💡TIP: Lebanon-Israel talks have been PAUSED FOR THE DAY, but will resume tomorrow in Rome, a Lebanese official source tells @almonitor.bsky.social . Israel has been heavily striking South Lebanon today. More to come

UPDATE: Hormuz Deal Seen Close • Iran controls🚢 entry, Oman exit • Iran has ability to intervene • Potential service fee, revenue split • Bessent: Could be reached any day www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

The emerging Iran-Oman Hormuz deal: What's at stake?

A framework that gives Tehran a formal role in determining how ships move through the waterway could strengthen its hand in future negotiations with the US.

al-monitor.com

⚡️SCOOP: US is withdrawing its last remaining forces from Erbil #Iraq. Patriot systems have already been removed. Details from @amberinzaman.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

US nears full withdrawal from Iraq as bases in Kurdistan Region face attacks from Iran, proxies

Patriot air-defense systems that detect and shoot down incoming missiles and drones have already been removed, sources told Al-Monitor.

al-monitor.com

NEW: #China cuts deals with Yemen’s Houthis as Iran-US war drags on • Chinese 🚢going thru Red Sea • Direct talks w Houthis • Offloading Iranian oil in Malaysia • Adjusting to long war • Buying Saudi oil while arranging security w Iran. More: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

China cuts deal with Houthis, adjusts for long US war with Iran

China is cutting its own deals and gaining wartime leverage as the Trump administration scrambles to contain the war and reopen Hormuz.

al-monitor.com

📻On Lebanon, told @halagorani.bsky.social it’s wrong to describe villages razed by Israel — with thousands displaced — as merely “Hezbollah strongholds.” We also discussed why a Netanyahu departure, should he lose 🗳️, may not change much for Beirut… Full episode: youtube.com/watch?v=puEj...

The Battle For Lebanon's Future

YouTube video by Hala Gorani Reports

youtube.com

Middle East braces for heavy night of escalation as - Trump preps for strikes on Iran - War engulfing Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan - Explosions reach Egypt port - Israel's Netanyahu meets Hegseth - Lebanon-Israel ceasefire shaky

UPDATE • Iraq PM cancels visit to Saudi Arabia • 20 killed in Saudi/US strikes in Iraq • Trump vows to hit Iran hard • Oil prices ↗️ • Hezbollah-Israel clashes in Lebanon • Houthis hit another Saudi tanker • Iran rejects Oman Hormuz proposal www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Zaidi cancels Riyadh trip after US-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq

The move comes after Riyadh joined Washington in targeting Iraqi militias, dealing a setback to Baghdad's efforts to strengthen ties with Gulf Arab states.

al-monitor.com

Trump’s Iran conundrum • Can’t take back Hormuz • Can’t leave Iran controlling Hormuz • Can’t eliminate nuclear prog. • Can’t allow high enrichment • Can’t eliminate Houthis • Can’t afford closure of Bab Mandab • Can’t trust IRGC • Can’t overthrow without ground troops

UPDATE • Trump considering 'massive attack' on #Iran: Axios • US warns of possible airspace closure,✈️cancelations • Trump links Saudi nuclear deal to Abraham Accords • Houthis target ships in Red Sea • Oil prices soar > $100 www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Trump says Saudi nuclear deal 'totally subject' to Israel normalization

Saudi Arabia has previously said normalized relations with Israel would require an irreversible path to Palestinian statehood.

al-monitor.com

🚨 BREAKING: US, Saudi Arabia sign landmark nuclear power agreement The multi-billion dollar agreement will now undergo congressional review, with expected provisions on uranium enrichment likely to draw scrutiny from some lawmakers. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

US, Saudi Arabia sign landmark nuclear power agreement

The multi-billion dollar agreement will now undergo congressional review, with expected provisions on uranium enrichment likely to draw scrutiny from some lawmakers.

al-monitor.com

🤔 Trump tells #Lebanon's Aoun that Syria's Sharaa would be " very effective" in intervening militarily against Hezbollah INSIDE Lebanon, something Beirut has rejected over and over... www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Lebanon's Aoun meets Trump at White House as Israel withdraws from pilot zone

President Joseph Aoun arrived in Washington over the weekend and is holding the first Oval Office meeting for a Lebanese head of state since 2009.

al-monitor.com

UPDATE: #Lebanon President Joseph Aoun arrives at White House for a meeting with Trump, FIRST on that level since 2009 as US pushes for Beirut's normalization with Israel. Details: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Lebanon's Aoun meets Trump at White House as Israel withdraws from pilot zone

President Joseph Aoun arrived in Washington over the weekend and is holding the first Oval Office meeting for a Lebanese head of state since 2009.

al-monitor.com

UPDATE: Iran- Houthis- Lebanon • US F-35s, F-16s arrive in region • Iran targeted Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain • US hit Iran targets overnight • 10-day ceasefire proposal • Houthis declare Red Sea blockade • Lebanon President meets Trump tom. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

As Houthis declare Red Sea blockade on Saudi Arabia, oil markets brace for impact

The Iran-backed group said the maritime embargo on the Gulf's biggest crude exporter would be effective immediately.

al-monitor.com

NEW: Top #Oman official visits #China • Al-Kindi makes 2 day visit • 6 weeks after Trump threatened to bomb Oman • Heavier Beijing-Muscat traffic • Growing trade, investment ties. More here in @almonitor.bsky.social China newsletter www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

As US ties fray, top Oman official visits China: What to know

For Oman, recalibrating its ties with Washington after the Iran war means diversifying its partnerships — leaning more on European allies like France and deepening its relationship with China.

al-monitor.com

Significant: #Lebanon army enters Palestinian camp ahead of Aoun’s US visit, the first since 2009 www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Lebanon army enters Palestinian camp ahead of Aoun’s US visit

Lebanese military forces took over offices belonging to Palestinian factions inside a refugee camp in the north as a sixth round of talks between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors concluded.

al-monitor.com

NEW: Iran's leadership feeling more confident, buoyant after Khamenei 6-day funeral, is adamant not to return to pre-war order. As MOU crumbles, Houthis on move, one Iranian official told @Alihashem ''The word belongs to the battlefield", www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

'The word belongs to the battlefield': Why Iran, US are drifting back to conflict

Iran no longer seeks a return to the prewar status quo, insisting that any future negotiations begin with the new regional balance created by the conflict rather than seek to restore the old one.

al-monitor.com

On Middle East, Lindsey Graham was • Anti-regime in Iran • Anti-Assad in Syria • Very pro-Israel • Good ties w Turkey (NATO) • Pro Kurdish • Supported Iraq war • Pushed hard to bring Saudi Arabia into Abraham Accords • Close ties w UAE • pro Morocco • Good ties w Qatar

UPDATE: #Russia for first time confirms talks with #Turkey over fate of S-400 system, amid Trump's nudge that Ankara may re-acquire F-35 jets and reports that UAE, Qatar can host Russian system www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

In first, Russia confirms S-400 talks with Turkey amid transfer reports to acquire F-35

On Friday, the Kremlin spokesperson provided the first confirmation that Turkey and Russia have held discussions about Ankara's efforts to resolve the S-400 issue with Washington.

al-monitor.com

BREAKING 🚨 France ends Morocco’s World Cup run as last Arab and African team standing www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

France ends Morocco’s World Cup run as last Arab and African team standing

Following the loss, no Arab or African teams remain in the tournament.

al-monitor.com

Trump unexpectedly switches back to old Air Force One, sidelining Qatari jet www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Trump unexpectedly switches back to old Air Force One, sidelining Qatari jet

By Mike StoneWASHINGTON, July 8 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he will fly from Turkey to Britain on an older Air Force One aircraft, an unexpected switch that raised questions…

al-monitor.com

Meanwhile, US is bombing Iran after Iran struck ships in Hormuz. MOU signed 3 weeks ago seems ink on paper Sanctions relief revoked Inspectors kept out Hormuz open but unstable Unclear if frozen funds released Centcom hasn’t released targets yet

'We have been cheated': #Egypt slams FIFA after loss to Argentina. This World Cup, FIFA are another level... www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

'We have been cheated': Egypt slams FIFA after loss to Argentina

FIFA has faced scrutiny throughout the tournament over its video assistant referee, which overturned a goal that could have helped Egypt defeat the South American giant.

al-monitor.com

🚨 Egypt loses to Argentina 3-2, bows out of World Cup after historic run buff.ly/uFyU0rO

Egypt loses to Argentina 3-2, bows out of World Cup after historic run

Egypt's Round of 16 appearance was the deepest run in the national team's World Cup history after three previous appearances ended in the group stage.

al-monitor.com

UPDATE: • Iran re-appoints hardline judicial chief • Hamas dissolves governing body • NATO summit in Turkey tom. • Macron to visit Syria • Israel-Greece military drills • OPEC expanding production www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Iran’s hard-line judicial chief Mohseni Ejie gets second term: What to know

The veteran judicial official, who has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union, has been accused of overseeing widespread human rights violations for decades. His reappointment by ...

al-monitor.com

NEW: Saudi FM in #China amid Trump-MBS friction • 2 weeks after Iran MOU • Riyadh planning GCC-Iran summit • Last Trump-MBS 📞 May 30 • Can Saudi Arabia realign? www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Saudi FM concludes China visit amid Trump-MBS friction: What to know

Saudi Arabia is still absorbing the war’s security fallout and is widening its circle by leaning more on Beijing as a diplomatic counterweight to Washington and as a partner that can engage Tehran.

al-monitor.com

Precarious moment for Lebanon - Framework agreement links Israeli withdrawal to Hezbollah disarmament - Hezbollah reacting with protests, blocking roads as army clashes with protesters - If agreement works, it could end up in a peace deal but bumpy road ahead, many spoilers

One week into US-Iran MOU • Iran denies it accepted inspectors • Cargo 🚢 attacked in Hormuz • Iran gets big oil waiver • Saudi Arabia seeks Gulf-Iran summit • Lebanon-Israel talks stuck • Iran denies agreeing to buy US Soy beans w frozen funds More technical talks ahead

Two officials confirm the ongoing round of Lebanon-Israel talks is worst of the 5 • Sources say delegations were coming with agreed constructive thinking but atmosphere in room has been charged, negative • Key standoff around Israeli withdrawal, handing over pilot zones to Lebanese army

Trump team openly inviting Iran, Syria to oversee #Lebanon file: • Vance signs off US-Iran 'deconfliction cell' on Lebanon • Trump appeals to Sharaa to help with Hezbollah • Lebanese state marginalized ahead of Lebanon-Israel talks tomorrow www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

US, Iran to form 'deconflicting cell' on Lebanon, sidelining Lebanese state

The agreement came during talks between Iran and the United States following a preliminary deal reached last week to end the war across the Middle East, including in Lebanon.

al-monitor.com

EGYPT 🇪🇬 ⚽️ 🎉 . First ever FIFA win, leading group and hopefully to knockout stage after Morocco مبروك مصر