Saudi Arabia rules out Israel ties without Palestinian state, Gaza Ceasefire

Saudi Arabia has said it will not normalize diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is established and Israel ends its military campaign in Gaza.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), currently chaired by Türkiye, has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to act swiftly to end the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Tehran is fully prepared to face any future Israeli military action, reaffirming the country’s determination to continue its nuclear programme, which he insists remains solely for peaceful purposes.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Tehran will not abandon its uranium enrichment programme, despite the significant damage inflicted by a series of coordinated airstrikes from the United States and Israel last month.

Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, widely known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” has died after spending almost 20 years in a coma. 

Iran said Wednesday that Israel`s attacks on Syria pose an unprecedented threat to international peace and security, calling on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the UN to respond immediately and effectively to the growing danger.

Iran officially ceased its collaboration with the UN`s nuclear oversight body, a decision the United States promptly labeled "unacceptable."

Last month, the Iranian military reportedly loaded naval mines onto vessels situated in the Persian Gulf, a development that significantly heightened Washington`s apprehension.

A preliminary US intelligence report has found that recent American airstrikes failed to destroy Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, merely delaying its progress by a few months. The assessment comes as a fragile ceasefire, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, begins to take effect between Iran and Israel.

US President Donald Trump has declared a “complete and total” ceasefire between Israel and Iran, scheduled to take effect within 24 hours, following a day marked by intense military escalation in the Middle East.

The United States has officially entered the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, launching coordinated strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities. US President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, declaring that the attacks on three major nuclear sites were `highly successful.`

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday ruled out any possibility of negotiations with Israel, vowing that Iran would continue to retaliate against Israeli aggression.

China has advised its citizens to leave Israel immediately as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, according to Chinese state media reports on Tuesday.

Tensions between Iran and Israel have sharply escalated, with both countries launching new attacks against each other overnight into Sunday, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. The escalation followed Israel’s unexpected strike on the world’s largest gas field, intensifying hostilities with its longtime adversary.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has firmly dismissed a US proposal demanding restrictions on uranium enrichment, vowing that Tehran will continue its nuclear activities despite international pressure.

Matthew Miller, a former spokesperson for the US State Department during President Joe Biden`s administration, has stated that Israel has indeed committed war crimes in Gaza.