Iran & Middle East
Reporting on Iran, the Iranian regime, IRGC operations, Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah dynamics, the Houthi corridor, GCC alignments, and the wider Middle East security picture.
Iran Cruise Missile Strike Injures Eight US Marines in Hormuz
An Iranian cruise missile hit a U.S. vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, injuring eight Marines in a previously undisclosed attack, the Jerusalem Post reported.
Oil Rebounds After Trump Rejects Iran Hormuz Deal, Expects New Talks
Oil prices rebounded after President Trump rejected Iran's Hormuz offer, though he says he still expects new talks. Tehran says it will not back down from its demands.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Persist as Iran, US Drift Further From Deal
Iran and the US remain apart on reopening the Strait of Hormuz after Trump rejected Tehran's latest ceasefire terms, with officials citing sanctions leverage and stalled talks.
Iran, Middle East Tensions Escalate Amid Ongoing Conflicts
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has increased its presence in the West Bank during Sukkot, while Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya reaffirms the group's commitment to 'resistance' a...
Operation Economic Outcast: The Sanctions Campaign That Has to Hold Until November
Treasury's formal economic pressure campaign against Iran has a name, a coalition of unusual partners, and measurable effects on oil markets. Here is what it covers, who is in it, and what has to go right in the next 45 days.
US Treasury Thanks Turkey, Oman, UAE for Backing Iran Sanctions
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent thanked the UK, Turkey, Oman and the UAE for backing US sanctions on Iran amid the ongoing Strait of Hormuz standoff.
Trump Confirms Rejection of Iran's $12 Billion Hormuz Roadmap
President Trump told reporters Saturday he rejects Iran's Hormuz roadmap, which sought a naval blockade lift, sanctions waiver and $12 billion in frozen assets.
Iraqi Tribe Claims to Have Battled Somali Pirates
An Iraqi tribe from near the Iranian border claims to have battled Somali pirates and freed a hijacked ship, according to reports.
Trump Rejects Iran Hormuz Truce, Plans Post-Midterm Strikes
President Trump has turned down Tehran's seven-day Strait of Hormuz truce offer and told aides he expects fresh military action after November's midterms, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Saudi Coalition Intercepts Houthi Missiles, Drones Targeting Riyadh
Saudi air defenses shot down Houthi ballistic missiles and drones targeting Riyadh and Khamis Mushait on Saturday, confirmed by Reuters and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Trump Said to Reject Iran Ceasefire Bid, Eyes Post-Midterm Strikes
Iran proposed a seven-day ceasefire to halt all hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump is reported to have rejected the offer, planning to resume bombing after the midterms.
GOP Senators Rebuke Trump Over Xi Welcome After China-Iran Allegations
Republican senators voiced dismay at Trump's warm reception of Xi Jinping, citing allegations Beijing aided Iran during the ongoing conflict with the United States.
Iran's Seven-Day Hormuz Offer Forces Trump Into a Midterm Bind
Tehran says it will reopen the strait within a week if Washington restarts nuclear talks and restrains Israel in Lebanon — terms that could split Trump's coalition.
Middle East Diplomacy in Focus as Regional Partners Meet in New York
The Abraham Accords partners met in New York to discuss expanding regional cooperation, while the UN added more companies to its list of businesses tied to Israeli settlements i...
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Six Houthi Missiles Fired at Riyadh, Yanbu
Saudi Arabia says it intercepted six Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and Yanbu, where Aramco operates key oil export and refining infrastructure.
Houthis Launch Missiles and Drones at Riyadh, Aramco's Yanbu Facilities
Yemen's Houthis claimed strikes on Riyadh and Aramco's Yanbu complex Wednesday; Saudi Arabia confirmed intercepting six ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and the Yanbu area.
80 Countries at UN Demand Hormuz Reopening, Condemn Iran and Houthis
Eighty nations presented a UN statement calling for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and condemning Iranian and Houthi attacks on commercial shipping.
Saudi Coalition Intercepts 6 Houthi Missiles Targeting Taif, Yanbu
The Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted six Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu on Thursday, the latest Iran-backed strike on Saudi infrastructure.
Iranian Flights Grounded as US 'D-Day' Sanctions Take Effect
New American sanctions targeting Iran have cancelled flights and deepened economic pressure as Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missiles and back-channel Hormuz talks emerge.
Israel, Iran Tensions Escalate Amid Regional Developments
Tensions between Israel and Iran continue to rise as Israel prepares to resume strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities if Tehran crosses 'red lines'. Meanwhile, Hamas accuses Isra...
Iran Strikes Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Targeting Kurdish Groups
Iran struck the Kurdistan region of Iraq on Thursday, targeting Kurdish dissident groups, the latest in a campaign of over 1,000 drone and missile strikes since February.
Cargo Ship Struck by Projectile in Strait of Hormuz, Catches Fire
A cargo ship caught fire after being struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, killing at least one person, per UK Maritime Trade Operations.
IRGC Brigadier General Killed in Armed Clash Near Iran-Pakistan Border
Senior IRGC commander Brig.-Gen. Hossein Zarifi was killed in clashes with armed gunmen in southeastern Iran near the Pakistan border, Jerusalem Post reports.
Indian Sailor Killed in Attack on Cargo Ship in Strait of Hormuz
An attack on a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz killed at least one Indian sailor on Wednesday, Sept. 23, Omani and Indian authorities confirmed.
China's 80% Grip on Iranian Oil Looms Over Trump-Xi White House Summit
Beijing controls roughly 80 percent of Iran's crude exports and appears to be signaling that leverage ahead of a high-stakes White House summit with President Trump on September 24.
Cargo Vessel Struck by Projectile in Strait of Hormuz, Two Casualties
A cargo vessel was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday with two casualties, UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed.
Explosion Reported Near Iran's Qeshm Island in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's state news agency IRNA reports an explosion near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz; cause and impact remain unknown as of early Tuesday.
Iran's Regional Influence and Middle East Tensions
Tensions in the Middle East continue to rise as Iran's influence grows, with concerns over its nuclear program and human rights record.
Saudi Strike Kills Six in Mokha as G7 Demands Houthi Ceasefire
A Saudi airstrike hit the Yemeni port city of Mokha on September 22, killing six, Houthi officials said, as G7 foreign ministers demanded Iran-backed Houthis halt attacks.
Saudi Arabia Reroutes Oil Exports as Houthis Strike Yanbu
Saudi Arabia diverts Red Sea oil exports to Gulf terminals after Houthi strikes on Yanbu, with satellite data showing the highest supertanker concentration at Gulf ports since June.