Red Sea

Middle East Roundup: Pakistan joins regional powers to press diplomacy amid widening Middle East tensions

Israel continues operations in Gaza and Lebanon despite US-backed efforts to secure Hamas' disarmament, while Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt reaffirm dialogue and coordination to prevent further regional escalation.

August 6, 2026

Negotiations ongoing to normalize Hormuz situation, de-escalate tensions: FO spokesperson

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson says, ‘Amid the prevailing tensions and hostilities, Pakistan reiterates that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path forward.’

July 30, 2026

An electronic quotation board displays the Nikkei Stock Average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange along a street in Tokyo on March 30, 2026. (AFP)

Crude rises, stocks drop as Houthi attacks escalate Iran war

Oil prices surge and global stocks fall as Houthi attacks escalate Middle East War, raising fears of wider war, disrupted shipping, inflation pressures, and potential US ground intervention in Iran.

March 30, 2026

Houthis, Gulf of Aden, attacks of vessels, Yemen

Houthis claim missile attack on Dutch-flagged ship in Gulf of Aden

The attack is the most serious assault in months by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Gulf of Aden, which is some distance from the Red Sea, where they have sunk four vessels since November 2023.

October 1, 2025

internet disruption, internet down in Pakistan

Commercial shipping cut Red Sea cables, disrupting internet in Pakistan, Africa, Middle East

Authorities in multiple countries identified the affected cables as the South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4, the India-Middle East-Western Europe, and the FALCON GCX cables.

September 9, 2025