New posts 19:33 Traffic In Strait Of Hormuz Picks Up Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil and gas supplies, picked up on June 29 after a lull over the weekend, which saw an attack on a Qatari tanker that prompted a US military response.
Video: Far-right Israeli minister Smotrich calls for Jewish settlements in Gaza Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the establishment of Jewish settlements within Gaza, claiming that the Israeli military controls nearly 70 per cent of the strip. He stated that preparations are already in place to build three settlements in the northern perimeter of Gaza, adding that the initiative is awaiting only a "green light" from the prime minister and the defence minister. “We must complete the conquest of the remaining 30 per cent.
Shipping continues through Hormuz despite regional tensions Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued over the weekend despite security concerns and attacks on two ships, according to ship-tracking provider MarineTraffic. The organisation said 108 verified transits were recorded over three days. “Activity was highest on 26 June, with 48 crossings, followed by 38 crossings on 27 June and 22 crossings on 28 June,” it said.
US to play direct role in Lebanon agreement oversight, report says The United States will play a direct role in monitoring the movements of Lebanese and Israeli forces under the new framework agreement, according to The Washington Post, which cited an unnamed US official. The official said US personnel already deployed in Lebanon in an observation capacity since the 2024 agreement would now monitor both sides for potential violations. “This process would enable our political leadership to exert the necessary pressure on either side to fulfil its obligations,” the official said.
UAE lifts war-related ban on travel to Lebanon The UAE has said its nationals can travel to Lebanon, effective on Monday, lifting a weeks-long ban in place because of the Middle East war and concerns about Iran's influence. The foreign ministry announced "it will allow UAE citizens to travel to the sisterly Lebanese Republic, starting from Monday, June 29, 2026," the official WAM news agency reported. The ministry asked citizens to register with its consular services platform before travelling to Lebanon.
Bill to ban Red Cross visits to Palestinian prisoners fails The bill was defeated 41-36 in the Israeli parliament, after ultra-Orthodox coalition parties boycotted the vote over unrelated political disputes, Israeli media reported. Haredi lawmakers withheld support in protest over the government's failure to pass bills that are key to their own agenda. Under Knesset rules, the proposal cannot be reintroduced for six months, effectively shelving it until after general elections due by late October.
Only two South Korean ships remain in Hormuz, says president All but two stranded South Korean ships have now exited the Strait of Hormuz, President Lee Jae-myung says. A total of 26 South Korean-linked vessels were stranded in the Strait when Iran closed the strategic waterway on February 28 in response to the US-Israeli assault. Nearly 11,000 sailors on board 600 vessels were left stranded during the war.
Washington, DC [US], June 30 (ANI): In a sharp critique of Washington's foreign policy, Democrat Congressman Ro Khanna on Monday (local time) claimed that under current President Trump US-India relationship had deteriorated to its lowest point in three decades. Addressing the IX USISPF Leadership Summit 2026 in Washington, DC, Khanna refused to 'mince words' regarding the current state of global affairs.
Congresswoman seeks vote on US backing of ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Lebanon US Representative Rashida Tlaib said she will force another vote in Congress aimed at ending US involvement in what she described as Israel’s “campaign of ethnic cleansing and territorial expansion” in Lebanon. “Congress must vote to end U. S.
Democratic lawmaker backs bid to halt Israel aid US Representative Greg Casar said he plans to vote in favour of an amendment that would halt military aid to Israel, arguing that Americans "should not be financing more weapons for Netanyahu". "The Israeli government committed war crimes in Gaza and helped drag America into war with Iran," the Texas Democrat wrote on X. "Americans should not be financing more weapons for Netanyahu.
Trump says retailers face ‘big problems’ over fuel costs US President Donald Trump has again called on petrol stations and fuel retailers to immediately lower prices, arguing that recent declines in oil prices should be reflected at the pump. “Gasoline Retailers must get their Prices down, IMMEDIATELY! They’re too high considering that Oil is now at $68 a Barrel, and heading south,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump: Doha meeting may prove important for Iran talks US President Donald Trump said a new round of talks with Iran is set to take place in Doha, Qatar, as Washington continues efforts to secure what he described as the denuclearisation of Iran. “There’ll be a meeting on that tomorrow in Doha,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “The meeting in Doha is going to be, perhaps important, perhaps not.
Intermittent US-Iran escalations are giving Iran's anti-US hardliners fresh ammunition, strengthening their case against diplomacy and putting the country's pro-negotiation camp under growing pressure.
Iran says conditions for final agreement not yet met Iran has said negotiations on a final agreement with the United States, including on its nuclear programme, have not yet begun. “We have not yet entered the negotiation phase for a final agreement,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in comments carried by state broadcaster IRIB. Baghaei said Article 13 of the memorandum of understanding makes final negotiations contingent on the implementation of other provisions.
Washington DC [US], June 30 (ANI): US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is en route to Doha, Qatar, according to CNN, as diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Iran continue amid heightened regional tensions. Citing two US officials, CNN reported that Witkoff is currently travelling to the Qatari capital.
Only Iran will demine Strait of Hormuz, minister says Iran’s deputy foreign minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, said the Islamabad MoU allows only Iran to carry out demining in the Strait of Hormuz and that the country will not allow any other country to participate in the process. He was reacting to French president Emmanuel Macron’s message that “we have decided to collaborate with our partner on demining the strait to secure maritime routes”. On Sunday, in accordance with the Islamabad MoU, Gharibabadi held talks with his Omani counterpart on the future management of the Strait of Hormuz.
"Big problems lie ahead": Trump warns US fuel retailers over high prices The US president has warned fuel retailers that “big problems lie ahead” if they do not start charging customers less. “Gasoline Retailers must get their Prices down, IMMEDIATELY! They’re too high considering that Oil is now at $68 a Barrel, and heading south,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
HRF challenges Lithuania's refusal to probe Israeli soldier's 'war crimes' The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has submitted a complaint to Lithuania’s Constitutional Court, challenging the country’s refusal to investigate alleged war crimes by an Israeli soldier, Sean Gor. The complaint said HRF evidence suggests that Gor, an Israeli national studying dentistry at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, participated in the military's attacks on UNRWA headquarters and the Al-Shifa medical complex in March-April 2024. Gor was part of the Israeli Army’s Vampire Empire Company of the 52nd Battalion in the 401st Brigade, which is alleged to have been involved in the murder of Hind Rajab, her family, and two paramedics in Gaza on 29 January 2024.
Israeli study flags Ukraine-style drone threat from Hezbollah Hezbollah's growing use of explosive drones could overwhelm Israel’s defence system unless it adopts fundamental changes to counter the threat, a study has warned. Citing the findings of the study, conducted by the Reichman University's Institute for Counter-Terrorism Policy, Al Jazeera reported that small, low-cost drones have become one of the most serious threats facing Israeli forces and civilians. It says their ability to fly at low altitude, operate in swarms and, in some cases, use fibre-optic guidance makes them difficult to detect, jam or intercept.
Talks with Iran could fail and diplomacy may not succeed, Rubio tells Congress US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress that the Trump administration has no illusions about the difficulty of negotiations with Iran and recognises that the talks could fail, according to sources cited by MSNOW (formerly MSNBC). Rubio said the administration nevertheless wanted to give diplomacy an opportunity to succeed. "There was a possibility that the negotiations would fail, but we wanted to give the diplomatic track a chance," he told lawmakers, according to the report.
