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    <title>Shafaaq News</title>
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    <description>Shafaaq News Agency</description>
    <lastBuildDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 17:01:46 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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    <item>
      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israeli-strikes-hit-southern-Lebanon-Hezbollah-steps-up-drone-attacks</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israeli-strikes-hit-southern-Lebanon-Hezbollah-steps-up-drone-attacks</guid>
      <title>Israeli strikes hit southern Lebanon, Hezbollah steps up drone attacks</title>
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      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p><em>Shafaq News- Beirut</em></p><p>The Israeli military carried out dozens of airstrikes acrosssouthern Lebanon on Wednesday, while Hezbollah intensified attacks againstIsraeli forces, particularly through explosive drones.</p><p>Local sources reported that the Israeli strikes targeted thetowns of Aita al-Jabal, Kfar Hatta, Deir Al-Zahrani, Haris, Zibqin, NabatiehAl-Fawqa, Al-Shaaitiyeh, Al-Maaliya, and Naqoura.</p><p>The Israeli <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israeli-army-claims-operations-expanded-north-of-the-Litani-River-in-Lebanon" target="_blank">military</a> claimed it had targeted weapons depots,rocket launch platforms, and infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in theaffected areas. </p><p>Separately, the military revealed that 190 of its soldierswere wounded in the last two weeks of Hezbollah&rsquo;s operations. </p><p>Hezbollah announced 10 operations against Israeli forces,including a drone strike on an Israeli armored personnel carrier in the town ofBint Jbeil, which the group said resulted in a direct hit. Hezbollah also saidit targeted a Merkava tank with a drone in the town of Aitaroun in southernLebanon.</p><p>The group further stated that it detonated an explosive bombagainst an Israeli force attempting to advance from Rashaf toward the outskirtsof Hadatha, adding that clashes later erupted with the unit. </p><p>Lebanese authorities have recorded more than 8,500 Israeliraids since March 2, which, according to the Health Ministry, have killed 2,896people and injured 8,824 others, including women and children.</p><p>Israeli media reported that Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu was holding discussions with security officials on ways to addressthreats posed by Hezbollah drones.</p><p>The Washington Post quoted an Israeli military official assaying Hezbollah drones &ldquo;pose a threat we are still adapting to.&rdquo; The officialadded that the Israeli military is deploying &ldquo;all defense technologies&rdquo;available, while acknowledging there is no &ldquo;complete protection&rdquo; against suchdrones.</p><p>In recent weeks, Hezbollah has&nbsp;<a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Hezbollah-hits-Israeli-troops-after-strikes-kill-soldiers-civilians-in-south-Lebanon" target="_blank">intensified</a>&nbsp;its use of FPV (first-person view) dronesin attacks against Israeli forces deployed in several areas of southernLebanon. Videos released by the group show the drones targeting Israelisoldiers and military vehicles, while official Israeli figures indicate asignificant rise in casualties linked to Hezbollah drone attacks. </p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 15:38:11 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-says-control-of-Hormuz-could-double-oil-revenues</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-says-control-of-Hormuz-could-double-oil-revenues</guid>
      <title>Iran says control of Hormuz could double oil revenues</title>
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      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Shafaq News- Tehran</em></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The control of the Strait of Hormuz could generate economicreturns for Iran equivalent to twice its oil revenues, Iranian armyspokesperson Mohammad Akrami Nia stated on Wednesday, adding that such controlwould strengthen Tehran&rsquo;s foreign policy position.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In remarks carried by Iran&rsquo;s Tasnim News Agency, Akrami Niasaid the western section of the Strait of Hormuz is controlled by the navalforces of Iran&rsquo;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), while the easternsection falls under the authority of the Iranian army&rsquo;s navy.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">He also claimed that &ldquo;US weapons in regional bases have beendestroyed,&rdquo; vowing that Iran &ldquo;will no longer allow these weapons to passthrough the Strait of Hormuz.&rdquo;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Iranian military spokesperson emphasized that Iran&rsquo;sadversaries had seen only part of the country&rsquo;s military capabilities, which healleged they &ldquo;had not imagined before.&rdquo; </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, Iran&rsquo;s Fars News Agency reported that more than1,500 foreign vessels were waiting on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz forIranian authorization to transit through the waterway.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">On Tuesday, the IRGC expanded the operational scope of theStrait of Hormuz to include additional coastal and inland areas. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">CNN&nbsp;<a href="https://shafaq.com/en/World/Trump-weighs-renewed-military-strikes-against-Iran" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;that US President Donald Trump isincreasingly weighing military options against Iran, as frustration buildsinside the White House over stalled negotiations and ongoing tensions in thestrategic maritime corridor.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 14:32:31 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israel-raids-villages-in-Syria-s-Daraa-and-Quneitra</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israel-raids-villages-in-Syria-s-Daraa-and-Quneitra</guid>
      <title>Israel raids villages in Syria’s Daraa and Quneitra</title>
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      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><!--?xml encoding="utf-8" ?--><p><em>Shafaq News- Damascus</em></p><p>Israeli forces detained aSyrian civilian during a raid on the village of Maariya in the Yarmouk Basinarea of southwestern Daraa province on Wednesday before releasing him several hourslater, Syria&rsquo;s state-run SANA reported.</p><p>An Israeli patrol also reportedlyentered the village of Saida al-Golan in neighboring Quneitra province,searched several homes, and later withdrew. The movements coincided withheightened military alertness and surveillance drone flights over the area,raising tensions among residents, particularly in villages near the Alpha Line,the boundary between Israeli-occupied territory and the buffer zone.</p><p>Syrian state media said authorities accusedIsrael of repeatedly violating the 1974 disengagement agreement throughincursions into southern Syria, including raids, arrests, and land-clearingoperations.</p><p>The Syrian Observatory forHuman Rights documented 620 Israeli ground incursions between December 2024 andFebruary 2026, with Daraa and Quneitra recording the highest number ofoperations.</p><p>Damascus has repeatedly calledfor a full Israeli withdrawal from positions seized after the fall of Basharal-Assad, describing the move as a prerequisite for future securitynegotiations. Israeli officials, however, maintain that their forces will remainin those areas for national security reasons.</p><p><a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Report/Syria-s-shifting-stance-Is-normalization-with-Israel-on-the-horizon" target="_blank"><em>Read more: Syria's shifting stance: Is normalization with Israel on the horizon?</em></a></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 10:25:03 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Saudi-Arabia-launched-retaliatory-strikes-inside-Iran-during-regional-war</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Saudi-Arabia-launched-retaliatory-strikes-inside-Iran-during-regional-war</guid>
      <title>Saudi Arabia launched retaliatory strikes inside Iran during regional war</title>
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      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><!--?xml encoding="utf-8" ?--><p><em>Shafaq News- Riyadh</em></p><p>Saudi Arabia carried outpreviously undisclosed airstrikes inside Iran earlier this year in retaliationfor attacks targeting the kingdom during the regional war, Reuters reported onTuesday, citing two Western officials and two Iranian officials familiar withthe matter.</p><p>The Saudi Air Force conductedthe strikes in late March, marking the first publicly known direct Saudimilitary action on Iranian territory, according to the report. One Westernofficial described the operation as &ldquo;tit-for-tat strikes&rdquo; launched after SaudiArabia came under attack during the conflict.</p><p>The strikes came amidwidening regional fallout following US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February28. Tehran later launched missiles and drones targeting US assets and basesacross all six Gulf Cooperation Council states while closing the Strait ofHormuz.</p><p><a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Report/Long-war-with-Iran-A-dangerous-repetition-of-history-but-with-even-less-preparation" target="_blank"><em>Read more:&nbsp;Long war with Iran: Repetition of history but with less preparation</em></a></p><p>Despite the militaryexchanges, Riyadh reportedly maintained diplomatic communication with Tehranthroughout the conflict in an effort to prevent broader escalation. Reutersindicated that Saudi Arabia informed Iran of the retaliatory strikes throughdiplomatic channels, followed by intensive contacts and warnings of furtheraction, eventually leading to an informal understanding aimed at reducingtensions.</p><p>One Iranian official quoted byReuters confirmed that Tehran and Riyadh agreed to &ldquo;cease hostilities,safeguard mutual interests, and prevent escalation.&rdquo; </p><p>Ali Vaez, director of the IranProject at the International Crisis Group, characterized the pattern ofretaliation followed by de-escalation as a &ldquo;pragmatic recognition&rdquo; by bothcountries that uncontrolled escalation carried unacceptable risks.</p><p>The informal understandingallegedly took effect shortly before Washington and Tehran agreed to a broaderceasefire on April 7.</p><p>Saudi Arabia had increasinglywarned of possible military responses in the weeks preceding the strikes, theagency noted. On March 19, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Sauddeclared that Riyadh reserved the right to take military action if necessary.Three days later, Saudi authorities <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Saudi-Arabia-orders-Iranian-diplomats-out-within-24-hours" target="_blank">expelled</a> Iran&rsquo;s military attach&eacute; along withfour Iranian embassy staff members.</p><p>Data cited by Reuters from theSaudi Defense Ministry showed that attacks targeting the kingdom declinedsharply after the end of March, dropping from more than 105 missile and dronestrikes in one week to around 25 during the first week of April.</p><p>It also said thatprojectiles launched at Saudi Arabia shortly before the broader ceasefire werebelieved by Western sources to have originated from Iraqi territory rather thandirectly from Iran, suggesting Tehran had reduced direct attacks while alliedarmed groups continued operations.</p><p>Saudi Arabia later <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Saudi-Arabia-summons-Iraq-s-Ambassador-over-cross-border-drone-strikes" target="_blank">summoned</a>Iraq&rsquo;s ambassador on April 12 to protest attacks launched from Iraqi territory.</p><p><a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/Report/Iraqi-Armed-factions-cross-border-attacks-draw-legal-warnings-and-Arab-pressure" target="_blank"><em>Read more:&nbsp;Iraqi factions' cross-border attacks draw warnings and Arab pressure</em></a></p><p>Reuters added that tensionsbriefly escalated again on April 7 and 8 after Saudi authorities reporteddozens of drones and missiles targeting the kingdom, prompting Riyadh toconsider retaliatory measures against Iran and Iraq before diplomatic efforts resumed.</p><p>Neither Saudi authorities norIran&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry directly confirmed the operations, although asenior Saudi Foreign Ministry official reaffirmed Riyadh&rsquo;s commitment tode-escalation and regional stability.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 21:28:30 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-US-lack-of-credibility-blocking-path-to-deal</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-US-lack-of-credibility-blocking-path-to-deal</guid>
      <title>Iran: US ‘lack of credibility’ blocking path to deal</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778617483779.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><!--?xml encoding="utf-8" ?--><p><em>Shafaq News- Tehran</em></p><p>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that the main obstacle to ending the war and reaching a potential agreement remains Washington&rsquo;s lack of &ldquo;good faith and credibility.&rdquo;</p><p>During a meeting in Tehran with Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, where the two sides discussed bilateral relations and developments linked to the Islamabad-mediated negotiations. Araghchi blamed the ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz on the &ldquo;US-Israeli aggression&rdquo; against Iran and the continuing blockade on Iranian ports.</p><p>Iranian media reported that Tehran has conditioned any return to negotiations on ending the war across all fronts, including Lebanon, alongside sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets.</p><p>Citing an informed source, Fars News Agency said Iran&rsquo;s conditions also include compensation for war-related damages and recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. The source added that Tehran informed Pakistan that the continuing US naval blockade had further weakened trust in negotiations with Washington, arguing that no new talks could proceed unless Iran&rsquo;s five <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-widens-Hormuz-operations-threatens-90-enrichment" target="_blank">conditions</a> were addressed.</p><p>According to the report, Iranian officials view recent US proposals as one-sided attempts to secure through diplomacy objectives Washington failed to achieve <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/World/Trump-weighs-renewed-military-strikes-against-Iran" target="_blank">militarily</a>.</p><p><em><a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/Report/Force-without-a-finish-line-Iran-is-losing-the-war-the-US-is-losing-the-endgame" target="_blank">Read more: Iran is losing the war, the US is losing the endgame</a></em></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 21:07:32 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Syrians-struggle-with-rising-prices-and-shrinking-incomes</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Syrians-struggle-with-rising-prices-and-shrinking-incomes</guid>
      <title>Syrians struggle with rising prices and shrinking incomes</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778532437552.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Shafaq News- Damascus</em></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Syrians continue to face worsening economic conditionsmarked by rising prices, declining purchasing power, and growing poverty, <span>with many families increasingly relying onremittances and debt to secure basic needs. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">A field survey conducted by Shafaq News in Damascus, itscountryside, Aleppo, Homs, and Latakia found widespread stagnation in localmarkets due to weak consumer spending, as residents described the currentsituation as a phase of survival only.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778614687329.webp"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Abu Mohammed, a former public sector employee from ruralDamascus, said his salary before the fall of the previous government &ldquo;barelycovered a few days,&rdquo; explaining that the suspension of salaries for manypublic-sector workers forced families to depend on relatives abroad.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&ldquo;Today, there is no stable source of income,&rdquo; he noted, adding,&ldquo;People are selling their belongings or borrowing money to secure food andmedicine.&rdquo;</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778614705574.webp"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Local economic <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Economy/Syrian-adviser-questions-economic-recovery-despite-46M-surplus" target="_blank">estimates</a> indicate that Syrians&rsquo; purchasingpower has declined by between 30% and 50% in recent months due to rising pricesand fluctuations in the Syrian pound on the unofficial market.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Recent economic reports also showed that the minimum monthlycost of living in Syria has reached nearly two million Syrian pounds,equivalent to around $169.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Amer Deeb, an economic researcher and head of the SyrianRenaissance Council, described the crisis as stagflation affecting livingconditions across the country. &ldquo;Remittances from abroad had become the backboneof household consumption in Syria amid weak wages and declining localproduction.&rdquo;</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778614722662.webp"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In Aleppo, Umm Ali, a mother of three, said her family nowdepends on &ldquo;one main meal a day&rdquo; after food and fuel prices increased. &ldquo;Breadand vegetables have become a daily burden,&rdquo; she added, emphasizing thateducation, healthcare, and transportation had become &ldquo;luxuries for manypeople.&rdquo;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The owner of &ldquo;Masar&rdquo; money transfer office in Damascus toldShafaq News that remittances, once used to improve living standards, had become&ldquo;the only lifeline for entire families.&rdquo;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The International Monetary Fund recently reported that therewere &ldquo;signs of recovery&rdquo; in the Syrian <a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/World/Syria-needs-50-years-to-recover-to-pre-war-economy-UN-report" target="_blank">economy</a>, while stressing the need forbanking reforms and stronger monetary policies to ensure financial stability.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 19:44:59 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Kuwait-protests-to-Iran-over-alleged-IRGC-infiltration-attempt</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Kuwait-protests-to-Iran-over-alleged-IRGC-infiltration-attempt</guid>
      <title>Kuwait protests to Iran over alleged IRGC infiltration attempt</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778598832935.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p><span><em>Shafaq News- Kuwait City</em></span></p><p><span>Kuwait&rsquo;s Foreign Ministrysummoned Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Toutounchi on Tuesday, delivering anofficial protest note over &ldquo;an attempted armed infiltration&rdquo; reportedly linkedto Iran&rsquo;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).</span></p><p><span>Deputy Foreign MinisterAmbassador Hamad Suleiman Al-Mashaan called on Tehran to &ldquo;immediately andunconditionally&rdquo; halt such &ldquo;hostile&rdquo; actions, holding Iran fully responsiblefor what he described as a flagrant violation of Kuwaiti sovereignty and abreach of international law, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council Resolution2817 of 2026.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">&#1575;&#1587;&#1578;&#1583;&#1593;&#1578; &#1608;&#1586;&#1575;&#1585;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1582;&#1575;&#1585;&#1580;&#1610;&#1577;&#1548; &#1605;&#1605;&#1579;&#1604;&#1577; &#1576;&#1587;&#1593;&#1575;&#1583;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1587;&#1601;&#1610;&#1585; &#1581;&#1605;&#1583; &#1587;&#1604;&#1610;&#1605;&#1575;&#1606; &#1575;&#1604;&#1605;&#1588;&#1593;&#1575;&#1606;&#1548; &#1606;&#1575;&#1574;&#1576; &#1608;&#1586;&#1610;&#1585; &#1575;&#1604;&#1582;&#1575;&#1585;&#1580;&#1610;&#1577;&#1548; &#1575;&#1604;&#1610;&#1608;&#1605; &#1575;&#1604;&#1579;&#1604;&#1575;&#1579;&#1575;&#1569; &#1575;&#1604;&#1605;&#1608;&#1575;&#1601;&#1602; 12 &#1605;&#1575;&#1610;&#1608; 2026&#1548; &#1587;&#1593;&#1575;&#1583;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1587;&#1601;&#1610;&#1585; &#1605;&#1581;&#1605;&#1583; &#1578;&#1608;&#1578;&#1608;&#1606;&#1580;&#1610;&#1548; &#1587;&#1601;&#1610;&#1585; &#1575;&#1604;&#1580;&#1605;&#1607;&#1608;&#1585;&#1610;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1573;&#1587;&#1604;&#1575;&#1605;&#1610;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1573;&#1610;&#1585;&#1575;&#1606;&#1610;&#1577; &#1604;&#1583;&#1609; &#1583;&#1608;&#1604;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1603;&#1608;&#1610;&#1578;&#1548; &#1581;&#1610;&#1579; &#1578;&#1605; &#1578;&#1587;&#1604;&#1610;&#1605;&#1607; &#1605;&#1584;&#1603;&#1585;&#1577; &#1575;&#1581;&#1578;&#1580;&#1575;&#1580; &#1593;&#1604;&#1609; &#1573;&#1579;&#1585; &#1602;&#1610;&#1575;&#1605; &#1605;&#1580;&#1605;&#1608;&#1593;&#1577; &#1605;&#1587;&#1604;&#1581;&#1577; &#1605;&#1606; &#1593;&#1606;&#1575;&#1589;&#1585; &#1575;&#1604;&#1581;&#1585;&#1587; &#1575;&#1604;&#1579;&#1608;&#1585;&#1610;&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/7K4iCDtIkG">pic.twitter.com/7K4iCDtIkG</a></p>&mdash; &#1608;&#1586;&#1575;&#1585;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1582;&#1575;&#1585;&#1580;&#1610;&#1577; (@MOFAKuwait) <a href="https://twitter.com/MOFAKuwait/status/2054210044028150001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <p><span>Kuwait, he said, reserves theright to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and may take anymeasures it deems necessary to protect its sovereignty, territorial security,and residents.</span></p><p><span>Earlier today, Kuwaitiauthorities <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Kuwait-arrests-four-suspected-IRGC-infiltrators-Bahrain-jails-three-for-life" target="_blank">arrested</a> four alleged infiltrators accused of links to the IRGC.According to Kuwait&rsquo;s Interior Ministry, cited by state-run KUNA, the suspects,who attempted to enter the country by sea to carry out &ldquo;hostile acts,&rdquo; confessedduring questioning to belonging to the IRGC.</span></p><p><span>Investigators claimed thegroup had been tasked with infiltrating Bubiyan Island aboard a rented fishingboat to conduct operations targeting Kuwait, where they later clashed withsecurity forces, injuring one serviceman while two members of the group reportedlyescaped.</span></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 19:01:28 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/ISIS-claims-deadly-attack-on-Syrian-army-bus-in-Al-Hasakah</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/ISIS-claims-deadly-attack-on-Syrian-army-bus-in-Al-Hasakah</guid>
      <title>ISIS claims deadly attack on Syrian army bus in Al-Hasakah</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778599781823.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><!--?xml encoding="utf-8" ?--><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Shafaq News- Damascus</em></p><p style="text-align: justify;">ISIS on Tuesday claimed responsibility for an attacktargeting a Syrian army bus in Hasakah province in eastern Syria, an assaultthat killed two soldiers and wounded others.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In a statement published by the group&rsquo;s Amaq news agency, ISISsaid its fighters killed and wounded six Syrian soldiers during the ambush. Syrianstate news agency SANA reported that two <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Gunmen-kill-two-Syrian-soldiers-in-Al-Hasakah-countryside" target="_blank">Syrian</a> army soldiers were killed andseveral others were injured in the attack.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Earlier on Thursday, ISIS also claimed responsibility forthe killing of Sheikh Farhan al-Mansour, the preacher of Syria&rsquo;s Sayyida Zeinabshrine, days after a bomb&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Bomb-blast-wounds-civilian-near-Damascus-hotel" target="_blank">exploded</a>&nbsp;in Damascus.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 17:50:59 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-threatens-retaliation-while-Trump-predicts-economic-collapse</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-threatens-retaliation-while-Trump-predicts-economic-collapse</guid>
      <title>Iran threatens retaliation while Trump predicts economic ‘collapse’</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1776058747764.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p><em>Shafaq News- Tehran/ Washington</em></p><p>Iran on Tuesday warned that any attack would trigger an immediate response, saying failure to resolve disputes diplomatically would lead to further &ldquo;defeats on the battlefield.&rdquo;</p><p>Cited by Iranian state media, Defense Ministry spokesperson Brig. Gen. Reza Talaei added that Tehran had proven its ability to defend itself &ldquo;diplomatically and militarily.&rdquo;</p><p>Earlier today, Ibrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament&rsquo;s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, indicated that Tehran could move to raise uranium enrichment to <a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-widens-Hormuz-operations-threatens-90-enrichment" target="_blank">90%</a> in the event of a new US strike, adding that parliament is set to review the option.</p><p>US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, stressed that Washington would maintain pressure on Tehran through sanctions and the naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports while continuing direct contacts with Iranian officials. He has repeatedly insisted that any agreement must end Iran&rsquo;s uranium enrichment program and prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.</p><p>Separately, acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst told lawmakers that the cost of the Iran war had risen to $29 billion, citing updated operational and replacement costs tied to maintaining US forces in the Middle East.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 16:18:57 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Kuwait-arrests-four-suspected-IRGC-infiltrators-Bahrain-jails-three-for-life</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Kuwait-arrests-four-suspected-IRGC-infiltrators-Bahrain-jails-three-for-life</guid>
      <title>Kuwait arrests four suspected IRGC infiltrators, Bahrain jails three for life</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778581130843.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p><span><em>Shafaq News- Kuwait City/ Manama</em></span></p><p><span>Kuwait arrested four alleged infiltrators accused oflinks to Iran&rsquo;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday, whileBahrain handed down three life sentences in separate security-related casestied to the group. </span></p><p><span>According to Kuwait&rsquo;s Interior Ministry, cited bystate-run KUNA, the suspects, who attempted to enter the country by sea tocarry out &ldquo;hostile acts,&rdquo; confessed during questioning to belonging to theIRGC. Investigators claimed the group had been tasked with infiltrating BubiyanIsland aboard a rented fishing boat to conduct operations targeting Kuwait,where they later clashed with security forces, injuring one serviceman whiletwo members of the group reportedly escaped.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">&#1575;&#1587;&#1578;&#1603;&#1605;&#1575;&#1604;&#1611;&#1575; &#1604;&#1576;&#1610;&#1575;&#1606; &#1608;&#1586;&#1575;&#1585;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1583;&#1601;&#1575;&#1593; &#1576;&#1588;&#1571;&#1606; &#1575;&#1604;&#1602;&#1576;&#1590; &#1593;&#1604;&#1609; 4 &#1605;&#1578;&#1587;&#1604;&#1604;&#1610;&#1606; &#1581;&#1575;&#1608;&#1604;&#1608;&#1575; &#1583;&#1582;&#1608;&#1604; &#1575;&#1604;&#1576;&#1604;&#1575;&#1583; &#1576;&#1581;&#1585;&#1611;&#1575; &#1608;&#1586;&#1575;&#1585;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1583;&#1575;&#1582;&#1604;&#1610;&#1577;: &#1575;&#1593;&#1578;&#1585;&#1575;&#1601; &#1605;&#1580;&#1605;&#1608;&#1593;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1605;&#1578;&#1587;&#1604;&#1604;&#1610;&#1606; &#1573;&#1604;&#1609; &#1571;&#1585;&#1575;&#1590;&#1610; &#1575;&#1604;&#1603;&#1608;&#1610;&#1578; &#1571;&#1579;&#1606;&#1575;&#1569; &#1575;&#1604;&#1578;&#1581;&#1602;&#1610;&#1602; &#1605;&#1593;&#1607;&#1605; &#1576;&#1575;&#1606;&#1578;&#1605;&#1575;&#1574;&#1607;&#1605; &#1573;&#1604;&#1609; &#1575;&#1604;&#1581;&#1585;&#1587; &#1575;&#1604;&#1579;&#1608;&#1585;&#1610; &#1601;&#1610; &#1575;&#1604;&#1580;&#1605;&#1607;&#1608;&#1585;&#1610;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1573;&#1587;&#1604;&#1575;&#1605;&#1610;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1573;&#1610;&#1585;&#1575;&#1606;&#1610;&#1577;- &#1575;&#1593;&#1578;&#1585;&#1601;&#1608;&#1575; &#1576;&#1578;&#1603;&#1604;&#1610;&#1601;&#1607;&#1605; &#1576;&#1575;&#1604;&#1578;&#1587;&#1604;&#1604; &#1573;&#1604;&#1609; &#1580;&#1586;&#1610;&#1585;&#1577; &#1576;&#1608;&#1576;&#1610;&#1575;&#1606; &#1593;&#1604;&#1609; &#1605;&#1578;&#1606; &#1602;&#1575;&#1585;&#1576; &#1589;&#1610;&#1583;&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/9YX668nuyJ">pic.twitter.com/9YX668nuyJ</a></p>&mdash; &#1603;&#1608;&#1606;&#1575; KUNA (@kuna_ar) <a href="https://twitter.com/kuna_ar/status/2054139800324559005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <p><span>In Bahrain, the High Criminal Court sentenced a womanconvicted of operating a social media account that published coordinates andimages of sensitive sites, alongside two defendants accused of supportingmilitant activities and gathering intelligence on key facilities forIranian-linked operatives. The rulings also included confiscation orders andfines of 10,000 Bahraini dinars ($26,500) for two of the defendants.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">&#1575;&#1604;&#1587;&#1580;&#1606; &#1575;&#1604;&#1605;&#1572;&#1576;&#1583; &#1604;&#1605;&#1578;&#1607;&#1605;&#1577; &#1587;&#1593;&#1578; &#1608;&#1578;&#1582;&#1575;&#1576;&#1585;&#1578; &#1605;&#1593; &#1575;&#1604;&#1581;&#1585;&#1587; &#1575;&#1604;&#1579;&#1608;&#1585;&#1610; &#1575;&#1604;&#1573;&#1610;&#1585;&#1575;&#1606;&#1610; &#1575;&#1604;&#1573;&#1585;&#1607;&#1575;&#1576;&#1610; &#1604;&#1604;&#1602;&#1610;&#1575;&#1605; &#1576;&#1571;&#1593;&#1605;&#1575;&#1604; &#1593;&#1583;&#1575;&#1574;&#1610;&#1577; &#1590;&#1583; &#1605;&#1605;&#1604;&#1603;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1576;&#1581;&#1585;&#1610;&#1606; &#1608;&#1575;&#1604;&#1573;&#1590;&#1585;&#1575;&#1585; &#1576;&#1605;&#1589;&#1575;&#1604;&#1581;&#1607;&#1575; &#1575;&#1604;&#1602;&#1608;&#1605;&#1610;&#1577;<a href="https://t.co/7FTqhkMCTv">https://t.co/7FTqhkMCTv</a></p>&mdash; &#1608;&#1603;&#1575;&#1604;&#1577; &#1571;&#1606;&#1576;&#1575;&#1569; &#1575;&#1604;&#1576;&#1581;&#1585;&#1610;&#1606; (@bna_ar) <a href="https://twitter.com/bna_ar/status/2054112696115646889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">&#1575;&#1604;&#1581;&#1603;&#1605; &#1576;&#1575;&#1604;&#1587;&#1580;&#1606; &#1575;&#1604;&#1605;&#1572;&#1576;&#1583; &#1604;&#1605;&#1578;&#1607;&#1605;&#1610;&#1606; &#1578;&#1582;&#1575;&#1576;&#1585;&#1575; &#1605;&#1593; &#1575;&#1604;&#1581;&#1585;&#1587; &#1575;&#1604;&#1579;&#1608;&#1585;&#1610; &#1575;&#1604;&#1573;&#1610;&#1585;&#1575;&#1606;&#1610; &#1575;&#1604;&#1573;&#1585;&#1607;&#1575;&#1576;&#1610; &#1604;&#1604;&#1602;&#1610;&#1575;&#1605; &#1576;&#1571;&#1593;&#1605;&#1575;&#1604; &#1593;&#1583;&#1575;&#1574;&#1610;&#1577; &#1573;&#1585;&#1607;&#1575;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577; &#1590;&#1583; &#1605;&#1605;&#1604;&#1603;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1576;&#1581;&#1585;&#1610;&#1606;<a href="https://t.co/NI8Nvr2QUI">https://t.co/NI8Nvr2QUI</a></p>&mdash; &#1608;&#1603;&#1575;&#1604;&#1577; &#1571;&#1606;&#1576;&#1575;&#1569; &#1575;&#1604;&#1576;&#1581;&#1585;&#1610;&#1606; (@bna_ar) <a href="https://twitter.com/bna_ar/status/2054115440398414162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <p><span>Earlier this month, Bahraini authorities <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Bahrain-detains-41-people-over-alleged-IRGC-links" target="_blank">arrested</a> 41people accused of links to the IRGC and adherence to the ideology of Wilayatal-Faqih &mdash;a Shia political doctrine developed by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini&mdash; theInterior Ministry said.</span></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 14:15:11 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/US-ambassador-reveals-Israel-sent-Iron-Dome-battery-to-the-UAE</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/US-ambassador-reveals-Israel-sent-Iron-Dome-battery-to-the-UAE</guid>
      <title>US ambassador reveals Israel sent Iron Dome battery to the UAE</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778578298542.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Shafaq News- Middle East </em></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Israel had sent an Iron Dome air defense battery andpersonnel to the United Arab Emirates to help operate the system, US Ambassadorto Israel Mike Huckabee said on Tuesday. <p></p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Speaking at an event in Tel Aviv, Huckabee described therelations between Israel and the UAE as exceptional under the Abraham Accords,the 2020 normalization agreement that established diplomatic ties between bothsides.<p></p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Earlier, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with thematter, that Israel&rsquo;s Iron Dome air defense system, covertly deployed in theUnited Arab Emirates, intercepted a missile launched from Iran on May 4.&nbsp;<p></p>The UAE Ministry of Defense <a href="https://api.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/UAE-Kuwait-say-air-defenses-intercepted-Iranian-drones" target="_blank">announced</a> that its air defensesintercepted two drones launched from Iran, adding that Emirati defense systemshad participated in intercepting around 551 ballistic missiles, 29 cruisemissiles, and 2,265 drones since the start of the Iranian attacks.<p></p></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 12:37:44 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israeli-army-claims-operations-expanded-north-of-the-Litani-River-in-Lebanon</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israeli-army-claims-operations-expanded-north-of-the-Litani-River-in-Lebanon</guid>
      <title>Israeli army claims operations expanded north of the Litani River in Lebanon</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778586053897.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><!--?xml encoding="utf-8" ?--><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Shafaq News- Middle East </em></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had carried outmilitary operations north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, adding that itsAir Force has conducted more than 1,100 strikes targeting Hezbollah positionssince the start of the ceasefire understandings. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Claiming that more than 350 Hezbollah members had beenkilled recently, the military noted that Israeli forces operated for a fullweek on the outskirts of the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiya, where clashes withHezbollah fighters resulted in injuries among several Israeli soldiers.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Israel&rsquo;s Channel 14 reported that the army carried outengineering works over the Litani River to facilitate the movement of armoredvehicles and infantry during the upcoming phases of the fighting. The Egozcommando unit and the Golani Brigade reconnaissance battalion crossed theLitani River during a 10-day operation moving northward. &ldquo;The operation aimedto reach areas allegedly used to launch rockets and drones as part ofpreparations to expand military operations.&rdquo; </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, Israeli Army Radio said the military has begundeploying new systems inspired by tactics used in the Russia-Ukraine war toconfront Hezbollah <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israel-fails-to-counter-Hezbollah-drones" target="_blank">drones</a>. According to the report, the systems rely onrotating barbed-wire mechanisms designed to cut fiber-optic cables used in someHezbollah drones in an effort to reduce their operational effectiveness.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&ldquo;The Israeli plans also include integrating radar systemswith defensive networks and interceptor drones to strengthen detection andresponse capabilities against aerial attacks.&rdquo; </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The report revealed that &ldquo;tens of thousands of fragmentationrounds&rdquo; have arrived to be distributed among Israeli forces operating inLebanon as part of measures aimed at improving protection against drone attacksduring field operations.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Earlier, Israeli media outlets stated that the Israeli militaryis facing difficulties countering drones launched by Hezbollah as cross-borderhostilities intensified in southern Lebanon. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In recent weeks, Hezbollah has&nbsp;<a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Hezbollah-hits-Israeli-troops-after-strikes-kill-soldiers-civilians-in-south-Lebanon" target="_blank">intensified</a>&nbsp;its use of FPV (first-person view) dronesin attacks against Israeli forces deployed in several areas of southernLebanon. Videos released by the group show the drones targeting Israelisoldiers and military vehicles, while official Israeli figures indicate asignificant rise in casualties linked to Hezbollah drone attacks.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 11:56:21 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Hezbollah-chief-says-Iran-US-deal-could-help-end-conflict-in-Lebanon</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Hezbollah-chief-says-Iran-US-deal-could-help-end-conflict-in-Lebanon</guid>
      <title>Hezbollah chief says Iran-US deal could help end conflict in Lebanon</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778578099711.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Shafaq News- Beirut</em></p><p style="text-align: justify;">An agreement between <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-ties-Lebanon-ceasefire-and-oil-exports-to-broader-US-deal" target="_blank">Iran</a> and the United States thatincludes ending Israeli hostilities in Lebanon could be the strongest avenuefor halting the conflict, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem stated onTuesday, urging Lebanese authorities to withdraw from direct negotiations withIsrael. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In a message addressed to Hezbollah leaders, unit officials,and fighters, Qassem said the group was confronting &ldquo;an Israeli-Americanaggression&rdquo; aimed at subordinating Lebanon and turning it into part of &ldquo;GreaterIsrael,&rdquo; reaffirming that the group will not return to the conditions thatexisted before March 2. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">&ldquo;We will not submit or surrender, and we&rsquo;ll continue<a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israel-fails-to-counter-Hezbollah-drones" target="_blank">responding</a> to attacks and violations.&rdquo; </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Qassem added that responsibility for negotiations aimed atachieving Lebanon&rsquo;s sovereign objectives remains with the Lebanese state, expressingHezbollah&rsquo;s readiness to cooperate with Lebanese authorities to achieve &ldquo;fivepriorities&rdquo; which are: ending Israeli military operations against Lebanon byland, sea, and air; securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupiedLebanese territory; deploying the Lebanese army south of the Litani River;securing the release of detainees; ensuring the return of displaced residentsto their towns and villages; and reconstruction efforts.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&ldquo;Direct negotiations grant pure gains to Israel and amountto free concessions by the Lebanese government,&rdquo; he said, noting that issuesrelated to Hezbollah&rsquo;s weapons, the &ldquo;resistance movement,&rdquo; and Lebanon&rsquo;sinternal political arrangements should remain domestic matters. &ldquo;Once Lebanonachieves the five stated objectives, the country could organize its internalaffairs through a national security strategy,&rdquo; he stressed, referring toremarks made previously by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in his inauguraladdress.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 10:30:02 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-widens-Hormuz-operations-threatens-90-enrichment</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-widens-Hormuz-operations-threatens-90-enrichment</guid>
      <title>Iran widens Hormuz operations, threatens 90% enrichment</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778575701933.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p><em>Shafaq News- Tehran</em></p><p>Iran&rsquo;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) expanded on Tuesday theoperational scope of the Strait of Hormuz to include additional coastal andinland areas, as tensions rise over potential US military action againstTehran.</p><p>Mohammad Akbarzadeh, political assistant to the IRGC commander, noted thatthe expanded zone now covers the coasts of Jask and Sirri, along with areasbeyond the main islands, describing the region as carrying greater strategicimportance.</p><p>Earlier today, CNN <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/World/Trump-weighs-renewed-military-strikes-against-Iran" target="_blank">reported</a> that US President Donald Trump is increasinglyweighing military options against Iran, as frustration builds inside the WhiteHouse over stalled negotiations and ongoing tensions in the strategic maritimecorridor.</p><p>Meanwhile, Ibrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament&rsquo;sNational Security and Foreign Policy Committee, indicated that Tehran couldmove to raise uranium enrichment to 90% in the event of a new US strike, addingthat parliament is set to review the option.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fa" dir="rtl">&#1740;&#1705;&#1740; &#1575;&#1586; &#1711;&#1586;&#1740;&#1606;&#1607;&zwnj;&#1607;&#1575;&#1740; &#1575;&#1740;&#1585;&#1575;&#1606; &#1583;&#1585; &#1589;&#1608;&#1585;&#1578; &#1581;&#1605;&#1604;&#1607; &#1605;&#1580;&#1583;&#1583; &#1605;&#1740;&zwnj;&#1578;&#1608;&#1575;&#1606;&#1583; &#1594;&#1606;&#1740;&zwnj;&#1587;&#1575;&#1586;&#1740; &#1785;&#1776; &#1583;&#1585;&#1589;&#1583; &#1576;&#1575;&#1588;&#1583;. &#1583;&#1585; &#1605;&#1580;&#1604;&#1587; &#1576;&#1585;&#1585;&#1587;&#1740; &#1605;&#1740;&zwnj;&#1705;&#1606;&#1740;&#1605;.</p>&mdash; &#1575;&#1576;&#1585;&#1575;&#1607;&#1740;&#1605; &#1585;&#1590;&#1575;&#1740;&#1740; (@EbrahimRezaei14) <a href="https://twitter.com/EbrahimRezaei14/status/2054085978285854773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2026</a></blockquote>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 09:07:15 +0000</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-UN-Hormuz-resolution-must-account-for-US-aggressions</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-UN-Hormuz-resolution-must-account-for-US-aggressions</guid>
      <title>Iran: UN Hormuz resolution must account for US aggressions</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778563143371.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><!--?xml encoding="utf-8" ?--><!--?xml encoding="utf-8" ?--><!--?xml encoding="utf-8" ?--><p><span><em>Shafaq News- Tehran</em></span></p><p><span>Any United Nations <a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/US-pushes-UN-resolution-on-Hormuz-as-ship-hit-in-strait" target="_blank">resolution</a> on the Strait of Hormuzthat does not acknowledge for US military aggressions, sanctions, and pressureagainst Iran will be rejected, Tehran signalled on Tuesday, underlining itsclaim of a legitimate right to defend security and vital interests in thestrategic maritime passage.</span></p><p><span>In a press conference, Iranian Deputy Foreign GharibabadiKazem accused the United States and Israel&nbsp;ofplaying a direct role in fueling tensions in the region, arguing that a narrowfocus on freedom of navigation while overlooking broader regional dynamicswould produce a &ldquo;biased and politicized&rdquo; outcome.</span></p><p><span>&ldquo;The core issue is not merely the passage of ships in isolation,&rdquo; headded. &ldquo;The problem is that some countries are attempting to redefine theconsequences of their unlawful actions through the language of theinternational system,&rdquo; pointing out that such an approach would neither reducetensions nor strengthen maritime security.</span></p><p><span>The escalation began after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to impose restrictions on US- and Israeli-linkedshipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington later enforced anaval <a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/World/CENTCOM-US-redirected-61-ships-since-Iran-blockade-started" target="_blank">blockade</a> targeting Iranian ports, with US President Donald Trump DonaldTrump <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/World/Trump-alleges-Iranian-financial-collapse" target="_blank">describing</a> it as &ldquo;more effective than the bombing.&rdquo;</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 06:05:08 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israel-fails-to-counter-Hezbollah-drones</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israel-fails-to-counter-Hezbollah-drones</guid>
      <title>Israel fails to counter Hezbollah drones</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778528253227.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Shafaq News- Middle East</em></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Israeli military is facing difficulties counteringdrones launched by Hezbollah movement as cross-border hostilities intensifiedin southern Lebanon, Israeli media outlets reported on Monday. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Israel&rsquo;s Kan broadcaster said Israeli forces operatinginside Lebanon were coming under heavy fire from attack drones and rockets,while Channel 13 noted that the <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israel-plans-broader-ground-operations-Hezbollah-clashes-intensify-in-Lebanon" target="_blank">Israeli</a> military had distributed &ldquo;fishingnets&rdquo; to troops after failing to find an effective solution against the drones. Channel 14 described the situation as part of a &ldquo;policy of equations&rdquo; betweenIsrael and Hezbollah in Lebanon.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In recent weeks, Hezbollah has <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Hezbollah-hits-Israeli-troops-after-strikes-kill-soldiers-civilians-in-south-Lebanon" target="_blank">intensified</a> its use of FPV(first-person view) drones in attacks against Israeli forces deployed inseveral areas of southern Lebanon. Videos released by the group show the dronestargeting Israeli soldiers and military vehicles, while official Israelifigures indicate a significant rise in casualties linked to Hezbollah droneattacks.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 19:39:03 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Gunmen-kill-two-Syrian-soldiers-in-Al-Hasakah-countryside</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Gunmen-kill-two-Syrian-soldiers-in-Al-Hasakah-countryside</guid>
      <title>Gunmen kill two Syrian soldiers in al-Hasakah countryside</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778504186984.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p><em><span>Shafaq News- Damascus</span></em></p><p><span>Two Syrian soldiers were killed andseveral others wounded on Monday after unidentified gunmen targeted a militarytransport bus in the countryside of al-Hasakah province, northeastern Syria.</span></p><p><span>In a statement carried by state-run SANA, the Syrian Defense Ministry said the bus came under fire west of theal-Aliyah silos, without providing further details on the number of wounded orthe nature of the incident.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">&#1573;&#1583;&#1575;&#1585;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1573;&#1593;&#1604;&#1575;&#1605; &#1608;&#1575;&#1604;&#1575;&#1578;&#1589;&#1575;&#1604; &#1601;&#1610; &#1608;&#1586;&#1575;&#1585;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1583;&#1601;&#1575;&#1593; &#1604;&#1600; &#1587;&#1575;&#1606;&#1575;: &#1575;&#1587;&#1578;&#1588;&#1607;&#1575;&#1583; &#1575;&#1579;&#1606;&#1610;&#1606; &#1605;&#1606; &#1580;&#1606;&#1608;&#1583; &#1575;&#1604;&#1580;&#1610;&#1588; &#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610; &#1575;&#1604;&#1587;&#1608;&#1585;&#1610; &#1608;&#1573;&#1589;&#1575;&#1576;&#1577; &#1570;&#1582;&#1585;&#1610;&#1606;&#1548; &#1580;&#1585;&#1575;&#1569; &#1575;&#1587;&#1578;&#1607;&#1583;&#1575;&#1601; &#1594;&#1575;&#1583;&#1585; &#1605;&#1606; &#1602;&#1576;&#1604; &#1605;&#1580;&#1607;&#1608;&#1604;&#1610;&#1606; &#1604;&#1576;&#1575;&#1589; &#1605;&#1576;&#1610;&#1578; &#1594;&#1585;&#1576; &#1589;&#1608;&#1575;&#1605;&#1593; &#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1575;&#1604;&#1610;&#1577; &#1576;&#1585;&#1610;&#1601; &#1575;&#1604;&#1581;&#1587;&#1603;&#1577;.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#&#1587;&#1575;&#1606;&#1575;</a> <a href="https://t.co/oVWrMdFBb1">pic.twitter.com/oVWrMdFBb1</a></p>&mdash; &#1575;&#1604;&#1608;&#1603;&#1575;&#1604;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1587;&#1608;&#1585;&#1610;&#1577; &#1604;&#1604;&#1571;&#1606;&#1576;&#1575;&#1569; - &#1587;&#1575;&#1606;&#1575; (@Sana__gov) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sana__gov/status/2053810267079811383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2026</a></blockquote>  <p><span>Shafaq News correspondent affirmedthat the injured were transferred to Ras al-Ain Hospital following the incidenton the M4 highway. </span></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 13:45:33 +0000</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israel-plans-broader-ground-operations-Hezbollah-clashes-intensify-in-Lebanon</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israel-plans-broader-ground-operations-Hezbollah-clashes-intensify-in-Lebanon</guid>
      <title>Israel plans broader ground operations, Hezbollah clashes intensify in Lebanon</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778495796116.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p><span><em>Shafaq News- Beirut</em></span></p><p><span>The Israeli army is preparing to expand its groundoperations in Lebanon amid &ldquo;continued Hezbollahviolations,&rdquo; Israel&rsquo;s Channel 12 reported on Monday, as airstrikes andartillery shelling intensified across southern Lebanon and the western Beqaa.</span></p><p><span>An Israeli military helicopter also experienced atechnical malfunction during an operation to evacuate wounded troops fromsouthern Lebanon. Israeli media suggested that a system allegedly deployed byHezbollah fighters against drones may have contributed to the malfunction,forcing the aircraft to remain grounded until recovery teams secured it. However,the army denied that the helicopter &ldquo;came under enemy fire.&rdquo;</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">&#1502;&#1493;&#1511;&#1491;&#1501; &#1497;&#1493;&#1514;&#1512; &#1492;&#1497;&#1493;&#1501;, &#1489;&#1502;&#1492;&#1500;&#1498; &#1508;&#1506;&#1497;&#1500;&#1493;&#1514; &#1513;&#1500; &#1495;&#1497;&#1500; &#1492;&#1488;&#1493;&#1493;&#1497;&#1512; &#1500;&#1508;&#1497;&#1504;&#1493;&#1497; &#1508;&#1510;&#1493;&#1506;&#1497;&#1501; &#1489;&#1491;&#1512;&#1493;&#1501; &#1500;&#1489;&#1504;&#1493;&#1503;, &#1488;&#1495;&#1491; &#1492;&#1502;&#1505;&#1493;&#1511;&#1497;&#1501; &#1504;&#1495;&#1514; &#1489;&#1502;&#1512;&#1495;&#1489; &#1492;&#1495;&#1497;&#1500;&#1493;&#1509; &#1500;&#1500;&#1488; &#1497;&#1499;&#1493;&#1500;&#1514; &#1500;&#1492;&#1502;&#1512;&#1497;&#1488; &#1502;&#1495;&#1491;&#1513; &#1489;&#1506;&#1511;&#1489;&#1493;&#1514; &#1514;&#1511;&#1500;&#1492; &#1496;&#1499;&#1504;&#1497;&#1514;.&#1502;&#1505;&#1493;&#1511; &#1504;&#1493;&#1505;&#1507; &#1492;&#1493;&#1494;&#1504;&#1511; &#1500;&#1508;&#1497;&#1504;&#1493;&#1497; &#1492;&#1508;&#1510;&#1493;&#1506;&#1497;&#1501;.&#1492;&#1510;&#1493;&#1493;&#1514;&#1497;&#1501; &#1492;&#1496;&#1499;&#1504;&#1497;&#1497;&#1501; &#1513;&#1500; &#1495;&#1497;&#1500; &#1492;&#1488;&#1493;&#1493;&#1497;&#1512; &#1514;&#1497;&#1511;&#1504;&#1493; &#1488;&#1514; &#1492;&#1514;&#1511;&#1500;&#1492;. &#1492;&#1502;&#1505;&#1493;&#1511; &#1492;&#1502;&#1512;&#1497;&#1488; &#1502;&#1492;&#1502;&#1512;&#1495;&#1489; &#1489;&#1489;&#1496;&#1495;&#1492;.&#1492;&#1502;&#1505;&#1493;&#1511; &#1500;&#1488; &#1504;&#1508;&#1490;&#1506; &#1502;&#1488;&#1513; &#1488;&#1493;&#1497;&#1489;</p>&mdash; &#1510;&#1489;&#1488; &#1492;&#1492;&#1490;&#1504;&#1492; &#1500;&#1497;&#1513;&#1512;&#1488;&#1500; (@idfonline) <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/2053781188427333926?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <p><span>Lebanese media reported continued Israeli strikestargeting multiple areas in the Nabatieh, Tyre, Bint Jbeil, and western Beqaadistricts, including artillery shelling and drone attacks.</span></p><p><span>In the town of Zibdine, a drone strike reportedlykilled two people while they were distributing bread to residents using amunicipal vehicle. Another airstrike in the southern town of Abba killed a78-year-old woman and her 11-year-old grandson after the house they were incollapsed, while four other civilians, including the boy&rsquo;s mother, were wounded.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">&#1605;&#1585;&#1575;&#1587;&#1604; &#1575;&#1604;&#1580;&#1583;&#1610;&#1583;: &#1594;&#1575;&#1585;&#1578;&#1575;&#1606; &#1575;&#1587;&#1585;&#1575;&#1574;&#1610;&#1604;&#1610;&#1578;&#1575;&#1606; &#1575;&#1587;&#1578;&#1607;&#1583;&#1601;&#1578;&#1575; &#1576;&#1604;&#1583;&#1577; &#1580;&#1585;&#1580;&#1608;&#1593; &#1602;&#1590;&#1575;&#1569; &#1575;&#1604;&#1606;&#1576;&#1591;&#1610;&#1577; <a href="https://t.co/XtclAVVV09">pic.twitter.com/XtclAVVV09</a></p>&mdash; Al Jadeed News (@ALJADEEDNEWS) <a href="https://twitter.com/ALJADEEDNEWS/status/2053822400249163946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <p><span>Lebanese authorities have recorded more than 8,500Israeli raids since March 2, which, according to the Health Ministry, havekilled 2,869 people and injured 8,730 others, including women and children.</span></p><p><span>Hezbollah, meanwhile, said its fighters targeted anIsraeli Merkava tank in the town of Reshaf with a &ldquo;suicide drone,&rdquo; claiming adirect hit. The group characterized the attack as &ldquo;a response to Israeliceasefire violations and strikes on southern Lebanese villages that causedcivilian casualties.&rdquo;</span></p><p><span>The group&rsquo;s fighters, it added, launched asurface-to-air missile at an Israeli military drone over the Tyre area, citing Israeliviolations of the Lebanese airspace.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">&#1575;&#1604;&#1573;&#1593;&#1604;&#1575;&#1605; &#1575;&#1604;&#1581;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610; &#1610;&#1606;&#1588;&#1585; &#1605;&#1588;&#1575;&#1607;&#1583; &#1604;&#1593;&#1605;&#1604;&#1610;&#1577; &#1575;&#1587;&#1578;&#1607;&#1583;&#1575;&#1601; &#1570;&#1604;&#1610;&#1575;&#1578; &#1578;&#1575;&#1576;&#1593;&#1577; &#1604;&#1580;&#1610;&#1588; &#1575;&#1604;&#1575;&#1581;&#1578;&#1604;&#1575;&#1604; &#1575;&#1604;&#1573;&#1587;&#1585;&#1575;&#1574;&#1610;&#1604;&#1610;&#1548; &#1571;&#1579;&#1606;&#1575;&#1569; &#1605;&#1581;&#1575;&#1608;&#1604;&#1578;&#1607;&#1575; &#1575;&#1604;&#1578;&#1602;&#1583;&#1605; &#1576;&#1575;&#1578;&#1580;&#1575;&#1607; &#1576;&#1604;&#1583;&#1577; &#1576;&#1610;&#1608;&#1578; &#1575;&#1604;&#1587;&#1610;&#1617;&#1575;&#1583; &#1580;&#1606;&#1608;&#1576;&#1610; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#&#1604;&#1576;&#1606;&#1575;&#1606;</a>&#1548; &#1576;&#1575;&#1604;&#1571;&#1587;&#1604;&#1581;&#1577; &#1575;&#1604;&#1605;&#1606;&#1575;&#1587;&#1576;&#1577;.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86_%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#&#1575;&#1604;&#1605;&#1610;&#1575;&#1583;&#1610;&#1606;_&#1604;&#1576;&#1606;&#1575;&#1606;</a> <a href="https://t.co/eaqWz20ppq">pic.twitter.com/eaqWz20ppq</a></p>&mdash; &#1575;&#1604;&#1605;&#1610;&#1575;&#1583;&#1610;&#1606; &#1604;&#1576;&#1606;&#1575;&#1606; (@mayadeenlebanon) <a href="https://twitter.com/mayadeenlebanon/status/2053814789483233679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <p><span>On the Israeli side, the army confirmed the death of asoldier in a drone explosion targeting forces near the Manara border area,raising the number of Israeli troops killed since March 2 to 18.</span></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 13:16:30 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israel-demands-immediate-evacuation-from-9-Southern-Lebanese-villages-2</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israel-demands-immediate-evacuation-from-9-Southern-Lebanese-villages-2</guid>
      <title>Israel demands evacuation of 9 villages in South Lebanon</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778488612560.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p><span><em>ShafaqNews- Beirut</em></span></p><p><span>Israel onMonday ordered residents of nine towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate, linkingthe move to imminent air and artillery operations targeting Hezbollah positionsin the area.</span></p><p><span>Accordingto Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli Army, the evacuation warningcovered al-Rihan (Jezzine), Jarjouh, Kfar Roummane, al-Nemiriyeh, Arabsalim,Jemjim, Mashghara, Qaliya in Western Bekaa, and Harouf.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%84?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#&#1593;&#1575;&#1580;&#1604;</a> &#8252;&#65039;&#1575;&#1606;&#1584;&#1575;&#1585; &#1593;&#1575;&#1580;&#1604; &#1575;&#1604;&#1609; &#1587;&#1603;&#1575;&#1606; &#1604;&#1576;&#1606;&#1575;&#1606; &#1575;&#1604;&#1605;&#1578;&#1608;&#1575;&#1580;&#1583;&#1610;&#1606; &#1601;&#1610; &#1575;&#1604;&#1576;&#1604;&#1583;&#1575;&#1578; &#1608;&#1575;&#1604;&#1602;&#1585;&#1609; &#1575;&#1604;&#1578;&#1575;&#1604;&#1610;&#1577;: &#1575;&#1604;&#1585;&#1610;&#1581;&#1575;&#1606; (&#1580;&#1586;&#1610;&#1606;), &#1580;&#1585;&#1580;&#1608;&#1593;, &#1705;&#1601;&#1585; &#1585;&#1605;&#1575;&#1606;, &#1575;&#1604;&#1606;&#1605;&#1610;&#1585;&#1610;&#1577;, &#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1589;&#1575;&#1604;&#1610;&#1605;, &#1580;&#1605;&#1610;&#1580;&#1605;&#1577;, &#1605;&#1588;&#1594;&#1585;&#1577;, &#1602;&#1604;&#1575;&#1610;&#1575; (&#1575;&#1604;&#1576;&#1602;&#1575;&#1593; &#1575;&#1604;&#1594;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;), &#1581;&#1575;&#1585;&#1608;&#1601;&#128312;&#1601;&#1610; &#1590;&#1608;&#1569; &#1602;&#1610;&#1575;&#1605; &#1581;&#1586;&#1576; &#1575;&#1604;&#1604;&#1607; &#1575;&#1604;&#1575;&#1585;&#1607;&#1575;&#1576;&#1610; &#1576;&#1582;&#1585;&#1602; &#1575;&#1578;&#1601;&#1575;&#1602; &#1608;&#1602;&#1601; &#1575;&#1591;&#1604;&#1575;&#1602; &#1575;&#1604;&#1606;&#1575;&#1585; &#1610;&#1590;&#1591;&#1585; &#1580;&#1610;&#1588; &#1575;&#1604;&#1583;&#1601;&#1575;&#1593; &#1593;&#1604;&#1609; &#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1605;&#1604; &#1590;&#1583;&#1607; &#1576;&#1602;&#1608;&#1577;. &#1580;&#1610;&#1588; &#1575;&#1604;&#1583;&#1601;&#1575;&#1593; &#1604;&#1575;&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/ySj1xymiiD">pic.twitter.com/ySj1xymiiD</a></p>&mdash; &#1575;&#1601;&#1610;&#1582;&#1575;&#1610; &#1575;&#1583;&#1585;&#1593;&#1610; (@AvichayAdraee) <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/2053717335651881105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2026</a></blockquote>  <p><span>Lebanesemedia outlets counted nine strikes on Yuhmor al-Shaqif, Toul, and Choukine.Additional raids hit Aaba in the Nabatieh district, along with 13 separateattacks recorded since the morning across several parts of the same district.No casualties were reported, though extensive material damage was documented.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">&#128204;&#1594;&#1575;&#1585;&#1577; &#1593;&#1604;&#1609; &#1603;&#1601;&#1585;&#1605;&#1575;&#1606; &#1602;&#1590;&#1575;&#1569; &#1575;&#1604;&#1606;&#1576;&#1591;&#1610;&#1577; <a href="https://t.co/wjuQQee8Ep">pic.twitter.com/wjuQQee8Ep</a></p>&mdash; Al Jadeed News (@ALJADEEDNEWS) <a href="https://twitter.com/ALJADEEDNEWS/status/2053731354467074254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <p><span>AnIsraeli drone attack on Serbin was followed by another assault on Yater,resulting in the death of one person. Operations were still ongoing at the timeof writing.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">&#1594;&#1575;&#1585;&#1575;&#1578; &#1608;&#1602;&#1589;&#1601; &#1604;&#1576;&#1604;&#1583;&#1575;&#1578; &#1601;&#1610; &#1602;&#1590;&#1575;&#1569;&#1610; &#1576;&#1606;&#1578; &#1580;&#1576;&#1610;&#1604; &#1608;&#1605;&#1585;&#1580;&#1593;&#1610;&#1608;&#1606; &#1608;&#1587;&#1602;&#1608;&#1591; &#1588;&#1607;&#1610;&#1583; &#1601;&#1610; &#1610;&#1575;&#1591;&#1585; <a href="https://t.co/PNNHwY4qnh">https://t.co/PNNHwY4qnh</a></p>&mdash; National News Agency (@NNALeb) <a href="https://twitter.com/NNALeb/status/2053748641911742956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <p><span>Lebaneseauthorities have logged more than 8,500 Israeli raids since March 2, which,according to Health Ministry figures, have killed 2,846 people and injured8,693 others, including women and children.</span></p><p><span>Hezbollah,meanwhile, stated it has responded to &ldquo;repeated Israeli ceasefire violations&rdquo;with a swarm drone assault on Israeli forces positioned inside a house in thevillage of al-Taybeh, claiming &ldquo;direct hits.&rdquo; In separate statements, the groupdetailed a second drone attack against the same force, which led to evacuationsof casualties under fire. A third operation targeted a supporting Israeli unitin the same area, after which Israeli </span><span>helicoptersreportedly intervened to evacuate wounded personnel under heavy smoke cover.</span></p><p><span>The groupalso noted launching rockets at a gathering of Israeli vehicles and soldiersbetween Wadi al-Ayoun and the village of Serbin.</span></p><p><span>On theIsraeli side, the Army confirmed the death of a soldier in a drone explosiontargeting forces in the Manara area along the Lebanese border, raising thetotal number of Israeli soldiers killed since March 2 to 18.</span></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 08:56:54 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Tehran-hangs-satellite-spy-over-CIA-Mossad-ties</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Tehran-hangs-satellite-spy-over-CIA-Mossad-ties</guid>
      <title>Tehran hangs "satellite spy" over CIA-Mossad ties</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778485172434.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p><span><em>Shafaq News- Tehran</em></span></p><p><span>Iran on Monday executed a man convicted of spying for the US CentralIntelligence Agency (CIA) and Israel&rsquo;s Mossad intelligence service, thejudiciary-affiliated Mizan News reported.</span></p><p><span>Judicial documents cited by the outlet indicated that ErfanShakourzadeh, also known as the &ldquo;satellite spy,&rdquo; cooperated with the twointelligence services in exchange for money and a US passport. He was foundguilty of transmitting sensitive information, including lists of employees anddetails of ongoing projects. The cooperation unfolded in three stages, with twoinvolving Mossad and one involving the CIA.</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fa" dir="rtl">&#1593;&#1585;&#1601;&#1575;&#1606; &#1588;&#1705;&#1608;&#1585;&#1586;&#1575;&#1583;&#1607; &#1605;&#1578;&#1582;&#1589;&#1589;&#1740; &#1705;&#1607; &#1578;&#1604;&#1575;&#1588; &#1583;&#1575;&#1588;&#1578; &#1575;&#1591;&#1604;&#1575;&#1593;&#1575;&#1578; &#1581;&#1608;&#1586;&#1607; &#1605;&#1575;&#1607;&#1608;&#1575;&#1585;&#1607;&zwnj;&#1575;&#1740; &#1575;&#1740;&#1585;&#1575;&#1606; &#1585;&#1575; &#1583;&#1585; &#1575;&#1582;&#1578;&#1740;&#1575;&#1585; &#1605;&#1608;&#1587;&#1575;&#1583; &#1608; &#1587;&#1740;&#1575; &#1578;&#1576;&#1583;&#1740;&#1604; &#1602;&#1585;&#1575;&#1585; &#1583;&#1607;&#1583;.&#1662;&#1582;&#1588; &#1605;&#1587;&#1578;&#1606;&#1583; &#1705;&#1575;&#1605;&#1604; &#1575;&#1593;&#1578;&#1585;&#1575;&#1601;&#1575;&#1578; &#1608; &#1575;&#1602;&#1583;&#1575;&#1605;&#1575;&#1578; &#1711;&#1587;&#1578;&#1585;&#1583;&#1607; &#1588;&#1705;&#1608;&#1585;&#1586;&#1575;&#1583;&#1607; &#1593;&#1604;&#1740;&#1607; &#1575;&#1605;&#1740;&#1606;&#1578; &#1605;&#1604;&#1740; &#1605;&#1585;&#1583;&#1605; &#1575;&#1740;&#1585;&#1575;&#1606; &#1575;&#1605;&#1588;&#1576; &#1575;&#1586; &#1582;&#1576;&#1585; &#1778;&#1776;:&#1779;&#1776; &#1585;&#1587;&#1575;&#1606;&#1607; &#1605;&#1604;&#1740;<a href="https://t.co/Exeqq95bdw">https://t.co/Exeqq95bdw</a> <a href="https://t.co/lHqOS997wR">pic.twitter.com/lHqOS997wR</a></p>&mdash; &#1582;&#1576;&#1585;&#1711;&#1586;&#1575;&#1585;&#1740; &#1605;&#1740;&#1586;&#1575;&#1606; (@MizanNewsAgency) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizanNewsAgency/status/2053736990000980132?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <p><span>Iran frequently discloses arrests and executions of individuals accusedof spying, particularly in cases linked to foreign intelligence services. OnMay 2, authorities <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-executes-two-convicted-of-spying-for-Israel" target="_blank">executed</a> two men after convicting them of working withIsrael&rsquo;s Mossad and plotting an attack on key military sites in Tehran.</span></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 07:48:27 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-ties-Lebanon-ceasefire-and-oil-exports-to-broader-US-deal</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-ties-Lebanon-ceasefire-and-oil-exports-to-broader-US-deal</guid>
      <title>Iran ties Lebanon ceasefire and oil exports to broader US deal</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778442990404.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><!--?xml encoding="utf-8" ?--><!--?xml encoding="utf-8" ?--><p><em>Shafaq News- Tehran</em></p><p>Iran has linked any broader understanding with Washington to ending hostilities in Lebanon*, treating it as a non-negotiable &ldquo;red line,&rdquo; and easing restrictions on its oil exports, according to Tasnim News Agency.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-sends-response-to-US-proposal-via-Pakistan" target="_blank">response</a> also calls for guarantees ensuring an end to military operations before advancing toward wider arrangements. Economically, Iran demanded the removal of <a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/World/US-expands-sanctions-targeting-Iran-maritime-networks" target="_blank">restrictions</a> imposed by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on its oil sector, alongside the release of frozen Iranian assets abroad.</p><p>The proposal additionally includes recognition of Iran&rsquo;s role in managing the Strait of Hormuz within future maritime and security understandings.</p><p>According to the agency, Tehran <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-proposes-phased-Hormuz-reopening-but-rejects-key-US-nuclear-demands" target="_blank">proposed</a> an immediate halt to the war once an agreement is announced, followed by a 30-day phase of technical and legal negotiations. Iran also suggested a &ldquo;reciprocal steps&rdquo; mechanism designed to test Washington&rsquo;s willingness to implement commitments before moving to a final agreement.</p><p>Indirect communication between Tehran and Washington continues through written exchanges carried via Pakistani channels despite ongoing regional tensions.</p><p><em><a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Report/Force-without-a-finish-line-Iran-is-losing-the-war-the-US-is-losing-the-endgame" target="_blank">Read more: Force without a finish line: Iran is losing the war, the US is losing the endgame</a></em></p><p><em>*Lebanon&rsquo;s Health Ministry said the cumulative toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 has reached 2,846 killed and 8,693 wounded. Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morcos said authorities documented 818 airstrikes and 270 demolition operations between April 17 and May 8.</em></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 20:27:08 +0000</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-proposes-phased-Hormuz-reopening-but-rejects-key-US-nuclear-demands</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-proposes-phased-Hormuz-reopening-but-rejects-key-US-nuclear-demands</guid>
      <title>Iran proposes phased Hormuz reopening but rejects key US nuclear demands</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778441484863.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><!--?xml encoding="utf-8" ?--><p><em>Shafaq News- Washington/ Tehran</em></p><p>Iran&rsquo;s formal response to the latest US proposal for ending the regional war failed to satisfy key American demands over Tehran&rsquo;s nuclear program and stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to a report published Sunday by The Wall Street Journal.</p><p>Citing informed sources, the newspaper indicated that Tehran submitted a multi-page <a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-sends-response-to-US-proposal-via-Pakistan" target="_blank">response</a> that included several counterproposals but stopped short of accepting core US <a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Tehran-and-Washington-divided-over-US-proposal" target="_blank">conditions</a> tied to long-term nuclear guarantees.</p><p>According to the report, Iran proposed diluting part of its highly enriched uranium stockpile while transferring the remaining material to a third country other than the United States.</p><p>Tehran also suggested linking a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to the lifting of the US maritime blockade on Iranian ports, alongside a broader ceasefire arrangement.</p><p>The report added that Iran requested guarantees ensuring the return of transferred uranium if negotiations collapse in the future.</p><p>Iran also expressed willingness to suspend uranium enrichment for a period shorter than the 20-year freeze reportedly sought by Washington, while firmly rejecting any dismantling of its nuclear facilities.</p><p><em><a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/Report/Force-without-a-finish-line-Iran-is-losing-the-war-the-US-is-losing-the-endgame" target="_blank">Read more: Iran is losing the war, the US is losing the endgame</a></em></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 19:39:47 +0000</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Trump-Iran-s-delay-tactics-will-no-longer-work-on-Washington</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Trump-Iran-s-delay-tactics-will-no-longer-work-on-Washington</guid>
      <title>Trump: Iran’s “delay tactics” will no longer work on Washington</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1775335890219.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p><em>Shafaq News- Washington</em></p><p>US President Donald Trump on Sunday accused Iran of &ldquo;playing games&rdquo; with the United States and the international community for nearly five decades, as Washington reviews Tehran&rsquo;s latest ceasefire response delivered through Pakistani mediation.</p><p>In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed Iran had relied on &ldquo;delay, delay, delay&rdquo; tactics for 47 years, while sharply criticizing former President Barack Obama over the 2015 nuclear agreement.</p><iframe src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116551553302876569/embed" class="truthsocial-embed" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><p>Trump alleged that Obama provided Iran with &ldquo;hundreds of billions of dollars&rdquo; and accused his administration of transferring $1.7 billion in cash to Tehran, describing the move as giving Iran &ldquo;a major and very powerful new lease on life.&rdquo;</p><p>He further claimed Iran used the period to strengthen itself while continuing regional activities hostile to US interests, adding that &ldquo;they will be laughing no longer.&rdquo;</p><p>The remarks came hours after US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz stated that Iran &ldquo;cannot hold the world economy hostage&rdquo; through restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz.</p><p>Waltz confirmed that the US administration is currently reviewing Iran&rsquo;s latest response, while indicating that Trump continues to give diplomacy &ldquo;every opportunity&rdquo; before considering renewed military action.</p><p>Earlier today, Iran <a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-sends-response-to-US-proposal-via-Pakistan" target="_blank">sent</a> its response to the latest US proposal aimed at ending the war in the region through a Pakistani mediator. The proposed <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/World/US-awaits-Iran-decision-on-proposal-to-end-war" target="_blank">plan</a> currently focuses on &ldquo;ending the war in the region,&rdquo; without providing further details about the contents of Tehran&rsquo;s response.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 19:15:54 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Explosive-drone-hits-northern-Israel-as-sirens-sound-near-Lebanon-border</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Explosive-drone-hits-northern-Israel-as-sirens-sound-near-Lebanon-border</guid>
      <title>Explosive drone hits northern Israel as sirens sound near Lebanon border</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778429969907.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p><em>Shafaq News- Middle East</em></p><p>An explosive-laden drone crashed in the Margaliot area of northern Israel on Sunday, sparking a fire near the Lebanese border, according to Israeli authorities and the military.</p><p>Israel&rsquo;s Fire and Rescue Authority said the blaze erupted in the Upper Galilee settlement after the drone impact. At the same time, Israel&rsquo;s Home Front Command reported that sirens sounded in the towns of Zar&rsquo;it and Shomera following the detection of a drone infiltration from Lebanon.</p><p>The Israeli military stated that interceptor missiles were launched toward drones operating in areas where Israeli forces are active in southern Lebanon.</p><p>Israeli media also reported that two interceptor missiles exploded over the western sector of southern Lebanon amid the ongoing security developments along the border.</p><p>The escalation comes as Lebanon&rsquo;s Health Ministry said the cumulative toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 has reached 2,846 killed and 8,693 wounded. Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morcos said authorities documented 818 airstrikes and 270 demolition operations between April 17 and May 8, adding that the Lebanese delegation intends to use the figures during upcoming <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Trump-Lebanon-and-Israel-agree-to-10-day-ceasefire" target="_blank">talks</a> to press for an end to Israeli attacks.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 18:37:55 +0000</pubDate>
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      <link>https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Tehran-and-Washington-divided-over-US-proposal</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Tehran-and-Washington-divided-over-US-proposal</guid>
      <title>Tehran and Washington divided over US proposal</title>
      <enclosure url="https://media.shafaq.com/media/arcella/1778427124543.webp"/>
      <category><![CDATA[Middle East]]></category>
      <description><![CDATA[<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p><em>Shafaq News- Tehran/ Washington</em></p><p>Disagreements persist between Tehran and Washington, afterIran sent its <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-sends-response-to-US-proposal-via-Pakistan" target="_blank">response</a> through Pakistani mediators to the latest American plan toend the Middle East war, US media outlets reported on Sunday.</p><p><strong>Strait of Hormuz</strong></p><p>Tehran views its control over the Strait of Hormuz as amajor source of leverage in negotiations with Washington, which is not acceptingIran&rsquo;s control over the waterway, and despite international opposition, the UnitedStates imposed a &ldquo;tight&rdquo; <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/World/Trump-threatens-Project-Freedom-Plus-if-Iran-diplomacy-fails" target="_blank">blockade</a> on Iranian ports, presenting the measure as akey tool to pressure Tehran toward an agreement. </p><p><strong>Uranium Enrichment</strong></p><p>The United States maintains that Iran seeks to develop anuclear weapon, an accusation Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear activitiesare intended solely for peaceful purposes.</p><p>Washington wants Iran to suspend enrichment activities for20 years and surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, demands Tehranrejects while defending what it describes as its right to <a href="https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Tehran-vows-no-nuclear-weapons-amid-US-negotiations" target="_blank">enrichment</a>.</p><p><strong>Ballistic Missiles</strong></p><p>Before the war, Washington had demanded limits on the rangeof Iranian ballistic missiles to prevent them from reaching Israel, though itremains unclear whether the US will continue insisting on such restrictionsafter claiming recent military operations weakened Iran&rsquo;s missile stockpile.Tehran, however, continues to reject negotiations over its ballistic missileprogram, arguing that its conventional weapons capabilities are non-negotiableand maintaining that it still possesses a large missile arsenal.</p><p><strong>Sanctions and Frozen Assets</strong></p><p>Tehran is seeking relief from US sanctions, the release offrozen Iranian assets abroad, and compensation for war-related damages, thoughthere appears to be little indication Washington is prepared to acceptcompensation demands. It also remains unclear whether Iran will continueinsisting on the issue as a condition for a broader agreement.</p><p><strong>Hezbollah</strong></p><p>Iran insists that any peace agreement must include anIsraeli halt to the war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, a condition Israelrejects, as attention turns to how the US administration will respond toTehran&rsquo;s latest reply to the proposal.</p><p> <a href="https://shafaq.com/en/Report/Force-without-a-finish-line-Iran-is-losing-the-war-the-US-is-losing-the-endgame" target="_blank"><em>Read more: Force without a finish line: Iran is losing the war, the US is losing the endgame</em></a></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 18:02:44 +0000</pubDate>
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