Key political developments across the Arab world and beyond.
British counter-terrorism police said Tuesday they found no explosives in vehicles searched after five men were arrested on suspicion of terrorism near RAF Fairford, a base used by US forces. Investigators are examining a possible foreign link, while Iran has denied any involvement.
Iraq's transport ministry said Iraqi Airways will resume flights to Iran in October after securing a special US exemption, following a suspension imposed under sanctions on Iranian carriers. The announcement coincided with fresh US Treasury sanctions on ten individuals and entities accused of supplying Iran's defense ministry with weapons and components.
Axios reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter, that Qatari mediation efforts this week failed to produce a diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran, with neither side showing willingness to shift its position. The outlet added that President Trump could again resort to military strikes against Iran if the impasse continues.
Morocco's King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Zahra Mansouri as head of government on Tuesday, making her the first woman to hold the post in the country's history. The move followed her Authenticity and Modernity Party's strong showing in legislative elections, and she has now been tasked with forming the new cabinet.
Ebola deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo have surpassed 3,900, with confirmed infections exceeding 8,000, according to health authorities and the United Nations. Containment efforts are struggling amid field challenges, community distrust and a shortage of health workers.
US President Donald Trump said Monday he did not discuss selling American weapons to China during his latest meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The denial contradicts remarks made a day earlier by US Ambassador to China David Perdue, who told Fox News on Sunday that Trump had offered to sell Xi US arms.
US President Donald Trump criticized the UK's handling of a suspected terror plot targeting RAF Fairford, an air base used by the American military, after five suspects were released on bail Monday. Trump said Washington has full information on the detained individuals.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, according to the UAE state news agency WAM, with talks focused on advancing bilateral ties. Other outlets reported the visit was undisclosed in advance and touched on several regional issues.
US President Donald Trump said American officials held talks on Monday with mediators working to end the war between Washington and Tehran. He added that the United States would achieve victory in the conflict "very soon," without providing further details on the negotiations or the mediators involved.
A US official told CNN and Al Jazeera that President Trump is ready to ease sanctions on Iran and unfreeze its assets in exchange for concrete nuclear progress, but Trump himself denied Monday making any such offer, calling an Axios report on the matter a hoax. Qatari mediators are meanwhile weighing an Iranian proposal linking sanctions relief to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming talks, as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi awaits a final US response on Tuesday.
Sources cited by Israel's Channel 12 said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi on Sunday and met UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed. Other outlets, including Al Jazeera, reported the visit was undisclosed, with no official confirmation from either side yet.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he expects further talks with Iran this week, a day after rejecting Tehran's proposal to end the conflict. He added that he continues to weigh the option of resuming strikes against Iran.
US President Donald Trump has rejected a conditional Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, leaving Tehran to choose between negotiation and military escalation. Iran is now bracing for Washington's next move amid heightened regional tension.
US President Donald Trump said he expects Washington to achieve a very near victory in its war with Iran, pointing to new talks planned this week. He reiterated that the United States will not allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons.
Iran announced that its Revolutionary Guard had seized a US submarine, as US President Donald Trump reportedly rejected Tehran's latest proposal to end the ongoing war between the two countries. Iran is now awaiting an official response through mediators, while other regional fronts also watch for a potential ceasefire breakthrough.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced an initiative aimed at resolving tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and promoting security in the Gulf. The move coincided with his first meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul since 2022.
Iran is awaiting an official US response to a proposed seven-day truce that would halt regional fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, amid conflicting signals from Washington. While one US official called the talks positive and constructive, reports suggested President Trump rejected the plan and may resume strikes after the November elections, prompting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to criticize what he called contradictory US statements, according to CNN Arabic.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran's new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was drafted in coordination with the country's supreme leader and could be implemented if Washington agrees to its terms. Other reports say President Trump has rejected the plan, while Iran awaits a final response through mediators.
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said Saturday he discussed with Pakistani army chief General Asim Munir what he called wicked attacks targeting Mecca and civilian and economic facilities in the kingdom. The statement did not specify further details about the nature of the attacks or who was responsible.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that US President Donald Trump has finalized approval for Kyiv to produce Patriot air defense missiles domestically. The decision follows lengthy back-and-forth talks and comes as Ukraine seeks to bolster its defenses against ongoing Russian aerial attacks.
The top news (10 stories) in one two-minute email, free.
We will email you a link to confirm. Unsubscribe any time with one click.
Or follow us on Telegram
