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 Saturday's top developments here:
- Araghchi condemns Ukrainian military attack on Iranian vessel
- Iran says it sold $18B of oil during war, ceasefire
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia exchange views on regional developments, reaffirm close ties in call
- Qatar and Egypt discuss regional stability and de-escalation efforts in Doha meeting
- Palestinians bury four killed in West Bank clash with Israeli settlers
Oil prices drop more than 5% on renewed hopes for US-Iran deal
Published: July 26, 2026 | 22:19 GMT | by AFP
Oil prices dropped sharply at Monday's opening of Asian markets as investors breathed cautious sighs of relief following two consecutive nights without US strikes on Iran, leaving the door open for new talks.
The price of a barrel of international benchmark North Sea Brent crude fell 5.58 percent to $91.38, while its US counterpart West Texas Intermediate slid $5.46 percent to $84.43.
Iran threatens response to Ukraine attack on its ship in Caspian Sea
Published: July 26, 2026 | 17:19 GMT | by AFP
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday warned that his country would respond to a deadly attack by Ukraine on an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea.
It came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv had carried out long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea against vessels transporting military cargo involving Iran, underscoring the increasingly international dimensions of Russia's war in Ukraine.
"Zelenskyy has attacked an Iranian commercial vessel, killing a sailor," Araghchi said on X, describing it as "a blatant UN Charter violation done at Israel's behest to drag Europe into its war".
He added that, during calls with the European Union's Kaja Kallas and Russian top diplomat Sergei Lavrov, he "made clear that what the freeloader in Kyiv did CANNOT GO UNANSWERED".
Iran's foreign ministry said the attack caused the ship "to explode, killing one sailor and injuring several others".
Trump giving Iran talks 'some space': UN envoy
Published: July 26, 2026 | 15:37 GMT | by AFP
US President Donald Trump is giving negotiations with Iran "some space," his UN ambassador said Sunday, after two nights passed without strikes on the country.
UN ambassador Mike Waltz told "Fox News Sunday" that the United States remained "locked and loaded" for more attacks and that "more assets have gone into the region," but that Trump is "giving talks some space -- he's giving it a little bit of room."
Prior to Friday, the US military had announced strikes on Iran for 13 consecutive nights, in the largest rekindling of the war since an April ceasefire.
Death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza rises
Published: July 26, 2026 | 13:37 GMT | by Web Desk
Seven Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip over the last 24 hours, with 36 others wounded, AL Jazeera reported.
Israel’s genocidal war killed at least 73,326 people and wounded 173,997 since October 7, 2023, according to AL Jazeera.
Qatari and Saudi foreign ministers discuss regional developments
Published: July 26, 2026 | 12:45 GMT | by Web Desk
Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received a phone call from Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud, where both sides discussed the latest regional developments, ongoing diplomatic efforts, joint coordination to de-escalate tensions and enhance security and stability in the region, the Foreign Ministry of Qatar said.
Qatari foreign minister emphasized the need for all parties to “remain committed” to dialogue and diplomacy and to implement what was agreed upon under the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.
He stressed ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, in order to safeguard regional security, preserve the gains achieved, and promote regional stability.
“He reiterated the State of Qatar's full support for all efforts aimed at defusing tensions and reaching a comprehensive agreement that achieves lasting peace in the region,” the statement added.
Lebanon army condemns Israeli attacks preventing deployment in south
Published: July 26, 2026 | 11:33 GMT | by AFP
Lebanon's army on Sunday condemned ongoing Israeli military activities in the country's south that it said were preventing its full deployment under a framework deal reached with Israel last month.
"Israeli occupation forces continue their attacks and violations of current understandings and of international laws through the systematic destruction and bulldozing of homes, bombardment and sweeps with automatic weapons in several southern areas," an army statement said, adding that "the continuation of these attacks obstructs the army's full deployment according to current agreements and prevents the return of residents to their villages and towns".
Saudi FM discusses latest developments with Qatari, Egyptian counterparts
Published: July 26, 2026 | 10:21 GMT | by Web Desk
Foreign minister of Saudi Arabia discussed latest developments in two phone calls with his Qatari and Egyptian counterparts, according to a statement released on X by the Saudi Foreign Ministry on Sunday.
The post said, "Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held two phone calls with His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, and His Excellency Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt."
"During the phone calls, the latest developments in the current situation were discussed, along with ways to continue supporting efforts aimed at reducing escalation and advancing diplomatic solutions to ensure the security and safety of waterways in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea and preserve the security and stability of the region," the post added.
Iran army says halted retaliatory attacks as US holds fire
Published: July 26, 2026 | 09:51 GMT | by AFP
Iran said on Sunday it has halted retaliatory attacks in the region after the United States stopped its strikes on the country for the past two nights.
"These attacks continued until two nights ago, but over the past two nights the Americans have stopped their attacks," said army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia.
"Since... our strategy has essentially been retaliatory, we have also halted our retaliatory operations."
Palestinians say Israeli settlers torch two mosques in West Bank
Published: July 26, 2026 | 08:59 GMT | by AFP
Palestinian officials said Israeli settlers set fire to two mosques in the occupied West Bank overnight Sunday.
Violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank has surged since the Gaza war began on Oct. 7, 2023.
Abdel Azim Wadi, mayor of the town of Qusra, south of the city of Nablus, told AFP that settlers torched a mosque under construction in the southern part of the town.
"The fire destroyed the mosque's entrance and even damaged its stonework," Wadi said.
He added that the attackers spray-painted Hebrew graffiti on the mosque's walls, including the word "revenge".
The Israeli military said troops were dispatched to the outskirts of Qusra after receiving a report that a mosque had been set ablaze.
"The soldiers searched for suspects who had fled prior to their arrival and identified signs of arson and graffiti at the scene," it said, adding that Israeli police would investigate and collect evidence.
In a separate incident, Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in the village of Kour, near Tulkarem, and sprayed racist slogans on its walls, according to the Palestinian ministry of endowments and religious affairs.
The ministry said that "groups of settlers burned a mosque in the village of Kour in Tulkarem governorate and wrote racist slogans on its walls".
Maritime navigation activities fully resume in Qatar
Published: July 26, 2026 | 08:41 GMT | by Web Desk
Qatar’s Transport Ministry, in a post on X on Saturday said, “activities can now resume fully for all types of maritime vessels and ships, as of Sunday, July 26, 2026”.
In the post, it urged vessels to “abide by the maritime regulations and instructions to ensure the highest levels of safety and security for all trips”.
Iran army says war to 'expand further' if US attacks restart
Published: July 26, 2026 | 07:29 GMT | by Web Desk
Iran's army warned on Sunday that the Middle East war would widen if the United States chose to press ahead with attacks on the Islamic republic, ahead of the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.
"I believe that if the Americans once again fall for the Zionists' deception, or move in line with them, and insist on continuing the war, particularly through air strikes, geographically this will expand further," army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia told state television.
Iran says progress made in talks with Oman on Hormuz
Published: July 26, 2026 | 06:56 GMT | by Web Desk
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iranian and Omani deputy foreign ministers met in Tehran on Friday and Saturday to discuss the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
Baghaei said the two sides discussed shared principles and practical mechanisms for ensuring the safe passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while respecting the sovereign rights of both coastal states, Al Jazeera reported, quoting Tasnim news agency.
He said the discussions were productive and that progress had been made, adding that technical and political consultations between Iran and Oman were continuing.
Baghaei also said there had been no change in shipping traffic through the strait.
Nine arrested as Israelis protest in Tel Aviv against settler violence
Published: July 26, 2026 | 06:55 GMT | by Web Desk
Police arrested nine demonstrators after hundreds of people gathered in Tel Aviv to protest the recent increase in settler violence in the occupied West Bank and Israel's military rule over the Palestinian territory.
The demonstration was held on Kaplan Street on Saturday, Al Jazeera reported, citing Israeli media.
Police said the protest had not been authorized and that it began disrupting public order and blocking the road.
Trump orders military not to conduct strikes in Iran
Published: July 26, 2026 | 05:25 GMT | by Web Desk
US President Donald Trump ordered the US military to refrain from launching any new strikes on Iran on Friday, ending a nearly two-week run of daily attacks, according to an Axios report citing two sources familiar with the decision.
The president's directive came after he approved daily strikes over the previous 13 days.
It is unclear if Trump's order on Friday was a one-off or whether the lull will continue.
Israeli forces target Gaza’s Al-Aqsa Hospital
Published: July 26, 2026 | 02:30 GMT | by Web Desk
At least one person was killed and several injured when Israeli drones hit a group of Palestinians near Gaza’s Al-Aqsa Hospital, Al-Jazeera reported.
UN Chief calls for respect of Syria’s sovereignty, urges end to violations of 1974 agreement
Published: July 26, 2026 | 00:30 GMT | by Web Desk
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for full respect for Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity, while urging an end to violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.
In a statement posted on his official X account, the UN chief said:
“Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity & territorial integrity must be fully respected.
Violations by Israel of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement are unacceptable & must stop.”
US says naval blockade against Iran remains in full effect
Published: July 25, 2026 | 21:45 GMT | by Web Desk
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the naval blockade against Iran remains in full effect.
In a statement, CENTCOM said that as of July 25, US forces had redirected 12 commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade, disabled two that did not comply, and boarded two others to ensure full compliance.
The statement said US forces also completed a verification boarding of the Comoros-flagged tanker M/T Charminar in the Arabian Sea earlier in the day, adding that the vessel has resumed its voyage.
CENTCOM further said its forces disabled the Mozambique-flagged tanker M/T Lavine in the Gulf of Oman on July 24 after the crew attempted to violate the blockade multiple times and ignored repeated warnings. According to the statement, the ship is no longer transiting to Iran.
For earlier developments, read our July 25 live blog here.