China and Pakistan urge resumption of US-Iran peace talks China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar urged that a ceasefire be reached between the US and Iran. The two countries called for a resumption of dialogue between Washington and Tehran and that all parties fulfil their commitments and abide by the Memorandum of Understanding.
Trump is still 'open to diplomacy' with Iran, White House press secretary says White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said US President Trump is “open to diplomacy” and that the US is still talking with Iran amid escalating tensions in the region. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said US President Trump is “open to diplomacy” and that the US is still talking with Iran amid escalating tensions in the region. pic.
Iran judiciary denies Trump statement that American prisoner was freed Iran's judiciary said that no American prisoner had been released or exchanged from its prisons, Iranian state media reported on Thursday, after US President Donald Trump said a US citizen detained during the Biden administration in 2024 had been freed. The judiciary said checks showed no convicted American prisoner, person accused of spying for the United States matching Trump's description, or any other American detainee had been released from Iranian prisons or exchanged.
Colombia president-elect to open Israel embassy in Jerusalem Colombia's hard-right president-elect plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem as he seeks to restore and strengthen ties with Israel, his office said on Thursday. Abelardo de la Espriella won last month's presidential runoff by less than a percentage point and has promised to clamp down on Colombia's myriad armed groups – partly by forging a military alliance with the United States and Israel. In 2024, leftist President Gustavo Petro severed ties with Israel, one of Colombia's key security partners, over its war on Gaza.
Inside Khamenei's funeral: Revealing moments from a week of mourning Iran 's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , was laid to rest on 9 July after a week-long funeral procession following his assassination in a US - Israeli strike in February. The 86-year-old leader, who ruled Iran for more than three decades, was succeeded by his 56-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei. The funeral ceremonies, held across several cities in Iran and Iraq, drew millions of mourners, according to state figures.
Inside Khamenei's funeral: Revealing moments from a week of mourning Submitted by MEE correspondent on Thu, 07/16/2026 - 09:26 Political signals and power dynamics emerge from Iran’s elaborate farewell ceremonies Mourners react next to the coffin of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on 28 February in Israeli and US air strikes, and coffins of his family members, on the day of his burial, in Mashhad, Iran, 9 July 2026 (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters) Off Iran 's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , was laid to rest on 9 July after a week-long funeral procession following his assassination in a US - Israeli strike in February. The 86-year-old leader, who ruled Iran for more than three decades, was succeeded by his 56-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei. The funeral ceremonies, held across several cities in Iran and Iraq, drew millions of mourners, according to state figures.
Israeli ministers taunt England and revel in Argentina’s World Cup win Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Thu, 07/16/2026 - 13:45 Senior politicians, including UK-sanctioned Smotrich and Ben Gvir, use Argentina’s semi-final victory to mock Britain Argentina fans celebrate their World Cup win against England on 15 July 2026, in Miami Beach, Florida (Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP) Off Israeli politicians took to social media on Wednesday to celebrate Argentina’s World Cup semi-final victory over England, cheering one of Israel’s closest allies while taunting Britain . Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich posted on X moments after the final whistle: "I indeed cannot enter Britain because I am exterminating the idea of the Palestinian state, but two goals got in nicely," referring to the two late goals England conceded. Smotrich also congratulated Argentine President Javier Milei, whom he described as "a friend".
JD Vance says Epstein had connections to CIA and Mossad Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Thu, 07/16/2026 - 11:59 US vice president tells podcaster Joe Rogan there is an 'extremely well-funded' Israel-linked campaign to derail Iran negotiations US Vice President JD Vance speaks at This is the Turning Point Tour at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, US, April 14, 2026 (Reuters) Off The paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein was connected to the “highest levels” of US and Israeli intelligence, JD Vance said on Monday. “He clearly had connections to the upper, the highest levels of American intelligence,” the US Vice President told podcaster Joe Rogan, in relation to Epstein. “He clearly had connections to the highest levels of Israeli intelligence.
Israeli opposition tops new poll as Netanyahu allies explore voting restrictions Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 07/16/2026 - 11:31 PM's allies look to restrict flights into Israel potentially carrying anti-Netanyahu voters ahead of 27 October election Gadi Eizenkot, former Israeli army chief of staff, at the launch of the Yashar party's election campaign in Hod Hasharon, central Israel, on 30 June 2026 (Jack Guez/AFP) Off A bloc of Israeli parties seeking to remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would secure the narrowest possible parliamentary majority in October’s election, a new poll has found. The Channel 13 survey, broadcast on Wednesday, gave the opposition 61 of the Knesset’s 120 seats – the first major poll in more than a month to show the opposition capable of forming a government without relying on Palestinian -majority parties. The election will take place on 27 October.
Iranian press review: Political figures expect continued but limited confrontation with US Submitted by MEE correspondent on Thu, 07/16/2026 - 10:25 Meanwhile, Tehran's city council considers shelters in new buildings, a reformist figure urges authorities to avoid prolonging the war This US Navy handout photo taken on 30 June 2026 by US Central Command Public Affairs shows the Carrier Air Wing 7 flying in formation over the USS George HW Bush in the Arabian Sea (AFP) Off Officials see limited conflict more likely than all-out war A majority of Iranian political figures have said a full-scale military conflict between Iran and the US is unlikely, but warned that limited confrontations will possibly continue. On Tuesday, Khabar Online interviewed five current and former political figures from across the political spectrum about the future of military confrontations with the US. While they offered different views on the future of relations between the two countries, most agreed that neither side appears willing to enter a prolonged war.
Russia in contact with Iranian officials after recent escalations Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was in contact with Iranian officials as the recent round of "destabilisation" took place, Reuters reported. While not sharing any details about the nature of the contacts, Peskov said that Iran had not requested a phone call with Putin.
Netanyahu cancels trip to the US scheduled for next week Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled a trip to the US which was scheduled for next week. He will not travel due to the postponement of the funeral of Senator Lindsay Graham, his office said. A day prior to the cancellation, a senior Israeli official said that Netanyahu wanted to meet Trump during the visit, but it was not yet clear if he would be able to, according to Reuters.
Pakistan urges Iran, US to 'end violence' and resume talks Mediator Pakistan on Thursday urged the US and Iran to put an end to the violence and resume talks under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) it helped mediate last month. "While the implementation of the MoU is facing challenges, Pakistan will continue to encourage all sides to end violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance with the MoU," Tahir Andrabi, Pakistan's foreign office spokesman, told reporters in Islamabad.
Trump says Iran 'wants to settle so badly' US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran "wants to settle so badly," adding that he would decide whether or not to take that step. “They don't like what we're doing, and they do want to settle. " US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran "wants to settle so badly," adding that he would decide whether or not to take that step pic.
Trump says US 'appreciates' Iran for releasing American citizen Donald Trump said that the US "appreciates" Iran after it allowed an American who was "wrongfully detained" in 2024 to leave the country. "Iran has allowed an American Citizen, who was wrongfully detained in December of 2024 under the 'presidency' of Sleepy Joe Biden, to leave the Country," the US president wrote on his Truth Social platform. "She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition," Trump added.
US: Democrats stall crucial defence budget in protest against Trump policies Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 21:07 While different lawmakers had different motivations, the president's approach to Iran and Israel is proving increasingly unpopular A view of the US Capitol dome in Washington, DC on 13 July 2026 (Al Drago/Reuters) Off In rare pushback against a must-pass annual defence budget bill, Democrats in the US Senate on Tuesday collectively voted not to advance the legislation, largely in protest the Trump administration's approaches to Iran and Israel. The bill includes a $1. 1 trillion request for the Pentagon, $41b for the Department of Energy's nuclear arms management, and $11b for other defence-related issues.
Lebanon and Israel conclude talks in Rome over 'pilot zones' Lebanon and Israel concluded talks in Rome with agreements over the “pilot zones” project, according to a US official. The sixth-round of the talks was held under the US-brokered 26 June framework deal and took place at the US Embassy in Rome. The pilot zones project refers to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army.
Corbyn slams Starmer for again claiming Labour was 'institutionally antisemitic' Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 15:37 'Misrepresentations and broken undertakings are unfortunately part of a pattern under his leadership,' Corbyn tells MEE Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on 1 April 2026 (Henry Nicholls/AFP) Off Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has condemned his successor, outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, for once again falsely stating that the party was “institutionally antisemitic” under his leadership. At his last prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, Starmer recalled his time in the House of Commons as opposition leader. “We had just lost the 2019 general election, which nearly broke my party,” he said.
Israel approves over $400m to fund 34 settlements in occupied West Bank The Israeli government announced on Tuesday that it had approved a budget of approximately 1. 3bn shekels ($434m) to fund the establishment of 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. According to Israeli news outlet Ynet , the decision was made by the security cabinet in June but kept under wraps over concerns about the US response.
Lebanon’s Mitri says divisive Israel framework still lacks government approval Submitted by Daniel Hilton on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 12:35 Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri tells MEE any deal with Israel to stop its war with Hezbollah must honour his country's demands and not deepen Lebanese divisions Deputy Premier Tarek Mitri arrives at the first meeting of Lebanon's new government at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on 11 February 2025 (AFP) Off The Israel - Lebanon framework is not workable in its current form and cannot become a binding agreement without approval from the Lebanese government, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri has told Middle East Eye. Mitri drew the distinction between the president's constitutional role in negotiating on behalf of Lebanon and the Council of Ministers' role in approving any final agreement, describing the framework as the beginning of a process. Under Lebanon's constitution, he said, the president has the right to negotiate, but any proposed agreement must be brought before the cabinet.
