Middle East

A lower-level Iranian representative may still address the conference later in the week, but one of Tehran's most senior nuclear officials has been barred from speaking at the opening of the event.

"For Iran, this is a chess game. They plan what comes next. They don't push all their buttons at the same time out of panic," the regional official said.

Khamenei has not been seen since being appointed in March after the death of his father, and while written statements and messages have been issued in his name, many have doubts.

Netanyahu wants to raise IDF budget; Lapid conditions it on canceling Haredi funds • Netanyahu warns Hezbollah of retaliation • IDF reveals Hezbollah trying to establish footholds in southern Lebanon

Oman's foreign minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, posted late Sunday that the regional meeting had been postponed "in the interests of consensus."

If Iran attacks, there will be no way back. Israel’s response, officials have indicated, would target critical national infrastructure that a collapsing regime would not be able to rebuild.

Lebanese sources told Walla in recent days that despite Israeli criticism, the Lebanese army is operating against Hezbollah infrastructure and operatives in the area.

Russia based the original Geran, which carries a 20-kilogram warhead and has a top speed of 185 kph, on Iranian-designed Shahed drones.

Drone strikes that damaged a Saudi pipeline yesterday could cut up to 4% of global oil supply and spur even higher fuel prices.

Dubbed "My Family is Safe," the government's crackdown comes as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promotes a "Decade of Family and Population," an initiative designed to tackle falling birth rates.