US and Iran seek a new equilibrium neither trusts
A return to the pre-war status quo between Iran and the United States now appears out of reach for both sides, despite their competing claims of victory.
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Netanyahu says Trump is a ‘great friend’ but Israel will do ‘whatever it takes’ for security
Netanyahu says Trump is a ‘great friend’ but Israel will do ‘whatever it takes’ for security Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel will do “whatever it takes” to ensure its security, “with or without a deal”, according to the Israeli outlet Ynet. In comments delivered at the state service for the reburial of the grandparents of Theodor Herzl, the founder of political Zionism, Netanyahu said that while Trump is “the greatest friend we have had in the White House”, regardless of any agreement, “Israel's existence is not subject to negotiation”. His comments come as Israel launches renewed attacks in southern Lebanon amid a US-brokered “framework deal” with the country to ensure Israeli withdrawal from the territory in return for Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Iran's parliament fades further from power after the war
Iran's parliament has become all but irrelevant since the war, as power has shifted further toward the Revolutionary Guards and decision-making has moved ever deeper behind closed doors amid the unresolved leadership transition.
Qatar, Egypt discuss regional tensions during Amman meeting
Qatar, Egypt discuss regional tensions during Amman meeting Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani spoke with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Jordan's capital, Amman, to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, according to a post from Qatar’s foreign ministry on X. During the meeting, Al Thani called for the implementation of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, “including ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, preserving regional security, safeguarding the gains achieved, and strengthening regional stability”, the ministry added. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs @MBA_AlThani_ Meets Egyptian Foreign Minister Amman | August 05, 2026 HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs, International… pic.
Iran, Oman agree on Hormuz route coordinates
Iran, Oman agree on Hormuz route coordinates Iran and Oman have agreed to the geographic coordinates for a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei on Wednesday. Baghaei said that Iran and Oman are finalising a joint announcement on the agreement, provided that “certain third parties” do not interfere in the process, adding that the agreement will not, by itself, guarantee security in the strategic waterway.
Rod Liddle played the politics of hatred - we should be honest about his legacy
Rod Liddle played the politics of hatred - we should be honest about his legacy Submitted by Peter Oborne on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 11:05 Tributes praised a 'great journalist', but very few touched on the fact that he was also a racist, a bigot and an Islamophobe 'Truth-teller for our times', or racist and bigot? Newspaper columnist Rod Liddle (Photo/X) Off Few public figures this year have enjoyed as resounding a send off as the newspaper columnist Rod Liddle. This year, few public figures have enjoyed as resounding a send-off as the newspaper columnist Rod Liddle.
Tara Reade: Israel is bleeding the American dream dry
A new Pentagon-IDF tie-up deepens military integration while ordinary US citizens get more war, more debt, and less to hope for at home In the early 2000s, I worked with domestic violence victims in Seattle, Washington. One of my trainers was a scrappy woman who told me she was a former member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Middle East crisis live: US and Iran signal hope for Hormuz deal but terms unclear
While Trump suggests deal could come as soon as today, Iran indicates that ongoing talks with Oman would not lead to its immediate reopening Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Middle East. US officials, including Donald Trump, have said a deal over the strait of Hormuz could be reached today, with continued diplomatic efforts potentially paving the way for US-Iran talks to resume. The possible agreement between Iran and Oman on arrangements for vessels to pass through the strait of Hormuz has nothing to do with the immediate opening of the strait.
Palestine Remains Muslim World's Foremost Issue: Pezeshkian
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described Palestine as the overriding issue for the Muslim world despite recent regional developments, reaffirming Iran's unwavering support for the Palestinian people.
Iran says it will support any decision by Palestinian leaders in Gaza negotiations
Iran says it will support any decision by Palestinian leaders in Gaza negotiations Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a call with the Hamas political bureau chief on Wednesday that Tehran would support any initiative or decision taken by Palestinian leaders in the ongoing indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, Iranian state media reported.
Iranian MP Warns US Will Be Expelled from Region
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission warned that the US will eventually be expelled not only from the region but also from countries hosting American "terrorist bases.
Exclusive: Trump demanded direct talks with Hezbollah but was denied
Exclusive: Trump demanded direct talks with Hezbollah but was denied Submitted by Adam Chamseddine on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 09:17 Attempts to speak with Lebanese movement were shut down - but sources dispute whether it was Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad or Hezbollah that refused the president Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad during a meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, 23 April 2026 (Brendan Smialowski/AFP) Off Donald Trump called the Lebanese ambassador in Washington in late May and demanded a direct conversation with Hezbollah , a request that was then denied to the US president, Middle East Eye can reveal. According to two sources intimately familiar with events from the Hezbollah side and a Lebanese diplomatic source, Trump called Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad in frustration as the ceasefire in Lebanon frayed. Soon after, on 1 June, Trump claimed he had spoken to Hezbollah through unidentified intermediaries and secured a commitment from the group to halt attacks against Israel.
Hormuz deal to give Iran greater control over shipping Axios
The US is aiming to announce an agreement on reopening the key waterway on Wednesday, the outlet has reported Tehran would gain greater control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz under an interim agreement being negotiated by the US, Iran, and Oman, Axios reported on Wednesday. The strategic waterway between Iran and Oman carries around one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil.
Hormuz deal to give Iran greater control over shipping - Axios
The US is aiming to announce an agreement on reopening the key waterway on Wednesday, the outlet has reported Tehran would gain greater control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz under an interim agreement being negotiated by the US, Iran, and Oman, Axios reported on Wednesday.
Video: Marco Rubio says "there's been progress" in Iran deal on Hormuz
Video: Marco Rubio says "there's been progress" in Iran deal on Hormuz US Secretary Marco Rubio told reporters on Tuesday that "there's been progress" in the negotiations with Iran and Oman on the Strait of Hormuz, "but not finality yet" pic. twitter.
Iranian delegation arrives in India for 13th BRICS Education Ministers' Meeting
New Delhi [India], August 5 (ANI): A high-level Iranian delegation led by Masoud Shamsh Bakhsh, Acting Minister of Science, Research and Technology of Iran, arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday ahead of the 13th BRICS Education Ministers' Meeting in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
War or government failure? Record inflation fuels political battle in Iran
The latest figures released by the Statistical Center of Iran offer the starkest assessment yet of the country's economy, as record inflation intensifies debate over whether the war or government mismanagement is primarily to blame.
Iran, Pakistan Move to Eliminate Trade Barriers
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – As Iran and Pakistan step up efforts to remove trade barriers and expand economic cooperation, senior officials from both sides emphasized closer collaboration in trade, banking, transport, energy and investment during meetings in Islamabad.
Abdul El-Sayed defeats Aipac-backed rival in Michigan Democratic Senate primary, NBC reports
Abdul El-Sayed defeats Aipac-backed rival in Michigan Democratic Senate primary, NBC reports Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 08:51 Progressive advocate overcame more than $60m in spending to defeat Congresswoman Haley Stevens Off Progressive advocate Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in Michigan on Wednesday, defeating Congresswoman Haley Stevens in a race that became one of the most expensive and closely watched primaries in US history. NBC News projected El-Sayed's victory late on Tuesday after a bruising campaign in which more than $60m was spent, much of it by outside groups seeking to block his path to the Senate. As of 08:30 BST, NBC reported that El-Sayed had received 48.
Araqchi Meets Iraqi Officials on Sidelines of Arbaeen Pilgrimage
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held meetings with senior Iraqi political and provincial officials on the sidelines of the Arbaeen pilgrimage in Karbala, with discussions focusing on facilitating the movement of pilgrims and strengthening bilateral cooperation.
