Lebanese losing faith as politicians fumble over economy
Many working Lebanese fear Greek-style bankruptcy – without the safety net of the EU, and with potentially more violent consequences.
Middle East
Britain: Iran's seizure of oil tanker 'clear violation of international law'
UK Chamber of Shipping says Stena Impero was in Oman territorial waters when Iranian Revolutionary Guards boarded it. New audio shows British navy trying to thwart seizure.
Revolutionary Guards use images of Netanyahu, Trump as targets
As tensions in the Persian Gulf continue to rise, leaders of Israel and the US are still being portrayed as Iran's mortal enemies.
'Region would be closer to peace if not for Iran's support of Hamas'
In Washington, Bahrain's top diplomat, Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, accuses Tehran of using Israeli-Palestinian conflict to gain political leverage in region.
'Egypt, Jordan, Saudis pressuring US to delay rollout of peace plan'
Spokesman for PA President Mahmoud Abbas is quoted by pan-Arabic daily Asharq Al-Awsat saying that the Arab world backs the Arab peace initiative and a plan that does not discuss the core issues of Jerusalem and Palestinians refugees has no chance of success.
Iranian forces seize foreign oil tanker, crew
Tanker appears to be the vessel that disappeared off trackers in Iranian waters on Sunday. Crew members were involved in smuggling some 1 million liters of fuel from Iranian smugglers to foreign customers, Tehran says.
Bahrain to host global maritime security summit on Iranian threat
Some 65 countries are expected to participate in the conference, slated to take place in the fall. US envoy seeks support for a plan to build a maritime coalition to deter further attacks in the Persian Gulf.
Assad, Iran seek plan to 'deal with Israeli attacks' in Syria
Syrian President Bashar Assad meets with a senior Iranian official in Damascus on ways to cope with Israeli airstrikes in the war-torn country, Syrian newspaper Al-Watan reports. The two also discuss the Trump administration's "deal of the century" and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's plan to contend with the American regional plan.
Iranian engineer heading Hezbollah precision missile project identified
The Revolutionary Guard Corps engineer overseeing Hezbollah's precision missile project in Lebanon is Majed Naveed, according to an i24NEWS exclusive. Naveed is reportedly in frequent contact with a counterpart in Yemen, which has become the “testing ground” for Hezbollah and Iranian missiles fired by Houthi rebels at Saudi Arabia.
In shift, Iran says it is willing to discuss missile program
Iranian foreign minister creates opening for possible talks with Washington even without the latter returning to 2015 nuclear deal. Meanwhile, supreme leader vows retaliation to UK's continued seizure of Iranian tanker.