Iran arranges diplomatic visit to Abraham Accords member Kazakhstan
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian's trip is part of a broader Iranian outreach to countries in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
Middle East
Saudi Arabia, Iran abide by Beijing-brokered peace as both look to reset the Middle East - analysis
Iran says IAEA safeguards not built for wartime after strikes on nuclear sites
Syria secures major Saudi oil deals after Sharaa, MBS call - analysis
US steps up Sudan peace push as Rubio discusses conflict resolution with Saudi FM - analysis
The BBC says “more than 150,000 people have died in the conflict across the country, and about 12 million have fled their homes in what the UN has called the world's largest humanitarian crisis."
Lebanese foreign minister rejects Tehran visit, proposes talks in a neutral country
Raji cited "current conditions" for the decision not to go to Iran, without elaborating, and stressed that the move did not mean rejection of dialog with Iran.
UN chief condemns Houthi referral of some detained UN staff to court
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the Houthis have arbitrarily detained 59 Yemeni UN personnel, who have been held "incommunicado - some for years - without any due process."
Meeting with Israel, US dependent on Netanyahu signing gas agreement, Egypt's Sisi says - report
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is also reportedly demanding Israel withdraw from the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors, Ynet said, quoting sources familiar with the matter.
Shells of unknown origin land near military airport in Damascus, Syrian state TV says
Syria's state news agency reported the sound of an explosion in the vicinity of Damascus and said the matter was under investigation.
Iran plays with fire as economic anger grows, fuel hike may be spark that lights people - analysis
Iran’s looming fuel hike is reviving memories of the deadly 2019 uprising, raising fears that economic pressure could ignite fresh unrest.
Iranians brace for Saturday fuel price surge as Islamic Republic's economy braces for worst
The proposal had been repeatedly postponed over fears it could trigger unrest similar to deadly protests sparked by a fuel price hike in 2019.
'Shockingly high' number of Gaza children still acutely malnourished after truce, UN says
"Most families can't access this, and that's why we're still seeing high rates of malnutrition," UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram said.
New border clashes expose Israel’s confused Syria policy as region heats up - analysis
A year after the Assad regime fell, it would not look good for Israel to be displacing Syrians who have only recently been able to have a life free from conflict.
Truckloads of armed men spotted riding near IDF troops near Syria border - report
Two Syrian civilians were injured by the IDF's "distancing fire," Ynet reported.
