Trump signals progress with Iran as IMF cuts Middle East growth forecast

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the US has signalled possible progress in talks with Iran, with President Donald Trump saying negotiations in Islamabad could move forward within days and potentially expand to Europe. In Washington, US-brokered diplomacy brings Israel and Lebanon together for their most significant talks in decades, as efforts continue to move beyond the current ceasefire and address reconstruction and security concerns. In Beijing, the UAE deepens ties with China, signing new agreements to boost trade, investment and long-term strategic co-operation. We also look at the wider economic impact of the war, as the International Monetary Fund cuts growth forecasts for the region, blaming disruption to energy markets and trade. And in the UAE, nurseries in Dubai and Sharjah begin reopening in phases, marking a step towards normality after weeks of online learning. Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.