Day News Recap: Global tensions flare from Gaza to Hormuz as markets turn mixed
The biggest escalation came in the Middle East, where Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it set an oil tanker ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz and warned of wider attacks on vessels it considers hostile, raising fresh fears over shipping through the waterway. 🔗 Saudi Arabia also reopened Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport after a Houthi attack killed three people and injured several others, underlining the spread of regional violence. 🔗In Gaza, a senior United Nations official said life remains “absolutely horrendous” a year after the ceasefire, with the humanitarian crisis still severe. 🔗 Separately, Vladimir Putin said Russia would do... [Continue Reading]
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Iran's IRGC strikes tanker in Strait of Hormuz and threatens wider maritime attacks
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said on Friday that it set an oil tanker ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz and warned that future action against vessels it considers to be violating rules would not be limited to the narrow waterway. The force said it targeted the engine room and propulsion system of the MV Sun Shine, which it identified as belonging to Natwit, after the ship tried to use what it described as an unauthorised route through the southern part of the strait. The attack caused a fire on board, according to the statement.The Guard also said it would pursue and... [Continue Reading]
Two men deny Iran-backed surveillance of Jewish and Israeli sites in London
Two men have denied allegations that they carried out surveillance of Jewish and Israeli sites across London on behalf of Iran's intelligence service. The case was heard at the Old Bailey, where prosecutors say the activity amounted to hostile reconnaissance under the National Security Act 2023. The alleged targets included the Israeli embassy, the Israeli consulate, a college and Britain's oldest synagogue.The defendants are Nematollah Shahsavani, 41, and Alireza Farasati, 22. Both entered not guilty pleas during a hearing on Friday. Shahsavani appeared by video link from HMP Pentonville, while Farasati appeared in the dock in person.Prosecutors allege the pair... [Continue Reading]
Trump attacks Nobel Committee, defends Abraham Accords and Gaza, while signaling pressure on Iran
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "RT @SchoenlawToday the Nobel Committee shamed itself beyond repair and demeaned the once great Nobel Peace Prize by giving it to the UN's Navi Pillay. Pillay is an unabashed hater of America and Israel. In her position she celebrated terrorists and rewarded Hamas. She conducted a phony "investigation" claiming to find that Israel committed genocide and urging prosecution. She has no credibility in any normal sphere and has never done a thing to foster peace. But what could be expected from a committee that previously gave... [Continue Reading]
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Saudi Arabia reopens Riyadh airport after Houthi attack kills three
Saudi Arabia has reopened Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport after a Houthi attack that killed three people and injured several others, according to the country's civil aviation authority. The authority said the strike hit airport facilities and a Saudia aircraft, causing material damage and temporary disruption before operations returned to normal. Saudia later said one of its pilots, Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, was killed in the incident.The General Authority of Civil Aviation said the attack took place on Thursday and that injuries ranged from minor to severe. It said air traffic at the airport has now resumed, while the national... [Continue Reading]
Putin offers help to end Iran-US war as Pezeshkian says talks continue in Turkmenistan
Vladimir Putin has said Russia will do "everything in our power" to help end the war between Iran and the United States, during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Avazeh on Turkmenistan's Caspian coast. The comments came as the two leaders met on Thursday, adding a new diplomatic layer to an already active effort to halt the conflict. Putin praised what he described as Tehran's genuine efforts to resolve the war, while positioning Moscow as willing to assist.Pezeshkian said Iran and the United States had exchanged proposals aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.... [Continue Reading]
Noontime News Recap: Gaza crisis deepens as Iran tensions, Ukraine pressure and hurricane warnings mount
A senior United Nations official said life in Gaza remains “absolutely horrendous” a year after the ceasefire, underscoring how the humanitarian crisis has deepened rather than eased. Tom Fletcher’s warning came as aid and living conditions in the territory remained dire. 🔗In Washington and the Gulf, tensions with Iran stayed high after Donald Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, easing immediate speculation about a strike. That came as explosions were reported near the Strait of Hormuz, keeping focus on the risk of escalation in one of the world’s most sensitive waterways.... [Continue Reading]
USS Abraham Lincoln returns to San Diego after record 265-day deployment
The USS Abraham Lincoln has returned to San Diego Bay after 265 consecutive days at sea, ending a record-long deployment. The aircraft carrier arrived home on Thursday, with sailors reuniting with family members on the pier. Some were seen carrying flowers and balloons as the ship completed its journey back to California.The supplied report says the deployment included support for US military operations against Iran. It also says the carrier was originally sent out from California in November 2025 for duty in the South China Sea before being rerouted to the Middle East. The mission drew attention because of reports... [Continue Reading]
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Breakfast News Recap: Ethiopian forces enter Mekelle as global tensions, protests and court rulings mount
Ethiopian federal forces have entered Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, after nearly two weeks of intense fighting, marking a major escalation in the conflict as the advance widens. đź”—In the Middle East and wider security picture, Syria has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the sinking of the Togolese flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, while Russia and China blocked a broader UN sanctions push on Sudan even as the Security Council extended the Darfur arms embargo for two months. đź”— đź”—Russia and Ukraine remain at the centre of several separate developments, with Ukrainian... [Continue Reading]
Trump pushes fuel-cost relief as US midterms approach
Gasoline and diesel prices in the United States have more than doubled since the conflict between the US and Israel with Iran began in February, according to the supplied report. The rise has added pressure on transport businesses, farmers and ordinary drivers at a time when affordability is dominating the political debate ahead of the midterm elections. President Donald Trump has responded with a series of comments and announcements aimed at lowering fuel costs, including a waiver on the use of red dye diesel announced at a campaign stop this week.The report says the political stakes are high because voters... [Continue Reading]
OpenAI shuts down Russian and Iranian ChatGPT influence operations
OpenAI says it has shut down two influence operations linked to Russia and Iran that used ChatGPT to create fake journalist personas and support a false-front think tank promoting anti-Ukraine messaging. The company said the activity was designed to look like legitimate media and policy work while covertly pushing geopolitical narratives. It said the operations relied on AI-generated content and social media activity to widen their reach.According to OpenAI, the Iranian operation used seven profiles posing as Western journalists, including from the United States, to place long-form articles in media outlets around the world. The company said it identified almost... [Continue Reading]
US aircraft losses in Iran war rise to at least 81, CBO says
A Congressional Budget Office report says at least 81 United States military aircraft have been lost or damaged during Operation Epic Fury, the American campaign against Iran. The estimate covers fighter jets and drones and puts the cost of the losses at between $1.9bn and $3.3bn as of August 1. The figures add a new measure of the material cost of the conflict, which is now in its eighth month.The report, released on Monday, is described as a nonpartisan government assessment of budget-related issues for the legislature. It lists 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, one F-35A Lightning II jet... [Continue Reading]
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Day News Recap: Middle East tensions flare as Ukraine, Europe and markets react
Iran widened pressure on shipping by striking two commercial tankers outside the Strait of Hormuz within 24 hours, while a separate tanker was hit by multiple projectiles off the north coast of Qatar, deepening fears over Gulf trade routes. đź”— đź”—Those attacks fed a broader surge in Middle East risk, with oil and stocks swinging on renewed fears of supply disruption, and the G7 agreeing to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel from emergency stockpiles over four months to cushion shortages. đź”— đź”—In Yemen and Saudi Arabia, the conflict escalated further as Riyadh said Houthi attacks on two... [Continue Reading]
President Trump warns Iranian vessels against approaching U.S. blockade
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran. I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily, and while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, with Oil flowing in Record Numbers of Barrels through the Hormuz Strait (22 Million Barrels, last night alone, with not one barrel coming from, or going to, Iran!), we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be... [Continue Reading]
Saudi-led coalition says it intercepts three Houthi ballistic missiles toward Riyadh and Khamis Mushait
Saudi Arabia says its coalition forces intercepted three ballistic missiles fired by Yemen's Houthi movement on Thursday, including two aimed at the capital, Riyadh, and one directed at Khamis Mushait near the Yemeni border. The announcement came amid a renewed exchange of cross-border attacks that has raised concern over civilian risk and aviation security in the kingdom. Saudi officials said debris from one intercepted missile caused material damage in Riyadh.Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the missiles were destroyed before reaching their targets. Saudi civil defence said falling debris damaged a kindergarten and a medical clinic complex in Riyadh, although it... [Continue Reading]
Iran strikes tankers outside Hormuz in signs of expanding campaign
Iran's armed forces struck two commercial tankers outside the Strait of Hormuz within 24 hours this week, in what appeared to be a deliberate widening of attacks beyond the narrow waterway. The incidents took place in waters off Qatar and near Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman, both outside the strait that is central to global energy shipping. The reported attacks have raised concern that maritime insecurity in the region may be spreading into a broader area.The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said several projectiles hit the oil and chemical tanker Acers, which was flagged in Antigua and Barbuda, 51... [Continue Reading]
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France school protests resume as injuries and arrests rise
Protests and blockades at schools across France have resumed, despite the prime minister's call for ministers to draw up an action plan in response to the unrest. Dozens of people have been injured, including students, teachers and police officers, as high school students continue to press demands for more education funding and better conditions. The demonstrations have also spread beyond schools, with university students and more trade unions joining the nationwide movement.The Interior Ministry says at least 6,600 arrests have been made so far, mostly of minors, while authorities say 375 schools were fully or partially closed on Thursday. Officials... [Continue Reading]
Strait of Hormuz shipping slows as tanker bonuses surge amid Iran war
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to its lowest level since July, according to shipping data cited in the supplied material, even as some tanker captains are being offered unusually large bonuses to take the route. The development points to a widening gap between the strategic importance of the waterway and the willingness of crews to transit it under current conditions. It also suggests that the maritime disruption around the Gulf is now affecting both traffic patterns and labour costs.The supplied material says some captains are earning base salaries of as much as $100,000, plus a $50,000 bonus... [Continue Reading]
How Gaza war sped up India's shift towards Israel under Modi
India's deepening ties with Israel have come into sharper focus after a September 2025 visit by Israel's far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who was welcomed in New Delhi with garlands and taken on a multi-city trip. During the visit, he signed a trade deal in the Indian capital, visited the stock exchange in Mumbai and travelled to Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The trip took place while Israel was carrying out its war in Gaza, and it highlighted how far New Delhi has moved from its earlier position as one of the world's staunchest supporters of... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Middle East tensions flare as Israel marks 7 October anniversary and oil jumps
Oil prices and global stocks swung as traders reacted to renewed fears of disruption to Middle East supply routes, with crude rising on reports that Iran appeared to be preparing a response and investors watching the risk to shipping and energy flows. 🔗Security concerns widened after UKMTO said a tanker sailing off the north coast of Qatar was struck by multiple projectiles, adding to worries over maritime traffic in the Gulf. 🔗In the region’s wider conflict, Saudi Arabia said Houthi attacks on two airports killed three civilians, including three foreign nationals, and injured 36 people over two days, while Yemeni... [Continue Reading]
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Yemen says Dawn of Yemen offensive has neutralised 1,860 Houthi fighters
Yemeni government forces say they have intensified their counter-offensive against the Houthis, claiming to have carried out 2,103 "precise targeting operations" since the launch of the "Dawn of Yemen" campaign. In a social media post early on Thursday local time, the government's army spokesperson said the strikes were directed at Houthi military positions across several fronts. The same statement said 1,860 Houthi fighters had been "neutralised" since the operation began.Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, announced the operation on Sunday with the stated aim of retaking all Houthi-held territory, including the capital, Sanaa. The latest claims come as... [Continue Reading]
Oil and stocks swing on renewed Iran war fears and Middle East supply concerns
Oil prices moved sharply on Wednesday as traders reacted to renewed fears of disruption to Middle East supply routes. Prices rose after reports that Iran appeared to be stepping up attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, then fell later in the session after officials signalled that more reserves could be released if needed. The swings also fed through to US financial markets, where stocks weakened and government bond yields climbed to their highest levels in more than two decades.The immediate trigger was a warning cited in the supplied material that tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz may... [Continue Reading]
Trump marks October 7 anniversary, reaffirms hard line on Hamas and hostage returns
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "Three years ago today, on October 7th, the World witnessed one of the darkest and most evil days in the history of Israel. Innocent men, women, and children were murdered, kidnapped, and subjected to unimaginable horrors at the hands of Hamas TERRORISTS. Today, we remember every innocent life taken, honor the survivors and their families, and remember the hostages who endured the unthinkable. I fought relentlessly to bring the hostages home, and reunite them with their loved ones, and I did, both the living and the... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Ukraine toll rises as Middle East tensions, Iran pressure and global probes widen
Ukraine said at least 20 people were killed in overnight Russian strikes that spread across central and eastern parts of the country, with rescue work continuing after the attacks. đź”—In the Middle East, Yemen's conflict escalated again as Houthi missiles and drones targeted Aden International Airport, forcing a passenger flight diversion, while Saudi forces said they intercepted a missile near Riyadh and no casualties were reported. đź”— đź”— đź”—Yemen's internationally recognised government also said it had launched Operation Dawn of Yemen and pushed a renewed offensive on the Red Sea coast, including moves near Bab al Mandeb and an assault... [Continue Reading]
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Iran parliament approves penalties for interviews with hostile foreign media
Iran's parliament has voted to criminalise interviews and participation with media outlets designated as hostile by the Intelligence Ministry. The vote took place on Tuesday and passed by 174 votes to six, according to the supporting material. The measure is part of a wider bill on countering the penetration of intelligence services and foreign governments or entities.The approved article bans Iranian nationals from giving interviews to, or taking part in discussions with, outlets that are either designated hostile or are owned, managed or funded by operatives linked to countries classed as adversaries of the Islamic Republic. It also sets out... [Continue Reading]
Noontime News Recap: Russia intensifies Ukraine strikes as Middle East tensions and anniversary events dominate
Russia launched one of its heaviest overnight assaults of the war on Ukraine, killing at least 11 people and hitting multiple cities, including energy infrastructure, in what President Volodymyr Zelensky said was among the most severe attacks so far. đź”—A separate report said the barrage involved missiles and drones across the country, again striking power sites and other targets, underlining the pressure on Ukraine's energy system as winter approaches. đź”—In Brussels, the European Commission disbursed EUR 1.24 billion to Ukraine under the defence component of its wider support package, adding fresh financial backing as Kyiv faces renewed battlefield and infrastructure... [Continue Reading]
Hardline Iranian MPs move to impeach foreign minister over UN talks
Hardline lawmakers in Iran have filed a motion to impeach Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over his talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month. The move has exposed a public split inside the Islamic Republic over whether to pursue negotiations with Washington. Parliamentary officials said the request has been registered, but it has not yet been referred for further consideration or placed on the agenda.The motion centres on a meeting held on 22 September, which the lawmakers behind it say took place without authorisation from Iran's top... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Russia widens strikes as Yemen front heats up and Sudan rejects talks
Russia carried out a wide overnight strike on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials confirming at least two deaths as Moscow described the assault as a massive strike. đź”—In Sudan, army chief Abdel Fattah al Burhan rejected negotiations and vowed to retake every area held by the Rapid Support Forces, as the conflict widened further. đź”—Yemen saw a sharp escalation on several fronts. The internationally recognised government said Houthi missiles and drones targeted Aden International Airport, forcing the diversion of a passenger flight, while another report said two missiles hit the airport early Wednesday with no casualties... [Continue Reading]
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Has Russia's fuel crisis given Iranian oil an opening in Central Asia?
Iran's oil exports have struggled under a US blockade, but a Russian fuel crisis caused by Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure may be creating a new opening in Central Asia. Countries in the region have begun buying oil from Iran as Russian fuel supplies they have long depended on run short. The shift is emerging as Moscow faces mounting pressure from drone strikes on refineries linked to its war in Ukraine.In August, Tajikistan said it was receiving oil and petroleum products from Iran as Dushanbe faced uncertainty over supplies from Russia. Also in August, Tehran agreed to establish a joint... [Continue Reading]
Houthis target Aden airport with missiles, no casualties reported
Two missiles launched by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis targeted Aden International Airport early Wednesday, according to the supplied report. No casualties were reported after the attack. The strike was described as part of the wider regional tensions unfolding on the same day.The incident was reported in the early hours of Wednesday, 7 October 2026, in Yemen's southern port city of Aden. The airport was the stated target, and the report said the missiles were launched by the Houthis. No further damage assessment was included in the supplied material, and there was no immediate indication of disruption to airport operations.The attack matters... [Continue Reading]
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US redirects MQ-9 Reaper drones to Colombia and Ecuador for anti-narcotics operations
The United States has redirected MQ-9 Reaper drones from Africa to Colombia and Ecuador for counter-narcotics operations, according to reporting cited in the supplied material. The deployment marks a new use of the long-range drones in South America and comes amid broader US planning on how to confront drug trafficking networks in the region. No details were given on how many drones were sent to each country.The MQ-9 Reaper is a remotely piloted aircraft that has been used in high-profile US military operations in the past, including the 2020 strike that killed Iranian commander Qassim Suleimani. The report says each... [Continue Reading]
Three Iranian men go on trial in London over alleged spying on journalists and attack plot
Three Iranian men have gone on trial in London accused of spying for Iran on UK-based journalists and preparing an attack on dissident media figures. The case is being heard at Woolwich Crown Court and centres on alleged surveillance of staff linked to Iran International, a London-based Persian-language channel critical of the government in Tehran. Prosecutors say the men's actions were part of conduct likely to assist Iran's foreign intelligence service.The defendants are Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 57. They are charged under Britain's National Security Act with offences said to have taken... [Continue Reading]
UK counter-terror probe widens after seventh arrest linked to RAF Fairford
Police have arrested a 22-year-old British man on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with the investigation around RAF Fairford, extending a live counter-terrorism inquiry linked to the Gloucestershire airbase. The arrest is the seventh connected to the case, which began after activity near the base on 27 September and has remained largely unexplained. Counter Terrorism Police said the latest detention is part of an ongoing effort to examine the circumstances surrounding events close to the site.Senior national coordinator Vicki Evans said the investigation remains live and that specialist teams are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry. Earlier in the... [Continue Reading]
Yemen offensive advances near Bab al-Mandeb as coalition air support intensifies
Yemen's internationally recognised government says its counter-offensive has made further gains along the Red Sea coast near the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The operation, named Dawn of Yemen, is reported to have recaptured territory from the Houthis over the past two days, extending fighting across a strategically sensitive corridor in western Yemen. The latest claims suggest the campaign is moving beyond isolated local advances and into a broader attempt to reshape control of the coast.According to the supplied reporting, the Saudi-led coalition backing the government has deployed 100 fighter jets and has been flying round-the-clock support missions to help secure the... [Continue Reading]
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Pakistan and Turkiye move to support Saudi deterrence against Houthis as pact takes effect
The defence arrangement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye has now been activated, with the three countries agreeing to move agreed forces and capabilities into Saudi Arabia. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting in Riyadh on Monday, according to a joint statement shared by Pakistan's Foreign Office. The statement said the committee had decided to begin practical implementation of collective-defence commitments and to ensure rapid deployment in line with approved arrangements and national legislation.The latest reporting adds that the pact, signed in August and sometimes referred to as the Mecca pact, is now in force for the first... [Continue Reading]
Conservatives to unveil Britannia Shield plan for UK missile and drone defence
The Conservative Party is set to unveil a plan for a new missile and drone defence system called Britannia Shield at its conference in Birmingham. Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge is expected to outline the proposal in a speech later today. The party says the scheme would be designed to protect critical national infrastructure and military bases from airborne threats.According to the Conservatives, the plan would include new radar systems and more interceptor missiles, with a proposed investment of up to ÂŁ10 billion over 10 years. The party has described the project as a British version of Israel's Iron Dome,... [Continue Reading]
Israel puts Gaza forces on high alert ahead of October 7 anniversary
Israel's defence minister has put the military on high alert ahead of the third anniversary of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, citing intelligence that the group may try to carry out attacks against Israeli forces in Gaza. The warning was issued as Israel marked the anniversary and as tensions remained high in the enclave. The minister said any harm to Israeli troops would bring a heavy response.According to the defence ministry statement, the alert was ordered because of intelligence about Hamas's intentions to attempt attacks and other operations against Israeli forces in Gaza on the anniversary date. The statement said... [Continue Reading]
UAE says FlyDubai copilot tried to seize control of flight to Tel Aviv
The United Arab Emirates says it is investigating a serious incident on a FlyDubai passenger flight that was heading from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to officials, the copilot allegedly attacked the captain with an emergency axe and tried to take control of the aircraft. The plane was carrying more than 170 passengers and crew when the incident took place on Wednesday.Officials said passengers and crew managed to restrain the copilot before the situation escalated further. A reserve pilot who was on board then took control and landed the aircraft at Tabuk airport in north-west Saudi Arabia, where the copilot... [Continue Reading]
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Pentagon stops using Anthropic AI tools after national-security review
The US Department of Defense has stopped using Anthropic's AI tools, according to an official statement cited in a current report. The move comes months after the company was designated a supply-chain risk on national security grounds. It also follows a period in which the Pentagon had still been using the tools for research, analysis, intelligence gathering and military operations.A department official said the Pentagon has "ceased the use of Anthropic products". Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth labelled Anthropic a supply-chain risk in February and said the department would stop using it by late August. People familiar with the matter said... [Continue Reading]
Australian leaders condemn planned pro-Palestinian vigils as Jewish communities mark 7 October anniversary
Jewish communities across Australia are holding commemorations for the third anniversary of the 7 October attacks, while state Labor governments have condemned planned pro-Palestinian vigils on the same day. The events come amid heightened sensitivity over safety, with community groups keeping some ceremony locations private. Organisers say the commemorations are taking place in capital cities and are intended to mark the anniversary of the attacks that triggered the wider Israel-Gaza war.According to the supplied material, the 2023 attack killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw 251 others taken hostage. The same source says the subsequent war has left 74,000... [Continue Reading]
Iran oil transit speculation grows as exports through Hormuz stay elevated
A new report has added to speculation over how oil continues to move through the Strait of Hormuz despite persistent security risks. Provisional data from maritime tracking firm Kpler suggests crude exports from the wider Middle East exceeded pre-war levels on four days in the final week of September, reaching between 19.5 million and 22.5 million barrels per day. The figures come as analysts continue to weigh whether the flow of tankers is being sustained by military escort, ship-to-ship transfers, or some form of payment to secure passage.The latest discussion was prompted by comments from Michelle Brohard, Kpler's head of... [Continue Reading]
Former diplomats say Iran conflict is likely to worsen in coming weeks
Former Iranian and US diplomats have said the war on Iran is likely to get worse in the coming weeks, with no sign of an imminent peace deal. The discussion centred on the positions of Washington and Tehran and on whether the conflict could move toward any durable pause. The assessment was presented as a warning that the current trajectory remains unstable.Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian diplomat, said Iranian leaders do not believe US claims that the war is about nuclear weapons rather than oil. Alan Eyre, a former US diplomat, said the conflict is not heading toward a peace... [Continue Reading]
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Iran says Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until US meets conditions
Iran's parliament speaker has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States accepts Tehran's conditions, sharpening an already tense dispute over one of the world's most important energy routes. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the waterway would not reopen until Iran's seven conditions, which he linked to the Islamabad memorandum, are met. He also said Washington had sent proposals through a mediator after responding to Iran's diplomatic offer.Ghalibaf said the era of "wasting time and dictating unilateral demands" was over, and insisted Iran's position was "clear and definite". He added that Iran was "present on the military... [Continue Reading]
Somalia rejects alleged Israeli presence plans in Berbera
Somalia's president has said the country will not accept an Israeli presence "under any circumstances", after alleging that Israel was planning to establish a naval base in Berbera and use the city's airport. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made the remarks in an exclusive interview, framing the issue as part of wider efforts to pull Somalia into Middle East conflicts. He said Somalia would resist such moves and described the alleged plans as a challenge to the country's sovereignty.Mohamud said the alleged Israeli plans were aimed at gaining closer access to the Gulf states and Iran. He also linked them to what... [Continue Reading]
IEA says 325 million barrels released as G7 adds new diesel and crude drawdown
The International Energy Agency said member countries have now released about 325 million barrels of oil and oil-derived products from strategic reserves since March. That is more than 80% of the 400 million barrels originally pledged in the agency's collective action. The update came as G7 leaders agreed to immediately release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil in response to supply concerns.The agency said the 325 million barrels represented the amount released so far under the March commitment, leaving 75 million barrels still outstanding. The G7 did not say whether its new 100 million-barrel plan includes that remaining... [Continue Reading]
Two Iranian men remanded over alleged Manchester Jewish-site bomb plot
Two Iranian men have been remanded into custody after appearing in Westminster Magistrates' Court over an alleged plot to target Jewish sites in Manchester. Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, are accused of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts. Prosecutors said the alleged targets were Manchester Jewish Museum and Heaton Park Synagogue, and that the men were observed carrying out hostile reconnaissance.The court heard that the pair were arrested on 20 September, ahead of Yom Kippur, and that they are accused of planning to use a homemade explosive device. Prosecutor Mark Luckett said... [Continue Reading]
Iraq allows Iranian airlines to resume up to 40 daily Najaf flights after US exemption
Iraq has agreed to let Iranian airlines, except Mahan Air, operate up to 40 flights a day to and from Najaf International Airport after Washington granted an exemption from sanctions. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's office on Friday, following talks between Baghdad and Washington. The move restores a key air link that had been disrupted after US sanctions on Iran's aviation sector last month.The office said al-Zaidi welcomed the "positive response shown by the US government to Iraq's efforts and its cooperation in granting the necessary exemption." Iraq's foreign minister, Fuad Hussein, also said the return... [Continue Reading]
Dubai Property Market Faces Litmus Test as Nakheel Waterfront Investors Await Final Judicial Verdict
Hundreds of international and local investors who purchased land plots in Nakheel’s massive "Waterfront" project nearly two decades ago are holding their breath. Following the official cancellation of the project by the Dubai Land Department and its integration under Dubai Holding, a special judicial committee appointed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been tasked with resolving the liquidation and settling investor claims. ​Because the decisions of this specialized committee are legally binding and final, with no avenue for appeal, the upcoming rulings are being viewed as a critical turning point for the regulatory reputation of Dubai's... [Continue Reading]
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THE BATTLE FOR ALI AL-TAHER: HOW A SOUTHERN LEBANON AMBUSH SHATTERED TRUMP’S WASHINGTON AGREEMENT
A catastrophic military escalation in Southern Lebanon has successfully disrupted the highest levels of global diplomacy. Just days after the signing of the United States and Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), an armoured battlefield clash on the strategic heights of Ali al-Taher has effectively frozen implementation talks scheduled to begin today in Switzerland. The crisis provides an alarming look at how kinetic actions on the ground can instantly sabotage geopolitical blueprints designed in Washington. The Official Statement from Hezbollah Following the midnight clashes, the media wing of Hezbollah issued a formal, comprehensive statement outlining their strategic justification and rejecting accusations... [Continue Reading]
Fear the Shia, Arm the Sunnis: The Uncomfortable Numbers Behind America’s War Narrative
“When fear is managed carefully enough, a nation can be taught to look away from the blood on the floor and stare instead at the shadow on the wall.” A friend of mine, whose name I will not reveal because he asked me not to, sat across from me over dinner and placed a question on the table that would not leave me alone. He was born into a Muslim Shia background, and for the angle of this article, that detail matters, not because I wish to reduce a man to a sect, but because sect has become one of... [Continue Reading]
GAS, GOD, AND GUNS: The Secret Agenda Behind the Washington Talks and the Death of the Maritime Border
The mahogany tables of the U.S. State Department are hosting a ghost today. As official delegations from Israel and Lebanon convene for a third round of high-stakes negotiations this Friday, May 8, 2026, the air in Washington is thick with the scent of a "peace" that looks increasingly like a strategic ambush. While the world watches the diplomatic theatre, the reality on the ground in Southern Lebanon tells a story of a predatory recalibration. Prime Minister Netanyahu isn’t just looking for a ceasefire; he is aiming to hit three birds with one single, devastating stone: the annexation of land, the... [Continue Reading]
The Great Uncoupling: Abu Dhabi’s Sovereign Gambit
The UAE’s decision to cut ties with OPEC is far more than a mere adjustment of energy policy, for it functions as a political telegram written in barrels and sent directly to the heart of the global order. For nearly six decades, Abu Dhabi operated within the rigid architecture of producer discipline, where it accepted the rituals of quotas, the formality of communiqués, and the heavy burden of collective restraint. It played the long game of oil diplomacy with a patient hand, balancing its own massive national ambitions against the gravity of cartel discipline and the delicate logic of Gulf... [Continue Reading]
The Mirage of the Umbrella: The Shifting Sands of the U.S.-Israel-GCC Alliance
As I sat in a recent debate at the historic Carlton Club in London, listening to Faisal Abbas, the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, I felt a tangible shift in the room, not because a new fact had been revealed, but because an old illusion had finally lost its last breath. The old-world order has not merely changed, it has evaporated, leaving the Gulf to realize it is no longer watching a distant fire from the safety of marble towers and air-conditioned ministries, but is instead standing directly inside the smoke. The GCC today is caught in a lethal crossfire between... [Continue Reading]
The Glass Elevator to Nowhere: A World Trapped in a Chocolate Factory
As a journalist in my mid-fifties, I thought my skin had thickened to the point of being impenetrable. I have covered the rise and fall of regimes, the grinding gears of the Cold War's leftovers, and the digital revolutions that promised to unite us. I thought I had seen every trick in the political playbook. Then came Donald Trump’s 2026 foreign policy, and I realized I was not watching a statesman; I was watching a child play with a chemistry set he does not understand. The Willy Wonka of the West: Rule by Whim Walking into a press briefing lately... [Continue Reading]
When Deterrence Becomes Reality
Yesterday the war crossed a line! For years the Sejjil ballistic missile existed mostly as a symbol. A weapon paraded in military videos, discussed in defense briefings, whispered about in strategic circles as one of Iran’s most serious capabilities. A weapon that analysts described as deterrence, not something meant to be used. But on March 15, 2026, that line disappeared. Iran reportedly launched the Sejjil (also known as Ashoura) as part of what Tehran called the 54th wave of Operation True Promise 4, a massive strike package that also included the Fattah hypersonic missile and the Qadr ballistic missile system.... [Continue Reading]
The Madness of Power, From Balfour to the Edge of World War Three
A Voice in the Wilderness of War: Who Still Dares to Speak Truth While Empires March There are moments in history when the world suddenly accelerates toward disaster, moments when anyone who has studied history can feel the temperature rising even before the explosions reach their peak. The current escalation in the Middle East is one of those moments. According to the facts we now see unfolding, the United States and Israel made the unilateral decision to attack Iran without the approval of the United Nations, without a global coalition mandate, and without the support of most of the international... [Continue Reading]
The Proving Ground, When “Decent” Reporting Meets High-Tech Warfare
For two decades I have watched wars unfold not only on battlefields, but on screens. Today’s incident over Kuwait, involving the downing of a U.S. F-15 Strike Eagle, is not just another headline in the Iran conflict. It may be a signal that something larger is unfolding behind the noise. Iranian state outlets rapidly circulated imagery of an ejected pilot. Washington responded cautiously. But beneath the spectacle lies a deeper question, whose technology was truly being tested? The Gulf as a live-fire laboratory For years, China has refined export-ready variants of its air defense systems, particularly the HQ-9 family and... [Continue Reading]
Shadows of Fire: The Long Arc of Iran–United States Tensions
A Region on Edge: The Latest Escalation In recent months, tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified once again, fueled by disputes over regional security, nuclear development, maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf, and the broader strategic balance in the Middle East. Officials in Washington have expressed renewed concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, while leaders in Tehran have accused the United States of economic warfare through sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The fragile equilibrium that followed earlier rounds of indirect negotiations appears increasingly strained, with both sides engaging in sharp rhetoric at the United Nations, reinforcing military postures... [Continue Reading]
There Is Good in Every Bad
Power, Greed, Oil, and the Theater of Modern Geopolitics The Business Model of Power Donald Trump does not govern like a traditional politician. He governs like a negotiator who believes every geopolitical crisis is leverage, every war threat is a bargaining chip, and every market panic is an opportunity. When markets tremble, someone profits. The question is, who? Global markets react instantly to political tension. Gold rises when conflict looms. Oil spikes when instability threatens production. Stock markets collapse on fear, then rebound on reassurance. Volatility is not chaos, it is opportunity. Historically, gold has surged during major geopolitical crises,... [Continue Reading]





