Middle East War

Displaced Palestinians sit with their empty containers amid the rubble of buildings destroyed by the Israeli military, as they wait to collect food from a charity kitchen in the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on May 1, 2026. (AFP)

Gaza diplomacy intensifies as regional tensions persist

Trump hails Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, congratulates the leadership of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye; Hamas says it asked Board of Peace to 'compel' Israel to accept the Gaza plan; Muslim countries condemn Israel's rejection of Trump's Gaza plan.

A DAY AGO

Middle East Roundup, Aug 15: US military maintains broad Middle East presence

CENTCOM chief Brad Cooper completes a 10-day regional tour as US forces remain deployed across the Middle East, while the future USS John F. Kennedy advances toward Navy service.

3 DAYS AGO

This aerial photograph shows boats anchored off Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula near the Strait of Hormuz on June 27, 2026. (AFP)

Middle East Roundup, Aug 13: Iran calls for compensation after Hormuz oil spill

Iran warns of environmental degradation after an oil spill reaches Qeshm, seeking compensation from those responsible; Trump says that the US forces are in total control of the strategic strait and will 'keep it'; Israel defense minister vows troops to stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza.

5 DAYS AGO

Middle East Roundup, Aug 12:Trump says US will 'keep' Hormuz strait control

Says the United States is in control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and will "keep it"; IEA sharply cuts 2026 oil demand forecast as Hormuz closure and high prices weigh on consumption; Israeli forces close Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque, barring Muslim worshippers during Jewish holidays.

6 DAYS AGO

Pakistan interior minister in Iran to discuss bilateral ties, regional diplomacy: Foreign Office

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi says visit focuses on bilateral relations, security matters and regional developments, with a focus on promoting peace and constructive engagement in the region.

7 DAYS AGO

Middle East Roundup, Aug 11: World warns Israel as West Bank faces worst displacement since 1967

The UN Security Council convenes an urgent session on the deteriorating West Bank situation, with Pakistan warning that settlement expansion, settler violence and Israeli measures are eroding prospects for Palestinian statehood. Meanwhile, Israel-Lebanon talks are set to resume in September amid fresh strikes, while US-Iran diplomacy remains focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

August 11, 2026

Middle East Roundup, Aug 10: Trump says will demand conflict compensation from Iran

Says he seeks conflict compensation from Iran as part of any future peace negotiations, citing attacks and atrocities; Tehran sets conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz as oil prices rise, while Houthi attacks in Yemen kill seven and Israel closes a West Bank village to non-residents amid wider regional tensions.

August 10, 2026

Burned household belongings and twisted metal lie beside rural structures in the village of Tuba in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, on August 6, 2026. (AFP)

Middle East Roundup, Aug 9: Vance reports US-Iran talks progress as Israel continues shelling Lebanon

Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon as it shelled several areas Sunday; Vance says the US and Iran made 'some' progress in negotiations; Iran says it will not reopen Hormuz strait until its conditions are met; Turkiye expects Egypt to join a defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

August 9, 2026

Middle East Roundup, Aug 8: Oman says Hormuz talks 'positive' but warns against attacks on ships

Oman says Hormuz talks with Iran remain ‘positive and constructive’; The UAE condemns a Houthi attack on Najran, Saudi Arabia, calling it a threat to Saudi sovereignty and security; Lebanon reports 4,335 deaths and 12,273 injuries since March 2; Yemen’s army launches operations against Houthi targets in Marib and Hadhramaut.

August 8, 2026

Middle East Roundup: Pakistan, seven Muslim countries condemn Israeli violations in Gaza

Countries condemn Israeli violations in Gaza, citing attacks on civilians, healthcare facilities, and humanitarian violations; Oil prices also finish mixed as markets try to understand developments regarding a potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

August 6, 2026