Turkey, US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia hold Cairo talks on Iran, Libya, Gaza
The Cairo meeting illustrates how the US is engaging with various Muslim countries in the region.
Middle East
US-Iran talks open in Switzerland as emergency session on Hezbollah added to agenda
Iranian, US delegations arrive in Switzerland, IDF names fourth soldier killed in tank incident
Hormuz must be cleared of 80 mines, may not open until year's end, says tanker body - report
Voices from the Arab press: Elon Musk, the world's first trillionaire
A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.
JD Vance emerges as central figure in Iran nuclear talks amid regional recalibration - analysis
JD Vance has emerged as a key figure in Iran peace talks as a perceived “closer” for the Trump administration, with his isolationist stance shaping US strategy and regional views.
Islamic State claims responsibility for northeastern Aleppo attack that killed two Syrian soldiers
The attack came amid a series of assaults claimed by Islamic State since February, when the jihadist group announced what it described as a new phase of operations against the Syrian government.
Iran claims Strait of Hormuz closed in retaliation for US, Israel breaches of MoU - report
According to Mehr, Iran’s military declared the closure of the strait as the “first step” in its retaliation against what it deems violations of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding.
Ceasefire talks paused after Iran shutters strait, Vance delays trip to Switzerland - report
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced that the talks will begin on Sunday and will be attended by delegations from the US and Iran, as well as mediators from Pakistan and Qatar.
Cold war brewing in Syria as Druze, Kurds, and Alawites resist al-Sharaa's rule
BEHIND THE LINES: Syria remains deeply divided along ethnic lines, with a series of ongoing “cold wars” underway between minority communities and the new Sunni Arab authorities.
US, Qatar plan to unfreeze billions in Iranian funds for purchase of humanitarian goods - report
The deal would allow Iran to begin by accessing $6 billion currently held in Qatar, specifically for purchases of food, medicine, and other humanitarian goods.
Iranian Guards' business empire to win big if US sanctions lifted
Four senior Iranian sources described how the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was uniquely positioned to capture a large share of any financial rewards that would accrue from sanctions relief.
Witkoff, Araghchi traveling to Switzerland to begin US-Iran nuclear talks - report
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is reportedly planning to join the US delegation on Saturday, a source with knowledge of the matter told Axios.
One soldier dead from Hezbollah’s overnight attacks, US-Iran talks delayed
Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire, IDF to remain in Lebanon for now • Marco Rubio to visit Gulf states next week • US responsible for ending war on all fronts, including Lebanon, Iran's FM says
