Middle East
Middle East Roundup, Aug 13: Iran calls for compensation after Hormuz oil spill
Iran warns of environmental degradation after an oil spill reaches Qeshm, seeking compensation from those responsible; Trump says that the US forces are in total control of the strategic strait and will 'keep it'; Israel defense minister vows troops to stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza.
18 HOURS AGO
Oil spill off Oman reaches coastline: state media
An AFP investigation finds that the ship had been stranded for weeks near Oman's Al-Qibliyyah island after it was damaged by explosions.
2 DAYS AGO
Middle East Roundup, Aug 12:Trump says US will 'keep' Hormuz strait control
Says the United States is in control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and will "keep it"; IEA sharply cuts 2026 oil demand forecast as Hormuz closure and high prices weigh on consumption; Israeli forces close Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque, barring Muslim worshippers during Jewish holidays.
2 DAYS AGO
Middle East Roundup, Aug 11: World warns Israel as West Bank faces worst displacement since 1967
The UN Security Council convenes an urgent session on the deteriorating West Bank situation, with Pakistan warning that settlement expansion, settler violence and Israeli measures are eroding prospects for Palestinian statehood. Meanwhile, Israel-Lebanon talks are set to resume in September amid fresh strikes, while US-Iran diplomacy remains focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
3 DAYS AGO
Syria sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia over atrocities
A Syrian court sentences former ruler Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the civil war.
3 DAYS AGO
King Salman hails Makkah pact as long-term Saudi-Türkiye-Pakistan partnership
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud praises the outcomes of the Pakistan-Saudi-Türkiye trilateral summit, saying the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement establishes a long-term defense partnership aimed at strengthening cooperation, coordination and regional security.
3 DAYS AGO
Middle East Roundup, Aug 10: Trump says will demand conflict compensation from Iran
Says he seeks conflict compensation from Iran as part of any future peace negotiations, citing attacks and atrocities; Tehran sets conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz as oil prices rise, while Houthi attacks in Yemen kill seven and Israel closes a West Bank village to non-residents amid wider regional tensions.
4 DAYS AGO
Middle East Roundup, Aug 9: Vance reports US-Iran talks progress as Israel continues shelling Lebanon
Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon as it shelled several areas Sunday; Vance says the US and Iran made 'some' progress in negotiations; Iran says it will not reopen Hormuz strait until its conditions are met; Turkiye expects Egypt to join a defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
5 DAYS AGO
Middle East Roundup, Aug 8: Oman says Hormuz talks 'positive' but warns against attacks on ships
Oman says Hormuz talks with Iran remain ‘positive and constructive’; The UAE condemns a Houthi attack on Najran, Saudi Arabia, calling it a threat to Saudi sovereignty and security; Lebanon reports 4,335 deaths and 12,273 injuries since March 2; Yemen’s army launches operations against Houthi targets in Marib and Hadhramaut.
6 DAYS AGO