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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
Lebanese president vows to 'bring all weapons under state control' in 2025
Hezbollah has said that its weapons are an internal matter that it is prepared to discuss as part of a national defensive strategy to protect Lebanon
⭕️ Syria’s Ambassador to Moscow Bashar al-Jaafari has denied claims by TASS that he requested political asylum from Russia. Speaking to Al Mayadeen, Jaafari said, “The reports that I requested asylum in Russia are baseless.”
The new Syrian government had recently decided to restructure its diplomatic missions abroad. According to SANA, both Jaafari and the Ambassador to Riyadh, Ayman Susan, were recalled to the capital as part of this move.
❗️Syria's Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in the Qatari capital today, where they were officially received by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
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UPDATE | The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health issued a statement announcing that "the Israeli enemy's drone strike on a car in the town of Aitaroun resulted in the death of one martyr and the injury of three others, including a child."
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Syrian ambassador to Moscow requests asylum after Damascus recall
Bashar al-Jaafari served as a prominent diplomat for the previous government of Bashar al-Assad and may face detention and an investigation if he returns to Damascus
‘New page in history’: Lebanese PM visits Damascus for talks with Sharaa
Nawaf Salam and Ahmad al-Sharaa discussed several issues, including Syrian refugees in Lebanon, border security, and trade cooperation
❗️Hamas will respond to the new Israeli ceasefire proposal within 48 hours.
(AFP)
❗️Director of Field Hospitals in the Gaza Strip:
– "11,000 patients and wounded are facing the risk of death due to being denied treatment abroad."
– "We are forced to discharge some of the wounded due to hospital overcrowding."
– "Hospitals lack medicines and medical supplies."
– "The occupation does not spare any hospital from continuous bombardment."
– "The occupation is preventing the entry of medicines and medical supplies into hospitals."
⭕️ Strengthening Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Syria ties:
On 14 April, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, and Asaad Shaibani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Interim Government, discussed strengthening the Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Syria cooperation format during a phone call.
The conversation focused on Azerbaijani-Syrian relations and regional security. Both sides highlighted the potential for cooperation following the fall of the Assad government and expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan's support in restoring its embassy in Syria.
Azerbaijan reiterated its commitment to contributing to Syria’s reconstruction and emphasized the importance of its humanitarian aid. The two ministers also exchanged views on bilateral and multilateral issues.
(Caliber.Az)
❗️Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on X yesterday:
"My visit today to Damascus aims to open a new chapter in the path of relations between the two countries, based on mutual respect, the restoration of trust, good neighborliness, the preservation of the sovereignty of our two countries, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs — for Syria’s decisions belong to the Syrians, and Lebanon’s decisions belong to the Lebanese.
Discussions were held with President Ahmad al-Sharaa on border control and crossings, preventing smuggling, and moving toward the demarcation of land and maritime borders — a process that was launched during the Jeddah meeting between the defense ministers of the two countries, with appreciated sponsorship by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
There was also an exchange of views on facilitating the safe and dignified return of Syrian refugees to their land and homes, with the help of the United Nations and brotherly and friendly countries.
We discussed the fate of missing and detained Lebanese in Syria, in addition to demanding that the Syrian authorities assist in handing over individuals wanted for justice in Lebanon — most notably in connection with the bombings of the Al-Taqwa and Al-Salam mosques, the individual convicted in the assassination of President Bashir Gemayel, and other crimes attributed to the Assad regime. The issue of Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons was also addressed.
On the economic front, discussions covered cooperation in various fields, the opening of trade and transit routes, the importation of oil and gas, and the resumption of civil aviation routes.
We also touched on the agreements between the two countries that ought to be reconsidered — including the Lebanese-Syrian Higher Council."
❗️Gaza Ministry of Health:
– "17 martyrs and 69 injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals during the past 24 hours."
– "The death toll and injuries since 18 March 2025 has reached 1,630 martyrs and 4,302 injuries."
– "The death toll from the Israeli aggression has risen to 51,000 martyrs and 116,343 wounded since 7 October 2023."
❗️The latest round of talks in Cairo to revive the Gaza ceasefire and free Israeli captives ended with no apparent breakthrough, Palestinian and Egyptian sources said on Monday.
The sources said Hamas had stuck to its position that any agreement must lead to an end to the war in Gaza.
(Reuters)
❗️Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Tuesday that the country’s military capabilities are non-negotiable, ahead of a second round of indirect nuclear talks with the US.
Spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini stated that national defense is a red line for Tehran and will not be part of any discussions.
(AFP)
❗️Statement by Hamas:
"The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) affirms that the movement’s leadership is carefully and responsibly reviewing the proposal it has received from the brotherly mediators, and will deliver its response as soon as the necessary consultations are completed.
The movement reiterates its firm position that any forthcoming agreement must include: a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, a genuine prisoner exchange deal, the launch of a serious reconstruction process for what the occupation has destroyed, and the lifting of the unjust blockade on our people in Gaza."
WATCH | Will Trump Fold on Iran the Way He Did on China?
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⭕️ A French military plane landed at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport on Sunday 13 April, bringing in engineering equipment meant for clearing explosives.
The equipment was a donation from the French government to the Lebanese Army.
Officers from both the Lebanese and French armies were present for the handover, the Lebanese Army said in a statement.
❗️Gaza Ministry of Health:
– "The Ministry of Health condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli occupation’s deliberate targeting of the Kuwaiti field hospital 'Shifa Palestine' in Khan Yunis."
– "This attack exposes the occupation’s systematic efforts to dismantle Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure and endanger the lives of patients and medical staff—even those confined to hospital beds."
– "Such crimes against medical facilities will continue unabated without decisive international intervention to hold Israel accountable."
⭕️ China has told its airlines to stop accepting new Boeing planes and to pause buying US-made airplane parts. This comes after China hit back at the US with steep new tariffs—up to 145%—in response to the latest round of tariffs announced by President Trump. The move deals a major blow to Boeing, which has long counted on China as one of its biggest markets.
Some Boeing jets that were already in the pipeline might still be delivered if paperwork was done before the new rules kicked in, but even that’s uncertain. This latest trade clash adds more pressure on Boeing, which has already been struggling with supply issues and past safety scandals. China is now leaning more on European supplier Airbus and its own homegrown aircraft, but it still relies on Boeing planes for many of its airlines. (Bloomberg)
⭕️ Earlier today, during a meeting with senior officials from the three branches of government, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, stated:
“The Oman talks are just one of the many tasks undertaken by the Foreign Ministry. We must not tie the country’s affairs to these talks. We are neither overly optimistic nor overly pessimistic about them. In the end, it’s a step that has been decided upon and has been well implemented in its early stages. Of course, we are very skeptical of the other side, but we remain optimistic about our own capabilities.”
(IRNA)
❗️Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to Al-Araby al-Jadeed:
– "Hezbollah has no intention of being dragged into a new war."
– "I’m working to make 2025 the year when all weapons are exclusively under state control."
– "We will not replicate the Popular Mobilization Forces model to integrate Hezbollah into the army, nor allow it to exist as an independent unit within the military."
– "Hezbollah members can join the army and undergo integration training, just as members of other parties did at the end of the Lebanese civil war."
– "Speaker Nabih Berri and I are in full agreement on all matters, especially on the need to centralize arms under the state."
– "The Americans know that normalization or peace talks with Israel are not on the table right now."
– "I did not discuss forming diplomatic committees to handle sensitive files with Israel during my talks with Morgan Ortagus."
– "I told Ortagus that Israel’s presence in the five disputed points gives Hezbollah a justification."
– "I also told Ortagus that we want to disarm Hezbollah, but without sparking a civil war in Lebanon."
– "Hezbollah has shown restraint and a high level of awareness during this period. It has acted responsibly by not responding to Israeli violations."
– "A decision has been made to confine weapons to the state. The question now is how to implement it, which I believe should be through bilateral dialogue between the presidency and Hezbollah."
Saudi Arabia to 'pay off' Syria's World Bank debt: Report
Syria owes around $15 million to the World Bank and is suffering severe economic conditions due to years of war and sanctions
Algeria expels French embassy staff as diplomatic spat deepens
The move comes after France detained three Algerian nationals in connection with the kidnapping of an Algerian influencer on French soil
❗️Former British Diplomat Craig Murray:
"A British diplomatic source tells me that 'President' Al Jolani aka Al-Sharaa has assured the UK that Syria will 'normalise relation' with Israel, recognise the State of Israel and exchange Ambassadors, by the end of 2026. This is part of a deal in exchange for substantial Western financial support and the lifting of sanctions on Syria."
BREAKING | An Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in Aitaroun, southern Lebanon.
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❗️French President Emmanuel Macron on X yesterday:
"I just spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
France is fully committed to securing the release of all hostages, achieving a lasting ceasefire, and ensuring immediate access for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
It is essential to build a framework for the day after: disarming and sidelining Hamas, establishing credible governance, and reforming the Palestinian Authority.
This must pave the way toward a political two-state solution, in view of the upcoming June conference, in the interest of peace and security for all.
We need peace."
⭕️ Iraq is set to construct its first city dedicated to energy services, with a US company preparing a list of investment opportunities for the project. Located in the Southeastern Maysan Governorate, the project has been approved by Iraq’s National Investment Commission (NIC).
NIC spokesperson Hanan Jassim confirmed that a contract has been signed with the US company to identify projects for potential investors. The city will focus on services in electricity, oil, gas, communications, and other energy sectors.
(Alsabah)
⭕️ US President Donald Trump said on Monday he believes Iran is deliberately stalling progress on the nuclear agreement, warning that, "Iran has to get rid of the concept of a nuclear weapon."—Or risk a potential attack on its nuclear sites.
"I think they're tapping us along," Trump told reporters, referring to recent talks in Oman between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and a senior Iranian official.
When asked if a US response includes a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump replied, "Of course it does."
He also suggested time was running out, claiming Iran is "fairly close" to building a nuclear weapon and needed to act quickly to avoid serious consequences.
❗️BREAKING | US warplanes launch three airstrikes on Al Jawf governorate and two on Marib governorate in western Yemen.
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INFOGRAPHIC | Since the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood in October 2023, Yemeni Armed Forces have downed 19 US MQ-9 Reaper drones. The US Department of Defense estimates the cost of each Reaper at approximately $33 million.
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Iran and the US: The price of a deal or the cost of war across West Asia?
As the Trump administration ramps up pressure on Iran, the likelihood of a regional war hinges less on military posturing and more on whether Washington prioritizes strategic de-escalation or seeks to upend the regional balance entirely.