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Category: Middle East

  • Iran’s envoy criticises Argentina’s expulsion decision, says decision influenced by US, Israel

    Iran’s envoy criticises Argentina’s expulsion decision, says decision influenced by US, Israel

    INTERNATIONAL, NIGERIA, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — Iran’s chargé d’affaires in Argentina, Mohsen Soltani Tehrani, has condemned Buenos Aires’ decision to expel him, warning that the move “does not benefit” his host country and “only makes things worse.”

    Speaking in an interview before departing Argentina for Tehran, the veteran diplomat criticised what he described as Argentina’s misguided political participation in the ongoing Iran War. “It is not a sovereign decision to join an illegal war against all international norms,” Tehrani said, accusing the Argentine government of aligning itself too closely with the United States and Israel in the Middle East conflict.

    He stressed that Iran does not object to Argentina maintaining relations with Washington or Tel Aviv, but strongly opposed the government’s declaration that Argentina is part of the aggression against Iran. “What we criticise is that the President says Argentina is part of the aggression, that he is willing to send logistical support and that ‘we are going to win the war.’ That is something very serious,” Soltani noted.

    The envoy argued that such rhetoric carries consequences even if Argentina lacks the capacity to send troops. “Just saying it has consequences. The President’s decisions may bring consequences,” he warned, adding that the stance undermines Argentina’s sovereignty and risks escalating tensions. 

    Tehrani concluded that the expulsion reflects a broader failure of diplomacy and could further isolate Argentina at a time when constructive engagement is most needed.

  • Israel strikes Iranian targets in escalating Middle East War

    Israel strikes Iranian targets in escalating Middle East War

    MIDDLE EAST, 2 April 2026 (NPA) — The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced Thursday that it struck the central headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tehran, alleging the facility was used to manage budgets for global terror activities.

    According to the IDF, funds routed through the headquarters were used to strengthen Iran’s armed forces, produce thousands of ballistic missiles and weapons, and finance proxies across the Middle East, including Hezbollah, Hamas and Houthi militias.

    The IDF further stated that it targeted an IRGC Ground Forces base, a mobile command post in Tehran, and a ballistic missile storage site in the Tabriz area. The strikes, it said, form part of Israel’s sustained campaign to cripple Iran’s nuclear ambitions, its ballistic missile programme, and its ability to fund regional proxies.

    The conflict, which erupted on 28 February 2026, has now entered its second month. UN Secretary‑General António Guterres has repeatedly called for dialogue, warning that the war risks engulfing the Middle East and triggering devastating global consequences.

  • UN Chief warns of wider Middle East War, urges dialogue over destruction

    UN Chief warns of wider Middle East War, urges dialogue over destruction

    INTERNATIONAL, 2 April 2026 (NPA) — United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres has issued a stark warning that the world is “on the edge of a wider war that would engulf the Middle East with dramatic impacts around the globe.” Speaking at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday, following a Security Council meeting on cooperation with Gulf States, he appealed to all parties to halt hostilities and choose diplomacy over confrontation.

    Guterres condemned the military strikes against Iran on 28 February and subsequent attacks by Iran against Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan, describing them as “clear violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He stressed that “conflicts do not end on their own. They end when leaders choose dialogue over destruction.”

    The UN chief called on the United States, Israel and Iran to stop the war, warning that each day of continued fighting brings mounting human suffering, indiscriminate attacks and escalating devastation. He urged Iran specifically to “stop attacking your neighbours,” while pressing all sides to respect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including nuclear installations.

    Highlighting the global economic repercussions, Guterres emphasised the need to uphold freedom of navigation and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor through which one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas is exported. He cautioned that disruptions to maritime routes and energy supplies risk deepening the cost‑of‑living crisis and fuelling hunger worldwide.

    Diplomatic efforts are underway, with Jean Arnault appointed as the Secretary‑General’s Personal Envoy to lead UN engagement on the Middle East conflict. Guterres underscored that strengthened cooperation between the UN and Gulf States is “not only timely; it is necessary.”

    “The choice is clear,” he concluded. “Dialogue must prevail over destruction if the region and the world are to avoid catastrophe.”

  • Trump says Iran requests ceasefire conditional on Strait of Hormuz opening

    Trump says Iran requests ceasefire conditional on Strait of Hormuz opening

    INTERNATIONAL, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — United States President Donald Trump has claimed that Iranian authorities have approached Washington seeking a ceasefire. However, he insisted that any such consideration would only be possible if the Strait of Hormuz is “open, free, and clear.”

    The President made the remarks on Wednesday in a post on Truth Social, adding that the US military would continue its operations against Iran if the strategic waterway remained obstructed.

    He wrote: “The Iran’s New Regime President, much less radicalised and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE! We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!! President DJT.”

    Iran, however, has on many occasions denied engaging in ceasefire talks with the United States, stating that it alone will decide when the war ends. Tehran has also insisted on keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed. It remains unclear what diplomatic efforts, if any, are being pursued behind the scenes between the adversaries to bring the conflict to a conclusion.

  • IDF confirms killing of Hezbollah commander, Hamas operative, and Qods Force engineer in strikes across region

    IDF confirms killing of Hezbollah commander, Hamas operative, and Qods Force engineer in strikes across region

    MIDDLE EAST, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has announced the targeting and killing of Hajj Yusuf Ismail Hashem, Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, in a precision airstrike. According to an IDF statement on Wednesday, Hashem was eliminated by the Israeli Navy in Beirut. He was described as a senior commander with more than 40 years of experience, a central figure in Hezbollah’s leadership, who oversaw its rehabilitation and directed attacks against Israel.

    Within the last 24 hours, the IDF also confirmed the killing of Mahdi Vafaei, Head of the Engineering Branch of the Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps, in the Mahallat area of Iran. Vafaei was accused of advancing underground projects across Lebanon and Syria, leading efforts to establish and manage subterranean terrorist infrastructure for Hezbollah and the Assad regime.

    Additionally, Ibrahim al-Khaldi, identified as a Hamas naval force operative, was killed in Nuseirat. The IDF described al-Khaldi as a source of expertise in maritime operations, responsible for planning and advancing terror attacks against Israeli troops from Gaza.

    Meanwhile, the IDF said it has concluded inquiries into the deaths of two Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The troops were reported killed by an explosive device in the Bani Haiyyan area. The IDF’s operational review determined that no explosive device was planted by Israeli forces and that no IDF troops were present in the area at the time.

    A statement from the IDF read in part: “The IDF is operating against Hezbollah, and not against UNIFIL, the Lebanese Armed Forces, or Lebanese civilians.” 

    The military further urged UNIFIL to avoid presence in combat zones where evacuation warnings have been issued to civilians for their safety.

  • Israel declares indefinite security zone occupation in Southern Lebanon

    Israel declares indefinite security zone occupation in Southern Lebanon

    INTERNATIONAL, 31 March 2026 (NPA) — Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that Israel will establish and maintain a “security zone” in southern Lebanon extending up to the Litani River. The measure would prevent the return of more than 600,000 displaced residents and involve the demolition of villages near the border.

    Following a high-level military assessment, Katz confirmed that Israeli forces will remain permanently deployed in the zone, enforcing strict control measures. He stressed that the initiative is designed to neutralise Hezbollah’s capabilities, sever Lebanon from Iranian influence, and fundamentally reshape the security environment in the region.

    The move follows the inability of Lebanese authorities to disarm Hezbollah, which had been a condition for the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah during the height of the war with Hamas. Israel has declared Hamas militarily defeated, but now faces repeated attacks from Hezbollah, which joined the conflict alongside Iran in the broader confrontation involving Israel and the United States.

    The plan would extend Israeli presence far beyond the UN-demarcated Blue Line, established in 2000 to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The Litani River, Lebanon’s longest at roughly 170 kilometres, has long been central to Israeli-Lebanese disputes and security proposals.

    Cross-border hostilities reignited on 2 March when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel, breaking a ceasefire that had held since November 2024. Israel responded with intensified airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon.

    In a related development, the Israeli military reported overnight strikes on weapons production facilities in Tehran, marking the 31st consecutive day of Israeli-U.S. operations targeting Iran.

  • UNIFIL confirms death of two peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon

    UNIFIL confirms death of two peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon

    INTERNATIONAL, 30 March 2026 (NPA) — The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has announced the killing of two peacekeepers in southern Lebanon on Monday.

    According to a statement by UNIFIL, “the two peacekeepers were tragically killed in south Lebanon today, when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan. A third peacekeeper was severely injured, and a fourth was also hurt.”

    UNIFIL noted that the incident was the second fatal attack in 24 hours, stressing: “We reiterate that no one should ever have to die serving the cause of peace.”

    The body extended its “sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of those brave peacekeepers” and confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the explosion.

    The mission reiterated the urgent need for all actors to uphold obligations under international law and ensure the safety of UN personnel and property. It warned that “deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may constitute war crimes.”

    “The human cost of this conflict is far too high. The violence, as we have said before, must end,” the statement added./

  • Sett secures $30M to automate game marketing with AI agents

    Sett secures $30M to automate game marketing with AI agents

    MIDDLE EAST, 30 March 2026 (NPA) — Israeli startup Sett, which develops an AI agent–based platform for the gaming industry, has raised $30 million in a Series B round led by Greenfield Partners, with participation from existing investors F2 and Bessemer, bringing total funding to $57 million.

    The round also included Ben Feder of Tirta Fund, a prominent gaming executive and former CEO of Take-Two Interactive, developer of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, as well as former president of Tencent’s gaming division.

    Founded in 2023, Sett is already generating tens of millions in revenue with strong growth rates, according to sources. Its customers include major gaming companies such as Zynga, Playtika and Papaya.

    While currently focused on gaming, Sett plans to expand into industries driven by performance-based marketing — including fintech, apps and e-commerce — by the end of 2026. The company believes its platform can act as a force multiplier, helping firms tackle increasingly complex marketing challenges.

    At its founding, Sett envisioned companies relying on autonomous AI agents to manage marketing operations. Initially, it focused on generating data-driven content and interactive ads for mobile gaming firms. Following early success, Sett is now developing a holistic user acquisition platform designed to manage player growth end-to-end, faster and more efficiently than traditional teams.

    User acquisition remains one of the largest cost centres for gaming companies, which spend billions annually. Marketing teams often produce hundreds of playable ads and thousands of video ads each month, a process that can take weeks manually. Sett says its platform cuts production times from weeks to hours and significantly reduces costs, saving companies millions while maintaining content quality.

    The company was founded by Amit Carmi (CEO) and Yoni Blumenfeld (CTO), both alumni of Unit 8200, and currently employs around 50 people. The new funding will accelerate product development and support global expansion.

  • 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.