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Category: Middle East

  • BREAKING: Sweden confirms Execution of citizen in Iran amid war tensions

    BREAKING: Sweden confirms Execution of citizen in Iran amid war tensions

    Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, announced on Wednesday that Iran has executed a Swedish citizen. The announcement follows confirmation from Iranian officials that this marks the first execution of a man convicted of spying since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war.

    Stenergard described the development as deeply troubling, noting that it underscores the heightened risks faced by foreign nationals in Iran during the ongoing conflict. The execution is expected to further strain diplomatic relations between Tehran and Stockholm, while adding to international concerns over Iran’s use of capital punishment in politically sensitive cases.

  • Israeli President Herzog visits Ramat Gan after deadly missile strike

    Israeli President Herzog visits Ramat Gan after deadly missile strike

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 18, 2026 — Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has visited the site of last night’s Iranian missile impact in Ramat Gan, where two elderly civilians were killed in a cluster missile attack.

    In a statement on Wednesday, Herzog said he embarked on the visit to embrace and comfort the affected family and residents of the city over the heavy losses. He sympathised with them over what he described as “precious lives cut short in an instant, with unimaginable cruelty, leaving a great fracture and deep pain in the family’s heart and in the heart of the entire people of Israel.”

    The president warned that the danger from missile attacks is real, urging vigilance and responsibility. He stressed that the nation’s spirit will not be broken, calling on Israelis to stand together to prevail over the current situation.

    Since the outbreak of war between Israel, the United States, and Iran on February 28, there have been repeated exchanges of attacks. Israel and its allies have targeted Iranian military facilities and infrastructure, while Iran has launched barrages of missiles and drones at Israel and several Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

    In the past forty-eight hours, Israel announced it had targeted three prominent Iranian officials for elimination, with the escalation showing no sign of abating.

  • BREAKING: Iran holds funeral for top security chiefs killed in Israeli strikes

    BREAKING: Iran holds funeral for top security chiefs killed in Israeli strikes

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 18, 2026 — A funeral procession is underway at Revolution Square in Tehran for Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, both killed in recent Israeli airstrikes.

    On Tuesday, Israel’s Chief of Defence Staff confirmed that the two senior officials were deliberately targeted in an overnight strike on the Iranian capital.

    The ongoing funerals followed another reported strike on the residence of Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Ismail Khatib. Khatib, who has led the Ministry of Intelligence since 2021, is considered a central figure in Iran’s leadership, with a career spanning the nation’s security and judicial institutions, including service under the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. His fate remains unclear.

    Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, speaking to Al Jazeera, insisted that Israel’s campaign of targeted eliminations “will not weaken the regime,” vowing resilience despite mounting losses and sheer uncertainties among senior officials.

    The back-to-back strikes have rattled Tehran’s leadership, raising fears of further escalations and leaving many officials questioning who might be next on Israel’s list.

  • Shockwaves in Tehran as latest Israeli strike targets Ismail Khatib, Iran’s spy chief

    Shockwaves in Tehran as latest Israeli strike targets Ismail Khatib, Iran’s spy chief

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 18, 2026 — Tehran was rocked overnight as another Israeli airstrike reportedly zeroed in on Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Ismail Khatib, at his residence. Khatib, who has led the powerful Ministry of Intelligence since 2021, is regarded as a key figure in Iran’s inner circle, with a career spanning the nation’s security and judicial apparatus, including service under the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

    Under his watch, the ministry has been accused of crushing domestic dissent, spearheading counterintelligence operations, and orchestrating activities against Israeli and Western interests. The United States previously placed a $10 million bounty on Khatib, fueling speculation that the strike may have been a calculated attempt to “cash in” on his head. His fate remains uncertain — whether he was killed or survived the attack.

    The strike comes just 24 hours after the killing of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. That assassination sent shockwaves through Iran’s leadership, with officials reportedly trembling and frantically calling colleagues to ask who might be next.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to the U.S. Ambassador yesterday, chillingly declared he still has “names of the bad guys” to cross out.

    Iranian authorities have yet to issue any statement on Khatib’s condition.

  • Netanyahu confirms killing of Ali Larijani and other commanders, vows “Strength of a Lion” against Iran

    Netanyahu confirms killing of Ali Larijani and other commanders, vows “Strength of a Lion” against Iran

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 17, 2026 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a broadcast monitored by Newpost Africa, today, confirmed the killing of Ali Larijani, whom he described as a leader of the Revolutionary Guards, along with the commander of the Basij. Netanyahu referred to them as “henchmen of the gangsters who spread terror in the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities against the population.”

    Netanyahu asserted that Israel is working to undermine the Iranian regime in hopes of giving the Iranian people a chance to overthrow it. While acknowledging that change will not come overnight, he urged persistence.

    He noted that Israel is cooperating with American allies in the Gulf, adding that he discussed the matter with U.S. President Donald Trump as both countries’ militaries coordinate in the war against Iran.

    The Prime Minister vowed to continue pressuring Iran with direct operations, warning of “plenty of surprises.” He declared: “With stratagems shall we wage war. We won’t reveal all the stratagems here, but I told you: there are many of them.”

    Netanyahu called for determination from Israel’s leaders, commanders, and citizens, urging them to ignore what he termed “channels of gloom,” and insisted Israel is achieving historic accomplishments in the war.

    He also sought to reassure citizens whose properties were destroyed by missile and rocket attacks from Iran and Hezbollah, saying: “With the strength of a lion, just as we did during the coronavirus pandemic, we will prevail even more this time.”

  • BREAKING: Israeli attacks kill Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council 

    BREAKING: Israeli attacks kill Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council 

    MIDDLE EAST — (NPA) March 17, 2026 — The Israel Defence Force (IDF) said it conducted an airstrike last night in Iran’s capital, Tehran, targeting the outspoken Iranian Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Larijani.

    Initial reports suggested uncertainty about the outcome, but a later statement from the Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed the mission achieved its objective.

    Last week, Newpost Africa reported that Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), accused the United States and Israel of attempting to destabilise Iran amid the ongoing conflict. In a televised interview marking the war’s eighth day, Larijani argued that the “problem is Iran itself… not a minor change but the total breakdown of the country.”

    He alleged that the initial attacks by the US and Israel were intended to provoke collapse, referencing what he described as the “martyrdom of Imam Khamenei and other children of the revolution.” According to Larijani, Washington’s strategy relied on “shock” tactics aimed at overthrowing the government and dividing Iranian territory. He further noted that “even today, Mr Trump’s published message claimed Iran is being torn apart.”

  • EU announces €458 million in humanitarian aid for the Middle East

    EU announces €458 million in humanitarian aid for the Middle East

    INTERNATIONAL — (NPA) March 16, 2026 — The European Commission has approved €458 million in humanitarian aid for Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt in 2026. This comes as major donors withdraw from the region and international humanitarian law faces unprecedented strain.

    A statement by EU Spokesperson Eva Hrncirova clarified that Syria will receive €210 million to sustain emergency response and protection nationwide. More than a year after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, 16.5 million people still require aid, including 3.2 million returnees facing destroyed infrastructure and limited livelihoods. Funding covers food, healthcare, shelter, clean water, and education.

    In Palestine, €124 million will support food, health, protection, shelter, and education under extremely difficult conditions. Over 3.3 million people remain in need — 2.1 million in Gaza and 1.2 million in the West Bank. Gaza faces malnutrition, a collapsed healthcare system, and systematic obstruction of aid.

    Lebanon will receive €100 million for emergency healthcare, basic assistance, protection, shelter, and education. Needs are acute: even before the current crisis, over three million people required aid. In March 2026, Israeli airstrikes displaced more than 800,000 people. EU humanitarian airbridge flights are already delivering medical and relief supplies.

    Jordan will receive €15.5 million to sustain essential services such as health and protection, meeting the needs of refugees both in and outside camps. Egypt will receive €8 million for multi-sectoral assistance, including education for out-of-school children and disaster preparedness. Egypt currently hosts over 1.5 million refugees and asylum seekers, notably from Sudan and Gaza.

  • Middle East War: UAE air defences intercept 6 ballistic missiles and 21 drones from Iran

    Middle East War: UAE air defences intercept 6 ballistic missiles and 21 drones from Iran

    MIDDLE EAST — (NPA) March 16, 2026 — The United Arab Emirates military on Monday intercepted another barrage of Iranian missiles and drones. According to a statement released by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, six ballistic missiles and 21 drones launched from Iran were successfully intercepted.

    The ministry noted that “since the start of Iran’s brazen attacks, UAE air defences have dealt with 304 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,627 drones.”

    The UAE confirmed that these attacks have resulted in the deaths of two members of its armed forces and five civilians of Pakistani, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, and Palestinian nationalities. Additionally, 145 others were injured, including individuals from Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, Afghan, Bahraini, Comorian, Turkish, Iraqi, Nepalese, Nigerian, Omani, Jordanian, Palestinian, Ghanaian, Indonesian, and Swedish nationalities.

    The UAE Ministry of Defence reiterated its readiness to confront any threats, vowing to firmly respond to actions aimed at destabilising the country’s security. It emphasised its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, stability, and national interests.

  • Trump urges global action to secure the Strait of Hormuz, all eyes on China

    Trump urges global action to secure the Strait of Hormuz, all eyes on China

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 15, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump has urged the international community to take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz, following Iran’s seizure of the vital energy transport corridor. The appeal comes in the wake of a U.S. military strike on Iran’s Khagar Island.

    In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump declared: “The United States of America has beaten and completely decimated Iran, both militarily, economically, and in every other way. But the countries of the world that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT!”

    Trump emphasised that the U.S. would coordinate with affected nations to restore safe passage for oil shipments, some of which have already been disrupted by Iranian drone attacks. “This should have always been a team effort, and now it will be,” he wrote. “It will bring the world together toward harmony, security, and everlasting peace.”

    The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy supplies, including shipments to China. Analysts note that Beijing’s response remains uncertain, given its longstanding ties with Tehran.

    Meanwhile, Iran has continued launching drones and missiles at Gulf states, accusing them of hosting U.S. bases involved in the recent strikes. On Sunday, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported intercepting several Iranian projectiles targeting its territory.

  • UAE air defences intercept another wave of Iranian missiles and drones

    UAE air defences intercept another wave of Iranian missiles and drones

    INTERNATIONAL — (NPA) March 15 — The United Arab Emirates authorities announced that its air defence system intercepted four ballistic missiles and six drones launched from Iran on March 15, 2026.

    According to a statement from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the latest interception adds to a growing tally since the start of Iranian attacks. In total, UAE air defences have dealt with 298 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,606 drones.

    The ministry noted that the Iranian strikes have caused the deaths of six individuals of Emirati, Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationalities, while 142 others sustained minor to moderate injuries. The injured include people of diverse backgrounds, among them Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, Afghan, Bahraini, Comorian, Turkish, Iraqi, Nepalese, Nigerian, Omani, Jordanian, Palestinian, Ghanaian, Indonesian, and Swedish nationals.

    The UAE Ministry of Defence stressed that the country remains on high alert and fully prepared to counter any threats. It reaffirmed its commitment to firmly respond to actions aimed at destabilising the state’s security, while ensuring the preservation of sovereignty, stability, and the protection of national interests and capabilities.