Middle East

The real story of Zaidi is that he is largely unknown and appears to have been chosen almost by chance, as if Iraq’s politicians simply settled on a random figure to lead the country.

Iran turns to Moscow as its foreign minister meets Putin, underscoring efforts to secure backing amid stalled US talks and growing uncertainty over the Iran-Israel conflict dynamics.

Cairo’s live-fire drills near the Israeli border come as Egypt faces economic pressure, Red Sea instability, and growing questions over President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s regional strategy.

Tehran fears popular protests amid economic uncertainty • US warns against working with Iranian airlines • Israelis receive threatening messages, likely from Iranian hackers

Iran’s economy cannot withstand more than six to eight weeks of naval blockade, according to the report presented to the Security Council. The US blockade has now been in place for two weeks.

Bahrain strips 69 individuals of citizenship for supporting Iran’s attacks on the country during the escalation in March and April.

Ankara is realizing that in a Middle East dominated by Israeli technological and intelligence prowess, traditional power might no longer be enough.

Speaking to IDF generals on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that Israel was given "full freedom of action to foil immediate and emerging threats."

On April 24, the United States also offered a $10m. reward for Hishim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, known as Abu Ala al-Walai, the head of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, an Iraqi paramilitary group.

Merz also said he did not see what exit strategy the US was pursuing in the Iran war - comments that underlined deep divisions between Washington and its European NATO allies.