Middle East

In a Fox News interview and a blunt Truth Social post, Trump threatens strikes on Iranian power plants amid stalled nuclear negotiations.

Jordan said it intercepted five missiles launched from Iran toward the Azraq area. Reports also emerged of sirens in Bahrain and US interceptions at bases in the Middle East, alongside diplomatic talks among Arab states on the crisis with Iran. 

President's Truth Social post confirms Iranian attack; threat comes as Washington reports advanced nuclear deal talks with Tehran.

President Trump addressed the incident, saying the two pilots who landed on Iranian soil were in good condition, and that a report on the incident would be released later in the day. The New York Times reported that according to sources familiar with the details, it was still unclear whether the helicopter had been downed by Iranian fire, suffered a mechanical failure or encountered another problem.

According to a report by the USAID inspector general, the relief agency employees who took part in the terrorist attack included school principals, teachers, security personnel, orderlies, counselors and medical staff. The inspector general ordered that all 101 employees in question be added to a government blacklist that will bar them from taking part in any US aid project for a decade.

The US has formulated a plan to help the Lebanese army disarm Hezbollah, the Lebanese Al-Modon reported, citing sources in Washington. According to the report, Israel's demands went beyond demilitarizing southern Lebanon and also included the Beqaa Valley in the country's east. The sources warned of the problems that could derail the plan.

In an interview with CNN over the weekend, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on Iran to keep its hands off his country's policy, increasing the threat to his life, given that he is an assassination target for Iran and Hezbollah. Diplomatic sources told Israel Hayom: "This leadership understands that the way to rehabilitate the country is to end Hezbollah's harmful influence."

A source familiar with the talks told Ad-Diyar the agreement created a framework for progress but faced major obstacles, first and foremost opposition from the terrorist organization and continued strikes. Meanwhile, Nabih Berri is working to formulate a new road map with the help of countries in the region.

Joseph Aoun told CNN that the enmity between Israel and Lebanon must end permanently, and accused both Netanyahu and Hezbollah of fighting a war that can never be won.