Arab Desk

The Arab Desk leads The Eastern Herald's reporting on the Middle East and North Africa. The desk has covered the Gaza-Israel war since October 2023, the Iran-Israel war of 2025-2026, the fall of the Assad government in Syria, Hezbollah's political and military shifts in Lebanon, the war in Yemen, and the diplomatic realignment of the Gulf states under the Abraham Accords and the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement.

A woman walks past an anti-Israeli mural in Tehran, Iran, June 2026, during the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict

Iran Strikes Two Vessels in Strait of Hormuz as Doha Ceasefire Talks Collapse

Iran struck two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday as a tanker caught fire off Oman, ending a lull since the ceasefire. The attacks followed US-Iran talks in Doha

July 7, 2026

by Arab Desk

Millions of mourners fill Tehran's Azadi Avenue during the state funeral procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 6, 2026

Millions March Through Tehran as Khamenei’s Coffin Passes and Mourners Hang Trump Effigy

Millions packed Tehran on Monday for Khamenei's funeral procession, where mourners hung a Trump effigy and carried '#Kill Trump' placards, as the flag-draped coffins of the slain supreme leader and four family members began a four-day journey ending in Mashhad.

July 7, 2026

by Arab Desk

Hamas spokesman Ismail al-Thawabta at podium announcing Emergency Committee dissolution in Gaza City

Hamas Dissolves Its Gaza Governing Body After 20 Years, Making Way for Civilian Committee

Hamas on July 6 dissolved its Emergency Committee after twenty years governing Gaza, with acting chairman

Qatar maritime navigation resumed for all vessels after six-day suspension July 2026

Qatar Resumes Maritime Navigation for All Vessels After Six-Day Safety Suspension

Qatar's transport ministry restored maritime navigation for all vessels Sunday, ending a six-day suspension imposed after

The list of countries “not invited” to the coronation of King Charles has been revealed

The British source said Britain did not invite Russia, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan and Venezuela. The invitation has been extended to leaders of other countries with which Britain has full diplomatic

May 2, 2023

Conflicts, Military and War·News

A Passenger of Determined People ‘Crawls’ Out of the Plane…and Gets Angrily Stuck

According to the British information network “Sky News”, Adrian Keogh, 37, had difficulty getting off the plane after landing at Gothenburg Landvetter airport in Sweden. Adrian said he noticed the lack of

May 2, 2023

News

Rockets fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel

Our correspondent said sirens sounded in Sderot, southern Israel, while Israeli media revealed that a missile landed at a construction site in Sderot. The Israeli ambulance said 3 foreign workers were injured

May 2, 2023

News

Iraq.. Efforts to recycle and profit from solid waste

Why is the problem getting worse? The overwhelming chaos following the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime and security tensions have contributed to the exacerbation of the waste problem, in addition to the

May 2, 2023

News

Klopp explains reason for ‘offensive behaviour’: It shouldn’t have happened

And the Liverpool manager was shown a yellow card after celebrating Diogo Jota’s goal in stoppage time against fourth referee John Brooks, before accusing referee Paul Tierney of trying to ” avenge

May 2, 2023

News

Lawsuits in Washington after the explosion of the “Mighty Missile”

What happened because of the missile? The United States Federal Aviation Agency issued SpaceX a 5-year license in mid-April to operate this rocket, the largest in the world, which was developed and

May 2, 2023

News

UAE sends emergency food to Sudanese refugees

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) said the supplies were coming “to provide urgent assistance to Sudanese refugees affected by the current conditions in the Republic of Sudan”. She added: “The sending of

May 2, 2023

News

In pictures.. UN organizations document exposure to ‘looting’ in Sudan

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) page said on its Twitter account: “As the conflict continues in Sudan, the facilities, vehicles and supplies of UNICEF and its partners are being looted or

May 2, 2023

News

Juba: Sudanese agreement on a truce and appointment of representatives for peace talks

According to the statement from South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the new truce begins on Thursday. The statement said South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir stressed the importance of a longer ceasefire

May 2, 2023

News