US envoy excited by Lebanon cabinet’s decision against resistance weapons.
The US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrett, expressed his congratulations to Lebanon’s president, prime minister, and parliament following the country’s cabinet decision. Posting on social media, he praised the Lebanese leadership for taking what he called a “historic, bold, and correct” step toward fully implementing the agreement to halt opposed activities.
This announcement came amid ongoing Israeli ground and air aggressions against Lebanon.
Lebanese Information Minister Paul Marqus stated that the cabinet agreed with the US envoy’s demands. Though, he noted that no specific details or timelines were discussed during today’s meeting.
Marqus added that ministers from both the Amal movement and Hezbollah reaffirmed their commitment to a government statement emphasizing exclusive state control over weapons.
He explained that Lebanon’s government consented to maintain sole authority over arms and deploy its army forces in southern regions. Marqus claimed the session underscored the necessity for Israeli forces to withdraw from five points in southern Lebanon.
The minister further said that cabinet members agreed to end all armed activities across Lebanon-including those conducted by Hezbollah.
Earlier in the day, Amal and Hezbollah ministers Tamara Al-Zein, Rakan Nasserdine, Mohammad Haidar, and Wafadi Maki exited the cabinet meeting prematurely.
Lebanon’s Data minister announced the cabinet’s approval of exclusive state control over weapons and the deployment of army forces in southern regions.
Lebanese Information Minister Paul Marqus stated that the country’s cabinet has agreed to the demands proposed by the US envoy, according to webangah News Agency, citing Al-Mayadeen.
He added that during today’s meeting, cabinet members did not discuss details or set a timeline for implementation.
Marqus also said ministers from the Amal Movement and Hezbollah remain committed to a cabinet statement affirming that weapons are exclusively under government authority.
The Lebanese government has agreed to maintain exclusive state control over arms and to deploy army forces in southern Lebanon.
Though,hours earlier,ministers from Amal and Hezbollah-including Tamara Al-Zein,Rakan Nasrallah,Mohammad Haidar,and Wafadi Maki-walked out of the cabinet meeting.
Earlier reports indicated that if the session insisted on implementing US demands for disarming resistance groups, Hezbollah and amal ministers would withdraw. A similar incident occurred at Lebanon’s previous cabinet meeting.
The loyalist Wafa parliamentary bloc affiliated with hezbollah issued a statement today condemning some politicians who follow foreign directives and yield under US pressure. They accused thes figures of disregarding national interests and internal unity.
Residents of the occupied territories gathered in front of the Israeli cabinet headquarters demanding an end to the war in Gaza.
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, reporting from Mehr News Agency quoting Al Jazeera, as the Israeli war cabinet convened to discuss a large-scale attack and full occupation of the Gaza Strip, residents of the occupied territories held a protest outside the regime’s cabinet headquarters.
The demonstration took place in occupied Jerusalem.
protesters called on the Israeli army not to occupy Gaza and urged efforts to end the conflict in the region. They also demanded the return of Israeli prisoners.
Simultaneously occurring, Axios quoted U.S.officials stating that President Donald Trump has decided not to intervene and will allow Israel’s cabinet to make decisions independently.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister held a sudden meeting with Jolani during his visit to Syria today.
According to teh English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency adn Anadolu, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, leader of the terrorist forces governing Syria, during his visit to Damascus today.
The two discussed regional and global developments as well as ways to strengthen relations between Ankara and Damascus. The newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Fidan’s trip to Syria was unannounced and took place suddenly.
In recent months, Jolani had visited Turkey alongside Asaad Al-Shibani, foreign minister of the terrorist regime in Syria. During these reciprocal trips,they consulted on security conditions in Syria and measures for achieving stability in the country.
This comes amid reports from the syrian Observatory for Human Rights documenting approximately 9,000 deaths during Jolani’s period of rule in Syria.
Dariush Safarnezhad, Senior Caucasus Expert, says the “Zangazur Corridor” is a 34-year-old American plan that Iran and Russia have resisted from the start; this is why it has not been implemented to date.
Mehr News Agency, International Desk, Elnaz Rahmat Nejad: Since the conflicts between Azerbaijan and Armenia began, connecting with Nakhchivan has become a key challenge between the two countries. Additionally, Nagorno-Karabakh-a predominantly Armenian region within Azerbaijani territory connected to Armenia via the Lachin passage for years-was at the heart of these conflicts. azerbaijan sought control over this area.
After several wars, Azerbaijan gained control of Nagorno-Karabakh and pledged under a trilateral agreement to ensure safe communication for its people with Armenia. However, due to Nagorno-Karabakh’s blockade and pressure on Armenians there, many were forced to migrate. this depopulation essentially violated one of the most important clauses of the 2020 trilateral agreement by Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan asserted under Article 9 of this trilateral agreement that Armenia had committed to establishing a corridor from Azerbaijan toward Nakhchivan.Since 2020, Baku has intensified efforts toward activating this corridor in recent months.
The “Zangazur Corridor” poses a significant security threat for Iran, Armenia, and other regional actors connected with South Caucasus affairs. Iran’s primary concern is that its land connection with Armenia will be severed along with reduced overland access to European countries.
In response, an international conference titled “Zangazur Corridor: Geopolitical Threats Against Iran and Perspectives from Various Actors” was held on Tuesday, August 5th at Mehr News Agency’s meeting hall. Participants included Shoaib bahman (Head of Contemporary World Studies Institute), dariush Safarnezhad (Senior Caucasus Expert), Ehsan Moheddian (University Professor and Senior Caucasus Analyst), dr. Mohammad Mehdi Rahmati (CEO of Mehr Media Group), Mohammad reza Moradi (Anchor & Director General for International Affairs at Mehr News Agency).A summary follows below.
A photo report on the conference can be accessed at Mehr News Agency’s website link provided in original text.
Media as an Accelerator for Understanding and Shaping a shared future Among Neighbors
Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Rahmati opened the conference emphasizing that media dialog on critical regional issues is vital. He said coherent media discussions among experts could generate significant national and international impact.
“Most participants hold specialized knowledge,” he added; sharing insight particularly about corridors like zangazur-which are essential topics today-is invaluable but ofen neglected due to lack of opportunities for collaborative discussion leading toward consensus solutions.”
“the future of neighboring states will not develop independently,” Dr. Rahmati stressed. “Media can drive understanding and help build shared futures politically.” He noted iran’s historic role in regional affairs positions it well to facilitate idea exchanges regarding Zangazur.”
“Zangazur Corridor”: A 34-Year-Old American Plan Attempting To Reshape South Caucasus
Dariush Safarnezhad described ”Zangazur Corridor” as a US plan pursued over three decades under what was known as “the Gubel Plan.” The current iteration goes by “Zangazur.” Both Iran and Russia opposed it from inception; thus far it remains unrealized.”
“NATO serves as its main backer,” he added; followed by America itself as well as Europe, Israel’s regime (“regime occupied”), Turkey-and Takfiri groups supporting it indirectly.”
“Turkey plays an influential role as NATO’s Southeastern command sits there,” Safarnezhad explained more broadly Turkey’s military presence spans mountainous zones across Asia-South Caucasus region through Afghanistan into Balkans where they operate on NATO’s behalf.”
The expert highlighted recent developments: “Two critical meetings occurred recently – first in Turkey then Abu Dhabi – without Russia participating despite its peace mediator status since Karabakh war ceased in late 2020.” According to him there is now an eight-to-nine-month timetable established wherein representatives from US companies alongside firms from Europe…Israel…Turkey…Azerbaijan…and Armenia form consortium overseeing corridor operations.”
He claimed Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan agreed de facto sovereignty would be granted along four-decade-long strip measuring roughly five or six kilometers wide stretching forty-plus kilometers geographically known locally by various names consistent within such arrangements.”
Al Mayadeen reported that ministers affiliated with the Amal movement and Hezbollah in Lebanon left the cabinet meeting in protest.
The English section of webangah News Agency quoted Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reporting that minutes ago, ministers from the Amal Movement and Hezbollah-Tamara Al-Zein, Rakan Nasrallah, and Muhammad haider Wafadi maki-exited Lebanon’s cabinet meeting.
Earlier reports indicated that if the meeting insisted on implementing U.S. demands to disarm the resistance, Hezbollah and Amal ministers would walk out.
A similar incident occured during Lebanon’s previous cabinet session.Today,Hezbollah’s Loyalty to Resistance bloc issued a statement condemning certain politicians for blindly following foreign directives and yielding to U.S. pressure. The statement said these figures disregard national interests and internal unity.
The statement added: “The Prime Minister’s agreement with requests from the U.S. envoy is a clear breach of his commitments. The government’s suspiciously hasty push to comply with American demands flagrantly violates agreed terms. Agreeing to these demands undermines the Taif Agreement foundations that protect Lebanon’s right to self-defense.”
The Israeli military reported a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip toward the occupied area of Nir Am.
The Israeli military announced a rocket launch from the Gaza Strip, targeting the occupied area of Nir Am, according too the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and Al-Mayadeen.
Sirens sounded in Nir Am following the missile launch. israel’s Channel 12 claimed to have intercepted the rocket.
Simultaneously occurring, Gaza has been under severe attacks and blockade for over two years.
In a press interview, the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime attempted to project a humanitarian image while claiming that his government does not seek full occupation of the Gaza Strip.
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and Maan, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the Israeli regime, told an Indian network that Tel Aviv is not aiming for full occupation of Gaza but intends to hand control over to a transitional authority.
He stated that the main objectives in the war against Gaza-namely the complete destruction of Hamas and recovering Israeli hostages-remain priorities.
This comes even after two years of conflict in Gaza without achieving these goals.
Netanyahu, who has obstructed ceasefire negotiations, added that if Hamas surrenders its weapons and releases all hostages unconditionally, the war will end immediately.
He further asserted that Tel Aviv seeks to establish a security ring inside Gaza to prevent threats from within this territory.
This contrasts with NetanyahuS insistence during meetings with Israeli military officials on fully occupying Gaza.
Following what he described as a massacre resulting in over 60,000 Palestinian deaths, Netanyahu adopted a humanitarian stance claiming there must be a distinction between innocent civilians and Hamas fighters.
Axios revealed that former U.S. President Donald Trump does not oppose the full occupation of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli regime.
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency via Al-Hadath, the American publication Axios reported that former U.S. President Donald Trump does not object to Israel’s complete occupation of the gaza Strip.
However, Axios claimed that Trump does not support Israel annexing parts of Gaza following such an occupation.
The report stated that Trump will not interfere with Israel’s decision regarding the occupation of Gaza.
This news comes as Trump recently expressed on his social media platform that it is very vital for all Middle Eastern countries to join the Abraham Accords (the normalization agreements with Israel).
Trump asserted that this would guarantee peace in the Middle east.
The parliamentary faction affiliated with Lebanon’s Hezbollah condemned the country’s government’s unreasonable measures to implement U.S.demands against the resistance’s weapons.
The Loyalty to Resistance faction, affiliated with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, issued a statement condemning certain politicians for blindly following foreign dictates and yielding to U.S. pressure.They disregard the nation’s highest interests and domestic unity.
The statement criticized Prime minister’s agreement to the U.S. envoy’s request as a clear violation of his commitments. It described the Lebanese government and prime minister’s suspicious and illogical haste in carrying out American demands as a blatant breach of agreed terms.Complying with these demands undermines the foundations of the Taif Agreement, which safeguards Lebanon’s right to self-defense.
Furthermore,it stated that desperate attempts to target resistance weapons serve as a free handout to Israel,Lebanon’s primary adversary. Targeting these arms would deprive Lebanon of its most significant strength against repeated Israeli aggressions.
The statement urged the Lebanese government to correct its course toward U.S. demands and instead pressure Israel through political means to honor the ceasefire agreement.
Notably, Lebanon’s cabinet recently adopted a stance against resistance weapons during its latest session.
