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External support for ethnic armed groups poses an escalating security threat to Iran, experts and state officials warn.

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US envoy Steve Witkoff on Monday touted progress in weekend discussions with Ukraine and Russia, raising the prospect of reviving three-way peace talks to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko says that "we don't trust these talks", describing the US envoys' flattery towards Russian President Vladimir Putin as "disgraceful".

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Israel on Monday threatened a “full-scale war” against the Palestinian Authority if it believed the West Bank-based body was preparing an attack on Israeli forces or settlements resembling Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault. The warning was denounced by Palestinian authorities as an attempt to fuel the conflict during the Israeli election season.

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Russian forces struck a warehouse and a facility in Kyiv Oblast on 7 September.

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The Eiffel Tower was forced to close on Monday after staff went on strike in protest at the exclusion of female employees during a recent visit by a Hindu delegation. The Paris landmark's operator said the visitors had requested that the visit be organised in such a way as to limit “interactions with women”.

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Israeli clearance of Gaza rubble could destroy 'evidence', says UN expert A UN expert said on Monday that Israeli clearance of rubble in Gaza could destroy valuable evidence of "atrocity crimes" and prevent the recovery of human remains. Francesca Albanese, the UN expert on the Palestinian territories, said evidence should be gathered and human remains identified before full clearance started. She issued a statement headlined: "UN expert warns Israeli rubble-clearing could erase traces of atrocity crimes" and said Palestinians should be behind any plans to remove waste. "In devastated Gaza, rubble is not just construction waste. It is part of a crime scene, a graveyard, and the material record of what happened during a brutal and senseless bombing campaign that lasted two years,” she said. She said that multiple sources had confirmed Israeli companies were involved in the clearance, without naming those sources.

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Macklemore calls for a ‘free Palestine’ during Ed Sheeran shows, prompting praise and backlash Submitted by Ghalia Mohamed on Mon, 09/07/2026 - 13:42 Pro-Israeli organisation accused of attempting to curb free speech after launching petition to remove American rapper from tour Macklemore performing at the Goldencoast Rap Festival in Corcelles-les-Monts, France, last month (Arnaud Finistre/AFP) Off Rights advocates, journalists and social media users have come out in support of the American rapper Macklemore in response to pressure from pro- Israel groups for expressing support for Palestine in his opening act performances for Ed Sheeran in the United States. Footage from Gaza and the occupied West Bank was displayed on screens as Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, performed in front of more than 80,000 people in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday and Saturday as part of English singer-songwriter Sheeran's Loop tour. Macklemore performed "Hind’s Hall", a pro-Palestine anthem in support of anti-genocide campus protests in the US, and named after five-year-old Hind Rajab, who was shot and killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024. He also wore a keffiyeh and made an impassioned speech in which he spoke in support of Palestinians and other peoples living under conflict. “To the people in Gaza and all the way to the occupied West Bank, know that we have not forgotten about you… Every single human being that walks this earth deserves safety and peace before knowing the sounds of violence, to know the sound of laughter on a playground before the sound of planes and bombs," he said on Friday. pic. The Israeli-American Council has launched a petition urging Ed Sheeran and his management to drop Macklemore from the remaining dates of his tour, after the rapper used his opening set at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to call for a 'Free Palestine'. com/2MBwJ5ugIK — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) September 7, 2026 "So I say free Palestine, free Lebanon, free Cuba to the Congo to Sudan to Iran to the people living in America that have to live in fear because of the terrorist organisation ICE. " The "Thrift Shop" rapper also addressed the Jewish community, saying: “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is criticism of you. "My message is for peace, love and for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality. " While many fans praised Macklemore, several pro-Israel accounts, including "Stop Antisemitism", lambasted his performance, labelling it "propaganda" and "anti-Israel". People offended by phrases like “Free Palestine” or “stop killing children” need to explain what exactly they’re offended by. Do they believe Palestinians should forever be oppressed and occupied by Israel? That Palestinians of all ages should be killed? https://t. co/vRmFsdBL4e — Laila Al-Arian (@LailaAlarian) September 7, 2026 The Anti-Defamation League said Macklemore was “falsely accusing Israel of genocide and engaging in antisemitic rhetoric and behavior”. Both organisations have been denounced by pro-Palestinian groups and advocates for describing Palestinian rights movements as antisemitic. The UN, international rights organisations and top scholars of genocide have all concluded that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza. Macklemore on the right side of history https://t. co/VulCkqqFA8 — Rob Markman 💭 (@RobMarkman) September 6, 2026 The Israeli American Council (IAC) launched a petition on Sunday to pressure Sheeran to drop Macklemore as his opening act from future tour dates, accusing the rapper of using "selective imagery, biased messaging, and disputed claims presented to a massive audience as fact, without context or complexity". "Keep Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour about music - not political propaganda," the petition continued. In an age dominated by the criminal, the complicit, and the cowardly, be a Macklemore. 🙏🏽👏✊🏼 🇵🇸✨ https://t. co/VwqG8KRGOQ — Craig Mokhiber (@CraigMokhiber) September 6, 2026 But Macklemore’s speech and performance continued to garner support online from people calling the artist “courageous” and “brave”, and many accusing the pro-Israel accounts and organisations of trying to clamp down on free speech. "The greatest threat to free speech in the West, by far, is Israel and its western loyalists attempting to use all weapons to criminalize, banish and punish criticisms of Israel by pretending that it's anti-Semitic," posted journalist Glenn Greenwald. Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap were among those who came out in public support for Macklemore, posting: “To the Zionist lobby if you call out genocide you're labelled a terrorist - meanwhile they're the ones cheering on a genocide and war crimes. Freedom for all oppressed people. ” Apparently the ADL now wants to dictate limits on free speech of artists performing at events PEOPLE WHO DON’T LIKE THEIR VIEWS DON’T HAVE TO ATTEND Pretty sure if an artist used their platform to defend Israel the ADL would praise them & call anyone who complained an antisemite https://t. co/cVmZOfpMc0 — Lara Friedman (@LaraFriedmanDC) September 6, 2026 Several people online highlighted that Macklemore has been a consistently outspoken advocate for Palestine. “No one attending should have been the least bit surprised” about his performance, said one user, with another adding that “it also says a lot about Ed Sheeran for inviting him to do his first part when he has been so consistently supportive of Palestine”. Some fans also praised Sheeran, and urged him to ignore the backlash. Middle East Eye has contacted Sheeran for comment. Music Trending Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:29 Update Date Override 0

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Macklemore calls for a ‘free Palestine’ during Ed Sheeran shows, prompting praise and backlash Submitted by Ghalia Mohamed on Mon, 09/07/2026 - 13:42 Pro-Israeli organisation accused of attempting to curb free speech after launching petition to remove American rapper from tour Macklemore performing at the Goldencoast Rap Festival in Corcelles-les-Monts, France, last month (Arnaud Finistre/AFP) Off Rights advocates, journalists and social media users have come out in support of the American rapper Macklemore in response to pressure from pro- Israel groups for expressing support for Palestine in his opening act performances for Ed Sheeran in the United States. Footage from Gaza and the occupied West Bank was displayed on screens as Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, performed in front of more than 80,000 people in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday and Saturday as part of English singer-songwriter Sheeran's Loop tour. Macklemore performed "Hind’s Hall", a pro-Palestine anthem in support of anti-genocide campus protests in the US, and named after five-year-old Hind Rajab, who was shot and killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024. He also wore a keffiyeh and made an impassioned speech in which he spoke in support of Palestinians and other peoples living under conflict. “To the people in Gaza and all the way to the occupied West Bank, know that we have not forgotten about you… Every single human being that walks this earth deserves safety and peace before knowing the sounds of violence, to know the sound of laughter on a playground before the sound of planes and bombs," he said on Friday. pic. The Israeli-American Council has launched a petition urging Ed Sheeran and his management to drop Macklemore from the remaining dates of his tour, after the rapper used his opening set at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to call for a 'Free Palestine'. com/2MBwJ5ugIK — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) September 7, 2026 "So I say free Palestine, free Lebanon, free Cuba to the Congo to Sudan to Iran to the people living in America that have to live in fear because of the terrorist organisation ICE. " The "Thrift Shop" rapper also addressed the Jewish community, saying: “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is criticism of you. "My message is for peace, love and for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality. " While many fans praised Macklemore, several pro-Israel accounts, including "Stop Antisemitism", lambasted his performance, labelling it "propaganda" and "anti-Israel". People offended by phrases like “Free Palestine” or “stop killing children” need to explain what exactly they’re offended by. Do they believe Palestinians should forever be oppressed and occupied by Israel? That Palestinians of all ages should be killed? https://t. co/vRmFsdBL4e — Laila Al-Arian (@LailaAlarian) September 7, 2026 The Anti-Defamation League said Macklemore was “falsely accusing Israel of genocide and engaging in antisemitic rhetoric and behavior”. Both organisations have been denounced by pro-Palestinian groups and advocates for describing Palestinian rights movements as antisemitic. The UN, international rights organisations and top scholars of genocide have all concluded that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza. Macklemore on the right side of history https://t. co/VulCkqqFA8 — Rob Markman 💭 (@RobMarkman) September 6, 2026 The Israeli American Council (IAC) launched a petition on Sunday to pressure Sheeran to drop Macklemore as his opening act from future tour dates, accusing the rapper of using "selective imagery, biased messaging, and disputed claims presented to a massive audience as fact, without context or complexity". "Keep Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour about music - not political propaganda," the petition continued. In an age dominated by the criminal, the complicit, and the cowardly, be a Macklemore. 🙏🏽👏✊🏼 🇵🇸✨ https://t. co/VwqG8KRGOQ — Craig Mokhiber (@CraigMokhiber) September 6, 2026 But Macklemore’s speech and performance continued to garner support online from people calling the artist “courageous” and “brave”, and many accusing the pro-Israel accounts and organisations of trying to clamp down on free speech. "The greatest threat to free speech in the West, by far, is Israel and its western loyalists attempting to use all weapons to criminalize, banish and punish criticisms of Israel by pretending that it's anti-Semitic," posted journalist Glenn Greenwald. Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap were among those who came out in public support for Macklemore, posting: “To the Zionist lobby if you call out genocide you're labelled a terrorist - meanwhile they're the ones cheering on a genocide and war crimes. Freedom for all oppressed people. ” Apparently the ADL now wants to dictate limits on free speech of artists performing at events PEOPLE WHO DON’T LIKE THEIR VIEWS DON’T HAVE TO ATTEND Pretty sure if an artist used their platform to defend Israel the ADL would praise them & call anyone who complained an antisemite https://t. co/cVmZOfpMc0 — Lara Friedman (@LaraFriedmanDC) September 6, 2026 Several people online highlighted that Macklemore has been a consistently outspoken advocate for Palestine. “No one attending should have been the least bit surprised” about his performance, said one user, with another adding that “it also says a lot about Ed Sheeran for inviting him to do his first part when he has been so consistently supportive of Palestine”. Some fans also praised Sheeran, and urged him to ignore the backlash. Middle East Eye has contacted Sheeran for comment. Music Trending Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:29 Update Date Override 0

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Traders warn that ‘something has to break’ amid attacks on shipping and eroding inventories

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The leader of France's The Patriots party expressed confidence that Paris must stop fueling corruption in Ukraine

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Russia warned Norway over the alleged deployment of US missile systems capable of launching Tomahawks, saying the sites could become targets in a conflict.

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Seven-year-old Wafaa Aqila and her father killed by Israeli strike while returning home with school supplies.

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Chinese cities must brace for a potential nuclear attack, a new study has warned, singling out Japan for “sending a major danger signal” to the world. The report, from a People’s Liberation Army medical team, said the likelihood of a large-scale global nuclear war was relatively low. “However, the possibility cannot be ruled out that small or medium-sized nuclear-armed or potentially nuclear-armed states, driven by geopolitical or religious conflicts, could carry out a single nuclear-weapon...

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The United Nations special rapporteur on Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese warned Monday that large-scale rubble removal in parts of Gaza under Israeli control could risk erasing "evidence relevant to the investigation of alleged international crimes". Israel's bombardment and ground offensive on Gaza has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry.

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Carys Garland is pleased to welcome Markus Ziener, Visiting Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund. He interprets the AfD’s breakthrough in Saxony-Anhalt as a potentially historic turning point in post-war German politics. For Ziener, the significance lies not only in the scale of the far right’s electoral success, but also in the constituency behind it: many AfD voters, he argues, were previously politically disengaged rather than simply defecting from established parties. This complicates conventional explanations of the result as a straightforward transfer of support from the CDU to the AfD and raises a deeper question about the political expectations of a newly mobilised electorate. At the same time, Ziener draws an important distinction between electoral strength and governing capacity. Saxony-Anhalt’s limited powers mean that even an AfD-led government could struggle to fulfil major promises on migration, Ukraine and other national policy questions. The immediate consequences may therefore be felt most strongly elsewhere: in the destabilisation of the established parties and, particularly, in mounting pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Ziener portrays the result as a challenge reaching “to the core of his chancellorship,” with further regional elections threatening to turn a state-level defeat into a broader test of Germany’s political direction.

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IAEA chief says renewed access to Iran nuclear sites could have ‘positive repercussions’ IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday that restoring the UN nuclear agency’s access to key facilities in Iran could have “very, very positive repercussions” for Tehran, as the US, Britain, France and Germany prepare to seek a resolution referring Iran to the UN Security Council. The IAEA has been unable to access several key Iranian nuclear sites since Israel, later joined by the US, launched a 12-day conflict in June 2025 that included strikes on nuclear facilities. Sites have also been hit in the latest war, which began on February 28, prompting repeated calls from the agency for renewed access. “The best, shortest way for a positive outcome is for Iran to engage with us,” Grossi told reporters after opening the IAEA Board of Governors’ quarterly meeting. Grossi said his engagement with Iran would continue regardless of the outcome of the vote, adding that serious dialogue and renewed access to nuclear sites would have significant positive consequences. Before the June 2025 strikes, the IAEA estimated that Iran had around 440kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity — well above the 3.67 percent limit set under the now-defunct 2015 nuclear deal, and close to the level generally associated with weapons-grade enrichment. The fate of that stockpile has remained uncertain since the strikes. In a statement ahead of Monday’s meeting, Grossi described the lack of contact with Iran as “regrettable”, saying the outstanding issues would not disappear until the agency could regain the access needed to assess Iran’s nuclear activities.

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According to Esmaeil Baghaei, attempts by European countries to repeatedly submit the Iranian nuclear dossier for consideration to the UN Security Council contradict their own statements from last fall about reinstating UNSC sanctions

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Iran warns of retaliation if IAEA adopts resolution against Tehran Iran has warned that it will take reciprocal action if the UN nuclear watchdog adopts a resolution against Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday. Speaking at a press briefing, Baghaei criticised European states seeking a resolution against Iran, calling their approach “irrational” given that the ongoing US-Iran war has made several Iranian nuclear facilities inaccessible to international inspectors. His comments come as the US, Britain, France and Germany push for a resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over Iran’s lack of cooperation and access to its nuclear sites. Iran has restricted IAEA access to facilities affected by previous strikes, arguing that normal safeguards arrangements have become impractical under wartime conditions. The dispute has deepened concerns over the status of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the international community’s ability to verify the nature of its nuclear programme.

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Lebanese president denounces Israeli attacks and destruction in south Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has condemned what he described as Israel’s “repeated attacks”, including the killing of civilians and destruction of homes and property. Aoun said the attacks, which he said had killed “innocent civilians, including children and women”, were undermining efforts to prevent further escalation in southern Lebanon and across the region. Aoun said Lebanon supports renewing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) and is working with French President Emmanuel Macron to facilitate the extension. “We also welcome the French and Italian initiative to form a European force to fill the void after UNIFIL’s withdrawal,” he added. Smoke rises from the site of an explosion in Al-Mansouri, southern Lebanon, seen from al-Hanniyeh, 6 September 2026 (Kawnat Haju/AFP)

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The number of wounded has reached 12,378

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Schools, businesses and public transport are all struggling with the surge in Russian air attacks.

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Gaza death toll reaches 73,658 as Israeli attacks continue Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that at least eight Palestinians were killed and 30 were wounded in Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours. Two others were killed from wounds inflicted in earlier Israeli attacks. Palestinian man Ismail Ibrahim Qandil was killed when an Israeli air strike targeted him while he was riding his motorbike northwest of Khan Younis, Wafa reported. According to Gaza’s health ministry, since October 2023, Israel has killed at least 73,658 Palestinians and wounded 174,622 others in Gaza. Israeli forces also continued the attacks and raids throughout Gaza and the occupied West Bank, as Israeli naval forces opened fire at fishing boats off Gaza City, wounding two fishermen. Israeli forces also detained Palestinians in raids in Ramallah, Tulkarem, Nilin and Nablus, while settlers attacked a farming shed, damaged electricity poles and assaulted two Palestinians south of Nablus. Settlers have also started fencing off land in al-Hadidiya in the Jordan Valley, restricting Palestinians’ access to agricultural areas. A rescuer searches for survivors amid rubble following an overnight Israeli airstrike on Kfar Roummane, southern Lebanon, 7 September 2026. (Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP)

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Ghalibaf says US energy companies could face Iranian strikes Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that US energy companies could face Iranian strikes if Washington goes ahead with a threat to attack Iranian oil tankers. Ghalibaf’s warning came after US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth threatened to “destroy” Iranian tankers. “It’s simple: the oil and gas production chain here is sprawling, accessible, and exposed. American oil and gas companies across these waters and facilities share that exposure,” Ghalibaf said in a post on X. “Strike our assets, and you get struck,” he said. Ghalibaf posted an accompanying picture of oil infrastructure and the words, “The lost decade of the US economy is coming”. It’s simple: the oil and gas production chain here is sprawling, accessible, and exposed. American oil and gas companies across these waters and facilities share that exposure. Strike our assets and you get struck. We’ve already proven it. Ask the bases that are no longer viable. https://t. co/XiHAf6KzqV pic. twitter. com/0wBf40K4D3 — محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) September 7, 2026

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At least 27 UAVs were shot down over the Perm region, Governor Dmitry Makhonin said

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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has urged Washington and the international community to help stop Israeli attacks, with strikes on the south of the country killing at least 11 people on Sunday despite a truce and a framework deal aimed at halting the violence.

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UK set to announce ban on trade with Israeli settlements on Tuesday Submitted by Imran Mulla on Mon, 09/07/2026 - 09:51 New measures are expected to prohibit any investment in illegal Israeli settlement businesses Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaks to the media after attending a preview event for the Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition, at the British Museum in London on 2 September (AFP) Off British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is set to announce a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements on Tuesday, Middle East Eye understands. The ban is expected to bring the UK into compliance with the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion of July 2024, Whitehall sources told MEE. The ICJ ruling declared the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory to be illegal and obligated states - including Britain - to take steps to oppose it. To achieve this, the ban is expected to prohibit any investment in settlement businesses. Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur on the occupied territories, said on Monday that "all states carry an obligation - not a preference of an obligation - not to recognise the situation as legal, and not render aid and assistance in maintaining it". Albanese said a settlement trade ban must be part of "a true paradigm shift to Israel-Palestine that ultimately seeks to implement the International Court of Justice advisory opinion in 2024". The Labour Muslim Network (LMN) and International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) published a legal briefing last week saying the UK should implement a "full ban on British citizens and businesses conducting economic and financial activities in illegal Israeli settlements as well as in activities that assist the wider illegal settlement economy". The briefing said: "The legal framework governing the settlements is firmly established in international humanitarian law, including treaties to which the UK is a party. "The UK is required not only to respect international humanitarian law but also, under Common Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions, to ensure respect for it in all circumstances. " This comes as Israel’s new E1 settlement project east of Jerusalem is poised to effectively cut the occupied West Bank in two. Last week the Israeli government threatened Britain with retaliation over the expected measures. "If Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain," foreign minister Gideon Saar warned. US pressure increases Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's son, Yair Netanyahu, suggested last week that the Falkland Islands belonged to Argentina and not to Britain. Yair is not a minister, but after his comments, US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington could reconsider its position on British sovereignty over the islands. Last Thursday, Trump suggested he would not back Britain if Argentina were to invade the Falkland Islands, telling GB News: "Your country was not there to help me" when the US and Israel began their attack on Iran in February. Argentinian President Javier Milei declared last week that Argentina's national sovereignty had been "violated" and that his country would defend its interests "tooth and nail, no matter who it bothers". On Friday morning in a national address, Milei threatened sanctions on oil firms that seek to drill around the Falklands, adding that the "winds of change" favoured Argentina's claim to the islands. Mike Huckabee criticised for accusing Jewish UK foreign secretary of 'Jew hate' Read More » A leaked Pentagon memo from April suggested that Washington could use the Falklands as leverage in negotiations with the UK. However, the British Foreign Office is understood to be pressing ahead with preparing to announce sanctions on Tuesday. Miliband released a video late last week in which he said: “I just came out of this meeting talking about Gaza to people who've been there and are there on the ground, and frankly it was horrific what is unfolding. ” He asserted that “we as a UK government, as the prime minister has said, have got to act and act more decisively than we have”. In response, the official X account of Israel's foreign ministry attacked Miliband and said, "facts matter less (when making a video for a political audience)" to the British foreign secretary. Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, shared the Israeli foreign ministry's post and remarked: "The Brits have lost it. The Jew hate of their government knows no boundaries and knows no facts. " Miliband is Jewish and his parents lost family members in the Holocaust. UK Politics News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

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Israeli strikes kill seven Palestinians in Gaza in past 24 hours Two Palestinians have died from injuries sustained in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, bringing the number of Palestinians killed over the past 24 hours to seven, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. Six-year-old Daoud Muqata was killed after being shot north of Gaza City several weeks ago, while Subhi al-Batrikhi succumbed to wounds sustained in an Israeli air attack on a group of civilians in the city’s Remal neighbourhood on Sunday. Massive explosions were heard across Gaza around dawn after Israeli air strikes hit residential buildings in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighbourhood, according to local media. Israeli jets also struck several locations overnight, including homes belonging to the al-Batsh and Habib families and the Hayfa Hospital building behind the al-Sakhra commercial complex.

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Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence says Russia has enough resources to wage war through 2027 and 2028, but effective sanctions could weaken its war machine.

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Iran war shows Gulf cannot rely on US for security, Qatar says Spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry Majed al-Ansari said the war on Iran had shown that Gulf states could no longer rely on strategic alliances with the US for their security. Speaking at the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi, Ansari said the international forces and the US alliance were important but "not enough" to ensure the security of the region. “We need to realise in the Gulf that having international forces in the region, having a strategic alliance with the US is very important but is not enough. Self-sufficiency when it comes to security is the only way forward,” Ansari said. Qatar and other Gulf states have condemned Iran's strikes on energy and other infrastructure across the region, saying they violate international law and the UN Charter. Alongside Pakistan, Qatar played a key role in brokering an April ceasefire and a June memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US, but both arrangements have since collapsed.

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Concerns over police response to Dover protest and Portsmouth blockade will dog Westminster this week