This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up on Thursday's top developments here:
- Houthi attack injures 11 civilians in Saudi: Riyadh-led coalition
Israel refuses to withdraw from more south Lebanon areas at talks: Source
Erdogan to visit Saudi Arabia Friday: Presidency
Pakistan, seven Muslim countries condemn Israeli violations in Gaza
Israeli committee approves settlement expansion plan near Jerusalem
Iraq PM says invited to Riyadh after US-Saudi strikes
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 20:03 GMT | by AFP
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi received an invitation to visit Riyadh, his office said Friday, as Tehran-backed groups announced they would delay their response to deadly US-Saudi strikes in Iraq last month.
Zaidi was supposed to visit Riyadh in late July, but the trip was cancelled due to the strikes which killed 20 militants, including five Iranians, on July 29.
His media office said Zaidi met Saudi intelligence chief Khalid bin Ali al-Humaidan, who "conveyed a message from the Saudi leadership renewing the invitation for the prime minister to visit the Saudi capital, Riyadh".
The US-Saudi strikes came after Riyadh said its forces had intercepted drones targeting oil facilities, blaming Iran-backed groups in Iraq.
Houthis claim attack on camp held by Yemen government
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 17:58 GMT | by AFP
Houthi rebels claimed an attack on a military camp held by the Yemeni government in Marib province, as a Yemeni military source said eight personnel were killed in the province.
"The Saudi enemy continued to mobilize and incite its forces... these forces were attacked along with their arsenals, vehicles and military equipment in the Sahn al-Jinn camp with a large number of missiles and drones," Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement, referring to the camp held by government forces.
'Same mentality': Pezeshkian warns Hiroshima, Nagasaki horror must not be repeated
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 15:42 GMT | by Web Desk
On the anniversary of the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that those who reject the horror faced by the Japanese must also “condemn the same mentality in Washington that today threatens to wipe out nations and destroy civilian infrastructure.”
Israeli forces open fire on water department workers in southern Lebanon
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 14:54 GMT | by Web Desk
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli forces opened fire on water department workers in Lebanon while carrying out their duties in the southern town of Aita al-Jabal.
“The workers were repairing faults to restore water supplies to residents, ensure continuity of service and support their ability to remain on their land,” the NNA said in a report.
Citing a statement, the agency reported that the water establishment saw targeting public service workers while performing their duties constitutes "an attack on civilians and on residents’ right to access water."
Macron, Saudi Crown Prince discuss latest regional developments
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 13:21 GMT | by Web Desk
France’s President Emmanuel Macron called on Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman where the pair discussed “the latest developments in the regional situation and the efforts undertaken in this regard were reviewed.”
“Bilateral relations, areas of joint cooperation between the two countries, and ways to develop them were also discussed, in addition to a number of regional and international issues of common interest,” the Saudi foreign office said.
Two civilians killed in Houthi attacks on Yemen government-held city: minister
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 12:07 GMT | by AFP
Yemen's Houthi rebels shelled residential neighborhoods and displacement camps in the government-held city of Marib on Friday, killing at least two civilians and injuring 14 others, the health minister said.
"Shelling by the terrorist Houthi militia today, Friday, targeting residential neighbourhoods and displacement camps in the city of Marib, has resulted, according to an initial toll — in the deaths of two civilians and injuries of varying severity to 14 others," said Health Minister Qasim Buhaibeh in a post on X.
Oil extends gains and stocks mostly down on fresh Hormuz worries
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 08:40 GMT | by AFP
Oil prices extended gains and most stocks fell further on Friday amid fading optimism over a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as reports said Iran was planning to block US and Israeli ships from the waterway as part of a deal with Oman.
Markets had enjoyed a healthy run-up at the start of the week as US President Donald Trump called off strikes on the Islamic republic and said an agreement was close, even though Tehran denied talks had taken place.
Three members of Yemen government forces dead in Houthi attack: military source
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 07:30 GMT | by Web Desk
A Houthi drone attack on Yemen's Marib province killed three members of government forces on Friday and wounded another four, a Yemeni military source told AFP.
"Three killed and four wounded in a preliminary toll from the Houthi drone attack on the Harib area, in the south of Marib," the source said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
Iran's Araghchi discusses bilateral ties, regional security with Mauritanian FM
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 06:45 GMT | by Web Desk
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed bilateral ties and the latest regional developments with his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, during a phone call on Friday, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.
Araghchi briefed Merzoug on Tehran's diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions following what Iran described as "illegal military actions."
"The two ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in international organizations," IRNA said.
Oil extends gains and stocks fall on fresh Hormuz worries
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 03:10 GMT | by AFP
Oil prices extended gains and stocks fell further on Friday amid fading optimism over a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as reports said Iran was planning to block US and Israeli ships from the waterway as part of a deal with Oman.
Markets had enjoyed a healthy run-up at the start of the week as US President Donald Trump called off strikes on the Islamic republic and said an agreement was close, even though Tehran denied talks had taken place.
At the same time, Iran said it was close to a pact with Muscat on managing the key waterway -- which has been choked off for most of the Middle East war -- but that the US would need to end its own naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Crude prices had begun edging up Wednesday and rallied as much as 4% Thursday as the Fars news agency said Iran would look to prevent US and Israeli vessels from using the strait in any deal with Oman.
Houthi missile attacks kill 58 Yemeni govt forces: Source
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 01:16 GMT | by AFP
Yemen's Houthis killed at least 58 government troops in missile and drone attacks on Thursday, a military source said, in one of the deadliest days of the country's civil war in four years.
The attacks come as Yemen is increasingly drawn into the US-Israeli war with Iran, with the rebels stepping up attacks against both government forces and neighboring Saudi Arabia, a key US ally and supporter of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the rebels attacked government positions with ballistic missiles and drones in response to an alleged military buildup backed by neighboring Saudi Arabia.
Trump says Iran war could end ‘soon’
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 01:16 GMT | by AFP
US President Donald Trump, while taking questions from reporters on energy prices both globally and in the US, says that he thinks the war on Iran will end “pretty soon.”
“I don’t think they can go much longer,” he said.
On another question, he said he was involved in negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz and hoped it could be opened soon.
Thursday's developments at a glance
Published: Aug 7, 2026 | 00:38 GMT | by AFP
Violence surged across multiple fronts in the region on Thursday, with the deadliest Houthi attacks on Yemeni forces since a 2022 truce, an unprecedented strike on Saudi Arabia, and stalled Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome.
Houthis kill 38 Yemeni troops: Houthi rebels launched missile and drone attacks that medical sources said killed 38 government troops, the deadliest toll since the 2022 truce. The Houthis said the strikes were retaliation for an alleged Saudi military buildup.
Houthi attack wounds 11 in Saudi Arabia: A separate Houthi attack late Thursday injured 11 civilians — seven Saudis, two Egyptians, a Yemeni, and a Pakistani — in Saudi Arabia's Najran region, an unprecedented toll in over four years of hostilities, according to the Riyadh-led coalition.
Yemen vows retaliation: Yemen's internationally recognized government said its armed forces would respond to the Houthi attacks “at the appropriate place and time.”
Israel-Lebanon talks falter in Rome: Israel refused in a seventh round of talks to withdraw from more of south Lebanon unless the Lebanese army first secured full control of two “pilot zones.” A Lebanese source called the results inconclusive, though the US State Department described the talks as “productive.”
Erdogan heads to Saudi Arabia: Turkish President Erdogan announced a Friday visit to Saudi Arabia for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, as Pakistan continues mediating the US-Iran conflict.
Trump praises Hegseth: President Trump said he was "extremely happy" with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's performance, citing the Venezuela operation and the campaign against Iran's nuclear program.
Muslim nations condemn Israeli actions in Gaza: Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE issued a joint statement condemning Israeli strikes on healthcare facilities and civilian infrastructure in Gaza.
Settlers attack West Bank community: Israeli settlers burned homes and destroyed solar panels in the Palestinian community of Khirbet al-Tuba, according to the military and residents.
UN experts press Iran on minorities: UN rights experts urged Iran to end arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and executions targeting ethnic minorities.
OIC condemns Qalandia camp raid: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned Israeli military actions in the Qalandia refugee camp near Jerusalem, warning of possible expansion to other West Bank camps.
Israeli forces raid Nablus-area camp: Israeli military vehicles raided the Askar refugee camp near Nablus, per Palestinian news agency WAFA.
For earlier developments, read our Aug 6live blog here