Capital of Iran and hub of governance, culture, and conflict
President Trump has begun flying a $400m Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar but used an older Air Force One during a July NATO trip after officials raised security concerns. The administration has launched a leak probe led by the FBI director and White House chief of staff; The New York Times reporters were subpoenaed as investigators sought sources about the jet's defensive capabilities.
The UK has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (IMCR) and Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps as national security threats. Ministers have said the measures will criminalise support, broaden policing powers and enable prosecutions; Parliament must approve the regulations this week.
The US has carried out repeated air and naval strikes across Iran to degrade Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases and Gulf allies, and the IRGC has warned civilians near US forces to stay away; the exchanges have closed much of the strait and pushed oil prices higher.
Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers, Encelia and Layla, in the Red Sea after declaring a naval blockade of Saudi ports. Saudi authorities and UKMTO have reported a tanker fire; US Central Command has completed further strikes on Iran as regional attacks and counter‑measures have intensified on 23 July 2026.
Rights groups say Iran has executed dozens of political prisoners amid ongoing conflict and a crackdown on protests. State media cites security actions, while observers warn of due process concerns and broader repression across the country.
Brent crude has surged above $100 a barrel amid renewed US-Iran hostilities and Houthi actions in the Red Sea. The renewed fighting threatens Gulf oil exports and adds to supply disruptions, with oil prices poised for further gains as the crisis escalates.
The United States is pressing Iran over the Pickaxe Mountain site near Natanz, with multiple outlets reporting continued construction, potential centrifuge activity, and warnings of imminent strikes as the war escalates. President Trump has warned of heavy action, while analysts debate the site’s depth and capabilities. International inspectors have not accessed the facility.
A wave of renewed warnings and policy postures from Washington and allied capitals has sharpened the calculus of the Iran crisis. The US signals readiness to escalate; Tehran pledges resistance as oil markets jitter; European and UK observers weigh political risks as next moves loom.
OPEC+ has agreed to increase oil output by 188,000 barrels per day from August, marking the fifth straight monthly rise. While the move signals a cautious unwind of earlier cuts, oil supplies remain constrained by the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing regional tensions. Prices have edged back toward pre-war levels as shipping resumes.
The island has suffered multiple nationwide power outages as fuel shortages deepen under the U.S. oil blockade. Officials say restoration is underway but the grid remains fragile, with daily life and essential services affected across Havana and other provinces.
The United States has intensified strikes on Iranian targets to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has responded with missile and drone actions. Attacks target coastal bases, railways, and port facilities across Iran and nearby states, signaling a rapid intensification of a wider confrontation.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as US strikes and Iranian responses escalate. Iran has closed the strait, while the US reimposes a blockade and hits multiple targets. Attacks on commercial vessels have continued, driving up global energy costs and threatening negotiations under the ongoing ceasefire.
The United States has escalated strikes against Iran, while Iran and its IRGC retaliate with missiles and drones targeting Gulf bases and shipping. The renewed hostilities threaten global energy flows as both sides threaten further action and diplomatic talks remain fragile. The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the crisis.
Iraq’s prime minister travels to Washington to deepen economic ties as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and fighting between the US and Iran intensifies. Oil output, IMF talks, and potential US investment are on the table while Iran-backed groups push back against disarmament. Diplomatic prospects hinge on stabilizing energy flows and expanding state control over weapons.
The United States has intensified strikes against Iran to degrade its ability to threaten civilian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missiles and drones against Gulf states and threats to close the strait. The interim US-Iran truce appears increasingly fragile as both sides escalate.
Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed to multi-week lows as renewed U.S.–Iran strikes escalate the crisis. Oil shipments and prices are affected, with both sides targeting shipping routes and infrastructure. Analysts warn announcements of ceasefires have not stabilized the Strait. The situation is evolving this week.
Yemen's Houthi movement has declared an immediate maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, saying it will close the Bab al‑Mandab to Saudi vessels in retaliation for a reported Saudi blockade of Houthi ports and last week's strikes on Sanaa airport. The announcement has raised fears of renewed attacks on Red Sea shipping and wider disruption to oil routes that already bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iraqi prime minister-designate has arrived in Washington as Washington pressures Baghdad to disarm Iran-backed militias and curb corruption. The visit centers on expanding economic ties, attracting investment, and reinforcing state control, amid Tehran’s influence and security challenges.
The United States has stated it will charge a 20% toll on all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz to fund security. Analysts say the plan faces legal, diplomatic, and practical hurdles and could reduce traffic through the waterway. Shipping groups condemn tolls on international waters. The proposal remains unproven and contentious.
Yemen’s Houthis have escalated tensions by declaring a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in response to attacks on Sanaa airport. The move follows recent strikes and missile exchanges with Saudi forces, risking a broader regional confrontation that could disrupt global oil flows via the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The United States has intensified strikes against Iran, prompting warnings that depleted munitions stocks could constrain a prolonged conflict. Dozens of targets have been hit, with officials warning rebuilding will take years. Defense contractors are urged to accelerate production as a Pennsylvania summit highlights vulnerabilities in the defense industrial base.
The conflict between the United States and Iran has intensified, with U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian infrastructure and Iran responding with strikes and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rise as shipping through Hormuz tightens, while regional actors report ongoing fighting and injuries.
JD Vance has told Joe Rogan that he believes figures inside the Israeli government are engineering a long-running influence campaign to derail US-Iran negotiations. He cites funding and leaks aimed at pushing the US away from a negotiated settlement, while defending the latest MOU with Iran. The remarks follow tensions over the Iran deal and recent strikes in the region.
France and Morocco are expanding security, energy and investment cooperation amid Pegasus spyware allegations. Lecornu’s visit signals a renewed strategic partnership as Paris seeks stability in North Africa and Rabat presses economic and technological collaboration.
Iran and the United States remain locked in a cycle of retaliatory strikes around the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate Tehran and Washington are stuck in limbo, with negotiators seeking a way to de-escalate while exchanges of missiles and drones intensify. Mediation continues, but the threat of a wider conflict grows.
The latest wave of US strikes targets Iran and nearby targets after Tehran closes the Strait of Hormuz; both sides accuse each other of targeting energy infrastructure while global oil prices rise. The fight over Hormuz continues to threaten a broader conflict, with ships moving at reduced capacity through the strait.
Moonshot’s Kimi K3, a 2.8-trillion-parameter open-weight AI model, has intensified investor scrutiny of AI capex and chip demand. The move pressures US labs and chipmakers, while markets weigh how cheaper Chinese models affect profitability and hardware spending.
Several ships have been struck in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran continues attacks on commercial shipping. The incidents have reduced traffic and heightened risk for crews, with Indian seafarers among those killed or injured. The United Arab Emirates and Oman report ongoing threats, and international pressure calls for de-escalation.
Capdevila’s ESTA has been denied for travel to the U.S. final regardless of his 2010 Spain glory. He appeals for help via X as Spain faces Argentina in the MetLife Stadium final.
The conflict between the US and Iran has intensified after a fragile ceasefire collapsed. US and partner forces have conducted strikes against Iranian targets, while Iran has retaliated with attacks on US bases and allied facilities. Two US service members have been killed in Jordan, with others wounded or missing amid ongoing missile and drone exchanges.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point as renewed US and Iranian strikes have disrupted shipping, pushed oil prices higher, and drawn in regional powers. Oil flows through Hormuz have slowed, tanker traffic is volatile, and regional leaders warn of broader conflict.
Hamas has elected Khalil al-Hayya as head of its political bureau, succeeding Yahya Sinwar who was killed in 2024. Al-Hayya’s appointment comes amid Gaza’s war-torn context, with the movement restructuring its leadership after a series of Israeli offensives and internal upheavals. His background spans Gaza, exile, diplomacy, and long-standing ties to Tehran, with a track record in ceasefire negotiations and prisoner exchanges.
The Iran‑backed Houthis have declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia at Bab el‑Mandeb, citing Yemen’s siege. The move threatens a key Red Sea route that handles millions of barrels of oil daily, prompting ships to reroute and insurers to monitor risk. Reports from Independent, BBC, CNBC, AP and others show mounting tension as the region faces potential disruption to global energy supplies.
Gas prices have remained elevated amid renewed fighting in the Iran conflict, with national averages hovering near $4 per gallon. Multiple outlets report shifts in price in the wake of renewed hostilities and expectations for how the conflict will influence energy markets before the midterm elections.
Renewed US–Iran strikes and a US naval blockade have pushed oil above $90 a barrel and cut tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping, insurance and refining costs have surged faster than crude, lifting diesel and jet-fuel premiums and pushing US pump prices toward $4 a gallon; analysts warn sustained disruption will force further price rises.
From The Guardian and Times of Israel reports, civilians in Iranian port towns face daily bombardments, power cuts, and water shortages as US strikes widen. Residents describe a “new normal” of fear while economic stress and internet blackouts hamper daily life amid ongoing hostilities. The broader picture shows hopes for ceasefire dimming as attacks escalate.
French Foreign Minister Barrot says two French diplomats were detained for hours in Tehran, interrogated and one was abused, in violation of diplomatic immunity. They are safe and expected to return to France within hours. The incident prompts France to warn of consequences and ties to sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump has publicly escalated threats against Iran while pursuing options that include a broader military campaign with Israel or a renewed ceasefire to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Multiple outlets report that intelligence suggests Iran may have moved centrifuges and uranium to fortified underground sites, with Washington leaning toward a hardline response.
Leaders warn that the conflict has intensified as Iranian strikes target Gulf states, with the U.S. and allies responding to disruptions in shipping and energy routes. Trump has warned Tehran and oil markets have spiked, while officials report continued attacks on strategic infrastructure across the region.
The U.S. and Iran have intensified strikes around the Strait of Hormuz amid threats from Yemen’s Houthis, with global oil markets reacting as oil prices top $100 a barrel. CENTCOM says the latest actions aim to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian shipping, while regional actors report cross-border strikes and casualties.
The United States has signed a 30‑year civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that will be submitted to Congress. The pact will allow US firms to help build Saudi nuclear power and — after a joint study — could permit domestic uranium enrichment, a provision that has provoked non‑proliferation and regional security concerns.
The United States is increasing strikes against Iranian targets as diplomatic talks remain open. Iran denies disengagement while ASEAN leaders watch, and shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz face renewed pressure amid threats to enforce navigation rights.
The Red Sea incident has intensified a U.S.-Iran clash over the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis claim strikes on two Saudi-linked tankers, while U.S. forces have conducted strikes against Iran to degrade its ability to threaten maritime traffic. Diplomacy shows no clear progress.
The United States has signed a 30-year nuclear cooperation framework with Saudi Arabia, enabling uranium enrichment and US-backed reactors under a 123 agreement and a bilateral safeguards pact. The deal goes to Congress for review amid concerns over proliferation and safeguards.
Netanyahu has travelled to Washington to meet President Trump and attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, as part of ongoing discussions on security and regional tensions. Reports suggest the trip could signal whether a broader US escalation against Iran is imminent.
The reports indicate IRGC commanders and equipment have been transferred to Yemen on July 13 to bolster Houthi capabilities, with potential implications for Red Sea shipping and regional security.
The conflict in the Middle East is intensifying as Yemen's Houthi rebels claim missile strikes on Saudi targets, prompting responses from Saudi-led forces and US officials. Washington is weighing strikes on Iran as the region sees a widening front, with naval blockades and interceptions shaping an increasingly volatile Red Sea corridor.