Interview Ghassan Salame says Lebanon-Israel talks ‘not negotiations,’ Hezbollah disarmament by force ‘illusion’ "The idea that you can disarm just by making two phone calls or two check points here and there is just an illusion," Lebanon's minister of culture, Ghassan Salame, told Al-Monitor. Ghassan Salame Lebanese Culture Minister
China signals bigger Gulf role as UAE crown prince visits Beijing China, which maintains close ties with both Iran and Gulf states, is hosting one of the UAE's top officials this week as a fragile ceasefire in the region holds. China
Analysis US blockade on Iran’s oil begins amid unclear enforcement, energy shock fears The move threatens to cut off roughly 2 million barrels per day of Iranian crude exports, but key questions remain as the operation begins. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
As US blockades Hormuz, China urges restraint, rejects call to ditch Iran oil Beijing and Ankara called for calm as the US began its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as regional diplomacy over the fragile ceasefire intensifies. Iran
Hormuz blockade gambit aims to squeeze Iran without expanding war By blockading Iran’s ports and de-mining the Strait of Hormuz, the US Navy aims to deny Tehran leverage in future negotiations, but experts warn it could take months before the economic pressure builds on the Islamic Republic. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Strait of Hormuz situation is an argument for strong international maritime coalition, EU's Kallas says Reuters
'No fear': Pope Leo pushes against Trump attacks as he lands in Algeria President Donald Trump has escalated against the first American pontiff over his criticism of the Israel-US war in Iran. Iran
