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.
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.
The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reached all-time highs on August 4-5, 2026, driven by optimism over potential progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and strong corporate earnings. The Nasdaq lagged as SpaceX and AMD shares fell despite positive earnings reports.
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.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi pressed Bulgaria to reverse its decision allowing temporary deployment of U.S. military aircraft at the Bezmer air base, according to Iranian state media reports. The diplomatic intervention highlights Iran's concerns over American military presence in the region.
Iran pledged to 'punish the aggressor' following overnight U.S. military strikes described as a 'heavy wave,' which the Pentagon said were conducted in retaliation for an Iranian attack on U.S. forces.
Saudi Arabia is working to form an international coalition to safeguard shipping in the Red Sea as Houthi strikes on energy tankers intensify, driving oil prices higher and threatening critical maritime trade routes.
Two ships used for gas processing and storage caught fire at Egypt's Damietta port, with security sources reporting a drone strike on a US-owned tanker. Egypt's petroleum ministry confirmed the fire but did not mention a drone attack or specify a cause, stating no injuries occurred and port operations were expected to resume overnight.
A U.S.-mediated agreement designed to facilitate Israel's gradual withdrawal from occupied areas of southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah's disarmament is experiencing significant delays in its initial implementation phase.
The United States and Iran have halted military attacks for three straight nights after 13 days of heavy bombing, with both sides pausing operations to give diplomatic negotiations room to proceed toward a potential interim ceasefire agreement.
An Iranian drone and missile attack on a US air base in Jordan killed three American service members and wounded several others, marking one of the deadliest strikes on US forces during the conflict. The attack demonstrated Iran's continued ability to threaten US military installations despite months of American airstrikes.
Iran launched ballistic missile and drone attacks on a US air base in Jordan, killing two service members and leaving one missing, marking the first American combat deaths from direct Iranian fire since the war's opening days.
Two American service members were killed and one remains missing after Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks struck a U.S. military base in Jordan on Friday. Four additional service members were injured and medically evacuated, marking the first U.S. troop deaths since fighting resumed two weeks earlier.
The US military launched airstrikes targeting Iranian defense and missile installations on Greater Tunb Island in the Strait of Hormuz, with President Trump pledging to intensify bombardment until Iran stops attacking ships and reopens the strategic waterway.
Israel will hold national elections on October 27, the latest date permitted by law, in what is widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership following the wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and ongoing regional conflicts.
The United States launched multiple waves of strikes on Iran following Tehran's attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz that left one crew member missing. Iran's Revolutionary Guard declared the strait closed and retaliated by targeting U.S. military bases and Gulf states, escalating a dangerous standoff over the vital waterway.
Unidentified airstrikes targeted Iran hours after U.S. Central Command announced the completion of its 90-target operation, with no country claiming responsibility. The attacks occurred amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions following the burial of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran's assertion of sole control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States military conducted a second consecutive day of strikes on Iran after President Donald Trump announced that an interim agreement to end hostilities had collapsed, marking the most severe escalation between the two nations in the conflict.
The United States and Iran engaged in their most extensive military exchange since signing an interim deal last month, with attacks targeting commercial vessels and US military installations across the Middle East. President Trump indicated Iran has requested continued negotiations while revealing he has left instructions in case of his assassination.
A Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker sustained significant damage after an attack in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, sparking a fire in its engine room and raising explosion concerns. In response, Qatar has paused efforts to ramp up production at the world's largest LNG facility due to transit safety fears.
President Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire over after both sides exchanged strikes, with Iran targeting US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain following American attacks. The escalation threatens the fragile June 17 ceasefire agreement.
The United States military conducted air strikes against targets in southern Iran in retaliation for Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while the Trump administration simultaneously revoked sanctions waivers on Iranian oil sales. Iran has vowed a 'crushing response' to the strikes.
Two bombs exploded near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying in Damascus during the first visit to Syria by a major Western leader since Assad's fall, wounding at least 18 people including security personnel.
Iran's military fired at least two missiles at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, setting at least one tanker ablaze. The attacks occurred as Iran mourns Supreme Leader Khamenei and as President Trump heads to a NATO summit.
Rep. Haley Stevens and former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed faced off in a contentious Democratic Senate primary debate, sparring over Israel policy, AIPAC funding, and their contrasting approaches to politics as the race enters its final stretch.
Iran conducted a week-long series of funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with state-curated events featuring extensive religious and political messaging to promote pro-government narratives.
Multiple vessels attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz made abrupt U-turns on July 4-5, 2026, with ship traffic along the Omani coast dropping sharply as some tankers shifted to routes closer to Iran. Iran has previously stated that vessels should only transit through routes designated by the Islamic Republic, though the exact cause of the reversals remains unclear.
Egypt national team manager Hossam Hassan displayed a Palestinian flag and dedicated his team's World Cup Round of 16 penalty shootout victory over Australia to the Palestinian people, prompting FIFA to issue a statement on the political gesture. Hassan said his "heart and soul" are with Palestinians and offered prayers for their martyrs.
The United Kingdom and France have agreed to work with Oman to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Oman's territorial waters, with plans to deploy a multinational force to restore secure transit through the strategic waterway.
Iran has begun days of public mourning for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes in February 2026. Officials claim the funeral could draw up to 20 million people in scenes reminiscent of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's 1989 burial.
Iran is conducting an elaborate multi-day funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed four months ago at the outset of a US-Israeli war on Iran. The ceremonies, spanning five cities across Iran and Iraq from July 3-9, coincide with the reappearance of Revolutionary Guard General Ahmad Vahidi, who had been in hiding.
Iran has warned oil tankers to use approved routes through the Strait of Hormuz or face a 'forceful response,' with BBC reporters witnessing seized vessels and stranded tankers. Oman is navigating a delicate diplomatic position over the new fees and restrictions in the critical waterway.
Indirect US-Iran negotiations in Doha concluded with reported progress and will resume after the state funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in airstrikes four months ago. Iran has warned the US and Israel against launching attacks during the weeklong funeral ceremony.
The United States threatened to withhold interceptor systems from Saudi Arabia after the kingdom refused to allow US forces to use its bases and airspace for escort missions in the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran that began in late February 2026.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed the final 70 members of Syria's new 210-member parliament, completing the chamber that will convene for its first session. Two-thirds of the lawmakers were previously chosen by regional electoral colleges, with 21 women among the total membership.
Indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran in Doha, Qatar, mediated by Qatari and Pakistani officials, concluded with both sides agreeing to establish a communication channel to report violations of their memorandum of understanding. However, the talks ended in stalemate over broader issues, with US officials stating that $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets will not be released until Tehran fulfills the terms of the agreement.
Iran is organizing a historic six-day, multi-city state funeral for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei scheduled for July 9, more than four months after his death. The ceremonies will span Tehran, Qom, Najaf, Karbala and Mashhad, with authorities mobilizing the Basij militia amid tight security and ongoing fragile US-Iran negotiations.
Iran's president announced that $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar would be released, as negotiations with the United States face challenges following weekend attacks across the Persian Gulf region.
Iran launched drone and missile attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain on Sunday following consecutive US airstrikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to halt all negotiations as the 121-day conflict escalates. Kuwait intercepted Iranian drones and ballistic missiles while Bahrain activated air raid sirens.
A fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement faces collapse after both nations exchanged retaliatory strikes, while a Wall Street Journal investigation revealed Iranian attacks caused more extensive damage to U.S. military facilities than previously disclosed, prompting a reassessment of American military presence in the Middle East.
The United States and Iran engaged in a weekend of military exchanges following a drone attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening their fragile interim peace agreement. Both countries have since agreed to pause hostilities and send delegations to Qatar for talks, though disagreements remain over the format of negotiations.
A fragile shipping recovery in the Strait of Hormuz following a U.S.-Iran deal has been disrupted by an estimated 80 mines in shipping lanes and a renewed attack on a vessel, forcing the UN to pause evacuation operations. Industry leaders warn the mines could delay normal shipping for months.
Iraq, OPEC's second-largest producer and founding member, has warned it may exit the oil cartel if its production quota is not increased, citing economic strain from regional conflicts and recent disruptions. The threat comes after the UAE's departure from the organization.
Israeli troops shot dead two people in southern Lebanon in separate incidents involving armed Hezbollah operatives approaching IDF positions, testing a ceasefire that has seen reduced but not eliminated hostilities. The incidents come as northern Israeli communities remain largely deserted despite the lull in fighting.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Pakistan for talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after Pakistan helped mediate a breakthrough truce between the United States and Iran. The visit comes amid ongoing disputes over nuclear inspections and technical-level negotiations aimed at achieving lasting regional peace.
The United States has authorized Iranian oil sales through August, easing decades-old sanctions following productive negotiations in Switzerland. The move comes as part of a broader push toward a final peace deal involving nuclear inspections and free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed years of covert cooperation with Somaliland during a visit by the breakaway region's president, while both sides denied reports of plans for an Israeli military base. Somaliland's Defense Minister confirmed Israel is providing police and military training.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer committed the UK to playing its "full part" in reopening the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible, following a significant agreement with Iran brokered by US President Donald Trump. The announcement came during G7 meetings where Starmer and Trump met face-to-face.
Republicans in Congress are expressing skepticism and demanding more information about a newly announced agreement between the United States and Iran by President Donald Trump. Congressional leaders and intelligence committees are scrutinizing the deal.
A series of violent attacks by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, including the shooting death of a seven-month-old baby by an Israeli soldier and an assault on a 92-year-old man, has prompted former senior Israeli officials to issue a 'final warning' demanding government action against settler terror.
The United States and Iran have reached a ceasefire agreement ending months of military conflict that began in late February 2026. The deal reopens the Strait of Hormuz and ends the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports, though critical issues including Iran's nuclear program remain unresolved.
President Donald Trump threatened major military strikes on Iran and seizure of Kharg Island, the country's critical oil export terminal, following fresh attacks on U.S. bases in the region. Trump vowed to take control of Iran's oil and gas infrastructure as tensions push the Middle East closer to full-scale war.
Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 17 people on June 9-10, 2026, according to Lebanese sources, as Israel intensified its military campaign against Hezbollah. The strikes included an attack on a vehicle in Sidon and came after Israel ordered residents of Tyre to evacuate.
The European Union sanctioned two Iranian individuals and an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unit for restricting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway handling approximately one-fifth of global oil flows. The blockade has escalated tensions amid broader conflict with Israel and reports of vessels evading restrictions through covert routes.
Iran fired missiles at Israel on Sunday in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Beirut's Dahiyeh suburb, marking the first such Iranian bombardment since a fragile ceasefire took effect in early April and representing the most serious escalation in the region since that time.
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 10 people, including high-ranking Lebanese Army soldiers and a general, just days after the two countries agreed to a conditional US-mediated truce. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack as a violation of sovereignty and international law.
Israel covertly deployed IDF commandos, intelligence personnel, and Mossad operatives to Azerbaijan during Operation Roaring Lion, establishing a forward position near Iran's border. The deployment was part of a broader covert military network across multiple countries in the region.
Iran launched drone and missile attacks on Kuwait's main airport and other civilian facilities on Wednesday, killing one person and wounding dozens in strikes that forced a temporary airport closure. The attack represents the latest escalation threatening a fragile ceasefire and stalled peace talks between Iran and the United States.
The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated four Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges—Nobitex, Wallex, Bitpin, and Ramzinex—for sanctions violations and terrorist financing. Nobitex handled approximately 50% of Iran's crypto inflows in 2025, and four Iranian nationals including chairman Amir Hossein Rad were also named in the action.
Israeli forces have captured the medieval Beaufort Castle, a strategic hilltop fortress in south Lebanon, as Prime Minister Netanyahu orders strikes on Beirut suburbs amid intensifying hostilities with Hezbollah.
Independent satellite imagery analysis shows Iran has struck 20 US military facilities across eight Middle Eastern countries since the start of the conflict, causing hundreds of millions in damage. The revelations come amid questions about US military transparency and alleged attempts to block satellite images.
At least eight people were killed in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon shortly after President Trump announced a partial ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. Trump reportedly called Netanyahu to prevent a planned Israeli strike on Beirut, with the Israeli leader agreeing to scale back operations, though fighting continued in southern Lebanon.
Israeli military issued sweeping evacuation orders for southern Lebanese cities including Tyre and Nabatieh, conducting strikes that killed at least 31 people as Prime Minister Netanyahu announced Israel is 'deepening' its military operation despite ceasefire.
The United States military carried out strikes on Iranian missile launch sites and boats allegedly laying naval mines in southern Iran on Monday, according to US Central Command. The military action, described as self-defense measures, comes amid ongoing tensions even as President Trump indicated negotiations were progressing.
President Donald Trump insists negotiations with Iran over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear concerns are proceeding, calling them Tehran's 'last chance' for a deal, while Iran denies direct talks with the US and says it is only negotiating with Oman over temporary shipping routes.
President Trump announced Saturday that a broader agreement with Iran has been 'largely negotiated' and the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, though he told Axios he remained '50/50' on finalizing the deal and would decide by Sunday whether to resume the war.
A series of Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon over several days killed at least 27 people, including six paramedics killed in two separate strikes within 24 hours and multiple children. Video footage captured one strike hitting paramedics responding to an earlier attack, killing two rescuers and a child.
A drone attack caused a fire near the United Arab Emirates' Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, prompting investigations and power restoration efforts. The incident coincides with Saudi Arabia intercepting drones from Iraqi airspace and ongoing tensions between the US and Iran over nuclear negotiations.
Kuwait arrested four men it says were Iranian Revolutionary Guard members who attempted an armed infiltration of Bubiyan Island on May 1, arriving by fishing boat and exchanging fire with Kuwaiti soldiers. Iran denies the allegations, claiming the individuals were on maritime patrol and entered Kuwaiti waters due to navigation system malfunction.
Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been moved from prison to a hospital in Tehran for medical treatment and granted a suspension of her sentence on heavy bail. The transfer comes amid reports of systematic medical neglect and torture in Iranian prisons detailed in her smuggled memoir.
Qatar's Ministry of Defence reported a cargo vessel was struck by a drone off its waters, causing a fire with no injuries. Kuwait separately detected multiple 'hostile drones' in its airspace. A bulk carrier was also struck by an unknown projectile near Qatari waters.
The UN's International Maritime Organization reported that around 1,500 ships and approximately 20,000 seafarers remain trapped in the Persian Gulf due to the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, facing severe hardship as the standoff continues.
President Trump has publicly criticized Pope Leo over the pontiff's stance on Iran, accusing him of endangering Catholics, while the Pope denied Trump's claim that he supports nuclear weapons. The dispute comes ahead of Secretary of State Rubio's trip to Rome and marks what Vatican officials describe as an unprecedented low in U.S.-Vatican relations.
France moved its aircraft carrier through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea, positioning for a potential multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz. President Macron emphasized any operation would only occur after the conflict's hottest phase subsides.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in Beijing, with Wang calling the US-Israel war against Iran 'illegitimate.' The meeting occurred as Trump paused Project Freedom and sought diplomatic progress.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth confirmed the US-Iran ceasefire remains in effect despite recent military activity around the Strait of Hormuz, as the Trump administration works to finalize a broader agreement. China's foreign minister expressed concern over the conflict in discussions with Iranian officials.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy issued a new map on Monday delineating areas of the Strait of Hormuz under its control, according to state media, as shipping through the critical waterway remains at a standstill.
Iranian drone attacks hit UAE's Fujairah oil hub and a tanker, causing Brent crude to spike past $114 per barrel and triggering sharp moves across energy and financial markets, though the U.S. denied reports of a warship being hit.
The United States is pitching a new international coalition to restore maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz after shipping has stalled in the critical waterway. The initiative aims to secure passage for commercial vessels through one of the world's most important oil transit chokepoints.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a congressional hearing on April 29, 2026, that the Iran war had cost an estimated $25 billion over two months; mostly munitions, operations and equipment replacement, without offering an end date. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and its strike group are expected to depart the Middle East in the coming days after nearly a year of deployment.
Iraqi President tasked businessman and political outsider Ali al-Zaidi with forming a new government after months of gridlock. The appointment came after Trump opposed the nomination of pro-Iran former PM al-Maliki.
The UAE announced its withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+ effective May 1, dealing a significant blow to the oil cartel's unity. The move comes as the organization struggles with production quotas and amid the ongoing Iran conflict affecting global energy markets.
International monitoring bodies report Iran's enriched uranium stockpile has increased significantly, while a Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists analysis highlights approximately 2,100 kilograms of weapons-usable plutonium stored at the Bushehr nuclear power plant—enough material for over 200 nuclear weapons—as missing from current US-Iran negotiations.
An Al Jazeera explainer cites MIT's Ted Postol arguing Iran could refine its 440 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium to weapons-grade in four to five weeks, while a Juan Cole interview with nuclear physicist Mehran Mostafavi contends Iran abandoned its nuclear weapons program in 1992 and never had a substantive one.
Hezbollah has escalated attacks using advanced fiber-optic and night-vision equipped drones against Israeli ground troops in southern Lebanon, resulting in multiple casualties including the death of an IDF doctor and several wounded soldiers.
