Doha secured two-week window to prevent US attack on Iran, Qatari PM tells G7 ministers
Al Thani told G7 participants that significant differences remained between Washington and Tehran, with several key issues still unresolved.
Middle East
Syrian Alawites accuse aid organizations of diverting UN assistance to militias
As winter storms hit Gaza, Hamas still rules and Donald Trump's peace plan stalls - analysis
Rubio says no need for major combat operations against Iran given US economic campaign
US, Iran more likely to reach deal to end war than two months ago, ex-Mossad official tells 'Post'
Shine, a former Mossad division head, stressed that negotiations could still fall through if the US refused to bend on giving Iran the right to uranium enrichment or if personal egos got in the way.
Chinese ambassador says Iran military aid claims 'baseless' after ex-Mossad, IDF allegations
"If some people believe they have evidence that China is transporting lethal weapons to Iran, which would pose a serious threat to Israel's security, I think the Israeli government will let us know."
UNICEF says Israel blocks Gaza basin repairs, warns of flooding, disease
One damaged facility in Gaza is the Sheikh Radwan stormwater basin in Gaza City, which is now contaminated with sewage and at risk of overflowing after heavy rainfall, according to UNICEF.
Iran seals restaurants over allegations businesses ‘failed to observe Islamic norms’
Three cafés in Birjand were sealed for failing to observe Islamic principles, according to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated Tasnim News Agency.
Tensions flare between Hamas, Fatah less than a month after Palestinian unity talks
Hamas accuses the PA of rearresting released terrorists, while Fatah accuses Hamas of preventing humanitarian operations for Gazans.
Gulf Arab states approve military command headquarters in Kuwait
The announcement followed the 23rd meeting of the GCC's Joint Defense Council, attended by defense ministers from the bloc's member states, in Bahrain.
Canada reimposes sanctions on 11 entities over Iranian non-compliance with nuclear obligations
Sanctions against the entities, which include Iranian nuclear procurement companies, oil companies, and banks, were previously lifted in 2016.
Between Iran, Iraq and a hard place: Iraq’s prime minister weighs next moves - analysis
The question for Iraq’s prime minister this week will be whether he will continue on his path of pressure on the militias, or if he will back down.
Saudi-led coalition intercepts drone over oil-rich Eastern Province
The coalition said its air defenses destroyed a drone over the Eastern Province and intercepted missiles launched at the Saudi capital and the southern region.
Iraq to reopen Sheeb border crossing with Iran, temporarily close Mandali border
The US Treasury had requested the closing of the all but two border crossings with Iran as part of its campaign to increase economic pressure on Tehran.
