WASHINGTON: The United States (US) launched what it described as “self-defence” strikes in southern Iran on Monday, targeting missile launch sites and boats allegedly attempting to lay mines, according to the US Central Command. The military action came as senior Iranian negotiators arrived in Doha for talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between the […]
Abraham Accords
Trump urges Muslim states to join accords
US President Donald Trump said Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan should join the Abraham Accords alongside a possible agreement with Iran. Trump said ongoing negotiations with Tehran were progressing positively and could open the door for broader regional diplomacy. He added that Washington seeks a comprehensive agreement to avoid further conflict in […]
UAE denies reports of Netanyahu secret visit during Iran conflict
The United Arab Emirates has denied claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the country during the Iran conflict. The clarification came after the Israeli prime minister’s office reportedly stated on Wednesday that Netanyahu had travelled to the UAE during the Iran war and held a meeting with the Emirati […]
Israel and Lebanon hold first direct civilian talks in decades
JERUSALEM: Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks in decades on Wednesday, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. The meeting took place under a year-old ceasefire monitoring mechanism aimed at overseeing the conflict with Hezbollah. Read More: Historic Lebanon–Israel meeting signals cautious peace The talks were held at the UN peacekeeping force […]
Saudi-Israel ties hinge on Palestinian state
WASHINGTON: The question of whether Saudi Arabia will recognise Israel before Israel recognises a Palestinian state dominated discussions during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) recent Washington visit. Analysts say Riyadh’s normalization roadmap depends on a firm commitment to Palestinian statehood, with MBS telling President Trump that the kingdom wants a clear path to a […]
Trump forecasts ‘beyond normal’ meeting with Saudi Crown Prince
US President Donald Trump confirmed that he will meet the Saudi Crown Prince next week. He said the meeting will be more than a routine diplomatic engagement. He hinted that the talks will cover major strategic issues between the two countries. Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One and stressed the importance of the […]
UAE unlikely to join Gaza stabilisation force
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has indicated it is unlikely to participate in the proposed international stabilisation force for Gaza, citing the absence of a clear operational framework. Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate forum on Monday, Emirati presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said, “The UAE does not yet see a clear framework for the […]
Saudi unlikely to normalize ties with Israel
DUBAI – Despite upbeat remarks from US President Donald Trump about Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, Riyadh is unlikely to formalise relations with Israel during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington later this month. Diplomatic sources told Reuters that Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its stance — normalisation will only come with a […]
Kazakhstan agrees to join Abraham Accords
Kazakhstan has agreed in principle to join the Abraham Accords, becoming the first nation to do so during US President Donald Trump’s second term, Kazinform News Agency reported. Trump announced the development following a phone call between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He described the talks as “a major step […]
Kazakhstan set to join Abraham Accords after Trump, Tokayev, Netanyahu call
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords, a framework that normalises relations between Israel and Muslim-majority nations, marking the first such expansion of the pact in several years. The announcement followed a trilateral call between Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. “We […]