Aletho News

‘Israel’ hits rescue zone in South Lebanon 3 times, kills 3 rescuers

Al Mayadeen | April 15, 2026

Israeli occupation forces carried out three consecutive strikes targeting ambulance teams in the town of Mayfadoun in Lebanon’s Nabatieh district, according to a statement issued by the Emergency Operations Center of the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

The attacks, according to the statement, killed three paramedics and injured six others, with one paramedic missing and unaccounted for.

The Ministry said the first ambulance team, affiliated with the Islamic Health Authority, was struck while attempting to evacuate wounded people, killing one paramedic and leaving another missing.

As a second ambulance from the same Health Authority arrived to assist the initial team, it was also hit, resulting in injuries to three paramedics.

In a third rescue attempt, two ambulances belonging to the Islamic Risala Scout Association and the Nabatieh Ambulance Service were dispatched to the scene but were also targeted. The Ministry said this resulted in the killing of two paramedics and injuries to three others.

‘A heinous crime’

The Ministry of Public Health condemned the aggression as a “heinous crime”, saying that they reflect an attempt to obstruct paramedics from carrying out rescue operations and that medical teams have effectively become direct targets. It described the strikes as a violation of humanitarian norms and international humanitarian law.

It called on international humanitarian organizations to urgently intervene to halt a dangerous breach of the right of the wounded to receive rescue and the protection owed to medical personnel.

In its daily report, the Lebanese Health Ministry said that 43 people were killed and 140 were injured in 24 hours, bringing the total toll from the Israeli aggression to 2,167 killed and 7,061 injured since March 2. … Full article

‘Normalization Talks’: Lebanon No Longer Has A Government

By Robert Inlakesh | Palestine Chronicle | April 15, 2026

The Lebanese state no longer has even the semblance of sovereignty, stooping lower than any previous administration. Immediately after Israel committed one of the most violent civilian massacres in Beirut’s history, the government’s top officials begged to normalize ties with the killers and implement a plan that could drag their country to civil war. … continue

‘Israel’ targets civilian vehicles, South Lebanon towns

Al Mayadeen | April 15, 2026

Israeli occupation forces carried out a series of airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting civilian vehicles and multiple towns, resulting in casualties and widespread destruction.

According to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Beirut, an Israeli strike targeted a southbound vehicle transporting humanitarian aid on the Saadiyat highway earlier in the morning, with footage from the scene showing a completely destroyed minivan and canned and dry goods scattered across the road. Additional strikes targeted vehicles in the Jiyyeh area and along the road between the towns of Arabsalim and Habboush.

Israeli warplanes also conducted an airstrike on farmland along the banks of the Litani River in the al-Wasta area, expanding the scope of attacks beyond roads and residential zones.

Civilian casualties reported in Nabatieh, Tyre districts

In the Nabatieh district, four members of the same family were killed in an Israeli strike on the town of Jbaa at dawn.

Meanwhile, three civilians were injured in an airstrike targeting the town of al-Abbassiyah in the Tyre district.

Widespread strikes across southern Lebanon

Earlier in the day, Israeli occupation forces launched a wave of airstrikes targeting multiple towns across southern Lebanon, including al-Babliyah, al-Majadil, Kharbat al-Dweir, Ansariya, Beit Yahoun, Hanine, Borj Qalaouiyeh, al-Ghandouriyah, Tayr Debba, and al-Bereghliyah, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

The agency also reported that Israeli occupation forces carried out controlled demolitions of additional homes in the town of Bint Jbeil, further escalating destruction in the border region.

The ongoing Israeli aggression continues to target civilian infrastructure and populated areas across southern Lebanon, despite diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Israeli Colonizers Bulldoze Road in Duma, Cut Water Line

IMEMC | April 15, 2026

Illegal paramilitary Israeli colonizers attacked the village of Duma, south of Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank, late Tuesday night, bulldozing a key road and roaming provocatively between Palestinian homes.

Suleiman Dawabsha, head of the Duma Village Council, said the colonizers bulldozed the road connecting the village to Khirbet al‑Marajim, blocking it with earth mounds and cutting the main water line serving the area.

The al‑Baidar Human Rights Organization confirmed the incident, noting that the road was bulldozed and sealed with earth mounds, obstructing the movement of Palestinian residents.

The organization added that severing the water line disrupted daily life and further undermined essential infrastructure, stressing that such actions deliberately target Palestinian services and deepen the suffering of communities in the region.

In a related development, al‑Baidar reported that colonizers placed caravans on Palestinian‑owned land in the village of Jurat al‑Sham’a, south of Bethlehem, on Wednesday morning.

The organization said the move is part of ongoing attempts to establish a new colonial outpost, warning that these practices threaten agricultural lands and negatively impact Palestinian residents. … Full article

Marwan Barghouti subjected to “brutal” assaults in Israeli jail

MEMO | April 15, 2026

A campaign calling for the release of Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti has said that he has been subjected to “brutal” assaults inside Israeli prisons, claiming that he was beaten three times in less than a month.

In a statement, the Popular Campaign for the Release of Barghouti and Other Prisoners said that he had recently been subjected to new attacks while being held in isolation in Megiddo Prison in the north and Ramon Prison in the south, ahead of the 24th anniversary of his arrest. … Full article

Iranian academic and anti-war activist detained by ICE in US despite valid visa: Reports

Press TV – April 14, 2026

Yousof Azizi, an Iranian academic and PhD candidate in Public Administration & Policy at Virginia Tech’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), has been reportedly detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to reports, he was detained despite having no issues with his visa status in the US.

He has not yet been allowed to meet with his lawyers, reports stated, and ICE is now discussing transferring him to a detention center in Louisiana.

Azizi, who is also a media personality with regular appearances on multiple international English and Persian media outlets, including Press TV, was taken into custody in front of his home, according to reports that Press TV cannot independently confirm.

Azizi has been one of the few voices in the Persian media sphere to openly and vociferously oppose American-Israeli war and sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

His media commentary has consistently criticized US military aggression against the Islamic Republic, in June last year and most recently during the Ramadan War.

Azizi was very active on his social media, condemning the unprovoked US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, and appeared on many news channels in and outside the US.

The lack of access to legal counsel and the prospect of out-of-state transfer have alarmed civil rights advocates in the US, who view it as an example of politically driven immigration enforcement, which has become common under the Trump administration. … Full article

EU condemns ‘shrinking’ freedom in Germany

RT | April 15, 2026

Germany’s handling of anti-Israel protests was “disproportionate,” and the government’s use of hate-speech laws to counter the demonstrations unfairly restricted freedom of expression, a report by the EU’s human rights commissioner has found.

Compiled by the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights, Michael O’Flaherty, and published on Wednesday, the report called on the German government to “ensure that the fight against all forms of hatred fully respects the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression for all members of society.”

The report accuses German authorities of misusing claims of anti-Semitism to ban pro-Palestinian slogans and Palestinian flags from some rallies, and to outright ban others. Police have used excessive force against anti-Israel protesters, the report stated, while “freedom of expression has been restricted disproportionately, regarding debates on Palestinian rights or legitimate criticism of the Israeli government.”

Since 2017, the German government has endorsed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism. This controversial definition lists “claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor” and “drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” as examples of anti-Semitic speech. … continue

Poland’s political exiles face extradition threat after Magyar election victory in Hungary

By Thomas Brooke | Remix News | April 13, 2026

Polish conservative politicians granted refuge in Hungary are facing the prospect of extradition after Péter Magyar secured a decisive election victory, immediately raising tensions over the fate of high-profile exiles.

During the campaign, Magyar made clear that individuals such as Zbigniew Ziobro and his deputy Marcin Romanowski — both of whom had been granted asylum under the outgoing government — could be handed over to Polish authorities. […]

Ziobro and Romanowski had turned to Hungary after Tusk’s return to power. Tusk’s government pursued a sweeping overhaul of Poland’s judicial system. Supporters of the Law and Justice (PiS) politicians argue that these moves have gone beyond reform, amounting instead to a politically motivated effort to dismantle the legacy of the previous administration and target its key figures.

They point to a series of legal actions launched against former members of the PiS government, claiming these cases are designed to sideline political opponents rather than deliver impartial justice. Within this context, Orbán’s Hungary was seen as one of the few European countries willing to offer protection to those who feared prosecution at home.

Despite the rhetoric, any extradition process is likely to face legal hurdles. In Hungary, courts — not the executive — ultimately decide on extradition requests, and asylum protections can significantly complicate proceedings. – Full article

Acting Bulgarian PM is on a mission to give whatever he can to Zelensky before he’s booted from office

RT | April 15, 2026

Bulgarian Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov’s days are numbered, and his caretaker government is rushing to tie his country to Ukraine before a potential populist uprising. It’s about gas, influence, and keeping Sofia marching in lockstep with Brussels.

Gyurov was appointed acting prime minister in February, after Rosen Zhelyazkov resigned in November under the pressure of street protests and persistent allegations of corruption. His mandate is non-existent, and his term in office has lasted fewer than eight weeks. Nevertheless, he’s making frantic deals with Kiev before an election that he and his allies are almost certain to lose – all in an attempt to block his opponent from enacting policies that will upset Brussels.

His ‘We Continue the Change’ coalition is floundering at a dismal 10% ahead of Sunday’s election. The real competition is between Boyko Borissov (who served as prime minister between 2009 and 2021) and his pro-EU GERB-SDS coalition, and former President Rumen Radev’s left-leaning Progressive Bulgaria coalition.

Borissov is unlikely to upset the apple cart, but Radev is a vocal opponent of the EU’s Ukraine project, and he’s dominating in the polls. With the clock ticking, Gyurov set out for Kiev last month.

At a ceremony in the Ukrainian capital on March 30, Gyurov and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky signed a ten-year military cooperation agreement. Under its terms, Bulgaria will provide bilateral military aid to Ukraine for the next decade, both countries will jointly produce drones and ammunition, and their armed forces will train together. Furthermore, Sofia and Kiev will align their sanctions policies, while Bulgaria will pay towards Ukraine’s reconstruction and support its bid for NATO and EU membership.

Securing this agreement before the election was crucial for Gyurov. Radev opposes both the deal and Ukraine’s accession to NATO, while even the GERB party under Borissov withdrew its support for the pact in 2024 – with Borissov stating that his party would wait for a peace deal between Moscow and Kiev before signing anything.

Gyurov faced fierce criticism at home for signing such a consequential document without winning an election first: Radev was among the most scathing critics, calling the caretaker prime minister “practically illegitimate.” … continue

Europe Ramps up Drone Production for Ukraine to Target Russia

Sputnik – 15.04.2026

On March 26, 2026, amid growing losses and an increasingly acute manpower shortage within the Ukrainian armed forces, the leadership of several European countries decided to ramp up the production and supply of drones to Ukraine for strikes against Russian territory, the Russian Ministry of Defense shared on Wednesday.

The significant increase in drone output for the Kiev regime is planned through expanded funding for the so-called “Ukrainian” and “joint” ventures based in Europe that manufacture attack drones and their components.

“We view this decision as a deliberate step leading to a sharp escalation of the military-political situation across the European continent and the creeping transformation of these countries into a strategic rear base for Ukraine,” the MoD stated.

The implementation of scenarios — voiced by representatives of the Kiev regime — involving terrorist attacks against Russia using Europe-produced, ostensibly “Ukrainian” drones, would lead to unpredictable consequences, the ministry added.

Instead of strengthening European security, the actions of European leaders are increasingly dragging their countries into war with Russia. … Full article

NATO member planning exit vote

RT | April 15, 2026

Slovenia’s newly elected parliament speaker has announced plans to hold a referendum on withdrawing the country from NATO, as the US‑led military bloc reels from its worst internal crisis in decades with Washington threatening to pull out from the organization entirely.

The leader of the Truth Party, Zoran Stevanovic, was elected as the head of the lower house last week. Speaking to public broadcaster RTVSLO, he stated that a vote on leaving the bloc was a campaign promise he intends to keep.

“We promised the people a referendum on the issue of leaving NATO, and we will hold this referendum,” Stevanovic said.

The speaker also signaled a possible visit to Moscow “in the near future,” stating he would like to “build bridges and cooperate well with all countries, regardless of the wall that has been built between the West and the East.” … Full article

US Navy Confirms ‘mishap’ to $250 million spy drone downed by Iran

Press TV – April 15, 2026

The US Navy has confirmed that an MQ-4C Triton unmanned surveillance aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf region on April 9, with the incident now described as a mishap, although little was revealed regarding the circumstance under which it was lost.

After the aircraft had vanished unexpectedly from online flight tracking sites while flying over the Persian Gulf, multiple sources reported that it had been shot down by Iranian air defenses.

The MQ-4C is a significantly rarer and higher value aircraft than the F-15E strike fighter, MQ-9 drone, and other aircraft that have been shot down by Iranian forces, with only the US Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS destroyed on the ground in Saudi Arabia being more valuable.

Where the E-3 is an ageing aircraft that was scheduled for retirement within the next 15 years, the MQ-4C is a cutting edge platform that is still being produced for the Navy. … continue

Students, professors martyred in US-Israeli war of terror targeting universities and research institutes

Press TV – April 15, 2026

Iran’s Minister of Science, Research, and Technology Hossein Simaei has confirmed that over 60 university students and 10 professors have been martyred in the recent US-Israeli aggression.

During a visit to the Aerospace Research Institute of Iran (IARI) on Wednesday, Simaei expressed hope that the academic community would continue the work of those lost in the attacks.

“The students and professors martyred during the illegal aggression have been identified,” Simaei said. “We hope that other members of Iran’s academia continue the work of the martyred students and professors.”

Simaei described the strikes as part of a broader campaign of “scientific crimes” by the US and the Israeli regime. He said the IARI, a facility focused on non-military research in fields such as biology, agriculture, and surveying, was specifically targeted twice despite its peaceful academic objectives.

“This is another of the scientific crimes committed by the sinister US-Israeli alliance. This is a place where researchers in civilian fields like biology, agriculture, and surveying worked, and unfortunately, it has fallen victim to the barbaric attacks of the enemy,” Simaei stated. … continue

We Are the Barbarians

The president’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization took America to a dark place

By Harrison Berger | The American Conservative | April 10, 2026

On Tuesday morning, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to declare that “a civilization will die tonight.” By 8 p.m., the U.S. announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran had begun. Whether the ceasefire holds (or even takes hold) is already in question—Iran and the U.S. appear to be offering contradictory accounts of what the 10-point plan they allegedly agreed to actually says. The best hope that it might stick comes from Israel, where TV presenters who spent Monday salivating over a clock counting down the minutes and hours until Trump’s planned genocide of Iranians were left confused and outraged when the president backed down shortly before the deadline.

But whether or not Trump ultimately goes as far as the Israelis would like him to, Americans must now reckon with the destruction already carried out in our name, the civilization-destroying actions Trump has threatened, and the barbarians we have become in the process. … continue

The Iranian knot needs to be untangled, not cut – Lavrov

Israel’s erroneous belief that it can destroy Iran should not be supported by the US, the Russian foreign minister has said

RT | April 15, 2026

There is no quick fix to the crisis surrounding Iran, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said. The US must recognize its underlying causes, including Israel’s goal of destroying the country, he added.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to China on Wednesday, Lavrov described the situation as “a crisis knot that will be extremely difficult to untangle.” He explained that “some parties are trying to cut it now – I don’t believe that would produce a [favorable] result.”

According to Lavrov, the current crisis stems directly from the US-Israeli attack on Iran in late February. The resulting disruption to global markets and the Iranian damage to Arab states hosting US military facilities were foreseeable consequences, he stressed.

“Israel appears totally convinced that Iran must be destroyed. I cannot understand how such a belief is possible,” Lavrov said, adding that remarks by US President Donald Trump about wiping out Iran’s civilization had sparked strong international backlash. … continue

Villains of Judea: Charles Bronfman

A deep dive into how Charles Bronfman and his family shaped a century of shadow politics

José Niño Unfiltered | April 14, 2026

The Jeffrey Epstein files continue to spill their secrets. With each new document release, each newly unsealed court record, the spotlight inches closer to a network of Jewish billionaires who operated in the shadows long before the convicted sex trafficker became a household name. The names in Epstein’s black book read like a roster of Jewish power. But behind those individual names lies something even more intriguing, a structure, an architecture of influence that Epstein exploited with devastating effectiveness.

At the center of that architecture stands a mysterious organization that most Americans have never heard of. It was founded in 1991 by two men, one of whom would become Epstein’s most consequential patron, granting him sweeping power of attorney over his billion-dollar fortune. The other was a Canadian-American billionaire whose family name once adorned the world’s largest liquor company and whose philanthropic fingerprints can be found on nearly every major Jewish institution in North America.

His name is Charles Bronfman. … continue

Five Palestinians killed, others injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza

Palestine Information Center – April 14, 2026

Five Palestinian citizens, including a child, were martyred and others were injured in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.

According to media sources, four citizens, including a child and a police officer, were killed when an Israeli warplane bombed a police vehicle in Gaza City.

Gaza’s interior ministry said one police officer and three civilians, one of them a child, were killed and nine other people, including police officers and passersby, were injured, some critically, in an Israeli airstrike.

The ministry explained that a warplane targeted a police vehicle belonging to the al‑Tuffah and al‑Daraj police station during a routine patrol in Gaza City earlier today.

This morning, medical sources reported that a martyr was brought to Al‑Shifa Hospital following an Israeli strike in the al‑Alami area in Beit Lahia, north of Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces carried out a large-scale demolition operation targeting citizens’ homes and buildings inside Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, accompanied by artillery strikes on the eastern areas of Gaza City.

Armored vehicles and tanks positioned along the eastern edge of the central governorate also opened heavy machinegun fire towards areas in central Gaza.

West Bank students forced to study outdoors after illegal settlers block road to school

MEMO | April 14, 2026

Palestinian students in the occupied West Bank were forced to hold classes outdoors after illegal Israeli settlers blocked the main road to school with a fence and barbed wire, Anadolu reports.

Residents of Umm al-Khair village in the Masafer Yatta area in southern West Bank said the route was closed early in the morning, preventing around 55 students from reaching school.

Villagers staged a sit-in protest demanding the road be reopened, but Israeli forces intervened and used tear gas, affecting children in the area, according to local sources.

Palestinian activist and teacher Tareq al-Hazzalin said “usurping settlers” had closed the road used by students to reach school.

“We informed the police, but no action was taken,” he said.

He added that the incident was not just a road closure, but part of a systematic practice restricting children’s right to education. … Full article

Army Demolishes Home, Commercial Structure, Near Tulkarem

IMEMC | April 14, 2026

Israeli occupation forces demolished a home and a commercial structure on Monday afternoon in the village of ‘Ezbet Shufa, southeast of Tulkarem in the northwestern West Bank, claiming they lacked Israeli-issued permits.

Media sources stated that an Israeli military bulldozer, accompanied by several armored vehicles and infantry units, invaded the village and cordoned off the area before beginning the demolition.

Troops first destroyed a commercial structure — an auto repair and parts shop — belonging to Yasser al‑Shufani.

The bulldozer then moved to demolish the home of Anas Hamed, a two‑story residence that was fully built and ready for occupancy. … Full article

Three Palestinians injured in settler attack in Tuqu’ town

Palestine Information Center – April 14, 2026

BETHLEHEM – Three Palestinians were injured on Tuesday after settlers attacked the town of Tuqu’, southeast of Bethlehem.

The attack involved direct assaults and an attempted property theft.

Local sources reported that settlers attacked residents in the “Al-Matl” area east of the town and attempted to seize their sheep. They then sprayed them with pepper spray, injuring three people who were taken to the town clinic for treatment.

The attack comes amid a noticeable escalation in settler and Israeli occupation forces’ assaults in the Bethlehem governorate. Several areas have witnessed similar incidents, including an attack in Khala’il al-Louz a few days ago, where residents were sprayed with pepper spray, as well as land bulldozing and the installation of mobile homes in the village of Marah Mu‘alla south of the governorate. […]

Meanwhile, Israeli occupation bulldozers began large-scale land-clearing operations on agricultural land north of Salfit in the northern West Bank, uprooting dozens of long-standing olive trees. … Full article

Palestinians confront Israeli occupiers attempting to seize West Bank home

MEMO | April 14, 2026

Palestinian residents confronted Israeli occupiers Tuesday who attempted to seize a home in the town of Shuyukh in the southern occupied West Bank, according to sources, Anadolu reports.

A group of armed occupiers stormed the town in northeastern Hebron and raided a Palestinian home, trying to take it by force, but residents intervened and prevented the confiscation, sources told Anadolu.

Fadi al-Ayaydeh, executive director of Shuyukh municipality, said residents were surprised early Tuesday to find occupiers had set up a tent on land belonging to Palestinians.

“We went to the site and found a large number of residents there. During that time, armed settlers confronted us and fired shots in the air to intimidate people,” al-Ayaydeh told Anadolu.

Israeli forces later arrived and fired stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowd, he added.

Al-Ayaydeh said erecting the tent was “an attempt to impose a fait accompli,” explaining that occupiers often set up tents and informal outposts, then monitor reactions and expand if there is no resistance.

He noted that residents would remain at the site to ensure the tent is removed and that people can access their land.

The official Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said occupiers carried out 497 attacks against Palestinians and their property in the West Bank in March, killing nine.

UNESCO-listed shrine destroyed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon

MEMO | April 14, 2026

Israeli forces have destroyed the shrine of Prophet Shimon the Just in the town of Shamaa in the Tyre district, according to official and local media reports.

The Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli artillery shelling targeted the area of the ancient citadel in Tyre, where the shrine was located.

The site was listed as part of a UNESCO World Heritage area, granting it international cultural protection.

According to the report, surrounding hills near Shamaa were subjected to intermittent shelling early Monday, though there was no immediate confirmation of casualties.

Lebanese media, including Al-Akhbar, said Israeli forces had bulldozed the shrine before destroying it in an airstrike.

The shrine had previously been destroyed during the 2014 war before being restored by local residents, who regard it as a historical religious site and mosque. … Full article

The new assault of the Zionist lobby in Brazil

By Raphael Machado | Strategic Culture Foundation | April 14, 2026

The role of the Zionist lobby in the U.S. is so notorious that it has practically become contemporary folklore. Some European authors also emphasize the great influence that the Zionist lobby enjoys, primarily in France, and secondarily in the United Kingdom and Germany. Nowadays, there is also increasing talk of its influence over Argentina, especially in the context of the Andinia Plan.

But Brazil is almost always left out of this equation. To some extent, it is as if the image of a tropical “paradise” in perfect balance between Catholic faith and Dionysian spirit does not quite align with Zionist manipulations. But this perception is misleading.

In the past, we have commented on the overwhelming neo-Pentecostal growth in Brazil. Today, they make up approximately 30% of the Brazilian population, and with their theological specificities, they bring with them an obsession with the State of Israel. Moreover, there are plenty of theses claiming that neo-Pentecostal penetration in Latin America was a successful operation orchestrated by the CIA to subvert hegemonic Catholic spirituality and pave the way for Zionism.

In parallel, however, the Brazilian Jewish community itself has gradually built a modestly influential lobby, well-connected in politics, the media, and the judiciary, though far less aggressive than the Zionist lobby in other countries.

The test to verify, however, the degree of Zionist influence in Brazil and how much neo-Pentecostal expansion will serve to guarantee Zionist designs is unfolding now. … continue

Only 22% of Canadians view ‘Israel’ favorably, poll reveals

Al Mayadeen | April 14, 2026

A recent poll conducted by Leger, commissioned by the right-leaning Postmedia network, reveals a sharp deterioration in Canadian public perceptions of “Israel”, amid growing global backlash over its actions in the region.

According to the survey, only 22% of Canadians now hold a favorable view of “Israel”, down from 33% in 2023. Meanwhile, unfavourable views of “Israel” have risen sharply, reaching 61%, thus pointing to a widening rejection of its policies.

The data also highlight political divisions, with just 17% of Liberal Party supporters viewing “Israel” positively, compared to 38% among Conservative voters, though even within that group, support remains far from a majority.

The shift in sentiment comes against the backdrop of continued Israeli aggression in Gaza since October 7, 2023, as well as ongoing attacks on Lebanon and the escalating war on Iran, developments that have drawn increasing international scrutiny over humanitarian conditions and broader regional consequences. … Full article

Petition to suspend EU-Israel Association Agreement reaches 1M signatures

MEMO | April 14, 2026

A European Citizens’ Initiative calling for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement has surpassed one million signatures, organizers announced on Tuesday, making it the fastest initiative to reach the threshold since the mechanism was introduced, Anadolu reports.

Launched in Jan. 2026, under the title “Justice for Palestine,” the campaign has also exceeded the required national signature thresholds in 10 EU member states, surpassing the minimum of seven countries needed for validation. […]

The EU-Israel Association Agreement, which entered into force in 2000, includes a human rights clause stating that relations between the parties are based on respect for human rights and democratic principles. – Full article

Italy suspends defense deal with ‘Israel’ over war on Iran, Lebanon

Al Mayadeen | April 14, 2026

Italy has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of its defence cooperation agreement with “Israel”, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday, citing the ongoing wars in the Middle East.

Meloni’s right-wing government, which has been among “Israel’s” closest allies in Europe, has in recent weeks grown increasingly critical of Israeli military actions during the wars, particularly strikes affecting Lebanon. Italian troops deployed there under a United Nations mandate have also been impacted.

Speaking in Verona, northern Italy, Meloni said the government had opted to suspend the agreement’s renewal “in light of the current situation,” according to Italian news agencies. A Defense Ministry source added that the move would end military training cooperation between Italy and “Israel”. … continue

Pezeshkian thanks 6 countries for their position on Israeli crimes

Press TV – April 14, 2026

President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran has expressed his appreciation for the positions adopted by six countries, namely Spain, China, Russia, Turkey, Italy, and Egypt, against the Israeli regime.

“The essence of civilizations reveals itself at critical historical junctures. The positions taken by Spain, China, Russia, Turkey, Italy, and Egypt against the warmongering and crimes of the Zionist regime stem from their deep cultural and historical roots,” Pezeshkian said in a social media post on Tuesday.

The post comes amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing diplomatic efforts to hold a second round of US-Iran talks. … Full article

Israel’s Netanyahu says US reports to him daily on Iran talks, sparking backlash

MEMO | April 14, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the Trump administration provides him with daily updates on negotiations with Iran, remarks that drew swift criticism from US lawmakers and commentators, Anadolu reports.

“I spoke yesterday with Vice President J.D. Vance. He called me from his plane on his way back from Islamabad. He reported to me in detail, as this administration does every day, about the development of the negotiations,” Netanyahu said at a Cabinet meeting. […]

The remarks triggered backlash in the US, including from Mark Pocan, a Democratic Congressman from Wisconsin, who wrote on X: “The Trump administration daily reports to Netanyahu on the Iranian war, but not Congress or the American people. Let that sink in.”

Former US National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent who resigned over the Iran war warned that negotiations would fail if the Trump administration fails to stop “giving them access to our decision making.” … Full article

Iran says damage caused by US-Israeli aggression estimated at $270 billion

Press TV – April 14, 2026

The Iranian government says the country’s preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the unprovoked US-Israeli aggression has reached $270 billion, stressing that the figure may change.

Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani made the remarks to Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency in a report published on Tuesday, asserting that the estimate was not yet final and pointing out that “damages are usually assessed across several layers.”

She also noted that the question of war reparations was being followed through diplomatic channels.

“One of the issues being pursued by our negotiating team, and also discussed in Islamabad talks, is the matter of war reparations,” the official noted.

She was referring to the Pakistan-mediated negotiations that took place between an Iranian delegation and an American one in the city over Saturday and Sunday.

On Friday, the president of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said more than 125,000 civilian structures had been either destroyed or severely damaged as a result of the aggression.

Pir-Hossein Koulivand identified 100,000 of the structures as residential properties and 23,500 as commercial centers.

According to Iran’s Legal Medical Organization, the aggression also led to the martyrdom of at least 3,753 people, including women and children. … Full article

Iran demands reparations from Arab states

RT | April 14, 2026

Iran has demanded that five Arab states hosting US bases pay reparations for American and Israeli airstrikes on its territory.

In a letter to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday, Iranian envoy Amir Saeid Iravani argued that Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan had allowed the US to use their territory to attack Iran and, in some cases, were directly involved in “unlawful armed attacks targeting civilian objects.”

Iravani added that the Arab states “should make full reparation to the Islamic Republic of Iran, including compensation for all material and moral damage sustained as a result of their internationally wrongful acts.”

The Gulf states had previously demanded that Iran be held liable for war damage, a claim Iravani rejected as “legally untenable and fundamentally divorced from the factual and legal realities.” … continue

Indonesia Agrees to Receive Oil, Gas Supplies From Russia – Indonesian Energy Ministry

Sputnik – 14.04.2026

JAKARTA – Indonesia has secured agreements on the supply of crude oil, fuel and liquefied petroleum gas from Russia, Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia said on Tuesday.

“We will be able to increase our crude oil reserves. In addition, we will have the opportunity to receive liquefied petroleum gas… The Russian side declared its readiness to support Indonesia’s energy security, including oil and gas supplies, as well as the development of storage systems,” the minister said following talks in Moscow.

The results of the negotiations send a positive signal to strengthen Indonesia’s energy sustainability “against the backdrop of an unstable global situation,” the minister said, noting that the partnership with Russia could “become an important option, given the scale of its energy production and experience in the oil and gas industry.”

Spanish PM urges stronger China role amid shifting global order, US’s unreliability

Press TV – April 14, 2026

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called on China to take a more prominent role in global affairs, arguing that a stable international order would not be possible without Beijing’s involvement.

Sanchez, on his fourth visit to China in four years, said on Monday that the world was moving towards a multipolar structure and highlighted growing concerns in Europe over the reliability of the United States.

He also expressed interest in strengthening economic ties with China after remarks made by US President Donald Trump about a potential rupture in trade with Spain.

The Spanish premier, who was in Beijing at the invitation of Chinese counterpart Li Qiang, pointed to the importance of expanding “all-round exchanges and cooperation between European nations and China.”

He also stated that Spain would continue to play a key role in advancing relations between Brussels and Beijing.

The visit came amid Madrid’s continued unequivocal criticism of Washington’s policies, including the latter’s unprovoked aggression targeting Iran that was launched on February 28 alongside the Israeli regime. … continue

Xi meets Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, makes four-point proposal on Middle East peace

Xinhua | April 14, 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), in Beijing on Tuesday. […]

Xi put forward a four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

Xi called for adherence to the principle of peaceful coexistence. Countries in the Middle East and Gulf region are interdependent and inseparable neighbors. Efforts should be made to support these countries to improve their relations, and it is imperative to promote the building of a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture for the Middle East and the Gulf region.

He urged adherence to the principle of national sovereignty. Sovereignty serves as a foundation for all countries, especially developing countries, to survive and thrive, and it must not be violated. The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region should be fully respected, and the safety of personnel, facilities and institutions of all countries should be effectively safeguarded.

On adherence to the principle of international rule of law, Xi said the authority of international rule of law should be upheld, rejecting selective application to prevent the world from falling back into the law of the jungle. He called for firmly upholding the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

He said development and security should be coordinated. Security makes development possible, and development helps maintain security. All parties should work together to create a favorable environment for the development of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region. China is ready to share with these countries the opportunities brought about by Chinese modernization to strengthen the foundation for regional development and security. … Full article

Saudi Arabia Urges US Back to Iran Talks as Other Oil Routes Face Risk

Sputnik – 14.04.2026

Saudi Arabian officials are warning the US that its move to impose a blockade on Iranian ports following failed negotiations could backfire, triggering even wider global energy disruption, according to media reports.

Trump aims to pressure Iran into loosening its grip over the Strait of Hormuz, but Saudi officials are reportedly actively urging the US to return to negotiations with Iran over fears that the Bab al-Mandeb — which handles about 10% of global crude and liquefied natural gas shipments — may also be threatened.

The kingdom has managed to maintain oil exports near pre-conflict levels [Tanker-tracking data and market reports show Saudi crude oil exports averaged about 3.3 million barrels per day in March 2026, about half of previous exports] by rerouting crude across its territory to Red Sea ports, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

But that alternative route would become vulnerable, putting a large share of Saudi exports at risk, since Iran has signaled that if its own oil flows are restricted, it could retaliate by disrupting other key shipping lanes.

Iran’s potential leverage lies in its regional alliances, especially with Houthi forces in Yemen, who control territory near the Bab al-Mandeb. These groups have previously demonstrated their ability to disrupt maritime traffic through missile and drone attacks and are widely seen as a strategic reserve that Iran could activate if tensions escalate further.

Besides physical disruption, the ripple effects on global markets would potentially drive up insurance costs, force ships to reroute, and create supply delays — all of which could push energy prices higher.

Tankers transit Strait of Hormuz amid US attempt to impose blockade, data shows

Press TV – April 14, 2026

Shipping data indicates that three Iran-linked tankers entered the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the first day of a US attempt to impose blockade targeting vessels that call at Iranian ports. … continue

US Strikes Kill Five in Alleged Pacific Anti-drug Campaign

teleSUR – April 13, 2026

United States military forces killed five men after striking two boats in the Pacific Ocean suspected of links to drug trafficking, according to the US Southern Command (Southcom).

Southcom said the vessels were intercepted along known routes in the Eastern Pacific and targeted on the grounds that they were associated with organizations designated as terrorist groups. In the first boat, three crew members were onboard; two were killed and one survived. Authorities notified the US Coast Guard to initiate search and rescue protocols for the survivor. In the second vessel, all three occupants died in the strike.

The command released a 34-second video showing explosions on both boats while at sea, describing the actions as part of a strategy of “applying total systemic friction on the cartels.” The strikes are part of Operation Southern Spear, launched in September across Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Despite having the operational capacity to intercept vessels, seize alleged illicit cargo, and detain those onboard, US forces have continued to carry out bombardments in similar scenarios.

Since the start of the campaign, U.S forces have killed at least 168 people and destroyed 50 vessels, according to official records and analyses of search and rescue data. Reports indicate that at least 15 individuals have survived such operations, with two briefly detained by the US Navy before being repatriated. Another 11 people are presumed dead after not being located during rescue efforts.

EU Defense Agency head says compulsory military service could be necessary

RT | April 13, 2026

Compulsory military service could be reinstated in the EU, Andre Denk, the head of the European Defense Agency (EDA), has said, citing a lack of volunteers.

Several EU countries have reintroduced the draft since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, citing the perceived ‘Russian threat’.

President Vladimir Putin has dismissed claims that Russia harbors aggressive intentions against its Western neighbors.

In an interview with Spain’s El Pais published on Monday, Denk said, “we have a human resources problem, and one of the ways to solve it will be through mandatory military service” – adding that his home country of Germany will likely go down this path eventually. … continue

UK seeks to jail Palestine Action for ‘terrorism’ amid UK media blackout

The Grayzone | April 13, 2026

• Six Palestine Action activists face a retrial after being acquitted in February following over a year in prison. If convicted, the six Palestine Action activists and 18 others will likely be sentenced as terrorists, facing long prison terms.
• The jury has not been notified about the ‘terrorist’ designation, and the British media cannot report this information under a court order. Activists will also be prohibited from telling jurors how their efforts sought to impede the Gaza genocide.
• The prosecution followed a meeting between government officials and counter-terror officers, where designating Palestine Action as terrorists was discussed. Those officials admitted the group’s activities were “mostly confined to criminal damage,” not terrorism.
• By falsely alleging Palestine Action deliberately targeted people with violent acts, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper committed contempt of court – but a court order prohibits British media from reporting this. UK outlets are also barred from telling the public that Palestine Action’s lawyer, Rajiv Menon, faces contempt of court proceedings for reminding jurors of their rights.
• Under normal circumstances, the defendants would face a maximum of four years if convicted, and serve less than half their sentences. Under the draconian terror designation — which jurors have not been notified of — the activists could spend as many as eight years in prison. Their release would have to be approved by a dedicated board for terror cases.

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France To Vote On Bill That Would Criminalize Criticism Of Israel

France Is About To Outlaw Criticism Of Israel

The Dissident | April 13, 2026

A bill that the French National Assembly will vote on, on April 16th and 17th, effectively outlaws criticism of Israel, making it a criminal offence to question Israel’s “right” to exist as a Jewish supremacist apartheid state on occupied Palestinian land, compare Israel’s conduct to the Nazis, or support armed resistance against Israeli occupation and aggression.

The bill writes, “Today, anti-Jew hatred in our country feeds on obsessive hatred towards Israel, regularly delegitimized in its existence and criminalized. This phenomenon is exacerbated by extreme spirits who, under the pretext of expressing their hatred towards a State, are the instigators of a reinvented anti-Semitism, which could be described as ‘geopolitics’.”

The bill seeks to criminalize critics of Israel and paint them as terrorists, writing that the “call for the destruction of Israel and its comparison to a Nazi regime – are rooted in consciences with impunity, taking up the rhetoric of movements recognized as terrorist such as Hamas or Hezbollah.”

The bill seeks to criminalize:

• “Public remarks presenting acts of terrorism as legitimate resistance” (ie support for armed resistance against the Israeli genocide in Gaza or occupation of Lebanon).
• “Causing the destruction or denial of a State or publicly advocating its destruction or denial” (i.e., questioning Israel as a Jewish apartheid state, including calls for a single democratic state in historic Palestine with equal rights).
• “to clarify and extend the crime of challenging the Shoah, by enshrining several essential contributions of case law” adding “the comparison of the State of Israel to the Nazi regime would therefore be sanctioned as an outrageous trivialization of the Shoah” (i.e. factually pointing out that the state of Israel is behaving like the Nazis, including by committing Genocide in Gaza, as the UN independent international commission found in September of last year, and by calling for an expansionist greater Israel and ethnic cleansing to establish Jewish settlements ,similar to the Nazi concept of Lebensraum, an idea that has been openly endorsed by Benjamin Netanyahu and his main political opponent Yair Lapid).

Analyst Arnaud Bertrand documented that the bill attempts to make the criminalization of speech as broad as possible. … continue

Nearly dozen journalists martyred in US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Lebanon ‎

Press TV – April 13, 2026

‎Iran’s Media Basij Organization says at least eleven journalists and media activists have been martyred in Israeli strikes on Iran and Lebanon over the past few weeks.

‎The organization said in a statement on Monday that five Iranian reporters and photojournalists were among the fatalities, while the remainder were affiliated with pro-resistance media outlets.

‎Among the martyred Iranian media personnel were former editor-in-chief of the official IRNA news agency Dr. Kamal Kharrazi, late spokesman for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Naeini, and former Tasnim News Agency correspondent Masoud Salimi.

‎The pro-resistance journalists included Beirut-based Al Mayadeen television correspondent Fatima Fatouni, and a journalist for the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar television channel.

‎The Media Basij Organization strongly condemned the US-Israeli attacks, emphasizing that the path of reporting the truth will continue more decisively and determinedly than ever.

Israeli attacks in Gaza kill six Palestinians, injure others

Palestinian Information Center – April 13, 2026

GAZA – Six Palestinian citizens were martyred and others were injured following Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Monday.

According to medical sources, three citizens were killed and others were wounded when an Israeli drone targeted a group of people at dawn near al-Mazra’a School in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

Four Palestinians were also injured by Israeli gunfire near al-Halabi rotary in Jabalia, northern Gaza.

Later, a civilian was pronounced dead after he succumbed to injuries sustained days ago from Israeli fire in the Qizan an-Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis.

Two other citizens were martyred today in separate Israeli attacks in Khan Yunis and Rafah.

An Israeli drone also opened fire at civilians near the Bani Suheila rotary in eastern Khan Yunis, injuring two of them.

Meanwhile, Israeli artillery shelled the al-Shakoush area west of Rafah, the eastern areas of Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood, and the eastern areas of Khan Yunis.

There are No Ceasefires with Israel, Only Opportunities for Later Attacks

By Robert Inlakesh | Palestine Chronicle | April 12, 2026

“The war is not over,” stated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, less than twenty-four hours after a two-week cessation of hostilities with Iran was declared by the US. A clear sign of what is to come, from an emboldened Israeli leadership that has failed to achieve their goals of “total victory” in a “seven-front war” that has been ongoing since October of 2023.

With all the talk about ceasefire agreements to end regional hostilities in the Arab and English media, the Israeli Hebrew media is looking at things quite differently. Instead of an end to a war that the majority of the international community has worked to close, Tel Aviv eyes the next escalation. … continue

Most Israelis oppose Iran ceasefire, reject talks: Poll

The Cradle | April 13, 2026

A majority of Israelis are against the ceasefire with Iran and anticipate that it will collapse within the coming year, according to a poll carried out by Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies.

The survey was carried out between 9 and 10 April.

According to the results, 61 percent of Israelis oppose the cessation of hostilities with the Islamic Republic.

Seventy-three percent said Tel Aviv will have to resume the war, while 76 percent said that talks will not achieve Israeli objectives.

Additionally, 69 percent say Israel must continue the indiscriminate strikes on Lebanon and military operations against Hezbollah. Only 23 percent believe Lebanon should be included in the ceasefire.

The new poll also reveals that 62 percent are not convinced that the war against Lebanon will bring security and stability to Israelis.

Just 20 percent of supporters of the ruling coalition said they backed the truce, while only 31 percent of opposition voters expressed the same view. … continue

Trump’s desperate bombasts amount to war crimes

By William J. Watkins Jr. | The Libertarian Institute | April 13, 2026

President Donald Trump owes the Pakistanis for securing a fourteen-day ceasefire with Iran. He now has a chance to extricate the United States from the biggest blunder of his second term. Tensions, however, remain high. “It is emphasized that this does not signify the termination of the war,” the Iranian government said in a formal statement. “Our hands remain upon the trigger, and should the slightest error be committed by the enemy, it shall be met with full force.”

One must worry that Trump does not appreciate the ceasefire off-ramp as good luck or an unmerited gift; instead, he likely will credit his threats to destroy “a whole civilization…never to be brought back again.” If the ceasefire breaks down, Trump could fulfill his commitment to “rain Hell” on Iran.

While typing away on Truth Social, Trump is oblivious that he is giving an anticipatory confession to war crimes. In addition to the posts quoted above, the president has threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants, oil wells, and desalinization facilities if certain demands are rejected. Civilizational devastation, Trump raved, “will be in retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regime’s 47 year ‘Reign of Terror.’”

Trump’s promises violate fundamental tenets of the laws and customs of armed conflict (also known as international humanitarian law, “IHL”) which yields individual criminal responsibility under international law. This area of IHL is clear and not subject to different spins. … continue

China to Ignore Trump’s Blockade: The Strait Remains Open to Us

By Kyle Anzalone | The Libertarian Institute | April 13, 2026

China said it will not comply with the Strait of Hormuz blockade that President Donald Trump imposed on Monday. Beijing explained that it is negotiating with Tehran to transit the waterway and expects other countries not to meddle in its affairs.

Beijing is “monitoring the situation in the Middle East. Our ships are moving in and out of the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Chinese Defense Minister, Adm. Dong Jun, said after Trump announced the blockade. “We have trade and energy agreements with Iran. We will respect and honor them and expect others to not meddle in our affairs. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, and it is open for us.” … continue

Iran to charge ships from ‘hostile’ nations to cross Hormuz – security chief

RT | April 13, 2026

Iran will levy tolls on ships from ‘hostile’ countries crossing the Strait of Hormuz as compensation for damage caused by sanctions and US-Israeli strikes, Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, has said.

Speaking to RT on Sunday following US-Iran talks in Islamabad that ended in an impasse, Azizi said Washington should accept Tehran’s terms because it needs a deal “more than we do,” and that many Iranians are unhappy that Tehran even entered into negotiations.

“When they need it, they should accept both the conditions and the prerequisites. If they don’t, we’ll do our work and go our own way. Nothing will change,” he added. … continue

Iran warns Trump: Security for all ports in the Gulf or for none

Al Mayadeen | April 13, 2026

Security in the Gulf and the Sea of Oman will be enforced on a reciprocal basis, following the United States’ announcement of a naval blockade targeting Iran, the spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari, stated.

Zolfaghari said Iran considers the defense of its territorial waters a “natural and lawful duty,” stressing that the presence of foreign-aligned vessels in key maritime corridors will not be permitted.

“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran explicitly and decisively declare that the security of ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for no one,” the spokesperson said, warning that any threat to Iranian maritime security would result in broader regional consequences.

The statement reaffirmed Tehran’s position that it will continue to regulate passage through the Strait of Hormuz under a “permanent regime” implemented by its armed forces. It also stated that vessels affiliated with adversaries “do not have and will not have the right to pass” through the strategic waterway, while other ships would be allowed transit under Iranian regulations.

Iran emphasized that US restrictions on maritime navigation are “illegal” and an act of “maritime piracy”. … Full article

The Day After Islamabad: When U.S. Power Meets Its Future in the Narrow Strait of Hormuz

21st Century Wire | April 13, 2026

… China saw the failed talks through the lens of trade, energy, and maritime hierarchy. Beijing’s position was not a simple sentiment for Tehran. It was resistance to an outcome in which Washington turns failed diplomacy into a U.S.‑controlled maritime order and leaves Asian importers dependent on American gatekeeping over Gulf energy flows.

That is why China’s posture looks restrained on the surface but sharp underneath. Preserve trade. Avoid war. Refuse subordination. Beijing wants Hormuz open, but it does not want it reopened under a blockade logic that leaves Chinese shipping moving only through an American permissions structure.

China’s likely course after Islamabad is therefore clear enough. It will keep opposing military escalation, defend continued commercial access, back arrangements that deny Washington monopoly control over the waterway, and quietly support a wider shift toward non‑dollar and non‑Western mechanisms of exchange if the United States keeps trying to weaponize passage itself.

Russia read the same collapse more bluntly. Moscow’s most plausible support to Iran runs through the Caspian, the Volga, and the North–South corridor with its $1.6B railway that bypasses U.S. sanctions, because those routes are inland, harder for the United States to interdict, and already embedded in commercial traffic. That is what gives Russia real weight after Islamabad. It can help keep Iran’s strategic rear open even if Washington tries to harden pressure at the Gulf end.

Many experts agree that Russia does not need a dramatic Gulf deployment to matter. It only needs to deepen logistics, intelligence sharing, diplomatic cover, and corridor resilience so that Iran cannot be isolated simply because Washington wants to turn Hormuz into an American test of will.

The reported Pezeshkian–Putin contact reinforced that trajectory. Moscow moved quickly to tighten strategic coordination after the talks collapsed, which is exactly what one would expect from a power that sees U.S. coercion in Hormuz as part of a larger contest over regional order and over the viability of non‑Western corridors linking Russia, Iran, India, and Asia. … Full article

Netherlands refuses to join US Strait of Hormuz blockade

Al Mayadeen | April 13, 2026

The Netherlands has said it will not support a proposed United States-led blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, distancing itself from Washington’s latest escalation following failed talks with Iran.

Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius stated on Monday that Amsterdam does not intend to participate in any blockade of the strategic waterway.

“We are not dealing with this issue now. It is a new circumstance, isn’t it? Sometimes the US blocks it, sometimes Iran, it is very hard to understand who is doing what … But I do not see us participating in a blockade,” the minister told NPO Radio 1.

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said he had instructed the US Navy to seek out and interdict vessels paying tolls to Iran in exchange for passage through the key maritime route, a move that could significantly escalate tensions internationally.

Despite his threats, Yesilgoz-Zegerius added that the Netherlands remains in close coordination with its allies, focusing on the next phase of efforts to ensure the safety and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Shipping through Hormuz stalls

Shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz has declined to minimal levels, according to maritime tracking data cited by RIA Novosti, as concerns intensify over the potential enforcement of a US naval blockade following the collapse of negotiations with Iran. … Full article

UK, Spain reject Trump’s new scheme to blockade Hormuz Strait

The Cradle | April 13, 2026

The UK and others have rejected Washington’s plan to impose a blockade on Iranian ports and target ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz in collaboration with the Islamic Republic.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said “we are not supporting the blockade” in an interview with BBC Radio on 13 April.

Starmer added that the UK is not “getting dragged in” to the US-Israeli war against Iran. He emphasized the priority is reopening the strait, noting it is “vital that we get the strait open and fully open.”

Turkiye opposed the blockade and called for renewed diplomacy, while China warned against escalation and urged both sides to maintain stability.

The Spanish government has also condemned the US move. “It’s just another episode in this downward spiral we’ve slipped into,” Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said on Monday, adding that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “want to impose rules on the international community, which is illogical.” … continue

Russian frigate ‘resurfaces’, chases off NATO pirates days after Kiev ‘sank’ it

By Drago Bosnic | April 13, 2026

On April 6, the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) of the Kiev regime posted a video of the alleged “attack” on the Russian Navy’s (VMF) “Admiral Grigorovich” frigate in the port of Novorossiysk. According to Ukrinform, Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, commander of the USF, also posted the video on his Telegram channel. He claims that “on the night of April 6, the USF ‘birds’ struck the frigate ‘Admiral Grigorovich’ in the port of Novorossiysk and delivered some blessed fire to the Sivash drilling rig”. The supposed “attack” was carried out by the 1st Separate Center of the USF. The Neo-Nazi junta sources report that it was planned and coordinated by the SBU (effectively a terrorist organization at this point) and that “the extent of the damage is being assessed by intelligence”.

“The air defense missile launches were carried out directly from the frigate’s deck while approaching the target, which did not prevent us from pecking at the floating scab,” Brovdi stated, adding: “The Sivash floating drilling rig was targeted by the birds of the 413th Raid Separate Battalion in cooperation with the deep-strike forces of the Ukrainian Navy.”

This must be a great success for the Kiev regime, right? There’s “video evidence of the incident”, so the supposed “attack” undoubtedly happened, right? Well, there’s a “tiny” consistency problem with this entire story. Namely, the aforementioned “Admiral Grigorovich” frigate “magically resurfaced” in the English Channel just two days after it was “destroyed”. The vessel was sent to escort oil tankers after multiple incidents where NATO pirates hijacked Russian ships in international waters. This was also confirmed by the endemically and pathologically Russophobic United Kingdom, which sent its naval forces to track Russian warships. The British HMS “Mersey” was sent to “enforce sanctions” on Moscow’s oil tankers, but was forced to turn back after detecting naval escorts. … continue

Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ makes mockery of UK naval power

By Ian Proud | Resposible Statecraft | April 13, 2026

Few things provoke British politicians into fits of rage more than mention of Russia’s “shadow fleet.” Yet last week’s impotent tracking of Russian tankers in the English Channel illustrates that Britain doesn’t have the means to do much about it. … continue

Ukraine Targets Russian Merchant Fleet With NATO Intel Support – Presidential Aide

Sputnik – 13.04.2026

MOSCOW – The Ukrainian special services are targeting the Russian merchant fleet with coordination and intelligence support of NATO, Russian presidential aide and chairman of the Russian Marine Board Nikolai Patrushev said on Monday.

“The risks of illegal actions and terrorist attacks against ships sailing from or towards Russian ports are increasing. The Ukrainian special services, with the coordination and intelligence support of NATO countries, are targeting the non-military maritime infrastructure and the merchant fleet of our country,” Patrushev told Russian media.

The Baltic states and Finland’s provision of airspace for attack drones means that NATO members directly participate in the attacks on Russia, the official said, adding that neighboring countries are complicit in Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian ports in the Baltic. … continue

Ukraine plans to attack Russian ships with Norwegian support

By Ahmed Adel | April 13, 2026

At a time when the world is distracted by the Iran War, Ukraine and Norway are reportedly planning to attack Russian commercial ships. If Norway, which shares a nearly 200-kilometer border with Russia, implements the plan, it would make the Nordic country directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict and could therefore drag all of NATO into the conflict.

“The criminal Kiev regime, with the assistance of military specialists from the Norwegian Navy, is preparing to carry out terrorist attacks against Russian vessels traveling through the Barents and Norwegian Seas to and from the port of Murmansk,” TASS quoted a military-diplomatic source as saying on April 9. … continue

Lavrov to Visit China on April 14-15 to Discuss Ukraine, Mideast – Russian MFA

Sputnik – 13.04.2026

MOSCOW – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay a visit to China on April 14-15, where he will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on a number of issues, including the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

“On April 14-15, the official visit of Russian oferign Miinster Sergey Lavrov to China will take place, within the framework of which negotiations with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are planned,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministers will discuss a wide range of topics of bilateral cooperation and a number of international issues, including the Ukrainian crisis and the situation in the Middle East.

China issues rules on countermeasures against foreign states’ unlawful extraterritorial jurisdiction

Xinhua – April 13, 2026

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council to publish a new set of rules on countering foreign states’ unlawful extraterritorial jurisdiction measures.

The regulations, consisting of 20 articles, take effect upon publication.

According to the rules, such extraterritorial jurisdiction measures refer to actions taken by a foreign country that violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations and that harm China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, or the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and organizations.

The rules also stipulate that the Chinese government has the authority to take countermeasures in response to such actions.

They also state that the Chinese government has the authority to exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction over relevant conduct if a sufficient nexus exists. … continue

US’s ‘Very Foolish’ Double Blockade of Hormuz Strait Makes Absolutely No Sense: Here’s Why

Sputnik – 13.04.2026

Every step Washington has taken in the conflict with Iran to date has worsened its own strategic position, and the blockade of Iranian oil exports is no exception, says Center for Contemporary Iranian Studies director Rajab Safarov.

“This is a very foolish move on the part of the United States. With each passing day and every step,” Washington is “worsening” its own position, and that of many countries around the world for whom Hormuz is the lifeline to their economic existence, Safarov told Sputnik. … continue