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WHO declares Hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship is over

gulftimes — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:30:00 +0000

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On Thursday, the WHO said more than 650 contacts had been identified and followed up by authorities in 33 countries and territories.

It said it would continue to work with governments and partners to advance its understanding of the outbreak and of hantavirus generally.

WHO medical officer Dr Diana Rojas Alverez, speaking at a briefing, said: “Andes virus and other hantaviruses are still a public health risk for South America, and some other endemic areas…

“What we need to continue doing is to keep monitoring this virus, keep preparing for further spread.”

Hantavirus typically spreads from rodents, with people infected by breathing in air contaminated with virus particles from rodent urine, droppings or saliva.

Symptoms can include fever, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and shortness of breath.

They usually appear between two to four weeks after being exposed to the virus, but can occur more than a month later, which is why the recommended isolation period for the passengers was so long.

Passengers, who were not medically evacuated, disembarked in Tenerife, Spain, in May before they were flown home.

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Trump declares victory after pilot rescue, but threats to US aircraft and personnel remain in Iran

gulftimes — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:23:00 +0000

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Trump’s comments over the weekend stand in contrast to several he made last week, including a televised address on 1 April, in which he suggested that the US had already created the conditions necessary for other countries to engage in the Strait. “Take it, protect it, use it for yourselves,” he told allies.

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Ruling overturns Senegal’s title at Africa Cup of Nations and declares Morocco the champion

gulftimes — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 22:03:00 +0000

Gulf News: UAE's largest news aggregator across the GCC

Updated 18 March 2026

March 18, 2026 01:06

Ruling overturns Senegal’s title at Africa Cup of Nations and declares Morocco the champion

The case could go to a further appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport

Updated 18 March 2026

March 18, 2026 01:06

CAIRO: Morocco was stunningly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday by appeals judges that overturned Senegal’s victory in a chaotic final in January.
The Confederation of African Football said its appeal board ruled Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the Final” and its 1-0 win in extra time becomes a 3-0 default win for host nation Morocco.
In the Jan. 18 final in Rabat, Senegal left the field in protest during stoppage time for 15 minutes, and fans tried to storm the field when Morocco was awarded a penalty.
When play resumed, Morocco forward Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved and Senegal scored the only goal in extra time.
At an initial disciplinary hearing, CAF imposed fines of than $1 million in fines and bans for Senegal and Morocco players and officials but left the result untouched.
The case could go to a further appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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Somalia declares drought emergency as millions face hunger after failed rains

gulftimes — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:58:40 +0000

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On 10 November, the Federal Government of Somalia formally declared a drought emergency and appealed for urgent international assistance as conditions continued to deteriorate across northern, central and southern regions, according to the UN relief coordination office, OCHA.

Puntland is among the worst affected areas, where authorities estimate that nearly one million people need support, including 130,000 in immediate life-threatening need.

A UN assessment mission to Bari and Nugaal regions earlier this month found communities grappling with acute water and food shortages, with residents warning that catastrophe could unfold in the coming months.

“We have not received rain since last year; this is the worst drought in years,” said Abdiqani Osman Omar, the mayor of Shaxda village in Bari region.

“Hundreds of displaced families moved here three months ago, and more are coming. The new arrivals are mostly women and children as the men have moved to nearby Ethiopia in search of pasture and water.”

The village has no capacity to support them, he added, stating that even host communities need water and food assistance.

Dried up water sources, abandoned settlements

Across Puntland, water points have dried up, vegetation has withered and once-inhabited pastoral settlements now stand abandoned.

In Dhaxan town, where brief Gu’ season (April-June) showers offered short-lived hope earlier this year, residents are now dependent on expensive trucked water after the local borehole was found to be contaminated.

Community leader Jama Abshir Hersi said around 150 families moved to the town after the rains.

“We used to receive food and nutrition assistance, and medical supplies for our health unit. All that assistance has dwindled,” he said.

Funding shortfalls

Funding shortfalls are compounding the crisis.

As of 23 November, Somalia’s 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan was only 23.7 per cent funded, forcing major reductions in assistance. The number of people receiving emergency food aid plunged from 1.1 million in August to just 350,000 this month.

In Puntland alone, 89 supplementary feeding sites and 198 health and stabilization centres are facing severe supply shortages.

Millions going hungry

The drought is unfolding amid an already dire humanitarian landscape. At least 4.4 million people are projected to face acute food insecurity through December, while 1.85 million children under five are expected to suffer acute malnutrition through mid-2026.

Weather forecasts indicate little immediate relief. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that dry and hot conditions are expected to persist across most of the country, particularly in central and northern regions.

“The prevailing high temperatures and poor rain are likely to exacerbate water stress and limit pasture regeneration in most areas,” the agency said.

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Iran Declares ‘Victory’ Over Israel, Blames U.S. for Escalation, as China Hosts Defence Talks With Russia and Iran Amid Middle East Turmoil

gulftimes — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 13:18:00 +0000

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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that the United States had “gained nothing” from its military involvement during the recent 12-day war between Iran and Israel — a conflict marked by missile salvos, cyberattacks, and unprecedented airstrikes, including hits on Iranian nuclear sites. As the region breathes under a fragile ceasefire, Khamenei’s statement underlines a shifting narrative in the Middle East, where the lines between conventional state power, proxy warfare, and geopolitical alliances are increasingly blurred.

In a written address broadcast by Iran’s state media on Thursday, Khamenei said the Islamic Republic had emerged victorious against both Israel and its principal backer, the United States. His speech, his first public remarks since the ceasefire was announced on Tuesday, was combative and triumphalist, painting the war as a defining moment in the Islamic Republic’s resistance to Western and Israeli aggression.

“They attacked our nuclear facilities, which of course would merit criminal prosecution in international courts,” Khamenei stated. “But they did nothing significant. The Islamic Republic won, and in retaliation dealt a severe slap to the face of America.”

Iranian state media carried his remarks widely, reflecting Tehran’s desire to frame the narrative of the conflict not only as a military success but also as a political triumph over what it views as Western imperialism.

Khamenei also took direct aim at former U.S. President Donald Trump, referencing past claims about “obliterating” Iran’s nuclear program. “He exaggerated events in unusual ways,” Khamenei said, implying that Trump’s rhetoric was more show than substance. “Anyone who has heard these words has understood that there is another truth behind them.”

While the physical damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure remains under assessment — reports suggest moderate damage to uranium enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordow — Iran has managed to maintain a strong propaganda front, claiming that its retaliatory strikes on Israeli military infrastructure and cyber networks were successful and measured.

The 12-day war, the most direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran to date, began after a suspected Israeli cyberattack temporarily crippled power systems in southern Tehran. Iran responded with coordinated missile strikes on Israeli airbases and naval assets. In retaliation, Israel, with reported U.S. logistical support, launched a series of air raids targeting Iranian ballistic missile sites and nuclear research centers.

For decades, Israel and Iran have been engaged in a “shadow war,” with incidents ranging from cyber sabotage to covert operations across Syria, Lebanon, and the Persian Gulf. But this latest escalation marked a transition into open warfare, dragging the United States into a role far more visible than Washington had anticipated.

According to U.S. defense officials, Washington provided intelligence, aerial surveillance, and logistical support to Israel, but did not directly launch strikes on Iranian territory. However, Tehran insists otherwise, accusing the U.S. of “direct military aggression” that violates international law.

The Biden administration — already struggling with deteriorating relations with China and an unresolved war in Ukraine — is facing criticism at home and abroad for what analysts see as an incoherent Middle East strategy.

Senior officials at the Pentagon maintain that American involvement was defensive in nature, designed to prevent the conflict from escalating into a full regional war. But voices in the international community, including at the United Nations, are calling for investigations into whether U.S. assistance contributed to violations of international norms regarding the sovereignty of Iranian infrastructure.

“What we’re seeing is a blowback from the overdependence on military solutions,” said Noura Erakat, a legal scholar specializing in Middle Eastern law. “The U.S. has gained little from this engagement, yet it risks being seen as complicit in unlawful attacks.”

Even as the Middle East reels from this latest bout of violence, attention has turned eastward to the Chinese port city of Qingdao, where China hosted a rare in-person gathering of defense ministers from Iran, Russia, and other Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) members.

The Qingdao meeting came just one day after NATO concluded a summit in The Hague, where alliance members — under pressure from President Trump’s renewed rhetoric about “fair burden sharing” — pledged to increase military spending and enhance defense coordination.

China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun framed the Qingdao summit as a necessary counterbalance to what he described as a “world marked by intertwined turmoil and changes.” He urged the SCO — which includes major players like India, Pakistan, and Central Asian states — to act as an “anchor of stability.”

Russia’s new defense minister, Andrei Belousov, echoed that sentiment, warning of “worsening geopolitical tensions” and pointing fingers at NATO expansion, U.S. sanctions, and destabilization efforts in the Middle East.

While the symbolism of hosting Iranian and Russian officials is undeniable, analysts caution that China remains wary of being pulled into direct involvement in the Middle East’s increasingly combustible politics.

“Beijing’s support for Iran will be rhetorical rather than material,” said James Char of Nanyang Technological University. “They don’t want to further destabilize relations with the U.S., especially as trade tensions remain unresolved and Taiwan continues to be a flashpoint.”

Andrea Ghiselli, a foreign policy expert at the University of Exeter, agrees. “Iran’s defence minister may raise the issue of weapons supply from China,” he said. “But Beijing is unlikely to oblige. Providing arms would be interpreted as a hostile act, not just by Israel but by the United States, with whom China is still trying to manage a fragile diplomatic thaw.”

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also present at the Qingdao gathering, highlighted the internal contradictions of the SCO — an alliance that includes both nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, as well as India’s strategic rival, China.

Singh emphasized multilateral cooperation but warned of the erosion of globalization and rising geopolitical uncertainties.

“The world we live in is undergoing a drastic transformation,” Singh said. “We must collectively aspire to fulfill the aspirations and expectations of our people as well as tackle today’s challenges.”

India’s balancing act — maintaining strategic partnerships with both the U.S. and Russia while navigating volatile SCO dynamics — reflects the broader realignment underway in the Indo-Pacific.

For now, the war between Iran and Israel has paused. The ceasefire, brokered reportedly with the assistance of Qatar and Oman, remains tenuous. Border clashes in Lebanon continue, with Hezbollah — an Iranian-backed group — remaining active along Israel’s northern frontier. Israeli political leaders, though shaken by the scale of the conflict, have framed the confrontation as a necessary show of strength.

However, within Israel, public sentiment is divided. Protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have called for accountability from the Netanyahu government, which critics say misjudged Iran’s retaliatory capability and failed to prevent significant cyber and drone attacks on Israeli territory.

In Tehran, meanwhile, Khamenei’s narrative of “victory” is being carefully choreographed through state-controlled media, even as ordinary Iranians express concern about the long-term costs of continued conflict. Inflation remains high, foreign investment is negligible, and the nuclear program — a symbol of national pride and contention — is once again under international scrutiny.

The broader question looming over the aftermath of this conflict is whether it sets a precedent for direct wars between regional powers — aided overtly or covertly by global superpowers — or if it serves as a wake-up call for de-escalation.

With China, Russia, and Iran finding common ground in their opposition to Western influence, and the U.S. doubling down on support for allies like Israel, the potential for further polarization remains high.

“The current multipolar world order is being tested,” said Sanam Vakil, Deputy Director of the Middle East North Africa Programme at Chatham House. “And unless there’s serious diplomatic engagement, this ceasefire may prove to be just an intermission, not the end.”

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Donald Trump Declares Plan to “Make Iran Great Again,” Fuels Speculation of Regime Change; Tehran Vows Retaliation

gulftimes — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 04:46:00 +0000

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Middle East: The United States and Israel have launched a series of coordinated military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting fierce retaliation from Tehran and raising fears of a full-scale regional war. As US President Donald Trump declared the strikes a “spectacular military success,” Iranian officials issued grave warnings, vowing to target American bases and allies across the region.

The events mark a dramatic escalation in a long-simmering confrontation over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and could derail years of diplomatic efforts aimed at curbing the country’s atomic program through negotiation. Now, with major nuclear sites at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan reduced to rubble and dozens killed in retaliatory exchanges, the world watches nervously as the shadow war between Tehran and its adversaries becomes an open conflict.

At the heart of this conflagration is President Trump’s renewed pledge to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities—by force if necessary. In a fiery statement following the strikes, Trump boasted that the US had “taken the bomb right out of their hands.”

“We had a spectacular military success yesterday,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “They would use it if they could! We stopped them.”

He stopped short of explicitly advocating for regime change in Tehran but came dangerously close. “It’s not politically correct to use the term ‘Regime Change,’” he wrote. “But if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”

The remarks have provoked alarm among US allies in Europe and the Persian Gulf, with diplomats warning that any suggestion of toppling the Iranian regime risks galvanizing hardliners in Tehran and destabilizing the entire region.

Iran’s leadership has responded with unmistakable fury. Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, described the US attacks as a direct assault on Islam and declared that all US bases in the region are now “legitimate targets.”

“America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences,” Velayati told state-run IRNA. “Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces.”

President Masoud Pezeshkian, who had taken a cautious approach to foreign policy since assuming office earlier this year, declared that the US would “receive a response” to its “brutal and illegal aggression.” Thousands took to the streets of Tehran, waving Iranian flags and chanting “Death to America” in spontaneous demonstrations of national unity.

According to US defense sources, the strikes involved a fleet of seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers that flew an 18-hour round trip from the US mainland to their targets in Iran. Armed with over a dozen GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—colloquially known as “bunker busters”—the aircraft struck deep-underground enrichment facilities at Fordo, as well as above-ground targets at Natanz and Isfahan.

The Pentagon’s new Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, claimed the mission had “devastated” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure without targeting military personnel or civilians.

“This was a precision operation,” Hegseth said at a Pentagon press conference. “We targeted facilities, not people.”

Yet, according to Iranian sources, at least 400 people—mostly nuclear scientists and support staff—have been killed, with hundreds more injured in the initial strikes and subsequent Israeli follow-ups.

Israel, long Iran’s most vocal adversary, has confirmed its active role in the strikes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli warplanes and drones conducted multiple operations in central Iran and would continue doing so “until the mission is complete.”

“We are very, very close to completing our objectives,” Netanyahu said, referring to the destruction of Iran’s nuclear and missile development infrastructure. “This is a fight for our survival.”

Nine members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike near Qom on Sunday. In a separate incident, an ambulance transporting wounded nuclear scientists was hit by Israeli drones, killing three civilians, according to Iranian media.

In response, Iran launched dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles at Israeli territory. The attack marked one of the largest barrages ever conducted by Tehran, with key military installations and civilian infrastructure targeted.

Israel’s Ministry of Health confirmed that 23 people were wounded when a missile struck near Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Air raid sirens blared across multiple cities, and the Iron Dome defense system intercepted most—but not all—of the incoming missiles.

“Iran has crossed a dangerous threshold,” said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. “They have attacked the heart of our homeland, and they will pay the price.”

While President Trump and Vice President JD Vance claimed victory, significant questions remain about the long-term impact of the attacks.

“We know that we set the Iranian nuclear program back substantially last night,” Vance said during an appearance on ABC’s This Week. “But they still have their enriched uranium. We’re going to work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel.”

Experts are divided on the matter. Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed that the Fordo site showed visible surface-level craters. However, he noted that inspectors had not been able to access the underground chambers to assess deeper damage.

Ali Shamkhani, another senior advisor to Khamenei, declared that Iran’s nuclear knowledge was indestructible.

“Even if nuclear sites are destroyed, the game isn’t over,” he said on X. “Enriched materials, indigenous knowledge, and political will remain.”

The strikes have drawn sharp criticism from countries that had been trying to mediate renewed nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman issued a joint statement condemning the US and Israeli attacks as “reckless” and calling for immediate de-escalation. France, Germany, and Britain expressed concern about Iran’s likely retaliation, urging both sides to exercise restraint.

“The risk of a regional conflagration is now dangerously high,” warned French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. “Diplomacy must be given a chance.”

Markets responded swiftly to the outbreak of hostilities. Oil prices soared by over four percent in early trading on Monday, with Brent crude hitting $94 a barrel before stabilizing slightly. Shipping companies also reported delays and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a third of global oil passes.

Meanwhile, the US State Department issued a rare “worldwide caution” to American citizens.

“There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad,” the advisory said. “The Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution.”

In Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, Iranian-backed militias staged protests and threatened to take action against US embassies and businesses. In Beirut, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah declared that “America and Israel have declared war on Islam, and we will not remain silent.”

For ordinary Iranians, the strikes brought back memories of past wars and years of suffering under sanctions. In the capital, Tehran, and cities across the country, citizens gathered in mourning and protest.

“I’m truly shocked by the strikes,” said Samireh, a 46-year-old housewife from Semnan. “We are very far from the nuclear sites, but I’m worried about the families who live near them. We all fear what will happen next.”

Despite the fear, many Iranians expressed anger at the foreign assault and rallied around the flag. The attacks appear to have bolstered nationalistic sentiment and may ironically strengthen the regime’s grip on power at home.

Analysts are divided on whether Trump’s decision to strike Iran will achieve its long-term goals.

“This was a high-risk move with enormous potential for blowback,” said Trita Parsi, executive vice president at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. “While it may damage Iran’s nuclear infrastructure temporarily, it will likely accelerate their pursuit of nuclear weapons in the long run.”

Others view the attack as a strategic masterstroke.

“Trump forced Iran’s hand,” said retired US General Jack Keane. “He made clear that the US will act decisively to prevent a nuclear Iran. That kind of clarity was missing for years.”

With Iran promising a “massive response,” and Israel vowing to continue military operations, the immediate outlook is grim. Both sides appear entrenched, and the window for diplomacy is rapidly narrowing.

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Tehran’s Nuclear Capabilities ‘Seriously Set Back,’ Declares Israel in Bold Intelligence Assessment

gulftimes — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 12:20:00 +0000

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Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar claimed this week that the Jewish state’s unprecedented military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have significantly delayed Tehran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon. The remarks, published in Bild, a leading German newspaper, signal the highest-level Israeli admission yet of the scope and ambition behind its offensive — an operation that has already killed hundreds, including top nuclear scientists and military officials.

“According to the assessment we hear, we have already delayed for at least two or three years the possibility for them to have a nuclear bomb,” Saar stated. “The fact that we took out those people who led and pushed the weaponisation of the nuclear program is extremely important.”

The military campaign, which began with a sweeping offensive on June 13, has struck hundreds of military and nuclear sites deep inside Iran, targeting both key infrastructure and the individuals who support it. Despite the intensity of the campaign, Saar insisted that Israel had not set regime change as a formal objective. “At least until now, we didn’t do that,” he added.

Iran, for its part, remains defiant. While the Islamic Republic has retaliated with a mix of drones and missile attacks — over 450 missiles and 400 drones according to Israeli authorities — Tehran continues to deny that it is pursuing nuclear weapons. Iran has maintained this position for decades, even as international watchdogs report uranium enrichment far beyond civilian needs.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, in a stunning reemergence on the international stage, said Iran had “a maximum of two weeks” to avoid direct American military action, fueling speculation that the United States could soon join the conflict in earnest.

“Europe is not going to be able to help in this,” Trump said, referring to ongoing diplomatic efforts led by Britain, France, and Germany. “Iran doesn’t want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us.”

The comments came as explosions rocked Tehran on Friday, further evidence of Israel’s continued strikes. Satellite imagery and eyewitness reports confirmed that major installations in the Iranian capital — including suspected underground nuclear research labs — had been hit.

The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly repositioned a third aircraft carrier closer to the region, with Pentagon sources indicating preparations for a possible preemptive strike on Fordo, Iran’s heavily fortified underground enrichment site. U.S. military analysts have long believed that only American bunker-busting ordnance, such as the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, could reach Fordo’s deeper levels.

Inside Iran, life has ground to a halt in many urban centers. In Tehran, usually bustling bazaars and commercial districts were shuttered on Friday as residents braced for further airstrikes. The city’s emergency services have been overwhelmed, with makeshift triage units set up near bombed-out buildings.

Iranian officials claim at least 224 people have been killed since the start of the Israeli operation, including 30 nuclear scientists and a number of senior Revolutionary Guard commanders. However, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports an even grimmer toll — at least 657 fatalities, including 263 civilians.

Iran’s response has been equally deadly. One salvo targeting Haifa — Israel’s largest port city — injured 19 people and left one in critical condition. Sirens wailed in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem multiple times on Friday as Iranian missiles breached air defenses.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed it had launched dozens of missiles at Israeli military installations. A spokesman said, “The Zionist regime must pay the price for every drop of Iranian blood spilled.”

Amid the fire and fury, diplomatic channels are not entirely closed. In Geneva, top diplomats from the E3 — Britain, France, and Germany — met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, urging Tehran to resume talks with Washington.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized the importance of diplomacy, stating, “We invited the Iranian minister to consider negotiations with all sides, including the United States, without awaiting the cessation of strikes, which we also hope for.”

But Araghchi responded flatly: “We’re not prepared to negotiate with them (the United States) anymore, as long as the aggression continues.”

European officials remain deeply concerned about potential regional spillover. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy warned, “This is a perilous moment, and it is hugely important that we don’t see regional escalation of this conflict. Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon.”

As regional tensions soar, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has attempted to inject a degree of technical clarity into the political narrative. Director General Rafael Grossi told CNN that while Iran enriches uranium to 60% purity — far above the 3.67% limit under the defunct 2015 nuclear deal — there is no conclusive evidence Tehran has the capability to assemble a functional nuclear warhead.

“So saying how long it would take for them, it would be pure speculation because we do not know whether there was somebody… secretly pursuing these activities,” Grossi remarked. “We haven’t seen that, and we have to say it.”

Nevertheless, Western intelligence officials fear that some of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure is hidden in undisclosed facilities or disguised as civilian operations. The loss of key personnel in the recent Israeli strikes may temporarily hinder research and weaponisation, but may not stop it completely.

In response to the crisis, the Arab League convened an emergency session in Istanbul on Friday, with several foreign ministers urging Israel to halt the bombardment. Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported that leaders will continue talks through the weekend under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

While some Arab governments — particularly in the Gulf — have remained relatively muted, fearing escalation or political reprisal, others like Turkey and Qatar have vocally condemned Israeli strikes, calling them “aggression” against a sovereign nation.

Iran, which has cultivated allies in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon (via Hezbollah), and Yemen (via the Houthis), could still trigger proxy confrontations across the Middle East. So far, however, Tehran’s proxies have shown relative restraint — possibly under orders to avoid opening new fronts before the next stage of escalation is clear.

In a significant development, Switzerland announced it was temporarily closing its embassy in Tehran due to security concerns, although it would continue its historic role as an intermediary for U.S.-Iran relations. This closure is seen as symbolic of the worsening international confidence in regional stability.

The move follows several other diplomatic withdrawals. Sweden, Canada, and Australia have advised citizens to evacuate Iran, while airlines including Lufthansa and Emirates have suspended flights to Tehran and Isfahan.

What began as a covert struggle between Israel and Iran has exploded into an overt, destructive, and region-wide confrontation. At stake is not just the future of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but the security architecture of the entire Middle East.

For Israel, the offensive marks the most aggressive external campaign since the 2006 Lebanon War, driven by the deeply rooted belief that a nuclear Iran poses an existential threat. Iran, meanwhile, sees the attacks as an act of war — and a justification to accelerate its efforts in defiance.

The next two weeks, as all parties await potential U.S. entry into the war, could decide the trajectory of not only Iran’s nuclear future but the shape of the post-American-order Middle East.

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Kurdish group PKK declares ceasefire with Turkey

gulftimes — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 00:33:00 +0000

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Syrian Kurds gathered this week to listen to a message from jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan

Outlawed Kurdish group the PKK has declared a ceasefire with Turkey after its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan called on the movement to lay down its arms and dissolve.

In Saturday’s statement, the PKK said it hoped Turkey would release Ocalan, who has been imprisoned in solitary confinement since 1999, so he could lead a process of disarmament.

It follows his call this week aimed at ending four decades of armed struggle in south-eastern Turkey in which tens of thousands of people have been killed.

His announcement came months after Devlet Bahceli, the leader of Turkey’s ultra-nationalist MHP party and an ally of the Turkish government, launched an initiative to bring an end to the conflict.

The PKK – which stands for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party – has waged an insurgency since 1984, with the initial aim of carving out an independent homeland for Kurds, who account for about 20% of Turkey’s 85 million people.

The group has since moved away from its separatist goals, and is now pushing for more autonomy and greater Kurdish rights.

It is banned as a terrorist group in Turkey, the EU, UK and US.

Ocalan – affectionately referred to as Apo by Kurdish nationalists – met MPs from a pro-Kurdish party this week on Imrali, an island in the Sea of Marmara, south-west of Istanbul, where he is imprisoned.

“In order to pave the way for the implementation of leader Apo’s call for peace and democratic society, we are declaring a ceasefire effective from today,” the PKK executive committee said in a statement on Saturday, quoted by the pro-PKK ANF news agency.

“None of our forces will take armed action unless attacked,” it added.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said later on Saturday that military operations would resume against the PKK if “promises given [by the group] are not kept” and the disarmament process stalled.

The PKK said Ocalan’s prison conditions must be eased, adding he “must be able to live and work in physical freedom and be able to establish unhindered relationships with anyone he wants, including his friends”.

Calling for disarmament, Ocalan had appealed to members of the PKK in a letter read out by Dem party members Ahmet Turk and Pervin Buldan in both Kurdish and Turkish.

He said “all groups must lay down their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself”, adding that his movement was formed primarily because “the channels of democratic politics were closed”.

However, Bahceli, backed by positive signals from Erdogan and other political parties, had created the right environment for the PKK to lay down its arms, Ocalan added.

Kurdish leaders largely welcomed the development. Local reports said thousands of people gathered to watch the statement on big screens in the cities of Diyarbakir and Van in the predominantly Kurdish south-east.

Dem Party

Abdullah Ocalan (C) met a group of pro-Kurdish MPs on the prison island of Imrali this week

However, significant questions remain among both the Kurdish and Turkish public over what the next steps might be – and not everyone was convinced things would change.

Last week, senior PKK commander Duran Kalkan said Turkey’s ruling party, the AKP, was not looking for a solution but to “take over, destroy and annihilate”.

Turkish-backed forces in north-eastern Syria have intensified their campaign against Kurdish forces and last month called on Syria’s new leaders to eliminate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Pro-Kurdish politicians have been targeted by a wave of arrests and jail sentences in recent years in Turkey.

Some 40,000 people have died since the PKK’s insurgency began.

There was a spike in violence in south-eastern Turkey from 2015 to 2017 when a two-and-a-half year ceasefire broke down.

More recently, in October the PKK claimed an attack on the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) headquarters near Ankara which left five people dead.

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WHO declares Mpox global health emergency

gulftimes — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 20:58:40 +0000

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“A co-ordinated international response is essential to stop this outbreak and save lives,” he said.

Mpox is transmitted through close contact, such as sex, skin-to-skin contact and talking or breathing close to another person.

It causes flu-like symptoms, skin lesions and can be fatal, with four in 100 cases leading to death.

There are two main types of mpox – Clade 1 and Clade 2.

A previous mpox public health emergency, declared in 2022, was caused by the relatively mild Clade 2. However, this time it is the far more deadly Clade 1 – which has killed up to 10% of those getting sick in previous outbreaks – that is surging.

There was a change in the virus around September last year. Mutations led to an offshoot – called Clade 1b – that has since spread rapidly. This new variant has been labelled “the most dangerous yet” by one scientist.

Since the start of the year, there have been more than 13,700 cases of mpox in the DR Congo, with at least 450 deaths.

It has since been detected in other African countries – including Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya and Rwanda.

It is hoped the declaration of mpox as a public health emergency will lead to research, funding, and the introduction of other international public health measures being accelerated.

Dr Josie Golding, from the Wellcome Trust, said it was a “strong signal”, while Emory University’s Dr Boghuma Titanji said the move “underscores the gravity of the crisis”.

Prof Trudie Lang, the director of the Global Health Network at the University of Oxford, said it was “important and timely”, but added that the emergence of a new strain meant there were “many unknowns that need to be addressed”.

In July 2022 the milder Clade 2 strain of mpox spread to nearly 100 countries, including some in Europe and Asia.

It spread rapidly, and there were more than 87,000 cases and 140 deaths reported during that outbreak, according to a WHO count.

Although anyone can catch monkeypox, the outbreak was largely concentrated among men who had sex with men.

That outbreak was brought under control by vaccinating vulnerable groups.

On Tuesday, scientists from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared a public health emergency.

The head of the organisation, Jean Kaseya, warned that this current outbreak could spiral out of control if immediate steps were not taken to contain it.

“We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat,” he said.

Additional reporting by Alex Smith

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Russian Su-35 Pilot Declares Readiness to Confront F-16s in Ukraine

gulftimes — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 02:12:10 +0000

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A Russian Su-35 fighter pilot has declared his readiness to confront the arrival of F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine. This announcement is part of an escalating preparation by the Russian Air Force, spurred by the imminent delivery of Western aircraft to bolster Ukraine’s defense. On July 20, the Russian Ministry of Defense released a video in which Alexander, a Su-35S fighter pilot, confidently declared that Russian flight crews had thoroughly studied the capabilities of the F-16, reported state-owned TASS news agency.

“Our flight crew is ready to meet the F-16 aircraft. I studied their strengths and weaknesses. The skill of the flight crew will allow us to complete the combat mission to defeat this aircraft [F-16],” Alexander asserted. He pointed out that the Su-35S was more advanced than the American fighter, with superior sighting capabilities and long-range missiles. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, aircraft crews have been patrolling the warzone around the clock in all weather conditions to defend the nation’s air borders from enemy attacks. In addition to the Su-35, Russian Su-30 pilots have also been preparing for a potential face-off with the US-made F-16 fighter jet.

Earlier this month, Su-30 fighter pilots claimed to have developed specialized combat tactics to counter the F-16, asserting that the American jets would not pose a significant threat in combat scenarios. The Russian pilots have thoroughly studied the F-16’s aerodynamic characteristics, which they noted had remained consistent with the single-engine design. Russian media frequently highlighted the confidence of their pilots in their ability to engage the F-16 in close air combat, where they believed they could exploit the aircraft’s weaknesses to gain an advantage. Both novice and experienced Russian pilots regularly participate in training sessions to prepare for various combat situations, including potential encounters with American aircraft.

Su-35 Flanker-E/M Vs F-16 Fighting Falcon

The first contingent of F-16 fighter jets destined for Ukraine is poised to arrive soon, following commitments from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium to supply nearly 80 of these aircraft as part of a coalition formed in July 2023. According to early reports, up to 20 F-16s might be delivered by the end of the year, which has fueled conjecture in the Russian media about possible air battles between Russia’s formidable Su-35 aircraft and the US-made fighters. The F-16, a fourth-generation aircraft, first entered service in the late 1970s alongside the F-15 Eagle and the Soviet Su-27. The Su-35, part of the 4.5 generation, represents an upgraded version of fourth-generation fighters and was introduced in the late 1990s. In terms of size, the Su-35 significantly outmatches the F-16, boasting dimensions that include a length of 72 feet and a wingspan of 50 feet — approximately 50 percent larger than the F-16 and nearly twice the weight at over 18 tons.

Additionally, the F-16s assigned to Ukraine — specifically Danish and Dutch models — are F-16 MLU (Mid-Life Update) models from the Cold War era. Upgraded in the mid-1990s, these models feature improvements like the AN/APG-66(V)2 radar and GPS navigation. On the other hand, the Su-35’s advanced capabilities pose a significant challenge. Its Irbis-E radar reportedly detects airborne targets up to 400 kilometers away, potentially giving it an edge in beyond-visual-range combat scenarios.

The Su-35’s maneuverability, enhanced by thrust-vectoring technology allowing for agile maneuvers like the “Cobra,” further underscores its combat prowess, particularly in close-range engagements. In addition to its advanced radar capabilities, the Su-35 is equipped with formidable missiles. Notably, the R-37 boasts a target-detection range of up to 400 kilometers (249 miles), while the R-77-1 extends to 110 kilometers (68 miles).

These missiles, characterized by their “fire and forget” capability and onboard radar for precise targeting, enhance the Su-35’s lethality in combat scenarios. Conversely, Ukraine’s F-16s are expected to be armed primarily with the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). The latest variant, AIM-120D, is estimated to have a range of approximately 100 miles, surpassing the R-77 but falling short of the R-37’s extended range capabilities.

The outcome of a long-range missile engagement between the Su-35 and F-16 hinges on numerous critical factors. These include the efficiency of the airborne jammers and decoys used by both sides, the fighters’ smooth integration into missile defense systems and radar networks situated on the ground, and the fighter jets’ ability to coordinate with the airborne radar aircraft.

One of the key elements in such engagements is electronic warfare. Modern fighter jets are equipped with sophisticated electronic countermeasure systems designed to disrupt or deceive enemy radar and missile guidance systems. The effectiveness of these systems can significantly influence the outcome of an aerial engagement. Both the Su-35 and the F-16 have advanced electronic warfare capabilities, but the specific performance and integration of these systems will play a crucial role in determining their effectiveness in combat.

In addition to electronic warfare, the coordination between fighter jets and ground-based radar and missile defense systems is vital. Modern air combat is highly networked, with information from multiple sources being integrated to provide a comprehensive situational awareness. This integration allows for better decision-making and more effective use of weapons systems. The ability of the Su-35 and F-16 to seamlessly integrate into their respective defense networks will be a key factor in their performance during engagements.

Another critical factor is the training and experience of the pilots. The skill of the pilot can often be the deciding factor in an aerial engagement, especially in close-quarters combat. Both Russian and Ukrainian pilots undergo rigorous training programs, but the specific training methodologies and the amount of real-world combat experience can vary significantly.

Russian pilots, for example, have emphasized their extensive study of the F-16’s capabilities and their confidence in their ability to exploit its weaknesses. This level of preparation and confidence can be a significant advantage in combat. On the other hand, Ukrainian pilots, supported by Western training programs, have also been preparing extensively for potential engagements with Russian aircraft. The quality and intensity of this training will be a crucial factor in their performance.

The deployment of F-16s to Ukraine has significant political and strategic implications. For Ukraine, receiving these advanced fighter jets represents a substantial boost to its air defense capabilities. The F-16s will enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend its airspace and deter potential aggressors. Additionally, the deployment of F-16s sends a strong signal of support from Western countries, reinforcing their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

For Russia, the arrival of F-16s in Ukraine represents a significant challenge. The Russian military will need to adapt its strategies and tactics to counter the new threat posed by these advanced fighter jets. The confidence expressed by Russian pilots in their ability to defeat the F-16s reflects a determination to maintain their dominance in the region’s airspace.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, the arrival of F-16 fighter jets represents a significant development. The readiness and confidence displayed by Russian pilots in their ability to confront and defeat these aircraft highlight the ongoing tensions and the high stakes involved. The performance of the Su-35 and F-16 in potential engagements will be influenced by numerous factors, including the capabilities of the aircraft, the effectiveness of electronic warfare systems, the integration into defense networks, and the training and experience of the pilots.

Ultimately, the deployment of F-16s to Ukraine underscores the broader geopolitical struggle between Russia and the West. The outcome of this struggle will have far-reaching implications for the region’s security and stability. As both sides continue to prepare for potential confrontations, the situation remains highly fluid and unpredictable.

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