Trump says US to reopen negotiations with Iran ‘maybe at some point’ US President Donald Trump has said that Washington might resume talks with Iran “maybe at some point” in the future. “Right now the situation is so good,” Trump told reporters, adding that the US demands for renewed talks are “so simple: no nuclear weapon”. “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and they won’t,” he added.
Foreign interference is real - but the UK should look beyond the usual culprits Submitted by Mustafa al-Dabbagh on Thu, 08/13/2026 - 13:16 Foreign money and foreign direction should be treated as a problem regardless of which state masterminds it An Extinction Rebellion protest outside 55 Tufton Street on 20 December 2025. Tufton Street houses think tanks and lobby groups that have shaped UK policy (Andrea Domeniconi/SOPA Images via Reuters Connect) On Last month the British government added interference in the democratic process to the National Risk Register , ranking it alongside cyberattack and pandemic as a threat to national security. The framing is consistent, and mostly justified: the National Security Act 2023 , the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, and the Defending Democracy Taskforce target China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, and parliament's committees have documented sustained hostile efforts to shape British politics.
US seeking ‘honourable exit’ as regional influence fades, says Iran Iran’s parliament speaker says foreign powers are losing their grip on the Middle East as a regional order takes shape. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf linked the shift to two commanders assassinated by the United States in January 2020. “Dear Abu Mahdi and Haj Qassem!
Greece's alliance with Israel is becoming a domestic liability Submitted by Iason Athanasiadis on Wed, 08/19/2026 - 13:45 Athens sees Israel as an important partner, but the relationship is facing mounting anger over arms sales, high rents and Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza Israel issued a rare warning to its citizens in Greece last Sunday ahead of nationwide pro- Palestine protests: avoid advertising your nationality in public. The warning was striking in a country that Israelis have long regarded as a close ally, tourist and investment destination, and even a potential relocation haven. But Israel's relationship with Greece is becoming increasingly complicated.
Mecca agreement: Why Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan teamed up at this historical moment Submitted by Ahmed Altuwaijri on Mon, 08/17/2026 - 19:34 The best defence alliance is not one that makes a state dependent on its allies forever, but one that makes it more capable of relying on itself The signing of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement by Saudi Arabia , Pakistan and Turkey this month was not the product of Riyadh’s reaction to a specific, immediate threat, as many have assumed. A deeper reading reveals a convergence of strategic interests among the three signatory countries, which differ in their geography, their sources of power, and the imminent threats and challenges faced by each. Yet they share a growing realisation that the security order that governed the Middle East and Southwest Asia for decades is no longer capable of providing the same guarantees it once did.
Iran's top negotiator says ties with Iraq 'cannot be severed' Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator said that Tehran's relationship with Iraq is a "historical bond that cannot be severed", after talks were held in Baghdad between the two countries. "Our neighbourliness was founded on the basis of brotherhood in the most trying of times, resistance to foreign interventions, and faith in the shared destiny of both countries; and this past, rich with lessons, shall be the beacon for the future," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a post on X. According to Iranian media, the talks on Wednesday centred on regional developments, the strengthening of strategic cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad and exploring joint solutions to help establish stability and security in the region.
Watch: Qatar says Hormuz Strait deal crucial for US-Iran talks Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari told reporters on Monday that an agreement on opening the Strait of Hormuz would make it easier to resume talks between the US and Iran. Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari told reporters on Monday that an agreement on opening the Strait of Hormuz would make it easier to resume talks between the US and Iran. pic.
Iran’s top security official ridicules Trump’s claims over Hormuz Strait Iran’s secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, has ridiculed US President Donald Trump after he declared the Strait of Hormuz as a US territory. "The gap between America’s inability to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and its claim to own it is greater than the 7,000-mile [11,265km] distance between Washington and the Strait itself," he wrote in a post on X. "Welcome to the post-American order in the Persian Gulf.
Israel issues tender for 1,234 settlement units in occupied Jerusalem Israel issued a tender on Tuesday for the construction of 1,234 settlement units in the southern part of the E1 plan east of occupied Jerusalem, moving one of the most controversial settlement schemes from the approval and planning stage towards land marketing and practical implementation. The tender covers seven settlement complexes and covers approximately 12,000 dunams between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim and comprises interconnected residential, industrial and tourism plans, as well as roads and infrastructure networks.
France to expel two Iranian diplomats in coming days, foreign minister says France will expel two Iranian diplomats in the coming days, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday in a post on X. His comments come one day after the Iranian ministry said two French embassy employees, who were involved in a diplomatic dispute in Tehran in July, would not be allowed to return to Iran. Last month, the French ministry said the French embassy staff had been detained and physically intimidated by Iranian security services in Tehran.
Ghalibaf slams US attempts at ‘squeezing Iran harder’ Iran’s parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a post to X on Tuesday that the US is misplaced in believing that “squeezing Iran harder” will win them concessions in negotiations. “Americans think squeezing Iran harder will win concessions that were never part of the agreement,” adding that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and War Secretary Pete Hegseth are “way out of their league” “Stop waiting for the clown crew to pull a rabbit out of their hat and clean up the mess you made”, Ghalibaf said.
Trump says no talks are taking place with Iran US President Donald Trump said there were no conversations taking place with Iran, and none were scheduled, adding that the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remained in full force and effect.
Qatar says Hormuz agreement crucial for US-Iran talks to resume Qatar has said that an agreement between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz would make it easier to resume negotiations to end the Iran war. Iran and Oman, both coastal states bordering the Strait of Hormuz, have for weeks been discussing the future of navigation through the waterway, with Tehran saying the geographical coordinates of the route envisaged by both countries "have been agreed upon". "We are also awaiting an agreement between the Sultanate of Oman and Iran regarding the Strait, which would enable us to return to the framework of negotiations," Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari told reporters.
Trump labels Strait of Hormuz ‘US territory’ as Iran says Israel is biggest obstacle to negotiations Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Tue, 08/18/2026 - 13:21 Tehran says the waterway will remain closed until Washington lifts its blockade and fulfils an interim agreement On 15 August 2026, Iran rejected the US president’s threat to declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, saying the crucial energy waterway it has blockaded 'will remain Iranian'. (AFP) Off US President Donald Trump has claimed the Strait of Hormuz as American territory as his frustration mounts over a war with Iran that has resisted his demands and dragged global shipping into crisis. Trump posted a map of the strategic waterway on Truth Social on Tuesday bearing the caption “New US Territory”.
Trump posts map labelling Strait of Hormuz as 'new US territory' US President Donald Trump has posted an image on social media labelling the Strait of Hormuz as "NEW U. S. Territory".
Saudi Arabia deletes 'the Muslims will never give up Jerusalem' from its textbooks Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Tue, 08/18/2026 - 10:09 Israeli organisation still condemns Saudi lessons describing Israel as an occupation and recounting a Zionist bribery attempt to abandon Palestinians Muslim devotees with their children gather at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on 27 May 2026 to mark the start of Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP) Off An Israel -based organisation has praised Saudi Arabia for removing the phrase “the Muslims will never give up Jerusalem” from its school textbooks, as it seeks to reshape how the kingdom teaches Islam, Palestine and Israel . Israeli research group Impact-se published its review of the Saudi curriculum at the end of July. “The statement implied that Muslim control over or presence in Jerusalem was under threat,” the report said, adding that the reference “could be interpreted as framing Jerusalem as a site of ongoing struggle between Muslims and other groups, particularly Israel.
Iran parliament speaker Ghalibaf to visit Iraq for talks Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will travel to Iraq on Wednesday for talks, Iranian media reported. Ghalibaf will head "a high-level parliamentary delegation to discuss regional developments, strengthen strategic cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad and explore joint solutions to contribute to stability and security in the Middle East," Iran's Fars news agency said. The visit comes as Iraq faces pressure from Washington to disarm powerful armed factions in the country supported by Iran.
Iran's Ghalibaf heads to Iraq on Wednesday for cooperation talks Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will depart for Iraq on Wednesday morning to discuss regional developments and strengthening strategic ties between Tehran and Baghdad. According to Nournews, he is set to meet with senior Iraqi officials and high-ranking figures in the country, with talks aimed at bilateral relations, border security, the development of economic cooperation and the implementation of joint agreements.
Erdogan says Mecca agreement open to Egypt Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Mecca Agreement between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is also open to other countries such as Egypt. Erdogan made the comments during an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic's Al Muqabala aired on Sunday after he was asked about whether other countries in the region could join the recently signed agreement. Erdogan said "the doors will be open to Egypt", seemingly debunking reports that it had been been excluded from the trilateral agreement.
Erdogan urges Trump to continue talks with Iran, offers support Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan held a call with US President Donald Trump to urge the US to continue talks with Iran and de-escalate tensions, offering Ankara's support in peace efforts, according to the Turkish presidency. In a statement, the presidency said Erdogan and Trump also discussed the war in Gaza, a defence pact signed between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, and bilateral ties, adding that Erdogan told Trump that Israel's attacks on Palestinians in Gaza had increased during the second phase of Trump's peace plan.
