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.
Saudi Arabia Shuts East-West Oil Pipeline After Drone Strike From Iraq
Saudi Arabia closed its East-West crude pipeline after drones launched from Iraqi territory struck the facility; Iraq dismissed a commander and shut its Iran border crossing.
Arab Ministers to Sign Hormuz Navigation Deal in Oman Monday, Iran Says
Arab foreign ministers will gather in Muscat Monday to formalize a joint Iran-Oman shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran announced Saturday.
Iraq Dismisses Commander, Closes Iran Border After Drone Strikes
Iraq's prime minister dismissed a military commander and shut the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran after drones launched from Iraqi territory struck Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline Friday.
Saudi Arabia Closes East-West Pipeline After Drone Strikes From Iraq
Saudi Arabia shut its vital East-West crude pipeline Friday after drones launched from Iraqi territory struck multiple pumping stations, threatening a key non-Hormuz export route.
Iraq Dismisses Military Commander Over Saudi Pipeline Drone Attacks
Iraq's prime minister has dismissed a military commander after Saudi Arabia confirmed drones launched from Iraqi territory struck the East-West Pipeline and forced its closure Friday.
Drone Strikes Hit Saudi Arabia's East-West Oil Pipeline
Multiple pumping stations on Saudi Arabia's critical East-West crude pipeline were struck by drones Thursday, threatening the kingdom's main oil export route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.
Middle East Tensions Rise as Houthi Advances Threaten Oil Exports
Houthi strikes in Yemen and Saudi Arabia have raised concerns about global trade and oil prices, as the US marks 25 years since the 9/11 attacks.
Houthis Take Bab el-Mandeb Strait; Trump Rejects Saudi Strike Request
Houthi forces reportedly completed their takeover of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and seized a Red Sea island as Trump declined a Saudi request for US airstrikes against the group.
Hormuz Traffic Plunges to Single Digits Amid Middle East Escalation
Vessel tracking data cited by Reuters shows ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to single digits Thursday, down sharply from a 10-day average of 15 vessels in both directions.
IRGC Strikes US Unmanned Vessel in Strait of Hormuz, Two Ships Hit
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked a US unmanned vessel in the Strait of Hormuz Friday; UKMTO confirmed projectiles struck two additional ships off Oman.
IRGC Attacks US Unmanned Vessel in Hormuz Strait; Two Ships Hit
Iran's IRGC struck a U.S. unmanned vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday; U.K. maritime authorities confirmed projectiles hit two ships off Oman.
UKMTO: Projectiles Strike Two Ships Off Oman as IRGC Claims Hormuz Drone Attack
UK Maritime Trade Operations confirms projectiles hit two vessels off Oman on Sept. 11, as Iran's IRGC claims it attacked a U.S. unmanned surface vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli Strikes Kill Family of Four in Gaza Despite Active Ceasefire
Israeli airstrikes killed four members of a Palestinian family in Beit Lahia, including girls aged 8 and 12, while a ceasefire nominally remained in place, Anadolu Agency reports.
IRGC Claims Navy Targeted U.S. Sea Drone in Strait of Hormuz
IRGC said Thursday its navy targeted a U.S. unmanned surface vessel in the Strait of Hormuz in the latest direct US-Iran military confrontation in the strategic waterway.
IAEA Board Refers Iran Nuclear File to UN Security Council
The IAEA Board of Governors voted to refer Iran's nuclear file to the UN Security Council; Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected the resolution Thursday.
Iran Strikes U.S. Base in Jordan, Damaging Multiple Aircraft
Iranian forces struck Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan overnight, damaging an A-10 Thunderbolt and roughly eight F-15s, per the Jerusalem Post and CBS News.
Iran Strikes Damage U.S. Aircraft at Jordan Air Base Overnight
Iranian forces struck Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan overnight, damaging several U.S. aircraft, CBS News reported Wednesday amid widening Iran-U.S. military exchanges.
IAEA Refers Iran to UN Security Council Over Nuclear Non-Compliance
The IAEA Board of Governors voted to refer Iran to the UN Security Council over nuclear non-compliance, a formal escalation pressed by the U.S., Germany, France, and the UK.
Iran Attacks Shipping Near Hormuz as Explosions Hit Iranian Ports
Iran launched a major assault on global shipping near the Strait of Hormuz as crude prices skyrocketed, while explosions were confirmed across multiple Iranian port communities bordering the strait.
IAEA Board Refers Iran to UN Security Council for Nuclear Violations
The IAEA's board of governors voted Wednesday to refer Iran to the UN Security Council over nuclear non-compliance, a move initiated by the US, UK, France, and Germany.
Iran Claims Strikes on 10 Ships Near Hormuz; Oil Tops $100
Iran says it attacked 10 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including two U.S. ships and eight oil tankers, after the U.S. military sank five Iranian tankers. Oil crossed $100 a barrel.
Middle East Tensions Rise as Arab League Rejects Hezbollah Activities
The Arab League has adopted a resolution rejecting Iranian foreign influence and Hezbollah's continued military activities in Lebanon, while Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu pl...
Drone Strikes Panama Tanker in Iraqi Waters, Fire Extinguished
Iraqi rescue boats extinguished a fire aboard tanker New Andros after a drone strike in Iraqi waters Wednesday, port officials told Reuters. No casualties reported.
Panama Tanker New Andros Struck by Drone in Iraqi Waters, Fire Out
Tanker New Andros was hit by a drone in Iraqi waters while carrying Iraqi fuel oil, sparking a fire. Iraqi rescue boats extinguished it. No casualties, Reuters reports.
Iran Strikes US Jordan Base After US Sinks Five Iranian Oil Tankers
US military sank five Iranian oil tankers and struck Iranian territory, drawing Iranian missile and drone retaliation against a US base in Jordan, with oil prices nearing $100 a barrel.
Iran Fires 20 Ballistic Missiles at U.S. Base in Jordan; 18 Intercepted
Iran's IRGC launched 20 ballistic missiles at a U.S. military base in Jordan Tuesday. Jordanian air defenses destroyed 18; the fate of two unintercepted missiles is unconfirmed.
U.S. Strikes IRGC Tankers Again After Iran Targets Navy Warship
The U.S. struck multiple IRGC-linked oil tankers for a second time Tuesday after Iran launched more attempted missile attacks at a U.S. Navy warship, AP confirmed.
U.S. Forces Strike Multiple Iranian Tankers Near Kharg Island
A U.S. official confirmed American forces struck multiple IRGC-linked Iranian tankers near Kharg Island and Jask port, escalating the Strait of Hormuz standoff.
IRGC Says It Shot Down US MQ-1 Drone Over Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed Tuesday it destroyed a US MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz, while separately claiming capture of a US underwater drone nearby.
Saudi Arabia Strikes Yemen, Houthis Fire Back as Forces Close on Sanaa
Saudi Arabia launched air strikes across Yemen as Houthi forces retaliated against Saudi targets and pro-government fighters closed in on Sanaa, Middle East Eye reported.