Middle East

Iranian president defends memorandum of understanding with US, says conditions are ripe for a deal. Financial Times: US blockade of Iran proving effective.

The Saudi-Turkish-Pakistani defense pact is designed to bolster the kingdom’s security while reinforcing its position as the Gulf’s leading power. The agreement seeks to strengthen collective deterrence, but for now Yemen’s Houthis are continuing their attacks and threats

According to Lebanese newspaper Nidaa al-Watan, Washington worked to restrict the scope of Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. Lebanese source says Beirut attempted to contain the escalation, but Hezbollah refused to cooperate. 

As tensions rise, the talks between Israel and Lebanon in Rome are running into significant disagreements, while Hezbollah is once again seeking to derail the framework agreement. Its methods: An orchestrated campaign against the Lebanese government and explosive devices apparently intended to target the country’s army. 

A Tehran-Oman agreement could restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, but at the cost of Iranian oversight and possible transit fees. Washington warns that recognizing state control over an international shipping lane would set a troubling precedent. 

Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen reveals talks on routing Gulf energy exports through Israel, aiming is to reduce the reliance on the Strait of Hormuz and establish a new corridor to Europe.

US, Iran and Oman are close to 60-day arrangement. Under the proposed framework, ships would travel through Iranian and Omani waters without paying transit fees, while mines would be cleared from strait within 30 days.

Lebanese report says first meeting was tense and ended without agreements on disarming Hezbollah areas or an Israeli withdrawal mechanism. The sides agreed only to discuss the border, as Beirut looks to Washington to pressure Israel. 

Hamas’ agreement to relinquish its defining symbols, armed struggle and civilian control of Gaza, represents a dramatic development. Yet the path toward implementing the understandings is riddled with problems, requiring Israel to sacrifice intelligence capabilities, withdraw forces and leave the remaining weapons in the hands of a weak technocratic committee.

A senior regional diplomatic official says Gulf and US leaders agree that Iran’s regime must be weakened economically until it falls or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is neutralized, as US-Iran talks continue despite public denials. Meanwhile, the maritime blockade is exacting a heavy price, with inflation at 90%, fuel shortages and Iranians selling personal belongings to survive.