Iran is undaunted by Washington's intention to provide substantial military aid to its allies in the Middle East, the Iranian defense minister said Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia has given its support to a Middle East peace conference proposed by U.S. President George W. Bush. Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal today said Saudi Arabia welcomes the initiative, adding that there is international momentum toward peace in the Middle East, and that Israel should respond to those pressures.

Iranian politicians have firmly rejected U.S. accusations of Tehran's meddling in Iraq after an apparently less cordial second round of talks on Iraqi security held in Baghdad between the ambassadors of Iran and the United States on July 24.

Arab diplomats meeting with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates in Egypt pressed the Bush administration for action to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. President Bush has proposed an international meeting on the Middle East conflict sometime this autumn.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed his support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is visiting Moscow. Mr. Putin Tuesday said Russia views Mr. Abbas as the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people. The Russian leader said he is sure Mr. Abbas will do everything in his power to restore unity to the Palestinians.

Russia does not plan to meet with the leadership of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas any time soon, First Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Denisov said Tuesday.

Another group of Palestinians awaiting the opening of the Rafah border crossing in Egypt returned Tuesday to Gaza via Israel. However, of 527 Palestinians who left Rafah Monday, only 300 were permitted to cross Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates have arrived in Egypt with promises of military aid for Arab nations and Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates have arrived in Egypt with promises of weapons for allies in the Middle East, saying it would help counter Al-Qaeda, Hizballah, Syria, and Iran.

The Bush administration's plans to sell modern weaponry and increase military assistance to its allies in the Middle East are aimed at exerting pressure on Iran and strengthening the Republicans' positions on the domestic front, Russian experts said Tuesday.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has announced a proposed $13 billion military aid deal with Egypt and a $30 billion military package for Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates today start a key Middle East mission to seek Arab support for the Iraqi government and also discuss weapons sales to regional allies. They will make rare joint visits to Egypt and Saudi Arabia before going on separate trips to other parts of the region.