September 12, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeSeptember 12, 2026UpdatesLebanon president: No new talks with Israel currently underwayLebanese President Joseph Aoun said Saturday morning that no new negotiations with Israel are currently underway, in an interview with Saudia channel Al Arabiya during a visit to Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.Aoun was visiting the area alongside senior Lebanese security officials to assess residents' needs and demands. He reiterated that Lebanon is committed to three "national principles": an Israeli withdrawal, the return of prisoners and displaced people, and the reconstruction of affected areas.Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets Greek Prime Minister (not pictured) at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, on August. Credit: AFP/ANGELOS TZORTZINISLebanese President Joseph Aoun meets Greek Prime Minister (not pictured) at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, on August. Credit: AFP/ANGELOS TZORTZINISHis comments come as the U.S.-mediated diplomatic process between Israel and Lebanon has stalled. A new round of talks that had been expected to take place in Rome next week has been postponed until October, Reuters reported Friday, citing Axios and a U.S. official. The postponement was attributed to scheduling conflicts involving the Jewish holidays, a conference in Paris and preparations for the U.N. General Assembly.Despite the postponement, Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors are expected to meet in Washington, according to the report.The two sides reached a framework agreement in June under U.S. mediation, but implementation has made little progress, including over an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah.Report: U.S. limits air-defense cover for Hormuz tankers to two daily time slotsThe United States has restricted the time windows in which tankers sailing through the Strait of Hormuz can receive U.S. air-defense support, following a rise in Iranian attacks on commercial vessels, the Financial Times reported Saturday.Since May, Washington has provided air cover for ships using a route along Oman's coast on the southern side of the strait, with vessels coordinating their passage with the U.S. Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping center.Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August. Credit: Stringer/REUTERSVessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August. Credit: Stringer/REUTERSAccording to emails seen by the FT, ships were previously given broad overnight windows to transit under U.S. protection. Since early September, however, they have been encouraged to begin their passage at specified times, such as 9 A.M., with the recommended times varying by day. One message said nighttime transit had "not proven to be the most secure time of day."The change comes amid escalating attacks on commercial shipping. Iran said Wednesday that it had attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in retaliation for U.S. strikes on five Iranian tankers. Britain's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations also reported further attacks near Dubai and Iraq.More than 70 commercial vessels have been attacked since the war began on February 28, according to the Times.The Strait of Hormuz passage takes roughly seven hours for a commercial vessel traveling at slow to moderate speed. Retired U.S. Vice Adm. John Miller told the Times that sustaining round-the-clock air cover over an extended period would be difficult and that the U.S. would need to "husband the assets" needed to maintain the mission.Israel-Lebanon talks postponed until October, Axios reportsTalks between ‌Israel and ‌Lebanon that were scheduled to ⁠take place in ⁠Rome next week have been postponed and will occur instead in October, ‌Axios reported on Friday, ‌citing a U.S. official.Jewish holidays, a Paris conference and UN General Assembly preparations meant participants could not convene ⁠in Rome, Axios cited a source as ‌saying. The ⁠Lebanese and ‌Israeli ambassadors are due to meet in Washington, ⁠according to the post on X.The U.K. sanctions are a joke. Israel is the settlements, and the settlements are Israel |OpinionEveryone is playing the game: Britain supposedly imposes sanctions, about a dozen other European countries pretend to join them and Israel responds with measures akin to a mouse striking back at an elephant so we can show the British a thing or two. Everyone is happy with themselves. The construction of settler homes on stolen Palestinian land will not stop, nor will the theft of livestock, because of what Britain has done, even if the world is delighting in these sanctions. Israeli flags decorated the road leading to the Palestinian village of Um el-Kheir, wedged between new Jewish settlements and outposts in the West Bank. Credit: AFP/HAZEM BADERIsraeli flags decorated the road leading to the Palestinian village of Um el-Kheir, wedged between new Jewish settlements and outposts in the West Bank. Credit: AFP/HAZEM BADERThe new British government says ethnic cleansing is occurring in the West Bank, making it the first Western country to say that. This is grounds for hope and a moral act. Hurray for Britain, no cynicism intended. But Britain chose only to punish the settlers, which sets a dangerous precedent. By doing so, it is saying that there is Israel and there are settlers. There is a country and there is an occupation, there are Israelis and there are settlers.How comfortable it is to make these distinctions, like distinguishing between Benjamin Netanyahu of wars and the opposition of peace. That way, perhaps no one will accuse Britain of antisemitism, except for Gideon Sa'ar, who specializes in blaming the world for that and punishing it accordingly.But settlements are not an independent political entity. When Europe imposed sanctions on the occupied Crimean Peninsula, it also imposed sanctions on the occupier, Russia. How can you only punish the settlers without imposing penalties against those who initiated the settlements, fund them and defend and support them, namely the government of Israel?Read the full articleSaudi Arabia says East-West oil pipeline attacked by drones from Iraq, will not retaliateThe Saudi Foreign Ministry said that its East-West oil pipeline was attacked by drones launched from Iran, and that it has chosen not to retaliate at this stage following a request from the Iraqi prime minister. The Saudis added that they reserve the right to take any measures necessary to protect the kingdom's sovereignty. Iraq ‌welcomed Saudi ‌Arabia's decision to ⁠hold off ⁠on retaliation and condemned any attack threatening Saudi security. It added that the Iraqi ⁠prime minister had ordered an ‌investigation into those responsible, according to a statement ⁠from its armed forces.Iraq closes Iran border crossing after drone attack on Saudi ArabiaIraq ‌ordered the closure ‌of the Shalamcheh border ⁠crossing between Iraq ⁠and Iran as a precautionary measure after the latest drone attacks ‌on Saudi Arabia, according to two ‌security sources.The sources said a wide-scale operation was underway to pursue perpetrators of ⁠the attack on Saudi Arabia.Riyadh said ‌on Friday ⁠its ‌vital East-West pipeline was attacked by drones that ⁠were launched from Iraq.Reports: Explosions in Lebanon's Ali Al Taher ridge, Israeli strikes reported in southTwo explosions were heard in southern Lebanon's Ali Al Taher ridge and in the village of al-Qantara, Al Jazeera reported, while Al Mayadeen said Israel struck in the areas of Zibqin and Al Mansouri.The Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported that two strikes were carried out on the town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa and the outskirts of Kfar Rumman.RECAP: Saudi Arabia hit by drone attacks as Iran-linked regional escalation widensHere are Friday's latest updates:■ Saudi Arabia said its East-West oil pipeline was attacked by drones launched from Iraq, while saying it would not retaliate for now following a request from the Iraqi prime minister. Several people were wounded in attacks on the pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions, according to Saudi authorities.■ Iraq closed the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran as a precaution after the attacks on Saudi Arabia, according to two Iraqi security sources. A large-scale operation was underway to pursue those responsible, the sources said.■ Iran plans to hold a regional meeting in Oman on Monday with Iraq and other countries to discuss safe commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported.■ The Iran-backed Houthis reached the Yemeni town of Dhubab and the strategic island of Perim, both near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, two Yemeni government sources told Reuters. Control of the sites is key to gaining control of the strait, the sources said.■ Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistani army chief Asim Munir discussed the Houthis' attacks on Saudi Arabia in a phone call focused on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate Tehran's conflict with the United States, a Pakistani security official told Reuters.■ Following Thursday's Israeli strike on a strategic Hezbollah stronghold, Israeli military officials reiterated that the IDF has no intention of withdrawing from areas Israel holds in southern Lebanon, saying the issue remains subject to diplomatic negotiations.■ Hamas' armed wing said that Mohammed Abdel Salam al-Yazouri, commander of its Khan Yunis Brigade and a member of its higher leadership council, was killed by Israel. The IDF separately said it killed Yazouri in a strike on Khan Yunis, along with a company commander and another Hamas operative from the brigade.■ The Israeli military and Shin Bet said they killed Moamen Jabr al-Sayed Abi Labda, the head of a Hamas sniper cell in the Rafah Brigade, in a strike in Khan Yunis.■ Israeli forces seized 35 firearms near Israel's border with Jordan in what the IDF said was a thwarted weapons-smuggling attempt.■ Germany's federal prosecutor has filed charges against seven suspected Hamas members accused of procuring weapons for attacks on Israeli or Jewish sites in Germany or Austria.■ Austria will not join U.K.-led restrictions on trade in goods with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, with Vienna saying it is focusing on action at the European Union level and urging the European Commission to act.In the NewsYour Vote Won't Change a Thing. 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