Ivan Watson

🇱🇧 The Beirut Annunciation Orthodox College mourns the loss of Jad Kobeissi, a Grade 9 student, who tragically passed away following an Israeli airstrike that struck his building. (…) He was “a kind and vibrant soul whose warmth, humility, and smile touched all who knew him.”🕯️

Q: "Why didn't you tell U.S. allies…about the war before attacking Iran?" President Trump: "We wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?"

Breaking from @halbritz @OrenCNN : A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at US air base in the Middle East after it was struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command, said the fifth-generation stealth jet was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced to make an emergency landing. Hawkins said the aircraft landed safely, and the incident is under investigation “The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins added. The incident would be the first time Iran has hit a US aircraft in the war started in late February. Both the US and Israel are flying F-35s in the conflict; the aircraft costs upwards of $100 million.

A US F-35 fighter jet damaged by suspected Iranian fire makes an emergency landing at an US air base in the Middle East, sources say cnn.it/40GqGe4

❗️ Moment Israel DIRECTLY HITS RT crew

QatarEnergy Statement on Missile Attacks on its LNG Facilities In addition to the previous attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wednesday 18 March 2026 that resulted in extensive damage to the Pearl GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) facility, QatarEnergy confirms that in the early hours of Thursday 19 March 2026, several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks, causing sizeable fires and extensive further damage. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting damage with no reported casualties. QatarEnergy will continue to communicate the latest available information. #Qatar

The superpower has lost control of its foreign policy, writes Badr Albusaidi, Oman’s chief diplomat economist.com/by-invitation/…

Statement | Qatar Welcomes Temporary Eid Al Fitr Truce between Afghanistan and Pakistan Doha | March 18, 2026 The State of Qatar welcomes the announcement of a temporary truce between Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, considering this step a positive gesture that contributes to de-escalation and promotes calm between the two sides. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms the State of Qatar's hope that this temporary truce will pave the way for a return to a sustainable ceasefire agreement, one that spares civilian lives and achieves security and stability. In this context, the Ministry praises the response of both parties to the calls made by the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Republic of Turkiye to implement this truce, stressing that prioritizing dialogue and peaceful solutions is the best way to resolve outstanding disputes. The Ministry also reiterates the State of Qatar's commitment to continuing its diplomatic efforts, in coordination with regional and international partners, to support de-escalation efforts and enhance security and stability in the region. #MOFAQatar

Israel says it killed Iran's intelligence minister in latest assassination of regime leadership. Iran has yet to confirm his alleged killing. Follow live updates. cnn.it/4cPPfMQ

A close-up look at the kind of ships that Iran has repeatedly targeted in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The vital waterway is effectively closed, cutting off 20% of the world’s oil from the global economy w/@sarasidnerCNN #Iran #Hongkong

The war in the Middle East must stop. Diplomacy must prevail. All Security Council resolutions must be implemented. The latest one, resolution 2817, must be respected, as we see that countries in the Gulf continue to be targeted.

"The Strait of Hormuz situation won't return to its pre-war status" declares Iran's speaker of parliament An Iranian security source tells CNN Tehran is in talks w/8 non-Middle Eastern countries buying oil in Chinese yuan to allow safe passage of ships cnn.com/world/live-new…

The head of the National Counterterrorism Center announces his resignation, citing misgivings about the administration's war with Iran cnn.it/4lzthQA

After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today. I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. It has been an honor serving under @POTUS and @DNIGabbard and leading the professionals at NCTC. May God bless America.

"So investors & businesses looking for diversification at the same time looking for security of their investments will definitely look to Hong Kong.” --Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee 2/ #HongKong #Iran

“For stability, security, Hong Kong is a showcase to the world that under ‘1 country 2 systems’, Hong Kong will be very safe. Which will be a big contrast to the situation now in the Middle East." --Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee 1/ #HongKong #iran

Today, for the first time since the beginning of the war, in Kyiv, I was stopped by the police and the TTsK -- a document check, questions about military-mobilization status and all that. Absolutely no problems. Like 30 seconds: I show my military ID in a special app on my iPhone and that’s it -- thank you, have a good trip, have a nice day. But what is not cool is that when you pull over to the side of the road as ordered, a dude in a mask steps in front of your car, basically so you don’t hit the gas and drive off. The reason for that is understandable, but it still doesn’t feel great, as if you’re automatically assumed to be a felon.

Israeli defense minister claims Ali Larijani- Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary- was "eliminated" Monday night. cnn.com/world/live-new…

We first need to hear from the US & Israel when they expect to have achieved their military objectives in Iran before we can jointly define a future security architecture for the region. Until then, there is no role for NATO or the EU’s Operation Aspides.—@AussenMinDE #FAC 3/5

"Trump is asking China to risk its own military assets in a war the US started against a Beijing-friendly nation, and threatening to withhold diplomacy otherwise." By @StephanieAYang #Iran #China cnn.com/world/trump-ch…