Monday, December 29, 2025

Middle East

Saudi oil giant Aramco earns record profit of $161bn in 2022, drawing criticism from activists

Saudi Arabia’s oil giant Aramco has reported earning $161bn last year, claiming the highest-ever recorded annual profit by a publicly listed company.

Saudi FM says willing to meet Iranian counterpart

Following an agreement between Tehran and Riyadh on the resumption of diplomatic relations, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan said he looks forward to meeting his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian soon.

UAE halts purchase of Israeli defense shields following Iran-Saudi deal

The United Arab Emirates will stop purchasing Israeli defense systems following the actions and remarks made by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, according to a report by Israel's Channel 12.

Saudi Arabia denies visa to Israeli delegation: Report

Riyadh has reportedly refused to issue entry visa to an Israeli delegation that had been invited to a tourism event in Saudi Arabia, dashing Tel Aviv's hopes of warming relations with the kingdom.

Israel targets western Syria, casualties reported

The Israeli army has carried out a missile attack on Syria's northwestern province of Hama, injuring several people and causing damage.

3 Palestinians shot dead by Israeli soldiers in West Bank

The Israeli forces fatally shot three Palestinian men near the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday.

Leader’s military advisor: Iran-Saudi deal spells end of US hegemony in W Asia

A senior military advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the reconciliation agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia puts an end to the United States’ hegemony in the West Asia region.

Yemen’s warring sides hold talks over prisoner swap after Iran-Saudi deal

Representatives of Yemen’s government and the Houthis began talks in Geneva on Saturday aimed at implementing a deal on prisoners exchange, the United Nations has confirmed. The negotiations started a day after Iran and Saudi Arabia announced an agreement to re-establish diplomatic ties.

Iran’s UN mission says Tehran-Riyadh agreement to speed up ceasefire in Yemen

Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations says the recent detente deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia will contribute to the realization of a ceasefire in Yemen.

Huge crowds rally against Netanyahu’s ‘legal reforms’ for 10th straight week

Hundreds of thousands held fresh rallies across several cities throughout the occupied territories for a 10th straight week, blasting the so-called "legal reforms" planned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet.

Iraqi MP: Domestic and foreign parties involved in Gen. Soleimani assassination

An Iraqi legislator said that a group of lawmakers plans to repeat calls for the disclosure of the results of an investigation into the assassination of top Iranian commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and his Iraqi companion Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Hassan Salem added that there are domestic and foreign parties involved in the crime.

US lawmakers warn Biden over Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul

More than 90 US Democratic lawmakers have warned President Joe Biden that the Israeli prime minister’s push for judicial overhaul is undermining Washington-Tel Aviv relations.

Tunisia to revive diplomatic relations with Syria

Tunisian President Kais Saied says he has decided to restore diplomatic ties with Syria which were cut off almost a decade ago.

China accuses US of “indiscriminate attacks” resulting in civilian deaths in Syria

The “illegal” US military occupation of Syria has only deepened the country’s humanitarian crisis, China has warned, slamming American lawmakers after they voted to continue troop deployments.

Israeli settler kills Palestinian man in West Bank

A young Palestinian man was shot dead by an Israeli settler in the occupied West Bank city of Qalqiliya, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Dozens of NGOs call on Biden to reject US diplomat’s anti-Iran remarks

Forty-five NGOs have urged US President Joe Biden to reject the comments made by Washington's ambassador to Israel Tom Nides who had said his country would back Israel in “whatever action” they take against Iran.

Three Israeli settlers injured, one critically, in Tel Aviv shooting

At least three Israelis have been wounded in a shooting in Tel Aviv, Israel’s medical sources say, adding one is in critical condition. The assailant was reportedly killed in the ensuring exchange of fire.

Pentagon head in Israel as protests target Netanyahu

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has arrived in Israel during a surge in demonstrations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plans with thousands of people calling for a “day of resistance to dictatorship.”

UN confirms Israeli air raids on Aleppo airport impede life-saving aid

Israeli strikes on Syria’s Aleppo airport are impeding the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid to earthquake victims, the United Nations has announced.

Israeli soldiers kill 3 Palestinians in West Bank’s Jenin

Israeli special forces have killed three Palestinians in a raid in Jenin in northern occupied West Bank. It comes 48 hours after six others were killed in another raid on the city.

US Congress rejects Syria troops withdrawal

US lawmakers have voted down a bill seeking to withdraw all American troops from Syria, opting to continue the years-long military occupation despite repeated objections from Damascus.

Investigators say ex-PM’s office at heart of Iraq’s ‘theft of the century’

The investigative committee probing the theft of $2.5bn from an Iraqi state bank account has concluded the office of former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was instrumental in the conspiracy, a report seen exclusively by Middle East Eye has revealed.

Saudi FM says kingdom ‘open to dialog’ with Iran

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud says the kingdom is “open to dialog” with Iran aimed at narrowing down their differences and restoring diplomatic ties.

Saudi Arabia executes Shia political activist on terror charges

Saudi Arabia has executed an imprisoned political activist from the Shia-majority Eastern Province. The death penalty came after five years of arbitrary detention.

Israeli soldiers kill six Palestinians in West Bank city

Israeli forces have killed at least six Palestinians and wounded 11 others during a raid in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, the Palestinian health ministry has confirmed.

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