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.
Trump Halts Imminent U.S. Strikes on Houthis After Saudi Plea
President Trump called off planned airstrikes on Yemen's Houthis at the last minute Sunday after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged restraint, the New York Times reported.
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Threatens Qatar's LNG Expansion
The ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has put Qatar's $83 billion LNG expansion at risk, with critical equipment unable to reach the country due to the blockage.
Projectile Strikes Tanker Entering the Strait of Hormuz
A projectile struck a tanker entering the Strait of Hormuz on September 21, AP News reports, in the latest kinetic incident at the world's most critical oil shipping chokepoint.
Houthi Strike Hits Saudi Capital as Oil Prices Climb
Houthi forces struck Riyadh in a significant escalation confirmed by Reuters, pushing oil markets higher amid intensifying proxy conflict across the Middle East.
Iran's IRGC Claims It Shot Down U.S. MQ-1 Drone Over Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says its new air defense system intercepted and destroyed a U.S. MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz, the second such claim in recent days.
Israeli Father Killed in Slovenia, West Bank Tensions Rise
An Israeli father was killed in Slovenia while rescuing his son from a ravine fall, as tensions rise in the West Bank with reports of an impending mass-arrest operation and demo...
Riyadh Is Now a Front Line. Here Is How It Happened.
The Houthis didn't stumble into striking Saudi Arabia's capital. This week's attacks followed a seven-step escalation ladder that exposed every gap in Riyadh's security framework.
Houthis Fire Missiles, Drones at Saudi Capital and Aramco Facilities
Saudi Arabia confirmed Houthi rebels targeted Riyadh with a ballistic missile and struck at Aramco facilities in Yanbu; Saudi air defenses claim full intercepts while the Houthis claim direct hits.
Houthis Target Riyadh, Saudi Aramco in Missile-Drone Attack
Yemen's Houthis launched ballistic missiles and drones at Riyadh and Saudi Aramco's Yanbu facility; Saudi air defenses intercepted the Riyadh-bound missile.
Iran Disputes Centcom Oil Claim, Issues New Hormuz Data Cable Rules
Iran's government rejected a US Central Command claim about tanker escorts in the Strait of Hormuz and approved new regulations on undersea data cables in the waterway.
Houthis Claim Missile, Drone Strike on Riyadh as Airport Flights Disrupted
Yemen's Houthis claim missile and drone attacks on Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu as smoke rises near King Khalid Airport and flights are disrupted for hours.
Houthis Claim Strikes on Aramco and Riyadh Airport, Flights Disrupted
Yemen's Houthis claim missile and drone attacks on Saudi Aramco's Yanbu facilities and Riyadh; BBC confirms smoke near King Khalid Airport and hours of flight disruptions.
Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon, Defying US-Brokered Framework
Israeli warplanes struck southern Lebanon on Saturday in what Lebanon's state news agency NNA says are ongoing violations of a US-mediated framework agreement, Middle East Monitor reports.
Iran Conveys Conditions for Talks with US
Iran has conveyed its conditions for re-engaging in negotiations aimed at ending the war with the US, including ending the war on all fronts and unfreezing Iranian funds.
Israeli Airstrikes Hit Southern Lebanon Despite US Framework Agreement
Israeli warplanes struck southern Lebanon's Old Square neighborhood Saturday, violating a US-mediated framework agreement, Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.
Riyadh Explosions Reported as Saudi Arabia Issues First Air Raid Alert
Saudi Arabia issued its first air raid alert for Riyadh since Houthi attacks escalated; AFP confirmed explosions were heard in the capital before residents received an all-clear.
Explosions Reported in Riyadh as Saudi Arabia Issues Air Raid Alert
An AFP journalist reported explosions in Riyadh Saturday as Saudi authorities issued and then withdrew an air raid alert, amid escalating Saudi-Houthi strikes in Yemen.
Italy Confirms Aircraft Hit in Attack on Saudi Air Base
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed Friday an Italian aircraft was hit during attacks on Saudi Arabia's Ta'if air base, where Rome's military forces are deployed.
Aramco Suspends European Crude Deliveries After Pipeline Attack
Saudi Aramco is halting October crude oil deliveries to some European refiners following an attack on Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline, Bloomberg reported Friday.
Iran Claims Strike on Oil Tanker in Strait of Hormuz, Fire Reported
Iran struck an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire on board, per AP and UKMTO. Tehran claimed responsibility for the attack on the world's most critical oil shipping lane.
Iran's IRGC Navy Strikes Togo-Flagged Tanker in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy struck a Togo-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the vessel was making an 'illegal passage,' per Middle East Eye and Times of Israel.
IRGC Strikes Togo-Flagged Tanker in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's IRGC Navy struck a Togo-flagged oil tanker it said was attempting an illegal passage through the Strait of Hormuz, escalating naval tensions at the critical chokepoint.
Five Killed as Saudi Arabia and Houthis Trade Attacks
At least five people have been killed in a Saudi-Houthi military exchange, Al Jazeera reports, as Riyadh accuses the Houthis of targeting Mecca; the Houthis deny the claim.
Houthi Drone Kills One in Saudi Arabia as Debris Strikes Taif
Saudi authorities confirm one killed and two injured Thursday after debris from an intercepted Houthi drone fell on the western city of Taif, per the Saudi Press Agency.
IRGC Tries to Seize U.S. Navy Drone; Two Iranian Boats Destroyed
The IRGC attempted to capture a U.S. naval drone in the Strait of Hormuz on September 14; a U.S. airstrike destroyed both Iranian boats, killing most of the crew.
IAEA Refers Iran to UN Security Council for First Time in 20 Years
The IAEA Board voted 23 to 3 to refer Iran's nuclear file to the Security Council — the first such action in 20 years — as China and Russia moved to block any penalties.
Houthi Drone Near Mecca Triggers Saudi 'Red Line' Warning
Saudi air defenses intercepted a drone south of Mecca on Tuesday, prompting Riyadh to call the holy city's security a red line as the OIC condemned the incident.
Houthi Strikes Wound 73 at Saudi Aramco Facilities, Halting Operations
Yemen's Houthis struck Saudi Aramco facilities in four southern cities on September 8, wounding more than 70 and forcing halts at some energy operations.
IAEA Cannot Verify Iran's Uranium; Russia and China Block Oversight
The IAEA says it cannot verify the size or location of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile. Russia, China, and Iran jointly rejected the agency's September 9 oversight resolution.
Oman Confirms Attack on Tanker El Gaia; Two Crew Members Missing
Oman's Maritime Security Centre confirms the Panama-flagged tanker El Gaia was attacked off its coast. Twenty-three crew rescued; two remain missing.