Israel, Turkey, Iran offer aid as Venezuela’s 2 quakes kill at least 188 Iran, Turkey and Israel were among the first countries to offer assistance to earthquake-hit Venezuela despite their varying diplomatic relationships with Caracas. Turkey
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. Abdulla Balalaa UAE assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability
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 By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Turkey roasts as extreme weather fuels wildfires, disrupts air traffic In Turkey’s Mediterranean province of Antalya, soaring humidity levels have also disrupted air travel. Turkey
Culture From Egypt to Iran, heatwave compounds Middle East electricity problems, climate change burdens Countries like Iraq are particularly susceptible to climate change, as recurring blackouts make it harder to stay cool indoors. Kuwait
Iran: Unprecedented heat wave triggers emergency holidays The high temperatures have widely been linked to the overall impacts of climate change, which is hitting Iran twice harder than global averages, according to official data. Iran
After saving Yemen from oil tanker spill, can diplomacy end its war? Work begins to transfer oil off the decrepit FSO Safer, but US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking says further progress toward peace will require Yemenis talking to one another. Yemen
Wildfires kill dozens as extreme heat sweeps across Algeria, Turkey, Europe Scientists say the wildfires have become more intense in the past years due to climate change. Turkey
At last, Israel’s Netanyahu invited to UAE for COP28 The Israeli leader may have to wait until November, for the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, for his first public visit to the Emirates. Israel
Entire UAE, Qatar, Bahrain populations vulnerable to extreme heat, study says The UAE is particularly vulnerable, with more than 80% of its population exposed to extreme heat even after a 1.5 C (34.7 F) rise in global temperatures over pre-industrial levels. Qatar
In UAE, Brazil’s Lula looks east for climate investments, peace brokering President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva looks to exert Brazil's power in a geopolitical landscape that has significantly shifted since he last held office. Legacy: Gulf
Severe floods in Iraq leave several dead, adding to climate strains Iraq is contending with both heavy rains and increasing desertification. Iraq
New World Bank grant to help Egypt manage Cairo's air pollution A 2022 report published by the American University of Cairo described Cairo's air quality as a "direct threat to public health.” Egypt
COP-28 head Sultan Al Jaber: UAE ‘running toward’ energy transition As the climate summit president continues to face criticism for his role as head of the UAE's state oil producer, Sultan Al Jaber argued that his position will serve more as an asset than an obstacle to energy transition. Legacy: Gulf
Clean air funding halved in Iran’s budget as pollution chokes much of country As much of Iran grapples with record levels of air pollution during the cold season each year, the government has halved the resources allocated to tackling the pressing issue despite an overall increase in the budget cap. Iran
