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Says talks with Iran are progressing well, but warns military action could resume if negotiations fail; Palestinian foreign ministry slams Israel’s flotilla interception as a war crime; Qatar says US-Iran negotiations require more time to reach a deal.

Middle East roundup: US VP Vance says Iran talks making 'good progress'

Says delaying Iran attack at the request of Gulf leaders as serious negotiations take place; Iran’s president vows not to bow down and never yield to any power; Pakistan condemns drone attacks carried out against Saudi Arabia in the strongest possible terms.



Middle East roundup: Trump says 'serious negotiations' underway with Iran

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ISLAMABAD: Suspected insider trading linked to Iran war-related bets on the prediction market platform Polymarket generated nearly $2.4 million in profits with a 98%-win rate, according to a report by CBS News. The report raised concerns over the growing use of prediction markets for wagering on military conflicts and geopolitical events, with analysts warning that insiders with access to sensitive information may be exploiting the platforms for financial gain. Prediction markets such as Polymarket allow users to place bets on the outcome of world events using cryptocurrency. While all trades on the blockchain are publicly visible, users generally remain anonymous. In a statement to CBS News&rsquo; &ldquo;60 Minutes,&rdquo; Polymarket said it has built a &ldquo;comprehensive market integrity infrastructure&rdquo; using artificial intelligence-powered surveillance and blockchain forensics to detect suspicious activity. &ldquo;When our systems identify suspicious activity, we act &mdash; including through referrals to law enforcement and cooperation with investigations,&rdquo; the company said, adding that insider trading &ldquo;is not welcome on Polymarket.&rdquo; The report highlighted the case of US Army Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke, who allegedly used the platform to place bets related to a special operations mission targeting former Venezuelan leader Nicol&aacute;s Maduro. According to the US Justice Department, Van Dyke wagered roughly $34,000 on the operation, including several bets placed one day before the raid. Prosecutors allege he earned more than $400,000 before attempting to withdraw the funds and delete his account. He has pleaded not guilty to federal charges. Investigators and analysts say military-related betting markets are particularly vulnerable to insider activity because many individuals involved in operations &mdash; including planners, intelligence officials and even family members &mdash; may gain access to sensitive information before it becomes public. A separate study by the Anti-Corruption Data Collective examined large &ldquo;long-shot&rdquo; wagers on military events placed on Polymarket and found evidence of &ldquo;systemic insider trading&rdquo; in conflict-related betting markets. The report also pointed to suspicious trading activity in traditional commodities markets linked to the Iran conflict. New York lawyer and former commodities trader David Kovel told &ldquo;60 Minutes&rdquo; that more than $800 million was suddenly placed on a decline in oil prices on March 23, shortly before US President Donald Trump announced &ldquo;productive&rdquo; talks with Iran on social media. Oil prices reportedly dropped more than 10% following the announcement, potentially generating tens of millions of dollars in profits for traders involved. Federal investigators are reportedly examining the trades, although no charges have been filed so far. The report also described threats against journalists whose reporting affected prediction market outcomes.

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The report highlights the case of US Army Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke, who allegedly used the platform to place bets related to a special operations mission targeting former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Suspected insider accounts win $2.4M on Polymarket Iran war bets: Report

Barakah power plant. (File photo: X/WAM news agency)

Abu Dhabi’s media office says the fire broke out outside the facility’s inner perimeter and was brought under control while IAEA confirms radiation levels remain normal; Israeli forces continue to attack Lebanon and Gaza, violating the ceasefire.

Middle East roundup: UAE says drone that hit nuclear site crossed western border

State Department says negotiations toward a permanent political agreement take place June 2 and 3, while the Pentagon convenes military delegations from both countries on May 29 to coordinate discussions, address concerns and support efforts.

Day 77: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

Day 74: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

Says ceasefire has 1% 'chance of living'; rejects Iran's response to a US proposal for ending the Middle East war, deeming it 'totally unacceptable.'




Day 73: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

Iran has presented its response to the latest US proposal aimed at ending the war through Pakistani mediators; Trump expects to "apply pressure" on Xi over Iran; Iran army says countries siding with the US will "face difficulties" in Hormuz.




Day 72: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

Says he expects Iran’s response to Washington’s latest peace proposal “tonight,” as Pakistani-mediated diplomacy remains active and both sides weigh terms aimed at extending the ceasefire and advancing broader negotiations.

Day 71: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

Iranian state TV reports explosions on the Strait of Hormuz island during ‘exchange of fire’; Oil prices tumble five percent after US President Donald Trump says once again that an agreement could be near following positive talks, and Iran says it would pass on its latest position to the mediator, Pakistan.

Articles tagged with "US Israel war on Iran"

Middle East roundup: US VP Vance says Iran talks making 'good progress'

Middle East roundup: Trump says 'serious negotiations' underway with Iran

Suspected insider accounts win $2.4M on Polymarket Iran war bets: Report

Middle East roundup: UAE says drone that hit nuclear site crossed western border

Day 77: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

Day 74: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

Day 73: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

Day 72: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

Day 71: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

Day 69: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

Middle East roundup: US VP Vance says Iran talks making 'good progress'