The US and the Taliban are set to begin their seventh round of peace talks on Saturday.
Negotiators from both sides will discuss ways to end the war in Afghanistan.
One US official called the talks a “make-or-break moment” to halt more than 18 years of fighting.
The discussions will be led by Zalmay Khalilzad, who is the US peace envoy for Afghanistan.
He has held six rounds of talks with the Taliban since October.
Afghanistan is preparing to hold presidential elections on September 28.
GCC and EU ministers urge immediate halt to Iranian attacks
Foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union have strongly condemned the Iranian attacks targeting GCC states, calling them a direct threat to regional and global security.
Trump wants say on Iran's next leader
US President Donald Trump claimed the right to join Iran in deciding its next leader as the war escalated, with US and Israeli jets hitting areas across the country and Gulf cities coming under renewed attack.
British PM Starmer to send four Typhoon jets to Qatar
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that four additional Typhoon fighter jets would be sent to Qatar amid the ongoing regional developments, insisting that the UK has the right plan for defence.
Bombing of Tehran intensifies as war enters day six
The US-Israeli campaign against Iran entered its sixth day on Thursday with what residents described as even more intensive bombing.
Azerbaijan vows to respond after four injured by Iranian drones
Azerbaijan warned on Thursday that it was preparing unspecified response measures after a pair of Iranian drones flew across its border and injured four people in the Nakhchivan exclave, raising concern about further spillover of the conflict in the Middle East.
The UAE took part in an extraordinary GCC-EU Foreign Ministers videoconference on Thursday to address Iranian aggression against GCC states.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, has discussed the latest regional developments with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Law enforcement powers will be granted to selected Government of Dubai officials as per a newly issued resolution.
