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The United Arab Emirates announced it is halting all trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran "until further notice" following the alleged firing of two ballistic missiles toward its territory. Iran denied the accusation, while the move adds further economic pressure on Tehran, which is already facing US sanctions and a blockade.
The Washington Post reports that the US is considering reducing its military presence in the Middle East after months of Iranian strikes battered Gulf bases, with the Pentagon evaluating whether to rebuild them. The story draws on sources in the US administration and covers the timeline of the conflict, including a June ceasefire and resumed attacks in July.
US President Donald Trump again shared a map depicting the Strait of Hormuz as 'NEW US Territory,' drawing a sharp rebuke from Iran's top security official. As the US prepares to announce major new sanctions, Iran has threatened to target countries that join the economic pressure campaign and warned that not a drop of oil would pass through the strait if it is besieged.
Brent crude rose above $90 a barrel after a two-month negotiating window expired without a deal, while a US blockade has sharply reduced Iranian oil flows to China. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to detail new sanctions aimed at isolating Iran. Iranian officials have warned of a more aggressive military stance in the Strait of Hormuz.
As conflicts disrupt key Middle East waterways, China has launched a regular container service via the Arctic's Northern Sea Route, aiming to cut transit times and reduce reliance on chokepoints like Hormuz and Malacca. Experts see the route as a seasonal supplement with geopolitical and environmental caveats.
Ship crossings through the Strait of Hormuz remain drastically below normal levels, with fewer than 20 vessels transiting over the weekend and traffic about 90% below pre-conflict baselines, according to Kpler and UKMTO data. The decline comes amid renewed threats between Washington and Tehran, while Asia's refined fuel imports have fallen sharply and refining margins stay elevated.
Ship crossings through the Strait of Hormuz rose slightly on Monday but remained in single digits, according to Kpler shiptracking data. The uptick follows a weekend slowdown attributed to strikes on UAE vessels, as US-Iran peace talks remain stalled.
Oil prices fell more than 1% on Monday as investors booked profits ahead of a US announcement on new sanctions against Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to unveil what he calls an 'economic D-Day,' while analysts debate the effectiveness of the measures and the risk of Iranian retaliation.
Five months into the war, Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has cut oil traffic by 90%, defying US claims of control and prompting cautious NATO-facilitated talks. As Tehran asserts sovereignty over the waterway, the world faces an energy crisis with no easy resolution.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a trilateral defense agreement in Mecca, which US President Donald Trump has called a 'big, bold, and important first step.' The pact creates a collective defense commitment akin to NATO's Article 5, and analysts are weighing its implications for regional security and multipolarity.
Bangladesh has said it is open to joining the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkiye defence pact, with two junior ministers stressing any decision hinges on national interests. Meanwhile, reports of an invitation for Iran to join remain unconfirmed, with Tehran denying receiving any official proposal.
A Financial Times report citing sources close to Tehran says Iran has assessed striking US military assets in southeastern Europe, including bases in Bulgaria and Cyprus, if President Trump escalates the conflict. NATO says it is prepared to defend allies, while Bulgaria and Cyprus have taken precautionary measures and Cypriot officials deny the threat.
As the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding set to expire on Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for ending the war from a position of strength, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no decision has been made to restart negotiations. The US is preparing intensified sanctions, and analysts note Iran's increased leverage.
President Donald Trump has vowed an intensified economic campaign against Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaling unprecedented measures as soon as next week. Options include secondary sanctions on Chinese refiners and banks, while Iran’s key oil trade with China and ties to neighboring countries complicate enforcement. Officials and analysts outline the scale of existing sanctions and the constraints on further pressure.
Reports say the USS Abraham Lincoln's supply problems stem from Iranian strikes on a key naval base in Bahrain, forcing the Pentagon to shift logistics to Diego Garcia. Lawmakers demand an inquiry as crew concerns mount.
Washington has announced an unprecedented push to isolate Iran's economy, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledging to sever every economic lifeline of the 'tyrannical regime.' Iran has vowed to shut down Gulf oil exports if the pressure continues, as diplomatic efforts and a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz deepen.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Saturday that Tehran received 'numerous messages' from neighboring countries seeking new regional security arrangements, though he did not name any nations. The remarks come as Washington prepares to announce what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called the 'toughest sanctions in history' against Iran.
President Trump asserts the US has 'total control' of the Strait of Hormuz, pledging to keep it, while Iran is described as 'shot' with 'no money.' Yet independent tracking data and official counts suggest traffic remains far below pre-war levels, and analysts dispute the administration's figures.
Organizers of Doha's Teeb Al Hazm festival, which showcases Gulf perfume culture twice a year, plan to hold their first European edition in London. Al Hazm Mall CEO Mohamed Al-Emady cited the growing international reputation of Gulf fragrances as a driver for expansion, noting that the festival has already reached Abu Dhabi and will next go to Riyadh.
Eritrea's strategic location on the Red Sea is drawing increased regional attention, with analysts highlighting its growing role in security coordination and its contentious relationship with Ethiopia. While some see Eritrea as a stabilizing factor, others warn that its alleged support for armed groups could fuel further instability.