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
UAE sends aid to Greece amid wildfires Forest fires continue to rage in Europe and the Middle East despite containment measures. News Brief
Wildfires have burned more than Turkey’s forests The Turkish government’s conduct during the wildfires that engulfed Turkey’s coastline has not only led to devastation of the country’s forests, but also caused loss of the nation’s sense of solidarity in the wake of natural disasters Turkey
Death toll from Algeria's wildfires rises to 65 At least 25 soldiers died trying to extinguish the fires in Algeria’s Kabylia region. Algeria
At least 7 dead as Algeria battles raging wildfires Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud blamed criminal activity as civil defense teams worked to contain the fires. Algeria
Fires continue in Lebanon amid regional outbreak Large wildfires have affected Turkey, Syria and European countries recently. Lebanon
Erdogan struggles to contain political fallout from Turkey’s wildfires The wildfires scorching Turkey since last week threaten not only an environmental disaster but also a big political fallout for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
The Takeaway: Does Raisi sink prospects for Iran nuclear deal? Maybe not, but diplomacy just got harder; also, Egypt pushes plans to address climate and water crises; Sudan calls out Ethiopia on recent floods; Russia says it is helping save Syria’s heritage; Turkish cleric takes issue with dress code for Olympic women; remembering Beirut’s port explosion; more! Iran
EU offers Turkey assistance as wildfires continue to rage The government faced calls to step down after it emerged that the country did not have any usable fire-fighting planes in its inventory. Turkey
Forest fires rage in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey At least four people were killed in the fires. Lebanon
Israel suspends fuel-transport deal with UAE The environmental decision to halt the fuel-transport deal with the Emirates created the first real diplomatic crisis between the countries since the signing of the Abraham Accords. Israel
Al-Azhar sheikh demands 'serious action' on climate change The leading Sunni Muslim religious authority's comments followed floods in Turkey and scorching temperatures in Iraq, among other issues. News Brief
New environment minister has ambitious plans for Israel New Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg has announced some lofty goals, including raising the target for renewable energy to 40% by 2030. Israel
