Monthly Archives: June 2026

Rubio to visit UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain to discuss Iran deal

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, DC on June 2, 2026. [Nathan Posner – Anadolu Agency]

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain this week to discuss regional security following a memorandum of understanding reached between the US and Iran, the State Department announced Monday, Anadolu reports.

In a statement, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that Rubio’s trip, which will take place on June 23-25, will focus on “a range of regional priorities including the memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and free safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region.”

In Bahrain, Rubio is scheduled to meet representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to discuss shared regional priorities and cooperation on key issues affecting Gulf states, Pigott added.

The visit would mark one of the highest-level US engagements with Gulf states since Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding last week, launching a 60-day negotiating process aimed at ending the four-month war that was initiated by the US and Israel against Iran.

READ: US Treasury issues 60-day license for Iranian oil as part of emerging nuclear framework

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.

Continue ReadingRubio to visit UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain to discuss Iran deal

UN committee warns Palestinian children increasingly unprotected amid pressure on rights groups

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Displaced Palestinians, including many children, wait in long queues to receive hot meals distributed by a charitable organization in Gaza City, Gaza, Palestine on June 07, 2026. [Moiz Salhi – Anadolu Agency]

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on Monday warned that Palestinian children are being left increasingly unprotected as human rights defenders and humanitarian organizations are forced to halt or scale back their work in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank, Anadolu reports.

In a statement, the committee strongly condemned what it described as Israel’s recent tactics of labeling human rights defenders and civil society organizations as “terrorists.”

It said the measures have been accompanied by military raids, travel bans, financial sanctions, threats of arrest, destruction of records and threats of secondary sanctions against partners supporting their work.

The committee expressed concern that organizations assisting children are being forced to curtail operations because of “sustained harassment, threats, bans, sanctions and attacks on their reputations.”

READ: Israeli army kills 2 Palestinians in southern occupied West Bank

“For more than three decades, these organizations have played a vital role in defending Palestinian children, including in the Israeli military courts, and in documenting grave violations against Palestinian children at the hands of Israeli forces,” it said.

“Without them, Palestinian children will be even less protected, and violations of their rights risk continuing with impunity.”

The committee called on Israel to immediately remove restrictions on child rights defenders and humanitarian groups and urged the international community to hold Israeli authorities accountable for attacks targeting Palestinian human rights defenders.

“Child rights defenders have continued to stand with Palestinian children and families in extraordinarily dangerous conditions,” it said. “They must be protected, not punished.”

READ: ‘Losing bet’: Hebrew media reports failure of armed militias to challenge Hamas in Gaza

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.

Continue ReadingUN committee warns Palestinian children increasingly unprotected amid pressure on rights groups

US Treasury issues 60-day license for Iranian oil as part of emerging nuclear framework

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Seal of the United States Department of the Treasury in Washington, United States on October 26, 2021 [Yasin Öztürk/Anadolu Agency]

The US Treasury Department has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil as part of an emerging nuclear framework, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Monday, Anadolu reports.

“Under President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, we continue to make the world safer and more prosperous,” Bessent wrote in a post on US social media platform X.

Bessent said: “In line with the ongoing productive talks in Switzerland, Iran has committed to free and open transit in the Strait of Hormuz,” also claiming that Iran agreed “to permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors into their country.”

“As part of the framework, Treasury has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil,” he added.

The license, designated General License X and issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, authorizes all transactions related to the production, sale, delivery, or offloading of Iranian-origin crude oil, petrochemical products, and petroleum products through Aug. 21, 2026.

READ: US vice president says ‘very good foundation’ laid for final Iran deal after Burgenstock talks

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.

Continue ReadingUS Treasury issues 60-day license for Iranian oil as part of emerging nuclear framework

Israeli Cabinet minister rejects ceasefire, says Lebanon ‘should be Israel’s playground’

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Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on January 24, 2023 [Saeed Qaq/Anadolu Agency]

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called Monday for rejecting any ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, saying the Arab country “should be Israel’s playground,” as opposition leader Avigdor Lieberman called a US-Iran agreement “the biggest political disaster” since Israel’s creation.

“Israel cannot agree to a ceasefire in Lebanon,” Ben-Gvir told Israel’s public broadcaster KAN in an interview.

He urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convey Israel’s rejection of any ceasefire in Lebanon to US President Donald Trump.

“Trump is a true friend, and we must treat him politely and embrace him, but we need to tell him that we cannot agree to a ceasefire in Lebanon,” Ben-Gvir said.

“We are the ones making decisions, and there are good results for our soldiers,” he added.

His opposition comes amid growing disputes within Israeli political and security circles over a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran and their possible implications for ending the war on the Lebanese front.

READ: Israeli army won’t withdraw from occupied territory in southern Lebanon, defense minister says

“The agreement between Iran and the US is the biggest political disaster since the establishment of the state,” Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu party, said on US social media company X.

“We must act in accordance with Israeli interests and not in accordance with fuel prices on world stock exchanges,” he added, in reference to what experts view as one of the motives behind Trump’s push to end the Iran war.

Israel and Lebanon are set to hold a fifth round of direct negotiations in Washington on Tuesday. The upcoming talks follow four previous rounds between the two sides that began in April as part of a track aimed at ending the Israeli war in Lebanon.

The US-mediated negotiations come as criticism grows inside Israel over Washington’s handling of talks with Iran and Hezbollah.

The Israeli news site i24NEWS, citing Israeli officials, said Tel Aviv fears that an agreement between the US and Iran could strengthen Tehran and its allies in the region.

The officials claimed the Trump administration and its negotiating team “misunderstands the ideology driving Tehran and Hezbollah.”

“Trump doesn’t speak Shia,” they said, in reference to what they claim is a failure to understand the nature of Iran’s system and Hezbollah.

On Saturday, i24NEWS quoted unnamed senior Israeli officials as saying: “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed ministers to avoid personal attacks on Trump.”

Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed more than 4,100 people and injured over 12,000 others since March 2, according to official Lebanese figures.

Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023–2024 war.

READ: Israel plans to reduce forces in southern Lebanon under US pressure ahead of Lebanese army deployment

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.

Continue ReadingIsraeli Cabinet minister rejects ceasefire, says Lebanon ‘should be Israel’s playground’

Iran’s negotiating team protests Trump ‘threats,’ says they violate memorandum of understanding

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Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif (2nd R) and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir (R) meet with Parliament Speaker of Iran Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (2nd L) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Abbas Araghchi (L) on the sidelines of the U.S.-Iran technical-level peace talks in Burgenstock, Switzerland on June 21, 2026. [Iranian Foreign Ministry / Handout – Anadolu Agency]

Iran’s negotiating team has protested US President Donald Trump’s “threats” during ongoing talks in Switzerland, arguing that the remarks constitute a “violation” of the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.

Citing the Iranian negotiating delegation, Tasnim reported that Trump’s threats against Iran and its negotiating team represent “a blatant violation” of the first article of the memorandum of understanding.

According to the delegation, Article 1 of the memorandum requires the US to refrain from issuing a “threat.”

Earlier on Sunday, Trump urged Iran to “immediately stop their highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble,” or Washington will hit Tehran “very hard again.”

“If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

READ: Trump warns Iran to stop ‘proxies in Lebanon’ or US will hit Tehran ‘very hard again’

According to Fox News, Trump also spoke with Iranians overnight and warned that if they close the Strait of Hormuz, “you won’t have a country.”

“You won’t even make it back to your f—– country.”

“We may take over the Strait, if we have to,” Trump said.

He said that the US could become the “Guardian Angel” of the Strait of Hormuz and take 20% of the oil. “If they don’t make a deal, we’ll collect tolls,” the US president added.

In the interview with Fox News, Trump said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who has insisted that Iran maintain its right to enrich uranium, “better watch his mouth.”

“He better shape up or we’ll take over the rest of the country,” Trump said.

READ: 1st round of 4-party Iran-US talks concludes in Switzerland

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.
Continue ReadingIran’s negotiating team protests Trump ‘threats,’ says they violate memorandum of understanding