Israel and Lebanon begin talks in Washington, say diplomats Israel and Lebanon opened a new round of peace talks in Washington on Thursday as the latest ceasefire was set to expire, diplomats told AFP. One diplomat privy to the two-day talks said that the two sides started discussions just after 9am (1300 GMT) at the US State Department.
Palestinian Fatah party to elect leaders for first time in decade Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement is due on Thursday to elect a new central committee for the first time in 10 years, as it faces existential challenges in the wake of Israel's war on Gaza. During the three-day general conference, the movement will vote on the central committee, its highest leadership body, even as analysts warn of Fatah's diminishing legitimacy in the face of endemic corruption and its lack of progress on Palestinian statehood - especially amid an intensified Israeli settlement drive. The committee is expected to play a key role in the post-Abbas era, with some wondering whether the 90-year-old leader might finally step down after more than two decades at the helm, despite the lack of a clear heir apparent.
Trump, Xi agree on need for Hormuz to stay open, White House says The White House said that US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have agreed on the need for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open for the free flow of energy. The two leaders discussed the topic during a meeting today in Beijing, as Trump continues his three-day state visit to China. US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 14 May 2026.
Iran’s foreign minister says Strait of Hormuz open to commercial ships Tthe Strait of Hormuz is open to all commercial ships if they coordinate with Iran’s naval forces, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday. The minister is currently attending the Brics foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi.
Xi says 'ready to work' with Trump to open new chapter in US-China relations The Chinese Foreign Ministry has released a readout of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping. President Xi said that he stands "ready to work" with Trump to open a new chapter in US-China relations. The two major world leaders agreed to frame their ties as "constructive, strategic and stable" in a new arrangement that will guide their relationship for the next three years and beyond.
Iran calls upon Brics members to challenge what it says are international law violations Iran on Thursday called on Brics member states to condemn what it says are violations of international law by the United States and Israel, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a statement on his Telegram account. He also called on the Brics nations to prevent the politicisation of international institutions. "The West's false sense of superiority and immunity must be shattered by all of us," he said.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump early on Thursday ahead of high-stakes discussions in Beijing. The summit is expected to cover sensitive issues relating to trade, Iran and Taiwan. Meanwhile, Lebanon and Israel are also expected to hold new peace talks in Washington today.
In pictures: China welcomes Trump ahead of high-stakes talks in Beijing Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump with a handshake early on Thursday ahead of discussions in Beijing. The summit is expected to cover sensitive issues relating to trade, Iran and Taiwan.
Netanyahu's office says he visited UAE, Gulf state denies claim Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a "secret" visit to the UAE during the US-Israeli war on Iran, Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on Wednesday, which sparked an unusual denial from the Gulf state. "During Operation 'Lion's Roar', Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan," the statement said. The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a denial of the visit a few hours after the official Israeli statement.
UAE denies Netanyahu held secret meeting with Emirati president during Iran war The United Arab Emirates' foreign ministry denied on Wednesday claims made by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's office that he visited the UAE and held a secret meeting with its president. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said earlier he travelled to the UAE during the war with Iran and met Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. A statement by the Emirati foreign ministry said that Emirati relations with Israel "are public" and "not based on non-transparent or unofficial arrangements.
US wants China to press Iran to change course in Gulf: Secretary of State The US hopes to convince China to play a more active role in trying to persuade Iran to walk away from what it is doing in the Gulf, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview aired on Fox News on Wednesday.
'Rogue state behaviour': Israel carrying out covert influence operations in Canada, report says Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 05/13/2026 - 20:17 Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East is calling for Israeli agents to receive the same treatment as Chinese or Indian ones A view of Parliament Hill with construction signs in the foreground, in Ottawa, Canada, on 14 April 2026 (David Kawai/Reuters) Off Israel is running a widespread and deeply embedded, covert influence operation in Canada, and the government has refused to treat it as interference by a foreign actor, a new report by Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) has said. The group is now calling on Ottawa to designate Israel as a "key threat actor" alongside the likes of China and India, expel Israeli diplomats, and ban Israeli spyware, among other recommendations published on Wednesday. "The pattern of deception and disinformation outlined in this report demonstrates the malicious role of the Israeli state in interfering in Canadian public affairs, undermining the rights and safety of Canadians," CJPME said.
US ‘making progress’ in Iran talks, US vice president says US Vice President JD Vance says he believes progress is being made in negotiations with Iran after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest proposal as unacceptable. “I think that we are making progress. The fundamental question is do we make enough progress that we satisfy the president’s red line?
UAE reaffirms diplomacy, rejects confrontation with Iran, advisor says Anwar Gargash, an adviser to the United Arab Emirates president, said on Wednesday that the UAE remained committed to political solutions and diplomacy amid regional tensions, while stressing the country's right to defend its sovereignty. Relations between the Arab states and Iran should not be based on confrontation, Gargash added.
Netanyahu made ‘secret visit’ to the UAE during war with Iran Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the UAE during the war on Iran, his office announced on Wednesday. “In the midst of Operation “Roar of the Lion,” Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates and met with the UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. “This visit led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates,” the statement said.
Iran's foreign minister demands immediate release of four Iranians detained in Kuwait Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday that Kuwait had unlawfully attacked an Iranian boat and detained four Iranian citizens in the Gulf. “We demand immediate release of our nationals and reserve right to respond,” Araghchi said in a post on X. On Tuesday, Kuwait said it had arrested four people affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps who attempted to infiltrate the Gulf state by sea.
1953: The CIA led coup that still shapes Iran | Turning Point Submitted by Aaya Al-Shamahi on Wed, 05/13/2026 - 17:10 In 1951, Mohammad Mosaddegh nationalised Iran’s oil, ending 50 years of Britain’s monopoly over Iranian oil. Two years later, he was overthrown in a covert coup backed by the CIA and Britain. This is the story of how one week in August changed Iran and still shapes the country to this day.
Who is the real Wes Streeting? His record on Israel and foreign policy examined Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 05/13/2026 - 13:22 The UK health secretary is poised to resign from the cabinet and kickstart a leadership challenge in a bid to become PM British Health Secretary Wes Streeting arrives at Downing Street to attend a cabinet meeting in central London on 12 May 2026 (AFP) Off British Health Secretary Wes Streeting has launched what many MPs are calling a "coup" in a bid to become the Labour prime minister. Streeting is believed to be poised to resign from the cabinet and kickstart a leadership challenge on Thursday after he met Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 10 Downing Street for just 10 minutes on Wednesday morning.
'Europe must become more Jewish' says owner of Telegraph and Politico Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Wed, 05/13/2026 - 13:48 The Axel Springer chief said 'I'm a Goy, and I'm Zionist, with all my heart, out of conviction, and with passion' Mathias Dopfner, CEO of Axel Springer, speaking ath the World Jewish Congress in Geneva on 11 May 2026 (World Jewish Congress) Off Mathias Dopfner, the CEO of Axel Springer and owner of The Telegraph and Politico, told the World Jewish Congress (WJC) that “anti-Zionism is racism” during a speech in Geneva. Addressing the organisation’s governing board on Monday, Dopfner delivered a wide-ranging speech laden with anti-immigrant rhetoric, calls for censorship and attacks on musicians, artists, universities and the UN. The media executive made headlines in April after telling journalists at Politico that they must back Israel or resign, fuelling concerns that the newsroom’s independence is under threat.
Trump: 'I don't think about Americans’ financial situation' US President Donald Trump has said the financial situation of Americans doesn't factor into his thinking with regards to Iran negotiations. Speaking in response to a question from a reporter outside the White House, Trump said the only thing that mattered to him was preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. "Not even a little bit - the only thing that matters when I'm talking about Iran, they can't have a nuclear weapon," he said.
