THE NEW YORK TIMES: Israel said the cease-fire did not include Lebanon. It was unclear whether ship operators considered the Strait of Hormuz safe for transit, or if word of the deal had reached local Iranian commanders.
The United States and Iran announced a two-week cease-fire on Tuesday evening, shortly before President Trump’s deadline for Iran to unblock the Strait of Hormuz or to see its “whole civilization” destroyed.
But on Wednesday morning, it was unclear whether word of the nascent deal had reached Iranian local commanders, as fresh missile and drone attacks were reported across the Persian Gulf. And even though the news sent the international oil price benchmark down 15 percent, to $93 a barrel, it remained unclear whether ship operators considered the strait — a critical passage for the world’s oil and gas — safe for transit.
After Mr. Trump said on Tuesday night that he had agreed to the cease-fire proposed by Pakistan, a U.S. official said American military strikes against Iran had stopped. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the country’s armed forces would “cease their defensive operation,” and that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible for two weeks if it was coordinated with Iran’s military.
But early on Wednesday, emergency sirens in Israel warned of incoming Iranian ballistic missiles. Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates reported missile and drone attacks. Bahrain’s interior ministry sounded warning sirens and reported a fire started by an Iranian attack. Iranian local commanders are allowed to make their own strike decisions under a decentralized control system. Iran War Live Updates » | Francesca Regalado, Elian Peltier, Ephrat Livni and Farnaz Fassihi | Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Showing posts sorted by date for query Bahrain. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Bahrain. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Wednesday, April 08, 2026
Sunday, April 05, 2026
'Open the F—in' Strait' — Trump Fires Off a Profanity-laden Social Media Attack on Iran | DW News
Apr 5, 2026 | US President Donald Trump on Sunday heightened tensions with Iran, renewing a threat to strike key infrastructure if Tehran does not lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, in an expletive laden post on his Truth Social platform.
Trump's references to 'Power Plant Day' and 'Bridge Day' as imminent actions were widely interpreted as threats against civilian infrastructure, including electrical grids and transportation networks. Under the Geneva Conventions, deliberately targeting civilian objects — such as power plants, bridges, or water systems not being used for military purposes — constitutes a war crime.
Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have claimed responsibility for attacks on petrochemical plants in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The IRGC has warned that it will intensify its attacks on US economic interests in the region if Washington strikes additional civilian targets.
Trump's references to 'Power Plant Day' and 'Bridge Day' as imminent actions were widely interpreted as threats against civilian infrastructure, including electrical grids and transportation networks. Under the Geneva Conventions, deliberately targeting civilian objects — such as power plants, bridges, or water systems not being used for military purposes — constitutes a war crime.
Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have claimed responsibility for attacks on petrochemical plants in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The IRGC has warned that it will intensify its attacks on US economic interests in the region if Washington strikes additional civilian targets.
Wednesday, April 01, 2026
‘Down with the King!’: Could Bahrain Be at a Tipping Point amid War on Iran? | MEE Live
Apr 1, 2026 | Bahrain is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet - where 9,000 American troops are based.
The presence of US troops has been a point of contention among Bahrainis for decades.
Now, as Iran targets US bases across the region, that relationship has come into the spotlight once again.
To find out why, we are joined by Maryam al-Khawaja, a Bahraini activist who played a key role in pro-democracy protests in Bahrain in 2011, and advocates for human rights and political reform.
The presence of US troops has been a point of contention among Bahrainis for decades.
Now, as Iran targets US bases across the region, that relationship has come into the spotlight once again.
To find out why, we are joined by Maryam al-Khawaja, a Bahraini activist who played a key role in pro-democracy protests in Bahrain in 2011, and advocates for human rights and political reform.
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Gulf Countries Warn of Rising Threat from Iran-backed Militias and Proxies
THE GUARDIAN: Fears grow that Tehran may start activating sleeper cells across Middle East as part of war with US and Israel
Gulf countries have raised concerns over the prospect of attacks by Iran-backed militias and proxy armed groups in the region, which they fear could destabilise their regimes and escalate the war in the Middle East.
In a joint statement this week, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan condemned Iranian attacks on their soil, both as strikes carried out directly from Iran and “through their proxies and armed factions they support in the region”.
On Wednesday, Kuwait said it had foiled a plot to kill state leaders, and arrested six suspects believed to be associated with Iran’s most powerful proxy group, Hezbollah.
For decades, Iran has used proxy militias as a pillar of its foreign and security policy, as a means to export its revolution, expand its regional influence and destabilise enemy countries. The most prominent examples are Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen but other brutal and influential Iran-backed militias also operate in Iraq and Syria.
On Friday, the Houthis confirmed they had launched a missile strike on Israel, the first time the proxy group have admitted involvement in the war in Middle East. » | Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Dubai | Saturday, March 28, 2026
Gulf countries have raised concerns over the prospect of attacks by Iran-backed militias and proxy armed groups in the region, which they fear could destabilise their regimes and escalate the war in the Middle East.
In a joint statement this week, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan condemned Iranian attacks on their soil, both as strikes carried out directly from Iran and “through their proxies and armed factions they support in the region”.
On Wednesday, Kuwait said it had foiled a plot to kill state leaders, and arrested six suspects believed to be associated with Iran’s most powerful proxy group, Hezbollah.
For decades, Iran has used proxy militias as a pillar of its foreign and security policy, as a means to export its revolution, expand its regional influence and destabilise enemy countries. The most prominent examples are Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen but other brutal and influential Iran-backed militias also operate in Iraq and Syria.
On Friday, the Houthis confirmed they had launched a missile strike on Israel, the first time the proxy group have admitted involvement in the war in Middle East. » | Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Dubai | Saturday, March 28, 2026
Sunday, March 08, 2026
Vital Desalination Plants in Iran and Bahrain Are Attacked
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Strikes on nonmilitary infrastructure were a “serious escalation,” analysts said, and could widen the war’s impact on civilians.
Water desalination plants have come under attack in Iran and on the Persian Gulf island of Bahrain over the weekend, threatening a resource vital to life in the harsh desert climates of the region.
On Saturday, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused the United States of attacking a desalination plant on Qeshm Island, affecting the water supply for 30 villages.
“The U.S. set this precedent, not Iran,” he said on social media, calling the attack “a dangerous move with grave consequences.”
Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command, said that U.S. forces were not responsible for that attack.
A day later, Bahrain’s interior ministry said that an Iranian drone had “caused material damage” to a desalination plant there, accusing Iran of “indiscriminately” attacking civilian targets. The country’s water and electricity authority said there had been “no impact on water supplies or water network capacity.”
It was not immediately clear whether either plant was still functioning. And there was no immediate comment from Iran on Bahrain’s allegation.
Iran has faced severe water shortages in recent years, and Gulf countries like Bahrain depend heavily on desalination technology — which turns seawater into drinking water — to sustain tens of millions of people. Desalination infrastructure is one of the most vulnerable military targets in the region because without it, the Gulf’s sprawling metropolises would effectively collapse. » | Vivian Nereim | Reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Sunday, March 8, 2026
Water desalination plants have come under attack in Iran and on the Persian Gulf island of Bahrain over the weekend, threatening a resource vital to life in the harsh desert climates of the region.
On Saturday, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused the United States of attacking a desalination plant on Qeshm Island, affecting the water supply for 30 villages.
“The U.S. set this precedent, not Iran,” he said on social media, calling the attack “a dangerous move with grave consequences.”
Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command, said that U.S. forces were not responsible for that attack.
A day later, Bahrain’s interior ministry said that an Iranian drone had “caused material damage” to a desalination plant there, accusing Iran of “indiscriminately” attacking civilian targets. The country’s water and electricity authority said there had been “no impact on water supplies or water network capacity.”
It was not immediately clear whether either plant was still functioning. And there was no immediate comment from Iran on Bahrain’s allegation.
Iran has faced severe water shortages in recent years, and Gulf countries like Bahrain depend heavily on desalination technology — which turns seawater into drinking water — to sustain tens of millions of people. Desalination infrastructure is one of the most vulnerable military targets in the region because without it, the Gulf’s sprawling metropolises would effectively collapse. » | Vivian Nereim | Reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Sunday, March 8, 2026
Iran Says It Will Never Surrender as Trump Warns It Faces Complete Destruction | BBC News
Mar 7, 2026 | Iran’s President has said the country will never surrender, in the face of the onslaught by the US and Israel. Speaking on state television, President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country’s enemies “will take their dream of the Iranian people’s surrender to their graves”. It follows President Trump’s recent statement that only Iran’s total capitulation would bring the war to an end.
The Iranian president also apologised to neighbouring Gulf states for Iran’s recent "actions” after retaliatory strikes on US allies in the region. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have all come under attack from Iranian missiles and drones.
President Trump responded by stating on his Truth Social media platform that if Iran did not surrender it would be “hit very hard” and faced “complete destruction”. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said his country would continue to strike Iran “with all our might”.
A military aircraft carrying the remains of six US service members killed in the Middle East has returned their remains to an air force base in Delaware. President Trump and other senior member of his administration attended a ceremony there.
Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Joe Inwood, Jack Fenwick, Nick Beake, Wyre Davies and Orla Guerin.
The Iranian president also apologised to neighbouring Gulf states for Iran’s recent "actions” after retaliatory strikes on US allies in the region. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have all come under attack from Iranian missiles and drones.
President Trump responded by stating on his Truth Social media platform that if Iran did not surrender it would be “hit very hard” and faced “complete destruction”. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said his country would continue to strike Iran “with all our might”.
A military aircraft carrying the remains of six US service members killed in the Middle East has returned their remains to an air force base in Delaware. President Trump and other senior member of his administration attended a ceremony there.
Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Joe Inwood, Jack Fenwick, Nick Beake, Wyre Davies and Orla Guerin.
Tuesday, March 03, 2026
Trapped Between U.S. and Iran, Gulf Countries Face Nightmare Scenario
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The energy-rich nations that sought to avert the American-Israeli war on Iran have been sucked into the spiraling conflict.
For years, the Persian Gulf countries had worried about the prospect of an out-of-control war with Iran, which would bring missiles and drones to their gleaming cities, trapping tourists and sending foreign executives fleeing.
The fear of conflict is one reason they have cultivated such close ties with the United States. They have built American military bases and spent tens of billions of dollars on American weapons.
They had hoped to buy protection from Iran and its regional proxies.
But the United States and Israel have launched a massive assault that has rapidly spiraled into a nightmare scenario for Gulf leaders. In retaliation, Iran has fired more than a thousand missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. The strikes have killed at least seven people in those countries, according to official reports tallied by The New York Times.
Their governments are now facing uncomfortable questions about whether their stockpile of missile interceptors and strategic food reserves can last through the war. » | Vivian Nereim | Reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Tuesday, March 3, 2026
For years, the Persian Gulf countries had worried about the prospect of an out-of-control war with Iran, which would bring missiles and drones to their gleaming cities, trapping tourists and sending foreign executives fleeing.
The fear of conflict is one reason they have cultivated such close ties with the United States. They have built American military bases and spent tens of billions of dollars on American weapons.
They had hoped to buy protection from Iran and its regional proxies.
But the United States and Israel have launched a massive assault that has rapidly spiraled into a nightmare scenario for Gulf leaders. In retaliation, Iran has fired more than a thousand missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. The strikes have killed at least seven people in those countries, according to official reports tallied by The New York Times.
Their governments are now facing uncomfortable questions about whether their stockpile of missile interceptors and strategic food reserves can last through the war. » | Vivian Nereim | Reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Tuesday, March 3, 2026
US-Israel War in Iran: What Next for the Gulf? | The Global Story
Mar 3, 2026 | The US-Israel war with Iran is now engulfing the Gulf.
The Gulf states - including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain - are some of the wealthiest places on earth and have until recently been mostly insulated from Middle East conflicts.
But why are places including Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait being targeted by Iranian strikes? And will the Gulf states retaliate if the bombing continues?
The BBC's Security Correspondent, Frank Gardner, is an expert in the region.
He explains why the Gulf may soon be pressed into action and offers his thoughts on what might happen next.
The Gulf states - including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain - are some of the wealthiest places on earth and have until recently been mostly insulated from Middle East conflicts.
But why are places including Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait being targeted by Iranian strikes? And will the Gulf states retaliate if the bombing continues?
The BBC's Security Correspondent, Frank Gardner, is an expert in the region.
He explains why the Gulf may soon be pressed into action and offers his thoughts on what might happen next.
Monday, March 02, 2026
Israel and Hezbollah Exchange Fire after Iran Attack | BBC News
Mar 2, 2026 | Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have exchanged strikes as the Iran conflict widens across the Middle East.
The Lebanese health ministry said Israeli attacks in Beirut and southern Lebanon have killed at least 31 people, with 149 injured. Israel said it was responding to Hezbollah attacks.
Meanwhile, apparent Iranian strikes around the region continue - with explosions reported in Bahrain and Dubai, while an oil refinery was attacked in Saudi Arabia.
In Kuwait, “several” US fighter planes have crashed, the Kuwaiti military has said.
The Lebanese health ministry said Israeli attacks in Beirut and southern Lebanon have killed at least 31 people, with 149 injured. Israel said it was responding to Hezbollah attacks.
Meanwhile, apparent Iranian strikes around the region continue - with explosions reported in Bahrain and Dubai, while an oil refinery was attacked in Saudi Arabia.
In Kuwait, “several” US fighter planes have crashed, the Kuwaiti military has said.
Sunday, March 01, 2026
Democracy Now! Special Report: U.S. & Israel Launch Unprovoked Attack on Iran, Risking Broader Regional War
Democracy Now! can be supported here.
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Trump Leads U.S. into War with Iran
ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.
What We Know So Far: Supreme Leader's Compound Hit and Iran's Retaliatory Strikes
BBC: The US and Israel have launched a large-scale attack on Iran.
President Donald Trump said the US had begun "major combat operations" and urged Iranians to overthrow their clerical rulers once they were complete.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz earlier announced that Israel had launched a "pre-emptive attack" against Iran to remove threats to the country.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the strikes were "wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate".
His country responded by launching missiles towards Israel and four Gulf Arab countries which host US military bases: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.
It came after weeks of threats from Trump that he would order military action if Iran did not agree a new deal over its nuclear programme.
Here's what we know. » | Hafsa Khalil and David Gritten | Saturday, February 28, 2026
President Donald Trump said the US had begun "major combat operations" and urged Iranians to overthrow their clerical rulers once they were complete.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz earlier announced that Israel had launched a "pre-emptive attack" against Iran to remove threats to the country.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the strikes were "wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate".
His country responded by launching missiles towards Israel and four Gulf Arab countries which host US military bases: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.
It came after weeks of threats from Trump that he would order military action if Iran did not agree a new deal over its nuclear programme.
Here's what we know. » | Hafsa Khalil and David Gritten | Saturday, February 28, 2026
Iran Launches Retaliatory Strikes at Targets across Middle East
BBC: Iranian forces say they have struck a US naval base in Bahrain, as Iran launched strikes across the region in retaliation for a "massive" and ongoing attack against it by the US and Israel.
Huge plumes of black smoke were seen rising from an area near the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. The extent of any damage is unclear and the US has not commented.
Elsewhere across the region, explosions have been heard in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait - also homes to US military bases.
In Doha, Qatar's defence ministry said it had intercepted several missiles apparently targeting the al-Udeid air base, the largest American military base in the region. » | Tom Bennett | Saturday, February 28, 2026
Huge plumes of black smoke were seen rising from an area near the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. The extent of any damage is unclear and the US has not commented.
Elsewhere across the region, explosions have been heard in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait - also homes to US military bases.
In Doha, Qatar's defence ministry said it had intercepted several missiles apparently targeting the al-Udeid air base, the largest American military base in the region. » | Tom Bennett | Saturday, February 28, 2026
Iran Strikes US Military Base: ‘It’s Not Taking This Lying Down’ | Ben Taylor
Feb 28, 2026 | “The escalation is real.”
Iran strikes the headquarters of US Naval Forces Central Command and the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain as part of the regime’s retaliatory strikes against the US and Israel, says The Sunday Times’s editor Ben Taylor.
Iran strikes the headquarters of US Naval Forces Central Command and the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain as part of the regime’s retaliatory strikes against the US and Israel, says The Sunday Times’s editor Ben Taylor.
U.S. Attacks Iran as Trump Calls for Overthrow of Government
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Explosions resounded in Tehran as President Trump said that the United States had begun a large assault. Air-raid sirens blared in Israel, which also said it was striking Iran.
President Trump announced on Saturday that the United States had launched a major attack on Iran, vowing to devastate the country’s military, eliminate its nuclear program and bring about a change in its government.
Massive explosions resounded in the Iranian capital, Tehran, where residents reported seeing smoke rising from the district that includes the presidential palace and the National Security Council.
The region was broadly on edge over the potential scope of retaliation from the attack, jointly coordinated with Israel. Iran fired missiles at Israel, prompting huge booms overhead as Israeli air defenses sought to intercept them. Air raid sirens blared in Bahrain where there are American bases, while the U.S. embassies in Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates directed all staff to shelter-in-place and recommended that all Americans in those countries do the same.
The American-led campaign’s scope went well beyond the attack against Iran’s nuclear program last year that Mr. Trump oversaw. This time, Mr. Trump vowed “to raze their missile industry to the ground” and “annihilate their navy,” arguing that Iran had refused to reach a deal with the United States that would have averted war.
He then called on Iranians to overthrow their government when the U.S. military assault came to an end. “It will be yours to take,” he said. “This will be probably your only chance for generations.” Live Updates » | Aaron Boxerman, Tyler Pager, Farnaz Fassihi and Ronen Bergman | Saturday, February 28, 2026
Watch the NYT short video here.
This should come as no surprise. It's the Americans doing what they know best: bombing the **** out of countries whose regimes they disagree with! They preach the peace of Jesus, but practise the cruelty of the devil! — © Mark Alexander
Frappes en Iran : les États-Unis et Israël lancent des «opérations de combat majeures» : Donald Trump a annoncé des «opérations de combat majeures», destinées à «éliminer les menaces imminentes» et «détruire les capacités de missiles». Il a appelé les Iraniens à «renverser le pouvoir». »
Großangriff der USA und Israels im Iran: Was wir wissen und was nicht: Das US-Militär hat gemeinsam mit Israel Luftangriffe gegen den Iran gestartet. Die Lage droht weiter zu eskalieren. Was bisher über den Angriff bekannt ist. »
President Trump announced on Saturday that the United States had launched a major attack on Iran, vowing to devastate the country’s military, eliminate its nuclear program and bring about a change in its government.
Massive explosions resounded in the Iranian capital, Tehran, where residents reported seeing smoke rising from the district that includes the presidential palace and the National Security Council.
The region was broadly on edge over the potential scope of retaliation from the attack, jointly coordinated with Israel. Iran fired missiles at Israel, prompting huge booms overhead as Israeli air defenses sought to intercept them. Air raid sirens blared in Bahrain where there are American bases, while the U.S. embassies in Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates directed all staff to shelter-in-place and recommended that all Americans in those countries do the same.
The American-led campaign’s scope went well beyond the attack against Iran’s nuclear program last year that Mr. Trump oversaw. This time, Mr. Trump vowed “to raze their missile industry to the ground” and “annihilate their navy,” arguing that Iran had refused to reach a deal with the United States that would have averted war.
He then called on Iranians to overthrow their government when the U.S. military assault came to an end. “It will be yours to take,” he said. “This will be probably your only chance for generations.” Live Updates » | Aaron Boxerman, Tyler Pager, Farnaz Fassihi and Ronen Bergman | Saturday, February 28, 2026
Watch the NYT short video here.
This should come as no surprise. It's the Americans doing what they know best: bombing the **** out of countries whose regimes they disagree with! They preach the peace of Jesus, but practise the cruelty of the devil! — © Mark Alexander
Frappes en Iran : les États-Unis et Israël lancent des «opérations de combat majeures» : Donald Trump a annoncé des «opérations de combat majeures», destinées à «éliminer les menaces imminentes» et «détruire les capacités de missiles». Il a appelé les Iraniens à «renverser le pouvoir». »
Großangriff der USA und Israels im Iran: Was wir wissen und was nicht: Das US-Militär hat gemeinsam mit Israel Luftangriffe gegen den Iran gestartet. Die Lage droht weiter zu eskalieren. Was bisher über den Angriff bekannt ist. »
Friday, December 05, 2025
Why Andrew's Epstein Shame Will Never End: Author | The Daily Beast Podcast
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
EU Considers Closer Ties to Gulf as Trump Ramps Up Tariffs
THE TELEGRAPH: The EU is considering seeking closer ties to Gulf countries as it responds to Donald Trump’s new global tariff war, according to the bloc’s trade chief.
Maroš Šefčovič told the European Parliament that it was unfortunate that the US administration had decided to impose 25pc tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports.
He called the tariffs a “lose-lose scenario” but said the EU was prepared to face up to any challenges in this “new era” of global trade.
This included the possibility of closer trade ties with Gulf countries, Reuters reported.
The Persian Gulf countries include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. » | Chris Price | Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Maroš Šefčovič told the European Parliament that it was unfortunate that the US administration had decided to impose 25pc tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports.
He called the tariffs a “lose-lose scenario” but said the EU was prepared to face up to any challenges in this “new era” of global trade.
This included the possibility of closer trade ties with Gulf countries, Reuters reported.
The Persian Gulf countries include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. » | Chris Price | Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Saturday, December 09, 2023
The Prince of Bahrain Stands with Israel | #shorts
Monday, October 09, 2023
Across the Mideast, a Surge of Support for Palestinians as War Erupts in Gaza
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The escalation laid bare the limitations of diplomatic deals between Israel and Arab governments as long as the underlying conflict continues. “We told you so,” a Saudi scholar said.
When the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco announced that they were establishing relations with Israel in 2020, Emirati officials said the deals were symbols of peace and tolerance, while then President Donald J. Trump declared “the dawn of a new Middle East.”
Those words rang hollow to many in the region, though. Even in the countries that signed the deals, branded the Abraham Accords, support for the Palestinians — and enmity toward Israel over its decades-long occupation of their land — remained strong, particularly as Israel’s government expanded settlements in the Palestinian West Bank after the agreements.
On Saturday, when Palestinian gunmen from the blockaded territory of Gaza surged into Israel, carrying out the boldest attack in the country in decades, it set off an outpouring of support for the Palestinians across the region. In some quarters, there were celebrations — even as hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians were killed and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel threatened a “long and difficult war” ahead.
“This is the first time that we rejoice in this way for our Palestinian brothers,” said Abdul Majeed Abdullah Hassan, 70, who joined a rally with hundreds of people in the island kingdom of Bahrain. In the context of the Israeli occupation and blockade, the Hamas operation “warmed our hearts,” he said, calling his government’s deal to recognize Israel “shameful.” » | Vivian Nereim, Reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Monday, October 9, 2023
When the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco announced that they were establishing relations with Israel in 2020, Emirati officials said the deals were symbols of peace and tolerance, while then President Donald J. Trump declared “the dawn of a new Middle East.”
Those words rang hollow to many in the region, though. Even in the countries that signed the deals, branded the Abraham Accords, support for the Palestinians — and enmity toward Israel over its decades-long occupation of their land — remained strong, particularly as Israel’s government expanded settlements in the Palestinian West Bank after the agreements.
On Saturday, when Palestinian gunmen from the blockaded territory of Gaza surged into Israel, carrying out the boldest attack in the country in decades, it set off an outpouring of support for the Palestinians across the region. In some quarters, there were celebrations — even as hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians were killed and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel threatened a “long and difficult war” ahead.
“This is the first time that we rejoice in this way for our Palestinian brothers,” said Abdul Majeed Abdullah Hassan, 70, who joined a rally with hundreds of people in the island kingdom of Bahrain. In the context of the Israeli occupation and blockade, the Hamas operation “warmed our hearts,” he said, calling his government’s deal to recognize Israel “shameful.” » | Vivian Nereim, Reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Monday, October 9, 2023
Friday, July 14, 2023
UK Invites Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Visit
THE GUARDIAN: Saudi heir’s official visit would be first since he was accused of being behind killing of Jamal Khashoggi
Prince Mohammed visiting Paris last month, where he attended a climate finance summit. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has been invited to the UK on an official visit in late autumn, the first such visit by the heir to the Saudi throne since he was accused of masterminding the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist and dissident.
Numerous UK ministers have been to Saudi Arabia in the interim, and senior Saudi ministers have also come to the UK, including the foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Prince Mohammed also spent nearly a week in Paris last month meeting the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and attending a climate finance summit.
News of the UK visit, first reported by the Financial Times, comes as Saudi Arabia tries to end the war in Yemen, and has opened up diplomatic relations with Iran. The US is seeking to persuade Saudi Arabia also to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel, but Riyadh, unlike its Gulf Arab allies the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, is resisting until there is progress on the Palestinian issue. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Friday, July 14, 2023
Rishi Sunak 'invites Mohammad bin Salman to visit UK': The Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, would be visiting for the first time since the murder of Jamal Khashoggi »
The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has been invited to the UK on an official visit in late autumn, the first such visit by the heir to the Saudi throne since he was accused of masterminding the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist and dissident.
Numerous UK ministers have been to Saudi Arabia in the interim, and senior Saudi ministers have also come to the UK, including the foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Prince Mohammed also spent nearly a week in Paris last month meeting the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and attending a climate finance summit.
News of the UK visit, first reported by the Financial Times, comes as Saudi Arabia tries to end the war in Yemen, and has opened up diplomatic relations with Iran. The US is seeking to persuade Saudi Arabia also to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel, but Riyadh, unlike its Gulf Arab allies the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, is resisting until there is progress on the Palestinian issue. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Friday, July 14, 2023
Rishi Sunak 'invites Mohammad bin Salman to visit UK': The Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, would be visiting for the first time since the murder of Jamal Khashoggi »
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