The United States has announced a landmark deal with Saudi Arabia to establish a civilian nuclear program in the Gulf country, with Washington insisting the agreement includes safeguards against non-proliferation. The deals were signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.
23 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Iran executed Mehdi Khaneki on charges connected to January nationwide protests, according to the Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency and an opposition group. The NCRI said Khaneki was hanged on charges of membership in the PMOI and participation in protests in Karaj, while Mizan cited "operational actions" benefiting Israel and the US.
23 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Manila on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit to discuss the Ukraine war and US-Russia relations, with both officials expressing openness to dialogue despite stalled peace efforts.
23 July 2026 · The Standard →
Britain has withdrawn its remaining diplomatic staff from Iran due to security concerns arising from escalating conflict between Iran and the United States, with the Foreign Office saying the embassy continues to operate remotely. The withdrawal follows an earlier June staff withdrawal and comes after Israeli air strikes on Iran.
23 July 2026 · The Standard →
ASEAN foreign ministers called for freedom of navigation in international straits, including the Strait of Hormuz, as they concluded meetings overshadowed by the US-Iran war. The regional bloc's joint communique emphasized self-restraint in the Middle East conflict, which has caused energy shortages and price spikes throughout Southeast Asia.
23 July 2026 · The Standard →
Four women and two men are running to become the next UN Secretary-General, with Rafael Grossi of Argentina (current head of the UN nuclear watchdog), Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, and Macky Sall of Senegal among the contenders. The Security Council's five permanent members—the US, Britain, China, France, and Russia—have veto power over the selection.
23 July 2026 · The Standard →
President Trump vowed that the United States will bomb Iranian bridges or power plants each time Tehran fires at ships in the Strait of Hormuz, including facilities near Tehran. The threat came as Trump prepared to receive the remains of three US troops killed in Iranian attacks on American military facilities in the Gulf.
23 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →