Monthly Archives: July 2026

Iraqi prime minister says ‘no evidence’ attacks on Gulf states originated from Iraq

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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in Baghdad, Iraq on May 14, 2026. [Murtadha Al-Sudani – Anadolu Agency]

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi said there is “no evidence” that attacks against Gulf countries originated from Iraqi territory, while reaffirming that Baghdad will not allow its land to be used to target neighboring states.

In an interview with the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper published Monday evening, Zaidi discussed a host of issues, including restricting weapons to state control, combating corruption, economic reforms and Iraq’s foreign relations.

He said all security force commanders had been instructed to prevent any attempt to use Iraqi territory to launch attacks against neighboring countries.

“We will not accept dictates from outside our borders, neither from the East nor the West. Iraq’s decision belongs to its people,” he said.

Zaidi stressed that Iraq seeks to build strong relations with the international community and neighboring countries.

“After visiting the United States, we have working visits scheduled to Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Iran,” he said.

Regional tensions escalated when the US and Israel launched attacks against Tehran in February, killing more than 3,000 people, according to Iranian officials. Tehran retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US bases.

Several Gulf states also came under attacks that they say were launched by Iran-backed armed factions in Iraq.

Monopoly of weapons

Zaidi said Iraq will hold a national conference later this year to reinforce the state monopoly of weapons. “There is no place for weapons outside the state, and we will not accept the existence of a state within a state,” he said.

He added that the government has already received weapons from Saraya Al-Islam, Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Kataib Al-Imam Ali armed groups.

“The most important step is not merely handing over weapons, but severing the link between the armed faction and the fighters under its command.

“We believe resistance is a necessity, not a profession. That necessity no longer exists, and we will not accept a state within a state,” he said.

Zaidi announced Sept. 21 as a final deadline for armed factions to surrender their weapons to the authorities.

READ: Iraq detains politicians, officials in anti-corruption crackdown

Government spokesman Haider Al-Aboudi said Monday that the deadline coincides with the withdrawal of the US-led international coalition forces from Iraq under an agreement reached two years ago.

On June 3, military spokesman Sabah Al-Numan announced the formation of a committee tasked with ensuring that weapons remain exclusively under state control.

The issue of weapons outside state authority remains one of Iraq’s most pressing security and political challenges, with some armed factions operating under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) while others function independently.

The government says it aims to consolidate state authority over arms as part of broader efforts to strengthen domestic stability and shield Iraq from regional tensions.

Corruption fight

Zaidi described corruption as “a threat to the existence of the Iraqi state,” calling his government’s campaign against corruption “irreversible.”

“There are people seeking to steal Iraq, not to serve it,” he said.

The premier said he had instructed the Finance Ministry to open a special account to recover embezzled Iraqi funds.

Zaidi also pledged not to draw a salary, accept gifts or “allow his hand to touch public money.”

He said he will not seek a second term in office or establish a political party after leaving office.

Zaidi’s government was approved by the Iraqi parliament in May. His constitutional term is four years.

On Sunday, Iraqi authorities announced the arrest of several officials and lawmakers accused of financial and administrative corruption following confessions by detained Deputy Oil Minister Adnan Al-Jumaili.

Jumaili was arrested on June 2 over allegations of financial and administrative corruption and illegal contracts.

Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council later announced the seizure of about $23 million in cash and the confiscation of 70 properties and 21 luxury vehicles, in addition to about 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) of gold jewelry.

READ: Iraq sets Sept. 21 deadline for armed factions to surrender weapons

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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 explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Donald Trump explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.

Continue ReadingIraqi prime minister says ‘no evidence’ attacks on Gulf states originated from Iraq

Palestine slams Israeli plan to establish 100 illegal settlement sites in occupied West Bank

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Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and illegal Israeli settlers attend the inauguration ceremony of the illegal “Doren” settlement outpost, established south of Hebron in West Bank, on June 16, 2026. [Wisam Hashlamoun – Anadolu Agency]

Palestine on Tuesday strongly condemned Israel’s illegal settlement plan targeting about 100 locations inside the so-called Area A in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports.

“The move represents an additional development in Israeli colonial thinking and a blatant violation of international law and signed agreements,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry described the plan as “a systematic war crime” aimed at imposing new facts by force on occupied Palestinian land, undermining security and stability, and destroying the foundations of the two-state solution.

“Israel has no sovereignty over any part of the occupied Palestinian territory,” it said. “The occupation and settlement activity in all forms have no legitimacy and constitute a crime under international law, international consensus and UN resolutions.”

“Israel’s continued illegal occupation and colonial settlement system are the root of suffering and the main reason for the absence of security and peace in the Middle East,” the ministry continued.

It called on the international community and UN institutions, including the Security Council, to take practical deterrent measures to stop colonial settlement and compel Israel, as the occupying power, to comply with international law and UN resolutions.

READ: Israeli forces begin paving settlement road near Bethlehem, uproot olive trees west of Jenin

The ministry also called for implementing the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, forcing Israel to abandon its colonial plans and abide by signed agreements, in a way that guarantees an end to the Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Israeli occupier groups are said to have prepared a plan to seize 100 strategic locations in the Palestinian Authority-administered Area A of the occupied West Bank.

The Israel Hayom newspaper said the plan, prepared by the Settler Farms Association and the Havat (Farms) Forum, aims to fundamentally reshape the map of the occupied territory.

The proposal outlines a mechanism for deploying forces to approximately 100 strategic sites in the West Bank on what it describes as an “execution day.”

The locations are located in Area A, which, under the 1995 Oslo II Accord, is under the administrative and security control of the Palestinian Authority.

The Israeli army carries out near-daily raids in West Bank cities and towns, often involving arrests, field interrogations and home searches.

Israel was established in 1948 on lands occupied by armed Zionist groups that carried out massacres and displaced at least 750,000 Palestinians. It later occupied more territories and refused to withdraw or allow the establishment of a Palestinian state.

READ: Trump rebuked Netanyahu over Gaza: ‘All the Jews are sick of you’ – CNN

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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 explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Donald Trump explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.

Continue ReadingPalestine slams Israeli plan to establish 100 illegal settlement sites in occupied West Bank

Palestinian journalist says prison starvation, medical neglect led to brain hemorrhage after release from Israeli prison

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Palestinian journalist Mujahid Bani Muflih receives medical treatment at Ibn Sina Hospital after he was held in an Israeli prison for six months without charge and subjected to abuse during his detention in Jenin on June 30, 2026. [Moiz Salhi – Anadolu Agency]

Palestinian journalist Mujahid Bani Mufleh is still undergoing intensive treatment six months after his release from Israeli prison, where he says he lost nearly 20 kilograms due to starvation and medical neglect before suffering a severe brain hemorrhage days after being freed, Anadolu reports.

Bani Mufleh is currently being treated at Ibn Sina Specialized Hospital in Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank. After falling into a coma, he underwent multiple surgeries, including a procedure in which part of his skull was removed. He now requires assistance with movement, swallowing and speech.

The journalist said prison conditions, including starvation and lack of medical care, severely worsened his health, particularly as he suffers from diabetes.

Speaking to Anadolu from his hospital bed, he recalled how his condition deteriorated during detention.

“I entered prison weighing 72 kilograms, and when I came out, my weight was in the early 50s,” he said.

“I lost a large part of it because of hunger. We slept hungry, and the food they gave us was not enough,” he added.

He said his condition worsened further due to lack of access to diabetes treatment.

“Since the beginning of my detention, I did not receive the proper medication, I did not undergo any medical test, and I did not know my blood sugar level. The food was very little,” he said.

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively, leading to elevated blood glucose levels that can damage organs over time if untreated.

Israel arrested Bani Mufleh in the town of Beita, south of Nablus, in June 2025 and released him in January 2026, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society.

READ: ‘Shocking’ photo of freed Palestinian journalist shows ‘tragic’ conditions in Israeli prisons: Rights group

Released into collapse

Bani Mufleh said his release came unexpectedly after his detention had been extended. He said prison authorities informed him he would be transferred, and he was not given a chance to say goodbye to other detainees.

“I was surprised that they released me. I did not even know I was going to get out,” he said.

“They took me out at midnight, and four hours later I found myself in the open, in the bitter cold of the Negev desert. I was shaking badly,” he added.

He said his health deteriorated rapidly after release. Medical tests later showed high blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

“I was doing an interview with a fellow journalist, speaking about what I had lived through in prison, and it seems that recalling those details was more than my body could bear, so I lost consciousness,” he said.

He was taken to a hospital in Nablus, where doctors diagnosed a severe brain hemorrhage. He later fell into a coma and underwent successive surgeries.

Life after detention

After regaining consciousness, Bani Mufleh said his life had changed completely and he is now unable to perform basic daily tasks.

“I was a person full of life. I worked for long hours. Today, I am almost unable to do the simplest tasks,” he said.

“I need others to help me move and get around. I lost the ability to speak and swallow, and I am still going through a long treatment journey,” he added.

He said his condition has also affected his relationship with his three children.

“I used to spend a lot of time at home beside them, teaching them and providing everything they needed. Today, I can no longer do that,” he said.

“I miss their laughter, and I hope to return to the father I used to be,” he added.

READ: Press freedom group ‘changes’ definition of journalist as Israel sets record for reporters killed

‘A photo that shows the truth’

Bani Mufleh said a Facebook post showing his post-surgery condition was intended to document his experience after detention.

The image shows part of his skull removed following brain surgery, with visible signs of severe weight loss.

“I wanted to show people the truth,” he said.

“Many friends objected to publishing the photo because they said it was not beautiful, but I have nothing to fear. Here I am today, and this is my condition,” he added.

He said he continues to think about his life before imprisonment, including his work in journalism and farming.

“I miss the old Mujahid,” he said, adding that he had cultivated land with dozens of trees before his arrest.

“My wife and children are always around me, and they hope I will return to the way I was,” he said.

Thousands of cases

The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society said last week that Israeli prisons have become a tool of “slow and direct killing” against Palestinian detainees.

It said Bani Mufleh’s case reflects wider conditions faced by thousands of Palestinians, including starvation, medical neglect and other violations in custody.

The group said more than 245 Palestinian journalists have been detained by Israel since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023.

It added that Israeli forces have carried out near-daily raids across the occupied West Bank since October 2023, resulting in widespread arrests and searches.

According to Palestinian figures, Israel has arrested about 23,000 Palestinians from the West Bank since Oct. 7, 2023, including women, children and former prisoners.

READ: Hamas delegation in Cairo to meet Egyptian officials, mediators on implementation of Gaza deal

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 explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Donald Trump explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.

Continue ReadingPalestinian journalist says prison starvation, medical neglect led to brain hemorrhage after release from Israeli prison

Commercial ship traffic through Strait of Hormuz rises more than 50% over past week

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Large commercial vessels and a small boat navigate the waters off the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, Iran on June 21, 2026. [Hassan Ghaedi – Anadolu Agency]

Commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz rose more than 50% from the previous week amid ongoing negotiations following a temporary deal between the US and Iran, Anadolu reports.

Negotiations between the two countries remain fragile despite the deal reached on June 14, which took effect on June 18.

Before the war broke out at the end of February, an average of 130 commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz each day. Following a virtual standstill after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, maritime traffic through the strategic waterway has begun to recover following the US-Iran deal.

Despite the recent increase, traffic through the strait remains around 70% below pre-war levels.

Industry representatives remain cautious about using the waterway because of the fragile state of US-Iran negotiations and continuing uncertainty.

According to data from analytics firm Kpler, 223 commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz during the week of June 15-21, averaging 32 transits per day.

READ: Oil prices rise as US-Iran tensions escalate

The lowest daily traffic was recorded on June 17 with 19 vessels, while the highest was 54 on June 22.

During the week of June 22-28, 343 commercial vessels passed through the strait, with the daily average rising to 49 vessels. The lowest daily total was 24 vessels on June 28, while the highest reached 76 on June 24.

June 24 recorded the heaviest traffic through the Strait of Hormuz since the war began on Feb. 28.

Compared with the previous week, traffic through the strait increased by nearly 54%, with tankers carrying crude oil and petroleum products—primarily from Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait—accounting for most transits.

At least 6 million barrels of crude oil transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, the data showed.

A significant share of vessels continued to use the route designated within Iranian territorial waters, with most of those transits carried out by shadow fleet and sanctioned vessels.

READ: Iran says $6B of its funds in Qatar ‘should be released’ under US deal

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 explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Donald Trump explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.

Continue ReadingCommercial ship traffic through Strait of Hormuz rises more than 50% over past week