GULF

Israel says Intercepted Missile Fired From Yemen

Yemen's Houthi rebels launched two attacks targeting Israel's main airport, the latest on Tuesday, with the Israeli army intercepting both, a day after striking the rebel-held Yemeni port of Hodeida. Israel has repeatedly struck Houthi-held parts of Yemen after the Iran-backed rebels began targeting the country with missile and drone ...

Iran Seizes Foreign Tanker Over Fuel Smuggling

Iran has seized a foreign tanker in the Sea of Oman on charges of fuel smuggling, the judiciary said Wednesday. The vessel was intercepted "after legal documents related to its cargo were found to be incomplete," said Mojtaba Ghahremani, head of the judiciary in southern Hormozgan province, according to the judiciary's Mizan Online outlet. He ...

Agriculture at a Crossroads: Rich Lands, Closed Borders

Lebanon’s land still gives, but the market no longer answers. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani issued a stark warning: Lebanese agriculture is at a breaking point. With distribution in crisis, export routes to the Gulf shut down and a stifling economic climate, the sector is being pushed to the edge. “Maritime ...

Gebran Bassil’s No-Win Choice

One of the most powerful roles ever played by legendary Meryl Streep was that of Sophie in the iconic film Sophie’s Choice, now regarded as a masterpiece of world cinema. The movie delves into the ethical, psychological, and spiritual torment of making impossible choices in the darkest moments of human history. Based on both a true story and a ...

Renewables and Diversification: The Gulf’s Strategy

After decades of prosperity built on fossil fuels, the Gulf monarchies are increasingly turning toward green hydrogen, pursuing a dual goal: diversifying their economies and demonstrating a credible commitment to tackling climate change. As Karim Elgendy, an ecological transition specialist, told AFP, “The Gulf states want to lead the global ...

Qatar Urges Israel, Hamas to Seize ‘Window of Opportunity’ for Gaza Truce

Gaza mediators are engaging with Israel and Hamas to build on momentum from this week's ceasefire with Iran and work towards a truce in the Palestinian territory, Qatar foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said. Israel and Iran on Tuesday agreed to a ceasefire brokered by the United States and Qatar just hours after the Islamic republic ...

Lebanese Leaders Condemn Iranian Missile Attack on US Base in Qatar

Lebanese officials strongly condemned Iran’s missile attack on the United States’ al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, denouncing it as a dangerous escalation and a violation of Qatari sovereignty. President Joseph Aoun voiced firm opposition to the assault, calling it “a violation of the sovereignty of a brotherly country and a step that would ...

Trump’s Thunderbolt: America Attacks, Iran Shakes, the World Waits

A night that will be etched into Middle East history has just come to an end. In the early hours of June 22, 2025, Donald Trump launched a strike. Six B-2 Spirit stealth bombers took off from a US base and dropped twelve GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs on Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear site, while 30 Tomahawk missiles targeted facilities in ...

Emirates to Resume Flights to and from Lebanon Starting Monday

Emirates will resume operating flights to and from Lebanon, according to information obtained by This is Beirut from the Ministry of Transport. LBCI confirmed that the resumption will start on Monday, June 23. Gulf airlines canceled several flights starting Friday, June 13, 2025, to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran and Syria. The day after ...

US Strikes on Fordo: Britain’s Strategic Dilemma

For days now, the Middle East has been gripped by a geopolitical crisis of extraordinary intensity. The open conflict between Israel and Iran – ignited by a sweeping Israeli military offensive – shows no sign of abating and is already reshaping the region’s balance of power. Not only has the balance tipped decisively toward Israel, but ...

UN Refugee Chief Calls for Support to Syria to Facilitate Refugee Returns

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Friday urged the international community to support Syria’s recovery in order to speed up reconstruction and allow more refugees to return home, fourteen years after the start of the war. “I am here to appeal to the international community to provide more aid and support to the Syrian ...