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
Iran currency dips to new low of 1.2M per dollar as sanctions bite: What to know Since US President Donald Trump took office in January, the rial has plummeted. Iran
Turkey, Iraq sign oil-for-water deal: What to know The landmark deal between Ankara and Baghdad sets out a finance mechanism to direct Iraqi oil proceeds into Turkish-built water infrastructure. Turkey
Analysis Water for influence: Turkey moves to ease Iraq's water shortages ahead of elections By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Jordan’s water security caught between $5B megaproject, frayed Israel ties By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
New Egyptian-Ethiopian escalation over Nile dam Ethiopia has announced that it will soon finish construction work on the GERD, while Egypt has warned of the consequences of not reaching an agreement in the latest escalation between the two countries. Egypt
Iran riot police 'forcibly' sweep water protest site During the pre-dawn raid in the city of Esfahan, baton-wielding security forces set protest tents on fire and pushed farmers out of the dried river basin, the site of more than two weeks of public demonstrations. Iran
Jordanian public unhappy with Israeli water deal The sudden decision by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates to sign a declaration of intent to trade clean electricity for water has produced public opposition despite the fact that Jordan badly needs to add to its water supply due to the increase in population from the regional violence. Jordan
The Takeaway: Iran nuclear talks resume next week — What you need to know Turkish lira crisis hits Syria; Saudi, Syrian intel chiefs talk; Netflix drama evokes memories for Izmir’s Jews; Oman bets on logistics; Egypt, Tanzania deepen ties; Gaza’s women skateboarders — all in less than 1,500 words. By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell
Drought parches Idlib governorate Drought has dried up the Duwaisat Dam reservoir, west of Idlib, hitting farmers hard. Syria
Water protests spread in Iran Farmers in a second province in Iran protest the water crisis in their region. Iran
Egypt weighs impact of Ethiopia's civil war The civil war further threatens Ethiopia as Tigray forces threaten to advance toward Abbis Ababa. Egypt
Egypt coordinates with Tanzania as Ethiopian dam negotiations paused Egypt ramps up coordination efforts with Tanzania amid fading hopes of resuming GERD negotiations. Egypt
Ethiopian civil war adds to uncertainty, tension over Nile Dam dispute The political tension that was born in Ethiopia after a number of ethnic nationalities forged an alliance to topple the Abiy Ahmed government is raising many questions about the fate of the regional conflict over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Israel, Jordan to sign solar/water cooperation deal in Dubai After months of secret negotiations, mediated by the United Arab Emirates and with the assistance of US Climate Envoy John Kerry, Israel and Jordan will sign an agreement next week in Dubai that should help them both to face climate change challenges. Israel
Turkey's war of attrition against Syria's Kurds Alongside shelling and drones, Turkey is weaponizing water supplies in northeast Syria, turning an already horrible situation into a nightmare Syria
Rebel groups take sides on Sudan coup Rebel leaders who integrated into the transitional bodies through the civilian side after the 2020 Juba Peace Agreements have allied with the military, but some defiance remains. North Africa
