NEW: In Turkey, Iran-E3 talks set to tackle IAEA access, snapback sanctions www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Iran FM visits Saudi Arabia as kingdom makes push for regional diplomacy The meeting in Mecca comes as Saudi Arabia steps up its diplomatic engagement with key global powers with the aim of managing regional tensions. Via @roscarroll.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW: 29 in Gaza die from starvation says PA; UNICEF warns 9,000 children malnourished Via @roscarroll.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

RSF drone strikes on Port Sudan deepen threat to government stronghold, @roscarroll.bsky.social reports www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW: China slams sanctions, voices support for Iran’s nuclear program during FM visit www.al-monitor.com/originals/20... via @roscarroll.bsky.social

NEW: Israel's military is expanding its buffer zone in southern Gaza and is reportedly planning to extend it to include the city of Rafah, meaning the zone will take up roughly 20% of Gaza's territory, @roscarroll.bsky.social reports www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW: UK lawyers accuse 10 nationals of war crimes in Gaza The 240-page report accusing 10 British nationals of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza comes just days after two parliamentarians were denied entry to Israel, @roscarroll.bsky.social reports. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

3/4 of the deportation orders cite Staatsräson, Germany’s principle of support for Israel The move echoes US admin's use of INA § 237(a)(4)(C) -- deeming deportable any "alien whose presence or activities [...] would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences."

China, once a friend of Assad, is recalibrating, opening to the new Syrian government with two meetings since al-Sharaa assumed power, @roscarroll.bsky.social writes, with commentary from @grantrumley.bsky.social and @stimsoncenter.bsky.social's Yun Sun www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW: 'Khartoum is free,' Sudan's Burhan declares from presidential palace as RSF retreats www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

📉 ”The Iranian rial plunged to a new low against the US dollar on Tuesday, falling to more than 1 million rials to one US dollar.” @al-monitor.bsky.social @roscarroll.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW: Syria’s interim president signed off on a constitutional declaration on Thursday which will stand in until a permanent constitution is drafted and approved. @roscarroll.bsky.social reports on the newly released draft text and its provisions www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW: #Syria’s Draft Constitution • 5-year transition • Separation of powers • Islamic Jurisprudence • Affirms linguistic diversity • Affirms territorial unity • Prez to appoint 1/3 of assembly • State to combat ‘violent extremism’ By @roscarroll.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

As Middle East spirals, some bright news from #Lebanon's 5 women in Gov. Meet them: - Rima Karami - Tamara ElZein - Haneen Sayed - Nora Bayrakdarian - Laura Lahoud K. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

My latest for @al-monitor.bsky.social

Four killed in Syria-Lebanon border clashes between HTS and clans: What to know, @roscarroll.bsky.social reports www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Will Trump’s maximum pressure on Iran restart talks or force escalation? www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...