AL-MONITOR: The Pulse of The Middle East

US, Iran trade strikes despite visas for World Cup footballers

2026-06-06T01:30:18-0400

New attacks in the Middle East on Friday threatened to unravel an already fragile US-Iran ceasefire, even as American officials confirmed that Tehran's football players had received visas for the World Cup.

Weeks of complex talks marked by threats and flare-ups of violence have failed to secure a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for global energy flows.

A ceasefire in the Middle East war, triggered nearly 100 days ago by US and Israeli strikes that wiped out Iran's top leadership, has been in place since April 8.

US attacks Iranian coastal sites after Iran launches drones in latest flare-up

2026-06-05T20:36:38-0400

By Ahmed Elimam, Jana Choukeir and Phil Stewart

DUBAI/WASHINGTON, June 6 (Reuters) - U.S. forces struck Iranian coastal radar sites on Saturday after shooting down drones launched by Iran toward the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. military said, in the latest escalation complicating efforts to end the war between the two countries.

Trump, campaigning for Republicans in Wisconsin, vows quick end to Iran war

2026-06-05T18:36:38-0400

By Renee Hickman and Bo Erickson

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wisconsin, June 5 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday vowed to end the Iran war quickly and remove a source of high prices as he campaigned in rural central Wisconsin in a bid to help Republicans keep control of Congress in midterm elections.

The stop in Chippewa Falls highlighted Republicans' strategy to maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, as the party faces political headwinds with voters frustrated by higher costs of living and gasoline prices that have spiked due to Trump's war on Iran.

Palestinian baby killed by Israeli gunfire in occupied West Bank, health ministry says

2026-06-05T18:01:40-0400

June 5 (Reuters) - A seven-month-old Palestinian baby was killed and his parents were wounded by Israeli gunfire in the Tel Rumeida area south of the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday evening, the Palestinian health ministry said.

The ministry identified the infant as Sam Fahd Abu Haikal and said he was killed at the scene, while his parents were wounded in the shooting and were in moderate condition.

In first, Israeli journalist appears on Lebanon's LBCI TV: What to know

Adam Lucente — 2026-06-05T16:30:11-0400

Barak Ravid spoke to LBCI about his own interview with a senior Lebanese official recently, though Lebanon’s law criminalizing interactions with Israel remains on the books.

In first, Israeli journalist appears on Lebanon's LBCI TV: What to know

Adam Lucente — 2026-06-05T16:30:11-0400

Barak Ravid spoke to LBCI about his own interview with a senior Lebanese official recently, though Lebanon’s law criminalizing interactions with Israel remains on the books.

In first, Israeli journalist appears on Lebanon's LBCI TV: What to know

Adam Lucente — 2026-06-05T16:30:11-0400

Barak Ravid spoke to LBCI about his own interview with a senior Lebanese official recently, though Lebanon’s law criminalizing interactions with Israel remains on the books.

In first, Israeli journalist appears on Lebanon's LBCI TV: What to know

Adam Lucente — 2026-06-05T16:30:11-0400

Barak Ravid spoke to LBCI about his own interview with a senior Lebanese official recently, though Lebanon’s law criminalizing interactions with Israel remains on the books.

Witkoff, Kushner meet nuclear experts at national lab in Tennessee, source says

2026-06-05T16:01:47-0400

WASHINGTON, June 5 (Reuters) - U.S. President ‌Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner traveled to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee on Thursday to consult with experts that could play a role in nuclear negotiations with Iran, a source familiar with the trip said on Friday.

The source, confirming an Axios report, did not provide additional details.

President Donald Trump is adamant that any deal to end the war with Iran include a provision that Tehran will not develop a nuclear weapon.

UN blames online disinformation for protests outside Libya offices

2026-06-05T15:36:37-0400

June 5 (Reuters) - The United Nations said on Friday it is deeply concerned by violent protests outside its offices in Libya this week and blamed social media for fueling disinformation about the world body's work in the country.

Hundreds of Libyan demonstrators blocked off the office of the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) in Tripoli on Thursday during a protest against migrants who travel to Libya in search of work or passage to Europe.

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

Amberin Zaman — 2026-06-05T12:16:39-0400

In an interview from Yerevan, Armenian opposition candidate Arman Tatoyan denies pro-Russian ties and says he would deepen cooperation with the European Union and the United States while pursuing a gradual approach to relations with Moscow.

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

Amberin Zaman — 2026-06-05T12:16:39-0400

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

Amberin Zaman — 2026-06-05T12:16:39-0400

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

Amberin Zaman — 2026-06-05T12:16:39-0400

Algeria begins work on Trans-Saharan gas pipeline to Europe

Jack Dutton — 2026-06-05T12:09:59-0400

Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach will build a section of the pipeline and connect it to an existing system in the southwestern Aoulef region that supplies Europe.

Algeria begins work on Trans-Saharan gas pipeline to Europe

Jack Dutton — 2026-06-05T12:09:59-0400

Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach will build a section of the pipeline and connect it to an existing system in the southwestern Aoulef region that supplies Europe.

Algeria begins work on Trans-Saharan gas pipeline to Europe

Jack Dutton — 2026-06-05T12:09:59-0400

Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach will build a section of the pipeline and connect it to an existing system in the southwestern Aoulef region that supplies Europe.

Algeria begins work on Trans-Saharan gas pipeline to Europe

Jack Dutton — 2026-06-05T12:09:59-0400

Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach will build a section of the pipeline and connect it to an existing system in the southwestern Aoulef region that supplies Europe.

US sanctions network smuggling Iranian LPG as talks falter

Elizabeth Hagedorn — 2026-06-05T12:08:37-0400

The sanctions come as President Donald Trump has offered mixed signals on prospects for a deal.

US sanctions network smuggling Iranian LPG as talks falter

Elizabeth Hagedorn — 2026-06-05T12:08:37-0400

The sanctions come as President Donald Trump has offered mixed signals on prospects for a deal.