Category: Middle East
Coverage of geopolitics, international relations, and current affairs from across the Middle East, including conflicts, alliances, energy politics, peace processes, and regional security issues.
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The Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government have agreed to exchange 1,750 detainees in the largest prisoner swap since the Yemen conflict escalated in 2015. The agreement includes the release of seven Saudi nationals held by the Iran-aligned group. The deal comes as Saudi Arabia increases diplomatic efforts to revive the stalled UN-led Yemen peace…
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Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire by 45 days following negotiations in Washington DC, according to the US State Department. The talks come amid continued cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah despite the truce announced by US President Donald Trump on 16 April 2026. US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said further…
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Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has been sworn into office after parliament approved a partial cabinet, following continued disagreements over several senior ministerial positions. According to Iraq’s official news agency, lawmakers granted confidence to Al-Zaidi’s government and ministerial programme on Thursday, allowing the administration to formally begin its duties. Parliament approved 14 of the…
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Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of involvement in military operations against Iran during a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi. “But the truth is that the UAE was directly involved in the aggression against my country,” Araghchi said. “When the attacks started, they didn’t even issue a…
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Türkiye has removed a restriction on direct trade with Armenia, in a symbolic step towards improving relations between the two neighbours, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli. The change allows goods transiting via third countries to list Türkiye or Armenia as their final origin or destination, easing a long-standing designation rule. Armenia welcomed…
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A fragile US–Iran ceasefire remains under strain as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the conflict is “not over”, citing unresolved nuclear concerns. In an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, Netanyahu said Iran’s highly enriched uranium and enrichment infrastructure still need to be addressed, stating that “there’s still nuclear material, enriched uranium that has to…
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US and Iranian forces exchanged fire near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday (7 May ), while the UAE reportedly faced renewed attacks, raising concerns over the stability of the April 7 ceasefire. President Donald Trump said three US Navy destroyers came under attack while transiting the strategic waterway, which handles a significant share of…
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Israel carried out an air strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday (6 May), marking its first strike on the Lebanese capital since early April despite an ongoing ceasefire with Hezbollah. In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the attack targeted a commander from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan…
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran was risking “catastrophic” and “generational” economic damage through its actions, while stressing that the US’ ‘Peoject Freedom’ was aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and assisting vessels stranded in the Gulf. Speaking to reporters, Rubio said the Strait of Hormuz “does not belong to Iran”, rejecting…
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Saudi Arabia is positioning the port of NEOM as a strategic trade and logistics hub connecting the Gulf with Europe and Africa, as the kingdom seeks to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened regional security tensions. The shift follows shipping disruptions linked to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which placed increased pressure…
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