--- title: "Middle East — News & Analysis | Model Diplomat" description: "Browse 236 stories and expert analysis tagged Middle East on Model Diplomat — diplomacy, politics, and global-affairs coverage for Model UN." url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/tag/middle-east" --- > For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://modeldiplomat.com/llms.txt). Skip to main content ## 236 Stories [politics_diplomacy](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/moroccos-gaza-troop-bet-western-sahara) ### [Morocco's Gaza Troop Bet: Western Sahara](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/moroccos-gaza-troop-bet-western-sahara) [Morocco commits 400 troops to US-led Gaza stabilization force, leveraging the deployment to secure continued American recognition of its sovereignty over Western Sahara.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/moroccos-gaza-troop-bet-western-sahara) [2026-07-17](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/moroccos-gaza-troop-bet-western-sahara) [conflict_security](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-strikes-iran-hormuz-peace-deal-fractures) ### [US Strikes Iran: Hormuz Peace Deal Fractures](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-strikes-iran-hormuz-peace-deal-fractures) [US Central Command hits 90 Iranian targets as tensions escalate over the Strait of Hormuz, jeopardizing the June 17 peace deal.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-strikes-iran-hormuz-peace-deal-fractures) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-strikes-iran-hormuz-peace-deal-fractures) [conflict_security](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-strikes-90-iranian-targets-tehran-hits) ### [U.S. Strikes 90 Iranian Targets; Tehran Hits](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-strikes-90-iranian-targets-tehran-hits) [U.S. military strikes 90 Iranian targets, Iran retaliates with drone attacks on Gulf bases, ending a fragile truce.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-strikes-90-iranian-targets-tehran-hits) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-strikes-90-iranian-targets-tehran-hits) [conflict_security](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-strikes-80-targets-in-southern-iran) ### [US Strikes 80+ Targets in Southern Iran](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-strikes-80-targets-in-southern-iran) [On July 8, 2026, US strikes on over 80 targets in southern Iran ended a ceasefire, escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-strikes-80-targets-in-southern-iran) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-strikes-80-targets-in-southern-iran) [politics_diplomacy](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-rescinds-syrias-terror-designation) ### [US Rescinds Syria's Terror Designation](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-rescinds-syrias-terror-designation) [The US rescinds Syria's 47-year-old terror designation, enabling investment and altering regional dynamics, particularly for Saudi Arabia.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-rescinds-syrias-terror-designation) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-rescinds-syrias-terror-designation) [conflict_security](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-iran-conflict-escalates-in-gulf) ### [US-Iran Conflict Escalates in Gulf](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-iran-conflict-escalates-in-gulf) [US strikes on Iran lead to Iranian retaliation against Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan, escalating tensions in the Gulf region.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-iran-conflict-escalates-in-gulf) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-iran-conflict-escalates-in-gulf) [law_justice](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/un-occupation-resolution-turns-two) ### [UN Occupation Resolution Turns Two](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/un-occupation-resolution-turns-two) [Two years after the UN's resolution demanding Israel end its occupation, Indonesia now leads a US-led force, marking a shift in the Palestine issue.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/un-occupation-resolution-turns-two) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/un-occupation-resolution-turns-two) [conflict_security](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trumps-lebanon-ceasefire-a-political-maneu) ### [Trump's Lebanon Ceasefire: A Political Maneu](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trumps-lebanon-ceasefire-a-political-maneu) [Trump's April 2026 ceasefire in Lebanon aimed to safeguard US-Iran talks, redefining Lebanese sovereignty around Hezbollah disarmament.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trumps-lebanon-ceasefire-a-political-maneu) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trumps-lebanon-ceasefire-a-political-maneu) [economics_markets](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trump-to-lift-syria-terrorism-designation) ### [Trump to Lift Syria Terrorism Designation](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trump-to-lift-syria-terrorism-designation) [Trump's notification to Congress on July 8, 2026, to remove Syria from the state sponsors of terrorism list could unlock $216 billion in reconstruction finance and restore sovereign immunity.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trump-to-lift-syria-terrorism-designation) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trump-to-lift-syria-terrorism-designation) [mena](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trump-ends-iran-ceasefire-oil-prices-surge) ### [Trump Ends Iran Ceasefire, Oil Prices Surge](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trump-ends-iran-ceasefire-oil-prices-surge) [Trump's declaration of the US-Iran memorandum 'over' leads to a 7.4% surge in Brent crude oil prices, raising concerns over Gulf security.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trump-ends-iran-ceasefire-oil-prices-surge) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trump-ends-iran-ceasefire-oil-prices-surge) [economics_markets](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/syrias-reconstruction-gulf-states-take-lead) ### [Syria's Reconstruction: Gulf States Take Lead](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/syrias-reconstruction-gulf-states-take-lead) [The U.S. has removed Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, paving the way for a $216 billion reconstruction market dominated by Gulf states.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/syrias-reconstruction-gulf-states-take-lead) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/syrias-reconstruction-gulf-states-take-lead) [mena](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/qatars-phone-diplomacy-holds-us-iran-peace) ### [Qatar's Phone Diplomacy Holds US-Iran Peace](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/qatars-phone-diplomacy-holds-us-iran-peace) [Qatar's July 9 call with Iran's Foreign Minister is a critical diplomatic channel amid escalating US-Iran tensions and military actions.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/qatars-phone-diplomacy-holds-us-iran-peace) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/qatars-phone-diplomacy-holds-us-iran-peace) [mena](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/qatar-and-saudi-arabias-diplomatic-push-2) ### [Qatar and Saudi Arabia's Diplomatic Push](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/qatar-and-saudi-arabias-diplomatic-push-2) [In a bid to preserve the Islamabad Memorandum, Qatar and Saudi Arabia engage diplomatically amid escalating US-Iran tensions and Trump's declaration of ceasefire's end.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/qatar-and-saudi-arabias-diplomatic-push-2) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/qatar-and-saudi-arabias-diplomatic-push-2) [mena](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/qatar-and-saudi-arabias-diplomatic-push) ### [Qatar and Saudi Arabia's Diplomatic Push](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/qatar-and-saudi-arabias-diplomatic-push) [Qatar and Saudi Arabia coordinate to salvage the US-Iran ceasefire amid escalating tensions and attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/qatar-and-saudi-arabias-diplomatic-push) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/qatar-and-saudi-arabias-diplomatic-push) [economics_markets](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/ofac-revokes-iran-oil-waiver-amid-tensions) ### [OFAC Revokes Iran Oil Waiver Amid Tensions](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/ofac-revokes-iran-oil-waiver-amid-tensions) [The US Treasury revokes Iran's oil waiver, ending a 20-day reprieve and escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, affecting global oil prices.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/ofac-revokes-iran-oil-waiver-amid-tensions) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/ofac-revokes-iran-oil-waiver-amid-tensions) [mena](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/lebanons-ultimatum-stakes-in-rome-talks) ### [Lebanon's Ultimatum: Stakes in Rome Talks](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/lebanons-ultimatum-stakes-in-rome-talks) [Lebanon threatens to boycott Rome talks unless Israel withdraws from pilot zones, testing the viability of the US-brokered framework amid regional tensions.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/lebanons-ultimatum-stakes-in-rome-talks) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/lebanons-ultimatum-stakes-in-rome-talks) [mena](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/lebanons-ultimatum-pilot-zones-or-no-talks) ### [Lebanon's Ultimatum: Pilot Zones or No Talks](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/lebanons-ultimatum-pilot-zones-or-no-talks) [Lebanon threatens to skip July 15 talks with Israel unless it withdraws from two pilot zones, seeking leverage for Gulf reconstruction aid.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/lebanons-ultimatum-pilot-zones-or-no-talks) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/lebanons-ultimatum-pilot-zones-or-no-talks) [conflict_security](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/katz-vs-trump-israels-lebanon-stance) ### [Katz vs. Trump: Israel's Lebanon Stance](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/katz-vs-trump-israels-lebanon-stance) [Israel's Defense Minister Katz rejects US withdrawal timeline, asserting occupation linked to Hezbollah disarmament, signaling a long-term military presence.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/katz-vs-trump-israels-lebanon-stance) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/katz-vs-trump-israels-lebanon-stance) [conflict_security](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/katz-defies-trump-on-lebanon-no-permission) ### [Katz Defies Trump on Lebanon: No Permission](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/katz-defies-trump-on-lebanon-no-permission) [Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declares no need for U.S. permission to remain in Lebanon, contradicting Trump's statements amid rising tensions.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/katz-defies-trump-on-lebanon-no-permission) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/katz-defies-trump-on-lebanon-no-permission) [conflict_security](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/jordan-intercepts-iranian-missiles-amid-war) ### [Jordan Intercepts Iranian Missiles Amid War](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/jordan-intercepts-iranian-missiles-amid-war) [Jordan's Armed Forces intercepted eight Iranian missiles targeting a US base, marking a significant escalation in US-Iran tensions and signaling the ceasefire's collapse.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/jordan-intercepts-iranian-missiles-amid-war) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/jordan-intercepts-iranian-missiles-amid-war) [conflict_security](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/israels-katz-defies-trump-on-lebanon) ### [Israel's Katz Defies Trump on Lebanon](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/israels-katz-defies-trump-on-lebanon) [Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz asserts Israel's right to remain in Lebanon, countering Trump's withdrawal comments, amid ongoing tensions.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/israels-katz-defies-trump-on-lebanon) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/israels-katz-defies-trump-on-lebanon) [mena](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/irans-hormuz-gambit-tests-trumps-strategy) ### [Iran's Hormuz Gambit Tests Trump's Strategy](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/irans-hormuz-gambit-tests-trumps-strategy) [Iran's July 7 attacks on tankers and U.S. response highlight Tehran's strategy to control the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/irans-hormuz-gambit-tests-trumps-strategy) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/irans-hormuz-gambit-tests-trumps-strategy) [mena](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/irans-gulf-gambit-strikes-to-save-mou) ### [Iran's Gulf Gambit: Strikes to Save MoU](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/irans-gulf-gambit-strikes-to-save-mou) [Iran's missile strikes on US bases in the Gulf are a strategic move to compel Washington back to negotiations before the MoU deadline.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/irans-gulf-gambit-strikes-to-save-mou) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/irans-gulf-gambit-strikes-to-save-mou) [conflict_security](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/iran-us-strikes-ceasefire-collapse) ### [Iran-U.S. Strikes: Ceasefire Collapse](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/iran-us-strikes-ceasefire-collapse) [U.S. airstrikes on Iranian targets lead to a ceasefire collapse, empowering the IRGC and complicating diplomatic efforts.](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/iran-us-strikes-ceasefire-collapse) [2026-07-09](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/iran-us-strikes-ceasefire-collapse)