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 Middle East ceasefire has come under renewed strain as developments on Monday (4 May) marked the war’s biggest escalation since a ceasefire was declared four weeks ago. Iran warned that foreign military forces entering the Strait of Hormuz without coordination risked attack, with Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, specifically…
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The United States has approved over $8bn in proposed Foreign Military Sales to Middle Eastern partners, citing emergency national security conditions under the Arms Export Control Act. The approvals, issued on 1 May 2026, include advanced missile defence systems, command-and-control platforms, and precision strike weapons for Israel, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Officials…
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Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said the future of the Persian Gulf region would be “without America”, while signalling that Tehran intends to implement new management and legal frameworks for the Strait of Hormuz. In a written statement released on Thursday (30 April), Iran’s National Persian Gulf Day, Khamenei described foreign military presence in the…
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Egypt’s military said thousands of troops backed by fighter jets, helicopter gunships, tanks and artillery have completed the main phase of a live-fire “tactical war” exercise involving units from the 3rd Field Army. The 3rd Field Army is partly stationed in the Sinai Peninsula, which served as the main theatre of operations during Egypt’s wars…
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced it will withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+, a move that could reshape global oil market coordination during ongoing disruption linked to the Iran war. UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei said the decision, effective May 1, followed a review of national production strategy and long-term energy policy. He…
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US–Iran diplomatic efforts have faltered after Donald Trump cancelled a planned delegation visit to Pakistan, aimed at advancing talks on the ongoing Iran conflict. The trip, involving Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, was scrapped shortly after Abbas Araghchi concluded discussions in Islamabad. Trump said Witkoff would be wasting “too much time”, adding that if Iran…
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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides have signed a joint declaration upgrading Egypt–Cyprus relations to a strategic partnership during high-level Arab–EU talks in Nicosia. The meeting, attended by President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, addressed regional security, the Iranian crisis,…
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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the naval blockade on Iranian-linked shipping is expanding, stating “our blockade is growing and going global” and confirming vessels are being intercepted beyond the Gulf. Speaking at the Pentagon on Friday (24 April), Hegseth added that “No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world…
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The United States has brokered a three-week extension of the Lebanon–Israel ceasefire following high-level talks at the White House on Thursday (23 April). US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Moawad for a second round of negotiations aimed at reducing cross-border hostilities. Trump said Washington would support Lebanon in…
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US President Donald Trump said he is not rushing negotiations with Iran, citing internal instability in Tehran and ongoing military pressure. Speaking after participating in a healthcare affordability event in the Oval Office on Thursday (23 April), he claimed the US had struck roughly 75% of its targets, imposed a “100% effective” blockade, and significantly…
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