Middle East

The International Monetary Fund managing director praised the Gulf Cooperation Council's economic strength following a meeting in Bahrain.

Baghdad secured a U.S. waiver for Iranian airlines, excluding Mahan Air, to operate 40 daily flights to Najaf, easing travel for pilgrims and medical patients.

Captain Smit Machchhar, injured in the Wednesday attack aboard Flight FZ 1073, told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi he could not allow passengers to die

A co-pilot stabbed the captain aboard a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, prompting an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia and renewed scrutiny of aviation security protocols.

A journalist witnessed drone strikes near Taiz as Houthi forces consolidate control of the strategic Red Sea coast, displacing civilians across southwestern Yemen

More than 130,000 people have fled their homes since September, intensifying an already dire humanitarian situation across the country

Crude shipments have rebounded to 98 percent of pre-conflict volumes, but analyst estimates for Hormuz transit rates vary widely, signaling uncertainty about the durability of the recovery.

Coalition forces complete their withdrawal from Iraq on Wednesday, ending a 10-year military presence aimed at defeating the Islamic State group.

Tel Aviv University economists said Israel's economy performed better than expected through nearly three years of war, but warned of rising debt and cost-of-living pressures.

The average cost of a liter of diesel climbed to 199.18 pence, exceeding the previous peak set in June 2022 as geopolitical conflicts disrupt global supply chains.

Tehran says explosions occurred near Qeshm Island hours after President Donald Trump dismissed Iran's diplomatic proposal to reopen the critical waterway.

The United States is reducing its military presence in the Middle East, opening space for Iran, Turkey and Israel to compete for regional influence.

The Kobeissi Letter reported a historic loss of diesel supply from the Middle East and Russia, indicating a deepening global market crisis.

Brent crude dropped to $103.95 a barrel as Saudi Arabia rerouted shipments through Oman, partially offsetting Red Sea pipeline attack impacts.

Rep. Gregory Meeks cites concerns about the use of 2,000-pound munitions in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon.

Secretary-General António Guterres urged renewed diplomacy between the United States and Iran, warning that disregard for international law is deepening Middle East instability.

Brent crude jumped 3% to $107 on Middle East supply disruptions, forcing bond traders to reprice terminal rate expectations and duration risk.

Government air raids and artillery targeted Houthi positions in Marib, al-Jawf, and Taiz following Houthi advances along the Red Sea coast.

More than 30 explosions reported in Al-Mansouri as Israeli forces target homes and infrastructure across four districts in the south

Tehran dismissed Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assertion that Houthi rebels act as Iranian agents, calling regional instability a result of U.S. military intervention

Israel's political spectrum is defined primarily by positions on Palestinian statehood, territorial control, and security — a contrast to Western democracies where left-right divisions center on economic and social policy

Israeli daily Haaretz reports UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed alerted Netanyahu 10 days before the 2023 Hamas offensive; Netanyahu's office calls the claim false

Israeli forces bombed southern Lebanon after an improvised explosive device killed two soldiers during an operation against Hezbollah infrastructure, marking the first Israeli military deaths since a ceasefire began in June.

The exercise in Eilat and the Arava Valley will simulate surprise attacks and infiltrations by air, sea, and land, following heightened security warnings

Qatar's top diplomats held separate calls with their counterparts in the UAE and Oman on efforts to reduce regional tensions and strengthen bilateral relations.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and pandemic-related disruptions have exposed dangerous import dependencies in regions where wheat is essential to the social contract and political stability

Trump declined to confirm U.S. assistance to Iranian dissidents, citing government violence that has killed tens of thousands, while centrist Democrats broke with leadership to back his 30-day military clock.

Two Filipino sailors died as tankers struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran's parliament speaker and Israeli defense minister escalated war rhetoric Wednesday

Middle East tensions pushed crude higher, stoking inflation concerns and forcing the bond market to reprice Fed expectations upward, dragging gold lower as yield-bearing Treasuries regain relative appeal.

The S&P/TSX Composite fell 283.44 points Monday, erasing a month of gains as geopolitical pressure drove new 52-week lows to triple from Friday's count.

Palestinian officials say Israel has killed 1,320 people and injured 4,385 since the truce began Oct. 10, 2025, as both sides accuse each other of repeated breaches

The largest defense agreement between the two countries delivers an integrated air defense system as Israeli weapons exports hit record levels.

Sen. Ted Cruz outlined military and economic objectives in the six-month conflict, asserting combat goals are met while a U.S. blockade tightens.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the vital waterway will remain closed until the United States ends its military campaign and lifts economic sanctions.

Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf met with Qatar's Prime Minister in Tehran as Iran and Oman consider a proposal to reopen the vital shipping corridor.

The defense secretary called the joint strikes the most lethal air campaign in history and confirmed four U.S. service members killed.

Diesel crack spreads hit $102 a barrel Monday—nearly triple pre-war levels—as attacks on Middle Eastern and Russian refineries, Chinese export restrictions, and Hormuz shipping disruptions leave American refineries as the sole functioning major supply source.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced the group's dissolution Tuesday at the presidential palace in Damascus, ending its role as an independent Kurdish-led military force.

The Iranian president told a public gathering that Tehran's military remains ready to fight while diplomacy continues under a 14-point memorandum signed in June.

Washington delisted Syria on Aug. 24, ending a designation since 1979 and opening the way for private investment under new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new secondary sanctions designed to cut off Iran's remaining financial links to the global economy, threatening consequences for any country or company doing business with Tehran.

Hundreds living in a bombed-out Gaza City schoolyard received free check-ups last month — a rare visit that exposed how far medical care has receded from the people who need it most.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Israeli Mossad Director Roman Gofman met Sunday to ease tensions following an Israeli military operation.

Iran's top security official threatened to treat regional countries as enemies if they support U.S. efforts to pressure Iran's economy following new sanctions.

Denis Michael Rohan set fire to the Jerusalem holy site on Aug. 21, 1969, destroying a 12th-century pulpit and escalating regional tensions.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. will impose sweeping sanctions and maintain a blockade on Iran, calling on other nations to join the effort to isolate the country economically.

NATO pointed to four successful intercepts of Iranian ballistic missiles over Turkey this year as evidence of its defensive capability.

Chancellor Merz condemned National Security Minister Ben-Gvir's call for nightly targeted killings in Gaza, but Berlin has not committed to supporting EU sanctions.

Armed forces chief Ali Abdollahi said assistance to U.S. forces at regional bases amounts to direct participation in hostilities.

A UN database names 158 companies operating in West Bank settlements; Human Rights Watch identified seven Israeli banks funding construction directly.