An Iranian official asserted Tehran's 'natural right' to control the Strait of Hormuz. This declaration highlights ongoing regional tensions, particularly impacting wealthy Arab nations.

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from Arab media around the world discusses internal divisions within Arab nations amidst the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The Arab Labour Organization (ALO) reports that military escalation is causing a slowdown in production across Arab nations.

An analysis explores the potential future impact of the U.S. war in Iran on Gulf Arab nations, who opposed the conflict but now face significant attacks from Iran and feel less secure.

Arab nations have expressed solidarity with Qatar and Turkey following a helicopter crash, though details of the incident remain sparse.

Mostar recorded the highest temperature in Bosnia and Herzegovina today at 22 degrees Celsius, with generally sunny weather prevailing in the morning. Moderate cloud development is expected in mountainous areas later in the day, with cloud cover increasing overnight into Tuesday.

Qatar, a key negotiator of the ceasefire, accused Israel of violating the deal. The U.N. relief chief said aid access must be allowed under international law.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that the war against Iran could encourage not only Tehran but also other countries, particularly Arab nations, to develop nuclear weapons, warning that a seemingly noble goal could have the opposite effect.

Russia says war could backfire by spurring Iran and Arab nations to seek nuclear weapons  The Straits Times

The United States and six Arab nations on Monday issued a strongly worded statement condemning Iran's recent missile and drone attacks across West Asia, calling them "indiscriminate", "reckless", and a dangerous escalation.

Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations have expressed strong anger following comments by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who suggested it would be 'fine' if Israel took over the entire Middle East.

Arab countries have issued a joint statement protesting remarks made by the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, regarding Israel's actions in the region.

• Pakistan asks international community to reject provocative decision allowing takeover of occupied land as state property • EU calls annexation illegal, Arab nations denounce ‘threat to peace efforts’ • Israel imposes restrictions, deploys police around Al-Aqsa JERUSALEM / ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan denounced the latest Israeli move to convert areas of the West Bank into “state property”, the UN chief called upon Tel Aviv to reverse its new, “unlawful” policy allowing registration of the occupied land in the occupied territory as state property. Israel’s foreign ministry claimed the measure, approved late on Sunday, would enable “transparent and thorough clarification of rights to resolve legal disputes” but the move drew strong condemnations from across the globe for its violation of international law. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said this new measure was destabilising and unlawful, according to a statement by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Pakistan also denounced the step as a clear violation of international law as well as relevant United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. Islamabad urged the international community to reject the decision, said a statement issued by the For­eign Office spokesperson. It added that the occupying power continued to disregard international law and its provocative actions undermined the prospects for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region. “Pakistan calls on the international community to take concrete measures to end Israeli impunity, and ensure respect for international law,” the spokesperson added. ‘Undermine peace efforts’ Arab nations Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and Jordan also criticised the move as illegal. The measure is “aimed at impo­sing a new legal and administrative reality in the occupied West Bank” that would undermine peace efforts in the region, Saudi Arabia’s foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. Jordan’s King Abdullah II said the actions “undermine efforts to restore calm and thr­e­aten to exacerbate the conflict,” according to a statement released by the royal court. The European Union called on Israel to reverse the move. “This constitutes a new escalation after recent measures already aimed at extending Israeli control,” EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said. “We reiterate that annexation is illegal under international law.” The Ramallah-based Palest­inian Authority called for inte­r­national intervention to prevent the “de facto beginning of the annexation process and the undermining of the foundations of the Palestinian state”. Israeli anti-settlement watc­­h­dog Peace Now called the measure a “mega land grab”. Jonathan Mizrachi, the NGO’s co-director, told AFP that the move would attribute new resources for land registration. “There was a lot of ambiguity regarding the land, and Israel decided now to deal with it,” Mizrachi said, adding that the grey area over Area C land ownership was likely to be used against Palestinians. “A lot of land that Palestinians consider theirs, they will find out it’s not theirs under this new registration process,” he said, believing the move would further the Israeli right’s annexation agenda. Changing demography Palestinians see the West Bank as foundational to any future Palesti­nian state, but many on Israel’s religious right want to take over the land. The latest Israeli initiatives come in the wider context of increasing attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to rights groups. “We are witnessing rapid steps to change permanently the demography of the occupied Palestinian territory, stripping its people of their lands and forcing them to leave,” UN rights chief Volker Turk said in a recent statement. US President Donald Trump has opposed Israel’s annexation of the West Bank, saying stability in the territory helps keep Israel secure. However, he has held off from dire­ctly criticising the new Israeli measures, despite the international outrage. Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, more than 500,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements and outposts, which are illegal under international law. Around three million Palestinians live in the territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Al-Aqsa restrictions Israeli police said Monday that they would deploy in force around the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramazan, as Palestinian officials accused Israel of imposing restrictions at the compound. Over the course of the month of fasting and prayer, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians traditionally attend prayers at Islam’s third-holiest site. Arad Braverman, a senior Jerusalem police officer, said forces would be deployed “day and night” across the compound, adding that thousands of police would also be on duty for Friday prayers. Braverman said police had recommended issuing 10,000 permits for Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, who require special permission to enter Jerusalem. The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate said it had been informed that permits would again be restricted to men over 55. Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2026

A new report indicates that pro-Iran sentiment in Morocco is the lowest among Arab nations, contrasting with a significant increase in support for Iran observed in other parts of the Arab world.

Arab countries are investigating new infrastructure investments, such as pipelines to the Red Sea, to bypass the Strait of Hormuz and enhance regional energy security.

An opinion piece suggests that the ongoing confrontation with Iran is compelling Arab nations to align themselves, a process that will ultimately determine the future geopolitical structure of the Middle East.

South Korean lawmakers held talks with envoys from seven Middle Eastern countries to discuss the repercussions of the Iran war and ensure a stable oil supply. The country is seeking alternative routes amid an energy crisis.

Arab nations are reportedly racing to acquire South Korea’s Patriot-style missile interceptors, which are seen as cheaper and more effective, following their successful use in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, have condemned recent Israeli strikes on southern Syria, which Israel stated were in response to attacks against the Druze community in Sweida province, describing them as blatant aggression and urging UN action.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has called on Arab nations to denounce the presence of 11,000 US troops in the Middle East, accusing them of using civilians as human shields and framing the appeal as a religious duty.

Persian Gulf states are on the front lines of the latest Middle East war, angered by Iran's response to American-Israeli airstrikes with hundreds of missiles and drones towards its Arab neighbors. They warn that red lines have been crossed and a reaction is necessary.

Milorad Dodik, the Bosnian Serb leader, has expressed strong support for Israel and called for Bosnia and Herzegovina to sever all relations with Iran due to a 'terrorist threat,' while other Bosnian officials engage with Arab nations.

Arab Nations Outraged by U.S. Envoy's Israel Territory Remarks  Tempo.co English

Fourteen Arab nations have slammed US Ambassador Huckabee's remarks regarding Israel's territorial claims, labeling them as dangerous and inflammatory and asserting Israel has no sovereignty over occupied lands.

An analysis from Egypt explores the shared interests between Arab nations and the European Union.

Leaders from Gulf and other Arab nations have collectively condemned a plot targeting Kuwait, expressing their strong solidarity with the country.

Arab nations are increasing their coordination efforts to combat illicit arms trade, a move that comes amidst heightened regional tensions and a symbolic stand by an Iranian virtuoso against infrastructure attacks.

An editorial in The Jerusalem Post urges Israeli leaders to communicate clearly and respectfully with Arab nations, even as Iran attacks the region, suggesting an opportunity for Israel to improve its regional standing.

Russia warned on Tuesday that the war launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran could result in the very outcome they were seeking to prevent, by spurring both Iran and its Arab neighbours to seek…

Arab nations that were initially reluctant to join the American-backed military campaign against Iran are now pushing to take an active role, and it was Iran's "surprising" actions.

Gulf Arab nations have expressed support for Kuwait in its ongoing dispute with Iraq over their shared maritime border.

Arab Nations Outraged by U.S. Envoy's Israel Territory Remarks  Tempo.co English

Arab nations have strongly condemned remarks made by the US ambassador regarding Israel's right to the Middle East, calling them a 'blatant violation' of diplomatic norms.