<rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:base="https://globalsouthworld.com/rss/tag/MiddleEastDiplomacy" version="2.0">
  <channel>
    <atom:link href="https://www.globalsouthworld.com/rss/tag/MiddleEastDiplomacy" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
    <title>Global South World - MiddleEastDiplomacy</title>
    <link>https://www.globalsouthworld.com/rss/tag/MiddleEastDiplomacy</link>
    <language>en-US</language>
    <description><![CDATA[News, opinion and analysis focused on the Global South and rising nations across the world. Delivered by journalists on the ground in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. From politics and business to technology, science and social issues, Global South World is the first place to come for accurate and trusted information.]]></description>
    <item>
      <title>'We don't negotiate under threats' - Iran to US</title>
      <link>https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/we-don-t-negotiate-under-threats-iran-to-us</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/we-don-t-negotiate-under-threats-iran-to-us</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:02:00 Z</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<p>Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran refused to negotiate under pressure, revealing details of tensions that emerged during the latest round of talks with the  United States  in Switzerland.</p>
<p>Speaking to Iranian State TV on Monday while returning from Burgenstock, Ghalibaf said comments made by US President  Donald Trump  nearly disrupted the negotiations.</p>
<p>"Trump had spoken in a highly threatening manner toward both the negotiating delegation and our president, as well as regarding an attack on our territory," he revealed.</p>
<p>"Right there, I told Mr Vance, 'Mr Vance, we are having discussions here, and we signed the first clause here stating that there should be no threats or force'; however, today your president spoke of threats and force. Know that we never negotiate in the face of threats and force."</p>
<p>The talks involved US and Iranian officials alongside mediators from Pakistan and Qatar.</p>
<p>Ghalibaf said  Iran  continues to view Washington with suspicion despite engaging in negotiations.</p>
<p>"We have been really distrustful of the Americans, and we still distrust them; when we look at their crimes, it is only logical that we distrust them," he admitted.</p>
<p>Despite the tensions, Ghalibaf described the discussions as productive.</p>
<p>"Especially the discussions regarding the strait [Hormuz], Lebanon, the oil waiver, and the issue of releasing the  funds  [Iran's frozen assets], which is one of the steps forward; however, we believe we are still at the beginning and must continue to strive."</p>
<p>The remarks followed a series of comments by Trump on Sunday warning Iran over developments in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.</p>
<p>Media reports said the Iranian delegation briefly left the negotiating room and complained to mediators before returning, describing the interruption as a pause rather than a withdrawal.</p>
<p>Following the talks, US Vice President JD Vance said negotiators had made progress despite what he called "a little bit of threatening and a little bit of whining."</p>
<p>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also reported advances in the discussions.</p>
<p>"Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War," he posted on social media.</p>
<p>"Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction and development plan launched for Iran."</p>
<p>The negotiations are taking place under a Memorandum of Understanding reached last week between the United States and Iran, which gives both sides 60 days to secure a final agreement.</p>
]]></description>
      <source url="https://www.globalsouthworld.com">Global South World</source>
      <media:content url="https://cdn.vpplayer.tech/agmipocc/encode/vjsojwwl/mp4/1440p.mp4" medium="video" type="video/mp4">
        <media:title>Iran Fires Back At Trump Threats</media:title>
      </media:content>
      <media:thumbnail url="https://gsw.codexcdn.net/assets/as9iCumZ086ylTu1D.jpg?width=1280&amp;height=720&amp;quality=75&amp;r=fill&amp;g=no" />
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Florence Naa Oyoe Quartey]]></dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The huge prize money behind the 2026 FIFA World Cup</title>
      <link>https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/the-huge-prize-money-behind-the-2026-fifa-world-cup</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/the-huge-prize-money-behind-the-2026-fifa-world-cup</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:30:53 Z</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<h2>Main Points</h2>
<p>FIFA's expanded 2026 World Cup is not only the largest tournament in the competition's history but also the most lucrative, with the winning nation  set to receive $50 million  in prize money, according to FIFA's official financial framework for the tournament.</p>
<p>The competition, hosted across the  United States , Canada and Mexico, features a record 48 teams, up from 32 in previous editions. The expanded format has significantly increased financial rewards, ensuring every participating nation receives a substantial payout regardless of performance.</p>
<p>Under FIFA's prize distribution model, the tournament champions will earn $50 million, while the runners-up will receive $33 million. The third-placed team will take home $29 million, and the fourth-placed side will collect $27 million.</p>
<p>Quarter-finalists are guaranteed $19 million each; teams reaching the Round of 16 will earn $15 million, while nations eliminated in the Round of 32 receive $11 million. Teams exiting in the first knockout round, known as the Round of 48, will receive $9 million.</p>
<p>In addition to performance-based prize money, FIFA has allocated $2.5 million in preparation funding to every qualified nation. This means all 48 participants are guaranteed at least $12.5 million from the tournament.</p>
<p>The increased payouts reflect FIFA's growing commercial revenues from broadcasting rights, sponsorships and global partnerships. The governing body has projected record revenues for the 2023-2026 cycle, driven largely by the first-ever 48-team men's  World  Cup.</p>
<p>FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly stated that the expanded tournament is designed to increase global participation while ensuring more nations benefit financially from football's biggest event.</p>
<p>For emerging football nations, the guaranteed payments can provide a significant boost to  infrastructure  development, youth programmes and national team operations. For smaller federations, a World Cup appearance can generate revenues that exceed several years of normal football income.</p>
<h3>FIFA World Cup 2026 Prize Money</h3>
<p>According to FIFA, the expanded financial structure ensures that all participating nations share in the economic benefits of the world's most-watched sporting event while maintaining substantial rewards for teams that advance deep into the tournament.</p>
]]></description>
      <source url="https://www.globalsouthworld.com">Global South World</source>
      <media:content url="https://gsw.codexcdn.net/assets/asvnKVhqvLPQgibVy.jpg?width=1280&amp;height=720&amp;quality=75&amp;r=fill&amp;g=no" medium="image" type="image/jpeg">
        <media:credit role="photographer">Abigail Johnson Boakye</media:credit>
        <media:credit role="provider">World Visualized</media:credit>
        <media:title>The Huge Prize Money Behind the 2026 World Cup</media:title>
      </media:content>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Abigail Johnson Boakye]]></dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Vance says threats failed to derail US-Iran negotiations</title>
      <link>https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/vance-says-threats-failed-to-derail-us-iran-negotiations</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/vance-says-threats-failed-to-derail-us-iran-negotiations</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:32:00 Z</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<p>US Vice President JD Vance said negotiations between Washington and Tehran remained on track despite threats by Iran to leave the talks, describing the latest round of discussions as tense but productive.</p>
<p>Speaking to reporters in Burgenstock on Monday, Vance was asked whether comments made by US President  Donald Trump  had disrupted negotiations.</p>
<p>"Did the president's threats yesterday really throw a wrench in negotiations? There were reports that the Iranians walked out at one point. Can you just clarify and tell us what happened?" he was asked.</p>
<p>"No, they didn't throw a wrench in the system. The thing with the Iranians, yes, they did threaten to walk out, or at least there were  social media  threats that they would walk out. But we were negotiating well past one in the morning yesterday, so they didn't walk out," he went on.</p>
<p>"So, yes, there was a little bit of threatening. There was a little bit of whining. But at the end of the day, the talks continued and we made great progress."</p>
<p>The comments came after discussions involving US and Iranian delegations, with Qatar and Pakistan acting as mediators. Iran's team was led by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.</p>
<p>The negotiations are part of efforts to turn last week's Memorandum of Understanding into a final agreement within a 60-day timeframe.</p>
<p>Earlier in the day,  Iran  announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz again following continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon, amid renewed accusations between Hezbollah and Israel over violations of the latest ceasefire.</p>
<p>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the talks had produced significant results.</p>
<p>"Pakistani and Qatari  media tion has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War," he posted on social media.</p>
<p>"Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction and development plan launched for Iran."</p>
<p>The United States and Iran reached a Memorandum of Understanding last week, setting a 60-day period for negotiations aimed at securing a final deal.</p>
]]></description>
      <source url="https://www.globalsouthworld.com">Global South World</source>
      <media:content url="https://cdn.vpplayer.tech/agmipocc/encode/vjsojwhr/mp4/1440p.mp4" medium="video" type="video/mp4">
        <media:title>Vance Details Tough Iran Negotiations</media:title>
      </media:content>
      <media:thumbnail url="https://gsw.codexcdn.net/assets/asnOAOLgD4MhZfUD2.jpg?width=1280&amp;height=720&amp;quality=75&amp;r=fill&amp;g=no" />
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Florence Naa Oyoe Quartey]]></dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Iran reveals new mechanism to oversee ceasefire as US talks continue</title>
      <link>https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/iran-reveals-new-mechanism-to-oversee-ceasefire-as-us-talks-continue</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/iran-reveals-new-mechanism-to-oversee-ceasefire-as-us-talks-continue</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:18:00 Z</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<p>Iran has outlined a new mechanism designed to oversee the implementation of its ceasefire arrangements with the  United States  as negotiations continue in Switzerland on a broader agreement between the two countries.</p>
<p>Speaking in Burgenstock on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said a new structure had been established to help ensure the long-term success of the ceasefire measures agreed under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).</p>
<p>"Regarding Clause 1 of the Memorandum of Understanding, a mechanism was envisaged to monitor a lasting cessation of hostilities. In the presence of the mediators, this innovative mechanism was established, named the 'De-confliction Cell’, to ensure that the ceasefire in Lebanon remains stable," Baqaei explained.</p>
<p>Baqaei also said negotiators had agreed to establish a separate mechanism covering maritime navigation through one of the region's most important waterways.</p>
<p>"Concerning the issue of safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz, it was agreed that a mechanism would be put in place," he added, noting the ‘significance’ of the move.</p>
<p>The talks in Switzerland bring together Iranian and US representatives as both sides work through outstanding issues outlined in the memorandum signed earlier this month.</p>
<p>Iran's delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. The US delegation is headed by Vice President JD Vance, with White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also taking part in the Qatar-Pakistan mediated discussions.</p>
<p>Negotiators are expected to focus on unresolved issues including a regional ceasefire,  security  in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme.</p>
<p>The talks follow the signing of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding by US President  Donald Trump  at the Palace of Versailles on June 17.</p>
<p>Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian later signed the agreement, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also added his signature as part of the mediation effort.</p>
<p>The 14-point memorandum commits both sides to de-escalation measures and broader negotiations over a 60-day period. It also calls for  Iran  to reopen the Strait of Hormuz toll-free during that timeframe, while the United States is required to begin the gradual lifting of its naval blockade on Iranian ports.</p>
]]></description>
      <source url="https://www.globalsouthworld.com">Global South World</source>
      <media:content url="https://cdn.vpplayer.tech/agmipocc/encode/vjsojwgn/mp4/1440p.mp4" medium="video" type="video/mp4">
        <media:title>Iran Unveils Post-War Monitoring Plan</media:title>
      </media:content>
      <media:thumbnail url="https://gsw.codexcdn.net/assets/as9KVfSZ65AEHLl51.jpg?width=1280&amp;height=720&amp;quality=75&amp;r=fill&amp;g=no" />
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Florence Naa Oyoe Quartey]]></dc:creator>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>