The holiest city in Islam and Saudi capital of Mecca Province
Over 1.5 million Muslims have begun the hajj in Mecca, with pilgrims arriving from around the world amid geopolitical tensions stemming from US-Israel strikes on Iran. Saudi authorities report strong international participation despite security concerns and hot weather.
Pilgrims traveling from Egypt and beyond have faced extreme heat during the Hajj, with daytime temperatures in Mecca forecast to reach 42-47°C. Authorities are deploying air conditioning, misting systems, and water distribution to protect worshippers who are mainly outdoors during rites, including at Mount Arafat. Health teams are treating heat-related ailments as the pilgrimage begins.
More than 1.5 million Muslims have arrived for the annual Hajj in Mecca, with pilgrims circling the Kaaba in intense heat. The pilgrimage unfolds against a backdrop of fragile ceasefires in the Iran war and broader regional tensions, while Saudi authorities prepare for launches to Mina and Mount Arafat.
Pilgrims continue the Hajj in Mecca under extreme heat. Reports outline heat-avoidance measures, a fragile Iran-US war ceasefire backdrop, and a global energy crisis shaping the pilgrimage this year.
A nine-year-old Australian girl, Hania Ahmed, has been killed and her father and brother injured after Pakistani police opened fire on a rental car, mistaking it for robbers in Chakwal, Punjab. Authorities say officers intervened during a robbery, and an officer has been arrested. Australia demands a transparent investigation.
Europe endures a record-breaking heatwave as red heat alerts spread. Authorities warn health and infrastructure face strain while experts link extreme temperatures to climate change. UK, France, Spain and other nations are deploying measures as temperatures push past past records.
U.S. officials and regional mediators have reported progress in talks with Iran and Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore commercial shipping. Officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have said a deal could be announced within days. Iran continues to deny direct talks with Washington and insists any reopening depends on U.S. behaviour; oil and markets have swung on the reports.
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.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, establishing a mutual defence framework. The pact treats an armed attack on any member as an attack on all, while stopping short of detailing automatic troop deployment. It builds on prior defense ties and signals a move toward a more regionally driven security order amid heightened Gulf tensions and Iran-Israel dynamics.
The Strait of Hormuz remains closed as Iran has set conditions for reopening, tying the waterway to the US ending hostilities, lifting sanctions, releasing frozen assets, and compensating Tehran for damages. Oman mediation continues while talks with other Gulf and regional actors persist.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye have signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, offering mutual-attack deterrence and deeper military cooperation. Officials say negotiations anticipate expansion to more partners, with Egypt flagged as a natural partner; the pact mirrors NATO-style defence but remains non-binding if a signatory is not attacked.