Netanyahu says he has ‘disagreements’ with Trump on Gaza plan Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there are disagreements between him and US President Donald Trump regarding the recent Gaza agreement. "There are disagreements with President Trump that I don’t hide regarding the recent agreement with Hamas," he said after meeting with lead envoy for Trump’s Board of Peace, Nickolay Mladenov. "Hamas must be disarmed and the Gaza Strip demilitarised before moving to the reconstruction phase.
Iran's foreign minister denies talks with US Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said on Monday that there are no negotiations ongoing between Tehran and Washington, nor any plans for meetings, as the talks over the management of the Hormuz Strait remain mediated by Oman. This contradicts US President Donald Trump's statement from Sunday claiming that a negotiation with Iran would start on Monday afternoon. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that there are no negotiations ongoing between Tehran and Washington, nor any plans for meetings, as the talks over the management of the Hormuz Strait remain mediated by Oman.
Israel revels in Spain's migrant crisis while embarrassing ally Morocco Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Sun, 08/02/2026 - 16:19 Israel and the US exploited the deaths of Moroccan migrants to punish Spain for its stance on Gaza and Iran A woman sits by a barbed-wire fence as relatives await the return of people from Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta at the Bab Sebta border crossing near Fnideq, Morocco, 2 August 2026 (Abdel Majid Bziouat/AFP) Off Israeli political leaders have mocked and exploited the migration crisis engulfing Morocco , an Israeli ally, and Spain , whose relations with Israel have sharply deteriorated. Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, wrote on X last week with barely concealed glee: "Spain, which never misses an opportunity to lecture Israel, has declared a state of emergency in Ceuta following the crisis over its immigration policy. " Spain did not declare a state of emergency in Ceuta .
Turkish intelligence chief meets Hamas delegation in Istanbul Head of Turkiye’s National Intelligence Organization Ibrahim Kalin met a Hamas delegation led by its new political bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya in Istanbul, according to a statement released by Hamas on Monday. Turkish state broadcaster TRT reported that the meeting addressed the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, as well as Israel’s intensifying attacks on the Palestinian enclave in recent days.
Trump says Iran talks happening ‘right now’ Trump has said that talks with Iran are ongoing and said that it was Tehran’s “last chance” to make a deal, despite Iran earlier contradicting that discussions are taking place. “We are talking right now at the request of Iran, backed by Saudi Arabia, backed by the UAE, and backed by Qatar in particular, but others also… if it doesn’t happen, this is the last chance for them to sign a good document,” Trump said to journalists outside the Oval Office on Monday.
Lebanon arrests former Palestinian ambassador Lebanese authorities arrested the former Palestinian ambassador to Beirut on Monday, ahead of his extradition to Palestine to face corruption charges, a Lebanese judicial official told AFP. The official said that Lebanon’s public prosecutor “issued an arrest warrant for former Palestinian ambassador Ashraf Dabbour on Monday after questioning him”. Dabbour served as the Palestinian envoy to Lebanon from 2012 to 2025 and was previously arrested in April at the request of the Palestinian Authority over charges of corruption and embezzlement of funds during his tenure in Lebanon.
Iran discusses regional developments with Pakistan, Oman Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reportedly held phone conversations on Monday with his counterparts in Oman and Pakistan, to discuss the latest regional developments after Trump called off US strikes against the country. Araghchi said in a Telegram post that he spoke to Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, after reporting to the Iranian cabinet on Sunday that negotiations over a new maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz with Oman were “on the way to being finalised”. According to a post on X, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar discussed “regional and international developments, including the deteriorating situation in Occupied East Jerusalem” with Arachghi.
Trump accuses Iranian leadership of being ‘duplicitous’ US President Donald Trump accused Iran of being “duplicitous” in their conduct with the US by agreeing to talks privately and then publicly saying they are only having discussions with Oman and not the US. This comes after Iran denied any talks were ongoing with the US despite Trump’s announcement that negotiations would begin after he decided to cancel strikes against the country. “Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished,” Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social on Monday.
How loyalty between Iran and Kuwait gave way to mistrust Submitted by Amara Sophia Elahi on Mon, 08/03/2026 - 09:55 From hosting Kuwaiti refugees during the Gulf War to exchanging accusations over US military bases, the relationship has undergone repeated shifts US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah at Bayan Palace in Kuwait City, 24 June 2026 (Eric Lee/Pool/AFP) Off When Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, accused Kuwait of being “part of the fire of the wicked” on social media last week, it was apparent that the previously amicable relationship between the two countries had now soured. “Iran has always adhered to good neighbourliness, but the smoke of ingratitude and the absence of foresight will blind the eyes of the ungrateful,” Baghaei warned . His comments were a reference to the support Iran lent Kuwait during the Gulf War (1990-91), and were made as American military bases in Kuwait came under fire by Iranian missiles.
Iran denies talks with US as Trump halts strikes at the last minute Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Mon, 08/03/2026 - 10:55 Iranian officials say their only current talks are with Oman over reopening the Strait of Hormuz Iranians walk past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in Tehran on 3 August (AFP/Atta Kenare) Off Iran has denied any talks are ongoing with the US despite a claim from Donald Trump, who called off strikes on the country on Saturday. Trump had announced that negotiations with Iran would begin on Monday after he decided to hold off on new strikes against the Islamic Republic in order to pursue a deal. "Obviously, they don't want to be attacked," Trump told reporters on Sunday on board Air Force One.
'We will rise again': A new generation of Tunisians prepare for Ennahda's return Submitted by Faisal Edroos on Mon, 08/03/2026 - 09:35 President Kais Saied's crackdown was meant to bury Tunisia's largest Islamist movement. Five years later, the movement's youth wing insists their comeback is near Ennahda supporters take to the streets on 13 September 2019 in the run up to the country's presidential election (Faisal Edroos/MEE) Off They've watched their leaders jailed, their offices closed and their movement repeatedly attacked. But five years after President Kais Saied seized sweeping powers and dismantled Tunisia 's democratic institutions, supporters of Ennahda insist the country's largest Islamist movement is preparing to rise from the ashes.
Iran says currently no negotiations with US Iran's foreign ministry has said there are currently no negotiations with the US but talks are taking place with Oman on managing of the Strait of Hormuz. "We are not currently negotiating with the United States. Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Esmaeil Baghaei, the ministry spokesperson, said during a press briefing.
How Israeli presence in Forest City exposes the Zionist-aligned underbelly of Malaysia Submitted by Miriyam Ilavenil on Fri, 07/31/2026 - 09:12 The controversy has fuelled debate over the country's pro-Palestine policy and broader questions about Zionist control People hold placards and Palestinian flags during a demonstration marking Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day after Friday prayers in Kuala Lumpur, 13 March 2026 (Mohd Rasfan/AFP) Off On 15 July, Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, said authorities would deport any Israeli nationals found in the Southeast Asian country, while strongly expressing that Malaysia would "not compromise" on its immigration policies. "If we find any Israeli, we will deport them immediately because we do not recognise Israel," the prime minister said, according to local media reports. His comments came as officials investigated allegations that Israelis were involved in a private residential and technology community in the southern state of Johor.
Why Israel is a friend of budding autocrats around the world Submitted by Antony Loewenstein on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 21:27 As global public opinion turns against Tel Aviv, the Netanyahu regime is ramping up its electoral meddling, from Europe to South America Presidential hopeful Flavio Bolsonaro appears with his wife, Fernanda, during the launch of his candidacy in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 25 July 2026 (Nelson Almeida/AFP) On I have spent more than a decade investigating the Israeli arms and surveillance industries, and have always understood that the Israeli state is far more involved than it publicly admits. The revolving door between the public and private sector is well-known , but how exactly did some of the biggest Israeli companies achieve such incredible access to governments around the world, from Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia? Beyond Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spyware diplomacy - a highly effective way to make friends, by offering sophisticated tools to spy on perceived enemies, journalists, human rights workers and even friends - there were always gaps in our knowledge.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Here are the latest developments: US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran will begin Monday after he decided to hold off on new strikes against the Islamic Republic to pursue a deal. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an explosion near a tanker 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman's port city of Khasab. The master of the vessel indicated hearing an explosion in close proximity to the vessel, according to UKMTO.
Iranian official says they are close to reaching Hormuz deal with Oman Spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, Hassan Qashqavi, said that Tehran is close to reaching an agreement with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz. He also confirmed that the country's mediators were seeking to revive the Memorandum of Understanding with Washington.
Trump says new talks with Iran to begin Monday after calling off strikes US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran will begin Monday after he decided to hold off on new strikes against the Islamic Republic to pursue a deal. "Obviously, they don't want to be attacked," Trump told reporters on Sunday aboard Air Force One. "Now what we're doing is we're talking to them in the form of a negotiation.
Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers discuss efforts to reduce regional tensions Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud discussed efforts to de-escalate regional tensions in a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart, the Saudi foreign ministry said on X. Prince Faisal stressed the kingdom’s commitment to continuing regional efforts to promote security and stability and advance the shared interests of countries and people across the region, the ministry said. 🇸🇦📞🇮🇷 | Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan received a phone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Iran’s Pezeshkian says MoU will be ‘centre of gravity’ of its foreign relations Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said the memorandum of understanding signed in June with the US “will be the centre of gravity” of Iran’s “foreign relations in the future”. “We must strive to compel the enemy to remain committed to what it has signed,” Pezeshkian said on social media. “The security of the country, the region and our allies will be enhanced by this memorandum.
Iran says Hormuz talks with Oman in final stages Iran's negotiations with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz are in their final stages, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said, according to the IRNA news agency. Meanwhile, the foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the talks are aimed at finding a mutually agreed mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz, according to state media. Baghaei added that the understanding between Iran and Oman on a new route does not mean the Strait of Hormuz is being opened or closed.
