A Bahamas-flagged ship, the MV HELIOS RAY, was hit by an explosion in the Gulf of Oman yesterday, Reuters reported the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and a maritime security firm said today. The cause of the explosion is not clear.

“We will maintain our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, while seeking to further its integration with its neighbors and resuming our role as promoter of a viable two-state solution.” The Biden administration issued a warning to its allies in the Middle East not to oppose US policies and not to …

Where could the “bilateral cooperation continue,” as the Russian Foreign Ministry has indicated it might? On Iran, Russia sees US steps so far as pragmatic. Russia is signaling a willingness to open a new page in relations with the US as the new administration settles into power in Washington. TASS …