Latest news with #diplomaticSolution
Arab News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Netanyahu must be pushed to end Gaza war immediately
US President Donald Trump has called on Israel and Hamas to embrace a deal that will end the war in Gaza and return all Israeli hostages. He said last Friday that he believes a deal could be reached within a week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hinted that the prospects of an agreement were strong. The Israeli army has reportedly said all military objectives have been achieved and that the time for a diplomatic solution has come. Tens of thousands of Israelis have returned to the streets to pressure the government to conclude a deal. And yet, there is a foreboding sense of deja vu clouding the atmosphere days after an uneasy truce was reached between Iran and Israel. Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has succeeded in upsetting the regional geopolitical order in its favor. Netanyahu has utilized the Gaza war to secure a range of strategic gains across the region. But now, amid the euphoria, he finds himself in a position where he is pressured domestically, regionally and internationally to end the Gaza carnage The 12-day Israel-Iran war was a game-changer. For Trump, the US intervention was tantamount to a great victory that ended Tehran's nuclear ambitions. But for Netanyahu, the great strategic gains his war machine secured in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and now Iran are not enough. Ending the Gaza war will open a proverbial Pandora's box for him. Yes, he has changed the geopolitical realities of the Middle East. Iran has been humbled and its proxies hamstrung. Syria has a new regime that is open to ending hostilities with Tel Aviv, while a humbled Hezbollah is being pressured to hand over its weapons to the Lebanese army. What more can Netanyahu ask for? The reality is that all such gains mean nothing if they do not serve the Israeli far right's grand scheme: reoccupy Gaza and displace its inhabitants, annex the West Bank and enforce a humiliating political deal on the Palestinians. With Iran badly hurt and side-stepped, Israel has run out of militant enemies. The Iranian leaders will have to reconsider their regional policies, rearrange their national priorities and try to reengage with the rest of the world, particularly the US. The Iranian public will eventually renew their demands for genuine economic, social and political reforms. Iran's regional dominance will never be reclaimed. For Netanyahu, the great strategic gains his war machine secured in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and now Iran are not enough Osama Al-Sharif That leaves Israel as the primary regional power. That is, after all, what the new Middle East means for Netanyahu and his cronies. Keeping Gaza on fire will serve several purposes. It will delay any investigation into the Oct. 7 calamity, which would end in assigning blame for the worst intelligence failure in Israeli history. It will mean Netanyahu does not have to call an early election, one that his party is likely to lose. And it will delay the verdict in his graft trial, protecting him from a possible jail term. But there are other objectives behind waging war on Gaza, even when the Israeli army admits it has run out of military goals. The war has become a blackmail tool to secure political gains for Israel, such as expanding the Abraham Accords. The war has given Netanyahu's far-right government the momentum to clamp down on the West Bank, expropriate lands, destroy refugee camps, expel UNRWA and weaken the Palestinian Authority. Such goals are known to Washington and other Western governments. But for these governments to look the other way while the Israeli army intensifies its genocidal war on Gaza is inexcusable and shameful. Only Netanyahu stands to benefit from the wanton killing of civilians in Gaza. Only he refuses to allow humanitarian aid to enter while tens of thousands of Gazans are on the verge of starvation. Only the Israeli prime minister ignores Hebrew press reports that the Israeli army is shooting at tens of aid seekers on a daily basis as they try to get lifesaving food from an agency that he created and funded. Trump has lauded Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, and has even said that he wants his corruption trial to end. He has invited him to the White House in July without underlining the need to stop the war in Gaza as a condition. This may very well be Israel's regional moment for many good reasons. But for Israel to emerge as the regional bully, many countries will and should be worried. Those countries should be thinking that, while humbling Iran might be a good thing, having Israel emerge as the primary regional power is even worse. Not once did Netanyahu link his new Middle East vision to ending decades of conflict with the Palestinians Osama Al-Sharif Not once did Netanyahu link his new Middle East vision to ending decades of conflict with the Palestinians. Not once did he offer the Palestinians anything. His approach to Gaza is one of extermination or displacement. His view of the West Bank is even worse. He sees no future for the PA, only complete annexation and an end to the dream of a Palestinian state. Trump must become sensitive to the national security requirements of his Arab allies. At the center of these demands is a just and lasting settlement to the Palestinian tragedy. Netanyahu's dystopian vision sees the displacement of all Palestinians from their native lands. He believes in a 'Greater Israel' that requires occupying all of historical Palestine, in addition to lands belonging to sovereign Arab states. The Israel-Iran war may turn out to be the last major regional war with the Israel-Palestine conflict as its root cause. But the emerging Israel that Netanyahu now leads cannot afford to be without wars. It even looks suspiciously at countries with which it has a peace treaty, like Jordan and Egypt, while extremist lawmakers openly claim territories in these countries as theirs. Trump is in a position to bring Netanyahu back to reality. Now that Israel has achieved all these strategic gains, it must also be ready to accommodate the concerns of Israel's neighbors. Topping these concerns is ending the genocide in Gaza and offering the Palestinians a path toward an independent state of their own. That will be a tough sell. But only Trump can restrain a euphoric Netanyahu at this stage. If everything else fails, the world will continue to nonchalantly watch the killing fields in Gaza, while a megalomaniacal Netanyahu carries on with liquidating the Palestinians and their cause.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Lammy says Middle East needs ‘diplomatic solution' after US talks
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has reiterated the need for 'regional stability' in the Middle East following talks with US officials, as Israel continued to strike Iranian targets on Monday. His remarks came after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, held in the wake of US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. Mr Lammy also spoke with secretary of state Marco Rubio. 'Important discussion with @SecRubio this evening on the situation in the Middle East,' Mr Lammy wrote in a post on X. 'We will continue to work with our allies to protect our people, secure regional stability and drive forward a diplomatic solution.' In a Monday post on Truth Social, Mr Trump claimed the US strikes caused 'monumental' damage, although US officials have said they are still assessing the situation. 'The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!' he wrote. Over the weekend, the US attacked Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tehran regime has insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful, but its uranium enrichment process has gone far beyond what is required for power stations. Israeli military officials confirmed late on Sunday they had struck infrastructure sites in Tehran and in the west of Iran. Explosions could be heard in the city of Bushehr on Sunday, home to Iran's only nuclear power plant. Israel confirmed it had struck missile launchers in the city, as well as a command centre where missiles were being stored. Iranian media reported defence systems were firing in Tehran in the early hours of Monday morning, but Iran is yet to comment on the latest strikes. On Sunday night, Downing Street said Sir Keir and Mr Trump agreed Tehran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and called for Iran to return to negotiations. 'The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and reiterated the grave risk posed by Iran's nuclear programme to international security,' Downing Street said. 'They discussed the actions taken by the United States last night to reduce the threat and agreed that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. 'They discussed the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and to make progress on a lasting settlement. 'They agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days.' Other countries endorsed the US strikes, with Australian foreign minister Penny Wong giving the White House her full backing on Monday. 'We support action to prevent Iran getting a nuclear weapon and that is what this is,' she said. In the hours after Mr Trump's phone call with Sir Keir, he again posted on Truth Social, saying: 'It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!' The social media post marked a reversal from previous statements on regime change, including an earlier press conference from defence secretary Pete Hegseth, about the bombing on the three nuclear sites. Iran is yet to confirm how much damage was done in the US-led attack.
NHK
23-06-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Russia, China, Pakistan prepare UNSC resolution on Iran situation
Russia, which has strong ties with Iran, says it has prepared a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council together with China and Pakistan. The draft calls for "an immediate and unconditional ceasefire" in the Middle East. The Security Council convened an emergency session on Sunday. The Russian ambassador to the UN says the draft resolution also urges "a search for a diplomatic solution surrounding the Iranian nuclear program" and is "short and balanced." Prior to the meeting, Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon slammed the countries on social media for preparing a resolution condemning the United States and Israel. The US is expected to veto the draft if it is put to a vote, highlighting the difficulty for nations with conflicting interests to reach a consensus.
The Independent
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
UK must push for diplomatic solution following US strikes on Iran, says Swinney
John Swinney has said the UK must push for a diplomatic solution delivered by the international community, following the overnight US strikes on Iran's nuclear programme. The Scottish First Minister's response to the developments in the Middle East came after Sir Keir Starmer urged Iran to return to negotiations. UK minister Douglas Alexander said the Government 'has been putting contingencies in place' as the region braces for any potential retaliation from Iran. US President Donald Trump said three key nuclear sites in Iran were 'completely and fully obliterated' in the military strikes. The US is thought to have used B-2 stealth bombers to drop bunker-busting munitions on the sites – including the deeply-buried Fordo facility – as well as 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarines. The US-UK base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean is not thought to have been used in the operation. Posting on X, Mr Swinney said: 'The Middle East conflict has reached an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran. 'The conflict must be stopped by a diplomatic solution delivered through the international community. And the UK Government must insist on that now.' The Prime Minister had earlier said Iran should 'return to the negotiating table', noting the region remains 'volatile'. He said: 'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. 'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.' Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf was critical of the Prime Minister's response. He posted on social media: 'An awful statement from the PM, which ignores our collective responsibility to uphold international law. 'Supporting illegal military action in Iran, and gas-lighting us about an imminent nuclear threat, is hauntingly reminiscent of the lies told in the run up to the Iraq war.' During a protest march in London, Mr Yousaf had earlier accused the UK Government of 'abusing' anti-terror laws against the Palestine Action group, which vandalised two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Trade policy minister Mr Alexander, who is the MP for Lothian East and a former international development minister, spoke to the BBC's Sunday Show. He said: 'I understand that people have woken up this morning to the news that was breaking overnight with a real sense of concern. 'I want to assure your viewers that the British Government has been putting contingencies in place. 'There have been a whole series of meetings, I and other have been attending Cobra meetings in the course of the week.' He said plans are being put in place to move UK nationals in affected countries to safety, stressing the UK 'took no part in this military action'.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Stability in Middle East is priority,' says Starmer - as he calls on Iran to 'return to negotiating table'
Sir Keir Starmer has said stability in the Middle East is "a priority" following US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. The prime minister also called on Iran to "return to the negotiating table" to "reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis". Follow latest: In a statement, Sir Keir said: "Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. "Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. "The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. "We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis." Sky News understands there was no UK involvement in the strikes on Iran. Sir Keir and Foreign Secretary David Lammy had been pushing for a diplomatic solution. On Thursday the prime minister warned of a "real risk of escalation" in the conflict. Read more: Trump says key nuclear sites were 'completely and fully obliterated' The US struck three sites in Iran early on Sunday morning, with Donald Trump boasting the country's key nuclear sites were "completely and fully obliterated" in an address to the nation from the White House. He warned there could be further strikes if Iran retaliates: "There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran." Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation confirmed attacks took place on its Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz sites, but insisted its nuclear programme will not be stopped. Iranian foreign minister warns of 'everlasting consequences' Tehran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned the strikes "will have everlasting consequences" and said his country "reserves all options" to retaliate. "The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences," Mr Araghchi wrote on X. "Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour. "In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defence, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people." Netanyahu praises Trump Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Mr Trump for the attack, saying: "Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history... "History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons." UN secrtary-general 'gravely alarmed' by US attack But UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said he was "gravely alarmed by the use of force" by the US against Iran. "This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge - and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control - with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world." Earlier this week Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had warned the US that strikes targeting the Islamic Republic will "result in irreparable damage for them" and a spokesperson for its Foreign Ministry declared "any American intervention would be a recipe for all-out war in the region". The US attack came after more than a week of strikes by Israel, which have significantly degraded Iran's air defences and offensive missile capabilities, and damaged its nuclear enrichment facilities. Israel's strikes on Iran have killed at least 865 people and wounded 3,396 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. The group said of those killed, 365 were civilians and 215 were security force personnel.
