West Asian republic, cradle of civilization, oil-rich state navigating conflict
Iranian naval forces have captured a US Dive‑LD autonomous underwater vehicle at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command has said the drone malfunctioned more than a day earlier and carried no classified sonar or radar. Manufacturer Anduril has confirmed the loss and called the system attritable.
The Iran‑aligned Houthis have seized Yemen’s Red Sea coast and key islands in the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait this week, including Mocha, Mayyun (Perim) and the Hanish islands, after government forces withdrew. Saudi and pro‑government forces have launched air strikes in response. The offensive has killed hundreds, displaced tens of thousands and pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel.
President Donald Trump has said the US war with Iran will end "immediately after" the November midterm elections and predicted oil and gasoline prices will fall once voting is over. His comments have come as Brent crude has climbed above $100 a barrel, US fuel prices and diesel records have risen, and Republican leaders are campaigning at a two‑day midterm convention in Dallas.
Four months pregnant and forced from home, a Yemeni family joins a growing wave of civilians fleeing the Red Sea coast as Iran-backed Houthis advance toward Mocha, threatening maritime routes and deepening a humanitarian crisis. The fighting has delivered hunger and displacement across Taiz, Hodeidah and Aden, with aid workers rushing to respond.
South Korea is weighing possible contributions to international efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, under pressure from the US and amid Iran’s warnings. Government officials say any deployment would require parliamentary approval and compliance with domestic law, while discussions with allies continue. Movements reflect broader tensions in the US-South Korea alliance and the geopolitics of global energy routes.
The Pentagon inspector general has published a costly update on Operation Epic Fury, estimating $33.4 billion in costs through June, with $22.3 billion spent on expended munitions. The report notes strategic inventory shortfalls and bottlenecks in munitions resupply, while authorities say procurement and stockpiling measures are being streamlined.
A survey of how intelligence, counter-terrorism, and national security strategies have evolved since the 2001 attacks, reflecting on failures, reforms and shifting threats as the world marks the 25th anniversary.
Lebanon and Israel have delayed the next round of US-mediated talks on Hezbollah disarmament and the IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Meetings at the State Department are continuing in a limited form, while Hezbollah remains non-compliant with the June framework. President Aoun cautions that no new talks are currently scheduled, as cross-border attacks and regional pressure mount.
Recent attacks in the Hormuz Strait have escalated, with Iran claiming to have hit ships, Saudi Arabia reporting air alerts, and Brent crude rising above $100. The conflict touches global energy markets as the US, Iran, and regional players remain locked in a dangerous exchange.
Oil prices have climbed with Brent above $95 and WTI near $93 as fighting in the Middle East continues to disrupt shipping routes. Analysts say supply fears and demand shifts, particularly from China, are shaping the rally. Markets are also awaiting inflation data and policy signals as bond yields rise globally.
Global government bond yields have risen to multi‑decade highs this week after renewed US–Iran fighting pushed oil toward $90–$97 a barrel and revived inflation fears. Governments from the UK to the US and Japan have paid higher borrowing costs; central banks are signalling tighter policy and markets are pricing more rate rises, lifting mortgage and corporate loan rates.
Defence Minister Katz has stated that there is no real solution for Gaza without migration, saying Israel is prepared to relocate Gazans by sea, air, and other means. The idea is being discussed as part of a broader debate over displacement, with international concern growing over humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Uganda’s military chief has reaffirmed participation in Prince Harry’s Invictus Games after Buckingham Palace clarified that the King has no objection, following Uganda’s initial withdrawal amid tensions over the Harry-Meghan coverage. The reversal follows a call between Uganda’s CDF and the King’s private secretary, signaling a diplomatic resolution.
Voters head to the polls as midterms approach, with forecasts suggesting Democrats may defend the Senate and House in a challenging political climate. Inflation, Iran tensions, and Trump-era dynamics are shaping campaigns and fundraising. Maps and debates are intensifying as campaigns stress costs and stability.
OPEC+ has kept October output targets unchanged while it reviews capacity and sets 2027 baselines, amid Iran disruption and discussions on unwinding current cuts. The group plans to pause further increases in Q4 as it evaluates members' capacity and future quotas.
The United States plans to withdraw its military coalition from Iraq by Sept. 30, 2026, as Baghdad and Washington finalize the exit, with air defence systems in Erbil to be removed and weapons under state control to follow. The transition aims to prevent a security vacuum while maintaining security cooperation.
The renewed Yemen conflict has escalated with a prison strike in Hazm, Jawf, and attacks across frontline provinces. Houthis claim the prison strike killed a child and left prisoners and a visitor trapped, while Saudi-led coalition forces counter with airstrikes. The fighting threatens shipping routes and the wider ceasefire, with dozens dead and thousands displaced.
The midterm contests are intensifying as key Senate races move toward toss-ups amid headwinds from Trump-era unpopularity and internal party divisions. Republicans hold a fragile Senate edge while Democrats seek gains in Michigan, Maine, Texas, Iowa, Alaska and Ohio; fundraising and redistricting battles shape outcomes.
Nigeria’s political and religious leaders are urged to promote peaceful, issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections. Tinubu-backed church leaders call for unity and restraint while condemning violence and incitement; opposition and security concerns are highlighted in ongoing unreleased tensions.
The FIFA president has been under pressure as FairSquare renews its complaints, accusing Infantino of abuses of power, neutrality violations and governance failures. The case follows the aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme and Balogun’s World Cup red-card reversal, with FIFA’s ethics process urged to act swiftly.
A collection of anniversaries and remembrances reflect on the 9/11 attacks and their enduring health, security, and national unity legacies, across major outlets reviewing the events and their aftermath.
Police remarks captured on a Carcassonne body cam show racist and homophobic language linked to National Rally associates. The clip has sparked condemnation from officials and intensified scrutiny ahead of France’s presidential race. Investigations are underway as parties distance themselves.
Yields on the 10-year Treasury have climbed to multi-year highs as energy prices spike and the Fed is seen tightening. Markets are pricing in a rate hike this week, while energy and transport costs pressure inflation and borrowing costs for households.
President Donald Trump has announced a pledge to issue $5,000 payments to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans keep control of both the House and Senate in November. He has said the money must be spent in the United States. Legal and fiscal experts have questioned the plan’s cost, legality and how it would be funded.
With nearly all ballots counted, Magdalena Andersson's centre‑left bloc has edged ahead of Ulf Kristersson's centre‑right coalition by roughly 26,000 votes, putting Andersson on track to reclaim the prime ministership. The Sweden Democrats have lost ground, falling from second to third place and weakening their immediate path into government.
Multiple ceremonies across the UK and US commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Leaders emphasise unity, resilience and shared values as memorials honour nearly 3,000 victims, including 67 Britons.
Today, on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, ceremonies have taken place at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington and the Flight 93 memorial in Pennsylvania. President Donald Trump has delivered remarks at the Pentagon; all living former presidents and Vice President JD Vance have attended the New York memorial. New New York documents on toxic dust have been released.
Oman has postponed a planned regional meeting on the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran and Gulf states expected to discuss future management of the strait. Tehran and Muscat have been pursuing a regional framework, amid sanctions, blockades, and rising oil prices. Bahrain says it will not attend until diplomatic ties with Iran resume. The pause preserves room for dialogue while signaling regional actors seek stability.
The Houthis have seized the Red Sea coast and three strategic islands, while Saudi Arabia shuts the East-West pipeline and Iraq closes border crossings amid attacks blamed on drones from Iraq. The moves threaten oil shipments and push prices above $100 a barrel as regional tensions escalate.
Iraq has agreed to a joint investigation with Iran into drone launch sites near the border, while border crossings with Iran are closed. The Saudi East-West pipeline has been attacked, with Riyadh suspending the route as security reviews proceed. Officials say no group has claimed responsibility.
Protests over the killing of Sami Shekhmous Hiso in Hasakeh Province have sparked prison violence at Kobani. Inmates set dormitories ablaze as security forces wage a crackdown; authorities call for restraint while Kurdish groups demand a transparent investigation.
Ukraine is facing intensified Russian air campaigns and drone strikes targeting power infrastructure and cities, with several deadly incidents reported in Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa and other areas. BRICS comments and Polish border concerns add to regional tension.
Iraq has closed border crossings with Iran after a Saudi pipeline attack allegedly launched from Iraqi soil. Officials say drone launchers were found near border crossings, and authorities are tightening intelligence operations and reassigning border duties as investigations proceed.
Analysts say Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline remains out of service after drone strikes blamed on Iranian-backed militias. Repairs could take weeks, tightening Middle East oil flows and pushing Brent above $105 a barrel as Houthis widen disruption along Bab el‑Mandeb and Hormuz.
Trump has reiterated that the Iran war should end this year and links the outcome to oil policy, saying the U.S. could stay and keep the oil like Venezuela if negotiations stall. He also notes that gasoline prices would drop once the conflict ends, as diplomacy stalls over the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline remains shut after drone attacks, forcing producers to reroute supply and boosting crude prices. Authorities say the closure is precautionary as regional tensions rise, with repairs expected to take weeks.
Neom defeats Al-Hilal 2-0, ending Hilal’s 47-game league unbeaten run. Neom’s win follows a string of strong performances that emphasize youth development and sustainable growth in Saudi football.
Costco has restricted members to two 5-quart packs of Kirkland Signature synthetic motor oil per week and is limiting Mobil 1 1-quart six-packs to five units per membership, with prices around $58 and $44 respectively. The move comes as Brent crude climbs above $109 and Middle East tensions disrupt oil supply, pushing up costs for lubricants and fuel.
France and Iraq have stressed regional energy interconnections and export-route diversification to bolster regional energy security; TotalEnergies plans to invest more in Iraq as both nations deepen defence and energy cooperation.
The Pentagon inspector general has released a report detailing the costs of the Iran war in lives, money and damage. The document covers April 1 to June 30 and shows damage to US bases across the region, hundreds of damaged aircraft, and thousands of drones and missiles shot down. It notes logistical challenges, evacuations, and large-scale defense spending, with figures including roughly $184 million in damage to diplomatic facilities and $33.4 billion in overall costs for the period.
The United States is finalizing a drawdown in northern Iraq, with hundreds of troops set to depart by September 30. Iraq’s government links the exit to a demand for militias to disarm, but Iran-backed groups are signaling that disarmament is unlikely and favor regulation instead. Tehran seeks to keep influence in Iraq while Baghdad weighs its options amid regional tensions.
Leaders have met to reaffirm maritime security amid the Houthis’ advances in Yemen, threatening Red Sea shipping and Egyptian revenues from the Suez Canal. The talks underscore a growing regional effort to stabilize navigation through Bab al-Mandeb and the Red Sea while assessing potential steps.
The State Department has reprogrammed $52 million in foreign military financing from Slovakia, North Macedonia, Tunisia and Iraq to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. The move aligns with the Trump administration's Western Hemisphere priorities, signaling a broader shift in U.S. security and defense aid while maintaining support to some European partners.
The U.S. CENTCOM has confirmed an incident in which Iranian small boats attempted to seize a U.S. unmanned surface vessel. The U.S. responded forcefully, destroying two fishing boats after recognizing the threat to a naval drone. Iranian state media report fishermen missing after the strike near Hormozgan; oil prices surge as risk to shipping persists.
The Congressional Budget Office has found that the U.S.–Iran conflict has cost about $38 billion and could rise by $2–3 billion monthly. Inflation is forecast to be 0.5 percentage points higher in early 2027 as munitions stockpiles tighten and energy prices surge. The report aligns with Pentagon estimates and follows mounting criticism of the war’s price tag.
The United States has extended visa sanctions to Palestinian Authority and PLO officials, citing failure to reform and actions undermining peace. The move coincides with ongoing UN General Assembly preparations as violence in the West Bank and Gaza continues.
Trump has said he hopes the Iran war is nearing an end as he plans a meeting with Gulf leaders in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, outlining a postwar strategy amid renewed attacks on energy routes and threats to markets.