Lebanese Shia Islamist party with a paramilitary wing
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has ground toward a halt this weekend as a 60‑day ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has reached its expiry and negotiations remain stalled. Kpler data shows single‑digit daily transits; Iran has repeated demands that the U.S. lift its naval blockade, remove sanctions and pay reparations, while the U.S. says it can maintain the blockade indefinitely and is planning further economic pressure.
Global stocks have rallied this month after officials reported progress in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and a string of strong corporate earnings has bolstered investor sentiment. Treasuries and oil prices have fallen as traders pare back expectations for near-term Fed hikes; strategists warn valuations and one-off earnings boosts limit further upside.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is pushing to bring all weapons under state control by September 30. Armed factions, including Iran-aligned groups, resist disarmament, and regional tensions—driven by US-Saudi strikes and cross-border clashes—have heightened security concerns in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
A US-brokered framework envisions an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon with Hezbollah disarmament as a precondition. Lebanon’s political divide is intensifying as tensions rise, roadblocks persist and fears of civil strife grow amid daunting regional dynamics.
Since late July, US and Iranian forces have resumed strikes across the Middle East after a brief pause. The US and Saudi Arabia have carried out airstrikes on pro‑Iran militias in Iraq; Iran has launched ballistic missiles and drones at US forces and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz; regional actors including the Houthis are expanding pressure on Red Sea routes. Diplomatic talks remain fragmented.
Updated reporting shows Iran and Oman are negotiating management of the Strait of Hormuz while the US considers further strikes. Oil markets react as Gulf states pursue alternative export routes amid ongoing conflict with Iran.
Trump Media & Technology has unveiled Truth API, a paid low‑latency feed that will deliver real‑time posts from the platform’s top 10 accounts from Aug. 1. Executives discussed charging institutional customers up to $100,000 a month (or $60,000 on three‑year deals). Lawmakers, regulators and market participants have warned it will let traders profit from presidential posts and raise conflict‑of‑interest and market‑manipulation concerns.
Drones and missiles target Saudi energy infrastructure amid a broader surge in US-Iran hostilities. Riyadh says the attacks were launched from Iraqi territory by Iran-backed militias; Iraqi authorities condemn the strikes while Yemen’s Houthis claim to have attacked Saudi shipping. The lull in fighting is punctuated by new strikes across the region as mediators push for talks.
Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem has criticised Lebanon’s participation in US-mediated talks with Israel in Rome and has rejected a June framework that ties Israeli withdrawals to verified disarmament and Lebanese army deployments in pilot zones. Technical teams have met in Rome while Israeli strikes, demolitions and clashes in southern Lebanon are continuing and Beirut is pressing Washington for verification guarantees.
Netanyahu has met with Trump at the White House for discussions on Iran’s nuclear ambitions amid ongoing US-Israeli hostilities. Talks aim to coordinate strategy on Iran, with emphasis on preventing nuclear development and managing wider regional tensions. The week features high-stakes diplomacy and looming electoral tests in both countries.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified as US and Iranian strikes resume, targeting military and shipping assets across Iran, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain. Iran claims attacks on US bases and allied facilities; CENTCOM reports strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping. Oil markets react to the disruption.
A Buffalo jury has found Hadi Matar guilty on all counts in a federal terrorism case stemming from the 2022 stabbing of Salman Rushdie during a talk on writers’ safety. Matar already faces a 25-year state sentence for the August 2022 attack; the federal verdict could carry a life term. Prosecutors say the act was motivated by Iran’s fatwa against Rushdie and Hezbollah ties, while the defense questions Matar’s state of mind.
The United States has launched pilot zones in southern Lebanon under the trilateral framework with Lebanon and Israel. The zones aim to gradually shift security responsibilities to the Lebanese Armed Forces while Israeli forces withdraw from designated areas. The deployment faces resistance, security incidents, and questions about timelines as leaders weigh the path to broader peace.
A Michigan Democratic Senate primary is shaping around the Israel issue, with Haley Stevens backed by major pro-Israel donors and Abdul El-Sayed pressing a more critical stance. Local voters and a Black Detroit organizer indicate Israel policy could become a decisive factor, despite Stevens’ longstanding ties to the community.
Benjamin Netanyahu has met President Donald Trump in a closed-door Oval Office meeting during a Washington visit for Senator Lindsey Graham's memorial. The leaders have discussed Iran, coordination on regional security and the Abraham Accords; White House officials have declined to release a readout while both sides have stressed continued cooperation despite recent tensions.
Progressive Abdul El‑Sayed has won the Democratic nomination for the open US Senate seat in Michigan, defeating establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens in a close contest. The result has handed a high-profile victory to the party’s left flank and will set up a November general election against Republican Mike Rogers for a seat critical to control of the Senate.
UNESCO has placed Sebastia in the West Bank and five Mount Amel castles in southern Lebanon on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger, citing ongoing conflicts. Israel opposes the move, calling it politicisation, while Palestinian and Lebanese officials celebrate protections amid tensions.
The latest reporting shows the United States and Israel sustaining pressure in a widening confrontation with Iran. Washington has paused strikes to allow for talks, while Tehran is signaling readiness to expand its operations in the region as talks with Oman progress on Hormuz security.
Abdul El-Sayed faces Haley Stevens in a tight Michigan Democratic primary. The open seat for the U.S. Senate has become a battleground between anti-establishment progressives and the party establishment, with Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez backing El-Sayed and Stevens garnering establishment support.
The United States has paused nightly airstrikes on Iran and Tehran has halted retaliatory attacks for at least two days while mediators from Qatar, Pakistan and Oman exchange messages. Advisers warned President Donald Trump that continued strikes risked depleting munitions and running out of targets; oil prices have fallen as markets price the lull.
Syria says negotiations with Israel are advancing toward a security arrangement that could lead to broader peace without Syria relinquishing the Golan Heights. Damascus and Jerusalem are backed by US diplomacy and regional actors, with both sides avoiding confrontation as they explore a UN-monitored buffer and related accords.
The ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu has prompted New York City’s mayor to urge federal action, while the prime minister seeks to address the UN General Assembly. Polls show mixed public opinion on arrest calls in the US, and Netanyahu is pressing on with plans to travel to New York.
Netanyahu has met with Trump in Washington to review three approaches to Iran: a diplomatic deal, sustained economic pressure with a blockade, or a renewed military campaign. The discussions, conducted without public detail, aim to determine the path that best prevents a nuclear Iran while considering global energy impacts.
Lebanon says it will pursue legal action over Israeli actions in southern Lebanon as negotiations in Rome aim to move forward on the June framework. Human rights figures warn of potential war crimes amid continued demolitions and displacement.
Polls indicate mounting public concern over the Iran conflict in the US, with a majority doubting stability in the region and fearing higher fuel costs. Support for continuing military action is waning ahead of the midterms as Trump’s handling of the war comes under scrutiny.
Authorities enforce a pilot-zone withdrawal plan in southern Lebanon as residents return to damaged homes. Some families seek shelter in local shops while awaiting full rebuilding after fighting linked to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Lebanese army clearance and water deliveries are under way as the town awaits wider Israeli withdrawal.
Airstrikes by US and Saudi forces hit PMF sites in Iraq after attacks on Saudi facilities, while Iran-backed groups and regional rivalries threaten Iraq’s new prime minister’s plan to disarm militias and anchor the state. The broader Strait of Hormuz dynamics and Yemen’s Houthis add layers to the conflict, risking wider regional instability.
Lebanon has opened a legal inquiry into banker Antoun Sehnaoui after a Washington dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as U.S.-backed talks with Israel press toward a framework for disarmament and withdrawal in southern Lebanon. Probes focus on whether the meeting violated Lebanon’s anti-normalisation laws; investigations could lead to arrest warrants. Lebanon’s crackdown comes as talks seek to ease decades of conflict and potential peace arrangements.
Israel has demolished a major Hezbollah underground tunnel network in the Beaufort Ridge area in southern Lebanon, citing a ceasefire violation by Hezbollah. The operation follows a June framework for Israel-Lebanon talks aimed at disarming Hezbollah and a staged withdrawal from the security zone. Talks in Rome are set to continue, focusing on implementing the framework and stabilizing the border.
The US has completed a two-hour "heavy wave" of strikes across Iran, hitting Revolutionary Guard command centres, missile and drone facilities and coastal surveillance sites after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at US forces. Iran has launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes on US assets and allied facilities in the region; Jordan reported intercepting missiles with no casualties.
The UK Supreme Court has granted Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori permission to appeal the Court of Appeal ruling that upheld the group's proscription under terrorism laws. The appeal will be expedited and is expected between October and December; more than 3,500 arrests linked to the ban remain paused while the courts decide.
The latest published pieces show a widening strike pattern across the Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and nearby states. Tehran’s campaign targets civilian and strategic assets, while Gulf and U.S.-backed defenses intercept most threats. Diplomatic channels persist even as attacks resume, hinging on a broader security architecture rather than a single guarantee.
Lebanon’s President and Turkey’s leader have discussed ways to expand Ankara’s role in security for southern Lebanon as UNIFIL’s mandate ends. While Erdogan signals interest in contributing to a post-UNIFIL framework, observers caution that Israel may oppose Ankara’s involvement. The talks come amid broader regional tensions and stalled diplomacy.
The US has called off a planned attack on Iran after allies and Iran recommended delaying further action to pursue negotiations. Talks are set to begin tomorrow with a focus on Hormuz and denuclearisation, while polls show waning support for continued conflict.
The Israel Defense Forces have eliminated multiple Hamas targets in Gaza amid ongoing clashes following the October 7 events. Officials say precision strikes are aimed at minimizing civilian harm while pursuing commanders and infrastructure tied to the attack.
Iran and Oman are nearing a bilateral arrangement to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. A temporary central corridor could allow normal oil traffic to resume while broader peace talks with the United States and other parties continue. Officials warn that any reopening remains contingent on U.S. actions and broader security guarantees.
The latest Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have killed and wounded civilians and soldiers as Israeli-Hezbollah tensions rise. Negotiations in Rome over a June ceasefire accord have been disrupted as fighting continues, with a fragile truce in question and the pilot-zone framework under renewed scrutiny.
Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Lebanons Legal Agenda have released investigations finding that Israeli strikes on 22 April in al-Tiri have targeted journalists Amal Khalil and Zeinab Faraj, described the attacks as war crimes and said Israeli forces impeded rescue efforts. Israel has denied deliberately targeting journalists and said it struck Hezbollah-linked targets.
Lebanon and Israel have identified a shortlist of potential foreign partners to verify Hezbollah’s disarmament, with the United States overseeing which nations participate. Negotiations remain in the early stages, and the next round is scheduled for early September.
Unified Syrian and Lebanese security concerns frame talks on potential cross-border operations. While Washington presses for pressure points, Damascus faces internal and regional costs. A range of options is considered, from border controls to limited troop movements, with Iran’s retaliation potential guiding calculations.
Israeli warplanes have struck southern Lebanon overnight, killing at least seven people in Ansar and at least four in Deir al‑Zahrani, Lebanon's health ministry and state news agency have reported. The Israeli military has said it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in response to actions against its soldiers; Hezbollah has warned of retaliation.
Iran has appointed Mohsen Rezaee as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and elevated its top commanders, reshaping the security and military leadership amid ongoing US-Israel war. The moves consolidate Mojtaba Khamenei’s influence and signal a hardline stance, even as some officials call for de-escalation and negotiations.
The seventh round of talks mediated by the United States between Lebanon and Israel has stretched into a third day in Rome. Negotiators are debating prisoner releases and, controversially, the transfer of remains of Lebanese Jews buried in Beirut and Sidon. Israel ties progress to resolving long-standing disappearances and to uncovering the fate of Ron Arad. Beirut says it cannot locate such records, complicating what was meant to be a humanitarian issue.
The Gaza ceasefire framework is facing renewed pressure as Netanyahu rejects the 15-point plan, insisting Hamas must fully disarm before any withdrawal. U.S.-led mediators say the roadmap remains operative, while Hamas calls on Washington to pressure Israel. Violence persists, with casualties mounting in Gaza and settlements in the West Bank intensifying.
Lebanon has passed legislation abolishing the death penalty and replacing it with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour. Parliament has also approved a separate general amnesty law that will reduce some long sentences and free inmates detained more than 12 prison years while awaiting trial; the measures respond to severe prison overcrowding and political pressures.
Israeli air strikes have resumed in Gaza, killing police officials and civilians after a fragile lull. The fate of the ceasefire remains uncertain as clashes intensify and negotiations over security and disarmament continue amid international pressure.
Israeli settlers have besieged at least two Palestinian homes on Qusra's outskirts since Sunday, cutting water and electricity and blocking access. Israeli security forces have repeatedly failed to remove the settlers; the army has declared a closed military zone, deployed reinforcements and opened disciplinary probes after footage showed soldiers praying with settlers. The US embassy has publicly condemned the siege.
Lebanon and Israel are pursuing a US-sponsored framework to establish pilot zones and disarm Hezbollah, with negotiations continuing as clashes and demolitions persist in the south. Lebanese officials warn Israel’s attacks destabilize the region, while Washington coordinates the process and monitors responsibilities.
Colombia is joining the Shield of the Americas coalition, aligning with the US-led effort against drug cartels. The announcement comes as the Trump administration urges allies to reject the ICC, arguing the court intrudes on sovereignty. Rights groups warn of legal and civilian risks amid intensified regional security operations.
Israel has stated it will maintain a long-term security presence in southern Lebanon as part of the U.S.-brokered framework to disarm Hezbollah and gradually withdraw Israeli forces. The Lebanese army will deploy in pilot zones, while negotiations in Rome aim to advance the agreement.