AL-MONITOR: The Pulse of The Middle East

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

Amberin Zaman — 2026-06-05T12:16:39-0400

In an interview from Yerevan, Armenian opposition candidate Arman Tatoyan denies pro-Russian ties and says he would deepen cooperation with the European Union and the United States while pursuing a gradual approach to relations with Moscow.

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

Amberin Zaman — 2026-06-05T12:16:39-0400

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

Amberin Zaman — 2026-06-05T12:16:39-0400

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

Amberin Zaman — 2026-06-05T12:16:39-0400

Algeria begins work on Trans-Saharan gas pipeline to Europe

Jack Dutton — 2026-06-05T12:09:59-0400

Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach will build a section of the pipeline and connect it to an existing system in the southwestern Aoulef region that supplies Europe.

Algeria begins work on Trans-Saharan gas pipeline to Europe

Jack Dutton — 2026-06-05T12:09:59-0400

Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach will build a section of the pipeline and connect it to an existing system in the southwestern Aoulef region that supplies Europe.

Algeria begins work on Trans-Saharan gas pipeline to Europe

Jack Dutton — 2026-06-05T12:09:59-0400

Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach will build a section of the pipeline and connect it to an existing system in the southwestern Aoulef region that supplies Europe.

Algeria begins work on Trans-Saharan gas pipeline to Europe

Jack Dutton — 2026-06-05T12:09:59-0400

Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach will build a section of the pipeline and connect it to an existing system in the southwestern Aoulef region that supplies Europe.

US sanctions network smuggling Iranian LPG as talks falter

Elizabeth Hagedorn — 2026-06-05T12:08:37-0400

The sanctions come as President Donald Trump has offered mixed signals on prospects for a deal.

US sanctions network smuggling Iranian LPG as talks falter

Elizabeth Hagedorn — 2026-06-05T12:08:37-0400

The sanctions come as President Donald Trump has offered mixed signals on prospects for a deal.

US sanctions network smuggling Iranian LPG as talks falter

Elizabeth Hagedorn — 2026-06-05T12:08:37-0400

The sanctions come as President Donald Trump has offered mixed signals on prospects for a deal.

US sanctions network smuggling Iranian LPG as talks falter

Elizabeth Hagedorn — 2026-06-05T12:08:37-0400

The sanctions come as President Donald Trump has offered mixed signals on prospects for a deal.

French prosecutors open probe over treatment of French nationals on Gaza flotilla

2026-06-05T12:01:39-0400

PARIS, June 5 (Reuters) - French anti-terrorism prosecutors said on Friday they had opened a preliminary investigation into suspected torture and war crimes over the alleged mistreatment by Israeli authorities of French nationals who were part of an activist flotilla bound for Gaza.

The probe follows Israel's interception of the flotilla, which the activists said had been seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and to challenge Israel's naval blockade of the Palestinian enclave.

Iran using Lebanon as bargaining chip in US talks, Lebanese president says

2026-06-05T11:36:43-0400

BEIRUT, June 5 (Reuters) - Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Iran of using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in its negotiations with the United States on Friday, in some of his toughest criticism yet of Tehran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah as it wages war with Israel.

In a CNN interview, Aoun said "the people of Lebanon are paying the price ... for the sake" of Iran's interests, and were "fed up" with war between Israel and Hezbollah - comments reflecting deep divisions along Lebanon's confessional and political faultlines.

US says it has issued new Iran-related sanctions

2026-06-05T11:36:43-0400

June 5 (Reuters) - The United States imposed new Iran-related sanctions on Friday, targeting several entities, individuals and LPG tankers, the U.S. Treasury Department's website showed.

Among 12 entities designated are five that are based in the Marshall Islands, four in the UAE, and one in China, according to details posted to the department's website. Six vessels were targeted, including four Panama-flagged tankers.

(Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones and Ismail Shakil;Editing by David Ljunggren)

Saudi Arabia's new Riyadh Air set to begin flights amid aviation turmoil

Samuel Wendel — 2026-06-05T11:03:30-0400

Saudi Arabia's long-awaited national airline is set to begin commercial flights on July 1 as the US-Israel-Iran war continues to cloud regional aviation.

Saudi Arabia's new Riyadh Air set to begin flights amid aviation turmoil

Samuel Wendel — 2026-06-05T11:03:30-0400

Saudi Arabia's long-awaited national airline is set to begin commercial flights on July 1 as the US-Israel-Iran war continues to cloud regional aviation.

Saudi Arabia's new Riyadh Air set to begin flights amid aviation turmoil

Samuel Wendel — 2026-06-05T11:03:30-0400

Saudi Arabia's long-awaited national airline is set to begin commercial flights on July 1 as the US-Israel-Iran war continues to cloud regional aviation.

Saudi Arabia's new Riyadh Air set to begin flights amid aviation turmoil

Samuel Wendel — 2026-06-05T11:03:30-0400

Saudi Arabia's long-awaited national airline is set to begin commercial flights on July 1 as the US-Israel-Iran war continues to cloud regional aviation.

US preparing draft resolution condemning Iran at IAEA, diplomats say

2026-06-05T11:01:48-0400

By Francois Murphy and John Irish

VIENNA/PARIS, June 5 (Reuters) - The United States is preparing a draft resolution condemning Iran ahead of next week's meeting of the U.N. nuclear watchdog's Board of Governors, diplomats said on Friday, a step that could complicate wider talks between the U.S. and Iran.

Washington and Tehran are negotiating an extension of their ceasefire that would pave the way for talks on issues including Iran's nuclear programme, with U.S. President Donald Trump insisting Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon.

Iran says it never would.