Why Egypt held back from joining Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan's defence pact When Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan travelled to Mecca on Friday to sign a security pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia , Turkish officials chose to keep the trip secret. The visit did not appear on Erdogan's official schedule. Instead, the three countries decided abruptly on Tuesday that the signing ceremony would take place on Friday.
UAE's Adnoc announces $8bn gas expansion, as it mulls Hormuz bypass Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 18:39 The UAE could be the first country to plan a gas pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, the UAE's minister of industry and advanced technology, Adnoc managing director and group CEO, and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company 'Masdar', attends the fifth edition of the 'Make it in the Emirates' conference in Abu Dhabi, on 4 May 4 2026 (Fadel Senna/AFP) Off The UAE’s state-owned energy giant, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), said on Monday it will invest $8bn to expand its gas business, doubling down on increasing capacity after the Gulf state pulled out of the Saudi Arabian- led energy alliance, Opec. Adnoc said it plans to build a new domestic natural gas processing unit at the country’s largest natural gas processing facility, Habshan, in addition to a new gas export facility at Ruwais. Separately, Adnoc Gas’s CFO, Peter van Driel, told Bloomberg on Monday that the company was also weighing plans to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility outside the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump says Iran must pay compensation for those it has killed and wounded US President Donald Trump said on Monday he will demand that Iran pay compensation for "all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded," in response to Iran seeking compensation for the damages it has incurred from US and Israeli attacks. Trump's social media post came after Iran said over the weekend it was nearing a deal with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the US must meet conditions including compensation and an end to sanctions and military threats, before the strategic waterway is reopened. "It is an interesting idea because now I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran, for all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded with their roadside bombs and many conflicts," he wrote on Truth Social.
Iran supreme leader names IRGC General Abdollahi military chief Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei named Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Ali Abdollahi head of the country's armed forces on Monday, while also confirming a new commander of the Guard, putting his imprimatur on the country's military. Abdollahi had previously led the Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran's inter-branch central military command tasked with coordinating operations. A statement on Khamenei's website announced that "Major General Ali Abdollahi has been appointed chief of staff of the armed forces.
The Caspian gamble: Iran-Ukraine tensions widen the 'geography of instability' Nima Moradi was a 23-year-old sailor on his maiden voyage aboard Anna, a commercial ship in the Caspian Sea, carrying iron from Russia to Iran . He was from the port city of Bandar Anzali in northern Iran and had dreamed of becoming a mariner since he was a child. The boat he was travelling on was hit by a Ukrainian long-range drone on 25 July - Moradi was killed in the attack, and another crew member was wounded.
Iran says it is not concerned by new 'Mecca Joint Defence Agreement' Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 16:14 Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a pact in the Muslim holy city, vowing to combat mutual threats Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Mecca on 7 August 2026 (AFP) Off Iran has played down the mutual security agreement signed between the leaders of Saudi Arabia , Pakistan and Turkey in the Muslim holy city of Mecca on Friday. Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, said on Monday that Tehran saw no reason to be concerned that a new security pact is directed against Iran. Baghaei said the pact showed a "change in perception" towards the US, as well as a shift in the regional approach to security.
Why Egypt held back from joining Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan's defence pact Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 15:21 Despite sustained Turkish efforts, Cairo declined to join as it sought to balance its security ties with Israel and the UAE Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi greets India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi next to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before a group photo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 18 November 2024 (Ludovic Marin/AFP) Off When Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan travelled to Mecca on Friday to sign a security pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia , Turkish officials chose to keep the trip secret. The visit did not appear on Erdogan's official schedule. Instead, the three countries decided abruptly on Tuesday that the signing ceremony would take place on Friday.
Dubai ruler confronted in London over UAE involvement in Sudan war Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 14:22 Member of Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum's entourage calls Sudanese man a 'Black bitch' UAE Vice President and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum attends the Dubai World Cup horse race in Dubai on 28 March 2026 (AFP) Off The ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the UAE has been confronted on the streets of central London over his country's involvement in the Sudan war . A video posted on Sunday shows a Sudanese man shouting at Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum and his entourage as they walk through the affluent Knightsbridge area. “Emiratis and UAE, they’re killing Sudanese people,” the man shouts from across the road at the ruler of Dubai and the group he is with.
The Mecca Agreement represents a welcome show of force by Arab governments Submitted by David Hearst on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 09:09 American weakness has prompted this necessary reshaping of the Middle East order, with the three biggest regional powers choosing to break the cycle of colonial domination by Israel Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 7 August 2026 (Reuters) On It will be three years in October since Israe l started its genocide in Gaza , a war crime it has repeated in the Occupied West Bank , South Lebanon , and Iran . For much of that time, Turkey and the Arab world held up their hands in horror but did nothing. "What can we do?
Why the Mecca Agreement is a necessary show of force Submitted by David Hearst on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 09:09 American weakness has prompted this reshaping of the Middle East order, with the three biggest regional powers choosing to break the cycle of colonial domination by Israel Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 7 August 2026 (Reuters) On It will be three years in October since Israe l started its genocide in Gaza , a war crime it has repeated in the Occupied West Bank , South Lebanon , and Iran . For much of that time, Turkey and the Arab world held up their hands in horror but did nothing. "What can we do?
The Caspian gamble: Iran-Ukraine tensions widen the 'geography of instability' Submitted by Amara Sophia Elahi on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 10:29 A deadly Ukrainian strike on an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea last month risks opening a new front in the war on Iran – one that could benefit Israel Vessels transiting through the Gulf of Oman are pictured off the coast of Muscat on 25 July 2026 (AFP) Off Nima Moradi was a 23-year-old sailor on his maiden voyage aboard Anna, a commercial ship in the Caspian Sea, carrying iron from Russia to Iran . He was from the port city of Bandar Anzali in northern Iran and had dreamed of becoming a mariner since he was a child. The boat he was travelling on was hit by a Ukrainian long-range drone on 25 July - Moradi was killed in the attack, and another crew member was wounded.
Hormuz traffic declines as Iran says Oman deal in 'final stages' Ship-tracking firm Marine Traffic has said that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz this weekend has declined, falling to just six crossings on Sunday. Bab al-Mandab remained busier, with close to 40 crossings yesterday. Weekend vessel traffic diverges Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz weakened markedly over the weekend.
UAE oil company announces new investments to bypass Hormuz Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (Adnoc), the Emirate's national oil company, announced plans to construct a new gas export facility to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. The company reported its income for the second quarter of 2026 earlier today, beating forecasts with a net income of $665m and strong guidance for the rest of the year, contingent on exports being fully restored in the fourth quarter. Adnoc also announced its intention to construct a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility on the eastern coast of the UAE, which would allow it to move LNG out of the Persian Gulf without having to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli media eye Rebeca Grynspan's Jewish identity as she emerges as UN chief frontrunner Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Sun, 08/09/2026 - 18:16 The Costa Rican diplomat has emerged as an early favourite, attracting cautious approval from Israeli media Candidate for the selection and appointment of the next United Nations secretary-general, Costa Rican economist Rebeca Grynspan speaks as she takes part in a debate organised by GWL Voices, in Geneva, on 9 June 2026 (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP) Off Israeli media have highlighted the Jewish background and family ties of Rebeca Grynspan to the country as she emerges as the early frontrunner to become the next United Nations secretary-general. If selected, the Costa Rican economist and diplomat would become the first woman, first Central American and first Jewish person to lead the organisation. Grynspan secured 10 "encourage" votes, four "no opinion" votes and one "discourage" vote in the Security Council's first secret straw poll held on 30 July.
Iran says its people are ‘professional chess players’ in dealing with the US Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 12:15 It came after Trump described negotiations as 'chess game' and said that he was now 'low-keying it' with Tehran Ships are seen docked at Charak Port in Iran's Hormozgan Province on 9 August 2026 (Atta Kenare/AFP) Off Tehran has described Iranians as “professional chess players” in their dealings with the US , as it insisted that Washington must meet its demands for the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump on Sunday indicated that he was prepared to let economic pressure mount against Iran, appearing to back away from more military strikes after Tehran issued a list of demands for opening the Strait of Hormuz. Trump was quoted by Axios as saying he was "low-keying it" with Iran.
Video: Yemen's Houthis attack port in Mocha Smoke billowed from the port city of Mocha, Yemen, after a Houthi attack that killed 11 people on Sunday. It followed an earlier drone attack on a Saudi oil refinery on the coast of the Red Sea Smoke billowed from the port city of Mocha, Yemen, after a Houthi attack that killed 11 people on Sunday. It followed an earlier drone attack on a Saudi oil refinery on the coast of the Red Sea pic.
UN expresses 'deep concern' about Houthi attacks Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy for Yemen, has expressed "deep concerns" about Yemen's Houthis' attacks on the Red Sea port of Mocha, which killed at least seven people and wounded 30 others, including some civilians. He called on all parties to "exercise maximum restraint", and said the conflict could only "end sustainably through an inclusive political process". I am deeply concerned by the recent attacks by Ansar Allah on Mokha, which reportedly resulted in civilian and military casualties and caused damage to infrastructure, including at the port.
Zionism has warped the lexicon, so words are now convenient weapons Submitted by Marchella Ward on Tue, 08/04/2026 - 16:28 From 'intifada' to 'Palestine', pro-Israel groups have altered definitions, with consequences ranging from rewritten histories to asset freezes and arrests A police officer detains a Palestine Action supporter during a Defend Our Juries protest outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on 30 July 2026 (SOPA Images via Reuters Connect) Off It is early on a Sunday morning, and you are awoken by armed police officers banging on your door. They hand you a letter : the state will freeze your assets for a further six months, denying you access to your own bank accounts because they disagree with the anti-genocide stance you have publicly expressed. The letter cites a tweet you posted several months ago, in which you criticised the Israeli and US bombardment of Iran .
Syria reclaims control of key coastal sites in deal with Russia Submitted by Reem Aouir on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 04:04 Deal gives Damascus control of civilian facilities at Tartus and Hmeimim, while Russian military sites are converted into joint training centres Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and his delegation tour Latakia International Airport and the port of Tartus, on 9 August 2026 (Syrian Foreign Ministry/Telegram) Off Syria and Russia have reached a memorandum of understanding to scale back Moscow's military presence on Syria's Mediterranean coast, ending 18 months of negotiations over the future of the Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval facility. The Syrian foreign ministry announced the deal on Sunday, describing it as the outcome of "a year and a half of negotiations and intensive discussions led by the ministry". Under the terms of the agreement, the Syrian state will take over management of civilian facilities at both sites, including Hmeimim airport and Tartus's fourth commercial pier, gradually folding them into civil administration, according to key points of the memorandum shared by the state news agency Sana.
UK couple detained in Iran ends hunger strike A British couple detained in Iran accused of spying have ended their latest months-long hunger strikes protesting their treatment in prison, their family said Monday. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both aged in their early 50s, were seized in January 2025 as they passed through Iran while on a round-the-world motorbike trip. They were sentenced in February to a decade in prison on espionage charges that they deny, with two years subsequently added to Craig Foreman's term for talking to the media.
