Iran FM Reveals Mutual Messages with Washington on Gaza, Lebanon

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during a meeting with Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in the southern suburbs of Beirut (Hezbollah media)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during a meeting with Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in the southern suburbs of Beirut (Hezbollah media)
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Iran FM Reveals Mutual Messages with Washington on Gaza, Lebanon

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during a meeting with Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in the southern suburbs of Beirut (Hezbollah media)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during a meeting with Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in the southern suburbs of Beirut (Hezbollah media)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has revealed that Iran and the United States have been exchanging messages lately, including about the Lebanon-based Hezbollah.

Washington had asked Tehran to urge Hezbollah to avoid getting deeply involved in the war against Israel.

The top Iranian diplomat stressed that Iran prefers a political solution in Gaza and warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that attacking Lebanon would be disastrous for him.

Amir-Abdollahian made these statements after a two-day visit to Beirut, where he met with Lebanese officials and started by meeting Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.

From Beirut, Amir-Abdollahian said that progress is being made towards a political solution in Gaza, emphasizing that neither Iran nor Lebanon wants to escalate the conflict.

During a press conference alongside his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib, Amir-Abdollahian affirmed that neither Iran nor Lebanon sought to expand the war in the region, reiterating that war is not the solution.

Bou Habib outlined a Lebanese perspective for a sustainable solution to restore calm to the South within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 of 2006.

The Lebanese Foreign Minister emphasized the need for the comprehensive implementation of the resolution, cessation of Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty, withdrawal from occupied territories, and the bolstering of the Lebanese Army.

Regarding meetings with Lebanese officials, Amir-Abdollahian described them as positive.

After holding talks with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, he simply stated that the meeting was good.

Following his discussion with the acting Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, Amir-Abdollahian remarked that developments in Gaza are leaning towards a political solution, contrasting with Netanyahu’s belief in war as a means of self-preservation.

Amir-Abdollahian emphasized Iran’s strong support for Lebanon’s stability and security.

Hezbollah stated that Amir-Abdollahian met with Nasrallah to discuss regional developments, especially in Gaza and southern Lebanon, and the future situation in Lebanon and the region.



Arab Parliament Affirms Support for Stability in Yemen, Unity Efforts in Sudan

Arab Parliament Affirms Support for Stability in Yemen, Unity Efforts in Sudan
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Arab Parliament Affirms Support for Stability in Yemen, Unity Efforts in Sudan

Arab Parliament Affirms Support for Stability in Yemen, Unity Efforts in Sudan

The Arab Parliament reiterated its strong and unwavering support for the security and stability of Yemen. It emphasized that prioritizing dialogue, understanding, and wisdom is essential to serve the best interests of the Yemeni people.

In a statement issued on Friday, the parliament highlighted the importance of making every effort to de-escalate the situation, address the crisis, and achieve a sustainable political solution that respects Yemen's sovereignty and the will of the Yemeni people, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The parliament expressed its full commitment to supporting all initiatives that enhance security, stability, and development in Yemen, as well as to fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of the Yemeni people for progress, stability, and prosperity.

The Arab Parliament also reiterated its strong and unwavering support for all initiatives aimed at resolving the Sudanese crisis and ensuring the security, stability, and unity of Sudan.

In a statement, the Arab Parliament congratulated the Sudanese people on the anniversary of Independence Day. It expressed hope that the next Independence Day will be celebrated with the crisis fully resolved, fulfilling the aspirations of the Sudanese people for security, stability and development.


Lebanon PM Pledges State Authority, Vows to End Israeli Attacks

An Israeli officer displays weapons seized by the army in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria during a media tour (AFP). 
An Israeli officer displays weapons seized by the army in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria during a media tour (AFP). 
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Lebanon PM Pledges State Authority, Vows to End Israeli Attacks

An Israeli officer displays weapons seized by the army in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria during a media tour (AFP). 
An Israeli officer displays weapons seized by the army in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria during a media tour (AFP). 

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has pledged to press ahead with reforms, extend the authority of the state, and work to end Israeli attacks and remove the occupation, even as Israel signals preparations for a “measured” military action against Hezbollah.

In a New Year message posted on X, Salam wished Lebanese a year marked by hope, continued state recovery, and restored public trust.

“We promise to continue together the path of reform and the extension of state authority,” he wrote. He added a renewed pledge “to keep working to end Israeli attacks, remove the occupation, and secure the return of our detainees,” saluting the Lebanese army and security forces deployed nationwide to safeguard public safety.

Lebanon has maintained diplomatic contacts with the sponsors of the ceasefire with Israel, which took effect in November 2024 and ended 66 days of fighting between Hezbollah and the Israeli army.

Beirut says diplomacy and steps by the Lebanese army have prevented a renewed war. Israel, however, still occupies five border points inside Lebanese territory, holds around 20 detainees, including civilians, and continues to violate the agreement through intermittent strikes and targeted killings inside Lebanon.

In parallel, Israeli media report heightened security readiness for possible action against Hezbollah, citing Israeli assessments that recent Lebanese measures fall short of ceasefire terms.

The daily Maariv said security chiefs are preparing to brief Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on readiness levels, pointing to what Israel describes as Lebanon’s failure to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure south and north of the Litani River.

According to the report, Lebanon may soon declare the end of army operations to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani without extending them northward, an outcome Israel deems a breach. Israeli assessments suggest this could prompt unilateral action if Lebanon is seen as unable or unwilling to comply.

Israel accuses Hezbollah of rebuilding capabilities, including precision missiles, and says recent airstrikes targeted training sites linked to the Radwan Forces. Israeli officials argue Hezbollah is currently in a weakened operational state, enabling “calibrated” options aimed at pressuring the group while preserving the ceasefire framework.

 

 


Türkiye Plans First Overseas Deepwater Drilling in Somalia Next Month

Türkiye Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar speaks during the conference 'Energy Security in the World and Türkiye: Risks and Solutions in Critical Minerals' at the Sabanci University Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC), in Istanbul, Türkiye, December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Türkiye Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar speaks during the conference 'Energy Security in the World and Türkiye: Risks and Solutions in Critical Minerals' at the Sabanci University Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC), in Istanbul, Türkiye, December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
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Türkiye Plans First Overseas Deepwater Drilling in Somalia Next Month

Türkiye Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar speaks during the conference 'Energy Security in the World and Türkiye: Risks and Solutions in Critical Minerals' at the Sabanci University Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC), in Istanbul, Türkiye, December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Türkiye Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar speaks during the conference 'Energy Security in the World and Türkiye: Risks and Solutions in Critical Minerals' at the Sabanci University Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC), in Istanbul, Türkiye, December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Türkiye will send a drilling vessel to Somalia in February to carry out the country's first deepwater exploration project abroad, ‌Energy Minister ‌Alparslan Bayraktar ‌said.

He ‌said the operation with the Cagri Bey vessel will focus on offshore areas ⁠in Somali waters but did not ‍provide ‍details on targeted ‍reserves or investment size.

In 2024, Türkiye signed an energy exploration deal with Somalia. It has been ⁠seeking to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on imports, investing in exploration at home and overseas.