Key political developments across the Arab world and beyond.
Qatari negotiators have returned to Doha from Tehran together with an Iranian delegation, after a day of talks on a possible agreement with the United States, Axios reported. The site cited an unnamed diplomatic source, and the available information gave no details on the terms under discussion.
Morocco's Royal Court said the UN Security Council did not extend the mandate of the UN mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) at its meeting on Friday, 30 October 2026. In an official statement, the Court called the development a highly significant step toward closing the Sahara file at the United Nations for good. Media reports said the statement also expressed the kingdom's satisfaction with the outcome.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said three oil tankers have stopped in the Strait of Hormuz after "incidents", while Oman's navy rescued 25 sailors from a merchant ship off the country's coast. According to CNN Arabic, citing the Guards, two tankers halted and a third supertanker caught fire after striking a naval mine. The reports come despite the US military's statement that mines had been cleared from the main shipping lanes.
The Saudi-led coalition said on Friday it intercepted two drones that it says the Houthis launched toward Riyadh and Medina, though other coverage placed one over Mecca. A Yemeni army spokesman said the Houthis targeted Aden international airport for the sixth time, along with Maashiq palace, using ballistic missiles. The Houthis denied carrying out any operation toward Saudi territory, while government forces and the coalition struck Houthi positions in Marib, Taiz and al-Jawf.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro arrived in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday morning with his family aboard a private jet, days after losing Brazil's presidential election held last Sunday. In a letter he published, he declared himself the country's "true president", although his own party, Brazil's institutions and international observers have recognised Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's victory, according to The Guardian. The paper reported that he crossed from Brazil into Argentina and then flew via Ecuador, while Fox News said a Supreme Court justice ordered his passport seized minutes after Lula's win.
Israeli authorities on Thursday charged a soldier with spying for Iran, according to Hebrew-language media. The Shin Bet, police and military were reported to be involved in the case. The soldier is accused of passing sensitive military information and photographing military sites and equipment, and of being paid in cryptocurrency.
Israel's Central Elections Committee says no winner has been determined even after every vote was counted. CNN Arabic describes Benjamin Netanyahu's position as neither a win nor a loss, and asks how the deadlock might be resolved.
US President Donald Trump has commented on a message from Vice President Vance to Iran, as reports emerge of new military options and tension grows around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran warned it would respond more broadly to any fresh attack. Rezaei threatened to target infrastructure linked to the United States, according to BBC Arabic.
The Houthis announced six military operations, saying they targeted the Ras Tanura and Rabigh refineries, Aramco facilities in Abqaiq, the Riyadh and Dammam airports, and a command post for Saudi troop build-ups in Najran. According to BBC Arabic, Saudi Arabia said it destroyed two missiles fired toward Riyadh. The broadcaster also quoted a source in Aden's police as saying a Houthi missile landed at the city's airport after the Houthis had called for it to be evacuated.
US Vice President JD Vance sent a message to a senior Iranian official named Rezaei to explore the prospects of resuming negotiations between Washington and Tehran, according to Al Jazeera. The move comes as President Donald Trump threatens a new attack on Iran after the midterm elections.
President Donald Trump commented on a recent contact between Vice President JD Vance and an Iranian official, calling it humanitarian in nature and linked to a shortage of medical equipment. A source told CNN that efforts are under way to halt the fighting, though the available material gives no further details.
A Houthi missile landed inside the grounds of Aden International Airport on Wednesday, a source in Aden's police told AFP. The group had called on people at the airport to leave immediately, the source said, and the missile fell before that call was issued. Yemen's Transport Ministry said the Houthis targeted the airport twice with ballistic missiles.
Election estimates in Israel indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, have both fallen short of the 61 seats needed for a governing majority in the 120-seat Knesset. According to BBC Arabic, neither main bloc appears to have enough seats to form the next government without relying on Arab parties.
US Vice President JD Vance has sent a message to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in an effort to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran, according to The Wall Street Journal. The talks aim to end the conflict between the two sides. Other media reports described the message as confidential.
Syria announced the closure of the Nassib border crossing with Jordan, suspending passenger travel and trade in both directions after Jordanian air strikes on areas in the country's south, BBC Arabic reported. RT Arabic said Syria's General Authority for Ports and Customs announced in a statement early Wednesday that passenger and commercial traffic had resumed.
Israelis voted in legislative elections on Tuesday, with turnout reaching 77.7 percent, the highest in decades. Sky News Arabia reported that the results ended in what it described as a tie, leaving four possible scenarios for forming the next government.
The Houthi group, also known as Ansar Allah, said it targeted several sites in Saudi Arabia, including the Ministry of Defense, the Ras Tanura refinery and Abha airport. The group said it used ballistic missiles and drones. Saudi Arabia has not yet commented on the claims.
Syria and Jordan announced on Tuesday that they will form a joint security committee to examine the details of Jordanian military strikes carried out on Monday in southern Syria, including Daraa. The announcement came in a joint statement from the two foreign ministries after roughly 24 hours of tension. According to the coverage, the committee will establish the facts and improve intelligence and field coordination, while some reports said the strikes targeted Islamic State sites.
Gadi Eisenkot, the main challenger to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the election, said Israelis voted for change. His remarks came as exit polls showed his bloc ahead of Netanyahu's coalition by only a narrow margin, according to CNN Arabic. Eisenkot urged patience until results are known.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman's visit to Tehran is meant to reduce tensions among the parties to the current crisis and to encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions. According to RT Arabic, citing the ministry, the trip supports the mediation efforts of Qatar and Pakistan, which are backed by countries party to the "Mecca Agreement".
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