Key political developments across the Arab world and beyond.
Iran has called for a response to an earlier proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while insisting on its seven conditions and refusing concessions on its nuclear and missile capabilities. Washington, for its part, is maintaining pressure on Tehran and keeping the military option open even as diplomacy continues, Sky News Arabia reported.
The Saudi-led coalition said on Wednesday that it intercepted and destroyed two drones launched by the Houthis toward Mecca and Saudi Arabia's southern region, along with missiles aimed at Riyadh, while explosions were heard in Aden after military camps were targeted with missiles. In a statement, the Houthis said they targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and pumping station 11 in Yanbu, and denied targeting Mecca, calling the claim false. The escalation follows strikes on Sanaa that reportedly killed more than 40 people, about 20 of them children, while fighting continues in Marib and al-Jawf.
Rubio said Washington sees no need for a large-scale military operation against Iran, describing the economic pain it faces as exceptional and growing every day. He added that President Donald Trump has also heard from Middle East allies who share this assessment. Trump, for his part, said the negotiations have positive momentum.
The body of former Iraqi MP Ahmed al-Alwani was found in an apartment in Beirut four days after he went missing, according to Iraqi and Lebanese security information. Iraq's ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammed Reda al-Husseini, said the Lebanese judiciary has opened an investigation into his killing. Sky News Arabia, citing a Lebanese security source, reported that a ransom demand was behind his abduction.
Abu Dhabi is hosting talks on ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, with US participation, according to Al Jazeera. Participants in Tuesday's meeting said any settlement must include credible security guarantees for Kyiv and respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, per a statement on the meeting. Disagreements persist over the fate of occupied territory and the guarantees, and it remains unclear whether fighting can stop before a comprehensive deal is reached.
Impeachment charges against U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accuse him of illegally starting the war with Iran, according to a New York Times explainer. The charges also allege that he directed extrajudicial killings and disregarded laws meant to limit civilian casualties.
Speaking at a White House press conference after talks with Qatar's prime minister, US President Donald Trump said the war in Iran is "effectively over" and suggested it could formally end "fairly soon". He played down concerns that Washington would escalate its military campaign against Tehran after the midterm elections, saying Israel and Gulf allies are well protected and that escalation is unnecessary. Fox News, however, reported that Trump has launched "Task Force Iron Gate" to choke off Iran's land-border trade, and experts warned that squeezing Tehran could trigger escalation.
A collision between two trains at Ayat in Egypt has drawn widespread criticism on social media and in local media, much of it aimed at Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir, according to BBC Arabic. Critics allege shortcomings in the running of the railway network, despite announced spending of billions of Egyptian pounds on its development. Al Jazeera reports that lawmakers are divided between calls to hold the minister accountable and replace the government, and demands to disclose how the development funds were spent and to investigate why train accidents keep recurring.
US President Donald Trump said the blockade on Iran is achieving its goals, according to RT Arabic. He suggested tangible results are near, while not ruling out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and infrastructure.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has denied that Syrian forces are present in Yemen, saying there are no imminent plans to send any. His remarks followed reports of an agreement with Saudi Arabia to deploy thousands of Syrian troops against the Houthis.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Monday accused Iran's Revolutionary Guard of being behind a recent cyberattack on refrigeration systems at major French retail stores, warning that Tehran would face consequences. Media reports say the attack, which took place in October, pushed up temperatures in fridges and freezers at about 700 stores and spoiled products. CNN Arabic reported that France has pledged sanctions on Tehran in response.
Saudi Arabia announced on Monday that its East-West oil pipeline was targeted, sparking a limited fire. According to reports, the incident did not disrupt the pipeline's operations, and the Saudi Energy Ministry said there were no injuries. The available reports gave no details on who was responsible or how the attack was carried out.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Qatar and Saudi Arabia want the war on Iran to end peacefully. He warned, however, that Washington is prepared to resume military strikes at any moment. RT Arabic reported that he made the remarks to Reuters.
Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility on Sunday for attacks on the Saudi capital, Riyadh, after loud explosions were heard following an alert over a hostile air threat. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles and a cruise missile fired toward Riyadh and the Eastern and Southern regions. According to CNN Arabic, the Houthis said their targets included a multi-storey Aramco building in the financial district, as part of four operations they say they carried out. Saudi Arabia announced an attempted attack on an Aramco building.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he does not expect to order fresh strikes on Iran as long as negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz keep moving forward. He did not rule out military action, however, saying US forces in the region are ready to act if he considers it necessary. RT Arabic quoted him as calling a return to war with Iran highly unlikely if the talks make headway.
Iranian media reported hearing explosions on Qeshm island and in the southern city of Bandar Abbas, though Sky News Arabia described the information as conflicting, with differing accounts. US President Donald Trump said that avoiding a return to war with Iran depends on talks continuing and making progress. Coverage also cited him referring to an "Iron Gate" and the "greatest blockade".
Donald Trump has ruled out resuming the war with Iran, citing progress in talks, while Tehran says the mediators' shuttle activity has stopped, BBC Arabic reports. Israel, for its part, has threatened to resume strikes on Iran, as the US moves to choke off Iran's land and sea trade routes. Tehran has vowed to thwart a plan called "Iron Gate".
A train running from Giza to Fayoum rammed into the rear of a Cairo-to-Aswan train on Sunday, 8 November 2026, between the Kafr Ammar and Al-Raqqa stations in Al-Ayyat, Giza governorate, according to Egypt's National Railways Authority. Egypt's Health Ministry reported seven dead and more than 100 injured. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi offered condolences to the victims' families and ordered medical care for the wounded, a swift investigation and accountability for anyone found negligent.
President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he asked Dana White, CEO of the UFC, to become White House spokesperson, replacing Katie Zakaria, who was dismissed shortly after taking the job. RT Arabic, citing CNN and a source familiar with the matter, reported that White turned the offer down.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on Saturday and said Ankara would keep working to foster peace between Washington and Tehran. He urged that the tensions between the two countries be addressed through diplomatic channels, according to media reports.
The top news (10 stories) in one two-minute email, free.
We will email you a link to confirm. Unsubscribe any time with one click.
Or follow us on Telegram
