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FIFA to meet Iran officials in Istanbul over World Cup participation in the US

BY REUTERS — Sat, 16 May 2026 12:07:22 GMT

FIFA will meet Iranian officials in Istanbul to reassure Iran’s national team over World Cup participation, ensuring safe entry amid US and Canada restrictions.

Hamas revenue machine thrives under Gaza ceasefire

BY AMIR BOHBOT — Sat, 16 May 2026 11:32:21 GMT

Aid flows almost exclusively to strengthen the military wing and fortify Hamas’s structure, while the burden of civil and governmental management relies on local tax collection from merchants.

US-Israel attacks on Iran could resume as early as next week - report

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Sat, 16 May 2026 09:34:36 GMT

US President Donald Trump said Iran can either make a deal or "get annihilated," adding that the Islamic Republic has refused to acknowledge multiple deals already agreed to.

How Yemenis’ pockets became a lifeline for financing cross-border wars

BY KHALED AL-ANSI / THE MEDIA LINE — Sat, 16 May 2026 09:32:06 GMT

As many middle-class families struggle to afford basic food, the telecommunications sector has become a major financial channel for funding the Houthis’ war effort.

Iran giving mixed signals on deals, US open to 20 year halt to enrichment deal, Trump says

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Sat, 16 May 2026 04:55:51 GMT

“We really had the confines of a deal….every time they make a deal, the next day it’s like we didn’t have that conversation,” Trump said.

IDF declares closed military zone in Rosh HaNikra, Achziv areas after situational assessment

BY GOLDIE KATZ — Sat, 16 May 2026 01:13:21 GMT

The closure went into effect on Thursday night, according to an order from the IDF’s Commander of the Northern Command, MG Rafi Milo.

Israel, Lebanon agree on 45-day ceasefire extension, negotiation to continue on two tracks

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Sat, 16 May 2026 00:14:21 GMT

Both Israel and Lebanon have agreed on a framework for negotiations, including “full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Hamas confirms death of military chief following Israeli strike

BY AMIR BOHBOT AND ARIELLA ROITMAN — Fri, 15 May 2026 21:09:02 GMT

Izz ad-Din al-Haddad is the highest-ranking military commander of Hamas and the last leader of the October 7 massacre remaining in the Gaza Strip.

Egypt, Uganda agree to expand Nile water cooperation

BY THE MEDIA LINE STAFF — Fri, 15 May 2026 18:12:48 GMT

El-Sisi said Egypt faces severe water scarcity, with annual per capita water availability falling below 500 cubic meters.

First Palestinian ICC filing against Hamas alleges war crimes, seeks arrests - exclusive

BY MATHILDA HELLER — Fri, 15 May 2026 16:28:48 GMT

To date, the ICC has not charged Hamas with any crimes committed against its own civilians. This filing, therefore, is the first by a Palestinian against the terror group.

UAE tried to coordinate with Saudi Arabia, Qatar to strike Iran during recent war - report

BY JAMES GENN — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:32:33 GMT

The UAE attempted to convince Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Gulf states to coordinate a military response to Iran’s missile and drone attacks, but neighbors refused, sources told Bloomberg.

Iran a victim of 'illegal expansionism and war mongering', Araghchi says

BY REUTERS AND ARIELLA ROITMAN — Fri, 15 May 2026 13:37:14 GMT

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed during a BRICS meeting that despite foreign aggression towards Tehran, it is ready to "pursue and defend diplomacy."

Role of Gulf states in Iran conflict said to change over one week - analysis

BY SETH J. FRANTZMAN — Thu, 14 May 2026 21:06:27 GMT

Iran’s narrative was that some of the Gulf states hosted US forces, or in the case of the UAE and Bahrain, had signed the Abraham Accords with Israel.

IDF reveals it supplies Lebanese army with anti-explosive drone barbed wire

BY MIRIAM SELA-EITAM — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:51:05 GMT

To date, the military has issued approximately 158,000 square meters of anti-explosive drone barbed wire, equivalent in size to about 20 football fields.

Iran convert formerly sentenced to death tells ‘Post’ Pope brought ‘shame’ by honoring envoy

BY DANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD — Thu, 14 May 2026 18:19:40 GMT

Amirizadeh's comments to the 'Post' came after Pope Leo bestowed a special honor on the Iranian ambassador to the Holy See, along with several other diplomats, for their years-long service.

Justice in Baghdad: Iraq convicts notorious Saddam Hussein-era torturer

BY SETH J. FRANTZMAN — Thu, 14 May 2026 17:52:05 GMT

This step is important for Iraq because it continues to show that Baghdad can get some justice for victims of the Saddam era.

Yemen government, Houthis to release more than 1,600 prisoners in conflict's largest swap

BY REUTERS — Thu, 14 May 2026 17:08:40 GMT

The conflict erupted after the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention in support of the government the following year.

Iraq sought financial assistance from International Monetary Fund as result of Iran war

BY REUTERS — Thu, 14 May 2026 16:31:55 GMT

Initial conversations took place last month during the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington.

Why should the US-China meetings matter for the Middle East? Here are five reasons - analysis

BY SETH J. FRANTZMAN — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:15:47 GMT

Beijing has been treading carefully in the region. It doesn’t want to be involved in conflict. Let’s examine five reasons the US-China meetings matter for the region.

Teenage girl murdered after refusing arranged marriage to cousin, Iraqi women’s rights group claims

BY DANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD — Thu, 14 May 2026 13:52:03 GMT

The murder was reportedly carried out under the justification of “washing shame,” a term associated with honor killing.

Beirut accuses Tehran of violating Vienna Convention in complaint to UN

BY DANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD — Thu, 14 May 2026 12:47:55 GMT

The founder and president of the Alma Research and Education Center warned that the UN's “capability to enforce anything is very, very low” and Iran’s allies will likely “get into the picture” there.

Ship seized off UAE's Fujairah being pulled toward Iranian waters

BY REUTERS — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:57:53 GMT

The incident comes as India said on Thursday that an Indian-flagged ship had been attacked off the coast of Oman on Wednesday, and all crew on board were safe.

Iran holds World Cup departure rally despite continuing US visa concerns

BY REUTERS — Thu, 14 May 2026 08:36:37 GMT

Iran's participation in the World Cup has been in question since the US and Israel launched air strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February.

Iran ‘frighteningly close’ to developing nuclear weapons, US energy secretary says - report

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Thu, 14 May 2026 07:36:21 GMT

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stressed that he considers even 20%-enriched uranium "very concerning," given the size of Iran's stockpile.

Chinese companies planning clandestine arms sales to Iran, US intelligence finds - report

BY GOLDIE KATZ — Thu, 14 May 2026 02:53:40 GMT

China has significantly aided Iran over the course of the war, providing intelligence on US forces and supplying Tehran with dual-use materials used in the production of drones and missiles.

Pentagon considering renaming Iran war 'Operation Sledgehammer' if ceasefire fails - report

BY JAMES GENN — Thu, 14 May 2026 02:31:21 GMT

A new operation name could allow the Trump administration to distinguish renewed strikes from Operation Epic Fury, NBC reported.

Turkey’s Kurdish peace process falters as Iran war complicates negotiations - analysis

BY REUTERS — Wed, 13 May 2026 22:46:03 GMT

Turkey’s peace process with Kurdish militants stalls as the Iran war deepens instability in the region, with both sides hesitant to take bold steps toward a resolution.

Third round of Israel-Lebanon talks to take place with military officials, sources tell 'Post'

BY AMICHAI STEIN — Wed, 13 May 2026 22:24:03 GMT

Lebanon’s military attaché in Washington and IDF Head of Strategy Brig.-Gen. Amichai Levin will be among the delegations' representatives.

World Food Programme slashes Syria aid, affecting 7.2 million as funding crisis deepens

BY REUTERS — Wed, 13 May 2026 21:14:25 GMT

The World Food Programme has halved emergency food aid in Syria due to funding shortages, leaving millions vulnerable despite signs of stabilization.

Who gets to belong? Palestinians in Syria confront old suspicions under new rule

BY WASEEM ABU MAHADI/THE MEDIA LINE — Wed, 13 May 2026 20:32:15 GMT

Arrests, media attacks, and changes in official terminology have deepened anxiety among Palestinian refugees over their legal status and place in Syrian society.