Trump accuses Iran of unproven Hormuz shots breaching truce, vows to obliterate every power grid and crossing if no deal snaps up. Statesman facade cracks to reveal civilian-strangling blackout tyrant. #IranWarCrimes

War on Iran: Why Israel and the US are the ultimate losers A campaign aimed at weakening or destabilising the government in Tehran seems to have had the opposite effect

War on Iran: Why Israel and the US are the ultimate losers - www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/war-iran-why-isr...

Lebanon reopens key routes as repairs continue in south <article data-history-node-id="438548" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/lebanon-reopens-key-routes-repairs-continue-south" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/lebanon-reopens-key-routes-repairs-continue-south" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Lebanon reopens key routes as repairs continue in south</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>The Lebanese Armed Forces said specialised units have fully reopened the Khardali-Nabatieh road and partially reopened the Burj Rahal-Tyre bridge in southern Lebanon.</p> <p>In a statement, the army said efforts are ongoing to restore key transport links damaged in recent weeks.</p> <p>“Work is also underway to rehabilitate the Tayr Falsay-Tyre bridge in cooperation with the National Authority for the Litani River, following the damage caused by the Israeli aggression,” the army said.</p> <p>Officials say several roads and bridges in the south have been hit during the past six weeks, disrupting civilian movement.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="media-block"> <div class="group-inner"> <div alt="Displaced people drive back to their homes across the Litani river through a makeshift bridge installed by the municipality of the southern Lebanese village of Bedias, on April 18, 2026." data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="419bd056-c759-43f8-bb7e-cdaaeb379591" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/Displaced%20people%20drive%20back%20to%20their%20homes%20across%20the%20Litani%20river%20through%20a%20makeshift%20bridge%20installed%20by%20the%20municipality%20of%20the%20southern%20Lebanese%20village%20of%20Bedias%2C%20on%20April%2018%2C%202026..jpg" width="1341" height="754" alt="Displaced people drive back to their homes across the Litani river through a makeshift bridge installed by the municipality of the southern Lebanese village of Bedias, on April 18, 2026." typeof="foaf:Image" fetchpriority="high"> </div> <figcaption>Displaced Lebanese civilians drive back to their homes across the Litani river through a makeshift bridge installed by the municipality of the southern Lebanese village of Bedias, on 18 April 2026.&nbsp; &nbsp;Kawnat HAJU / AFP</figcaption> </div> </figure> <p><span style="background: url(&quot;https://www.middleeasteye.net/modules/contrib/ckeditor/vendor/plugins/widget/images/handle.png&quot;) rgba(220, 220, 220, 0.5); top: -15px; left: 0px;"><img height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" loading="lazy"></span></p> </div> </div> </article>

Lebanon reopens key routes as repairs continue in south - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-upda...

Thousands rally against Israeli government in Tel Aviv <article data-history-node-id="438546" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/thousands-rally-against-israeli-government-tel-aviv" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/thousands-rally-against-israeli-government-tel-aviv" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Thousands rally against Israeli government in Tel Aviv</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, AFP news agency reported.</p> <p>Raphaelle Pneina said she had been attending weekly rallies because Netanyahu was “destroying our society from inside” and damaging Israel’s relations with Europe and the US.</p> <p>“People here are asking for this government and the next government to investigate what happened on October 7th and after because…all of us; we deserve answers,” she said.</p> <p>Lee Hoffman-Agiv, a social activist, said, “I’m here tonight, first of all, to support the families that lost their loved ones on October 7th and since October 7th in the endless war held by our Prime Minister”.</p> <p>Another protester, Chaim Trivax, said Israel had made mistakes in launching wars on Lebanon and Iran, adding that Netanyahu was “running from jail, not for the country”.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="media-block"> <div class="group-inner"> <div alt="Israeli left-wing activists hold up placards during a demonstration against the ongoing war with Iran and Lebanon and against the Israeli government, at HaBima Square in Tel Aviv on April 18, 2026. " data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67e39389-2b41-4d64-812a-bb2ed69007ea" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/Israeli%20left-wing%20activists%20hold%20up%20placards%20during%20a%20demonstration%20against%20the%20ongoing%20war%20with%20Iran%20and%20Lebanon%20and%20against%20the%20Israeli%20government%2C%20at%20HaBima%20Square%20in%20Tel%20Aviv%20on%20April%2018%2C%202026..jpg" width="1341" height="754" alt="Israeli left-wing activists hold up placards during a demonstration against the ongoing war with Iran and Lebanon and against the Israeli government, at HaBima Square in Tel Aviv on April 18, 2026. " typeof="foaf:Image" fetchpriority="high"> </div> <figcaption>Israeli demonstration against the war with Iran and Lebanon and against the Israeli government, at HaBima Square in Tel Aviv on 18 April 2026.&nbsp; AFP</figcaption> </div> </figure> <p><span style="background: url(&quot;https://www.middleeasteye.net/modules/contrib/ckeditor/vendor/plugins/widget/images/handle.png&quot;) rgba(220, 220, 220, 0.5); top: -15px; left: 0px;"><img height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" loading="lazy"></span></p> </div> </div> </article>

Thousands rally against Israeli government in Tel Aviv - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-upda...

IRGC says Hormuz 'fully closed' until US lifts blockade on Iranian ports <article data-history-node-id="438545" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/irgc-says-hormuz-fully-closed-until-us-lifts-blockade-iranian-ports" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/irgc-says-hormuz-fully-closed-until-us-lifts-blockade-iranian-ports" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">IRGC says Hormuz 'fully closed' until US lifts blockade on Iranian ports</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>The navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)&nbsp;said it has extended the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, including a corridor previously designated for safe vessel passage, and declared the waterway fully closed until the United States lifts its blockade on Iranian ports and ships.</p> <p>The statement, carried by Iranian state media, reverses earlier guidance allowing vessels to transit the strait in coordination with Iranian authorities and on payment of fees.</p> <p>The IRGC Navy warned that any vessel violating the closure would be targeted and said Tehran considers the US blockade a breach of the ceasefire between the two countries.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="media-block"> <div class="group-inner"> <div alt="This handout photo released by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)'s official website Sepanews on February 17, 2026, shows boats manoeuvering around a tanker vessel during a military exercise by members of the IRGC and navy in the Strait of Hormuz. SEPAH NEWS / AFP" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d809955c-5642-4f59-bf79-dfd2171dbf0e" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/tanker%20vessel%20during%20a%20military%20exercise%20by%20members%20of%20the%20IRGC%20and%20navy%20in%20the%20Strait%20of%20Hormuz.jpg" width="1341" height="754" alt="This handout photo released by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)'s official website Sepanews on February 17, 2026, shows boats manoeuvering around a tanker vessel during a military exercise by members of the IRGC and navy in the Strait of Hormuz. SEPAH NEWS / AFP" typeof="foaf:Image" fetchpriority="high"> </div> <figcaption>Photo released by IRGC on 17 February 2026, shows boats around a tanker vessel during a military exercise in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;&nbsp;SEPAH NEWS / AFP</figcaption> </div> </figure> <p><span style="background: url(&quot;https://www.middleeasteye.net/modules/contrib/ckeditor/vendor/plugins/widget/images/handle.png&quot;) rgba(220, 220, 220, 0.5); top: -15px; left: 0px;"><img height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" loading="lazy"></span></p> </div> </div> </article>

IRGC says Hormuz 'fully closed' until US lifts blockade on Iranian ports - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-upda...

WSJ: Aides kept Trump out of Iran war room fearing 'impatience wouldn’t help' <article data-history-node-id="438547" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/wsj-aides-kept-trump-out-iran-war-room-fearing-impatience-wouldnt-help" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/wsj-aides-kept-trump-out-iran-war-room-fearing-impatience-wouldnt-help" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">WSJ: Aides kept Trump out of Iran war room fearing 'impatience wouldn’t help'</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Aides kept US President Donald Trump out of the room during minute-by-minute updates on operations involving Iran, instead briefing him at key moments because they believed his impatience would not be helpful, a senior administration official told The Wall Street Journal.</p> <p>After being informed that an American jet had been shot down with two airmen missing, Trump “screamed at aides for hours” and repeatedly said, “The Europeans aren’t helping,” according to the report.</p> <p>It said he also referred to the Iran hostage crisis, warning, “If you look at what happened with Jimmy Carter… it cost them the election.”</p> <p>The report said Trump demanded immediate action but faced logistical challenges as US forces have not operated on the ground in Iran since 1979.</p> <p>It added that he resisted sending troops to seize Kharg Island, which handles most of Iran’s oil exports, despite being told the mission could succeed. “They’ll be sitting ducks,” Trump said, citing concerns over potential casualties.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="media-block"> <div class="group-inner"> <div alt="US President Donald Trump signs an executive order about easing restrictions on mental health treatments in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on 18 April 2026. REUTERS" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="428264e2-0703-4ac8-9018-c4aa2be78e4b" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/2026-04-18T151555Z_667646079_RC2QRKAHQ68Z_RTRMADP_3_USA-TRUMP.JPG" width="1341" height="754" alt="US President Donald Trump signs an executive order about easing restrictions on mental health treatments in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on 18 April 2026. REUTERS" typeof="foaf:Image" fetchpriority="high"> </div> <figcaption>US President Trump signs an order about easing restrictions on mental health treatments at the White House in Washington on 18 April 2026. REUTERS</figcaption> </div> </figure> <p><span style="background: url(&quot;https://www.middleeasteye.net/modules/contrib/ckeditor/vendor/plugins/widget/images/handle.png&quot;) rgba(220, 220, 220, 0.5); top: -15px; left: 0px;"><img height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" loading="lazy"></span></p> </div> </div> </article>

WSJ: Aides kept Trump out of Iran war room fearing 'impatience wouldn’t help' - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-upda...

Golden Earring - Are You Reciving Me YouTube video by Red Bullet

youtu.be/mbJYPDjV030?...
@kevmoore.bsky.social
My latest GE earworm...

OMG Mamdani and Obama sing “Wheels on the Bus” with kids in NYC. 💕💕

Credit: @emmagf

We live in a country where the two most dynamic, charismatic, eloquent politicians of this century have the first names Barack and Zohran. This is what bothers the white supremacists so much.

UN condemns attack that killed French UNIFIL peacekeeper in Lebanon <article data-history-node-id="438517" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/un-condemns-attack-killed-french-unifil-peacekeeper-lebanon" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/un-condemns-attack-killed-french-unifil-peacekeeper-lebanon" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">UN condemns attack that killed French UNIFIL peacekeeper in Lebanon</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p data-end="87" data-start="0">The UN chief Antonio Guterres has condemned an attack in southern Lebanon that killed a French peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.</p> <p data-end="428" data-start="261">In a statement, the United Nations said the incident also left three other soldiers wounded.</p> <p data-end="563" data-start="430">According to an initial Unifil assessment, the troops came under fire from non-state actors. The UN chief called for restraint and accountability following the deadly incident.</p> <p data-end="766" data-start="650">“We call on all actors to fulfill their obligations and ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel.”</p> </div> </div> </article>

UN condemns attack that killed French UNIFIL peacekeeper in Lebanon - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-upda...

A reminder, as Obama and Mamdani come together for the first time in person, that Mamdani is everything the GOP said Obama was... but wasn't: an African-born socialist Muslim.
#justsayin

‘I feel like I’m losing her’: the families torn apart by older relatives going far right It starts with a ‘back in my day’ nostalgic meme – then suddenly your elders are sharing AI-generated ‘boomerslop’ and repeating conspiracy theories …

‘I feel like I’m losing her’: the families torn apart by older relatives going far right
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

Egypt working with Pakistan on lasting US-Iran peace plan, minister says <article data-history-node-id="438488" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/egypt-working-pakistan-lasting-us-iran-peace-plan-minister-says" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/egypt-working-pakistan-lasting-us-iran-peace-plan-minister-says" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Egypt working with Pakistan on lasting US-Iran peace plan, minister says</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Egypt is working closely with Pakistan on a framework aimed at securing a lasting peace between the US and Iran, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Saturday.</p> <p>He said Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were coordinating a broader regional effort focused on preventing renewed escalation and laying the groundwork for a post-war security arrangement, stressing the importance of protecting Gulf states and stabilising energy markets, supply chains and food security.</p> <p><em>Reporting by Reuters&nbsp;</em></p> </div> </div> </article>

Egypt working with Pakistan on lasting US-Iran peace plan, minister says - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-upda...

Department S Is Vic There? TOTP 1981 HD YouTube video by Dan Steely

youtu.be/CKn73BEsx0o?...
@misheleneous.bsky.social
Do you remember this?

Ahhhh,as Hunter isn't wearing a collar,is slipper slobber his version of a Naked Llunch?

Gimme Peace On Earth - George Harrison.

Canada stands in ‘full solidarity’ with Gulf partners, PM says - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-upda...

Israeli drone strike kills one in south Lebanon on first full day of truce, medics say - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-upda...

😂😂😂😂🤪

Mais bien sûr.

UK prime minister announces UK and France-led international mission in Hormuz - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-upda...

The sarcasm is bigly bountiful in this one 😏

@vikkislade

"The concerns about Palantir are such that a New York Hospital has terminated the company’s services"
This is very telling imo

Protesters worldwide mark Palestinian Prisoners' Day, call for repeal of execution law - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-upda...

Trump just publicly referred to the Strait of Hormuz as the “Strait of Iran.” Not only does this look like total capitulation from his administration but I am trying to imagine the GOP/Fox response if Joe Biden had said this.

BREAKING: Post from David Maddox - Political Editor of the Independent

BREAKING: Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Emily Thornberry has written to Sir Oliver Robbins requesting he appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday 21 April to give evidence on the vetting process for former Ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson

Iran: Israel was forced into Lebanon ceasefire <article data-history-node-id="438427" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iran-israel-was-forced-lebanon-ceasefire" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iran-israel-was-forced-lebanon-ceasefire" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Iran: Israel was forced into Lebanon ceasefire</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian stated&nbsp; in a televised address that Israel was “forced to declare a ceasefire” in Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported.&nbsp;</p> <p>According to Al Jazeera, Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan for its diplomatic role and further stated that Iran has “never sought nuclear weapons,” while reiterating the country’s pursuit of peace while defending territorial integrity.&nbsp;</p> <p>The President also condemned the US and Israeli efforts to sow regional chaos through the assassinations of political and military leaders, scientists, and students, the report added.</p> </div> </div> </article>

Iran: Israel was forced into Lebanon ceasefire - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-upda...

A traitor to both his party and his country.