Middle East

US destroys Iran-affiliated ship in Gulf of Oman, BoP Gaza contract reportedly still not approved

Container ship sank near Hormuz by projectile • Iran executes man for supporting Israel • Houthis vow more attacks on Saudi airports, hit Aramco HQ

An F/A-18 Super Hornet prepares to launch from the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the aircraft carrier sails regional waters in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the United Nations in New York City, September 24, 2026.

Netanyahu changed the face of the Middle East. Now he must make it last - opinion

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the United Nations in New York City, September 24, 2026.

Netanyahu on October 7: Nobody told Bush to 'go home' after September 11 attacks

Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, gives a joint press conference with France's Foreign Minister in Arbil, the regional capital, on February 5, 2026.

Iran tensions, Syria talks put Iraqi Kurdistan at the center of Middle Eastern diplomacy - analysis


Pakistan pledges full military backing to Saudi Arabia under Mecca pact after deadly Houthi strikes

“Pakistan will not tolerate any kind of aggression. Our agreements demand it, and so do our bonds of brotherhood.” 

Supporters of the Houthi authorities gather during a protest against the Saudi intervention in Yemen, in Sanaa, on October 9, 2026.

Houthi missile strike in Saudi Arabia exposes growing regional threat, Yemen expert warns

"I think there is an asymmetry here that has worked in the Houthis' favor in the past and continues to play a role now," Yemen expert Inbal Nissim-Louvton told 103FM.

Members of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces fire a tank during what they say to be clashes with Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis in a location given as near Al-Hazm, Yemen, in this screen grab obtained from a handout video released September 9, 2026.

Iran offers Saudi-Houthi mediation, Pakistan pledges military backing under defense pact

Report: Gaza BoP expects rebuilding progress after elections • Pakistan pledges to honor Mecca pact against Houthis • Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia condemn attacks on Riyadh

Houthi supporters rally to show support for the movement as fighting intensifies across several Yemeni fronts, in Sanaa, Yemen October 9, 2026.

Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers have discussed regional tensions, Saudi state news says

The two diplomats discussed escalating tensions in the region in their first publicly reported contact since Iran-aligned Houthis intensified strikes against Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud attends a multilateral meeting with leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman, during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, US, September 22,

Saudi Arabia needs allies against the Houthis, but will it turn to Israel? - analysis

The flydubai attack may not bring Israel and Saudi Arabia closer, but it forces Riyadh to ask: Should it keep one of its strongest potential regional partners at arm’s length?

 Illustrative image of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman

Iran at the threshold, Israel outside the room - opinion

Nuclear facilities have been damaged, but subsequent US intelligence assessments do not indicate a significant increase in the time Iran would need to produce a weapon. 

 An Iranian missile is displayed during a rally marking the annual Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan in Tehran, Iran April 29, 2022.

Lebanon seizes Hezbollah-linked explosives, sparking fears of new political assassination wave

Lebanese forces seized 500 kg. of explosives allegedly linked to Hezbollah, sparking fears of political assassinations and renewed calls to disarm the group.

Lebanese army deployed next to damaged homes in West Zawtar, southern Lebanon, October 1, 2026.

Abbas election delay exposes lack of accountability in Western recognition of Palestine - analysis

Abbas's decision to postpone Palestinian elections until 2027 raises questions about whether Western governments will enforce the reform commitments cited when recognizing Palestinian statehood.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks in Sweden, May 22, 2026; illustrative.

Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria leading options for Abraham Accords expansion, CSA report assesses

CSA released its “Abraham Accords Expansion Opportunities: Middle East Analysis” report on October 8, assessing nine Muslim-majority countries without formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, Foreign Affairs Minister of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan participate in the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords.

Tensions flare in Syria's Hasaka as Arab protesters target Kurdish symbols

The US is urging all sides to refrain from violence and resolve their differences through dialogue. The State Department made the comments in response to questions from Rudaw.

Kurdish female fighters in northeastern Syria.