UAE presidential diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash criticized Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf Sunday over his remarks about Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh’s candidacy for UN secretary-general.
In a post on X, Gargash said debate over Nusseibeh’s vision, qualifications and candidacy was “legitimate and welcome,” but described Ghalibaf’s position as lacking objectivity.
“Ghalibaf’s position lacks objectivity and overlooks the fact that the United Nations was established to promote dialogue and resolve conflicts, not to entrench rivalries and settle scores,” Gargash said.
He said it was natural for the candidacy of a diplomat known for bridging differences and prioritizing diplomacy to draw objections from what he called “some hardline voices.”
“I hope these posts are the work of Mr. Ghalibaf’s account manager, rather than an expression of his personal views,” Gargash added.
Ghalibaf had criticized Nusseibeh’s candidacy in a post on X, describing her bid for the UN’s top job as an attempt to “clear the diplomatic runway for Greater Israel project and whitewash a systematic genocide.”
“Defending the Gaza tragedy is the résumé; the fox is updating the LinkedIn profile to apply for the henhouse guard job,” Ghalibaf wrote.
In a post on X, Gargash said debate over Nusseibeh’s vision, qualifications and candidacy was “legitimate and welcome,” but described Ghalibaf’s position as lacking objectivity.
“Ghalibaf’s position lacks objectivity and overlooks the fact that the United Nations was established to promote dialogue and resolve conflicts, not to entrench rivalries and settle scores,” Gargash said.
He said it was natural for the candidacy of a diplomat known for bridging differences and prioritizing diplomacy to draw objections from what he called “some hardline voices.”
“I hope these posts are the work of Mr. Ghalibaf’s account manager, rather than an expression of his personal views,” Gargash added.
Ghalibaf had criticized Nusseibeh’s candidacy in a post on X, describing her bid for the UN’s top job as an attempt to “clear the diplomatic runway for Greater Israel project and whitewash a systematic genocide.”
“Defending the Gaza tragedy is the résumé; the fox is updating the LinkedIn profile to apply for the henhouse guard job,” Ghalibaf wrote.
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A Myanmar energy broker used sham paperwork to disguise a $15.8 million shipment of sanctioned Iran jet fuel as South African diesel, Reuters reported Sunday, citing contracts and other documents it reviewed.
Myanmar-based Dynamic Wave ordered the shipment from Thailand’s Tawan-Oil Trading, with a sales contract describing the cargo as about 113,000 barrels of South African diesel, according to Reuters.
The US-sanctioned tanker Reef arrived in Myanmar waters with the fuel in December 2025.
Reuters said the supposed South African diesel trade did not take place, citing data from the United Nations and shipping and energy data provider Vortexa, which showed no such trade between South Africa and Myanmar in 2025.
A confidential letter reviewed by Reuters showed a Myanmar junta regulator said the $15.8 million cargo would be designated as diesel “instead of jet fuel.”
Payment for the shipment was directed to a Thai bank account, according to the contract reviewed by Reuters.
The report comes as Myanmar’s military continues to use airstrikes in its conflict with opponents of the junta. Such strikes have killed thousands of people since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, according to the United Nations.
Myanmar-based Dynamic Wave ordered the shipment from Thailand’s Tawan-Oil Trading, with a sales contract describing the cargo as about 113,000 barrels of South African diesel, according to Reuters.
The US-sanctioned tanker Reef arrived in Myanmar waters with the fuel in December 2025.
Reuters said the supposed South African diesel trade did not take place, citing data from the United Nations and shipping and energy data provider Vortexa, which showed no such trade between South Africa and Myanmar in 2025.
A confidential letter reviewed by Reuters showed a Myanmar junta regulator said the $15.8 million cargo would be designated as diesel “instead of jet fuel.”
Payment for the shipment was directed to a Thai bank account, according to the contract reviewed by Reuters.
The report comes as Myanmar’s military continues to use airstrikes in its conflict with opponents of the junta. Such strikes have killed thousands of people since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, according to the United Nations.
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Top officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are set to meet Iranian officials in Tehran Monday to discuss regional coordination, Reuters reported Sunday, citing two people with knowledge of the matter.
Saudi Arabia will be represented by Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, while Pakistan will be represented by army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, the sources said on condition of anonymity.
Turkey’s intelligence chief will also attend the meeting, one of the sources said.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August, committing the three countries to assist one another in the event of an armed attack.
The Saudi government media office and Pakistan’s military media wing did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Saudi Arabia will be represented by Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, while Pakistan will be represented by army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, the sources said on condition of anonymity.
Turkey’s intelligence chief will also attend the meeting, one of the sources said.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August, committing the three countries to assist one another in the event of an armed attack.
The Saudi government media office and Pakistan’s military media wing did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.
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Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis said Sunday they targeted Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport with a ballistic missile and Saudi crude oil pumping stations with drones, claiming direct hits.
In a post on X, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group also carried out two ballistic missile attacks on what he described as Saudi troop concentrations and weapons depots in the Salah al-Din area of Aden and Al-Waht in Lahj province.
Saree claimed the strikes in Yemen killed and wounded dozens and destroyed vehicles and weapons depots overseen by a Saudi officer named Badr al-Harbi. The claims could not immediately be independently verified.
The Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent days, including against airports, oil facilities and military installations. Saudi authorities have reported intercepting multiple Houthi missiles and drones.
In a post on X, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group also carried out two ballistic missile attacks on what he described as Saudi troop concentrations and weapons depots in the Salah al-Din area of Aden and Al-Waht in Lahj province.
Saree claimed the strikes in Yemen killed and wounded dozens and destroyed vehicles and weapons depots overseen by a Saudi officer named Badr al-Harbi. The claims could not immediately be independently verified.
The Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent days, including against airports, oil facilities and military installations. Saudi authorities have reported intercepting multiple Houthi missiles and drones.
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Iran has not closed the door to diplomacy with the United States and messages are still being exchanged through intermediaries, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in an interview with German broadcaster ARD published Sunday.
“We have never left the negotiating table. We have not closed the window of diplomacy,” Baghaei said. “Messages are being exchanged through mediators. But the problem is that the United States appears to be insisting on its unilateral demands.”
Baghaei said US President Donald Trump and other American officials repeatedly used the phrase “complete surrender.”
“This is something that no Iranian accepts,” he said.
Baghaei also rejected allegations of Iranian involvement in a suspected operation against a military air base in Britain.
“I can tell you with confidence that Iran has no connection to such an operation that they allege,” he said.
Turning to the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei said the waterway was unsafe and blamed the United States and Israel.
“The Strait of Hormuz is not safe, not because Iran made it unsafe, but because the United States and Israel abused this waterway,” he said, accusing them of continuing to use the region for military operations against Iran.
“We have never left the negotiating table. We have not closed the window of diplomacy,” Baghaei said. “Messages are being exchanged through mediators. But the problem is that the United States appears to be insisting on its unilateral demands.”
Baghaei said US President Donald Trump and other American officials repeatedly used the phrase “complete surrender.”
“This is something that no Iranian accepts,” he said.
Baghaei also rejected allegations of Iranian involvement in a suspected operation against a military air base in Britain.
“I can tell you with confidence that Iran has no connection to such an operation that they allege,” he said.
Turning to the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei said the waterway was unsafe and blamed the United States and Israel.
“The Strait of Hormuz is not safe, not because Iran made it unsafe, but because the United States and Israel abused this waterway,” he said, accusing them of continuing to use the region for military operations against Iran.
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Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki said in a post on X Sunday that coalition forces destroyed two ballistic missile launchers belonging to Iran-backed Houthis in Sanaa, including one used to launch a missile at Riyadh.
Al-Maliki said the coalition was continuing operations to dismantle the Houthis’ ballistic missile network.
Al-Maliki said the coalition was continuing operations to dismantle the Houthis’ ballistic missile network.
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A Yemeni women’s group warned that the health sector in Taiz was at risk of collapse amid attacks by Iran-backed Houthis and the spread of disease, Yemen’s Saba news agency reported Sunday.
The Yemen Women Empowerment Foundation said in a statement that about 52% of hospitals and medical centers in Taiz were out of service, while remaining facilities faced severe shortages of medicines, equipment and fuel.
The group accused the Houthis of attacking health facilities and medical personnel, citing an Oct. 20 ambulance attack that it said killed a paramedic and wounded a doctor.
It called for urgent international assistance to reopen hospitals, provide medical supplies, combat disease and protect healthcare workers.
The Yemen Women Empowerment Foundation said in a statement that about 52% of hospitals and medical centers in Taiz were out of service, while remaining facilities faced severe shortages of medicines, equipment and fuel.
The group accused the Houthis of attacking health facilities and medical personnel, citing an Oct. 20 ambulance attack that it said killed a paramedic and wounded a doctor.
It called for urgent international assistance to reopen hospitals, provide medical supplies, combat disease and protect healthcare workers.
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Oil prices fell after surging to near six-month highs late last week, although continued attacks by Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi Arabia kept concerns over energy supplies in focus, Reuters reported Sunday.
US crude futures fell $1.60, or 1.55%, to $101.67 a barrel, while Brent crude futures dropped $1.56, or 1.34%, to $115.16 as of 0018 GMT Monday.
Prices had settled nearly $3 higher Friday after Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia raised concerns over energy supplies. Brent gained 6% for the week, while US crude rose 2.3%.
US crude futures fell $1.60, or 1.55%, to $101.67 a barrel, while Brent crude futures dropped $1.56, or 1.34%, to $115.16 as of 0018 GMT Monday.
Prices had settled nearly $3 higher Friday after Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia raised concerns over energy supplies. Brent gained 6% for the week, while US crude rose 2.3%.
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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi ordered an investigation into Maysan Provincial Council Chairman Mustafa Duair Abdulhassan after he threatened to declare civil disobedience unless the Al-Sheeb border crossing with Iran was reopened, the prime minister’s media office said in a statement Sunday.
The statement said Abdulhassan made the remarks Sunday and also used “inappropriate language.”
“The directive underscores the need to uphold the law and follow established constitutional and administrative procedures when addressing public service and administrative matters,” the prime minister’s office said.
It said relevant authorities would determine whether Abdulhassan bears any legal liability over his remarks.
The statement said Abdulhassan made the remarks Sunday and also used “inappropriate language.”
“The directive underscores the need to uphold the law and follow established constitutional and administrative procedures when addressing public service and administrative matters,” the prime minister’s office said.
It said relevant authorities would determine whether Abdulhassan bears any legal liability over his remarks.
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US President Donald Trump urged Israelis Sunday to vote for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, touting their joint military actions against Iran and saying the two countries must “finish the job that we started.”
“Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister, we have to finish the rump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Trump said Operation Midnight Hammer had stopped Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and added that Operation Epic Fury had left Tehran with “No Navy, No Air Force” and its military and economy “in shambles.”
“The Naval Blockade has precluded them from getting Oil, and two levels of leadership, both Military and otherwise, are gone,” Trump wrote.
He described Netanyahu as an “outstanding Warrior Prime Minister” and said the two leaders had “a great relationship in winning together.”
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“Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister, we have to finish the rump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Trump said Operation Midnight Hammer had stopped Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and added that Operation Epic Fury had left Tehran with “No Navy, No Air Force” and its military and economy “in shambles.”
“The Naval Blockade has precluded them from getting Oil, and two levels of leadership, both Military and otherwise, are gone,” Trump wrote.
He described Netanyahu as an “outstanding Warrior Prime Minister” and said the two leaders had “a great relationship in winning together.”
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A renewed diplomatic push to avert another round of the US-Iran war gathered pace on Sunday, with Qatari mediators in Tehran as President Donald Trump publicly weighed reaching an agreement with the Islamic Republic against taking further military action.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Sunday that Iran and its proxies could attempt attacks to disrupt Israel’s October 27 election, citing intelligence indications.
“We have intelligence signs that our enemies, Iran and its proxies, could challenge us with attacks in ections,” Netanyahu said.
“We have intelligence signs that our enemies, Iran and its proxies, could challenge us with attacks in ections,” Netanyahu said.
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Bahrain condemned continued attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi Arabia, including the launch of missiles toward Mecca and Medina, the foreign ministry said in a post on X Sunday.
The ministry described the attacks as “terrorist” acts and reaffirmed Bahrain’s condemnation of Houthi attacks targeting the kingdom.
The ministry described the attacks as “terrorist” acts and reaffirmed Bahrain’s condemnation of Houthi attacks targeting the kingdom.
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Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei mocked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Sunday over his criticism of Iran’s attacks on commercial shipping.
“Marco Rubio, accusing Iran of attacking ships, said: ‘We haven’t seen anything like this since World War II and the pirates of the Caribbean,’” Baghaei said in a post on X.
Baghaei contrasted Rubio’s remarks with Trump’s May 1 comments about US forces taking control of a ship and its oil cargo.
“We’re like pirates. We’re sort of like pirates,” Baghaei quoted Trump as saying at the time.
“Perhaps the president won’t be too pleased to learn that his secretary of state has so quickly forgotten his own proud claim of being like pirates,” Baghaei said.
Trump made the remarks in an address to the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, while describing the US seizure of a vessel and its oil cargo during Washington’s naval blockade of Iran.
“They use tugboats and then we landed on top of it,” Trump said. “We took over the ship. We took over the cargo, took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business.”
“Who would have thought we were doing that? We’re like pirates,” Trump said, drawing laughter from the audience. “We’re sort of like pirates.”
“But we’re not playing games, because, you know, for 47 years, Iran has been pushing everybody around,” Trump added.
“They’re the bully of the Middle East,” Trump said, adding that Iran had been “scaring everybody,” including Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait.
“Marco Rubio, accusing Iran of attacking ships, said: ‘We haven’t seen anything like this since World War II and the pirates of the Caribbean,’” Baghaei said in a post on X.
Baghaei contrasted Rubio’s remarks with Trump’s May 1 comments about US forces taking control of a ship and its oil cargo.
“We’re like pirates. We’re sort of like pirates,” Baghaei quoted Trump as saying at the time.
“Perhaps the president won’t be too pleased to learn that his secretary of state has so quickly forgotten his own proud claim of being like pirates,” Baghaei said.
Trump made the remarks in an address to the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, while describing the US seizure of a vessel and its oil cargo during Washington’s naval blockade of Iran.
“They use tugboats and then we landed on top of it,” Trump said. “We took over the ship. We took over the cargo, took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business.”
“Who would have thought we were doing that? We’re like pirates,” Trump said, drawing laughter from the audience. “We’re sort of like pirates.”
“But we’re not playing games, because, you know, for 47 years, Iran has been pushing everybody around,” Trump added.
“They’re the bully of the Middle East,” Trump said, adding that Iran had been “scaring everybody,” including Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait.
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President Donald Trump said Sunday the war in Iran would not end until the United States was certain Tehran did not have nuclear weapons capabilities, in an interview with FOX 2 Detroit ahead of a rally in Port Huron, Michigan.
“You want to see problems? You want to see not t death problems? Let them have a nuclear weapon because they will use it,” Trump said. “And, I have to do that first.”
Trump said he was prepared to take time to reach an agreement rather than prioritize a quick resolution.
“I’m going to make a great deal. I’m a longterm person; I’m not a short term person,” he said.
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“You want to see problems? You want to see not t death problems? Let them have a nuclear weapon because they will use it,” Trump said. “And, I have to do that first.”
Trump said he was prepared to take time to reach an agreement rather than prioritize a quick resolution.
“I’m going to make a great deal. I’m a longterm person; I’m not a short term person,” he said.
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The United Arab Emirates condemned attempts by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis to target several areas in Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles, the foreign ministry said in a post on X Sunday.
“The targeting constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a threat to its security and stability,” the ministry said.
The UAE reaffirmed its “full solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures aimed at safeguarding the kingdom’s security and stability.
“The targeting constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a threat to its security and stability,” the ministry said.
The UAE reaffirmed its “full solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures aimed at safeguarding the kingdom’s security and stability.
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Yemen’s armed forces said Sunday they carried out 753 strikes against Iran-backed Houthi forces over the past 24 hours, killing about 218 fighters and field commanders.
“Our armed forces are continuing their offensive operations as part of Operation Dawn of Yemen and carried out 753 precise and direct targeting operations against the military capabilities of the terrorist Houthi militia over the past 24 hours,” armed forces spokesman Brigadier General Majed Abdullah Al-Nuzaili posted on X.
Al-Nuzaili said the strikes targeted command and control centers, fortifications, firing positions, troop concentrations, reinforcements and Houthi supply and transport capabilities.
“The operations resulted in the neutralization of about 218 militia members and field commanders, and the destruction or disabling of 78 vehicles, military equipment and pieces of heavy and medium weaponry,” he said.
“Our armed forces are continuing their offensive operations as part of Operation Dawn of Yemen and carried out 753 precise and direct targeting operations against the military capabilities of the terrorist Houthi militia over the past 24 hours,” armed forces spokesman Brigadier General Majed Abdullah Al-Nuzaili posted on X.
Al-Nuzaili said the strikes targeted command and control centers, fortifications, firing positions, troop concentrations, reinforcements and Houthi supply and transport capabilities.
“The operations resulted in the neutralization of about 218 militia members and field commanders, and the destruction or disabling of 78 vehicles, military equipment and pieces of heavy and medium weaponry,” he said.
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Kuwait condemned attempts by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis to target Mecca and Medina with two ballistic missiles, the foreign ministry said in a statement posted on X Sunday.
“This cowardly and disgraceful act constitutes a blatant violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites, a disregard for their religious significance, an affront to the feelings of Muslims, a violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and a breach of international law,” the ministry said.
Kuwait reaffirmed its “absolute solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and support for all measures it takes to protect its sovereignty, security and the Two Holy Mosques.
“This cowardly and disgraceful act constitutes a blatant violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites, a disregard for their religious significance, an affront to the feelings of Muslims, a violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and a breach of international law,” the ministry said.
Kuwait reaffirmed its “absolute solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and support for all measures it takes to protect its sovereignty, security and the Two Holy Mosques.
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US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Iran would never obtain a nuclear weapon and suggested the dispute would soon be resolved “one way or the other” during a rally in Port Huron, Michigan.
“We obliterated Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury,” Trump said, adding that the US had defeated Tehran militarily and financially.
Trump also defended his withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under Barack Obama, calling it one of the worst and most dangerous agreements he had seen.
“We obliterated Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury,” Trump said, adding that the US had defeated Tehran militarily and financially.
Trump also defended his withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under Barack Obama, calling it one of the worst and most dangerous agreements he had seen.
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Israel's Channel 12 reported that military chief Eyal Zamir was resisting an order from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an unspecified military action involving Iran ahead of Tuesday's election.
The Israeli broadcaster said Sunday that Zamir demanded signed legal authorization from Netanyahu, establishing legal authorization for the operation.
Military sources cited by channel 12 also expressed concern that Netanyahu's government could use tensions with Iran for political advantage. Unnamed political sources denied the report.
The Israeli broadcaster said Sunday that Zamir demanded signed legal authorization from Netanyahu, establishing legal authorization for the operation.
Military sources cited by channel 12 also expressed concern that Netanyahu's government could use tensions with Iran for political advantage. Unnamed political sources denied the report.
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