Your regional news round-up
| • | World leaders resume talks on Wednesday at the G7 summit in France, with discussions heavily focused on the Iran-US peace agreement announced this week. G7 host France said the priority is to ensure the deal endures, keeps the vital Strait of Hormuz open and helps contain oil prices. Yesterday, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim joined a working lunch to discuss the situation in the Middle East. |
| • | During a meeting with Sheikh Mohamed, US President Donald Trump said Washington wanted to destroy Iran's enriched uranium – believed to be enough to make several nuclear bombs. "We're not looking to take it, we're looking to destroy it," Mr Trump said. Sheikh Mohamed held talks with several other leaders attending the summit, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. |
| • | The US and Iran are set to sign their preliminary agreement on Friday at the Burgenstock resort in central Switzerland, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs told The National. Why it matters: The memorandum of understanding is intended to pave the way for negotiations on a broader and more comprehensive agreement between Washington and Tehran. Swiss officials said the venue was proposed by Qatari and Pakistani mediators, as well as by the US and Iran. |
| • | Iran is set to receive broad financial incentives under the draft agreement with the US, including the immediate right to sell oil, access to a $300 billion development fund and the eventual release of frozen assets, according to a final draft seen by Bloomberg News. Follow live updates here. |
| • | President Trump issued a rare public rebuke of Israel's military tactics in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah militants, saying it was unnecessary to bomb entire apartment buildings to hunt militants. Mr Trump said he has a "great relationship" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but in the same breath added that he should be "more responsible" with Lebanon. "Without us, without the United States, there would be no Israel," he said. |
| • | Iran has told Hezbollah that the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon is included in the US-Iran deal and is expected to take place over a phased 60-day period, a source within the Iran-backed militant group told The National. “It now depends on what Benjamin Netanyahu thinks,” the source added. Israeli forces carried out air strikes on several areas in south Lebanon this morning, state media reported. |
| • | Oil headed on Wednesday for its longest losing run in 10 months. Global benchmark Brent retreated for a fifth day to below $79 a barrel, trading near a three-month low, while West Texas Intermediate was near $76. |
Other developments
| • | Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari urged "regional dialogue" after the US-Iran accord is inked if trust with Tehran is to be rebuilt. "I can't say that we are returning to business as usual in our region with our neighbours... there is a lot of need for dialogue and for agreement over how to guarantee the security of our region," he said. |
| • | Talks between Lebanon and Israel aimed at negotiating a ceasefire and cementing border security are expected to continue and could accelerate, as Washington and Tehran move towards signing their memorandum of understanding on Friday to end the war, a senior Lebanese official has said. |
| • | Saudi Arabia's Cabinet reiterated the kingdom's call for the restoration of freedom of navigation through the vital Strait of Hormuz to pre-February 28 conditions and said it hoped ongoing efforts would lead to peace that enhances regional and global security while protecting the interests of countries in the region and respecting their sovereignty. The meeting was chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. |
More goings-on
| • | Australia has relaxed its travel advice for several Middle Eastern countries, allowing Australians to transit through and travel to the biggest Gulf air hubs with the security of being covered by insurance. |
| • | Syria has awarded US energy company ConocoPhillips and a company linked to Syrian-British billionaire Ayman Al Asfari a deal to develop gasfields in the country, state media reported. |
| • | Liquefied natural gas tankers, the costliest ships to insure and the last to risk the Strait of Hormuz, are rushing to leave the Gulf as the US and Iran near a preliminary deal on Friday to restore safe passage. |
World Cup spotlight
| • | Iraq boss Graham Arnold refused to give up on reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup – despite seeing his side beaten 4-1 by Norway on their return to the tournament after 40 years. |
| • | Lionel Messi said every experience for him now was a "bonus" after kickstarting Argentina's World Cup title defence with a hat-trick in their opening game against Algeria. Messi captained Argentina to a third World Cup triumph at Qatar 2022 and was at his mesmerising best in Kansas City, scoring the first World Cup hat-trick of his storied career as La Albiceleste ran out 3-0 winners in their Group J opener. |
| • | Jordan produced a display full of spirit and quality on their World Cup debut but ultimately took nothing from their Group J clash against Austria in San Francisco, losing 3-1. Millions of Jordanians woke up early on Wednesday to watch the country’s first World Cup match, and although the team are in a tough group, many feel they have already won just by being there. For more World Cup coverage, click here. |
Happening today
| • | UN Security Council meeting on role of women in peace |
Top picks from The National
Report: Hit by Tehran during war, Qatar quietly aids US-Iran diplomacy
Editorial: G7 must prove that it can still act as one
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