UPDATE: #Lebanon • Beirut seeks “permanent agreements” with Israel: Prez Aoun • “Ready to go wherever” (White House) • Displaced returning South • Few Israeli attacks today • Netanyahu says ready to blend political with military strategy vs Hezbollah www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

UPDATE: Lebanon-Israel ceasefire • Trump announces: 10-day, 5pmET • Netanyahu didn’t ask cabinet • Trump to invite Aoun, Bibi to White House! First in 43 years • Israel not withdrawing yet • Hezbollah to abide if Israel does • Helps with Iran talks www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

On Lebanon, nothing is ever black or white. The country’s history and political trajectory are rooted in uncertainty. We are in a unique moment marked by major social and political shifts, but it is still unclear where they will lead.

UPDATE: #Lebanon • Rubio calls Prez Aoun • Aoun declines, for now, call with Netanyahu • Israel mulling temporary ceasefire • US pushing for ceasefire followed by negotiations/peace talks • Israel bombed Qasimiyeh bridge • Ali Hassan Khalil in Saudi www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

CNN exposes a global “online rape academy” that teaches men how to drug and rape women without detection. Over 62 million men attended in February alone.

TIP: @almonitor.bsky.social can confirm that serious US pressure/efforts underway with Israel to agree to temporary ceasefire with #Lebanon. Driving pressure is progress on Iran track via Pakistan. Could come as soon as tonight…

‼️American journalist Ahmed Shibab-Eldin has been detained in Kuwait for about six weeks after sharing content related to the war in Iran. His account here on Twitter appears deactivated www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

UPDATE: Lebanon- Israel talks • > 2 hrs • Rubio chaired, ambassadors level • No handshake, no joint statement • No ceasefire reached • “Constructive” • $58.8M aid to Lebanon • US emphasized Lebanon separate track from Iran; direct negotiations next www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

📻 Good to be on NPR's 1A today to discuss Lebanon-Israel talks in Washington, why Rubio should press Israel for a ceasefire in order to get a chance at disarming Hezbollah, advancing a political process: the1a.org/segments/leb...

UPDATE: Lebanon- Israel talks tomorrow • Plan for 11 am ET, 6pm Beirut • 3 Ambassadors at State Dept. • Rubio to drop in • Hezbollah says it won’t abide • Israeli bombardment continues • Beirut hoping for ceasefire • Netanyahu maintaining low expectations

NEW: 'No fear': Pope Leo pushes against Trump attacks as he lands in Algeria www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

UPDATE • Trump: US to Blockade Hormuz • Pakistan talks failed • Trump: All or nothing • US, Iran delegations left Islamabad • UAE: Hormuz’s “not Iran’s to close” • Israel prepares for war to resume • Israel strikes Lebanon, raid in South • Ceasefire expires04/22

Iran-US: Moving pieces before Islamabad talks • 2 Planes carrying Iran delegation reportedly arrived in Pakistan • Lebanon-Israel ceasefire may happen today. Ambassadors 📞 soon • Ghalibaf asking for $$ assets released • Vance on way • Lebanon-Israel talks in US on Tuesday

Careful with flood of AI videos suggesting Iranian delegation is in Pakistan already. No confirmation yet. Iran's Ghalibaf requesting 1. Ceasefire in Lebanon 2. Release of assets Before entering #IslamabadTalks

Good to be on @france24.com this morning to discuss the flood of misinformation around war in Iran & competing narratives/talks shaping the war/ceasefire negotiations. www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...

Lebanon has one of the most diverse and complex political, cultural and social landscapes in the Middle East. Broad generalizations of entire population rarely hold…if only it were that simple…

UPDATE: US confirms it's hosting Lebanon-Israel talks next week, the first of kind in Washington. Unclear if it's ambassador level or more officials will join. Watch this space: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Why did China push for US-Iran ceasefire: 1. Potential sanctions relief 2. Pakistan as mediator 3. Iran regime intact 4. Energy flow and Trump visit ➡️ www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW: #Lebanon rejects Iran negotiating on its behalf, PM Salam says only Beirut handles talks. Over 200 killed in Israeli strikes, 33 missing. Details: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

US-Iran ceasefire violations - Iranian missiles at Israel - Israel hit Iran oil refinery - Iran hit Saudi Arabia pipeline - Iran fired missiles at UAE, Qatar - Iran fired drones at Kuwait, Bahrain Massive Israeli airstrikes in Beirut as US says Lebanon NOT included in ceasefire

Some diplomatic signs - Pakistani proposal:2-week ceasefire - Trump has not ruled it out - Iran views proposal “positively” - UN official en route to Tehran,l - Israel intensifying attacks in an event of a temporary pause Trump chairing policy meeting now

🚨 CONFIRMED: AL-MONITOR can confirm that American citizen, Wisconsin native and journalist Shelly Kittleson has been RELEASED after one week abduction by Iraqi militia. Two officials told @amberinzaman.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Glimmer of good news🤞: Iraqi militia Kataeb Hezbollah says it will release US journalist Shelly Kittleson, one week after her abduction. @almonitor.bsky.social where Shelly wrote for 14 years, cannot independently confirm at this point: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

“She loves the Middle East. Many reporters pass through... many anchors go when there is a war, parachute in and out... but that’s not Shelly,” AL-MONITOR’s Editor-in-Chief @joycekaram.bsky.social tells NPR on the kidnapping of journalist Shelly Kittleson in Iraq. www.wuwm.com/kidnapping-o...

The problem for Trump, if you expand military campaign, it won't solve nuclear issue (without separate operation) nor guarantee opening of Hormuz. The problem for Iran, if you keep hitting Gulf states, close straits, it could help regime survive but not end the war.

🔴LIVE UPDATES: • US hits Kharg island • Israel hits Iran rail • Trump: “whole civilization” to die • Gulf states brace for escalation • UNSC vote in 40 min • 2 French detainees leave Iran • Deadline in ~10 hrs • Bab El Mandab strait may close www.al-monitor.com/live-blog/us...

UPDATE - At least 4 US aircrafts damaged by Iran - US crew member missing - Iran rejected mtg in Pakistan: WSJ - Iran rejected 48 hr ceasefire: Fars - US striking Tehran - Israeli strikes continue - Kuwait: Iran targeted desalination plant - UNSC to vote on Bahrain res. Day 35

Why bombing #Iran’s civilian infrastructure will backfire • Failed strategy across Middle East: Lebanon, Yemen, Gaza,Syria • Rallies people around regime • Further paints US as enemy of nation • Escalates war regionally • Doesn’t resolve nuclear issue nor reopens Hormuz

#China- Pakistan peace plan for Iran • 5-point plan, unlikely to go far • Parties dug in • Beijing has limited leverage • 🇨🇳 getting the oil, is in no rush as US diverts resources from Asia, Trump clashes with Europe. More ➡️ www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW China-Middle East newsletter: China plays peacemaker while letting US bleed in Iran @joycekaram.bsky.social writes that Beijing’s push for a ceasefire highlights its diplomatic ambitions, but it's facing increasingly entrenched actors and limited leverage. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Al-Monitor statement on kidnapping of contributor Shelly Kittleson in Iraq today: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

No matter how this war ends, the level of Arab Gulf mistrust/public anger at Iran regime is a new reality for Tehran to reckon with. Arabic social media tells a very different story than English posts. There is no going back to pre-Feb. 28.

Where we are - Trump says progress in 'talks' & bombing - US weighing uranium extraction(WSJ) - Iran regime defiant, striking Gulf + Jordan - Attacks on Syria from Iraq - Jordan king in Saudi - Pakistan hosted regional talks - Israel mil. advancing in S Lebanon - Oil soars $115🛢️

EXCLUSIVE: Israel suspects Trump admin. is in contract with three #Iran officials, including Ghalibaf, to try and end war. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

🔔 Live webinar 3/31: Join us for a virtual discussion on the US & Israel’s war in Iran, including implications for the Iranian regime, the Lebanon front, and the Gulf, ft.: • Hamidreza Azizi • Randa Slim • Hasan AlHasan • ALM's @joycekaram.bsky.social Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

⚡️#Iran war: Outlook & Implications. Our webinar next week, with • Hamidreza Azizi • Randa Slim • Hasan AlHasan You don’t wanna miss this one. RSVP us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

🚨BREAKING: Iran rejects Trump's proposal for ceasefire as US dispatches forces www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Why Iran ballistic missile incident in #Lebanon is dangerous • A first • Target may have been US embassy • Drags Lebanon deeper into war • Deepens divide, anger at Hezbollah, discrimination against displaced • Helps Israel prolong war in South www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

BREAKING: Lebanon expels Iranian ambassador as war tensions mount www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Bears repeating: Iran is not Venezuela, IRGC are not Chavistas, Ghalibaf is not Rodriguez and Middle East is certainly not Latin America. Question those leaks and silly headlines going around today..

CONFIRMED: Turkish source tells @almonitor.bsky.social that US is asking for talks between VP Vance & #Iran's Ghalibaf. Turkey will be one intermediary, but Iran has yet to respond... www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Rapid Iran developments this a.m • Trump pauses energy strikes • Witkoff talking to 'top person' • Israeli media: Ghalibaf • Possible meeting in Pakistan: Axios • Oil prices see ~10% drop www.al-monitor.com/live-blog/tr...

Shift happening in Gulf on Iran: - Both Saudi Arabia and UAE inching closer to Trump on war - Qatar cracking down on pro Iran influencers + some Jazeera voices - Kuwait going after Hezbollah elements - Oman keeps distance, contradicts Trump - Bahrain in line w Saudi, UAE

#Iran war enters much more dangerous zone of escalation - Nuclear facilities targeted: US & Israel struck Natanz; Iran hit in Dimona - Infrastructure: Trump gives Iran 48 hrs before “obliterating” power plants - Higher casualties: > 88 injured in Arad, Iran death toll >1,500

UPDATE: 3 weeks on #Iran war • US more dug in, deploying 4,000+ marines,🚢, considers occupying Kharg • Iran regime lost big names but operationally intact, IRGC tightens grip • Global energy crisis, NATO leaving Iraq, Russia pleased, China not too bothered

NEW: 5 reasons #China in no rush to end Iran war 1. US draining resources, distracted 2. Still getting Iranian 🛢️via Hormuz 3. China not too wed to regime 4. Improving Gulf ties 5. Offering aid to Lebanon, Iraq www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

🚨BREAKING: Israel has killed #Iran security chief Ali Larijani, Katz says. Larijani, one of regime’s most influential, emerged as lead figure after Khamenei’s death www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Trump’s Iran dilemma • Unable to bring in EUR allies • He has to lean on China • Risks losing Gulf allies • Nuclear sites op. requires troops • He realizes protests internally, Kurdish revolt not fully feasible • Israel not listening on🛢️targets, Lebanon Not a good place

On Lebanon: - Israeli threats are partially pressure tactics on LAF vs Hezbollah - Lebanon is not Gaza. Hezbollah is not PLO & Beirut 2026 is not 1982 - Re-occupying South Lebanon won’t produce peace for either side - Keep an eye on direct talks proposed in France to de-escalate

NEW: Hamas is urging #Iran NOT to target Gulf countries (including Qatar where group is based). Abeer Ayyoub looks at Hamas’ calculus and why it’s sitting this one out: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...