Mena Today

The United Arab Emirates is moving decisively to reduce its vulnerability to Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz, with Abu Dhabi ordering the acceleration of a new pipeline project that would allow hydrocarbon exports to bypass the strategic - and currently disrupted - waterway.

Tehran has "no trust" in the U.S. and is interested in negotiating with Washington only if it is serious, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday, as talks on ending the war remained on hold.

Iraq has a new government, and its first major commitment cuts straight to the heart of the country's most dangerous problem.

Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are heading for a diplomatic battle over the leadership of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), with both fielding rival candidates as fighting grinds on in eastern Congo. 

U.S. President Donald Trump said his patience with Iran is running out and he had agreed in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping that the Islamic republic cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon and must re-open the Strait of Hormuz.

A U.S. delegation led by CIA director John Ratcliffe met with his counterpart at Cuba's Interior Ministry in Havana on Thursday, the Cuban government said in a statement, as tensions worsen over a U.S. fuel blockade that has starved the island of fuel and power generation.

Egyptian authorities on Thursday exhibited a plaster blocking wall of King Tutankhamun's tomb in Luxor and unveiled two restored ancient tombs on the West Bank of the city that date back to the New Kingdom and contain scenes of daily life and funerary rituals. 

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from the Turkish port of Marmaris on Thursday, making its third attempt to reach Gaza after two previous departures ended in interception by Israeli forces. 

Syria has formally recognised Morocco's full sovereignty over the Western Sahara, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani announced Thursday during his first official visit to Rabat since the formation of President Ahmad al-Sharaa's transitional government.

As the first session of government-level Lebanon-Israel negotiations opened Thursday in Washington, Lebanese Foreign Minister Joe Raggi moved quickly to define what Beirut is, and is not, sitting down to discuss.

Iraqi officials have approached the International Monetary Fund about securing financial assistance as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, a source close to the IMF said on Thursday.

DP World Chairman Essa Kazim met with Syria's General Authority for Borders and Customs chief Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi to review progress on the Port of Tartous development, a flagship $800 million project that is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of Syria's economic recovery.