US expects Iran to restore oil and gas flows through Strait of Hormuz to pre-conflict levels, VP Vance says. Washington also seeks Iran commit to not firing on commercial vessels transiting the waterway.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to visit Egypt on Aug. 13-14, meet President el-Sisi and co-chair 2nd Türkiye-Egypt Joint Planning Group with FM Abdelatty.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Egypt on Aug. 13-14, meeting President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other senior officials, and co-chairing the 2nd Türkiye-Egypt Joint Planning Group meeting with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty. Talks will cover bilateral ties, trade, energy, defense cooperation and regional developments.

Georgian PM Kobakhidze says a private Georgian company sent fuel to Abkhazia to address a deficit, carried out under Georgia's law on occupied territories.

A private Georgian company sent a fuel shipment to Abkhazia due to a fuel shortage in the country, GeorgianIrakli Kobakhidze told journalists. He said the procedure was carried out under Georgian law, specifically the law 'On Occupied Territories,' and stressed that the fuel was imported by business, not the state, adding that Georgia will continue to ease conditions for the local Georgian and Abkhaz populations where possible.

Russia says it is ready to exchange 224 convicted Ukrainians held in Russia, but Kyiv refuses to take them back, Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova said.

Russia is ready to exchange 224 Ukrainians convicted in Russia, Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova said. According to her, Kyiv is refusing to take back its citizens.

Erdogan says the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement could expand beyond Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to 'all brotherly countries' seeking regional stability

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement could expand beyond its three current members—Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan—and is open to "all brotherly countries" seeking peace, prosperity and stability in the region. He said the pact is built on collective deterrence to strengthen regional security.