Middle East

Druze leaders in Syria call on Druze militias to cooperate, surrender weapons to gov't - report

On Tuesday, the forces of the Syrian government announced a curfew in Sweida, "Until further notice," two days after almost 100 people had died due to sectarian violence, al-Arabiya reported. 

 Syrian forces enter Sweida as Druze leader says truce talks underway on July 15, 2025.

UK offers Lebanon plan to build surveillance towers along Israeli border - report

 Israel-Lebanon border

Egypt says Israel-EU agreement has not increased aid to Gaza

 Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty speaks during a press conference after meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Lebanon November 13, 2024.

Two drones fell in Khurmala oilfield in Iraqi Kurdistan, counterterrorism service says

A view of a damaged building following missile attacks, in Erbil, Iraq, January 16, 2024

Iran Red Crescent Society head accuses Israel of deliberately targeting rescue workers - report

INRA, the official news agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, quoted Kolivand as saying that the attacks on the workers were "fully intentional and not random."

 Iranian Red Crescent Society head Pirhossein Kolivand.

Iranian lawmaker says Strait of Hormuz still under review, no decision yet to close it

The possibility of Iran closing the waterway, through which about a fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass, was speculated upon during the 12-day air war between Israel and Iran last month.

 Iranian lawmaker Esmail Kosari.

What role is Israel playing in the clashes between Druze and Bedouins in Syria? - analysis

Israel has demanded southern Syria be demilitarized. This has had the result of creating a vacuum in southern Syria. The government claims that it wants to protect civilians and restore order.

 Druze women walk on a street, in Jaramana, Syria May 5, 2025.

Republicans Overseas Israel urge US action to protect Druze in southern Syria amid escalation

"Druze community leaders presented us with alarming reports about terrorist forces linked to Jabhat al-Nusra threatening innocent Druze populations," stated Chairman Attorney Marc Zell.

 US Republican leadership in Israel have raised concerns over severe threats facing the Druze community in southern Syria

Blast caused by gas leak injures seven in Iranian city of Qom

The director of Qom's fire department said four residential units were damaged in the blast.

 Reported explosion in the city of Qom, south of Iran, July 14, 2025.

Attacks on Syrian forces to quell sectarian clashes leave 18 dead, Israel strikes to protect Druze

The violence erupted after a wave of kidnappings, including the abduction of a Druze merchant on Friday on the highway linking Damascus to Sweida, witnesses said.

 Members of Syrian security forces patrol after being deployed in the village of Al-Soura al-Kubra, following clashes between Sunni Islamist militants and Druze fighters, in Sweida province, Syria, May 2, 2025

Strained allies: Egypt and Israel’s struggle to end the Gaza war

Despite decades of peace, mistrust deepens between Cairo and Jerusalem.

 Waving national colorful flag of Israel and national flag of Egypt

Justice Dept. sanctions Iranian US resident for smuggling electronics, including for Iran railways

Bahram Mohammad Ostovari, a 66-year-old resident of Santa Monica, California, and Tehran, Iran, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly bypassing Iranian sanctions.

 An Iranian train at a railroad station in Khaf, December 10, 2020; illustrative.

Military action following lack of hostage deal: Netanyahu’s path forward in Gaza - analysis

Whether by design or necessity, the breakdown in diplomacy was quickly followed by a sharp escalation on the ground.

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a bilateral dinner held by U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured), at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 7, 2025.

Houthis now becoming more emboldened after sinking two ships in Red Sea - analysis

The fact that so many countries in the region did not assist the ships quickly in order to deter the Houthis shows that it is not a priority.

 A VESSEL said to be the Greek-operated, Liberia-flagged ‘Eternity C’ sinks in the Red Sea last week. The Houthis have been transformed into Iran’s most potent and aggressive non-state actor in the Arab world, says the writer.