Rubio says US 'open to a diplomatic solution with Iran' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the US is "open to a diplomatic solution with Iran". Meanwhile, speaking on the meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Rubio expressed that it was "very positive".
Rubio accuses Iran of using Hormuz Strait as 'leverage against the world' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran of using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage amid the ongoing conflict in the region, calling on other countries to "step up" to protect global shipping. "It's clear that Iran, at least some people in Iran, want to control the straits and hold that as leverage against the world," Rubio told reporters. "The United States will do and continue to do what it needs to, to protect global shipping, but other countries need to begin to step up and provide, whether it's hardware or finances, to help carry that burden," he added.
Iraqi PM to visit Tehran this week, Iraqi state news agency says Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will visit Tehran within the coming week, the Iraqi state news agency reported on Sunday, adding that during the visit the prime minister will sign memoranda of understanding in Tehran in areas of cooperation.
Jordan summons Iranian diplomat over 'unjustified' attacks, ministry says Jordan has summoned Iran's charge d'affaires in Amman over what it called "unjustified and blatant Iranian attacks" and "provocative and inflammatory statements targeting the Kingdom's territory," Jordan's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement on Sunday.
Trump says he ‘couldn’t care less’ about Iran leaving nuclear agreement US President Donald Trump said he “couldn’t care less” after Iran announced it would no longer abide by the US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last month. Speaking in a brief phone interview with US cable network NewsNation, Trump reiterated that the US’s main objective remains “never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon”. Washington and Tehran signed the MoU in mid-June in an effort to end the war launched by the US and Israel in February.
Aragchi says ‘personal remarks’ should not affect Iran-Iraq relations Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told his Iraqi counterpart that the "valuable" relationship between Tehran and Baghdad should not be affected by "certain personal and unofficial remarks", according to Iran's state news agency IRNA. During a phone call, Araghchi and Iraqi foreign minister Fuad Hussein discussed regional developments in the wake of US military attacks on Iran and Washington's “repeated violations” of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, the report said. Araghchi described relations between Iran and Iraq as "deep-rooted and strategic", founded on historical, cultural and religious ties as well as shared interests.
Lebanese president hopes to generate pressure on Israel during US trip Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will make his first trip to the White House this week to present a plan to US president Donald Trump on how to disarm Hezbollah and secure Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon. Aoun is the first Lebanese head of state in nearly 20 years to visit the White House, where he will meet Trump face-to-face for the first time. Tuesday's meeting comes at a crucial moment for Lebanon: Israeli troops are occupying a swathe of the country's south, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese remain displaced following Israeli strikes and Hezbollah has firmly rejected the government's direct talks with Israel -- and efforts by the state to strip it of its arms.
Report: Aipac stops taking donations for Democrats who backed Israel aid cut The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), a leading pro-Israel lobbying group in the United States, has stopped accepting campaign contributions for 15 House Democrats it had previously endorsed, after they voted this week for an amendment to cut off all US military aid to Israel, media reports said. The amendment, introduced by Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie as part of a State Department spending bill, was defeated 314 to 104, but drew support from 103 House Democrats, nearly half the caucus. Massie was the only Republican backer.
Iran’s Khamenei says US president’s signature ‘worthless and invalid’ Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei condemned the US attacks on Iran, said the repeated breaches of agreements with Iran show that the US president’s signature is “worthless and invalid. ” The statement was released by Iran’s IRIB broadcaster.
US and Israel used Karim Khan misconduct claims to 'defang' ICC, says former EU top diplomat Submitted by Sondos Asem on Sat, 07/18/2026 - 16:32 Josep Borrell denounces ICC bureau’s disregard for judicial panel findings and says the removal vote is part of reactions to Khan’s decsion to seek arrest warrants for Israeli leaders Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks to reporters before a meeting of EU defence ministers in Brussels, 19 November 2024 (Nicolas Tucat/AFP) Off Josep Borrell, the former EU high representative for foreign affairs, has accused the United States and Israel of exploiting sexual misconduct allegations against International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan to achieve what he called their long-sought goal of neutralising the court from within. In an article published by Project Syndicate on Friday, Borrell urged ICC member states to uphold due process in their vote on the fate of Khan next week. “Some institutional failures unfold not through scandal but procedure, with acts of sabotage dressed up in the language of good-faith inquiry and accountability,” he wrote.
Iran declares Islamabad agreement suspended, blames US violations Iran said on Saturday that it had suspended all of its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), accusing the United States of violating the agreement as military exchanges between the two countries continued. The announcement by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi marks Tehran's clearest statement yet that it no longer considered itself bound by the Pakistan -mediated agreement, which was signed in June to end hostilities between Washington and Tehran. The 14-point MoU included provisions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, lift the US naval blockade and begin a phased de-escalation after weeks of fighting.
Iran declares Islamabad agreement suspended, blames US violations Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 07/18/2026 - 14:08 Tehran says Washington violated all obligations under the memorandum as it focuses on 'defending the country' A plume of black smoke and flames rises over Mangaf, south of Kuwait City, after reported attacks on civilian infrastructure, 18 July 2026 (UGC/AFP) Off Iran said on Saturday that it had suspended all of its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), accusing the United States of violating the agreement as military exchanges between the two countries continued. The announcement by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi marks Tehran's clearest statement yet that it no longer considered itself bound by the Pakistan -mediated agreement, which was signed in June to end hostilities between Washington and Tehran. The 14-point MoU included provisions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, lift the US naval blockade and begin a phased de-escalation after weeks of fighting.
Iran suspends MoU with Washington after 'US violations' Iran's Deputy Foreign Ministser said Tehran had suspended its committments to the MoU with Washington as US attacks continue. “The US has violated and suspended all its commitments within the framework of the Islamabad MoU,” Gharibabadi said. The Deputy Foreign Minister added that Tehran had suspended its commitments and implementation of the agreed as it is "busy defending the country.
Report: Nearly a quarter of Israelis considering leaving if Netanyahu is re-elected About 23 percent of Israelis are considering leaving the country, or have a relative who is, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is re-elected, according to a Channel 12 poll reported by The Times of Israel. The survey found that another 68 percent said they were not considering leaving the country, and the remaining respondents were unsure. The poll also found that 67 percent opposed legislation passed by Netanyahu's coalition this week, including a law enshrining Torah study as a quasi-constitutional value and another aimed at shielding ultra-Orthodox Israelis who evade military service from arrest.
EU asks Israel to refrain from expanding West Bank settlements The European Union has reiterated its call on Israel to refrain from expanding its settlements in the occupied West Bank. "The EU reiterates its call on Israel to refrain from further settlement expansion, the legalization of outposts, land appropriation, demolitions, evictions and other unilateral measures that undermine the viability of the two-state solution," said a statement from the EU's diplomatic service spokesperson. Earlier this week, Israel's security cabinet approved a budget of 1.
Trump’s 'Board of Peace' abandons Gaza ‘recovery plan’: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 07/17/2026 - 21:36 What was once pitched as a plan to build a glitzy 'Gaza Riviera' has now been abandoned in favour of portable cabins A screengrab of a slide shared by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Trump and US special envoy, on the future of Gaza presented at Davos, on 22 January 2025 (Screengrab) Off US President Donald Trump’s "Board of Peace" has shrunk its Gaza "recovery plan" from rebuilding territory to a temporary camp of "portable cabins" under Palestinian administration, police and a small international security force. The pilot scheme will be located in the so-called buffer zone along the ceasefire line near Rafah, according to a Guardian investigation published on Thursday. Its blueprint reflects little of what Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, presented in his " free market Gaza " slideshow in January, which assured basic infrastructure within 100 days.
EU reiterates its call on Israel to refrain from more expansion of settlements The European Union on Friday reiterated its call on Israel to refrain from expanding its settlements in the occupied West Bank. "The EU reiterates its call on Israel to refrain from further settlement expansion, the legalization of outposts, land appropriation, demolitions, evictions and other unilateral measures that undermine the viability of the two-state solution," said a statement from the EU's diplomatic service spokesperson. Earlier this week, Israel's security cabinet approved a budget of 1.
Starmer was a fabricator and a fraud. Good riddance Submitted by Peter Oborne on Fri, 07/17/2026 - 16:08 From attacking Corbyn for political gain, to abandoning the key pledges that got him elected, the UK leader leaves office in disgrace Starmer rose to power by twisting and distorting the truth - and he leaves office in exactly the same fashion (Henry Nicholls/AFP) Off The most serious parliamentary misdemeanour that a minister can commit is to deceive MPs. That is exactly what Keir Starmer did when he answered questions, for his last time as prime minister, on Wednesday.
Malaysia vows to deport Israelis found in digital nomads community Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 07/17/2026 - 10:58 Prime minister says authorities are investigating allegations that Israelis joined Network School in state of Johor Forest City, a development project launched under China's Belt and Road Initiative in Malaysia’s Johor state (AFP) Off The prime minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, has said authorities will deport any Israeli nationals found in the country. “If we find any Israeli, we will deport them immediately because we do not recognise Israel,” Anwar said, according to local media reports . His comments came as officials investigate allegations that Israelis were involved in a private residential and technology community in the southern state of Johor.
Araghchi: Israel using US taxpayer money to silence critics Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in an X post that "Israel is using U. S. taxpayer dollars to silence any U.
