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U.S. Navy warplane takes off from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during Operation Epic Fury targeting Iran in the Gulf of Oman, on March 01, 2026. [U.S. Navy / Handout – Anadolu Agency]
Bahrain and Kuwait quietly deployed fighter jets to strike targets within Iran earlier this month, marking their first known direct military response against Tehran, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing “people familiar with the matter.”
The strikes hit facilities used to store drones and missiles, along with other military installations, according to the report.
The United Arab Emirates, which had previously launched several attacks on Iran during the early stages of the conflict, reportedly contributed intelligence on potential targets and provided defensive air support, reflecting growing coordination among Arab states in countering Iran, the report said.
For several weeks, Iran has concentrated its retaliatory attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, both home to US military bases.
Although the two Gulf nations maintain relatively modest air forces equipped with American and European-made fighter jets, they were unwilling to allow Tehran to continue striking them without responding, the report said.
Regional tensions have escalated over the past two weeks after US President Donald Trump announced on July 8 that the ceasefire outlined in the Islamabad MoU was no longer in effect.
Since then, the US and Iran have exchanged strikes, with Washington targeting sites inside Iran, while Tehran says it has attacked US military facilities and equipmnt across several countries in the region.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
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Israeli soldiers block the road leading to Nablus Hospital, after raiding the hospital and detaining a wounded Palestinian, and his sibling in Nablus, West Bank, Palestine on July 24, 2026. [Nedal Eshtayah – Anadolu Agency]
Israeli forces detained at least 70 Palestinians in raids across the occupied West Bank on Saturday, while eight others were injured in a separate attack by occupiers, according to Palestinian media and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Anadolu reports.
The official Voice of Palestine radio said Israeli forces arrested more than 40 young Palestinian men in an ongoing raid on the town of Tell, west of Nablus in the northern part of the occupied territory.
Israeli troops seized a house in the town and converted it into a field interrogation center, the broadcaster said.
It added that Israeli forces were carrying out extensive raids on homes across the town while surrounding it from all directions.
On Friday, Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered a “wide-scale military operation” in Palestinian villages across the West Bank following an attack near the illegal Havat Gilad settlement that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others.
According to sources and witnesses, Israeli occupiers later attacked several Palestinian communities in the Nablus governorate, setting fire to Palestinian homes and other property.
Four Palestinians were killed on Friday in an attack by Israeli occupiers and Israeli forces on the town of Tell, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli forces launched widespread raids before dawn in the city of Jenin and several towns and villages across the governorate.
Troops also searched a number of homes and detained five Palestinians, while military operations continued in several parts of the governorate, according to local sources cited by the agency. Separately, Israeli forces detained three Palestinians in the Bethlehem governorate.
In another incident, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said eight Palestinians were injured, including six who were shot with live fire, in an attack by Israeli occupiers on the village of Farata, east of Qalqilya in northwestern West Bank. The organization did not immediately provide further details on the attack or the condition of the injured.
In northern West Bank, the Israeli army detained at least six Palestinians during extensive raids across neighborhoods and towns in Jenin, amid a heavy military deployment and continued troop movements.
The Israeli army also raided the city of Tubas and the Al-Far’a refugee camp in northern West Bank, launching a large-scale campaign of raids on Palestinian homes.
In the central West Bank, the army detained 13 Palestinians from various areas across the Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate.
In the southern West Bank, Israeli forces raided Hebron and detained eight Palestinians.
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Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
President Donald Trump (L) greets Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) upon his arrival at the White House in Washington, D.C., United States, on July 21, 2026. [Mehmet Eser – Anadolu Agency]
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Friday that his meeting with US President Donald Trump was “fruitful,” adding that the time had come to end the war permanently, according to the Lebanese Presidency, Anadolu reports.
In a statement, the presidency said Aoun made the remarks while receiving EU Ambassador Sandra De Waele, along with a delegation of ambassadors and chargés d’affaires.
Lebanon remains committed to the path of reforms and will continue working to achieve its goals despite the war, Aoun said.
“The continued presence of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) remains the best option for the coming phase,” he said, adding that if this was not possible, an alternative force should be created to replace it.
Aoun called on the EU to support the implementation of the “framework formula,” saying Lebanon’s stability would reflect positively on the stability of countries across the region.
For her part, De Waele said Lebanon stood at a crossroads and was at the beginning of a new chapter, adding that the EU supported its path toward security, stability and reforms.
Since March 2, 2026, Israel’s offensive on Lebanon has killed 4,329 people and injured 12,233 others, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, while Israel continues to occupy areas in the south despite the agreement.
Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since the 2023-2024 confrontations, and advanced more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanese territory during the current offensive.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
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US President Donald Trump (2nd L) is welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (R) as he arrives at Malik Khalid Airport, for the first leg of his three-country Middle East tour in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 13, 2025. [Bandar Al-Jaloud/Saudi Royal Court – Anadolu Agency]
The United States and Saudi Arabia took a step toward nuclear cooperation on 22nd July 22 2026, when U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed a Section 123 Agreement. It creates the legal basis for civilian nuclear trade and comes with a bilateral safeguards agreement. Washington presented it as the foundation of a decades-long, multibillion-dollar partnership favouring American companies.
One day later, however, President Donald Trump introduced a condition that was absent from the original announcement: Saudi Arabia must normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords or “the deal is off.”
The ultimatum turns what had looked like a completed nuclear framework into a politically conditional bargain, creating uncertainty for Riyadh, Congress, and prospective U.S. suppliers.
Scope, legal and commercial framework, timeline, and significance
Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act requires nine nonproliferation criteria, including peaceful-use guarantees, safeguards, physical-security requirements, and U.S. consent rights over enrichment, reprocessing, and retransfers of American-origin material. The agreement does not authorize a reactor by itself; it enables licensing, exports, fuel services, training, and technical cooperation. For Saudi Arabia, the agreement opens the door to American reactors, fuel services, training, and regulatory support. For Washington, it promises exports, jobs, and lasting influence. Cooperation could extend to research and peaceful applications beyond electricity generation.
The difficult question is uranium enrichment. Unlike the US–UAE “gold standard,” under which Abu Dhabi renounced enrichment and reprocessing, the Saudi agreement may leave that door open. Washington and Riyadh could study enrichment inside the kingdom, perhaps using tightly controlled American technology or a sealed “black box” system. That might reduce the risk, but enrichment on Saudi soil would still carry serious proliferation implications.
The agreement is expected to last roughly 30 years. Saudi Arabia must choose technology, sites, financing, and suppliers while expanding regulatory capacity. Large reactors require years of licensing and construction, while most small modular designs remain commercially immature. The agreement is an enabling framework, not a construction schedule. Trump’s new condition now makes even that framework uncertain.
Commercially, the agreement strengthens companies such as Westinghouse and emerging small-reactor suppliers. Success will depend on financing, project costs, and whether American vendors can match state-backed competitors.
Benefits for Saudi Arabia and US opportunities
Saudi electricity demand is climbing as its population, industries, cooling needs, desalination plants, and Vision 2030 projects grow. Nuclear plants could provide steady low-carbon power while reducing the oil and gas burned at home, leaving more hydrocarbons for export or higher-value uses.
Desalination strengthens the case. As the world’s largest producer of desalinated water, Saudi Arabia could use nuclear facilities for electricity and process heat with lower direct emissions. Nuclear power could also complement solar after sunset and during peak demand. The Saudi National Atomic Energy Project includes reactors, fuel-cycle capabilities, and applications in industry, medicine, research, and water. A domestic program could create specialized jobs and support engineering and manufacturing, but it should complement cheaper renewable and efficiency options.
Saudi Arabia must still decide where nuclear power belongs within its expanding solar and gas systems. Reactors offer steady output but require large upfront commitments and management of construction risk. A phased program beginning with strong regulation, workforce development, and one carefully selected project would be more practical than announcing a large fleet before local institutions are ready.For the United States, benefits extend to fuel, maintenance, safety systems, and training. Continued involvement provides leverage over standards and safeguards, while Saudi investment could support the American nuclear supply chain.
Principal challenges and risks
Nonproliferation remains the central concern. Saudi Arabia has a comprehensive safeguards agreement with the IAEA but has not adopted the Additional Protocol, which gives inspectors wider access to search for undeclared activity. Riyadh should accept it before receiving sensitive technology or material.
The concern is simple: technology used to produce reactor fuel can also make weapons-grade material. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said Saudi Arabia would pursue a bomb if Iran acquired one. Even tightly controlled enrichment could give Riyadh a latent capability and weaken the precedent established by the UAE.
The bilateral safeguards agreement, IAEA monitoring, U.S. consent rights, and export licensing can reduce risk, but only with access, transparency, and enforcement. Arrangements must also address spent fuel, reprocessing, waste, cybersecurity, physical protection, and dual-use knowledge.
Cost is another challenge. Large nuclear projects often face delays and overruns, especially in newcomer countries. Saudi Arabia needs an independent regulator with adequate staff, authority, and expertise, alongside credible plans for emergencies, waste, decommissioning, liability, and oversight.
Congress will review the agreement for 90 days of continuous session. Lawmakers will focus on enrichment and safeguards. Supporters will emphasize jobs and influence; critics will reject weaker standards. Israel’s concern is equally direct. It fears Saudi enrichment could encourage an arms race and will likely demand firm limits, tougher inspections, and a clear link between nuclear cooperation and normalization.
Comparison with alternatives and US competitiveness
Without an attractive American offer, Saudi Arabia could select Russia’s Rosatom, China’s CNNC, South Korea’s KEPCO, or French suppliers. Russia and China can offer state financing, integrated fuel services, and fewer political conditions, but choosing them would expand their strategic influence and weaken U.S. visibility into the Saudi program. South Korea and France offer credible commercial and safety records, although some projects may still depend on U.S.-origin technology and approvals.
Washington therefore faces a difficult balance. Terms that are too restrictive could push Riyadh toward suppliers demanding less transparency, while too much flexibility could weaken global nonproliferation standards. A U.S.-operated or technically sealed enrichment facility might offer a compromise, but only with the Additional Protocol, continuous monitoring, clear termination rules, and the removal of sensitive material during a crisis.
Regional context: Iran, Abraham Accords, and stability
The agreement comes amid renewed conflict with Iran and uncertainty over Tehran’s nuclear program. For Riyadh, nuclear cooperation strengthens ties with Washington, reduces dependence on Russian or Chinese technology, and signals continued American investment in the kingdom’s security. Trump’s July 23 ultimatum goes beyond using nuclear cooperation as an incentive. By declaring that “the deal is off” without normalization, he has made the Abraham Accords a condition for implementation. That may give Washington leverage for a wider regional bargain, but it also leaves Riyadh with less room to maneuver. Saudi leaders continue to demand credible progress toward Palestinian statehood and face strong regional opposition to normalization, particularly during the Iran war. A public ultimatum may therefore harden positions instead of bringing an agreement closer.
With strong safeguards, the agreement could show that civilian nuclear energy and regional security can advance together. But if enrichment rules look permissive, Iran may cite the deal to defend its own program, while Egypt, Turkey, and others could demand similar rights. Depending on implementation, the agreement could either reinforce deterrence or accelerate regional nuclear hedging.
Conclusion: Opportunities vs. risks
The agreement offers real benefits: diversified Saudi electricity generation, support for desalination and industry, commercial opportunities for US companies, and stronger bilateral ties. American participation is preferable to withdrawing and leaving the market to suppliers offering less transparency.
But engagement alone will not be enough, and normalization cannot replace nuclear safeguards. Success requires Saudi adoption of the Additional Protocol, enforceable limits on enrichment and reprocessing, congressional oversight, credible waste and security plans, and sustained regional diplomacy. Trump’s ultimatum could produce a broader strategic bargain, but it could also stall an energy agreement Washington had already presented as complete.
Ultimately, the deal’s value will depend on whether the United States can combine nuclear commerce, nonproliferation discipline, and realistic diplomacy without allowing one objective to undermine the others.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says he wishes someone would lock him up, small Orca speaks bluntly.Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
A French firefighter responds to a flare-up to prevent the fire from reigniting in the Fontainebleau Forest, in Noisy-sur-Ecole, France. Photograph: Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP/Getty Images
Figures come as large parts of southern Europe endure another record-breaking period of extreme temperatures
France recorded more than 5,700 excess deaths during its June heatwave, authorities have said, as swathes of southern Europe continue to endure another record-breaking period of extreme temperatures.
The French national health agency said on Wednesday that it had recorded 5,764 excess deaths between 17 June and 2 July, an excess mortality rate of 36%.
More than half of the “unprecedented” total were recorded between 25 and 27 June, with deaths of people aged 75 and older accounting for about two-thirds of the excess mortality, the agency said.
…
The announcement came as firefighters in Spain battled one of the country’s largest ever wildfires, which has burned about 32,000 hectares (79,000 acres) in the Guadalajara region north of Madrid, forcing the evacuation of 1,200 people from 34 villages in the sparsely populated area and confinement orders in 14 others.
Authorities said on Wednesday that the fire was beginning to stabilise, and residents of five villages were allowed to return home. The prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said on a visit to the area that Spain had already suffered 22 major wildfires so far this year, four times more than in the same period last year.
Neo-Fascist Climate Science Denier Donald Trump says Burn, Baby, Burn.Nigel Farage urges you to ignore facts and reality and be a climate science denier like him and his Deputy Richard Tice. He says that Reform UK has received £Millions and £Millions from the fossil fuel industry to promote climate denial and destroy the planet.Donald Trump urges you to be a Climate Science denier like him. He says that he makes millions and millions for destroying the planet, Burn, Baby, Burn and Flood, Baby, Flood.
