Interview UAE official says opening Hormuz integral to any Iran deal, describes infrastructure damage 'manageable' Abdulla Balalaa, UAE assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability, spoke to Al-Monitor about the situation in the Gulf along with the UAE's focus on promoting privatization in the water sector and the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Oil fires, toxic air and water risks: Environmental cost of Iran war expands to region The bombing of oil facilities in Iran and critical water infrastructure in the Gulf threatens the Middle East with long-lasting environmental destruction, as have similar tactics employed in previous conflicts. Iran
Storm Leonardo displaces 140,000 as heavy floods hit northern Morocco Heavy rains from the storm have flooded northern Morocco, prompting mass evacuations and straining emergency services. Morocco
Analysis Iran’s mismanagement in focus as fires ravage 25-million-year-old forests Prolonged wildfires are raging across Iran's northern Hyrcanian forests, highlighting mismanagement, insufficient resources and climate stress, and forcing volunteers and foreign aid to intervene. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Gazans open eco-friendly rest house on the beach A group of artists in Gaza established the first eco-friendly rest house on the enclave’s beach, where people can sit and enjoy the free services in exchange for food leftovers. Palestine
The Takeaway: What will it take to jumpstart Iran nuclear talks? Jihadi spat in Idlib; Palestinians’ fashion feud; Lapid pivots left; Palestinians reject Armenian land sale in Jerusalem; Turkey’s generals and Syria; Qatari artist bemoans plastic pollution; and more! In less than 1,200 words. Iran
Qatari artist takes creative stand against plastic binge Pictures of an abaya covered with plastic wastes invite Qataris to reflect on their plastic consumption as pollution from disposable products surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Legacy: Gulf
After summer of severe floods and fires, Turkey to ratify Paris Agreement In his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the Paris Climate Agreement would be submitted to Turkey’s parliament for approval next month. Turkey
Extreme heat takes toll on Egypt's archaeological heritage Extreme heat, in addition to rising sea levels, is having an impact on antiquities and cities overlooking the Mediterranean in Egypt. Culture
Environmentalists object to copper mine in Jordanian nature reserve Jordan's government has decided to carve out a third of the country's largest nature reserve to mine it for copper, though past studies had found the project unfeasible. Jordan
Egypt announces plan to address climate change following heat wave Egypt is devising a strategic national plan to address climate change amid a heat wave that swept through the country recently. Egypt
Water crisis puts 12 million at risk in Syria, Iraq, aid groups say Higher temperatures, drought and record low rainfall levels are depriving millions of people of drinking and agricultural water. Syria
Algeria blames Israel, Morocco for deadly wildfires The Algerian president's office said two groups were responsible for starting the fires, one of which Algeria accused of receiving support from Israel and Morocco. Algeria
Death toll rises to 74 as floods batter Turkey's Black Sea coast More than 2,300 people have been evacuated since the flash floods erupted in northern Turkey on Wednesday. Turkey
38 dead as floods ravage Turkey's northern coast The floods in Turkey's Black Sea region forced more than 1,700 people to evacuate, many of whom are now sleeping in student dorms. Turkey
