Netanyahu on Gaza control: “My directive is to move step by step — first of all 70%”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s military has been instructed to expand its control to 70% of the Gaza Strip, as tensions persist despite the October 2025 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Speaking at a conference, Netanyahu said Israeli forces currently control around 60% of Gaza. He stated: “We are now in 60%…
Trump says Iran ‘negotiating on fumes’, urges Gulf states to join Abraham Accords
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday (27 May), US President Donald Trump said Iran “want very much to make a deal” as negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue, while warning the US could “finish the job” if talks fail. Trump said the administration was “not satisfied” with current proposals but…
US launches ‘self defence’ strikes in southern Iran targeting missile sites and mine-laying boats
US forces carried out new strikes in southern Iran on Monday (25 May), targeting missile sites and boats allegedly laying mines near Bandar Abbas, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). Officials described the action as self-defence. CENTCOM spokesperson Capt Tim Hawkins said the operations aimed to “protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces”.…
Israel intensifies strikes across Lebanon as Netanyahu pledges “crushing blow” against Hezbollah
Israel has launched a new wave of air strikes across Lebanon, including the Bekaa Valley, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an intensified campaign against Hezbollah. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strikes targeted Hezbollah positions, while Hezbollah reported carrying out 22 retaliatory drone and rocket attacks against Israeli military sites. In a video…
Iran signals possible withdrawal from Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty amid US negotiations
Iran has warned it could respond forcefully to any renewed US military action or naval blockade as negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security. Speaking in Tehran on Sunday (24 May), Mohsen Rezaei, senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC),…
Trump says Iran peace agreement and Strait of Hormuz reopening ‘largely negotiated’
US President Donald Trump said a proposed agreement involving the United States, Iran and several Middle Eastern countries had been “largely negotiated”, with final details still under discussion. In a Truth Social post published from the Oval Office, Trump said he held talks with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan…
Pakistan army chief Asim Munir meets Iranian leaders as US-Iran peace efforts continue
Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, concluded a visit to Tehran on Saturday after meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. The discussions focused on efforts to revive stalled US-Iran negotiations following weeks of conflict that disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and affected…
Turkish court ousts opposition leader, party condemns ruling as “judicial coup”
Türkiye’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has vowed to challenge a court ruling that annulled its 2023 leadership congress and reinstated former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The decision removed current CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, prompting the party to describe the ruling as a “judicial coup”. Ozel said he would pursue legal appeals and…
Iran announces new ‘Persian Gulf Strait Authority’ amid Strait of Hormuz tensions
Iran has announced the creation of a new authority amid continuing tensions with the United States over maritime activity in the Gulf region. The country’s Supreme National Security Council on Monday (18 May) said the new authority, called the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), would provide “real-time updates” on operations and the latest developments in…
Erdoğan calls Türkiye’s declining birth rate a “disaster” as government expands family incentives
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has described declining birth rates in Türkiye as a “disaster” and contraception as a “betrayal”, maintaining a long-running campaign for larger families. “Why not have at least four children, or five?” Mr. Erdoğan said recently. More births, he said, would empower Türkiye to “proceed into the future in a stronger fashion.”…
1,750 detainees to be released in largest exchange between Houthis and Yemeni government
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…
Israel–Lebanon ceasefire extended for 45 days following Washington meetings
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…
Iraq’s parliament approves Ali al-Zaidi’s new government
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…
Iran’s Foreign Minister accuses UAE of ‘direct involvement in aggression against my country’
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…
Türkiye removes direct trade restriction with Armenia in step towards normalisation
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…
Netanyahu: Iran war ‘accomplished a great deal, but it’s not over’
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…
Trump says US-Iran ceasefire still holds after exchange of fire
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…
Israel targets Hezbollah commander in first Beirut strike since ceasefire agreement
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…
Rubio warns Iran faces “generational economic destruction’ amid Strait of Hormuz crisis
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…
Saudi Arabia positions NEOM Port as Red Sea trade hub amid Strait of Hormuz tensions
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…
Middle East tensions escalate putting US-Iran ceasefire under renewed strain
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…
US approves over $8bn in proposed arms sales to Middle East allies
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…
Iran’s Supreme Leader signals new Hormuz legal framework, says Persian Gulf region would be “without America”
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…
Egypt military completes large-scale live-fire exercise amid regional tensions
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…
UAE to withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+ in major setback for global oil producers’ group
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…
Pakistan mediation continues as Trump cancels US envoys’ trip to Islamabad
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…
Egypt and Cyprus elevate ties amid Arab–EU consultations in Nicosia
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,…
US Secretary of War warns of ‘growing blockade’ as US tightens control over Gulf shipping lanes
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…
Lebanon–Israel ceasefire extended as US hosts White House talks
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…
Trump says Iran is in ‘turmoil’ as he pushes for ‘great deal’
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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