Latest from Watani
Watani
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Watani
Israeli-Iranian conflict.. When events defy reason
I was preparing to cover the ramifications of the Ukrainian assault on Russian military and civilian targets in the heart of Russia, and the consequent Russian retaliatory strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian urban and infrastructure targets, when the pivot of events shifted from Ukraine to Iran. A few days prior to Israel's attack on Iran, Iranian media had announced that Tehran was in possession of a vast trove of classified, strategic Israeli material that included files relating to Israel's strategic military and nuclear facilities, and its strategic defence arms. The world attempted to grasp how such a move would impact the US-supervised nuclear talks between Iran and Israel regarding Iran's enrichment of Uranium for peaceful purposes—meaning by under 3.75 per cent. President Trump called Iran to the negotiation table to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict. But on 13 June the world woke up to Operation Rising Lions which had started during that night, and in which Israel struck strategic targets in Tehran, Natanz, Isfahan, Arak, Kermanshah and Tabriz. Presidential, military and administrative facilities were hit, as well as military airbases, bombers, and ballistic missile carriers. As I write this, everyone is closely monitoring the Israeli assault and Iran's retaliatory response, but we cannot narrow down the conflict to that. The coming days will open the doors to all possibilities; the Israeli-Iranian conflict can get out of hand, especially as the parties involved abandon negotiations and let the battlefield resolve the conflict. The question that begs an answer, however, is: If Iran was indeed in possession of strategic and sensitive classified Israeli documents, why did it hesitate to launch an attack against Israel that would have secured a military advantage for Iran, one that it could have exported to the negotiation table? Instead, what actually took place is that, as soon as news circulated about Iran's possession of Israeli classified material, Israel launched a surprise pre-emptive strike against Iran, targeting presidential, military and nuclear facilities causing damages so huge that it severely curtailed Iran's capacity to respond, and hence its control over the conflict. An equally important issue that cannot be discounted is the role of the US, especially under President Trump, in steering global conflicts on all fronts. Given the US President's hiccups and inconsistent declarations on global issues one and all ever since he took oath last January, and his alienation of both friends and foes, it has become increasingly evident that he can neither be trusted nor his declarations believed. When it comes to the Iranian-Israeli negotiations, President Trump had repeatedly stressed his commitment to resolving the conflict through negotiation, urging Iran to make every effort to reach an agreement that would limit its uranium enrichment to levels strictly for peaceful purposes. It might appear that, despite Trump's inconsistencies, Iran had put its faith in his declarations; why else would it have hesitated in launching a pre-emptive strike against Israel instead of being itself on the receiving end, thus risking a weaker position by remaining on the defensive? Now Iran has launched its missiles on Tel Aviv, understandably causing much damage, loss and injuries. But the repercussions of Israeli attacks and Iranian retaliatory strikes can go far beyond that. As the Israeli attack on Iran persists and so does Iranian retaliation, we fear that the scene opens for yet more international players to enter the conflict in support of any of the two parties. The calamity would be if Iran or Israel finds itself on the losing side; would they resort to a nuclear strike that would devastate the entire region and leave no victor? Watani International 20 June 2025 Comments comments Tags: Israel and IranProblems on holdWataniYoussef Sidhom
Watani
a day ago
- Health
- Watani
Aswan hands its key to Sir Magdi Yacoub
In a heartfelt gesture of profound appreciation, Aswan Governor Major General Ismail Kamal, presented the key of the city of Aswan to Egyptian British world-renowned heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub, in recognition of his outstanding medical and humanitarian contributions, which have transformed Aswan into a global hub for medical tourism. The tribute took place during the governor's visit to the Aswan Heart Center. General Kamal commended Sir Magdi's pioneering work and his commitment to offering world-class medical care free of charge. He also announced the government's intention to name a major traffic axis and bridge in Aswan after Sir Magdi, in honour of his contributions to the city. On the other hand, the governor stressed the local government's commitment to supporting the Heart Centre and upgrading its surrounding area, and cleaning and enhancing the road leading to it. These efforts aim to reinforce the centre's status as a destination for patients from across Egypt and outside it, and as a symbol of Aswan's commitment to excellence in healthcare. In response, Sir Magdi expressed his sincere gratitude, commending the governor's visit and continued support. He reaffirmed the Centre's mission to provide state-of-the-art medical care and serve as a training ground for future generations of doctors. Established in 2009, the Magdi Yacoub Heart Centre in Aswan is widely regarded as one of the leading medical institutions in the Middle East. Since its inception, it has been offering free-of-charge world-class medical care to everybody, poor and rich alike. It mainly operates on donations. Every year, it performs over 4,500 medical procedures, including open-heart surgeries and catheterisations, and treats more than 45,000 patients through its outpatient clinics. The centre houses 100 beds across specialised departments, including pediatric and adult intensive care units, two state-of-the-art operating theatres, and a division dedicated to advanced research and medical training. Born in Egypt in 1935, Sir Magdi Yacoub is one of the world's most distinguished cardiac surgeons. His pioneering work in the United Kingdom and internationally has saved countless lives. In recent decades, he has dedicated much of his career to improving heart care in Egypt and Africa through his Chain of Hope foundation, embodying a legacy of medical excellence and humanitarian service. Watani International 18 June 2025 Comments comments Tags: Magdi Yacoub AswanMichael Girgis
Watani
a day ago
- Business
- Watani
Egypt builds solar plant in Djibouti
The foundation stone for an Egyptian-funded solar power plant project in the village of Omar Kajaa in the Arta region of Djibouti has been laid during a recent event. The project is carried out in cooperation between the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy and the Djiboutian Ministry of Energy, with funding from the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, and execution by the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation. The project comes in the wake of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's visit to Djibouti last April, under the scope of Egypt's development projects in Africa. The ceremony was attended by Younes Ali Guedi, Djiboutian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; Major General Mohamed Osama Issa, Deputy to the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Director of the Central Administration at the Ministry; officials from the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation; and the Governor of the Arta region. The solar power plant in the village of Omar Kajaa is the first fruit of the cooperation between Egypt and Djibouti in the energy field. In this regard, the Egyptian Embassy in Djibouti had recently organised a three-day-visit to Djibouti for a delegation from the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy and a number of relevant companies to Djibouti. During the visit, cooperation between the two countries in the fields of electricity and energy was stressed. The Egyptian delegation held fruitful discussions with the Djiboutian side regarding other projects between the two sides to develop the electricity grid in Djibouti and expand the wind power plant in the Al-Jubit region. Watani International 19 June 2025 Comments comments Tags: Egyptian solar plant in DjiboutiIman Shawqy
Watani
a day ago
- Business
- Watani
Official opening of Grand Egyptian Museum postponed
The official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the world's largest museum for Egyptian antiquities, has been postponed to the last quarter of the year 2025, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced in a press release posted on on its website and Facebook page. The grand opening had been scheduled for 3 July 2025. The decision to postpone the official opening was taken In light of the current regional developments, the press release explained. It said that a new date for the official opening would be set and announced in due course, following coordination with all relevant authorities. The objective is to ensure the organisation of an event that reflects Egypt's prominent cultural and tourism status on the international stage. 'This decision,' the press release read, 'also stems from Egypt's national responsibility and its commitment to present a truly exceptional global event in a climate worthy of the grandeur of Egypt's civilisation and unique heritage, and in a way that ensures broad international participation aligned with the significance of the occasion. 'The Grand Egyptian Museum will continue to welcome visitors as part of its soft opening phase until the newly scheduled date for the official inauguration later this year.' Watani International 16 June 2025 Comments comments Tags: Grand Egyptian Museum opening postponedSanaa' Farouk
Watani
a day ago
- Business
- Watani
Cabinet form Crisis Committee for Israel-Iran war
On 16 June, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, issued a decision to form a Crisis Committee, to monitor the repercussions of the Iranian-Israeli military operations, and prepare for any potential developments across various sectors, announced Mohamed al-Homsany, official spokesperson for the Cabinet. The Crisis Committee will be headed by the Premier, and will include the Governor of the Central Bank and the Ministers of Industry; Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation; Electricity and Renewable Energy; Finance; Supply and Internal Trade; and Petroleum and Mineral Resources. The Committee will also include representatives from the Ministries of Defence and Interior, the General Intelligence Service, and the Administrative Control Authority. The Prime Minister will meet regularly with the committee members, the official spokesperson for the Cabinet said, divulging that Dr Madbouly is currently in continuous meetings with various advisory committees to discuss the ramifications of the recent events, and their impact on various sectors in Egypt. Comments comments Tags: Egypt Crisis Committee for Israel Iran WarLillian Nabil
