For now, links to EIGHT reports, analyses and commentaries: from or via the Associated Press, National Public Radio, the Cradle, Reuters, and Middle East Eye; headlines of others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 4-22-26.  Scroll up for today’s GAZA and LEBANON so far.) — MCM

–   –   –

–   –   –

Peace talks between U.S. and Iran at a standstill as Trump extends ceasefire. Reported by Jane Arraf and Michel Martin | NPR  President Trump has extended the ceasefire, but Iran says it’s not enough if the naval blockade is still in place. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   – 

Over two-thirds of U.S.-Israeli targets in Tahran ‘not linked to military’: report. From the Cradle. Only about one-third of the infrastructure destroyed in Iran’s capital during the U.S.-Israeli war was military-linked, Bloomberg revealed on Tuesday in an analysis of the damage caused by Washington and Tel Aviv. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab: Iran turns maritime choke points into leverage, by Abbas al-Zein | The Cradle  The announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz — specifically targeting Iranian ports and vessels entering and leaving them — pushes the confrontation with Tehran into a new phase, effectively layering a U.S. naval blockade over a waterway Iran is already controlling. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

U.S. military says it seizes another oil tanker associated with Iran, by Jon Gambrell and David Rising | AP  DUBAI — The U.S. Defense Department said today it seized the tanker Majestic X in the Indian Ocean associated with smuggling Iranian oil. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 22  U.S. intercepts three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters, sources say. From Reuters. LONDON / NEW DELHI — The U.S. military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters and is redirecting them away from their positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

What the Iran-Iraq war taught today’s Iranian leader — and why it matters, by a Middle East Eye correspondent. The war begun by Iraq in 1980 lasted nearly eight years and killed more than a million people. Beyond the vast destruction, it helped shape the Islamic Republic of Iran into the system it is today. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Iran has a long history of defying bullies. Trump has reaped the whirlwind, by Soumaya Ghannoushi | Middle East Eye  The modern history of the Middle East can be read as a single, enduring dialectic: humiliation and the revolutions of dignity it produces. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

Links to info from Veterans For Peace and the Berkshire Edge. — MCM

–   –   –

ADVISORY: Hedges, local VFP launch ‘new mission for environmental justice in the Berkshires,’ April 25. From news release: This “Deep Dive” is a critical community summit dedicated to healing the Housatonic River — to confront the toxic legacy of PCB contamination and explore innovative bioremediation to renew our local waters. World-renowned journalist Chris Hedges and local experts are launching a ‘New Mission’ for environmental justice in the Berkshires. Be part of the dialogue to reclaim our river’s health, at South Congregational Church, Pittsfield, MA from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25. The UCC church is at 110 South St., Pittsfield. Click HERE for ticket information.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 21  Journalist Chris Hedges, area leaders to take a community ‘Deep Dive’ into environmental accountability and the Housatonic Rest of River remediation project, by Leslee Bassman | The Berkshire Edge  PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With the Housatonic Rest of River remediation project on the brink of starting its 12-plus-year run, 40-year-old organization Veterans For Peace is hosting a “Deep Dive” program aimed at exploring the environmental accountability for the waterway’s toxicity — set for April 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. at United Church of Christ, 110 South Street, Pittsfield. READ MORE . . .

For now, links to an interview from Middle East Monitor and to an article from London Review of Books; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names as highlighted. (Scroll down for GAZA 4-21-26 and today’s IRAN so far.) — MCM

–   –   –

Watch: ‘Palestine This Week’ w/ Mouin Rabbani. Nasim Ahmed of Middle East Monitor and Mouin Rabbani of Middle East Report discuss “Gaza six months into the ceasefire and the next stage in Israel’s genocide, Israel’s settler-colonial ‘buffer zones’ employed as a tool of expansion, ideological continuity in Zionism, the latest on U.S./Israel war on Iran,” and other topics. Click HERE for video and a comment.

–   –   – 

All they will find is sand: Gaza’s Yellow Line, by Eyal Weizman | London Review of Books  The​ UN Genocide Convention of 1948 lists five acts that constitute genocide when committed with the intent to destroy a group in whole or in part. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

First, links to THREE reports: from the Associated Press, Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 4-21-26.  Scroll up for today’s GAZA so far.) — MCM

–   –   –

NEWER  Iran fires on 3 ships in the Strait of Hormuz U.S maintains blockade and diplomacy stalls, by Jon Gambrell and David Rising | AP  DUBAI — Iran fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz and seized two of them on Wednesday, intensifying its assault on shipping in the key waterway a day after U.S. President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire while maintaining an American blockade of Iranian ports. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.  Click HERE for report from Al Jazeera.

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

Links to SIXTEEN or so reports, analyses, commentaries and interviews: from or via the Chris Hedges Report, ScheerPost, the Associated Press, the Cradle, Middle East Monitor, Middle East Eye, National Public Radio, and Anadolu Ajansi; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 4-20-26, and up or down for GAZA and LEBANON.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 20  Is there a way out of the Iran war? w/ John Mearsheimer. Chris Hedges of the Chris Hedges Report and international affairs analyst John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago talked as a possible second round of ceasefire negociations in Islamabad, scheduled for Wednesday, were approaching. Click HERE for video and a transcript of interview, and for an introduction by Joshua Scheer of ScheerPost.    

–   –   –

NEWER  U.S. puts negotiations with Iran on hold as ceasefire deadline nears, by Munir Ahmed, Jon Gambrell and Russ Bynum | AP  ISLAMABAD — Last-minute ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran looked uncertain today as a two-week truce was set to expire and both countries warned that, without a deal, they were prepared to resume fighting. U.S. Vice President JD Vance was expected to lead U.S. negotiators if talks continue. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

–   –   –

U.S. and Iran signal new ceasefire talks in Islamabad as truce nears end, by Munir Ahmed, Jon Gambrell and Samy Magdy | AP  ISLAMABAD — The United States and Iran have signaled they will hold a new round of ceasefire talks in Pakistan, two regional officials said today, as leaders on both sides warned they were prepared for more fighting if a . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

–   –   –

U.S navy seizes ‘Iran-linked’ commercial vessel in Asia-Pacific as Tehran blasts Washington’s ‘piracy.’ From the Cradle. The U.S. military stormed and seized what it said was an Iranian-linked vessel in the Asia-Pacific overnight, according to a statement released by the Department of War today. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Dozens of Iranian ‘shadow fleet’ tankers breach U.S. blockade: report. From the Cradle. On April 20, maritime intelligence firm Lloyd’s List reported that at least 26 vessels linked to Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet” have continued operating despite a US naval blockade imposed on 13 April, directly contradicting Washington’s claims that it has blocked Iranian shipping. READ MORE . . .

–   –   – 

Iran parliament speaker: no talks under threat, warns of ‘new cards’ if war resumes. From Middle East Monitor. Iran’s parliament speaker has warned that Tehran will reveal “new cards” if fighting with the United States and Israel resumes, two days before a ceasefire deadline expires. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Sticking points in possible talks between the U.S. and Iran as the end of the ceasefire looms. From NPR. Here are the main sticking points between the United States and Iran in a second round of negotiations which may or may not take place in Islamabad this week. READ MORE . . .

–   –   – 

Iran negotiations. Leila Fadel of NPR asks Karim Sadjadpour with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace how Iran might approach its next round of negotiations with the U.S. Click HERE to listen and, later, read; and HERE for links to all three Iran war-related segments today on NPR’s “Morning Edition.”

–   –   –

Iran rejects negotiations with U.S. ‘under the shadow of threats,‘ by Michael Gabriel Hernandez | Anadolu  Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump has sought to use the threats to turn the talks “into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering.” READ MORE . . .

–   –   – 

Israel’s war obsession and the urgency of Palestinian leverage, by Ramzy Baroud | Middle East Monitor  It is tempting to argue that Israel’s new military doctrine is predicated on perpetual war—but the reality is more complex. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Netanyahu, Trump: On Gaza and the Iran war, the parallels with World War Two are clear, by Joe Gill | Middle East Eye  It has long been considered offensive and antisemitic to draw comparisons between Nazi Germany and Israel, but on the specific question of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its wars of expansion, including the war on Iran, the dam has broken. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 20  Trump offers mixed messages about path ahead for U.S. war against Iran, by Aamer Madhani, Munir Ahmed and Russ Bynum  | AP  WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declared on Monday that he was in no rush to end the conflict while also expressing confidence that further negotiations with Tehran will soon take place in Pakistan. The 14-day ceasefire is to expire Wednesday. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 20  U.S.-Iran talks are uncertain as ceasefire is set to expire. Reported by Kat Lonsdorf | NPR  As the clock ticks down on the ceasefire, Iran says it may not attend fresh talks with the U.S. That’s as a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appears to be holding. Click HERE to listen and; and HERE for links to both Iran war-related reports Monday on NPR’s “All Things Considered”; and HERE for print report from NPR.

.

Links to FIVE reports, analyses, interviews and commentaries: from or via Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, the Chris Hedges Report, Consortium News, and Anadolu Ajansi; others are accessible by clicking on its name as highlighted. (Scroll down for LEBANON 4-20-26, and up or down for IRAN and GAZA.) — MCM

–   –   – 

Inside Hezbollah’s battle for Bint Jbeil and Khiam, by a correspondent | Middle East Eye  BEIRUT — The survival of two Lebanese towns, for weeks bombarded by Israeli forces attempting to encircle them, exposes the limits of what Israeli firepower is able to achieve in south Lebanon, and the strategic power the terrain holds for its Hezbollah defenders. READ MORE . . .

–   –   – 

Israeli army blows up public school in southern Laebanon despite ceasefire. From Middle East Monitor. The Israeli army destroyed a public school building in the southern Lebanese town of Khiam, in a new violation of a temporary ceasefire, Lebanese media reported today, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

–   –   – 

Israel’s war obsession and the urgency of Palestinian leverage, by Ramzy Baroud | Middle East Monitor  It is tempting to argue that Israel’s new military doctrine is predicated on perpetual war—but the reality is more complex. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 18  Lebanon’s defiance. Chris Hedges of the Chris Hedges Report talks with journalist Laith Marouf for a firsthand account from southern Lebanon, where entire villages have been flattened. Hebollah not only held the line, it inflicted significant losses, according to Marouf.  He says what is happening marks the end of Western hegemony. Click HERE for an article by Hedges, and video and a transcript of interview. (This comes via Consortium News.)

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 20  Spain says Israel applying ‘Gaza strategy’ in Lebanon, by Alyssa Mcmurtry | Anadolu  OVIEDO, Spain  Spain’s foreign minister said Monday that Israel is applying the same military strategy in southern Lebanon as in Gaza, insisting that Israel cannot maintain normal relations with the European Union amid its ongoing human rights violations. READ MORE . . .

.

Links to two reports from the Cradle and to a commentary via Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names as highlighted. (Scroll down for GAZA 4-18-26.  Scroll up for IRAN and LEBANON.)

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 20  Hamas dismisses U.S.-backed disarmament plan as ‘collective suicide. From the Cradle. Hamas has rejected a US-backed proposal to disarm, describing it as a “trap” that risks igniting internal war in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials who spoke with Middle East Eye. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Human development in Gaza set back by nearly a century as recovery costs soar past $70b: UN. From the Cradle. Human development has been set back by over seven decades as a result of Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip, a UN report highlighted on 20 April, placing the cost of recovery and reconstruction at more than $70 billion over the next 10 years. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Netanyahu, Trump: On Gaza and the Iran war, the parallels with World War Two are clear, by Joe Gill | Middle East Eye  It has long been considered offensive and antisemitic to draw comparisons between Nazi Germany and Israel, but on the specific question of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its wars of expansion, including the war on Iran, the dam has broken. READ MORE . . .

.

First, links to reports from the Cradle and Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on their names as highlighted. (Scroll down for LEBANON 4-19-26 and today’s IRAN so far.) — MCM

–   –   –

Israel claims ownership of Lebanese gas field after establishing Gaza-style ‘Yellow Line’ near border. From the Cradle. Israel has declared a large swath of the southern Lebanese border area a “Forward Defense Zone,” similar to the ‘Yellow Line’ perimeter used by Tel Aviv to seize additional territory in the Gaza Strip. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israel flattening civilian buildings in southern Lebanon during truce, say commanders. From Middle East Monitor. Israel has continued systematic destruction of civilian buildings in southern villages since a 10-day pause in hostilities in Lebanon began last Thursday, Israeli army commanders told Haaretz on Sunday. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

First, links to TWELVE reports from Anadolu Ajansi, Reuters, the Associated Press and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 4-19-26.  Scroll up for today’s IRAN so far.) — MCM

–   –   –

NEWER  Iran strikes U.S. vessels in retaliation for cargo ship’s seizure: report, by Ahmet Salih Alacaci and Gizem Nisa Demir | Anadolu  Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian drones were deployed against U.S. vessels after American forces boarded the container ship Touska. The report did not specify whether the targets were military or commercial. READ MORE . . . 

–   –   –

Ceasefire at risk after U.S. seizes Iranian ship, Iran shuns peace talks, by Parisa Hafezi and Hatem Maher | Reuters  A ceasefire between the United States and Iran appeared in jeopardy on Monday after the U.S. said it had seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade and Tehran vowed to retaliate, refusing for now to join new peace talks. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Iran to attend 2nd round of talks with U.S. despite Strait of Hormuz hostilities: Pakistani sources. From Anadolu. Iran will take part in the second round of talks with the U.S. in Islamabad despite the latest hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz, two Pakistani sources said Monday. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Doubts over talks between Iran and U.S. after violence flares in Strait of Hormuz, by Munir  Ahmed, Jon Gambrell and David Rising | AP  ISLAMABAD — Pakistan moved ahead Monday with preparations for a new round of talks between the United States and Iran days before a tenuous ceasefire is set to expire, even as renewed conflict around the Strait of Hormuz raised questions about whether the meeting would take place. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for or same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others. Click HERE for second AP report, and HERE and HERE for links to seven Iran war-related reports yesterday and today from NPR’s “All Things Considered” and “Morning Edition.”

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

Links to reports from Agence France-Presse and Middle East Eye; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for LEBANON 4-18-26 and IRAN and MEDIA.) — MCM

–   –   –

Israel says to use ‘full force’ in Lebanon if soldiers face threat. From AFP. SA NUR, Palestinian Territories — Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said today that the military had been instructed to use “full force” in Lebanon – even during the ongoing ceasefire – should Israeli troops face any threat. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AFP report in French, and HERE for headlines of others.

–   –   –

Mediators push U.S.-Iran ceasefire extension as deal hopes fade, by David Hearst and Ragip Soylu | Middle East Eye  ANTALYA, Turkey — Mediators are seeking to extend the United States–Iran ceasefire, as hopes of reaching an agreement before Wednesday’s deadline faded today, sources said. In Lebanon, the agreement would include . . . READ MORE . . .

.