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.
Israeli finance minister calls for settlements near Gaza Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday called for the construction of three new Israeli settlements along the northern fence of Gaza. The statement comes as Israeli military attacks continue in Gaza and the occupied West Bank despite a ceasefire agreement announced in October. Smotrich, who heads Israel's Settlements Administration, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve the plan in a post on X.
MBS and Trump talk over the phone Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has spoken to US President Donald Trump over the phone on developments in the region. According to Saudi state media, the crown prince stressed "the necessity of prioritising dialogue to de-escalate tensions and the importance of exerting all possible efforts to achieve a truce, which paves the way for diplomatic solutions". He also said diplomatic solutions should "yield positive results for preserving the security and stability of the region and prevent it from being drawn into a wider conflict".
Former Israeli prime minister vows to declare Qatar ‘enemy’ if elected Former prime minister Naftali Bennett has vowed to declare Qatar as an “enemy” if elected into government later this year, saying “it is unforgivable” that this is not already the case. In an interview with Channel 12, Bennett described Qatar as “more dangerous” to Israel at the moment than Iran. “With Iran, everyone knows that [it says], ‘We’ll destroy Israel.
Pezeshkian recalls Haniyeh assassination, hails Iranians as 'real heroes' Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian marked two years in office by recalling the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and praising the Iranian people's resilience through “relentless hostility”. In a statement carried by IRNA, Pezeshkian said his presidency began under the shadow of tragedy, noting that "the beginning of my administration coincided with the assassination of our dear guest by the Zionist regime. " Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on 31 July 2024, hours after attending Pezeshkian's inauguration, where delegations from more than 70 countries were present.
Rubio says Iran confronting 'different kind of US president' under Trump US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has said Iran was confronting a different kind of US president under Donald Trump, adding Tehran can no longer rely on negotiations without consequences. In an interview with Fox News, Rubio said: “I don’t think the Iranian regime has ever faced a president like President Trump, which is someone that actually takes action. ” “They got used to, for 20 or 30 years, not just the US, but the broader world, allowing them to get away with things like lying, breaking deals, tricking people into agreements.
Iran says Gulf states have a 'moral duty' to block US from using territory Iran’s foreign ministry has warned Gulf states against allowing the US and Israel to use their territory to carry out attacks on Iran. In a statement circulated via the country's Fars news agency, the foreign ministry said: “The governments of the region have a legal, religious, and moral duty to prevent the United States and the Zionist regime from using their territory and facilities to attack Iran. ” “The continuation of the maritime blockade and attacks on Iranian military targets, civilian areas, and infrastructure constitutes an ‘act of aggression’ and a violation of the United Nations Charter, and Iran will exercise its right to legitimate self-defence,” the ministry added.
Burnham says UK exploring measures against Israeli settlements in West Bank The new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signalled that he is exploring taking firmer measures against Israeli settlers in the West Bank amid ongoing attacks on Palestinians in the occupied territory. "There are potential measures that I'm looking at in terms of the settlements in the West Bank, and those will be looked at an announced in due course," Burnham told TLDR news on Saturday. The UK imposed new trade guidance on Israeli settlements in the West Bank in June, but fell short of issuing an outright ban on imports of settler-linked goods.
Trump says Rubio’s anti-ICC campaign intended to shield Netanyahu US President Donald Trump has said that secretary of state Marco Rubio's campaign against the International Criminal Court (ICC) was intended to defend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "He's trying to defend Bibi and various other people," Trump said during a cabinet meeting at Camp David. Rubio told the meeting that "we've now begun an effort to really try to bring them to heel," adding that previous US attempts to push the court to reform had failed.
Araghchi says US actions ‘main causes’ of regional insecurity Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has told his Indian counterpart that the US’ violations of the Islamabad MoU and continued military action against Iran were the main causes of insecurity in the region and the Strait of Hormuz, IRNA reported. During a phone call with India’s external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, Araghchi also listed the US-enforced naval blockade and attacks on Iranian commercial shipping as the aggravating factors. He also said the international community had a responsibility to hold the “aggressor parties” accountable.
Saudi Arabia calls Trump's Gaza 'demilitarisation deal' historic Saudi Arabia has welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement of "a historic agreement on the demilitarisation" of the Gaza Strip, praising his leadership and commitment in helping secure the deal. In a statement, the kingdom's foreign ministry also thanked Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, the United States, the Peace Council and other partners for their efforts. The kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the comprehensive peace plan endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, calling for all agreed phases to be carried out within a defined timeframe.
The 'Board of Peace' announced a Palestinian body will take Hamas weapons. That's not what Trump said US President Donald Trump on Friday told reporters that the "Board of Peace" will be the one to collect Hamas's weapons as the group begins to disarm, even though the board itself had announced that a Palestinian technocratic body will assume that role. The details matter because the statements marked the first on-camera opportunity for the president to build confidence in the Board of Peace announcement - an organisation for which he is chairman for life.
UK, UAE discuss situation in the Middle East, Strait of Hormuz British Secretary of State Ed Miliband met the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East and “protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. ” In a post on X, Miliband said: "We will take the UK-UAE partnership even further, to drive growth and prosperity in both our countries. " Meeting @ABZayed today, we discussed reducing tensions in the Middle East and protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The 'Board of Peace' announced a Palestinian body will take Hamas weapons. That's not what Trump said Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Fri, 07/31/2026 - 18:16 The US president told reporters on Friday that the board itself will handle the handover Palestinian fighters from the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, are seen inside an underground tunnel in Gaza, on 18 August 2014 (Mohammed Salem/Reuters) Off US President Donald Trump on Friday told reporters that the "Board of Peace" will be the one to collect Hamas's weapons as the group begins to disarm, even though the board itself had announced that a Palestinian technocratic body will assume that role. The details matter because the statements marked the first on-camera opportunity for the president to build confidence in the Board of Peace announcement - an organisation for which he is chairman for life.
Qatar welcomes Hamas’s acceptance of draft peace deal Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani told the head of Hamas political bureau, Khalil al-Hayya, that he welcomed the decision to accept a roadmap for implementing the second stage of the ceasefire, Al Jazeera reported. According to the Qatari foreign ministry, Sheikh Mohammed said in a phone call to al-Hayya that he hopes that by accepting the roadmap, it will put an end to the “suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people in the Strip”. “Achieving their aspirations for security and stability, and emphasising in this context the necessity for the international community to fulfil its responsibilities, press Israel to comply with its obligations under the agreement, and stop its ongoing violations of the rights of the Palestinian people,” he said.
Hamas will 'remain an integral part of Palestinian national fabric' Hamas official Ghazi Hamad has told Al Jazeera that the group will “remain an integral part of the Palestinian national fabric" and that their agreement to disarm was made “under exceptional, difficult and harsh circumstances". Hamad added that the group will “continue to shoulder its national responsibilities and duties in pursuit of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people".
‘Suspicious deal’: US efforts to reunify Libya’s institutions face growing resistance Submitted by Driss Rejichi on Fri, 07/31/2026 - 09:40 Mounting opposition to the rival leaders backed by Washington, the Dbeibah and Haftar families, has fuelled distrust of American envoy Massad Boulos’s initiative Mohamed Menfi (right), president of the Libyan Presidential Council, receives US envoy Massad Boulos, in Tripoli on 23 July 2025 (Libya Presidency Office/Reuters) Off One month after what may have been the most significant diplomatic mission to Libya since taking charge of the country, US envoy Massad Boulos continues to raise questions about Washington’s objectives. Earlier this month, the senior adviser to Donald Trump on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs met dozens of Libyan officials across the country's rival factions during a diplomatic tour that was widely expected to pave the way for major announcements. After meeting with their inner circles in Malta on 6 July, Boulos held face-to-face talks with Libya's rival leaders: Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli on 7 July, and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi the following day.
Muslim Council of Britain asks government to explain non-engagement policy Submitted by Imran Mulla on Thu, 07/30/2026 - 14:34 MCB praises new Burnham's record but accuses security minister of repeating 'unsubstantiated allegations' British Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers a speech as he visits social care organisation Jewish Care in London on 29 July (AFP) Off The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has accused Security Minister Dan Jarvis of repeating an "unsubstantiated allegation" against it to justify why Andy Burnham 's government refuses to engage with the organisation. Speaking to Middle East Eye on Thursday, the MCB praised Prime Minister Burnham, who has previously engaged with the organisation, saying he "has a strong record of engaging honestly with communities across this country" and it hoped "that record continues now that he is in Downing Street". The MCB, which the government refuses to engage with, is the largest umbrella body representing British Muslim organisations, with more than 500 affiliates.
Lebanese elites have a long history of courting Zionism Submitted by Hicham Safieddine on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 18:02 Banker Antoun Sehnaoui's controversial dinner with Netanyahu this week is only the latest manifestation of an ongoing process Antoun Sehnaoui (with back to camera) hosts a dinner, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family in attendance, on 27 July 2026 (Barak Ravid/X) On During his visit to Washington last week, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for ending the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel “forever” . He embraced counterinsurgency rather than liberation politics; by identifying sovereignty with disarming non-state actors, rather than freedom from settler-colonialism - and he echoed Zionist claims by situating the root cause of armed resistance in Hezbollah’s religious ideology, rather than Israeli occupation. The promotion of Zionist narratives, and the push for normalisation with the Israeli state, has become widespread in Lebanese media and public discourse.
Iran's foreign minister says Egypt's security is of 'utmost importance' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that Egypt's security is of "utmost importance" to the Islamic Republic. "Egypt is an important friend and partner in the region, and its security is of utmost importance to us," Araghchi posted on X. His comments come after a drone attack targeted vessels at Egypt's Damietta port, raising fears of the Iran war widening to a new front.
