Jordanian King, UK PM Starmer Discuss De-escalation, Regional Stability
Nada Mustafa
Jordanian King Abdullah II and UK Prime Minister (PM) Keir Starmer held a phone call on Sunday to discuss efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
According to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), King Abdullah emphasized the urgent need to intensify international diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive de-escalation.
He warned of the consequences of continued escalation and rising tensions in the region, firmly stating that Jordan will not be a battlefield for any conflict and will not allow its security, stability, or the safety of its citizens to be compromised.
Jordanian King also stressed the importance of maintaining international focus on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
Moreover, he called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid, and efforts to halt escalation in both the West Bank and Jerusalem.
read more
Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685
NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria
Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO
Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided
News
Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks
News
Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank
News
Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region
News
One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
Sports
Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer
Lifestyle
Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt
Videos & Features
Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall
Business
Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
Arts & Culture
Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
News
Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Videos & Features
Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
News
Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Technology
50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Russian drone and missile barrage on Kyiv kills seven - War in Ukraine
Ukraine said on Monday that Russia had fired dozens of drones and missiles at the country, killing seven in Kyiv. A flurry of diplomatic efforts to end the three-year war have stalled, with the last direct meeting between Kyiv and Moscow almost three weeks ago and no follow-up talks scheduled. AFP journalists heard the buzzing of drones flying over the centre of the capital and explosions ringing out during the overnight barrage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said six people were killed in Kyiv and another person was left dead in Bila Tserkva just outside the capital. Zelensky said Russia had launched 352 unmanned aerial vehicles -- including Iranian-designed drones -- and 16 missiles at Ukraine, adding that some of the munitions were provided to Moscow by North Korea. "Everyone in countries neighbouring Russia, Iran and North Korea should be thinking carefully about whether they could protect lives if this coalition of murderers persists and continues spreading their terror," he added. He also announced a visit on Monday to the United Kingdom -- one of Kyiv's staunchest allies -- where he said he would be discussing defence issues and sanctions on Russia with Ukraine's partners. The visit comes ahead of a NATO summit later this week in The Hague. Zelensky is set to attend on the sidelines but his involvement is being kept to a minimum to avoid a confrontation with US President Donald Trump. Sheltering in basements Since coming back to office, Trump has upended the West's approach towards Russia's war on Ukraine by undercutting Kyiv and opening the door to closer ties with Moscow. AFP journalists saw people sheltering in the basement of a residential building in the centre of Kyiv, waiting for the attack to end and scrolling their phones for news. The attack gutted a multi-storey residential building, where rescue workers were clearing debris, AFP reporters at the scene said. "Rescuers are currently clearing the rubble and providing assistance wherever it is needed," Zelensky said. He added that five "ordinary homes" had been damaged in the attack. The latest strikes -- less than a week after another attack on Kyiv killed at least 28 people -- came after Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky vowed to intensify strikes on Russia. "We will not just sit in defence because this brings nothing and eventually leads to the fact that we still retreat, lose people and territories," he told reporters, including AFP. Syrsky said Ukraine would continue its strikes on Russian military targets, which he said had proved "effective". In Moscow, the defence ministry said its air defence systems had downed 23 Ukrainian drones over eastern regions of Russia. Ukraine has launched retaliatory strikes on Russia throughout the war, targeting energy and military infrastructure sometimes hundreds of kilometres (miles) from the front line. Kyiv says the strikes are a fair response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians. Syrsky conceded that Russia had some advantages in drone warfare, particularly in making fibre-optic drones that are tethered and difficult to jam. Russia occupies around a fifth of Ukraine and claims to have annexed four Ukrainian regions as its own since launching its invasion in 2022 -- in addition to Crimea, which it captured in 2014. Kyiv has accused Moscow of deliberately sabotaging a peace deal in order to prolong its full-scale offensive on the country and to seize more territory. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
2 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Iran's Response Options: 8 Scenarios After U.S. Strike on Nuclear Facilities
Nada Mustafa Following U.S. airstrikes that targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, the Middle East has entered a new and volatile phase. While Tehran has yet to issue a direct response, political and military analyses suggest several likely paths Iran may take in retaliation against Washington. Based on reports from informed media sources, eight potential scenarios have emerged, ranging from military retaliation to political and security measures. 1. Striking U.S. Military Bases in the Gulf The most probable scenario involves Iran launching direct attacks on U.S. bases in Qatar, Bahrain, or even Kuwait. These bases represent core symbols of America's military footprint in the region, making them high-priority targets in any potential Iranian retaliation. 2. Mobilizing Proxy Militias Iran exerts significant influence in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon through loyal armed groups. Tehran may activate these militias to carry out attacks on U.S. interests or its allies, offering a method of retaliation without a direct confrontation. 3. Targeting Israel As Washington's closest ally, Israel may be a direct target for Iran. This could include missile strikes or unconventional attacks. Such a move would escalate the conflict dramatically and potentially open multiple battlefronts across the region. 4. Operations in the Strait of Hormuz Iran might attempt to disrupt maritime traffic in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, through which over 20% of global oil supply passes. Targeting oil tankers or planting naval mines would represent a major economic pressure tactic on the West. 5. Cyberattacks Iran has developed sophisticated cyber capabilities and may launch digital attacks against sensitive infrastructure within the United States, such as energy grids, communication networks, or financial systems. This option offers strategic impact without direct military engagement. 6. Limited and Calculated Escalation Tehran might choose a symbolic and restrained military response to demonstrate resolve domestically while avoiding a large-scale American retaliation. This scenario seeks to balance the need for a response with the desire to prevent a broader war. 7. Activating Sleeper Cells Beyond the Region Iran may resort to launching special operations outside the Middle East, in regions it considers strategically important to the United States, such as Europe or Latin America, via sleeper cells loyal to Tehran. This could globalize the conflict and complicate containment efforts. 8. Political Pressure Through Allies Iran could leverage its political and religious influence in countries like Iraq and Lebanon to sway public opinion, destabilize U.S. interests, and push back diplomatically. This would involve using soft power tools to undermine U.S. positions through international forums. Full-Scale Confrontation or Managed Containment? The critical question remains: Will the confrontation between Washington and Tehran spiral into an all-out regional war, or will it remain contained through mutual deterrence? Current developments suggest the Middle East is on the brink of a highly sensitive period, with the course of events in the coming days set to determine the trajectory of the conflict. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
🔴LIVE UPDATES: Iran, Israel exchange new round of missiles as Tehran vowed retaliation for US strikes - Region
Sirens sounded across Israel and Iran early Monday as the arch enemies traded their latest round of fire. Ahram Online provides live coverage of the unfolding military confrontation between Israel and Iran as the two sides waged deadly strikes against one another for the 11th day in a row. Iran's armed forces threatened on Monday to inflict "serious, unpredictable consequences" on the United States in retaliation for its strikes on nuclear sites. US warplanes unleashed bunker-buster bombs on Isfahan, Natanz and the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo, in support of the bombardment campaign ally Israel began on June 13. "This hostile act... will widen the scope of legitimate targets of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and pave the way for the extension of war in the region," said armed forces spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari on state television. Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said bases used by US forces "in the region or elsewhere" could be attacked. The US State Department issued a "worldwide caution" for Americans on Sunday. The leaders of Britain, France and Germany and called on Iran "not to take any further action that could destabilise the region". At a UN Security Council emergency meeting Sunday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against "descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation". 09:45 Sirens sounded across Israel and Iran as both countries exchanged their latest round of fire. The Israeli army said it was intercepting missiles from Iran, while Iranian state media Fars said the air defence system was working to counter a drone attack. Israel's military said it struck surface-to-surface missile launch sites in western Iran. The military said in a statement that more than 15 fighter jets had struck the Kermanshah area in western Iran, "neutralising a number of surface-to-surface missile launch and storage sites aimed toward Israeli territory". In an earlier statement, it said the air force was "currently striking military infrastructure sites in Kermanshah in Iran". 09:40 Iran's judiciary said it executed a man found guilty of spying for Israel. "Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh was hanged this morning for intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime," the judiciary said, using Iran's term for Israel. Shayesteh was alleged to have had ties with Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence agency. He was also convicted of collaborating with Iran International, a Persian-language TV channel based in London that is critical of the Iranian government. Iran frequently announces the arrest or execution of individuals it accuses of working with foreign intelligence agencies, particularly its arch-foe Israel. On Sunday, authorities pledged to speed up such cases. The same day, the judiciary announced the execution of Majid Mosayebi, who was also convicted of being an agent for Mossad. 09:35 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was due to hold "important" talks with key ally Vladimir Putin on Monday, 48 hours after a major US attack on Iran's key nuclear facilities. "In this new dangerous situation ... our consultations with Russia can certainly be of great importance," Russian state media reported Araghchi as saying after landing in Moscow. The official IRNA news agency reported Sunday that Araghchi would "hold consultations with the president and other senior officials of Russia regarding regional and international developments following the military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran." Putin initially pitched himself as a possible mediator between Iran and Israel, but on Friday said he was only "suggesting ideas", after US President Donald Trump pushed back against a role for the Kremlin leader. Russia's foreign ministry on Saturday condemned the US strikes as "irresponsible," after having previously warned against military intervention. 09:15 Iran warned the United States of severe repercussions following US strikes on the Islamic republic's nuclear facilities, as the Iran-Israel war entered its 11th day. "This hostile act... will widen the scope of legitimate targets of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and pave the way for the extension of war in the region," said armed forces spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari. "The fighters of Islam will inflict serious, unpredictable consequences on you with powerful and targeted (military) operations," he said on state television. 08:15 The US State Department issued a "worldwide caution" for Americans, saying the conflict in the Middle East could put those traveling or living abroad at an increased security risk. "There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad," and "the Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution," said the State Department's security alert. 08:05 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China to help deter Iran from shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade route, following American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. "I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that because they heavily depend on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil," Rubio said on Fox News. China has joined Russia and a chorus of Arab states in condemning the US attacks, saying that they "escalate tensions in the Middle East." Analysts have said Iran may opt to retaliate to Washington's early Sunday attack by shutting the Strait, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes. "If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It's economic suicide for them if they do it, and we retain options to deal with that," Rubio added. "But other countries should be looking at that as well, it would hurt other countries' economies a lot worse than ours. It would be, I think, a massive escalation that would merit a response. Not just by us but from others," he said. Meanwhile, Iran has threatened bases used by the US military, with an advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying they will be considered a "legitimate target for our armed forces." 08:00 US President Donald Trump hinted at interest in regime change in Iran, despite several of his administration officials earlier stressing that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites did not have that goal. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. Trump also insisted that US strikes had destroyed Iranian nuclear sites, after other officials cautioned that the extent of damage was still unclear. "Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!" Trump wrote on social media, without sharing the images he was referencing. "The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!" he added. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
