First US-Iran nuclear talks in years start in Oman

SummaryIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Hossein Salami warned of severe retaliation against Israel and the US if they attack Iran, stating, "If you make one wrong move, we will open up the gates of hell on you." He claimed that previous attacks, referred to as "True Promise 1 and 2," demonstrated Israel's defense system failures and promised that Iran would respond decisively to any aggression. Salami's remarks followed reports that Israel had considered striking Iran's...

The Gaza-bound aid ship Conscience was attacked by Israeli drones in international waters last week, resulting in injuries and damage to the vessel. The ship, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. MEMO’s Nasim Ahmed interviewed Ann Wright, a former US Army colonel and diplomat who resigned in protest of the 2003 Iraq invasion, and is a prominent organizer within the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, highlighting her ongoing commitment to peace...

SummaryIsraeli security forces closed three UN-run schools in East Jerusalem's Shuafat refugee camp, sending hundreds of Palestinian students home shortly after classes began, which the Palestinian Authority condemned as a violation of children's education rights. An Israeli ban on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) accuses it of Hamas infiltration, a claim Unrwa denies, asserting its impartiality. The closure, which affected over 550 pupils and involved the detention of a staff member, follows Israeli...

The sound of Chinese fighter jets roared over the Egyptian pyramids and could echo across the Middle East, as Beijing wrapped up military drills with Cairo, Reuters reports.China's military conducted joint air force exercises with Egypt, indicating deepening military ties as Egypt looks beyond its traditional US partnership. The "Eagles of Civilisation 2025" drills aim to bolster Egypt's regional power status while allowing China to expand its influence and potentially sell military equipment. Amid regional...

Heavy Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday resulted in one death and eight injuries, despite a fragile ceasefire aimed at halting hostilities with Hezbollah. The Israeli military targeted what it described as Hezbollah's "terrorist infrastructure" and claimed the strikes were necessary to neutralize threats, while Lebanese residents reported widespread panic from the explosions. Lebanon has urged the international community to pressure Israel to cease its attacks and withdraw its troops, highlighting ongoing tensions despite...

SummaryIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated there is "uncertainty" regarding the condition of three out of 24 hostages previously thought to be alive in Hamas captivity, confirming 21 are alive. This follows comments from US President Donald Trump, who noted the hostage count had changed. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged Netanyahu to pause military actions in Gaza to prioritize the return of hostages, amid reports of high casualties in Gaza and Israel’s military...