Middle Orient

There’s been no slowdown to the U.S. military buildup around Iran despite both sides engaging in nuclear talks this week. President Donald Trump has threatened the Islamic Republic with direct action if diplomacy doesn’t produce the desired results. And with a second aircraft carrier group headed to the Gulf, Trump’s …

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The upcoming second round of high-stakes talks between Iran and the USA in Geneva (mid-February 2026) aims to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for significant sanctions relief, potentially averting further regional military conflict. Oman acting as a key mediator will require to balance the obstinate positions off both sides. …

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Former officials and strategists warn that Israel’s new land registry laws and military pressure in the occupied West Bank are the final prelude to the ‘alternative homeland’ scenario. For decades, the “alternative homeland” – the notion that Jordan should become the Palestinian state – was dismissed in Amman’s diplomatic circles …

Tehran’s chief diplomat says some ‘guiding principles’ are agreed, but the supreme leader presents a different tone. Tehran, Iran – Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has shot back at United States President Donald Trump and cast a pessimistic tone on negotiations with his administration even as Iran’s foreign minister …

Key Takeaway: Hezbollah is attempting to prevent its complete disarmament through a combination of military and political measures. The Lebanese state has taken unprecedented steps to disarm Hezbollah since December 2024 and has made moderate progress in disarming the group south of the Litani River. Hezbollah, however, has employed a …

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Iran’s foreign minister said Tuesday that “good progress” had been made in indirect nuclear talks with the United States in Geneva, describing broad agreement on guiding principles for a potential deal even as tensions between the two countries remained high. The negotiations, mediated by Oman, took place in Switzerland against …