Israel announces major expansion of settlements in occupied West Bank

Israeli ministers announced 22 new Jewish settlements have been approved in the occupied West Bank — the biggest expansion in decades. Several already exist as outposts, built without government authorization, but will now be made legal under Israeli law. Others are completely new, according to Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, reports BBC.

Settlements — which are widely seen as illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this — are one of the most contentious issues between Israel and the Palestinians.

Katz said the move "prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel", while the Palestinian presidency called it a "dangerous escalation".

The Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now called it "the most extensive move of its kind" in more than 30 years and warned that it would "dramatically reshape the West Bank and entrench the occupation even further".

Israel has built about 160 settlements housing some 700,000 Jews since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem — land Palestinians want, along with Gaza, for their hoped-for future state — in the 1967 Middle East war.

Successive Israeli governments have allowed settlements to grow. However, expansion has risen sharply since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power in late 2022 at the head of a right-wing, pro-settler coalition, as well as the start of the Gaza war, triggered on 07 October 07, 2023.

On Thursday, Israel Katz and Bezalel Smotrich — an ultranationalist leader and settler who has control over planning in the West Bank — officially confirmed a decision that is believed to have been taken by the government two weeks ago.

A statement said ministers had approved 22 new settlements, the "renewal of settlement in northern Samaria, northern West Bank, and reinforcement of the eastern axis of the State of Israel".

It highlighted what the ministers described as the "historic return" to Homesh and Sa-Nur, two settlements deep in the northern West Bank which were evacuated at the same time as Israel withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005.

Two years ago, a group of settlers established a Jewish religious school and an unauthorized outpost at Homesh, which reports say would be among nine made legal under Israeli law.

Another settlement will reportedly be built not far to the south on Mount Ebal, near Nablus.

Katz said the decision was a "strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel, and serves as a buffer against our enemies."

"This is a Zionist, security, and national response — and a clear decision on the future of the country," he added.

Smotrich called it a "once-in-a-generation decision" and declared, "Next step sovereignty".

A spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas — who governs parts of the West Bank not under full Israeli control — called it a "dangerous escalation" and accused Israel of continuing to drag the region into a "cycle of violence and instability".

"This extremist Israeli government is trying by all means to prevent the establishment of an independent Palestinian state," Nabil Abu Rudeineh told Reuters news agency.

Lior Amihai, director of Peace Now said, "The Israeli government no longer pretends otherwise, the annexation of the occupied territories and expansion of settlements is its central goal."

This step is a blow to renewed efforts to revive momentum on a two-state solution to the decades-old Israel-Palestinian conflict — the internationally approved formula for peace that would see the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel — with a French-Saudi summit planned at the UN's headquarters in New York next month.

Last year, the UN's top court issued an advisory opinion saung, "Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful". The International Court of Justice (ICJ) also said Israeli settlements "have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law", and that Israel should "evacuate all settlers".

Israel's prime minister said at the time that the court had made a "decision of lies" and insisted that "the Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land".

Iran executes Mossad spy Pedram Madani

The Iranian Judiciary has announced the execution of Pedram Madani, convicted of espionage for the Israeli regime's Mossad intelligence service and large-scale financial corruption. The sentence was carried out after all legal appeals and procedures were completed.

According to a statement released by the Iranian Judiciary's Media Center, Madani was initially apprehended in Tehran in 2020.

He faced serious charges including "espionage on behalf of the criminal Zionist regime’s intelligence service (Mossad)" and "acquisition of property through illegitimate means, involving the receipt of foreign cash currency (Euros) in Europe and digital currency (Bitcoin)."

The Judiciary statement outlined Madani's extensive activities on behalf of the hostile foreign service. Before his arrest, Madani frequently traveled outside Iran, particularly to Germany.

"Utilizing training courses provided by Mossad," the statement detailed, "he sought to recruit individuals and collect classified information, transmitting it securely to his Mossad handler."

Evidence presented during his trial proved damning. Judicial documents confirmed Madani's efforts to transmit sensitive classified data, "including locations and buildings housing critical infrastructure equipment," via secure communication channels to his Mossad officer.

Furthermore, the Judiciary revealed that "during one of several meetings with his service officer in various countries, Pedram Madani met his direct Mossad handler at the Zionist regime’s embassy in Brussels."

Digital forensics played a crucial role in the case. "Information recovered from Pedram Madani's electronic devices," the Judiciary stated, "showed exchanges of messages between the accused and his Mossad officer."

Crucially, evidence included an order from the officer instructing Madani to "categorize the information and transfer it to the specialized section of the service." Madani's travels to the occupied territories during his period of collaboration with Mossad were also documented by investigators.

Iranian security services successfully monitored and terminated Madani's espionage network. "With intelligence oversight, his information networks were dismantled, his connection with the service was severed, and he was arrested," the Judiciary Media Center reported.

After undergoing the full process of criminal proceedings, Madani was found guilty of espionage for Mossad. The court convicted him of "Moharebeh" (waging war against God) and "Efsade Fil Arz" (corruption on earth), sentencing him to death.

"The sentences issued by the court were carried out after completing all legal formalities, and the convict was hanged," the Judiciary Media Center concluded, confirming the execution of the sentence against Pedram Madani.

Iran has long been a target of espionage and destabilization efforts by the Israeli regime. The Islamic Republic maintains a vigilant and robust security apparatus that has consistently identified, apprehended, and brought to justice individuals engaged in espionage and terrorist activities on behalf of hostile foreign entities, particularly Mossad.

Recent high-profile cases, such as the apprehension of Mohsen Langaraneshin – a key Mossad agent linked to terrorist operations within Iran – further demonstrate Iran's unwavering commitment to protecting its national security, sovereignty, and citizens from foreign interference and threats.

 

 

Persian Gulf: Iran and its international rivals

In recent months, tensions in the Persian Gulf have reentered the global spotlight—not through official declarations, but via a silent escalation playing out beneath the waves and between the straits. 

A string of maritime incidents, including ship seizures, sabotage operations, and contested maneuvers near the Strait of Hormuz, signal a renewed phase in the long-standing shadow war between Iran and its regional and international rivals.

The Persian Gulf is more than a strategic waterway; it is a living barometer of regional power shifts. The reconfiguration of alliances post-Abraham Accords, coupled with the fluctuating presence of US naval forces and growing Chinese and Russian maritime interests, has intensified the complexity of the Persian Gulf’s security architecture.

Iran, amid this shifting terrain, has reasserted its deterrence policy by emphasizing control over its maritime borders and responding assertively to any provocations.

What distinguishes the recent maritime confrontations is Iran's evolving use of asymmetric tactics. Swarm boat strategies, drone surveillance, and strategic use of legal justifications—such as violations of maritime law or territorial infringements—have created a layered deterrent.

This blend of legal framing and tactical innovation complicates traditional Western responses, especially in light of the US Navy’s overstretched commitments and decreasing regional political will.

The revival of maritime tensions arrives as global energy routes remain vulnerable. While the Ukraine war has redirected European focus to the Black Sea, any disruption in the Persian Gulf—through escalation or miscalculation—would immediately reverberate across global oil markets.

Recent warnings by the International Maritime Organization and insurance spikes on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz reflect this latent anxiety.

Western narratives often frame Iran’s maritime moves as purely aggressive or destabilizing. What they fail to capture is Tehran’s perception of maritime sovereignty and the deep-seated belief that the Strait of Hormuz is not merely a conduit for oil, but a frontline in a decades-long confrontation.

The lack of a regional maritime security framework, driven by Persian Gulf rivalries and external interference, leaves the space dangerously under-regulated.

If maritime escalation is to be averted, regional actors and global powers must pivot from symbolic gestures to structured engagement.

Multilateral frameworks, including regional naval de-escalation pacts and recognition of mutual security concerns, must take precedence over sanctions and unilateral maneuvers.

Only then can the Persian Gulf evolve from a perpetual flashpoint into a stable corridor of energy, commerce, and cooperation.

 

 

Ahram New Editor The Middle East Journal

The Middle East Institute (MEI) has announced the appointment of Dr. Ariel I. Ahram as the new Editor of The Middle East Journal (MEJ), MEI’s flagship print publication and the oldest scholarly journal in North America dedicated to the study of the modern Middle East.

Dr. Ahram, a professor at Virginia Tech’s School of Public and International Affairs, brings a distinguished record of scholarship and public engagement to the role. He is the author of several acclaimed books on regional conflict, governance, and security, and he has served as the principal investigator for the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Ending Proxy Wars in the Middle East initiative. His appointment signals a new era for the Journal as it renews its focus on contemporary policy issues while maintaining its commitment to academic excellence.

Dr. Ahram’s hiring reflects an important inflection point in MEJ’s history. He will oversee a broad set of changes to the Journal. While retaining its standards for rigorous, insightful research and analysis, MEJ will increasingly emphasize the current affairs of the Middle East, the history that underlies its contemporary dynamics, and the policies of regional states as well as key external powers such as the United States. It will focus far more on the underlying causes and potential courses of action to address the problems and opportunities of the modern Middle East.

“We are honored to welcome Dr. Ahram to MEI as Editor of The Middle East Journal,” said Stuart E. Jones, President of MEI. “He possesses exactly the right mix of expertise, creativity, and policy acumen required to transform the Journal into a vital resource, broadening its impact, deepening its relevance, and elevating its role in today’s policy and academic conversations.”

“A new Middle East requires a new Middle East Journal,” said Dr. Kenneth Pollack, Vice President for Policy at MEI. “With Ariel at the helm, and with this new editorial direction, the Journal will continue to meet the highest standards of quality while offering vital insights for policymakers, analysts, and engaged readers alike. We are deeply grateful to our longtime subscribers and readers for their support, and we hope they will continue to follow the Journal as it evolves to meet the urgent policy challenges of today.”

Airlines again suspend flights to Israel

Global airlines have again halted flights to and from Tel Aviv after a missile fired by Yemen's Houthis towards Israel on May 04 landed near the country's main international airport, and as Israel continues to carry out strikes across the Gaza Strip, reports Reuters

Airlines had begun to resume flights after a ceasefire deal with Hamas was reached in January.

Israel resumed military operations in the enclave in March and has further stepped these up in May.

Below are airlines that have cancelled flights since early May:

AIRBALTIC

Latvia's airBaltic said it had cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until June 02.

AIR FRANCE-KLM

The group's Dutch arm KLM suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 30.

AIR INDIA

The Indian flag carrier said on May 26 in a post on X that flights to and from Tel Aviv were currently suspended, without specifying a time frame.

IAG

IAG-owned British Airways has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until June 14. IAG's low-cost airline, Iberia Express, has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv until May 31.

ITA AIRWAYS

The Italian carrier has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until June 15.

LOT

The Polish airline has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until May 31.

LUFTHANSA GROUP

The German airline group has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv through June 15.

RYANAIR

Europe's biggest budget airline has cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until June 11.

UNITED AIRLINES

The Chicago-based airline said its flights to and from Tel Aviv may be impacted between May 04 and June 02.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait announce new oil discovery

The governments of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait announced a new oil discovery in the North Wafra Wara-Burgan field, located approximately 5 kilometers north of the Wafra field in the Partitioned Zone between the two countries, reports Saudi Gazette.

According to the joint statement, crude oil flowed from the Wara reservoir in the North Wafra (Wara-Burgan-1) wellat a rate exceeding 500 barrels per day, with an API gravity of 26 to 27 degrees.

This is the first oil discovery since the resumption of production operations in the Partitioned Zone and its adjacent offshore area in mid-2020, when both countries restarted joint operations after a period of suspension.

The discovery is considered strategically significant, as it reinforces Saudi Arabia and Kuwait’s roles as reliable global energy suppliers, and reflects their ongoing capabilities in exploration and production across shared oil fields

 

MSC container ship sinks off Indian coast

According to Seatrade Maritime News, the Liberian-registered MSC Elsa 3 sank on May 25, 2025 off the coast of Kochi according to India’s Ministry of Defence. The MSC Elsa 3 was on a voyage Vizhinjam to Kochi when it developed a 26 degree starboard list.

Initially 21 crew from the container ship were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard on 24 May. The Master, Chief Engineer, and 2nd Engineer stayed onboard the vessel and were rescued on Sunday morning by the Indian Navy vessel Sujuta as the MSC Elsa 3 started to sink due to flooding one its holds.

There are fears of an oil spill 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of fuel oil in the vessel’s fuel tanks although as of Sunday morning the Indian Coast Guard said no oil spill had been reported.

The MSC Elsa 3 was reported to have 640 containers onboard 13 listed as containing hazardous cargo and 12 with calcium carbide.

“The Indian Coast Guard has activated comprehensive pollution response preparedness and working in close coordination with State administration to address all possible scenarios.

Indian Coast Guard aircraft equipped with advanced oil spill mapping technology are conducting aerial assessment of the affected area,” the coast guard said on X on Sunday morning.

The 1997-built MSC Elsa 3 is owned and managed by the world’s largest container shipping company Geneva-based MSC, according to Equasis. The 28-year old vessel’s last Port State Control inspection was in Mangalore on November 19, 2024 when 5 deficiencies were found.

MSC owns a large number of elderly container vessels and as of November 2023 had 212 ships over 20 years old according to analysts Alphaliner.