made Patriot system while launching negotiations with Israeli, French, and South Korean manufacturers for an additional system, the Federal Council announced on Wednesday.
· ANNA AHRONHEIM
WATCH: Police arrest two suspected of pulling gun, threatening haredi protesters blocking Highway 1
Officers from Israel Police's Jerusalem District arrested two suspects during the overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, due to suspecting that they drew a gun and threatened haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters blocking Highway 1 during Wednesday's protests.
· JAMES GENN
Former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen reveals dress rehearsal for Iran nuclear archive raid was in Africa
Former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen has revealed for the first time that Africa was the geographic area where spies from his agency carried out their "dress rehearsal" for the now famous operation in which they broke into Iran's secret nuclear archives in January 2018.
· YONAH JEREMY BOB
Palestinian man killed in Israeli raid in occupied West Bank
Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man in the village of Sarta, west of Salfit, in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
· Middleeasteye
Hormuz at centre of Gulf talks, Trump defends Iran deal and Lebanon stalemate continues | The National
In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz dominates talks as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Gulf foreign ministers in Bahrain. Iran insists vessels must use routes designated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while Mr Rubio rejects any attempt to impose tolls and reaffirms US …
· The National
Un petrolero atraviesa el estrecho de Ormuz pese a amenazas de la Guardia Revolucionaria iraní
Residentes nadan en las aguas del estrecho de Ormuz mientras una pequeña lancha pasa junto a cargueros y otros buques comerciales en alta mar, cerca de Bandar Abbas, Irán, el 17 de junio de 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA vía AP)
· Jon Gambrell
Oil price falls to levels not seen since before Iran war
The price of oil has fallen to levels not seen since before the Iran war as traffic through the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route gradually resumes.
· Bbcnews
Iran warns against Hormuz crossings without authorisation
Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Thursday warned against any crossings of the Strait of Hormuz without authorisation, saying vessels not complying "will be dealt with".
· Middleeasteye
Iran slams NATO chief's comments on US support in war
Tehran accused Nato on Thursday of "complicity" in the US-Israeli war against Iran, after the bloc's chief noted its support for the United States in the war.
· Middleeasteye
Senate rejects motion to limit Trump's war power in Iran day after voting yes on similar resolution
The US Senate rejected a measure aiming to limit US President Donald Trump's war powers, a day after passing a separate resolution that called for the removal of US forces from Iran, late Wednesday evening.
· DANYA SAPERSTEIN, RUBY SADIKMAN
Damascus synagogue tours highlight renewed interest in Syrian Jewish history and diaspora ties
A visit by American Rabbi David Saperstein to Damascus has drawn attention to work to preserve Syria’s Jewish sites and rebuild ties with members of the Syrian Jewish diaspora after decades of emigration, conflict, and official restrictions.
· RIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Holocaust survivor, Yom Kippur War hero Colonel Simcha Applebaum dies at 99
Holocaust survivor and reservist Colonel Simcha Applebaum passed away on Tuesday at the age of 99.
· ELI ASHKENAZI
Israel’s Greatest Fear Revisited: An America Less Committed
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
IDF soldier died, additional soldier injured, after vehicle overturns during operation in Lebanon
Chief Sgt. First Class (res.) Basil Sweid, 32, from Peki'in, died during an operational activity in southern Lebanon, the military confirmed on Thursday.
· JAMES GENN
IRGC says ships must use Iran-approved routes through Strait of Hormuz | The National
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned on Thursday that only Tehran-approved routes were valid for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
· David Vujanovic
Tanker comes out of Strait of Hormuz on Oman route despite Iran threat
Residents swim in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz as a small motorboat passes cargo ships and other commercial vessels offshore near Bandar Abbas, Iran, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)
· Jon Gambrell
Is Prabowo’s Trump moment a sign that China is losing its favourite partner?
The Indonesian leader’s unusual approach to the ‘America first’ president is testing Jakarta’s non-alignment policy, observers said
· Khushboo Razdan
Baby rats on Arkia flight prompt accusatory battle between airline, catering company
Baby rats were discovered in a service cart on an Arkia flight from Greece to Israel, according to footage circulated on social media.
· ZIV REINSTEIN
Record 48% of Americans think US is too supportive of Israel - poll
A new survey found that 48% of American voters think the United States is “too supportive” of Israel, the highest since the pollster started asking the question in 2017.
· JACKIE HAJDENBERG/JTA
‘Red Status. Possible incoming’: Kuwait's longest five minutes | The National
“Red Status. I cannot tell you why. Possible incoming.” The short, urgent message appeared on Kuwaiti Colonel Sabah Al Sabah's phone from a trusted contact in the early hours of the Iran War.
· Thomas Harding
‘Red Status. Possible incoming’: Kuwait's longest five minutes | The National
“Red Status. I cannot tell you why. Possible incoming.” The short, urgent message appeared on Kuwaiti Colonel Sabah Al Sabah's phone from a trusted contact in the early hours of the Iran War.
· Thomas Harding
Asian shares mostly gain on rebound in tech shares, while oil slips
People walk past a monitor showing Japan’s Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm in Tokyo, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
· Elaine Kurtenbach
Shiite Muslims around the world mark Muharram and Ashoura
A girl wearing an Ashoura headband rests on her father’s shoulder during a sermon marking the third day of Ashoura, the Shiite Muslim commemoration of the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
· Mariam Fam
Shiite Muslims mark holy day of Ashoura after months of war
Iranian mourners beat their heads and chests during a ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, prior to Ashoura, which commemorates the 7th-century martyrdom of Imam Hussein, one of Prophet Muhammad’s grandsons and one of Shiite Islam’s most beloved saints, and 72 of his companions, who were killed in a bat…
· Kareem Chehayeb
Israeli surveillance cranes mounted with machineguns add to psychological pressure in Gaza | The National
Each morning, Mahmoud Ayyad walks up to the roof of his apartment building in Gaza city's Al Rimal neighbourhood and sees them standing tall: towering structures visible from kilometres away.
· Nagham Mohanna
Rubio meets Gulf leaders, pledges security amid Iran deal doubts
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met the leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait on Wednesday, vowing not to undermine their security as he sought to reassure Gulf allies sceptical of a proposed deal to end the US-Israeli war with Iran.
· Yonhap
US-Iran deal may leave Netanyahu as biggest casualty
BEIRUT (Reuters) -- The biggest casualty of the US-Iran deal may not be Israel's Iran strategy, but the political brand Benjamin Netanyahu spent decades constructing as the Israeli leader who could uniquely bend Washington to his will on Iran, analysts, former US officials and diplomats say.
· Yonhap
Iran's neighbor, U.S. ally: What Pakistan gains from being a peacemaker
Pakistan's role as a peacemaker in the Iran war, which undermined the security of the Gulf countries and affected multiple economies through energy price shocks, has raised its diplomatic profile across the world and garnered high praise from U.S. leadership.
· Priyanka Salve
Trump seeks $88b in extra funding, mostly for Iran war
US President Donald Trump asked Congress Wednesday for nearly $88 billion in extra spending, most of it to cover the cost of the Iran war, at a moment of growing unease in both parties over the conflict and its political price.
· Yonhap
Iran declares new Hormuz route 'unacceptable and dangerous,' warns against ships transiting without approval
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned shipowners on Wednesday that any new transit route through the Strait of Hormuz established without coordination with Tehran is "unacceptable and dangerous," threatening actions against vessels that ignore its instructions.
· Anniek Bao
Kafr Qasim girl's organ saves Jerusalem boy in life-saving heart transplant
The organ from a six-and-a-half-year-old girl from Kafr Qasim, an Arab-Israeli city east of Tel Aviv, saved the life of a three-and-a-half-year-old boy from Jerusalem with a long-awaited heart transplant this week.
· ARIELLA ROITMAN