Erdogan wants Turkey-Saudi Arabia-Pakistan defence pact to draw more countries
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said Istanbul expects Egypt to join the pact ‘in the next stage’
· Agence France-Presse
Follow the story
Middle East
A focused view of neutral reporting on Middle East, brought together across publishers.
Explore all topics →
Neutral reports only
Newest first · UTC+11:00Exclusive: UK to announce raft of new policies on Israel including settlement goods ban
Since Andy Burnham became prime minister, there has been a serious shift in approach to British foreign policy.
· Middleeasteye
Iran remains defiant as it vows to fight US until demands met
War on Iran: Phase II: Day 32
· Maziar Motamedi
Iran's new Security Council shake-up reveals growing divisions over US deal
Soon after Iranian negotiators reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States in late June to end months of hostilities, Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) issued a statement endorsing the agreement.
· Middleeasteye
After 17 years, Israel and Venezuela begin rebuilding ties through humanitarian aid - comment
For 17 years, Venezuela and Israel were separated by a rupture that went far beyond diplomatic protocol. Hugo Chávez’s decision to sever relations in January 2009 left thousands of citizens without direct representation and deepened the uncertainty facing a Jewish community that declined from approximately 25,000 pe…
· NICOLE MISCHEL
Trump calls Iran ‘all talk and no action,’ touts ‘Wall of Steel’ US Navy blockade as more oil flows out of Strait of Hormuz
See more of our coverage in your search results.
· Ronny Reyes
Settlers maintain siege of Palestinian homes in West Bank as army withdraws | The National
Israel's military has withdrawn troops sent on Wednesday to end a days-long siege by settlers on Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank.
· Thomas Helm
As Strait of Hormuz transit drops, Trump again says US has ‘control’
United States President Donald Trump has doubled down on claims the United States maintains “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, even as transit through the arterial waterway fell to a one-week low amid the US-Israel war with Iran.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Japan to support infrastructure recovery in Gulf nations hit by Iran war
Petroleum production facilities in the United Arab Emirates have been damaged by the Iran war. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
China is sending scientists to Iran for rare earth ‘exploration and processing’
Chinese and Iranian natural science foundations include the strategically sensitive metals in this year’s joint workshop programme
· Ling Xin
China is sending scientists to Iran for rare earth ‘exploration and processing’
Chinese and Iranian natural science foundations include the strategically sensitive metals in this year’s joint workshop programme
· Ling Xin
Who are Tehran’s newly appointed military, IRGC chiefs? - explainer
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued decrees on Monday appointing six military and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials to leadership positions, filling vacancies left by commanders killed in Israeli and US strikes during Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury.
· DANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD, JAMES GENN
IDF conducts strikes in southern Lebanon as LAF continues to operate in pilot zones - report
The IDF conducted strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, according to Israeli media outlets citing Lebanese reports.
· MAYA ZANGER-SHAMIR
Gaza BoP agreement grants Hamas military wing $160 million in cash, Liberman claims
The 15-point Gaza Board of Peace plan grants Hamas's military wing $160 million in cash, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman claimed in an X/Twitter post on Wednesday.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israel's defense chiefs rethink Gaza, Iran, Lebanon strategy three years into war - exclusive
Standing two months away from the three-year anniversary of the start of the Israel-Hamas War, The Jerusalem Post has recently interviewed and spoken to top current and former defense officials, some of whom rarely speak to the media, to provide a broader view of where Israel stands on all of the military fronts.
· YONAH JEREMY BOB
Twenty-six countries condemn in 'strongest terms' Iran executions
Twenty-six nations, including France, the UK and Canada, have condemned the use of capital punishment by Iranian authorities, saying in a joint statement the Islamic republic was executing protesters to "silence dissent".
· Middleeasteye
Lebanon passes long-sought amnesty law, a day after death penalty repeal
Lebanon’s parliament has approved a general amnesty law that is expected to benefit thousands of convicted prisoners, detainees and wanted people.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Colombia sides with Morocco over Western Sahara as it aligns with Israeli foreign policy
Colombia’s newly elected far-right government has recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, beginning its presidency with a raft of decisions that align Bogota with the foreign policy priorities of Israel and the United States.
· Middleeasteye
Iran's new Security Council shake-up reveals growing divisions over US deal
Soon after Iranian negotiators reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States in late June to end months of hostilities, Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) issued a statement endorsing the agreement.
· Middleeasteye
Hamas may receive up to $400 million in debt relief under BoP plan - report
Hamas may potentially receive up to $400 million in debt relief under the 15-point Gaza Board of Peace (BoP) plan, KAN News reported on Tuesday.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF
'This isn't the Britain I grew up in': The activists raided by police over Palestine Action videos
Marji Mansfield, a 70-year-old grandmother of seven, has been waiting for British counterterrorism police to show up at her door.
· Middleeasteye
Turkey Thinks Israel Fabricated Trump Air Force One Assassination Plot
Authored by Dave DeCamp via AntiWar.com,
· Tyler Durden
Blue Bird Airways expands Italy network with four direct routes from Tel Aviv
Blue Bird Airways will significantly expand its Israel-Italy operations in September, offering direct flights from Tel Aviv to four Italian destinations, the airline announced.
· MEITAL SHARABI
Mother, partner indicted over alleged sexual abuse of four children
A woman and her partner were indicted on Wednesday in an exceptionally severe child sexual abuse case involving her two daughters and two infant relatives, the State Attorney’s Office announced.
· SARAH BEN-NUN
Hamas intensified Gaza torture, interrogations post-Oct. 2025 ceasefire, IDF Arabic spox says
Hamas has intensified interrogations and torture against Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire came into effect in October 2025, IDF Arabic Spokesperson Lt.-Col. Ella Waweya said on Wednesday.
· JONAH DAVIDOV
Lebanon passes a controversial general amnesty law
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s parliament Wednesday passed a controversial general amnesty law, a day after a majority of legislators voted to formally abolish the death penalty.
· Kareem Chehayeb
Erdogan eyes expansion of regional defence pact
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he hoped more countries would join a defence agreement signed last week between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
· Middleeasteye
Middle East natural resources reveal a hidden map of abundance and scarcity
The Middle East, North Africa, and South Africa form a region of extremes: giant oilfields and gas hubs, world-leading phosphate mines and platinum deposits, some of the planet’s driest landscapes, and coastlines rich in fish.
· THE MEDIA LINE STAFF
Saudi Arabia bets on defensive alliances to deter slide into war - analysis
Increasingly dragged into a war it did not choose, Saudi Arabia is building regional defensive alliances that it hopes will keep its enemies at bay and help it respond more robustly to attacks by Iran and its network of regional allies.
· REUTERS
Haredi protesters to block Highway 4, Jabotinsky Street in Bnei Brak over draft dodger detention
Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) demonstrators are planning to block Highway 4 and Jabotinsky Street in Bnei Brak on Wednesday in protest against the detention of a draft dodger, the Israel Police said.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iran, US not discussing ceasefire extension, senior Iranian official says
There were no discussions between Iran and the United States to extend their ceasefire because, from Tehran's perspective, the deal had no start date and therefore had nothing to extend, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Wednesday.
· REUTERS
Burnham warned of Iran war impact on UK growth next year
Andy Burnham has been briefed that the UK economy will barely grow next year if disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continues until the end of 2026.
· Bbcnews
Iran Rejects US Pressure, Enters 'Survival Economy' As Mediators Cite 'Absolutely No Progress'
In his latest Wednesday Truth Social post, Trump issues a familiar refrain (one that will likely be on repeat up to the November midterms), claiming that the USA has "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and "I think we will keep it". It's also yet more confirmation that he's opting for economic siege warfare as…
· Tyler Durden
Lebanese parliament passes contentious amnesty law despite opposition | The National
Lebanon's parliament has passed a controversial general amnesty law in a bid to ease severe prison overcrowding, despite the withdrawal of two of the largest parties from the chamber ahead of the vote.
· Jamie Prentis
US inflation cooled slightly to 3.4% in July but prices still elevated
Energy is cheaper than at its peak in late April, but gas is still nearly $1 a gallon more expensive than before the Iran war
· Gaya Gupta
'This isn't the Britain I grew up in': The elderly activists raided by police over Palestine Action videos
Marji Mansfield, a 70-year-old grandmother of seven, has been waiting for British counterterrorism police to show up at her door.
· Middleeasteye
'This isn't the Britain I grew up in': The activists raided by police over Palestine Action videos
Marji Mansfield, a 70-year-old grandmother of seven, has been waiting for British counterterrorism police to show up at her door.
· Middleeasteye
Top Iranian commander visited Iraq to discuss disarmament plan: Source
Baghdad, Iraq – An Iraqi source from within the leading Coordination Framework, an umbrella for Shia Iraqi parties, has told Al Jazeera that the commander of the Quds Force in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Esmail Qaani, made an unannounced visit to Baghdad earlier this week.
· Omaima Majeed
Panama canal fees soar due to Iran war and El Niño as ship ‘pays $4m to jump queue’
Falling water levels linked to weather system are expected to limit number of slots to transit shipping lane
· Joanna Partridge
Israeli settlers besieging Palestinian families in West Bank village
Watch: Palestinians living in Qusra shared this video showing settlers and members of the Israeli military
· Bbcnews
The war on Iran cracked the US-led regional order. The Mecca pact could deal the final blow
The signing of a joint defence agreement in Mecca on 7 August between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan predictably set off a flurry of explanations.
· Middleeasteye
Futures Rise Led By Tech Before Key CPI Report
US: Futures are higher, led by Tech as AI infra earnings boost the theme while the Semis trade was bid overnight led by a surge in Korea's Kospi. As of 7:45am ET, S&P futures are up 0.2% ahead of today's CPI report, while Nasdaq futures gain 0.7% as investors react positively to updates from US technology firms. Sem…
· Tyler Durden
Houthi double-tap attack on Red Sea ship: How it unfolded | The National
A double-tap attack by Houthi rebels on a vessel in the Bab Al Mandeb strait, which killed six people, has drawn international condemnation and raised questions about how far the rebels are willing to go to exert pressure on Saudi Arabia and the international community for their own gain.
· Nada AlTaher
Killing Iran’s commanders did not kill the system that produced them - opinion
Leadership decapitation is frequently treated as a measure of success in conflicts involving centralized authoritarian systems and irregular security organizations. Removing senior commanders can disrupt command and control, degrade institutional knowledge, create succession problems, and generate uncertainty throug…
· ERFAN FARD
Gazans steal pipes from Yellow Line, IDF reacts too slowly
For more news, analysis, and the latest updates, head to jpost.com.
· JERUSALEM POST PODCASTS
West Bank employment rebounds after Oct. 7 drop, but wages, protection remain weak, PCBS data shows
Employment in the West Bank rose by 4.6% in the second quarter of 2026, bringing the Palestinian workforce to 733,000, according to new data published by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) on Tuesday.
· DANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Reform UK's love affair with a Middle Eastern dictatorship
Nigel Farage hasn’t always been fond of the United Arab Emirates: Writing in The Telegraph on 15 December 2023 in opposition to a bid by the oil-rich Gulf state to take over the newspaper, he didn’t mince words.
· Middleeasteye
Lebanon ends executions: Where does the death penalty still exist in 2026?
Lebanon has become the first country in the Middle East to abolish the death penalty.
· AJLabs
Petition seeks to block yeshiva project for foreign students on east Jerusalem public land
Three nonprofit organizations petitioned the Jerusalem District Court to overturn the approval of a plan to build a yeshiva and dormitory for foreign students on public land in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of east Jerusalem.
· SARAH BEN-NUN
Golan Heights will 'remain occupied Syrian territory' despite Colombian recognition, say regional countries | The National
Regional countries have condemned Colombia’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Syria’s Golan Heights, saying the move does not alter its status as occupied Arab territory.
· Fatima Al Mahmoud