Iran

Voices from the Arab press: Reading the Jeddah statement

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

SAUDI CROWN PRINCE Mohammed bin Salman (R) receives Bahrain’s King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa ahead of an exceptional meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council – the first in-person meeting of Gulf leaders since their states became a front in the Iran war two months ago – in Jeddah, April 28.
A satellite image shows an oil terminal at Kharg Island, Iran, February 25, 2026. 2026

Kharg Island and the new energy war over Iran’s collapsing oil exports - opinion

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the day he addresses a special session of the Conference on Disarmament at the United Nations, aside of US-Iran talks in Geneva, Switzerland, February 17, 2026

Iran negotiations will only work under sustained maximum pressure - opinion

Illustrative; An Emirates aircraft flies past plumes of smoke from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026.

Amid rumors of renewed war, Iran may escalate attacks on UAE - analysis


Ship seized off UAE's Fujairah being pulled toward Iranian waters

The incident comes as India said on Thursday that an Indian-flagged ship had been attacked off the coast of Oman on Wednesday, and all crew on board were safe.

A photo illustration taken in Nicosia on May 4, 2026, shows a person in front of a large screen displaying vessel movements in the Strait of Hormuz on a ship-tracking website.

Iran holds World Cup departure rally despite continuing US visa concerns

Iran's participation in the World Cup has been in question since the US and Israel launched air strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February.

Members of Iran's national soccer team attend a farewell ceremony ahead of their departure to the 2026 World Cup in Tehran, Iran, May 13, 2026.

Iran ‘frighteningly close’ to developing nuclear weapons, US energy secretary says - report

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stressed that he considers even 20%-enriched uranium "very concerning," given the size of Iran's stockpile. 

Mockups of domestically-made Iranian missiles are displayed at an exhibition outside the Defence Museum in Tehran on March 31, 2026.

Israel, Lebanon conclude third round of peace talks, two seriously wounded by Hezbollah drone

UAE denies Netanyahu's secret visit during Iran war • Activists clash in Jerusalem ahead of flag march • IDF strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, kills Hamas terrorist in Gaza

Israel Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Lebanon Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad, US President Donald Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and US Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office, April 23, 2026.

Trump lauds ‘biggest summit’ as Xi talks tackle trade, Iran

Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang joined Trump’s delegation as US companies seek greater access to China.

US President Donald Trump inspects an honour guard during a welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026.

Chinese companies planning clandestine arms sales to Iran, US intelligence finds - report

China has significantly aided Iran over the course of the war, providing intelligence on US forces and supplying Tehran with dual-use materials used in the production of drones and missiles.

A member of the People's Liberation Army stands as the maritime operations group displays YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missiles during a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025.

Pentagon considering renaming Iran war 'Operation Sledgehammer' if ceasefire fails - report

A new operation name could allow the Trump administration to distinguish renewed strikes from Operation Epic Fury, NBC reported.

US Chair of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Dan Caine, addresses the Senate Appropriations Committee on the Pentagon's budget request, May 12, 2026; illustrative.

Turkey’s Kurdish peace process falters as Iran war complicates negotiations - analysis

Turkey’s peace process with Kurdish militants stalls as the Iran war deepens instability in the region, with both sides hesitant to take bold steps toward a resolution.

 A demonstrator holds a picture of jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan during a rally in Diyarbakir, Turkey, February 27, 2025.

White House denies reports of visa issues for Iraq’s World Cup team

The White House has refuted rumors that Iraq's national team players were denied US visas, confirming they are on track for the World Cup with all players cleared to travel.

 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Preview, Doha, Qatar - November 18, 2022 The FIFA World Cup logo is pictured on the Corniche Promenade ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Saudi airstrikes targeted militias in Iraq during war with Iran

Saudi warplanes reportedly struck Iran-backed militias in Iraq, targeting key sites as tensions escalated in the Gulf region during the ongoing conflict.

Saudi Royal Air Force fighter jets perform a fly-by during Saudi Arabia's 95th National Day celebrations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 23, 2025.