Hezbollah warns Israeli residents near border to evacuate amid intensified airstrikes on southern Lebanon
Hezbollah has reportedly issued a warning to Israeli residents living near the Lebanese border, urging them to evacuate their towns and villages as Israel continues to launch heavy airstrikes on southern Lebanon. This escalatory move comes as the conflict enters a critical new phase, marked by a significant increase in military engagements and civilian casualties. Overnight, Israeli forces carried out a staggering 26 waves of strikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in the southern suburbs of Beirut, described as some of the most intense bombardments seen thus far in the conflict. Targets of these strikes reportedly included key Hezbollah command centers and... [Continue Reading]
Iran-backed militias increase attacks on US and Israel amid ongoing military offensive against Iran
As conflict continues to escalate, Iran-backed militias are intensifying their attacks against the United States, Israel, and their allies. This situation unfolds in the context of a joint military offensive launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, marking a significant uptick in both military activity and geopolitical tension in the region. Reports indicate that the war has now entered its second week, with the Iranian regime facing mounting pressure both from domestic and international fronts. Since the United States and Israel initiated their military operations targeting Iran's Islamic regime and the now deceased Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Republican Guard,... [Continue Reading]
Iran-backed militias intensify attacks against US, Israel and allies
Iraq emerges as key front in new and often clandestine confrontation after launching dozens of attacksIran-backed militias around the Middle East are intensifying attacks against Israel, the US and their allies, in retaliation for the ongoing joint US-Israeli offensive against Tehran as the war draws in new armed actors, threatening wider chaos and violence.Israel and the US have targeted Iran’s network of militant groups, with Iraq emerging as a key front in this new and often clandestine confrontation. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
‘More dim sum, more often’: Hongkongers cash in as war triggers gold rush
Rising gold prices amid the Middle East war have boosted trade in the precious metal in Hong Kong, with residents lining up to sell valuables for cash and retailers reporting that twice as many people are buying bars and pellets. Spot gold stood at US$5,165 per ounce on Thursday, below January’s peak of US$5,594.82, but still near historic high levels as US-Israel strikes in Iran stoked safe-haven demand. The conflict has spread rapidly across the Middle East, drawing in Iranian-backed militias... [Continue Reading]
Amid relentless US and Israeli strikes, Iran seeks to 'wreak havoc across the region'
As the US war on Iran rages, Angela Diffley welcomes Dr Renad Mansour, Senior Research Fellow on the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House. Iran is operating in “survival mode,” explains Mr. Mansour. For decades, Iran relied heavily on proxy militias and non-state actors across the Middle East and now increasingly willing to directly engage in confrontation. Tehran’s strategy for an asymmetric war is strategic disruption to transform a bilateral conflict into one with regional and global economic consequences. [Continue Reading]
Iran's Armed Forces Deny Claims of Ballistic Missile Fired Towards Turkiye Amid Rising Tensions
In a developing incident, Iran's Armed Forces have officially denied allegations that they fired a ballistic missile towards Turkiye. This statement comes following claims from Turkiye’s Ministry of National Defence that a missile, originating in Iran, was intercepted by NATO air and missile defence systems over the eastern Mediterranean. The event raises significant concerns regarding escalating tensions between these nations, particularly given the missile's trajectory through Iraqi and Syrian airspace. On Wednesday, Turkiye's Defence Ministry reported that a ballistic munition was detected while traversing through Iraqi and Syrian territories before entering Turkish airspace. The ministry confirmed that NATO’s defensive capabilities... [Continue Reading]
Collapse at Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Congo results in at least 200 fatalities, with conflicting reports from authorities and rebels
A catastrophic collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Congo on Tuesday has resulted in at least 200 fatalities, as reported by Congolese authorities. However, this figure has been contested by the M23 rebel group, which controls the mining site. The incident has sparked significant debate regarding the true scale of the tragedy and the circumstances surrounding it. The collapse occurred at one of the region's major coltan mining operations, where the Ministry of Mines confirmed the death toll through a press release. In stark contrast, Fanny Kaj, a senior official of the M23, claimed that only five individuals... [Continue Reading]
Iran war live updates: Mark Carney doesn’t rule out Canada joining war; Israel launches fresh strikes on Tehran
This liveblog is closed. Follow live coverage of the Middle East crisis here Iran says it has targeted Kurdish groups in Iraq and warned “separatist groups” against action in the widening war.Tehran said on Thursday it had hit Iraq-based Kurdish groups “opposed to the revolution”, as reports said the US was looking to arm Kurdish militias to infiltrate Iran.We will not tolerate them in any way. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Airstrikes Target Military Installations Along Iran-Iraq Border Amid Escalating Tensions Involving US and Israel
Intense airstrikes have been reported along the Iran-Iraq border, targeting numerous military installations, police stations, and frontier posts in northern Iran. These operations are viewed as a preparatory step by the United States and Israel to expand their military campaign against Iranian forces. According to military sources, these airstrikes may signify the opening of a new front in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Military officials indicate that these strikes, which have hit dozens of military positions, are intended to degrade Iranian capabilities significantly. A spokesperson for the Israeli military elaborated on this strategy, stating that the air force was actively... [Continue Reading]
Israel uses Iron Beam laser defense system to intercept Hezbollah rockets amid rising regional tensions
In a significant escalation of ongoing regional tensions, Israel has for the first time employed its Iron Beam laser defense system to intercept rockets fired by Hezbollah. This development follows a surge in rocket attacks from Hezbollah, which is considered an Iranian proxy in the region. The incident occurred as Iranian-backed forces launched strikes aimed at Israeli positions in a protracted conflict that has seen increasing hostilities in recent days. The Iron Beam system allows Israel to target incoming projectiles using advanced laser technology. Recent footage disclosed shows a laser beam striking projectiles mid-air, resulting in their explosion before reaching... [Continue Reading]
United States and Israel launch joint military operation against Iran to target military capabilities and nuclear ambitions
In a significant escalation of military hostilities, the United States and Israel jointly launched a major attack on Iran, as confirmed by multiple reports. This operation, described by U.S. President Donald Trump as a concerted effort to dismantle Iran’s military capacities and impede its potential nuclear ambitions, marks a pivotal moment in recent Middle Eastern tensions. The strikes occurred on Saturday and have been characterized as one of the most extensive military actions directed at Iran in years. The operations targeted a range of Iranian military facilities, leading to a preliminary assessment of substantial casualties, with reports indicating at least... [Continue Reading]
