UN to vote on Hormuz resolution as US-Iran tensions rise The UN Security Council is expected to vote next week on a Bahraini resolution aimed at securing transit through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported, citing diplomats. The draft would authorise countries to use “all defensive means necessary” to protect passage through the vital waterway. The vote was initially set for Friday, then rescheduled for Saturday.
Pezeshkian questions US intentions after killing of official’s wife Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the United States of hypocrisy, questioning its diplomatic intentions after the wife of a senior Iranian official was killed in what he described as an assassination attempt. “Just as I was addressing the American people, the head of our Strategic Council on Foreign Policy was targeted in an assassination attempt, leading to the martyrdom of his innocent wife,” Pezeshkian said. “Let the world judge; which side engages in dialogue and negotiation, and which in terrorism?
Israel's campaign against Unrwa could set precedent to dismantle other UN agencies, chief warns Submitted by David Hearst on Fri, 04/03/2026 - 13:45 Philippe Lazzarini says failure to protect the UN’s main lifeline for Palestinians may have far-reaching consequences " class="video-embed-field-lazy container-element"> Off If UN member states allow Israel to dismantle the only agency that provides education and health services to Palestinians, all other UN agencies could face the same fate, the outgoing commissioner general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) has told Middle East Eye. In his final interview in the role, Philippe Lazzarini accused the international community of paying lip service to what he described as Israel's attempts to dismantle Unrwa, an objective he said had become a declared war aim. "The agency has come under massive, massive attack," he told the David Hearst Podcast.
White House requests $1. 5tn in defence funding The Trump White House has said it will request $1. 5 trillion from Congress in defence funding for 2027, an approximate 40 percent increase on the most recent fiscal year.
Kremlin aide says Strait of Hormuz remains open to Russia Yuri Ushakov, an aide to President Vladimir Putin, said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to Russia, according to state-run TASS news agency.
'They call me king': Highlights from Trump's unusual Easter lunch speech Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 04/02/2026 - 17:12 The White House later deleted video of the extraordinarily candid talk held with no reporters in the room US President Donald Trump looks out at the room after delivering an address about the war on Iran at the White House, in Washington, DC, on 1 April 2026 (Alex Brandon/Reuters) Off Wednesday's White House Easter lunch with handpicked Christian leaders was designated as a "closed press" event on US President Donald Trump's schedule, meaning no reporters were to be in the room. That decision was not particularly unusual. But just after 12:30pm local time in Washington, the White House livestreamed the event.
Trump raises NATO exit again, faces resistance in Congress US President Donald Trump has again raised the idea of leaving NATO during a private lunch, continuing his criticism of the alliance. Any withdrawal would require approval from Congress, a step Senate Majority Leader John Thune said would be difficult. “We got an awful lot of people who think that NATO is a very critical, incredibly successful post-World War II alliance,” Thune said.
Iran, Oman drafting protocol to monitor Hormuz traffic Iran is working on a protocol with Oman to monitor vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to state news agency IRNA, citing Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.
This Passover, Israel embraces the politics of execution Submitted by Lubna Masarwa on Thu, 04/02/2026 - 14:44 While Jewish families gather to celebrate freedom, new death penalty law signals the state's tightening grip over Palestinians Relatives of Palestinian prisoners hold portraits during a demonstration against the death penalty law in Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, on 31 March 2026 (Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP) Off It’s the first day of Passover, the Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt - a festival often described as a celebration of freedom. Between the sounds of sirens piercing the city noise, families rush to complete last-minute grocery shopping for the evening’s Seder meal. Along the beaches of Tel Aviv, however, the atmosphere reflects the familiar rhythms of a public holiday.
Germany urges China to help push Iran to reopen Hormuz The German minister for foreign affairs, Johann Wadephul, held a call with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi to discuss how to resolve the conflict in the Middle East, according to a post on X from the German foreign ministry. Both countries said they wanted to see free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and agreed that individual states should not control sea lanes or levy tolls for passage. China can use its influence with Iran to push for a negotiated solution to end hostilities in the region, the post stated.
G7 and GCC countries to meet and discuss Hormuz next week The Group of Seven and the Gulf of Cooperation Council countries will be meeting next week to discuss how to resolve the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux. France currently holds the presidency of the G7.
Zack Polanski’s family complain to media watchdog over harassment Submitted by Fleur Hargreaves on Thu, 04/02/2026 - 11:56 No contact request issued via Ipso after the Daily Mail publishes an article about the Green Party leader’s family Leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski, takes part in a march against far-right extremism, organised by the Together Alliance, in London on 28 March 2026 (Reuters/Hannah McKay) Off The family of Green Party leader Zack Polanski has formally complained to the UK 's Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) after being approached at their homes by journalists and media. Ipso informed regulated media organisations that it had been contacted by a representative acting on behalf of Polanski’s immediate family. The message passed on a request from Polanski’s mother, father, brother and sister that the press “do not attend their homes and do not approach them by phone or email, as they do not wish to give comment to the media,” advising all enquiries to go through the Green Party press office.
UAE and Bahrain only ME states joining UK coalition to pressure Iran over Hormuz Submitted by Imran Mulla on Thu, 04/02/2026 - 10:48 Key countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, will not attend the online summit on Thursday British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference at 10 Downing Street in London, on 1 April 2026 (AFP) Off Britain is set to host a summit on Thursday aimed at forming an international coalition to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump said the UK and other countries should "go get their own oil". Key countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia , Oman , Qatar , Turkey and Pakistan , are not attending the summit, which will be held online. Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are the only Middle Eastern nations joining the initiative, which is also being joined by France , Australia, Germany , Canada, Italy and Japan.
Russia offers to help resolve Iran conflict, Kremlin says Russia has signalled it is ready to help ease the conflict involving Iran, with President Vladimir Putin maintaining contact with regional leaders, the Kremlin said on Thursday. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow remains engaged diplomatically and stands prepared to assist efforts aimed at de-escalation. “The president is continuing these contacts, and if our services are somehow required, we are, of course, ready to make our contribution to ensuring that the military situation transitions to a peaceful course as soon as possible,” Peskov told reporters.
Macron arrives in South Korea after Japan visit, touts Europe’s ‘predictability’ French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in South Korea on Thursday, after travelling from Japan where he praised Europe’s “predictability” in remarks seen as a veiled criticism of Donald Trump over the Iran war. Macron begins a two-day visit that will see him meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for talks aimed at strengthening political and economic ties. His schedule also includes a visit to a war memorial honouring French troops who fought in the Korean War, underlining historical links between the two countries.
Netanyahu rejects the gospel of Christ for the doctrine of Genghis Khan Submitted by Soumaya Ghannoushi on Wed, 04/01/2026 - 16:33 The Israeli leader elevates power over principle, but unlike the Mongol emperor, his ability to unleash terror is entirely dependent on US support Protesters set a picture of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on fire during an anti-US demonstration in Istanbul, Turkey, on 1 February 2026 (Yasin Akgul/AFP) On During the most sacred days of the Christian calendar, Israeli authorities prevented the Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Palm Sunday, which commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, passed not with open worship, but with barriers , delays and restrictions. This was not an administrative inconvenience.
US assures UN of support but stresses reform needed to 'exceed' potential Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Wed, 04/01/2026 - 21:09 The Trump administration's UN reform envoy said peacekeeping missions must be reined in Peacekeepers with the United Nations interim force in Lebanon drive past firefighters clearing the road at the site of an overnight Israeli air strike in the area of Naqura in southern Lebanon, on 27 March 2026 (Kawnat Hajju/AFP) Off US President Donald Trump still believes in the core missions of the United Nations, and wants to work with it to "exceed its potential", the administration's envoy for UN reform told Middle East Eye at a briefing for reporters on Wednesday in Washington, DC. The US president has not been shy about his disdain for elements of the institution , and earlier this year withdrew US funding from several UN and UN-adjacent organisations, including the UN register of conventional arms and the Global Counterterrorism Forum - issues that have generally been important across all US administrations, regardless of political leaning. Trump also pulled back from climate-related initiatives.
Iranian president says it does not view American people as enemies Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said ordinary Americans are not considered enemies despite longstanding tensions. In a letter, he said Iranians “harbor no enmity” toward people in the US, Europe or neighbouring countries. He added that Iran distinguishes between governments and the people they represent, describing it as a deeply rooted principle rather than a temporary political position.
Trump claims Iran's 'new regime president' asked for a ceasefire US President Donald Trump has claimed in a social media post that "Iran's new regime president" asked for a ceasefire. Ahead of a television address tonight, Trump said that the US "will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!
French president Macron reaffirms importance of freedom of navigation in Hormuz French president Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that he shared Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi's position on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, speaking alongside her in Tokyo. The US–Israeli war with Iran has rattled global markets and effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
