Explosion heard in Damascus during French president's visit An explosion was heard in central Damascus on Tuesday as French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Syrian capital, AFP journalists said, with witnesses reporting smoke rising near a high-end hotel where the leader spent the night. At least one blast was heard before ambulances rushed to the scene, while Macron, the first Western European leader to visit Syria since the 2024 fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, held talks with Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace.
Spain may style itself as Israel's most fervent adversary, but its sanctions are far from comprehensive Submitted by Ana Maria Monjardino on Mon, 07/06/2026 - 15:00 Madrid, like Colombia and South Africa, has found that despite strong vocal opposition to the Gaza genocide, it has been unable to follow through on its rhetoric Protesters hold Palestinian flags and banners during a demonstration against the participation of Israeli basketball team Hapoel IBI Tel-Aviv in the Euroleague, ahead of their match against Valencia Basket, in Valencia, Spain, 15 October 2025 (Jose Jordan/AFP) Off As criticism of Israel’s genocide continues in Gaza and government across the Americas and Europe have remained largely muted, Spain has stepped into the vacuum as one of the most vocal critics of the country in the West. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for multilateral measures to end the arms trade with Israel, including a push to suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement. It is also the only EU country to have formally recalled its ambassador and, back in October 2023, announced it was halting arms sales to the country.
On its 250th birthday, America must leave behind the illusion of primacy Submitted by Jeffrey D. Sachs on Mon, 07/06/2026 - 15:21 The failed Iran war presents costly proof that global dominance was always beyond Washington's grasp People wait to re-enter the event site after being evacuated due to storms during Independence Day celebrations in Washington, DC, on 4 July 2026 (Amid Farahi/AFP) On On the fourth of July, the United States turned 250 - an event that summoned the founders who spoke of a republic seeking “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind”, rather than dominion over them. Yet the story that matters most for our own moment does not begin in 1776.
Watch: Crowds march through Tehran during funeral procession for Iran's slain Supreme Leader Aerial footage from the funeral procession of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Monday showed hundreds of thousands of people marching through the streets of Tehran. Iranian media estimated that millions gathered in the capital to mourn the slain leader. Aerial footage from the funeral procession of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Monday showed hundreds of thousands of people marching through the streets of Tehran.
Araghchi says US-Iran talks will not start if Washington threats continue Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that discussions between Tehran and Washington will not begin if US threats continue. "Millions of proud Iranians rallied in unity to honor Grand Ayatollah Khamenei and his legacy. Neither them nor our Brave Armed Forces are moved by any threats," he wrote in a post on X.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Tensions have reignited amid an attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman, with severe damage to the vessel reported. While Axios indicated that two US officials blamed Iran for the attack on the ship, Tehran's IRIB state broadcaster reported that the targeting happened after the vessel "ignored repeated warnings". Here are more updates from across the region: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that he is preparing to travel to the White House for a meeting with US President Donald Trump towards the end of July, where the two are set to discuss the framework of the agreement with Israel.
Netanyahu says US giving Turkey F-35 jets would 'upset power balance' in the region Netanyahu says the US shouldn’t give Turkey F-35 jets as it would "upset the power balance" maintained by "Israeli air superiority" and "America’s posture" in the region. Tensions between Israel and Turkey have escalated in recent times, as leaders exchanged pointed accusations amid a deepening geopolitical rift regarding competing influence in Syria. Turkey has also emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s assaults on Iran, Gaza and Lebanon.
Iranian media says vessel struck near Oman for 'ignoring repeated warnings' Iranian media say ship attacked in Hormuz after attempting to take US-backed route We have more details on the attack on the tanker attack. The IRIB state broadcaster is reporting that an oil tanker attempting to pass through the Omani route in the Strait of Hormuz was attacked "after ignoring repeated warnings". According to the broadcaster, citing anonymous sources, the vessel was planning to travel through the waterway with the support of the US Navy.
Lebanon's Aoun set to meet Trump at the White House before end of the month Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that he is preparing to travel to the White House for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. The trip, expected to happen before the end of July, is aimed at further discussing the framework of the agreement with Israel.
Iran slams German accusation of Tehran mining Hormuz Strait Iran condemned German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul's allegation that the country mined the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai said in a post on X that Wadephul's "rhetoric on the Strait of Hormuz is utterly shameful". He demanded that the German minister should be held accountable for his claims described as "a grotesque distortion of reality".
Ghalibaf vows to avenge Iranians killed by 'arrogant powers' Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf vowed to punish "arrogant powers" for the killings in the country, the Tasnim News Agency quoted him as saying. The statement comes amid the funeral procession being held for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei "The fulfillment of the divine promise is certain, and the invaders of the Islamic Iranian soil and the murderers of the martyrs of this land, especially the leader of the nation, will be punished for their actions," he said. Ghalibaf added that "the final step of revenge against the arrogant powers will be realized with the liberation of the holy city of Quds", referring to Jerusalem.
US needs to move bases from Gulf to Israel, former Centcom commander says The US needs to relocate its bases in the Gulf to Israel and neighbouring countries to better protect its assets from Iran’s missiles and drones, the former head of US Central Command (Centcom), General Frank McKenzie, said at a webinar last week. “No one in their right mind would ever put the Centcom forward headquarters, you know, 100 miles away from Iran, [in Qatar], yet that’s where it is,” he told the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, referring to al-Udeid military base. McKenzie, who was the top military official overseeing US forces in the Middle East from 28 March 2019 to 1 April 2022, said that in 2022, he and other officials told the Biden administration that the constellation of US bases around the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain was vulnerable to Iranian attacks and US forces should be dispersed to the West, including to Israel.
Tanker hit by unknown projectile 8 nautical miles away from Oman's Limah, maritime body says A vessel was hit by an unknown projectile while traveling southbound about 8 nautical miles east of Oman's Limah, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) said early on Tuesday. The targeting struck the tanker's port side, causing a fire. UKMTO indicated that there were no casualties or environmental impact reported.
Watch: Hamas announces dissolution of Gaza government after nearly two decades Hamas announced on Monday the dissolution of the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, clearing the way for a technocratic committee to implement civilian rule. The move marks a significant political shift by Hamas, which has run Gaza since 2007 after winning the legislative elections the previous year. Hamas announced on Monday the dissolution of the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, clearing the way for a technocratic committee to implement civilian rule.
Israeli parliament advances bill on inquiry into 7 October failures Israel's parliament has approved a bill in its first reading to establish a commission of inquiry into the security failings that led to the 7 October attacks. "The purpose of the proposed law is to bring about a full, thorough, and independent investigation of the events of the ... October 7 massacre" and the genocidal wars that followed, an explanatory note to the bill said.
Israel restricts flow of goods into Gaza at Karem Abu Salem crossing Israel is restricting the flow of goods into Gaza at the Karem Abu Salem crossing, the UN's humanitarian agency has reported. Last week, only 42 percent of supplies routed through Egypt and 65 percent of those from Ashdod port could be offloaded at the crossing, which sits at the intersection of Egypt, Israel and Gaza and is known to Israelis as Kerem Shalom, OCHA said in its latest update. The UN and its partners managed to deliver about 42,000 pallets to Gaza in June, down from around 46,600 in May.
Israeli settlers attack Palestinian homes and farmland in occupied West Bank Dozens of Israeli settlers reportedly attacked Palestinian homes and farmland in the occupied West Bank's Hebron governorate on Monday, injuring six residents. Activist Osama Makhamra said around 30 armed settlers attacked homes in the village of Umm al-Khair in Masafer Yatta, in the South Hebron Hills, after the Israeli military closed the village's main entrance. According to Wafa, the official news agency of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Makhamra said the settlers carried out the attack under the protection of Israeli forces.
UN welcomes Hamas dissolution of Gaza governing body The UN says it has "taken note" of Hamas's dissolution of the body that has governed Gaza for nearly two decades. "We welcome any step that contributes to the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and advances the objectives reflected in relevant Security Council resolutions," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief. Dujarric added that the UN continues to support efforts towards unified Palestinian governance under the Palestinian Authority.
US needs to move bases from Gulf to Israel, former Centcom commander says Submitted by Sean Mathews on Mon, 07/06/2026 - 21:06 Retired General Frank McKenzie says Iran war has shown that current basing system is now an 'artefact' This handout satellite image taken on 1 March 2026 shows a view of smoke rising from damage at the US Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain's capital Manama after it was hit by Iranian strikes (2026 Planet Labs PBC/AFP) Off The US needs to relocate its bases in the Gulf to Israel and neighbouring countries to better protect its assets from Iran’s missiles and drones, the former head of US Central Command (Centcom), General Frank McKenzie, said at a webinar last week. “No one in their right mind would ever put the Centcom forward headquarters, you know, 100 miles away from Iran, [in Qatar], yet that’s where it is,” he told the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, referring to al-Udeid military base. McKenzie, who was the top military official overseeing US forces in the Middle East from 28 March 2019 to 1 April 2022, said that in 2022, he and other officials told the Biden administration that the constellation of US bases around the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain was vulnerable to Iranian attacks and US forces should be dispersed to the West, including to Israel.
Nearly 50,000 receive medical treatment during Khamenei funeral procession in Tehran Just under 50,000 people received emergency medical treatment during the Tehran funeral procession for Iran's former supreme leader, according to state-linked media. Iran's emergency services told the ISNA news agency that 48,804 people were treated, including three who underwent successful cardiac resuscitation. Around 18,000 people received outpatient treatment.
