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 Sunday's top developments here:
- Oil prices drop more than 5% on renewed hopes for US-Iran deal
- Iran threatens response to Ukraine attack on its ship in Caspian Sea
- Trump giving Iran talks 'some space': UN envoy
- Lebanon army condemns Israeli attacks preventing deployment in south
- Iran army says halted retaliatory attacks as US holds fire
Iraq says opens probe into Saudi drone attack claim
Published: July 27, 2026 | 18:34 GMT | by AFP
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi called on Monday for an investigation into Saudi Arabia's claim that drones targeting its territory had been launched by pro-Iran groups in Iraq, his spokesman said.
Zaidi directed "the competent security authorities to investigate the statement issued by the ministry of defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the targeting of the kingdom with drones launched from Iraqi territory", spokesman Sabah al-Numan said in a statement.
Trump brushes off concerns of depleted ammunition due to Iran war
Published: July 27, 2026 | 18:34 GMT | by AFP
President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed concerns that US ammunition stockpiles are running low after five months of bombing Iran, telling reporters: "We have a lot."
Asked aboard Air Force One if he was concerned about munitions being depleted, Trump said: "We have a lot of ammunition. We have a lot of the mid-level stuff too, more than we could ever use no matter what."
Pakistan condemns drone attacks against Saudi Arabia
Published: July 27, 2026 | 18:13 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan strongly condemns the drone attacks carried out against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its strong and unwavering support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, the Foreign Office (FO) said.
“Pakistan stands in solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its strong and unwavering support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace and prosperity,” the statement added.
The FO said such provocative attacks pose a grave threat to peace and stability across the entire region.
“Pakistan has taken, and will continue to take, all possible steps to support efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace, security and stability in the region,” the statement said.
Trump says 'good chance' Iran talks will yield results
Published: July 27, 2026 | 17:35 GMT | by AFP
US President Donald Trump on Monday voiced optimism over the prospects for a peace deal in talks with Iran, as the two sides held their fire for a third consecutive day.
Asked on Air Force One how much patience he had for negotiations with the Islamic republic, Trump said: "I have a lot of patience... We'll see what happens. I think there is a good chance that something could happen."
Oil prices continue to sink after US and Iran pause strikes
Published: July 27, 2026 | 16:04 GMT | by AFP
International benchmark Brent fell six percent to around $86 a barrel as the US and Iran held their fire, handing Gulf shipping and the oil industry a respite.
The US and Iran resumed hostilities this month breaking a fragile ceasefire after attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
Crude prices soared during the flare-up with Brent breaking back above $100 a barrel last week for the first time since May.
Saudi Arabia says it reserves ‘right to respond’ after drone attack
Published: July 27, 2026 | 14:09 GMT | by Web Desk
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry has condemned attacks on the kingdom saying it reserves the right to respond to the source of “the aggression” and deter those responsible, Al Jazeera reported.
Saudi forces intercept drones coming from Iraq: defense ministry
Published: July 27, 2026 | 13:04 GMT | by AFP
The Saudi defense ministry said on Monday that its forces had intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iraqi territory targeting petroleum facilities.
The ministry went on to say the "terrorist attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out" by terrorist militias, according to an official statement posted on social media.
Israeli army raids UNRWA facility in East Jerusalem, detains staff
Published: July 27, 2026 | 11:57 GMT | by Web Desk
Israeli forces raided the UN agency for Palestinian refugees’ training centre in the Qalandiya refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem.
UN staff at the site were detained, local authorities said. In a statement, the Jerusalem governorate said Israeli troops stormed the facility, used tear gas and held staff in one of its halls.
The Israeli army raided the Qalandiya camp overnight with stun grenades and tear gas, causing a fire, it said.
The raid comes weeks after the governorate warned of an Israeli plan to demolish UNRWA’s training centre in Qalandiya.
Israeli authorities carried out 341 demolitions in the first half of this year, destroying 740 structures and affecting 923 Palestinians, according to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission.
Lebanon accuses Israel of ongoing breaches of ‘international law’
Published: July 27, 2026 | 11:51 GMT | by Web Desk
President Joseph Aoun has accused Israel of committing “a direct violation of human rights” through its continued military assault on southern Lebanon.
Following a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, Aoun said Israel’s continued destruction of homes and bulldozing of villages in the south amounts to “a flagrant breach of international laws and customs”, calling for international action to bring it to an end.
He also accused Israel of targeting religious and heritage sites, saying the attacks revealed “premeditated intentions against both people and stone”, noting such sites “are neither military nor host any armed presence”.
Lebanon remains committed to implementing the “framework formula”, but Aoun warned continued Israeli actions risk undermining it.
Israel’s PM departs for Washington for talks with Trump
Published: July 27, 2026 | 10:31 GMT | by Web Desk
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has left for the United States to hold talks with US President Donald Trump, according to Al Jazeera.
Netanyahu is traveling to Washington at Trump's invitation, where the two leaders are expected to discuss issues of shared interest between Israel and the United States, Al Jazeera reported citing an Israeli statement.
Israeli army kills two Palestinians in Gaza
Published: July 27, 2026 | 10:27 GMT | by Web Desk
At least two Palestinians were killed after Israeli forces opened fire near aid distribution sites south of Khan Younis, Al Jazeera reported, citing medical sources.
The Israeli military did not immediately issue a response to the incident.
Russia deepening cooperation with Iran, says Ukraine’s Zelensky
Published: July 27, 2026 | 10:23 GMT | by Web Desk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia is strengthening its military cooperation with Iran, North Korea, and China.
Zelenskyy claimed North Korea could deploy up to 30,000 troops to support Russia, while Iran may supply additional missiles, Al Jazeera reported, citing Sky News.
Zelenskyy said Iran is already involved in the conflict through its weapons support for Russia.
He argued that Tehran had provided arms to Moscow from the outset, despite no escalation from Ukraine, and stressed the need to avoid opening another front while adding that both Iran and North Korea have already played a role in attacks against Ukraine.
Iran foreign ministry says no current negotiations with United States
Published: July 27, 2026 | 09:23 GMT | by AFP
Iran's foreign ministry on Monday said it was not currently involved in negotiations with the United States, despite a halt in recent fighting between the two sides.
"At present, we are not engaged in any negotiations with the United States," said the ministry's spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei at a weekly press briefing, denying reports that Iran had requested talks.
Israel military says intercepts two drones near Jordan border
Published: July 27, 2026 | 08:23 GMT | by AFP
The Israeli military said it intercepted on Monday two drones near the Jordanian border and was investigating where they had been launched from.
Earlier this month, the military said Israeli and Jordanian forces had intercepted an Iranian missile fired toward the Jordanian city of Aqaba.
"A short while ago, the IDF intercepted two UAVs identified in the area of the Jordan border," the military said on Monday.
"The UAVs did not cross into Israeli territory. The origin of the launch is under review."
Israel has not taken part in the latest round of hostilities between the United States and Iran.
Iran says US not involved in talks with Oman over Hormuz strait
Published: July 27, 2026 | 08:21 GMT | by AFP
Iran's foreign ministry on Monday said the United States was not involved in recent talks with Oman over the administration of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
"These talks have no connection with the United States. They are a bilateral matter between Iran and Oman, and they are continuing," said the ministry's spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing, adding that the waterway "remains closed".
Iran says summoned French envoy over 'interference' in internal affairs
Published: July 27, 2026 | 08:09 GMT | by AFP
Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday it had summoned the French ambassador to Tehran to protest what it described as "interference in Iran's internal affairs" by two diplomats who were briefly detained earlier this month.
"Yesterday, the French ambassador in Tehran was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where it was stressed that the French government must cease such actions and such interference in Iran's internal affairs under misleading labels," said the ministry's spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing, adding that the diplomats had carried out activities "that were in no way justified".
Iran warns of 'unforeseen' consequences after Ukraine attack on Caspian Sea ship
Published: July 27, 2026 | 08:07 GMT | by AFP
Iran's foreign ministry warned on Monday of "unforeseen" consequences following Ukraine's attack on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea over the weekend.
"This action by Ukraine was an absolutely illegal and unjustified act, contrary to the Charter of the United Nations, as well as a dangerous act of adventurism that will certainly not go unanswered by us," the ministry's spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a weekly press briefing, adding that the consequences of Ukraine's action "will certainly be unforeseen".
Oil prices sink as US-Iran pause fuels fresh Hormuz hopes
Published: July 27, 2026 | 08:05 GMT | by AFP
Oil prices tumbled Monday as a pause in tit-for-tat strikes between the United States and Iran boosted hopes for a return to their ceasefire and negotiations on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
After 13 days of attacks on sites in the Islamic republic, the United States held fire over the weekend and Donald Trump's UN envoy said the US president was "giving talks some space".
Tehran in turn said it would stop its retaliatory attacks on regional neighbors, handing Gulf shipping and the oil industry a respite.
Pentagon reports over 600 Iran war casualties
Published: July 27, 2026 | 07:17 GMT | by Web Desk
The Pentagon updated its official war casualty database over the weekend, adding more than 140 wounded US service members, according to The Guardian.
The Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) also introduced a new category, "Overseas Operations," to record personnel killed or wounded in operations beginning on July 7.
As a result, the official casualty count for the earlier phase of the US-Iran conflict, known as Operation Epic Fury, now stands at 14 service members killed and more than 400 wounded in action.
Three fishermen injured in Israeli attack near Gaza City port
Published: July 27, 2026 | 07:09 GMT | by Web Desk
An Israeli drone struck Palestinian fishermen operating near Gaza City's port, injuring at least three people, Al Jazeera reported citing the Gaza Fishermen’s Committees Union.
The union said the fishermen were wounded while working off the coast near the port.
The Israeli military had not issued an immediate response to the incident.
UAE 'strongly condemns' Israeli settler attacks in occupied West Bank
Published: July 27, 2026 | 06:53 GMT | by Web Desk
Abu Dhabi has issued a strong condemnation of the recent attacks by Israeli settlers on villages across the occupied West Bank, according to Al Jazeera.
In a statement, the country's foreign ministry highlighted the latest incident, an arson attack on a mosque in Tulkarem, describing such actions as "provocative and inciting acts" targeting Muslims and characterizing them as a form of extremism.
The ministry also said the Israeli government bears full responsibility for these incidents.
It further urged Israeli authorities to bring those responsible to justice, warning that failing to hold perpetrators accountable would be seen as tacit approval and would further fuel hatred, racism, and instability.
Six ships intercepted in Strait of Hormuz
Published: July 27, 2026 | 05:10 GMT | by Web Desk
Six ships attempted to transit an "illegal and unsafe" route in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz after disabling their navigation and positioning systems, Al Jazeera reported citing Iran's state broadcaster IRIB.
One vessel was involved in an accident, while the others turned back into the Gulf under what it called "decisive Iranian management."
The incident took place early Monday and alleged that the ships had been provoked by the US military, Al Jazeera reported quoting IRIB.
Syrian president rules out military action in Lebanon
Published: July 27, 2026 | 05:01 GMT | by Web Desk
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa made it clear that Syria has no plans to intervene militarily in Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera.
He emphasized his support for strong Lebanese state institutions and said bilateral relations should be governed by the rule of law, an approach Damascus and Beirut have consistently pursued in their engagements over recent months.
Over 120 Palestinians arrested by Israeli forces in 48 hours
Published: July 27, 2026 | 04:55 GMT | by Web Desk
Israeli forces have arrested more than 120 Palestinians throughout the occupied West Bank in the last 48 hours, Al Jazeera reported citing the Palestinian Center for Prisoners Advocacy (Samidoun).
The detentions follow an incident in which an attack by Israeli settlers on a Palestinian family's land left four Palestinians and two Israelis dead, amid what the group describes as a broad Israeli crackdown.
Most of the arrests took place in Nablus, Tulkarem, and Hebron, where Israeli troops reportedly raided homes, damaged property, and assaulted detainees during field interrogations.
Samidoun also said that some of the raids were conducted alongside armed Israeli settlers operating under military protection.
Israel divides southern Lebanon with Gaza-like ‘Yellow Line’
Published: July 27, 2026 | 04:50 GMT | by Web Desk
Israel has established checkpoints in southern Lebanon that resemble those used in the occupied West Bank, according to Al Jazeera.
It has also designated a restricted "Yellow Line" zone, similar to a buffer area it previously created in Gaza. These checkpoints and military demarcation lines are contributing to the fragmentation and division of southern Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera.
Iran halts strikes as Trump gives space to talks
Published: July 27, 2026 | 04:26 GMT | by AFP
Iran and the United States held their fire Monday, handing Gulf shipping and the oil industry a respite from missile strikes as Donald Trump's UN envoy said the president was "giving talks some space".
Tehran said it had halted retaliatory attacks against Washington's allies in the Middle East, and US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told "Fox News Sunday" that, while forces remained "locked and loaded", Trump would give negotiations "a little bit of room".
Fighting over the strategic Strait of Hormuz derailed diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, triggering a US air campaign and Iranian reprisals that expanded the conflict to shipping lanes, Gulf allies and military bases across the region.
Singapore tightens monetary policy as Iran war drags
Published: July 27, 2026 | 04:17 GMT | by AFP
Singapore tightened monetary policy on Monday for the second time in three months, as the fallout from the US war on Iran keeps global energy markets volatile and inflation risks elevated.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said it would increase the rate of appreciation of the local dollar's trade-weighted value.
The move comes as oil prices remain elevated owing to tensions in the Middle East, sparked by the US-Israel attacks on Iran that began on Feb. 28, and continue to cast a shadow.
UK PM backs Saudi security following Houthi Red Sea attacks
Published: July 27, 2026 | 00:49 GMT | by AFP
UK's newly-elected Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Sunday condemned recent Houthi attacks and their threat to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea during a telephone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Al Jazeera reported, quoting the Saudi Press Agency.
Both sides also discussed recent regional and international developments, with Burnham affirming the UK’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty.
Oil prices drop more than 5% on renewed hopes for US-Iran deal
Published: July 27, 2026 | 00:19 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% to $91.38, while its US counterpart West Texas Intermediate slid $5.46% to $84.43.
For earlier developments, read our July 26 live blog here.