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.

People gather around a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during a demonstration in Tehran following the collapse of the Islamabad MoU.

Khamenei Warns US of ‘Unforgettable Lessons’ as MoU Collapses and Iran Strikes Kuwait

Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei declared Trump's signature 'utterly worthless' as the Islamabad MoU collapsed and Iranian strikes on Kuwait triggered electricity rationing. Khamenei warned the US of 'unforgettable lessons' if attacks on

July 19, 2026

by Arab Desk

Iran's IRGC missile launch targeting US military bases in Jordan Kuwait and Bahrain July 2026

Two US Troops Killed as Iran Hits American Base in Jordan, CENTCOM Confirms

Two US service members were killed and one went missing as Iran's IRGC struck an American military base in Azraq, Jordan on July 17 — the first confirmed US combat deaths in the conflict. CENTCOM withheld identities pending next-of-kin notification

July 19, 2026

by Arab Desk

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun gestures to journalists at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Beirut, before flying to Washington to meet Donald Trump

Aoun Arrives in Washington to Press Trump on Israeli Withdrawal From Southern Lebanon

Lebanese President Aoun flew to Washington on Saturday for a July 21 meeting with Trump —

Belgian cabinet votes to ban imports of Israeli settlement goods from occupied Palestinian territories, July 2026

Belgium Bans Settlement Goods, Fifth EU Nation to Act as Brussels Stalls

Belgium's federal cabinet banned imports from Israeli settlements on Friday, the fifth EU state to act

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during diplomatic consultations on the Strait of Hormuz ceasefire talks

Iran’s Araghchi Heads to Oman for Hormuz Talks as Trump Declares Ceasefire ‘Over’

Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi flew to Oman for Hormuz talks Saturday as Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire 'over' but kept negotiators in play. The US is demanding Iran publicly pledge no ship

July 12, 2026

Conflicts, Military and War·News

Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, Jerusalem Grand Mufti, outside Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem

Israel Bans Jerusalem Grand Mufti from Al-Aqsa Over Prayers for Gaza Dead

Israel has barred Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, Jerusalem's Grand Mufti, from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque for at least one week after arresting him following Friday prayers in which he prayed for Palestinians killed by

July 12, 2026

Conflicts, Military and War·Government and Politics·News

Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, after Israeli bombardment

Israeli Drone Strike Wounds Six at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya

An Israeli drone struck the grounds of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza on Thursday, wounding six people including three maintenance workers inside a facility the Israeli military designates as a Green

July 12, 2026

Conflicts, Military and War·News

Explosions and military strikes targeting Iran in the Gulf region July 2026

After US Stops Striking Iran, New Explosions Hit Bushehr. No One Claims Them.

Unattributed strikes hit southern Iran's Bushehr province and other areas hours after US Central Command said it had concluded its latest round of attacks. Iran's parliament warned the UAE while Tehran launched

July 12, 2026

Conflicts, Military and War·News

Destruction in Gaza as Israel drone strikes continue despite ceasefire agreement

Nine Months Into a Ceasefire, Israel Now Controls Nearly 70 Percent of Gaza

Nine months after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was supposed to stop the killing, Israel controls nearly 70 percent of Gaza — up from 50 percent in October 2025. Netanyahu publicly declared the 70%

July 10, 2026

Conflicts, Military and War·News

Security forces at the scene of BLA suicide bomb attack in Khuzdar Balochistan Pakistan

BLA Suicide Bombers Kill 17 in Coordinated Attack on Politician’s Home in Khuzdar

BLA suicide bombers killed 17 at PPP leader Shafiq Mengal's home in Khuzdar on Friday. The attack, in which vehicle explosives and rocket launchers were used, follows a week in which 42

July 10, 2026

Conflicts, Military and War·News

Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon Despite Framework Deal as Amnesty Demands War Crimes Probe

Israeli drones struck Nabatieh district on Friday, injuring two in Kfar Reman, as Lebanon's death toll since March 2 reached 4,321. Amnesty International called the same day for war crimes investigations into

July 10, 2026

Conflicts, Military and War·News

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas casting his ballot in Ramallah elections

Abbas Calls First Palestinian Legislative Elections in Two Decades for November 28

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced legislative elections for November 28, the first since Hamas's 2006 win shattered Palestinian unity for two decades. The vote faces deep uncertainty over Hamas participation, Israel's cooperation

July 10, 2026

Conflicts, Military and War·News

An oil tanker navigates the Strait of Hormuz as US-Iran tensions escalate

IEA Warns US-Iran Escalation Threatens Global Oil Supply as Doha Talks Loom

The International Energy Agency warned Thursday that US strikes on Iran risk derailing oil market recovery, as Qatar braced to host talks after Khamenei's funeral. Brent crude fell to $76.37 as Hormuz

July 12, 2026

Conflicts, Military and War·News

Tehran skyline with snow-capped Alborz mountains in background on a clear day

US Diplomat Says Talks With Iran Continue Despite Third Day of Strikes in the Gulf

A senior US official confirmed Friday that diplomatic contacts with Iran continue despite a third day of Gulf strikes and tanker attacks. Khamenei was buried in Mashhad while his son Mojtaba remained

July 10, 2026

Conflicts, Military and War·News

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Arab Desk

Khamenei Warns US of ‘Unforgettable Lessons’ as MoU Collapses and Iran Strikes Kuwait

Two US Troops Killed as Iran Hits American Base in Jordan, CENTCOM Confirms

Aoun Arrives in Washington to Press Trump on Israeli Withdrawal From Southern Lebanon

Belgium Bans Settlement Goods, Fifth EU Nation to Act as Brussels Stalls

Iran’s Araghchi Heads to Oman for Hormuz Talks as Trump Declares Ceasefire ‘Over’

Israel Bans Jerusalem Grand Mufti from Al-Aqsa Over Prayers for Gaza Dead

Israeli Drone Strike Wounds Six at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya

After US Stops Striking Iran, New Explosions Hit Bushehr. No One Claims Them.

Nine Months Into a Ceasefire, Israel Now Controls Nearly 70 Percent of Gaza

BLA Suicide Bombers Kill 17 in Coordinated Attack on Politician’s Home in Khuzdar

Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon Despite Framework Deal as Amnesty Demands War Crimes Probe

Abbas Calls First Palestinian Legislative Elections in Two Decades for November 28

IEA Warns US-Iran Escalation Threatens Global Oil Supply as Doha Talks Loom

US Diplomat Says Talks With Iran Continue Despite Third Day of Strikes in the Gulf

Radical Islam is being appreciated by Indian authorities too

Bangladesh; India’s Biggest Ally or China’s Dragon Nest?

Ahmadis in Bangladesh face fresh threat of persecution

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