Israeli strikes kill 5 in Lebanon, Beirut to seek truce extension Israeli strikes killed five people, including a journalist, and wounded another in Lebanon on Wednesday, despite an ongoing ceasefire that Beirut will request an extension for in upcoming talks with Israel in Washington.Ahead of the talks on Thursday, Israel called on the Lebanese government to "work together" with it against Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Israeli strikes kill 5 in Lebanon, Beirut to seek truce extension - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/israel...

Trump looks for way out on war, but Iran may not oblige By extending a ceasefire indefinitely with Iran, President Donald Trump appears to be searching for a way out of a costly war, but Tehran may be unwilling to give him a win.Trump has insisted on maintaining a naval blockade, which Iran is demanding must end before it can consider any agreement to end the conflict launched on February 28 by Israel and the United States.

Trump looks for way out on war, but Iran may not oblige - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/trump-...

Exclusive-US intercepts three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters, sources say LONDON/NEW DELHI, April 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters and is redirecting them away from their positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday.

Exclusive-US intercepts three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters, sources say - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/exclus...

Trump says eight Iranian women won't be executed, Iran disputes entire account - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/trump-...

Israeli strikes wound journalist, trap another under rubble in southern Lebanon - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/israel...

US wants to see unified response from Iran, White House says April 22 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump wants to see a "unified" response from Iran's leadership to U.S. proposals to end hostilities, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday.Leavitt told reporters that Trump had not set a deadline for an end to the ceasefire extension he announced on Tuesday.Earlier, Leavitt said in an interview with Fox News' "The Story with Martha MacCallum" that Iran must agree to turn over its enriched uranium to the United States as part of negotiations to end the war.

US wants to see unified response from Iran, White House says - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/us-wan...

Turkey trying to revive Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Erdogan tells NATO chief ANKARA, April 22 (Reuters) - Turkey is making efforts to revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and bring together the leaders of the warring sides, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in a meeting in Ankara, the Turkish presidency said on Wednesday.Earlier on Wednesday, Kyiv said it had asked Turkey, a NATO member, to host a leaders' level meeting with Russia. Ankara has maintained good ties with both Ukraine and Russia since Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Turkey trying to revive Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Erdogan tells NATO chief - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/turkey...

US breach of commitments, blockade of ports main obstacles to 'genuine negotiation', Iranian president says April 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. breach of commitments and its blockade of Iranian ports and threats are the main obstacles to "genuine negotiations", Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday."[The] world sees your endless hypocritical rhetoric and contradiction between claims and actions," he said, one day after U.S. President Donald Trump's ceasefire extension. (Reporting by Menna Alaa El-Din and Ahmed Tolba; Editing by Alex Richardson)

US breach of commitments, blockade of ports main obstacles to 'genuine negotiation', Iranian president says - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/us-bre...

Israeli settlers killed Palestinian teen in raid on school, mourners say Palestinian mourners said Wednesday that Israeli settlers descended from a nearby hill and attacked a school in the occupied West Bank, killing two people, including a teenage student.Aws Hamdi al-Naasan, 14, and Jihad Marzouq Abu Naim, 32, were killed by gunfire on Tuesday in the village of Al-Mughayyir."The students were taking their monthly exams. Suddenly, we were shocked to see settlers advancing towards the school and attacking it," principal Bassam Abu Assaf told AFP, as relatives and villagers gathered at the funeral.

Israeli settlers killed Palestinian teen in raid on school, mourners say - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/israel...

'Seriously fractured'? Scepticism over Trump's Iran leadership split claim Iranian officials have kept a united front in the Middle East war and there appears for now to be no major split within the leadership, even though factional disagreements exist and the complete absence from public view of key decision makers creates confusion, analysts said.Announcing an extension of the ceasefire in the war against the Islamic republic, US President Donald Trump said Tuesday the move was partly "based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so".

'Seriously fractured'? Scepticism over Trump's Iran leadership split claim - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/seriou...

UN leadership candidate Grynspan vows peacemaking and reform By David Brunnstrom and Olivia Le PoidevinApril 22 (Reuters) - Former Costa Rican vice president Rebeca Grynspan, a candidate to head the United Nations, vowed on Wednesday that peacemaking would be her first priority if chosen, while warning that trust is waning in the world body and time running out to restore it."Peacemaking is the purpose of this organization," Grynspan, one of four candidates vying to become the next U.N. secretary-general from next year, told a hearing on her candidacy at the U.N. in New York.

UN leadership candidate Grynspan vows peacemaking and reform - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/un-lea...

US Treasury chief defends pivot to extend Russia oil sanctions relief US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday defended the Trump administration's recent about-face to temporarily extend a sanctions waiver that allowed the sale of Russian oil already at sea.The month-long relief announced last Friday was meant to cool soaring energy prices. But it came just two days after Bessent told reporters that Washington would not renew the waiver.The latest move allowed for purchases of oil and petroleum products that had been loaded onto vessels as of Friday, through 12:01 am (0401 GMT) on May 16.

US Treasury chief defends pivot to extend Russia oil sanctions relief - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/us-tre...

Shifting goals blur picture of US blockade on Iran The United States has vowed to blockade Iran's ships until the country makes a deal to end their war. But is the blockade working?Analysts and ship-tracking data paint a complicated picture. Shifting objectives and shadowy activity by vessels making the success of the US operation hard to measure."There's been confusion over the scope and the parameters of the blockade because of conflicting information given by the US administration and some delays in when information has been released," Bridget Diakun, an analyst at shipping journal Lloyd's List Intelligence, told AFP.

Shifting goals blur picture of US blockade on Iran - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/shifti...

Hezbollah supporters defiant after sons killed fighting Israel Lebanese town official Sharif Badreddine begged his youngest son not to leave to fight for Hezbollah against Israel in the country's south, but as the tearful father buried his child he could not hide a sense of pride.In the face of a government push to disarm the movement, its supporters call on a long-held enmity with Israel, deep religious beliefs and backing from Iran to justify their sons' sacrifice in the group's latest war that has killed thousands in Lebanon. "Before he left, I told him, 'Don't go, the situation is bad,'" Badreddine, 67, told AFP.

Hezbollah supporters defiant after sons killed fighting Israel - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/hezbol...

More than 62,000 Lebanon housing units damaged, destroyed in Israel war: govt estimate Israeli attacks on Lebanon during its latest war with Hezbollah damaged or destroyed more than 62,000 housing units in the country, a government estimate found on Wednesday."Within about 45 days (of the war), we had 21,700 destroyed housing units and 40,500 damaged housing units," Chadi Abdallah, head of the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), said in a press conference.Israeli attacks on Lebanon killed more than 2,400 people and displaced more than a million since Iran-backed Hezbollah drew the country into the Middle East war on March 2.

More than 62,000 Lebanon housing units damaged, destroyed in Israel war: govt estimate - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/more-6...

US in talks to resettle 1,100 Afghans in Congo, group says By Jessica DonatiDAKAR, April 22 (Reuters) - The Trump administration is in talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo to resettle 1,100 Afghans who have been stranded in Qatar awaiting U.S. visas, according to an advocacy organisation that works on their behalf.The discussions underscore the legal hurdles facing Afghans who fled the Taliban after U.S. immigrant visa processing for Afghan nationals was effectively halted, leaving them in limbo more than four years after the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul.

US in talks to resettle 1,100 Afghans in Congo, group says - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/us-tal...

In Gaza, first local vote in years offers gauge of Hamas popularity - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/gaza-f...

US halts Iraq dollar cash shipment after militia strikes, sources say By Ahmed Rasheed, Maha El Dahan and Timour AzhariBAGHDAD/DUBAI April 21 (Reuters) - The United States has halted a shipment of about $500 million in cash bound for Iraq and suspended parts of its security cooperation with Baghdad, in a move aimed at pressuring the Iraqi government over the actions of Iran-backed militias, Iraqi sources told Reuters.

US halts Iraq dollar cash shipment after militia strikes, sources say - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/us-hal...

Three ships targeted in Hormuz, Iran seizes two: monitors, Guards Iranian forces targeted three container ships on Wednesday, seizing two and firing on a third, global security monitors and the country's Revolutionary Guards said, the latest incidents to threaten a crucial trade route in the Middle East war.British maritime security agency UKMTO said an Iranian gunboat fired at a container ship off the coast of Oman Wednesday, while a ship off Iran was also fired upon.Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said separately that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to Iranian waters.

Three ships targeted in Hormuz, Iran seizes two: monitors, Guards - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/three-...

Iran dissidents bemoan European silence after latest execution DUBAI/PARIS, April 22 (Reuters) - An Iranian opposition leader criticised European countries on Wednesday for doing too little to halt executions in Iran, after Tehran carried out another execution in what opponents say is a wartime crackdown on dissent.The judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported on Wednesday that a man convicted of spying for Israel’s intelligence service and passing sensitive information had been executed.

Iran dissidents bemoan European silence after latest execution - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/iran-d...

Lebanon hopes for extension of ceasefire at Washington meeting By Maya Gebeily and Pesha MagidBEIRUT/JERUSALEM, April 22 (Reuters) - Lebanese and Israeli envoys will meet for the second time in two weeks in Washington on Thursday, building on nascent contacts between the states, with Lebanon hoping for the extension of a shaky ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.The 10-day, U.S.-mediated ceasefire is set to expire on Sunday. Underlining its fragility, Iran-backed Hezbollah said on Tuesday it had fired rockets at northern Israel in response to Israeli violations, while Israel also accused the group of breaches.

Lebanon hopes for extension of ceasefire at Washington meeting - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/lebano...

Iran murals project defiance in war with US Since the outbreak of war between Iran, Israel and the United States, colourful murals have sprung up across capital Tehran and other major cities, rich in symbolism and themes of resistance and defiance.Murals and banners have long been a defining feature of Iran's urban landscape, particularly in Tehran, where such paintings in central squares mirror the state's political messaging and foreign policy.

Iran murals project defiance in war with US - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/iran-m...

UK must brace for rise in state-backed cyberattacks, security chief says By Sam TabahritiLONDON, April 22 (Reuters) - Britain should brace for a rise in cyberattacks linked to hostile states, the head of the country's cybersecurity agency said on Wednesday, as the government urged tech firms to help build defences powered by artificial intelligence.

UK must brace for rise in state-backed cyberattacks, security chief says - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/uk-mus...

Iran war conflict could create systemic gas demand destruction, says top sector official By America HernandezPARIS, April 22 (Reuters) - The natural gas demand destruction currently resulting from the Iran war as governments implement measures to mitigate the crisis risks becoming structural if the conflict persists, the head of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum said on Wednesday. Since the Middle East crisis began at the end of February, more than 500 million barrels of crude and condensate have been knocked out of the global market, according to Kpler data - the largest energy supply disruption in modern history.

Iran war conflict could create systemic gas demand destruction, says top sector official - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/iran-w...

Turkey's foreign minister to visit Britain for talks on Iran, Ukraine, source says ANKARA, April 22 (Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will make an official visit to London this week for talks on the wars in Iran and Ukraine, a Turkish diplomatic source said on Wednesday, adding that he will also discuss cooperation between the NATO allies.Turkey, which neighbours Iran and is in close contact with Tehran, Washington, and mediator Pakistan, hosted a diplomacy forum at the weekend attended by delegations from all sides. It has repeatedly called for an end to the conflict.

Turkey's foreign minister to visit Britain for talks on Iran, Ukraine, source says - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/turkey...

Exclusive-US turns to Ukrainian counter-drone tech after Iran attacks, sources say By David JeansNEW YORK, April 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. military has introduced Ukrainian counter-drone technology in recent weeks at a key U.S. air base in Saudi Arabia, according to five people with knowledge of the matter, as it seeks to stem attacks that have destroyed aircraft and buildings, and killed at least one service member.

Exclusive-US turns to Ukrainian counter-drone tech after Iran attacks, sources say - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/exclus...

EU envoys poised to adopt 20th package of Russia sanctions, diplomats say By Julia PayneBRUSSELS, April 22 (Reuters) - European Union envoys are set to adopt a 20th package of sanctions against Russia, with Slovakia and Hungary expected to drop their opposition to the move following the repair of the Druzhba oil pipeline, EU diplomats said on Wednesday.The measures would deepen Europe’s effort to choke off Russian energy revenue and military supplies, as Kyiv seeks stronger action from allies more than four years into Moscow’s full-scale invasion.

EU envoys poised to adopt 20th package of Russia sanctions, diplomats say - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/eu-env...

Three vessels hit by gunfire in Strait of Hormuz, crews safe DUBAI, April 22 (Reuters) - At least three container ships were hit by gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, maritime security sources and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.Iran has imposed restrictions on ships using the strait, first in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli bombardment of the country, and then in response to a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.A Liberia-flagged container ship sustained damage to its bridge after being hit by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades northeast of Oman.

Three vessels hit by gunfire in Strait of Hormuz, crews safe - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/three-...

Pakistan's capital holds its breath with US-Iran talks in limbo Pakistan's capital was still locked in gear on Wednesday to host high-stakes US-Iran talks that were pushed back at the last minute overnight, but many residents began to tire of the heavy personal and economic toll of tight security restrictions.Markets were quiet, government officials worked from home, children attended class online and security forces enforced strict curbs on entering the vast "red zone" around the negotiating venue.

Pakistan's capital holds its breath with US-Iran talks in limbo - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/pakist...

The tiny, defiant Nile island caught in the heart of Sudan's war For nearly two years, Al-Shubbak watched through ancient grey eyes as Tuti, the crescent-shaped island in the heart of the Sudanese capital she calls home, emptied of its inhabitants under a punishing paramilitary siege.She refused to leave."I didn't even move for the English when they colonised us," she told AFP through a toothless smile, a year after the army broke the siege, and 70 after the British occupation of Khartoum ended.

The tiny, defiant Nile island caught in the heart of Sudan's war - www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/tiny-d...