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Category: Middle East

  • Netanyahu restores Cardinal Pierbattista’s access to Holy Sepulchre in the face of Iranian missile threats

    Netanyahu restores Cardinal Pierbattista’s access to Holy Sepulchre in the face of Iranian missile threats

    MIDDLE EAST, 29 March 2026 (NPA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed authorities to grant Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa full and immediate access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, following concerns over Iranian missile attacks that had temporarily restricted entry.

    The Latin Patriarch was earlier prevented from holding mass at the revered Christian site, as security agencies sought to protect worshippers from ongoing threats. Netanyahu clarified on Sunday that Iran has repeatedly targeted holy sites of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in Jerusalem with ballistic missiles in recent days. In one incident, missile fragments landed just meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

    He explained that the temporary suspension of worship was intended to safeguard lives, with Israel asking members of all faiths to abstain from visiting holy sites in the Old City until the danger subsided. “Today, out of special concern for his safety, Cardinal Pizzaballa was asked to refrain from holding mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Even though I understand this concern, as soon as I learned about the incident with Cardinal Pizzaballa, I instructed the authorities to enable the Patriarch to hold services as he wishes,” Netanyahu stated.

    The Prime Minister reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to protecting the sanctity of Jerusalem’s holy places while ensuring the safety of worshippers, stressing that measures taken were precautionary and temporary.

  • Israel halts worship at Jerusalem holy sites amid Iranian missile threats

    Israel halts worship at Jerusalem holy sites amid Iranian missile threats

    MIDDLE EAST, 29 March 2026 (NPA) — The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has issued a temporary directive asking worshippers of all faiths to refrain from visiting holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City, citing urgent security concerns.

    According to a statement on Sunday, Iran has repeatedly targeted sacred sites of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism with ballistic missiles in recent days. In one incident, missile fragments landed just meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, underscoring the severity of the threat.

    Authorities stressed that the suspension of worship is purely precautionary. On Sunday morning, Jerusalem police prevented Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from holding mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, explaining that the decision was made out of concern for his safety and that of his entourage.

    The government acknowledged the sensitivity of the directive, particularly during the holy week leading up to Easter for Christians worldwide. Security agencies are now working on a plan to enable church leaders and worshippers to safely access the holy sites in the coming days, balancing religious obligations with public safety.

    Officials reiterated that the measure is temporary and aimed at protecting lives, while assuring that Israel remains committed to safeguarding the sanctity of Jerusalem’s holy places for all faiths.

  • UN Chief appoints envoy to lead Middle East peace efforts, says war out of control

    UN Chief appoints envoy to lead Middle East peace efforts, says war out of control

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — 28 March 2026 — UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the escalating Gulf war is “out of control”, urging all sides to step back and allow diplomacy to prevail, as he announced the appointment of a senior envoy to spearhead peace efforts.

    Speaking outside the UN Security Council in New York, Mr Guterres said the conflict had spiralled far beyond expectations. “The world is staring down the barrel of a wider war, a rising tide of human suffering, and a deeper global economic shock,” he declared.

    He confirmed the appointment of veteran diplomat Jean Arnault as his Personal Envoy to lead UN efforts, focusing on mediation and assessing the conflict’s far-reaching impacts, particularly on energy markets reliant on the Strait of Hormuz.

    Mr Guterres urged the United States and Israel to end the war and called on Iran to halt attacks on neighbours. He stressed that freedom of navigation through the Strait must be respected, warning that disruption is choking vital supplies of oil, gas, and fertiliser.

    Highlighting the humanitarian toll, he said civilians across the region were “enduring serious harm and living under profound insecurity”. He called on Hezbollah to stop attacks on Israel and on Israel to cease strikes hitting civilians the hardest.

    The Secretary-General also cautioned against global fallout, noting markets are “in turmoil” and humanitarian operations are constrained. He warned that fertiliser shortages threaten food security and soaring energy prices risk fuelling inflation and poverty worldwide.

    Despite mounting tensions, Mr Guterres insisted there remains a path forward: “Diplomacy must prevail. War is not the answer… Full respect of international law is the way out.”

  • Zelenskyy secures defence pact with Qatar as US-Israel-Iran war escalates

    Zelenskyy secures defence pact with Qatar as US-Israel-Iran war escalates

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — 28 March 2026 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Doha as part of his country’s ongoing security support to Gulf states battered by waves of Iranian missile and drone attacks in the wake of the United States–Israel–Iran conflict.

    Ukraine, hardened by years of Russian aggression, has emerged as a sought-after partner in countering Iran’s cheap drone swarms across the Middle East. On Saturday, Zelenskyy met the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani also in attendance.

    Earlier, Zelenskyy was also in Saudi Arabia, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss regional security cooperation and the strengthening of defence ties.

    In a statement, Zelenskyy confirmed that both sides agreed on a decade-long defence partnership. Chiefs of the General Staff signed an accord covering joint defence industry projects, co-production facilities, and technological collaboration between companies. “I provided an update on the security situation in Ukraine, the ongoing Russian attacks, and Russia’s close cooperation with the Iranian regime. Strengthening air defence is a priority for us, and we count on support from our partners,” Zelenskyy said.

    He expressed gratitude for Qatar’s warm reception and readiness to cooperate, describing the agreements reached as “concrete steps” towards protecting lives and enhancing regional security.

  • Ukraine and Saudi Arabia sign defence cooperation pact

    Ukraine and Saudi Arabia sign defence cooperation pact

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — 27 March 2026 — Ukraine has signed a landmark defence cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, positioning itself as a global security partner following its battlefield experience in the war with Russia.

    The document, signed as part of the meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, establishes a framework for future contracts, technological collaboration and investment, while strengthening Ukraine’s role as a security donor.

    In a statement on Friday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to share its expertise and defence systems with Saudi Arabia to enhance the protection of lives. “Now into the fifth year, Ukrainians are resisting the same kind of terrorist attacks – ballistic missiles and drones – that the Iranian regime is currently carrying out in the Middle East and the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine, and this cooperation can be mutually beneficial,” he noted.

    The Ukrainian leader added that discussions also covered the wider Middle East and Gulf situation, Russia’s support for Iran, developments in fuel markets and prospects for energy cooperation.

  • IDF confirms killing of IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri and Intelligence Chief Behnam Rezaei

    IDF confirms killing of IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri and Intelligence Chief Behnam Rezaei

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — 26 March 2026 — The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have officially announced the killing of Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy.

    In a statement, the IDF noted that Tangsiri had served in the role for the past eight years, following earlier senior positions within the IRGC Navy, including overseeing what Israel described as the regime’s terror activities.

    The IDF accused him of responsibility for repeated strikes against oil tankers and trading vessels, portraying him as a central figure who posed a threat to maritime navigation and freedom of trade in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider international maritime domain.

    According to the statement, during Operation Roaring Lion, Tangsiri directed efforts to close the Strait of Hormuz and oversaw maritime attacks against countries in the Middle East, as well as against U.S. and allied energy infrastructure.

    The IDF added that he was directly implicated in disrupting the global economy and had been subject to numerous international sanctions due to his involvement in attacks on vessels in international waters, as well as in the transfer of air defence systems and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia and Syria.

    The statement further revealed that another senior Iranian military official was killed alongside Tangsiri — Behnam Rezaei, Head of the IRGC Navy Intelligence Directorate. Rezaei was said to have been responsible for intelligence collection on regional countries and for leading cooperation with various intelligence organisations.

  • BREAKING: Israeli airstrike kills IRGC Navy Commander Admiral Alireza Tangsiri

    BREAKING: Israeli airstrike kills IRGC Navy Commander Admiral Alireza Tangsiri

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 26, 2026 — An Israeli official has announced that Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, was killed in a targeted airstrike on the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

    According to reports in the Jerusalem Post, the strike occurred on Thursday. Also, it claimed the lives of several of Tangsiri’s senior aides, who were buried under the rubble of a collapsed building. Israeli defence sources confirmed involvement, though Iran has yet to issue an official statement.

    Admiral Tangsiri, who had led the IRGC Navy since August 2018, had recently adopted a more aggressive posture in the Gulf, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz. Just last week, he threatened retaliation against U.S. facilities in the region, warning civilians to avoid oil installations linked to American interests.

    The reported killing of Tangsiri marks a significant escalation in Israel-Iran tensions and raises concerns about potential instability in one of the world’s most vital energy corridors.

  • Ukraine’s drone offensive halves Russia’s oil shipments as global oil markets hangs in the balance

    Ukraine’s drone offensive halves Russia’s oil shipments as global oil markets hangs in the balance

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 25, 2026: Russia’s ambitions to cash in on soaring global oil demand amid Middle East turmoil have suffered a devastating setback, as Ukrainian drone attacks cripple nearly half of its export capacity.

    Massive fires erupted at Russia’s Baltic Sea ports, Primorsk and Ust-Luga, forcing the suspension of oil shipments for the second time in a week. The Ust-Luga terminal, which handles about 700,000 barrels of oil daily, was struck overnight, sparking an inferno that continues to rage. The port is a vital hub for petroleum products, coal, and fertilizers.

    Primorsk, Russia’s largest Baltic oil port with a capacity of 1 million barrels per day, was also targeted earlier on March 22. That strike ignited fuel storage tanks, halting operations and compounding the disruption.

    The scale of the damage is staggering: about 2 million barrels per day—roughly 40% of Russia’s export capacity—has been knocked offline. Novorossiysk, another critical port on the Black Sea, has also faced interruptions following a drone attack earlier this month.

    MarineTraffic data shows at least 50 vessels stranded in the Gulf of Finland, awaiting clearance to dock at the paralyzed ports. Local media, including Helsingin Sanomat, report that smoke from Ust-Luga’s burning fuel tanks—33 in total, with capacity exceeding 500 rail tank cars—is visible from Finland’s coastline, stretching for dozens of kilometers.

    Russia’s oil lifeline to global markets now hangs in the balance, as Ukraine’s precision strikes continue to dismantle Moscow’s export infrastructure.

  • Herzog praises Lebanon’s expulsion of Iranian envoy, calls it a bold step

    Herzog praises Lebanon’s expulsion of Iranian envoy, calls it a bold step

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 25, 2026 — Israeli President Isaac Herzog has hailed Lebanon’s decision to expel the Iranian Ambassador, describing it as a bold and historic move. He said the action marks a watershed moment and could signal broader regional changes if the influence of Iran and its proxies is curtailed.

    Herzog made the remarks while visiting the site of an Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv, which recently hit an affluent part of the city. Addressing the nation, he stressed that missiles “do not distinguish between person and person, and neither do we — the entire nation stands together in this battle.”

    The president praised Israel’s rescue forces and municipal teams for their dedication and professionalism in responding to the attack. He commended the Tel Aviv operations center for its effective management, innovative approaches, and uncompromising commitment to residents’ safety. Herzog emphasised that such resilience demonstrates the unity of Israeli society in the face of external threats.

    “I wish to thank Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai and his team, and I wish to strengthen the citizens of Israel from north to south. Together we will stand and prevail,” Herzog concluded, underscoring his message of solidarity and determination.

  • UAE intercepts latest incoming Iranian missiles and drones 

    UAE intercepts latest incoming Iranian missiles and drones 

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 24, 2026 — The Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that its air defence systems intercepted waves of Iranian ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones fired at the country on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

    According to official figures, the latest assault involved 17 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and five ballistic missiles. Cumulatively, the UAE has faced 1,806 UAVs, 15 cruise missiles, and 357 ballistic missiles launched against it. Despite successful interceptions, several critical civilian and oil infrastructures were hit, including fuel storage facilities, power distribution lines, and sections of port installations, causing temporary disruptions in energy supply and trade operations in the Gulf nation.

    Over the weekend, Gulf countries convened an emergency meeting to address the escalating attacks. In a joint communiqué, member states strongly condemned Iran’s actions, describing them as violations of international law and direct threats to regional stability. The statement emphasised solidarity with the UAE, called for restraint, and urged the international community to take decisive steps to prevent further aggression.

    The communiqué also highlighted the broader implications of the strikes, warning that continued targeting of energy and civilian infrastructures could destabilise global oil markets and exacerbate humanitarian challenges across the region.