Centcom chief clashes with US lawmaker over war with Iran
US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper clashed with Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton during a heated House hearing on the US war with Iran.
· Middleeasteye
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Newest first · UTC+11:00(URGENT) Kakao union says 5 affiliates, including headquarters, vote in favor of staging strike
(2nd LD) Trump arrives in Beijing for summit talks with Xi on trade, Iran, Taiwan, other topics
· Oh Seok-min
War with Iran 'not a forever war', says Vance
Vice President JD Vance reassured Americans on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump's war with Iran will not become a "forever war," using a White House briefing to defend his boss's policies as speculation about his potential successor builds.
· REUTERS
Haifa Naval base suffers 'catastrophic' sanitary conditions, says source - N12
Allegations of “catastrophic” sanitary conditions have been made at an IDF base in Haifa, with up to 13 rats being spotted in a single day, according to a report by N12 News.
· ARIELLA ROITMAN
With AOC backing and anti-Israel message, Chris Rabb vies for open House seat in Philadelphia
A Philadelphia Democratic primary on Tuesday could poise Chris Rabb - a progressive state lawmaker who is staunchly critical of Israel - to become the newest member of Congress’s “Squad.”
· JOSEPH STRAUSS/JTA
Bessent urges more disruption to Iran's financing, will review US sanctions list
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday called on allies to more forcefully disrupt Iran's financing networks and said the Treasury would scrub its sanctions list of outdated designations to make it easier for financial institutions to root out the most sophisticated terrorist financing schemes.
· REUTERS
At least ten mines discovered in Strait of Hormuz, US intelligence says - CBS
US forces identified at least 10 mines planted by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, CBS News reported on Wednesday, citing US officials with knowledge of the matter.
· ARIELLA ROITMAN
Doomer media’s Iran spin is blatantly wrong — here’s how to sort truth from lies
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· Jonathan Sweet, Mark Toth
Israeli army received 2,500 sexual assault complaints in 202, local media reports
The Israeli army received about 2,500 complaints related to sexual assault and harassment within its ranks in 2025, according to data presented to an Israeli parliamentary committee and reported by Israel’s Channel 12 on Tuesday.
· Middleeasteye
UN expert alarms over reports of Israeli fire on Gaza flotilla
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, expressed alarm after reports that Israeli forces fired on activists aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters.
· Middleeasteye
Phosphorus shells land near farmers in Tyre district, Lebanese media says
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported on Tuesday that three phosphorus shells landed near farmers harvesting watermelons in the Mansouri junction area of the Tyre district in southern Lebanon.
· Middleeasteye
Trump says US may strike Iran again but that Tehran wants deal
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the US may need to strike Iran again and that he had been an hour away from ordering an attack before postponing it.
· Yonhap
Israeli forces intercept all 77 ships in Gaza aid flotilla
Israeli forces have intercepted all 77 ships participating in the latest flotilla mission aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip, organisers said on Tuesday, more than a day after the interceptions began.
· Middleeasteye
Iran war latest: Xi tells Putin negotiations key to ending Middle East conflicts | The National
Pakistan condemns attacks on the UAE and Saudi Arabia during UN briefingExplosions heard in Iran's Qeshm island, cause unknown, news agency saysIranian army warns of 'new fronts' if US launches further attacksUAE says drone strike on Barakah plant launched from Iraqi territoryRoles in Iran war mediation confusing, s…
· The National
Xi-Putin summit live: energy ties, Iran and Ukraine set to top agenda
Russian president has travelled to the Chinese capital just days after US leader Donald Trump’s visit
· SCMP Reporters
Xi-Putin summit live: energy ties, Iran and Ukraine set to top agenda
Russian president has travelled to the Chinese capital just days after US leader Donald Trump’s visit
· SCMP Reporters
(URGENT) Samsung union says it will proceed with strike Thurs.
(2nd LD) Trump arrives in Beijing for summit talks with Xi on trade, Iran, Taiwan, other topics
· Kim Han-joo
Michael Goodwin: Trump’s steadfast approach to ‘no nukes’ for Iran shows his unwavering resolve
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· Michael Goodwin
Russia seeks progress on Power of Siberia 2 pipeline during China talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss economic cooperation, energy security and geopolitical issues during talks in Beijing, amid continuing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
· Middleeasteye
FIFA’s Iran flag ban is an insult to America — and gift to the mullahs
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· Lisa Daftari
Auto exports down over 5% in April amid Middle East crisis: data
South Korea's auto exports decreased more than 5 percent from a year earlier in April, amid a sharp decrease in shipments to the Middle East due to a geopolitical crisis there, government data showed Wednesday.
· Yonhap
Auto exports down over 5 pct in April amid Middle East crisis: data
SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's auto exports decreased more than 5 percent from a year earlier in April, amid a sharp decrease in shipments to the Middle East due to a geopolitical crisis there, government data showed Wednesday.
· Kim Na-young
Lebanese education group wins $500,000 Global Schools Prize for helping war-hit teens | The National
A Lebanese organisation offering an education lifeline to young refugees in its homeland and Syria is ready to increase its life-changing support after winning the $500,000 first prize in a contest run by the UAE-based Varkey Foundation.
· Daniel Bardsley
Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon kill 19, including children and women, officials say
BEIRUT, Lebanon — Israeli airstrikes on southernLebanonon Tuesday killed at least 19 people, including four women and three children, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said, the latest in near-daily attacks from both sides that have not stopped despite the fragile,U.S.-brokered ceasefirein the Israel-Hezbollah war.
· Associated Press
CNBC Daily Open: Bond markets and the Senate rebuke Trump as Iran war worries linger
Hello, this is Hui Jie writing to you from Singapore. Welcome to another edition of CNBC's Daily Open.
· Lim Hui Jie
Two Chinese supertankers leave Strait of Hormuz after months-long delay
Shipping data from the London Stock Exchange Group and Kpler showed that two Chinese supertankers carrying about 4 million barrels of crude oil from the Middle East departed the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after remaining in the Gulf for more than two months.
· Middleeasteye
Trump says Iran eager to make deal as conflict continues
US President Donald Trump said the war involving Iran would end “very quickly”, adding that Tehran was eager to reach a deal and that the United States would ensure Iran could not obtain a nuclear weapon.
· Middleeasteye
UN cuts global growth forecast over Mideast energy crisis
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Responding to Middle East crises and rising oil prices, the United Nations on Tuesday lowered its forecast for global economic growth and raised the prospects for inflation this year.
· AP
UN cuts global growth forecast amid Iran war and energy shock
The United Nations has lowered its global growth forecast for 2026 to 2.5 percent from an estimated 3 percent last year, citing rising energy costs and weaker trade linked to the US-Israel war on Iran.
· Middleeasteye
‘I’m a really good builder’: Trump in his happy place as he shows off his White House ballroom dream
Washington: At a time when his poll numbers are sagging, the economy is sputtering and the war he launched in Iran simply will not end, President Donald Trump spent Tuesday morning (US time) showing off his skills in the profession he feels most comfortable with: real estate.
· Luke Broadwater
Israeli forces intercept the remaining activist flotilla vessels headed for Gaza
JERUSALEM — Israeli forces on Tuesday intercepted all remaining vessels from an activist flotilla attempting to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, the latest effort to highlight the grim conditions for nearly 2 million Palestinians with severe shortages of housing, food and medicine.
· Associated Press
US Senate advances war powers resolution on Iran | The National
The US Senate on Tuesday advanced a war powers resolution that would end the Iran war unless President Donald Trump obtains congressional authorisation.
· The National
US: Anti-Aipac congressman unseated in most expensive House primary ever
Thomas Massie, the Republican congressman who voted down foreign aid packages and heavily criticised pro-Israel lobbying groups' influence in US politics, lost his primary race in Kentucky on Tuesday.
· Middleeasteye
Russia says ready to assist Iran-US negotiations if requested
Russian deputy foreign minister Sergey Ryabkov said Moscow is prepared to assist negotiations between Iran and the United States if requested, but does not intend to impose its mediation services.
· Middleeasteye
Israeli forces seize another aid flotilla carrying Korean activists: civic group
Israeli forces have seized another humanitarian aid flotilla, carrying two activists from a South Korean civic group, headed for the Gaza Strip, the group said Wednesday.
· Yonhap
Iran Teaching Civilians How To Shoot: Public Tutorials On State TV & In Marketplaces
Amid stalled peace talks and ongoing tit-for-tat threats, Iranians are reportedly arming themselves in preparation a potential US ground invasion, or renewal of major military action in its skies.
· Tyler Durden
Israeli forces seize another aid flotilla carrying Korean activists: civic group
SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- Israeli forces have seized another humanitarian aid flotilla, carrying two activists from a South Korean civic group, headed for the Gaza Strip, the group said Wednesday.
· Chae Yun-hwan
US Senate advances resolution to curb Trump’s power to wage war on Iran
The United States Senate has advanced a War Powers Resolution that could prevent President Donald Trump from using military force against Iran without congressional authorisation amid widening fallout from the conflict.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Two polls find growing split among Republicans over support for Israel
Two new polls of American voters have found declining public support for Israel and growing discontent among Republicans over US President Donald Trump’s direction on Israel.
· GRACE GILSON/JTA
Wine accessories take center stage in Israeli homes despite global decline in consumption
Global wine consumption fell to a 27-year low in 2025, according to research by the International Organization of Vine and Wine.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israel's Negev officially recognized as international wine region
Israel's Negev Desert was officially recognized as an international wine region on May 11, listing it as a protected geographical indication labeled "Negev," according to a press release.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF
UAE says drone that hit near its nuclear plant was launched from Iraq
The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday that six drones had been launched against it from Iraq in the past 48 hours, including one that caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the Gulf state on Sunday.
· REUTERS
US Senate advances measure curbing Trump's Iran war powers
The US Senate advanced a war-powers resolution on Tuesday that would end the Iran war unless US President Donald Trump obtains Congress' authorization, a rare rebuke of the Republican leader 80 days after US and Israeli forces began striking Iran.
· REUTERS
Ataques aéreos israelíes en el sur de Líbano dejan 19 muertos, incluidos 3 niños
Rescatistas buscan entre los escombros de un edificio destruido por un ataque aéreo israelí el día anterior en Dahiyeh, en los suburbios al sur de Beirut, Líbano, el jueves 7 de mayo de 2026. (AP Foto/Bilal Hussein)
· The Associated Press
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon kill nine, wound dozens
Israeli air strikes on the Nabatieh district in southern Lebanon killed nine people, including a woman, and wounded about 12 others, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).
· Middleeasteye
Aluminium supply crunch threatens Asia’s clean energy push amid Iran war
Key Gulf plants have been hit by Iranian missiles, causing a drop in output of the metal used in making solar panels and wind turbines
· Biman Mukherji
Aluminium supply crunch threatens Asia’s clean energy push amid Iran war
Key Gulf plants have been hit by Iranian missiles, causing a drop in output of the metal used in making solar panels and wind turbines
· Biman Mukherji
Families of Australian flotilla activists 'anxious' amid reports they're being held in Israel
LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE
· Sbsaustralia
Iran warns of heavier US losses if fighting restarts
Abbas Araghchi said Iran was prepared to destroy more US aircraft if Washington chose to resume military action against Tehran.
· Middleeasteye
Trump’s moment of truth in Iran is coming — and taking a bad deal would burn his legacy
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· Post Editorial Board