Iran's conditions for US talks, and nuclear damage
Iran has made its conditions for a return to nuclear talks clear. Conflicting reports blur the scope of damage to Iran's nuclear assets. The World Bank is extending about $400 million to Lebanon and Syria.
On today's episode of Trending Middle East:
This episode features Lizzie Porter, Turkey Correspondent; Sarmad Khan, Assistant Business Editor; and Thomas Harding, Security and Policy Editor.
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The National
31 minutes ago
- The National
The Middle East is rooting for a better, wiser Iran
Iran is exhausted. At last. Again. War weary and feeling defenceless, it has once more been forced into accepting a ceasefire with an enemy. History does not repeat itself exactly, but as the saying goes, it often rhymes. When Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini agreed to a ceasefire with Iraq in 1988, he famously described it as 'worse than drinking poison'. The octogenarian leader, who died a year later, urged Iranians to accept his decision and be grateful for the sacrifices of the war. One million lives were lost in the eight-year conflict. It was a moment of deep humility for a regime born in defiance. The Islamic Republic's dream of swiftly exporting its 1979 revolution through the battlefield collapsed under the weight of economic strain, human cost and strategic overreach. Now, four decades later, another poison pill is being passed around in Tehran. This time, it is the 86-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, confronting the bitter taste of necessity. The recent ceasefire with Israel feels like deja vu, but with higher stakes and broader regional implications. After the war with Iraq, the establishment adopted a policy of 'forward defence', projecting power beyond its borders to prevent future wars at home. What began as a shield became a spear. Over time, Iran's ideological mission turned into geopolitical ambition: proxy militias; missile stockpiles; covert operations; and a nuclear programme. What was once a doctrine to protect the revolution evolved into a campaign to dominate parts of the region. To some extent, it worked. Iran came close to building a strategic arc of influence from Tehran to the Mediterranean. But the latest conflict has exposed the limits of that strategy. The myth of invulnerability was shattered in a matter of hours. Tehran's deterrence was tested and found wanting. The old playbook of raising the stakes then stepping back with a calculated calm no longer worked. Tehran was caught off guard, assuming war was off the table as it pursued nuclear negotiations with the US. Instead, it was hit hard. It retaliated swiftly, unleashing a wave of devastating missile strikes on Israeli cities. For the first time, both cities were under direct, heavy fire. No proxies. No buffers. What began as an effort to contain Iran's nuclear programme soon revealed a deeper aim: a quiet campaign to destabilise or even shift the balance of power in Tehran. As Iran's regional alliances crumbled and with Hezbollah overstretched, Syria's Bashar Al Assad gone and air defences faltering, Israel escalated its operations inside Iran with assassinations and drone strikes. Iran had to defend its own soil, from its own soil. Again. Tehran faces a new reality in the Middle East, while inside the country, millions of voices are calling for peace, prosperity and rebuilding Sensing an opportunity, the US stepped in. American bombers struck major nuclear sites deep inside Iran, a bold show of support for Israel that stopped short of total war. Iran hit back with a precision strike on a US base in Qatar, sending a message: cornering its ruling class could ignite the whole region. That strike was a warning: Iran may be battered, but it won't go down quietly and it is ready to defend the Islamic Republic, even at the cost of its regional ties. Now Tehran faces a new reality in the Middle East, while inside the country, millions of voices are calling for peace, prosperity and rebuilding. They are tired of sacrifice without progress, and slogans without solutions. They want passports that open doors, not raise suspicions. They want to join the world, not fight it. Iran has long prided itself on thinking 50 years ahead. But is that still true? Or is it stuck, chained to the logic of defiance, even as the region changes? What cards are really left on the table? Oil? Uranium? Ideology? The real card was, and it still is, Iran's own potential – a young, educated population of 92 million people, vast natural resources, rich culture and strategic geography. The risk now is that this new poison pill becomes just another loop in an old cycle: lick the wounds; regroup; rebuild for the next round. That would be a mistake. The real lesson is not just restraint – it is to know when to stop, when to pivot and when to listen. The truth is that much of the Middle East is rooting for a better Iran. Not a weaker Iran, but a wiser one. One that is realistic, co-operative and open. One that sees compromise not as defeat but as a strategy. One that builds strength through trust, not fear. 'With all that clamour, with all those claims, the Zionist regime, under the blows of the Islamic Republic, has almost collapsed and been crushed,' said Mr Khamenei in a defiant speech after the ceasefire. But the reality is far more complex. His poison pill could turn out to be not a bitter dose for the man at the top, but a potential remedy for the whole nation.
Gulf Business
41 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
Riyadh lands its first official Monopoly board game
Image: Supplied Saudi Arabia's capital has just passed 'Go' for one of the world's most iconic board games. Riyadh Monopoly , the city's first official edition of the world's best-selling board game, was officially unveiled on Thursday at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), turning skyscrapers, heritage sites and infrastructure projects into tradable tiles. The launch, hosted at the KAFD Conference Centre, brought together senior figures from government, business, education and culture to celebrate what organisers called a 'storytelling platform' for Riyadh's transformation. First launched in 1935, Monopoly has sold over 275 million copies and holds a Guinness World Record as the best-selling board game in history. Riyadh now joins the ranks of global cities, including Dubai, with custom editions. The game will be available in stores across the Kingdom from September 2025. This edition of Monopoly is licensed by Hasbro and produced by KEAD Entertainment. 'Riyadh Monopoly reflects our goal of making big, strategic projects accessible and engaging to all ages,' said Mazroua Al-Mazroua, chief marketing and experience officer at the King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC). 'As the leading destination for international and local businesses in Saudi Arabia, we are creating new opportunities for the next generation to thrive.' More than just a novelty, Riyadh Monopoly is being positioned as a cultural artefact: one that captures the Kingdom's economic ambitions, youth demographics and growing global visibility. With over half the city's population under the age of 20, the game's developers see it as both an educational tool and a piece of national branding. 'This colourful board game captures the city's energy and ambition,' Al-Mazroua added. 'It's a fun way for families and friends to connect with Riyadh's heritage and its exciting future.' Featured landmarks include KAFD, key government entities, and prominent schools such as the British International School Riyadh (BISR). 'We're thrilled to be featured on the board,' said Anna Power, Principal at BISR Diplomatic Quarter. More than just a game The move also reflects Saudi Arabia's broader cultural shift. In line with its diversification goals, the Kingdom has rapidly emerged as a hub for leisure and entertainment. Sharif Hamad bin Majed Alowaishiq, founder and chairman of the Saudi Youth Society, said the game offers a rare blend of education and civic pride. 'This is a brilliant platform for young Saudis to engage with their culture while dreaming big. New generations can see the city's stunning transformation, with important investment in both urban development and cultural preservation.'
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Oman: CAA records $272mln in 2024 revenue, highlights global safety rankings
Muscat – The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced on Wednesday that it recorded revenues amounting to RO105 million in 2024, underscoring its operational efficiency and financial sustainability. The announcement was made during the Authority's annual media briefing held in Muscat under the patronage of H.E. Dr Abdullah Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information. The event was attended by senior officials, strategic partners, and key stakeholders. Reviewing its performance over the past year, the CAA reported a 95.95 per cent compliance rate with aviation safety standards, placing Oman fifth globally in the effective implementation of aviation safety oversight. Major achievements included the activation of the southern runway at Muscat International Airport, the approval of the General Civil Aviation Policy, and the signing of nine international air transport agreements. The Authority also issued new regulations to enhance passenger rights protection and introduced a revised licensing framework for drone registration and air traffic management. As part of its digital transformation efforts, the CAA revamped 113 electronic services, implemented a document management system, obtained information security certification, and upgraded Oman's numerical weather prediction systems and wadi flood forecasting models. In terms of operational expansion, the CAA granted permits to 19 foreign airlines. Cybersecurity and aviation security policies were ratified, while operational manuals were activated for both Duqm and Marmul airports. Additionally, a new air navigation radar was installed in Jalan Bani Bu Ali to strengthen national airspace surveillance. Aviation performance indicators reflected growth, with a 2 per cent increase in passenger traffic compared to 2023, and over 120,000 flights recorded. Air cargo volumes surpassed 150,000 tonnes, while more than 540,300 aircraft transited Omani airspace – a 14 per cent rise year-on-year. The national meteorological monitoring network grew to include 80 stations across the country. Meanwhile, 520 consumer complaints were addressed and resolved efficiently. Internationally, Oman attained a 94.4 per cent compliance score in aviation security under the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Continuous Monitoring Approach. The sultanate ranked fourth among G20 nations and third in the Middle East. Oman also achieved full compliance with aviation facilitation standards under Annex 9 of the Chicago Convention. Looking to the future, the Authority confirmed that detailed design work is nearing completion for Musandam Airport, with accelerated progress anticipated in early 2025. The tender for construction of the passenger terminal at Sohar Airport is expected to be issued before the end of the year. Meanwhile, a new aircraft hangar at Muscat International Airport is set to be inaugurated later this year, positioning Oman as a regional centre for aircraft maintenance. The event also marked the launch of an upgraded digital platform for Oman Meteorology, offering real-time weather updates. A commemorative postage stamp was unveiled to celebrate 50 years of Oman's membership in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). H.E. Eng. Naif Ali al Abri, Chairman of the CAA, stated that the year's achievements reflect Oman's unwavering commitment to aviation safety and its alignment with international best practices. 'These results are a testament to our clear strategic vision and the strong collaboration between all partners. The civil aviation sector is a pillar of national development and plays a vital role in enhancing Oman's global connectivity,' he said. The commemorative stamp, released in partnership with Oman Post, highlights the sultanate's enduring contribution to international climate cooperation since becoming a member of the WMO in 1975. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
