Syria and Saudi Arabia have agreed to reopen their embassies after cutting diplomatic ties more than a decade ago. Talks between the two governments have gathered momentum, and the decision follows a landmark agreement to re-establish ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The move marks a significant step in Syria's return to the Arab fold.

The US military carried out airstrikes in Syria against Iran-aligned groups in response to a deadly drone attack on American personnel. The attack drone was determined to be of Iranian origin, which could further escalate tensions between the US and Iran.

US officials have tried to minimize Beijing's role in the region, saying it is far from supplanting the United States: much of the Middle East still sits under the Pentagon's security umbrella.

Riyadh cut ties after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in 2016 following the Saudi execution of revered Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr -- just one in a series of flashpoints between the two longstanding rivals.

Shipments to the UAE have been steadily growing, data shows

'Rafael Grossi is a worthy gentleman who said something unworthy,' says Benjamin Netanyahu

The Saudi foreign ministry expressed its "complete rejection of such racist and irresponsible statements, which reflect the massive violence and extremism the Israeli occupation entity is exercising against the brotherly Palestinians."

Israel and Oman have no diplomatic relations, but the Gulf state seemed to have been less reluctant in publicizing its relations with Israel. In 2018, the late Sultan Qaboos received Netanyahu in Muscat.

Israel has long accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, while Tehran insists its nuclear programme is aimed solely at generating energy.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Morocco's King Mohammed VI for his country's provision of "safe haven" for Jews during the Holocaust, in a missive seen by AFP on Tuesday.

Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said that he will seek to establish full diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia “as soon as I get into office.”

Israeli troops on Thursday killed three Palestinians during a firefight in a West Bank city, and another in a separate incident, Palestinian officials said.