Secretary of State Marco Rubio waived human rights restrictions on over $300 million in military aid to Egypt, citing Cairo's helpful role in dealing with Iran and regional security. The decision reverses previous withholding of funds over human rights concerns.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded that the Iranian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly immediately leave the country on Monday following stalled negotiations. The delegation included Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had been involved in indirect talks with the United States during his stay in New York.
The Japanese government approved the removal of sanctions on 16 organizations connected to Syria, signaling support for the government of President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The decision follows Japan's lifting of sanctions on four Syrian entities in May 2025, with the original measures imposed in 2011 against the Assad regime.
The United States has completed its military withdrawal from Iraq after more than two decades, with Baghdad declaring four days of national holidays called 'Sovereignty Days' to mark the exit. The withdrawal raises questions about Iraq's future security amid concerns over militia influence and Iran's growing role in the country.
The chiefs of staff of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey held talks in Riyadh on Friday to discuss enhanced military coordination, intelligence sharing and implementation of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. The meeting comes amid escalating Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Qatar Airways has retired its remaining Airbus A330 passenger aircraft fleet due to rising fuel costs and disruptions from the Iran war. The airline is seconding pilots to RwandAir while planning fleet renewal and growth.
Democratic Senators Edward Markey and Jeff Merkley led colleagues in demanding the Trump administration abandon a proposed civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, citing the deal's failure to meet the "Gold Standard" and classified U.S. intelligence indicating Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons.
Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted six ballistic missiles fired by Yemen's Houthis targeting the Red Sea port of Yanbu and the city of Taif, with Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti calling on troops to be ready to sacrifice their lives.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a defiant speech at the UN General Assembly, saying Iran would not 'bend the knee' to US pressure one day after Trump threatened to 'annihilate' Iran. The US delegation walked out during his remarks.
Morocco's Authenticity and Modernity Party won the largest number of seats in parliamentary elections with 97 seats according to provisional results, but turnout hit a nearly two-decade low of 38 percent amid voter apathy.
Iranian flights to Baghdad and Muscat have been canceled after the United States threatened sanctions against airports servicing Iranian airlines, part of a broader pressure campaign over the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq ordered its civil aviation authority to suspend Iranian flights starting Wednesday, while Oman also ceased accepting Iranian aircraft.
President Donald Trump told the UN General Assembly he is deciding whether to make a deal with Iran or 'annihilate' the Islamic Republic, while US officials held a three-hour meeting with Iranian representatives in New York.
The League of Arab States General Secretariat condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by an Israeli government official and settlers under Israeli police protection. The incident occurred on Monday, prompting an official denunciation from the pan-Arab organization.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham agreed to provide defensive air-to-air refueling for Saudi jets for a limited time period to help counter Iran-backed Houthi attacks, marking closer UK-Saudi military cooperation amid escalating regional tensions.
Explosions and smoke were reported near Riyadh's international airport following emergency alerts warning of a 'hostile aerial threat.' The incident marks the first such alert for the Saudi capital since the latest escalation with Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group began in July.
Italy's defence minister announced plans to deploy naval forces to safeguard Italian merchant shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, citing mounting security concerns and potential severe economic fallout from the vital waterway being threatened by the widening Middle East conflict.
The Pentagon has informed Congress that the war in Iran has cost the United States $43.6 billion as of early September, the highest official estimate to date. The total includes $28 billion needed to replace munitions but does not account for damage to American facilities throughout the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia issued rare air raid alerts for Riyadh and other cities after intercepting a Houthi drone, with debris killing one Yemeni resident. Smoke and flames were visible near Riyadh's international airport following the attack.
The State Department has approved a potential $24 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant expansion of the US-Saudi defense partnership. US intelligence officials have raised concerns that the deal could enable China to acquire sensitive F-35 technology through Saudi Arabia.
President Donald Trump warned he is "deciding" whether to escalate military action against Iran, threatening to "blow the entire nation up," while Iran vowed "painful retaliation" to any fresh strikes. The exchange of threats comes as both leaders prepare to attend the UN General Assembly in New York this week.
The United States has extended visa sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, for the second consecutive year. The State Department cited the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization's failure to meet commitments under US compliance laws from 1989 and 2002.
Amazon Web Services announced it cannot restore access to some customer data stored at Persian Gulf data centers that were damaged during the US-Iran war in spring 2026. The facilities in UAE and Bahrain were struck by Iranian drones.
Saudi Arabia conducted hundreds of airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen after Iran-backed rebels launched drones and missiles at Saudi cities, including an alleged attack near Mecca that the Houthis deny. The escalation marks a significant widening of the broader Middle East conflict that began in February.
Houthi drone strikes forced Saudi Arabia to close its key East-West pipeline capable of transporting 7 million barrels per day, causing oil prices to surge with Brent crude topping $109 and WTI reaching $105. The pipeline was later restored, easing supply concerns.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized the strategic Hanish islands and Perim Island in the Red Sea, completing their takeover of Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline and tightening control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital shipping route for global oil supplies. The advance has raised concerns about potential disruptions to energy corridors and increased pressure on Saudi oil exports.
Iran-backed Houthis have captured a key port city and island along Yemen's Red Sea coast, causing security concerns around the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Strait of Hormuz. The offensive has displaced thousands of Yemenis to Djibouti and forced Somali businesses to rethink shipping routes, while the rebels claim new attacks on Saudi Arabia.
An Iranian commercial vessel was attacked early Sunday off Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in one death and four injuries. Tehran blamed a 'terrorist enemy' for the strike, which occurred amid heightened tensions and threats to shipping in the region.
The UN's International Organization for Migration reports that at least 46,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since fighting between Houthi forces and pro-government troops escalated last week, with the number rising by the hour. The renewed conflict is forcing civilians to flee their homes, adding to Yemen's long-running humanitarian crisis.
Saudi Arabia reported drones launched from Iraq struck its East-West oil pipeline, leading to its temporary closure. Iraq dismissed a military commander and ordered an investigation after confirming the attacks originated from Iraqi territory.
Leaders from BRICS nations are gathering in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS summit, with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit is expected to focus on wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with economic challenges.
US producer price index rose 5.4% year-over-year in August, exceeding forecasts of 5.3%, as Brent crude topped $107 per barrel amid Middle East tensions, increasing pressure on the Federal Reserve ahead of its September meeting.
Top White House advisers, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have privately warned President Trump that the ongoing conflict with Iran could extend through the remainder of his presidency, contradicting earlier expectations of a swift resolution. The warnings come as Trump publicly threatens to 'wipe out' Iran and makes campaign promises tied to the conflict.
Britain announced sanctions banning imports of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with reports indicating the measures also cover occupied East Jerusalem and Syria's Golan Heights. The scope of sanctions could expand or narrow based on actions of Israel's next government.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have captured a US unmanned submarine drone in the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has blockaded during the ongoing Middle East conflict. The US dismissed the drone as defective and malfunctioning, stating it contained no classified equipment.
Brent crude oil prices surged to near $100 per barrel after Saudi Arabia reported attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi militants on energy facilities, causing temporary operational disruptions. Additional strikes were reported at Iran's Kharg Island export hub, raising fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East.
Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a wave of attacks on Saudi Arabia, wounding 73 people and igniting fires at multiple oil facilities including Saudi Aramco sites. The strikes hit civilian and energy infrastructure in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan, and Najran, with the Saudi-led coalition vowing to respond.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched attacks on civilian sites and energy facilities across southern Saudi Arabia, wounding 73 people including women and children, according to the Saudi-led coalition. The strikes hit cities including Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran, causing fires at energy facilities and marking a major escalation.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan pardoned Egyptian opposition activist and poet Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who was sentenced last month to 10 years in prison and fined 200,000 dirhams. The Egyptian-Turkish national had been extradited to the UAE under an arrest warrant from the Arab Interior Ministers Council.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Egypt for his first visit in a decade, calling for a new Middle East security framework and urging regional nations to oppose external interference. The visit comes as China seeks to expand its role in the region amid the US-Iran conflict.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln docked in Pattaya, Thailand, after 286 consecutive days at sea supporting operations in the Middle East. The deployment raised concerns about crew mental health and ship maintenance.
US forces conducted their first military action against Iran in a month, striking IRGC rocket launchers preparing to deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks on US bases in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE.
Masked Israeli settlers attacked an NBC News team and a 51-year-old Palestinian woman, Aida Ahmed Abdullah, during an interview in the occupied West Bank on Saturday. The assault, which drew rare condemnation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, occurred as the crew was interviewing Abdullah about being driven from her home by settlers.
The US Treasury imposed sanctions on Banque Misr's UAE branches, cutting the major Egyptian bank from the global financial system as part of escalating economic pressure on Iran six months into the conflict. Iran condemned the move as 'state terrorism.'
The US military scrapped amphibious landing exercises with South Korea due to force shortages related to Middle East deployments, marking the first apparent confirmation of major operational impacts from the Iran conflict on other theaters.
Luis Manuel Aviles, a Nicaraguan immigrant who has lived in the U.S. for nearly two decades, was released from immigration custody after being detained while his son Joshua Aviles was deployed aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Middle East for over nine months during the Iran war.
Two Binance employees were detained by police in the United Arab Emirates in recent weeks amid inquiries into possible financial crimes on the cryptocurrency platform. Binance confirmed on Aug. 20 that both employees had been cleared and released after answering questions about third-party fund flows.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated it was time to end the months-long war with the United States, claiming Tehran is in a stronger position than Washington. This comes as the US prepares to announce what it calls the 'toughest sanctions in history' against Iran.
The United Arab Emirates has suspended all trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran after accusing Tehran of launching ballistic missiles at UAE ships. Iran denies the allegations, calling the incident a 'false flag operation.'
International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors visited previously undeclared Assad-era nuclear sites in Syria for the first time this week, with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi reporting the discovery of several tons of nuclear materials. Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani stated the material is not dangerous as Damascus pledges to strengthen safeguards.
The United Arab Emirates accused Iran of launching two ballistic missiles toward its territory and announced an indefinite suspension of all trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran in response.
Syria warned that continued Israeli attacks on its territory fuel regional tensions following strikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Idlib province, approximately 70 kilometers from the Turkish border. US envoy Tom Barrack called the strikes an "unnecessary escalation" and suggested creating a deconfliction mechanism.
Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northwestern Syria. US special envoy Tom Barrack called the strikes an 'unnecessary escalation,' marking rare public criticism of Israel by the Trump administration.
The United States issued a rare rebuke of Israel after airstrikes hit the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in Syria near the Turkish border. US envoy Tom Barrack called the attack an unnecessary escalation, while Syria and Turkey condemned the strikes that targeted runways and storage facilities but reportedly caused no casualties.
US Ambassador to Turkey and Syria envoy Tom Barrack criticized Israel for striking a Syrian airbase without warning Washington, saying US intelligence found no evidence supporting Israeli claims that Turkey was preparing to deploy forces there. The strike nearly triggered a confrontation between Israel and Turkey, both US allies.
Iranian military officials announced a strategic shift from defensive to offensive military posture, citing lessons from recent conflicts. Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia revealed plans to reward those who kill or capture US troops in the event of a ground incursion, as a memorandum of understanding with Washington expires.
Most Asian share indices are heading for weekly declines as stress in global bond markets continues and diplomatic deadlock in the Gulf pushes oil prices to one-month highs. Investors are turning to safe haven assets like gold and Bitcoin amid the market turbulence.
Representatives of President Donald Trump, including senior adviser Jared Kushner and Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov, are holding talks in Cairo with Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators to advance a U.S. Gaza peace plan. Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya is also traveling to Cairo for discussions with Egyptian intelligence amid the diplomatic push.
Israel's defense minister clarified that Israeli forces will not withdraw from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, walking back earlier remarks suggesting indefinite occupation that drew US rebuke. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over the fragile Lebanon agreement, with Lebanon denying it agreed to a verification mechanism for Hezbollah's disarmament.
President Trump downplayed family concerns about poor conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for nearly nine months in the Middle East, and suggested the deployment should be even longer.
Israeli settlers have surrounded and besieged Palestinian families in their homes in the West Bank village of Qusra for multiple days, cutting off water and electricity in what residents describe as an attempt to forcibly take their properties. The Israeli military has moved to intervene, while security sources warn the situation resembles a 'powder keg' that could explode.
ARP Digital, a Bahrain-based institutional digital asset infrastructure provider, has secured a broker-dealer license from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), enabling the firm to offer regulated cryptocurrency services in Dubai.
The Pentagon acknowledged that U.S. military airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen killed 153 civilians and wounded 243 in 2025, according to its annual civilian casualty report delivered to Congress. The report notably excluded any deaths from airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, drawing criticism from some officials.
A Pentagon review revealed that US airstrikes targeting Houthi militants in Yemen during 2025 killed more than 150 civilians, significantly higher than previously acknowledged. The assessment comes amid growing concerns over civilian casualties in the region.
Yossi Cohen, former head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, disclosed that Israeli spies had visited Iran's Fordow nuclear facility 'many times' to study the site. Cohen made the revelation at a conference, calling a previous bombing of the facility the 'fulfillment of all dreams.'
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Mohsen Rezaei, former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and close ally of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, as secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Rezaei replaces Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr and has recently emphasized Iran's strategic control over the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump rejected Iran's demand for reparations from recent US and Israeli bombardment, instead demanding that Tehran compensate Americans killed in attacks he attributed to Iran over recent decades. The exchange comes amid ongoing negotiations following a five-month military conflict.
Syria and Russia agreed on August 9, 2026, after 18 months of negotiations, to reorganize Russia's military presence in Syria: the agreement transfers civilian facilities at Hmeimim and Tartus to Syrian control, converts the military sites into joint training centres, and allows Russian forces to remain -- preserving Moscow's principal military foothold in the Mediterranean. A four-vessel Russian convoy resupplied the Tartous and Hmeimim facilities on September 14, 2026, the first such resupply since the agreement was concluded. The reported inclusion of ammunition in the shipment was not independently confirmed.
Tehran has stated it will require concessions from the United States before agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping chokepoint. The development suggests an ongoing closure or blockage of the strategic waterway.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Saudi Aramco's oil refinery facility in Jazan, southwestern Saudi Arabia, on Sunday morning. The attack caused a fire that was subsequently extinguished with no reported injuries.
Israeli troops entered Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, a village under Lebanese army control per a US-sponsored agreement, and built an earth barrier overnight. Multiple Lebanese soldiers were wounded in separate incidents, including three injured while defusing unexploded ordnance and one targeted in a strike on a military bulldozer in Tyre district.
Iran has issued steep demands including US compensation and sanctions relief as conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to derail a potential deal with Oman despite earlier optimism. The standoff has pushed oil prices above $83 per barrel and drawn sharp responses from President Trump.
Iran announced that negotiations with Oman on new shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz are in final stages, but insisted the waterway will not reopen until the U.S. provides compensation, lifts sanctions, and meets other demands. The announcement came as the UAE reported an Iranian missile strike on one of its ships in the strait.
The United Arab Emirates condemned what it called an Iranian missile attack on an Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, calling it an act of piracy. No casualties were reported in the incident.
Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen launched missile attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, prompting at least six Saudi-flagged supertankers to divert toward southern Africa. The attacks mark a resumption of Houthi targeting of Saudi vessels after a nine-month pause.
The Israeli military conducted targeted strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, issuing evacuation warnings to civilians for the first time since June and claiming the action was in response to Hezbollah ceasefire violations. The strikes, which occurred near Tyre and targeted weapons depots and infrastructure, resulted in one death and 11 injuries according to Lebanon's health ministry, marking one of the deadliest incidents since the June ceasefire began.
The seventh round of U.S.-facilitated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon began Tuesday in Rome, focusing on establishing pilot zones for Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah disarmament. However, talks ended early on the second day after Israel's ambassador halted negotiations, citing what sources described as Beirut's 'repeated misleading leaks.'
Qatar's Public Prosecution and Ministry of Interior have introduced a new self-service platform utilizing artificial intelligence for inmates in the country's penal and correctional institutions, representing a digital advancement in prison services.
President Donald Trump announced he is halting new military strikes against Iran, stating that Middle East allies have agreed to the parameters of a deal to end the five-month conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, contingent on a rapid agreement being finalized.
Iran and Oman are close to finalizing an agreement to restart commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, potentially through a fee-based system that would cement Tehran's control over the strategic waterway. The emerging deal appears to exclude direct U.S. involvement despite Trump's claims of imminent negotiations.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported two maritime incidents off Oman on Saturday, including a tanker struck by an unknown projectile approximately 11 nautical miles northeast of Lima, leaving the vessel not under command with engine room damage. A second incident involved reports of a large splash and explosion near another tanker.
