The United Nations’ maritime agency said on Friday that it had successfully evacuated about 2,500 stranded seafarers from the Persian Gulf before suspending the operation, after an attack on a commercial vessel exposed uncertainty over who can guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Russia-US tensions mount as Lavrov escalates argument with Rubio Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Friday for “clarification” of the US role in trying to end the war in Ukraine, in a letter to his counterpart Marco Rubio. Tension between Russia and the US over Washington's efforts to end the Ukraine war has grown since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran in February. Russia has welcomed efforts to end the war on Iran and has provided some military and intelligence assistance to Tehran.
Netanyahu and Katz say Israel will remain in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza 'without time limit' Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 06/26/2026 - 11:13 The Israeli leaders, speaking during graduation for combat officers, also threaten to attack Iran again Israeli soldiers patrol along the border with Lebanon on 10 April 2026 (Jalaa Marey/AFP) Off Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have said that troops will maintain an indefinite presence in southern Lebanon , Syria and the Gaza Strip. They were both speaking at a graduation for combat officers in southern Israel on Thursday. “We dominate southern Lebanon, from the summit of the Beaufort, and we will remain as long as required in the security zone,” Netanyahu said.
Iran issued a statement on Friday asserting its right to control traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a day after firing on a container ship that took a route near Oman’s shore.
Tehran [Iran], June 26 (ANI): Iran on Friday issued a stern warning regarding the presence of Israeli military aircraft in the airspace of neighbouring countries and characterising these movements as a direct threat to the Islamic Republic, holding the US responsible for restraining the Jewish state.
TEL AVIV/DUBAI: Israel's defense minister said on June 24 that Israeli troops will stay in southern Lebanon, creating a challenge for ongoing Iran-U. S. peace talks.
US considering moving Gulf bases damaged by Iran to Israel Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 06/26/2026 - 09:54 Officials suggest Israel could be new site for bases following Iran's retaliatory strikes earlier this year Smoke rises from an area in the direction of Al Udeid Air Base, which houses the Qatar Emiri Air Force and foreign forces including US ones, in Doha on 28 February 2026 (Mahmud Hams/AFP) Off The US is considering moving some of its Gulf bases to Israel after they were attacked by Iran earlier this year. A report in the Wall Street Journal says the US is considering refurnishing its base in Bahrain and winding down its presence in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia . Two officials cited in the report suggest the US could relocate some bases to Israel.
Italy rejects Nato chief's claim it assisted US in Iran war According to Iran's IRNA news agency, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Thursday evening to reject allegations made by Nato's secretary general that US military bases in Italy were used for military operations against Iran. Responding to US President Donald Trump's frustrations about a lack of European assistance in the war, Mark Rutte told Fox News on Wednesday that Rome played a key role by allowing 500 US military aircraft to use Italian air bases. Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, rejected Rutte's "confusing" account on Thursday.
‘Repel the enemy’: Crimean Tatars have become a key asset for Ukraine’s war effort Submitted by Driss Rejichi on Fri, 06/26/2026 - 09:33 The Ukrainian Muslim minority has gained growing recognition in military, political and cultural spheres as it struggles to end Russia’s occupation of Crimea Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the deportation of the indigenous population of Crimea by the USSR, on Independence Square in Kiev, 18 May 2019 (Genya Savilov/AFP) Off On the edge of the Ukrainian capital, inside the Kyiv Islamic Cultural Centre, a handful of Crimean Tatars conclude their Friday prayer with the taslim greeting. Isa Akayev exits the masjid last. Even though he has been retired since December, the 60-year-old veteran still proudly wears a shirt bearing the symbol of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence, along with his beard and taqiyah hat.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters warned against the movement of Israeli military aircraft toward Iranian airspace via neighboring countries, describing such activity as a dangerous threat and stressing Iran’s right to respond to any hostile action.
Syria after Assad: How Israeli settlers are trying to establish new facts on the ground Submitted by Wesam Sharaf on Wed, 06/17/2026 - 16:21 Emboldened by decades of violence and impunity in the occupied West Bank, settlers are now attempting to extend their reach into southern Syria Halutzei HaBashan activists call for the construction of settlements in Syria in April 2026 (X) Off Since the 2024 collapse of the Assad government and the subsequent expansion of Israel ’s occupation of the Golan Heights beyond the 1974 ceasefire line into southern Syria , a number of right-wing groups have advocated the establishment of Jewish settlements on this land. Among the most prominent is Halutzei HaBashan (“Pioneers of Bashan”), a movement launched last year by settlers from the occupied West Bank. Taking advantage of the Israeli military’s incursions, they have been calling for the construction of Israeli settlements in southwestern Syria, an area they call the Bashan region, which they view as part of the historic “Land of Israel”.
Israeli forces bulldoze homes, continue military operation in Lebanon The Israeli military continued operations across southern Lebanon, with Lebanon's National News Agency reporting that troops bulldozed and burned homes in the town of Markaba. The report said that air strikes killed two people in Mayfadoun and wounded another, citing the country's health ministry. A separate strike was also reported in Nabatieh al-Fawqa.
Iran minister: Italy, Romania face accountability for aiding US attacks Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs has warned that Italy and Romania could face international responsibility, after Nato's secretary general said the two countries had allowed bases on their territory to support the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, Iranian media reported. "The NATO Secretary General's statements regarding the US using bases in Italy and Romania to attack Iran entail international responsibility for these countries," Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on X late Thursday. He cited UN General Assembly Resolution 3314, arguing that a state which permits its territory to be used by a third party to commit aggression against another state is itself guilty of an act of aggression.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Israeli attacks continued across southern Lebanon after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out a withdrawal from occupied areas, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, the IAEA outlined possible approaches to Iran's uranium stockpile, while Washington and Gulf allies reaffirmed support for unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Here are the latest updates: Israeli air strikes hit southern Lebanon, including Nabatieh al-Fawqa, as Netanyahu said Israeli troops would not withdraw from occupied areas.
Israeli raid kills two in southern Lebanon, ministry says Two people were killed and another was wounded in an Israeli air raid on the southern Lebanese town of Mefdoun in Nabatieh district, Lebanon's health ministry said. According to the National News Agency, the ministry said the figures were a revised casualty toll. The strike came as Al Jazeera Arabic reported another Israeli air strike on the nearby town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, despite ongoing efforts to maintain the ceasefire in southern Lebanon.
South Korean president says 3 more ships to leave Hormuz over weekend Three more South Korean ships are set to depart the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, the country’s President, Lee Jae Myung, said. This will leave five South Korean cargo ships trapped in the key waterway since the beginning of the US-Israel war with Iran, when the latter closed the strait. “The swift and safe escape of the detained commercial ships and crew members, more so than in any other country, was greatly and effectively due to the tireless efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Security Office, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the National Intelligence Service, who worked sleepless nights on communication and cooperation,” Myung wrote on X.
Report: Iran attacks prompt US review of Gulf military presence The United States is weighing changes to its military footprint in the Middle East, prompted primarily by Iranian attacks on its bases in the Gulf nations, according to a report. Citing serving and former US service members, analyses of satellite imagery and social-media footage, the Wall Street Journal reported that the damage to the US Navy's headquarters in Bahrain was extensive—damage that the Pentagon has not publicly disclosed. The command headquarters and at least a dozen other buildings had been especially hit hard, the Journal added.
Video: Israeli forces to remain in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza ‘without limit’ Speaking at a graduation for combat officers in southern Israel on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said that forces will maintain an indefinite presence in southern Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip. "The Israeli military will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, in Syria, and in Gaza without any time limit," he said. Speaking at a graduation for combat officers in southern Israel on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said that forces will maintain an indefinite presence in southern Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip pic.
Israel vows to maintain military presence in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces will remain in parts of southern Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for as long as the government considers necessary, reaffirming Israel's intention to maintain its military presence in those areas. Speaking at a military graduation ceremony, Netanyahu said troops would stay in what he described as "security zones", while Katz reiterated that Israel would not withdraw from southern Lebanon even if requested by the Trump administration. Their remarks come despite the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, which calls for the immediate and permanent end of military operations in Lebanon and affirms the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Germany holds naval exercise with Israel amid Gaza war Germany and Israel held a joint naval exercise off the coast of Haifa on Thursday, with the Israeli military describing the drill as a step toward strengthening operational cooperation between the two navies. According to the Israeli military, a German navy vessel docked at Haifa ahead of the exercise, while German commanders Volker Kubsch and Rico Geisler met with Rear Admiral Erez Ben Zion, commander of the Haifa Naval Base. The drill took place as Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza.
