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Middle East
US suspends sanctions on Syria in historic meeting
The United States announced that it will suspend some of the sanctions on Syria following a historic meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. This was the first summit between a U.S and Syrian leader at the White House since 1946, marking a shift in U.S.-Syria relations after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Trump expressed his support for al-Sharaa, who until recently was designated a terrorist by the U.S. government with a US$10 million bounty on his head for his former affiliation with al-Qaida. “I get along with the president, the new president in Syria, and we’ll do everything we can to make Syria successful, because that’s part of the Middle East,” Trump said. Following the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a 180-day suspension of some sanctions under the Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, commonly called the Caesar Act. This act targets Syria’s energy industry and deters foreign investors from signing contracts relating to the country’s postwar reconstruction. “The suspension of Caesar Act sanctions supports Syria’s efforts to rebuild its economy, restore ties with foreign partners, and foster prosperity and peace for all its citizens,” Rubio said
Middle East
Israel strikes Southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah
Israel has launched a major wave of air strikes in southern Lebanon, targeting positions linked to the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah, according to Israeli officials. The attacks followed evacuation warnings issued for several villages, including Mais al-Jabal, Kfar Tibnit, and Debbin. There have been no immediate reports of casualties. Despite a ceasefire agreement in November that ended the latest conflict with Hezbollah, Israel has regularly conducted air strikes against sites it says are affiliated with the group. Lebanese Prime Minister called on the international community to pressure Israel to halt what he described as intimidation and attacks, and to comply with its ceasefire obligations. “Lebanon calls on the international community, especially the countries sponsoring the agreement to cease hostile operations, to exert maximum pressure on Israel to immediately stop its aggressions,” said Salam in a post on social media. Footage shared online showed large plumes of smoke rising from Mais al-Jabal, one of the targeted locations. An Israeli military spokesperson said the strikes hit Hezbollah infrastructure in response to the group’s attempts to re-establish activities in the area, though no evidence wa
Middle East
Israel bombs Doha in attack on Hamas leaders
Israel’s military has bombed Doha, Qatar’s capital, in a bid to assassinate Hamas leaders involved in ceasefire negotiations. Hamas said its leadership had survived the Israeli strike, though at least six people were killed, including the son of chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. The United States said it had only been notified shortly before the attack. Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani told U.S. President Donald Trump via phone that “the State of Qatar condemns and denounces, in the strongest terms, the reckless and criminal attack, given it is a clear violation of the country's sovereignty and security, adding that it was a clear violation of international law's principles.” “Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal.” Israel’s military said it had deployed 15 fighter jets to attack a complex housing Hamas leaders north of central Doha. While Trump said U.S. Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff warned Qatar bef
Middle East
US steps in as Israel strikes Syrian defence ministry
The Israeli military has struck the Syrian defence ministry in Damascus and the government forces in southern Syria in a deadly blow. Syrian state media reported the loud explosions in the city, where at least three people were killed and 34 others were injured. Since the clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes erupted on Sunday, more than 300 people have been killed in Suweida. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed his forces were "working to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the regime's gangs" while the Syrian foreign ministry accused Israel of "treacherous aggression". The U.S. has stepped into the conflict with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying he was “very worried” about the violence in the south but believed it would end within hours. “We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight,” he said. “This will require all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made, and this is what we fully expect them to do.” As the situation developed on Wednesday, Netanyahu was giving evidence in his corruption trial in a Tel Aviv courthouse and had to leave the stand. In a video statement, he urged Israeli Druze not to
Middle East
Israel’s Gaza plan triggers legal, ethical alarm
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced a sweeping plan to relocate Gaza’s entire civilian population — approximately 2.2 million people — into a sealed “humanitarian city” to be constructed on the ruins of Rafah. The proposed enclave would be managed by unspecified international bodies, not the Israeli military, and residents would be barred from leaving once inside. Legal experts and human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch and the United Nations, have condemned the plan as a potential crime against humanity, citing its scale, coercive nature, and the absence of viable alternatives for displaced civilians. The move follows months of forced evacuations, mass civilian casualties, and the issuance of International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Katz (pictured above) has also reiterated his support for the "voluntary emigration” of Palestinians from Gaza, a policy critics argue amounts to ethnic cleansing under international law. While Israeli officials insist the initiative complies with legal standards, humanitarian groups warn that the destruction of Gaza’s in

Middle East
Drone boat strike; Red Sea shipping risk escalates
The Red Sea — through which about 12% of global trade flows — is again a geopolitical flashpoint. A Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier, Magic Seas, was abandoned by its crew after sustaining heavy damage from a coordinated maritime assault southwest of Yemen’s Hodeida port. According to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the vessel was hit by small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, and two bomb-laden drone boats — marking a significant escalation in asymmetric naval warfare. The attack bore the hallmarks of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who later claimed credit for the attack, saying it was in support of Palestinians in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. .Credit: Vessel FinderMaritime security firm Ambrey confirmed the use of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), with two additional drones destroyed by the ship’s onboard security team. The incident underscores the Houthis’ continued capacity to disrupt one of the world’s most critical trade arteries, despite intermittent ceasefires and international naval patrols. The use of drone boats signals a tactical evolution in Houthi capabilities, raising insurance premiums, rerouting costs, and risk exposure for shipping and energy firms. Investors with
Middle East
Trump announces ceasefire to Israel-Iran '12 day war'
United States commander-in-chief Donald Trump has announced that a ceasefire has been agreed between Iran and Israel through his social media platform Truth Social, dubbing it the “official end to the 12-day war”. A 12-hour ceasefire is set to begin approximately six hours from the timestamp of Trump's post through his Truth Social media platform - at the end of that, the war will be considered over.Credit: Donald Trump / Truth SocialOvernight, Iran launched a handful of ballistic missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar, less than two days after American bombers had purportedly decimated three nuclear facilities in Iran. The missiles caused no fatalities nor injuries to Qatari or U.S. personnel. In fact, Iran even made a courtesy phone call to warn them of the attack before it occurred.Timeline of Events30 April 2025 Iran executes a man it claims worked for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, accusing him of involvement in the May 2022 assassination of Revolutionary Guard Colonel Hassan Sayyad Khodaei in Tehran - a killing that would later serve to justify Iran's retaliation. Friday, 13 June Israel launches what Israeli officials described as "pre-emptive strikes" against Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure, d
Middle East
Bomb hits Damascus church; Syria, world outraged
A suicide bomber affiliated with Islamic State (IS) killed at least 22 people and injured 63 more during a packed Sunday service (Monday AEST) at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syrian authorities confirmed. The attacker reportedly opened fire before detonating an explosive vest, marking the first successful suicide bombing in the capital since Bashar al-Assad's regime fell in December. The blast tore through the church’s interior, scattering pews and icons, and leaving pools of blood on the floor. Witnesses described scenes of panic as worshippers, including children and the elderly, scrambled to safety. The attack has rattled Syria’s fragile transitional government, which pledged to protect religious minorities in a volatile post-conflict landscape. The Orthodox Patriarchate in Damascus condemned the bombing as a “violation of the sanctity of churches,” while the United Nations’ special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called it a “heinous crime” and urged a full investigation. United States and European officials echoed the outrage, warning that the resurgence of extremist violence could derail Syria’s path to stability. The country’s Christian population, already reduced from one million to un
Middle East
Middle East: Khamenei warns of 'irreparable damage'
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stark warning to the United States, vowing “irreparable damage” if Washington intervened militarily in the intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel. The statement came as Israeli airstrikes pounded Tehran for a sixth consecutive day, targeting nuclear and missile infrastructure, and Iran retaliated with hypersonic missiles and drone swarms. Amid the spiraling violence, an Iranian presidential aircraft and two government jets landed in Oman, signaling potential backchannel diplomacy or contingency planning. Oman has historically served as a neutral mediator in regional crises, though no official statement confirmed the purpose of the visit. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump — who returned early from the G7 summit — convened his national security team in the White House Situation Room to weigh options, including a possible strike on Iranian nuclear sites. Trump has publicly demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and warned that U.S. patience is “wearing thin,” though he claimed there are no current plans to target Khamenei directly. The U.S. has begun preparing for the evacuation of American citizens from Israel, with embassies in Jerusalem a