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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Gulf allies Thursday that any deal with Iran would take their interests into account, as he wrapped up a Middle East trip aimed at winning over regional partners with deep reservations about the preliminary accord. Speaking at a meeting of Gulf Arab foreign ministers in Bahrain — home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet — Rubio said Washington was seeking an enduring peace with long-time foe Iran that would not come at the expense of the security of allies in the oil-rich region, many of whom see the deal as too soft after coming under Iranian attack during the conflict. During the conflict, Iran took effective control of the vital Strait of Hormuz, heavily disrupting oil flows and rattling global energy markets and the wider economy. He told reporters that Gulf allies shared some very serious concerns and that they wanted to be informed of every step of the peace accord, which includes provisions on Hormuz. In a joint statement later Thursday, the US and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said a lasting peace would mean addressing Iran’s ballistic missiles, drones and support for proxy groups. They also backed “free, unconditional, and unrestricted navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz without “any tolls, fees, or attempts to assert control.” If Iran threatens or blocks ships in the strait, “then we’re going to have a problem,” Rubio said, having earlier told ministers that “no country on Earth has the right to charge for the use of international waterways” and that fees for shipping would never be part of any deal. Rubio’s three-day tour of the Gulf was the first high-level diplomatic mission since the US-Iran framework agreement last week to end the conflict, which started on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. At his previous stops in the UAE and Kuwait, Rubio sought to assure officials that the proposed deal was not overly favorable to Iran, which struck several Gulf states during the war. “We’re not going to do anything that undermines the security of our allies, our longstanding allies in the region,” he told reporters in Kuwait. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into “infinity,” while Tehran said it had made no such concession. The two countries, which ended a first round of negotiations in Switzerland on Monday, have also offered conflicting accounts about financial incentives for Iran, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and Israel’s parallel war in Lebanon. All six GCC nations — Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait — are strategic US allies. Iran directed drone and missile at these countries during the war, saying American bases or interests were “legitimate” targets. The GCC make up the backbone of America’s security architecture in the Middle East, and any countries rethinking their security relationship with the US could have a significant impact on US military strategy in the region. The draft US-Iran agreement includes no limits on Iran’s ballistic missiles, a proposed $300bn reconstruction fund and provisions that could expand Tehran’s regional influence and control over critical oil shipping lanes. Some US Gulf allies are privately concerned that the interim deal could open the door to US normalisation with Iran. The US and Gulf nations, in their statement, also stressed the need for continued talks on Lebanon that are “not conditional on the outcomes of other conflicts” and for non-state groups to disarm. The nations also backed continued efforts to support Syria, end the Gaza conflict and respect Kuwait’s territory. Related Story Source link
Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun praised the position issued by the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in support of Lebanon and its people in facing current challenges, considering it a reflection of the deep fraternal and historical ties that bind Lebanon to the GCC countries.A statement issued by the Lebanese Presidency explained that President Aoun appreciated the GCC countries’ emphasis on the importance of preserving Lebanon’s security, stability, and territorial integrity, and their commitment to supporting the reform process and strengthening state institutions, in order to meet the aspirations of the Lebanese people for a strong, capable, and just state.The Lebanese President also expressed his appreciation for the GCC countries’ call to extend Lebanese state sovereignty over all its territory and to confine weapons to legitimate institutions, in accordance with the Lebanese Constitution and relevant international resolutions, foremost among them UN Security Council Resolution 1701, in addition to the decisions issued by the Lebanese government in this regard.President Aoun expressed his deep gratitude for the GCC countries’ readiness to continue supporting Lebanon on both the humanitarian and developmental levels, which will contribute to alleviating the economic burdens and improving the living conditions of the Lebanese people.The Lebanese President reiterated that Lebanon will remain committed to maintaining the best possible relations with its brotherly Arab states, particularly the GCC countries, and to working to develop these relations in various fields in a way that serves common interests and strengthens stability in the region. Source link
The first half of the 2026 Arabian Drag Racing League (ADRL) concluded at the Qatar Racing Club’s (QRC) drag strip amid thrilling, breath-holding battles between speed champions.The third round of the series, held under the patronage of QRC Chairman His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al-Thani, saw a new participation record with more than 170 competitors distributed across the championship’s 11 categories.The titles were contested by elite racers from the Gulf region, the wider Middle East, and the United States of America with eight competitors claiming their first titles of the season.The quarter-mile Index categories once again produced new champions for the second consecutive round, reshuffling the championship standings. Majed al-Sharshani claimed his first INDEX 9.0 category title after defeating Mohammed al-Thuwaini, who recorded his second podium finish of the season following a third-place result in the opening round. Mohammed al-Ansari also made his first podium appearance of the season in this category by finishing third.The INDEX 8.50 final brought together Yousef al-Faraj and Khaled Humaidan, both reaching the final for the first time this season. Al-Faraj prevailed to take the win, leaving second place to Humaidan.The eighth-mile Index categories also saw new winners, with the exception of INDEX 4.0, where Tareq al-Bastaki claimed his second consecutive title after defeating opening-round winner Rashid al-Balushi in the final.In INDEX 4.50, Saeed al-Balushi reached the final for the third consecutive round. After losing the previous two finals, he managed this time to secure his first title in the category by defeating Hassan Ashkanani. The INDEX 4.80 category produced a completely new podium, with Shaun Langdon taking first place, Batti al-Ali second, and Mohammed al-Furaih third.First titles for Gray and al-MaghribiAfter failing to reach the final in the previous two rounds and settling for third place, 2025 NHRA Pro Mod champion JR Gray secured the title beating Rashid al-Balushi in the final.In Super Street Pro, Jaber al-Maghribi reached the final for the third consecutive round and this time claimed his first championship title after defeating Nabil al-Issa, who made his first appearance of the season.Meanwhile, Mustafa Atat was the only competitor to achieve a perfect score in the first half of the championship, claiming his third consecutive title in the Super Street Outlaw categoryThe final race of the most powerful bike category brought together Mishaal al-Sabr and Christopher Garner. Al-Sabr was seeking his first title of the season after finishing third in the opening round and second in the previous round, but he once again had to settle for second place as Garner won the final and secured his first title of the season.The Super Street Bike category saw a new winner for the third consecutive round, with Badr bin Eidan taking the title after defeating opening-round winner Mishari al-Turki in the final.In the Street Bike category, last round’s winner Mustafa al-Mahmoudi claimed his second title of the season after winning the final against opening-round champion Mohammed Al-Salem.QRC Director General Sheikh Jabor bin Khalid al-Thani awarded trophies to the top three finishers in each category. The fourth round begins on Wednesday. Related Story Source link
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Alpine ski star Lindsey Vonn, seeking her fourth Olympic medal at age 41, was among seven Americans named to their fifth United States Olympic team on Monday.A record 232-member squad, including 98 with prior Olympic experience, was announced by the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) for next month’s Milan-Cortina Winter Games.The lineup includes Vonn, who made a comeback from knee replacement surgery in 2024. She won downhill gold and Super-G bronze in 2010 at Vancouver and took a downhill bronze in 2018 at PyeongChang.Others set to make their fifth Olympic appearance include bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, whose five medals include three silvers and two bronzes; three-time bobsled champion Kaillie Humphries, figure skater Evan Bates, ice hockey player Hilary Knight and snowboarders Nick Baumgartner and Faye Thelen.Taylor, 41, leads the team’s 33 prior Olympic medalists with five while multiple gold medalists include Humphries with three and alpine ski star Mikaela Shiffrin and snowboarder Chloe Kim with two each.”Today we proudly introduce the 2026 US Olympic team – a group of extraordinary athletes whose commitment, perseverance and spirit reflect the very best of Team USA,” USOPC chief executive officer Sarah Hirshland said.”Congratulations to each member of this extraordinary team who have earned their chance to represent the United States on the biggest stage in sport.”The 232 American Olympians include defenseman Seth Jones of the reigning NHL champion Florida Panthers, who was named to the US squad earlier this month before suffering an upper body injury and being replaced by Jackson LaCombe of the Anaheim Ducks. USOPC policy recognizes Jones as a member of the Olympic team.The largest prior US Olympic squad was 228 athletes at PyeongChang in 2018.US Chef de Mission Rocky Harris called the American lineup “a team full of proven champions and fearless newcomers that have the potential to take Team USA’s winter performance to a new level and inspire a nation in the process.”The US squad includes 115 women and 117 men with freeskier Abby Winterberger the youngest athlete at age 15 and curling competitor Rich Ruohonen the oldest at 54. Source link
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