New Turkey maritime draft bill fuels EastMed tensions with Greece, Cyprus Turkey’s draft maritime bill seeks to formalize Ankara’s claims in the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and Black seas, raising tensions with Greece and Cyprus over contested maritime boundaries and offshore energy rights. Turkey
After year away, France returns ambassador to Algeria: What to know France and Algeria have made efforts to improve ties recently, with the strain resulting from disagreements over Western Sahara and their shared colonial past. Algeria
EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know European foreign ministers have agreed to sanction extremist West Bank settlers, but are still discussing the list of names. Israel
Iran president says he held official meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know The president’s announcement marks the first public confirmation of a meeting between a senior official and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the start of the war. Iran
Israel’s FM Cohen discusses Iran threat, energy cooperation in Greece Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen met Thursday with newly his appointed Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis. Israel
Turkey, Greece to resume confidence-building talks The resumption of confidence-building negotiations comes as a culmination of the fence-mending steps between Ankara and Athens since the devastating Feb. 6 quakes that hit Turkey. Turkey
Canada, Ukraine take case against Iran for downed plane to UN court Iran recently sentenced members of the armed forces to prison for their role in shooting down Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in 2020, but Canada, Ukraine and other countries whose citizens died in the incident continue to reject Iran’s handling of the matter. Iran
As protests continue against Sweden, OIC to meet in Saudi on Quran burning Member states are set to discuss measures to be taken against attacks on the Muslim holy book. Turkey
Israeli Mossad interrogated inside Iran agent who had operated in Cyprus Mossad published more details on a daring operation on Iranian soil, where its agents tracked and interrogated a head of an Iranian terror cell who had plotted to kill an Israeli in Cyprus. Israel
Middle East condemns, protests Quran burning in Sweden by Iraqi refugee Quran burnings in Sweden have damaged the potential NATO member’s relationship with Turkey. Turkey
European Parliament committee calls to prosecute Israel for war crimes The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament hopes to get the plenum to approve a resolution encouraging the International Court to charge Israel with war crimes. Israel
Israel thanks Cyprus for stopping alleged Iranian plan to attack Israelis Israel is expressing gratitude to Cypriot authorities who reportedly stopped an Iranian attack on Israelis in the country, where Iran was accused of plotting to attack Israelis back in 2021. Israel
France's Le Drian visits Lebanon in bid to break presidential deadlock French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian’s visit to Beirut comes as parliament failed for the 12th time to elect a president. Lebanon
Analysis Saudi-France business ties flourish as Macron woos MBS Trade between the two countries came to $12 billion in 2022, a growth of 47% compared with 2021. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Israel, Cyprus make strides toward EastMed undersea electricity cable Cypriot Energy Minister George Papanastasiou's visit to Israel is another step in joint efforts to promote the Euro-Asia undersea electricity cable project. Israel
Interview Oman FM says US, Iran 'close' on prisoner deal Oman's foreign minister told Al-Monitor that the two sides are ironing out the details on a deal to release the prisoners. Sayyid Badr Albusaidi Foreign Minister of Oman
