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Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a trilateral defense agreement in Mecca, pledging collective deterrence against aggression. The pact, which some compare to NATO's Article 5, comes amid regional tensions and questions over US security commitments.
Pakistan's Foreign Office announced it will implement the Saudi-led multinational maritime defence coalition 'in full earnest', following the deaths of three Pakistani sailors in Houthi strikes on a Saudi cargo ship. The FO also highlighted Oman's lead in negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz and Pakistan's focus on broader political settlement.
The Panama Canal Authority will reduce daily ship transits from 36 to 32 by mid-September due to drought linked to El Niño. Meanwhile, shipping costs have surged, with one vessel reportedly paying $4 million to skip the queue, as the Iran war diverts traffic away from other key routes.
The Trump administration is escalating economic pressure on Iran with new sanctions and a naval blockade, announcing what President Trump called an 'economic D-Day.' Iran has threatened retaliation, and the UAE has suspended trade with Tehran, severing a key economic lifeline.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca, including a collective-defense commitment. The deal has drawn attention for its potential regional implications, including remarks by Pakistan's defense minister calling for a united front against Israel.
The United States and Iran are approaching a decisive phase in negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran saying a framework for an agreement with Oman has been drafted. US Vice President JD Vance confirmed recent progress, while a regional official put the odds of a final deal at 50%. Military options, including strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, remain under discussion.
The joint defence agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan in Mecca signals a broader reordering of Gulf security, as states seek to supplement, not replace, the US security umbrella. Analysts describe the pact as fundamentally defensive, aimed at institutionalising cooperation and building domestic defence capacity.
Iran announced that a deal with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is in its final stages, but reiterated that the strait will only reopen once the US meets certain conditions. The agreement would define new shipping lanes, with reports suggesting Iran would control inbound traffic. Pakistan expressed hope the deal could lead to resumption of US-Iran talks.
The United States has spent months seeking an international naval coalition to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, but European allies, including the UK and France, are reluctant to commit. Analysts say the hesitation reflects deep caution about being drawn into a conflict they did not initiate, especially without clear Gulf support.
The leaders of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed a joint defence agreement in Mecca, pledging to treat an attack on one as an attack on all. The agreement comes amid heightened regional tensions and follows a trilateral meeting between the three leaders.
Iran and Oman are reportedly nearing an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz that would place inbound shipping under Iranian control, with outbound traffic routed through Omani waters. The deal, which has drawn scrutiny over its feasibility, would mark a significant shift in regional power dynamics following months of conflict.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Saudi Arabia for a three-day visit, accompanied by senior military and cabinet officials, to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discuss bilateral relations and regional developments. The visit occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the Gulf, with Pakistan also involved in mediating between Iran and the US and supporting a Saudi-led Red Sea naval coalition.
Iran and Oman are reportedly on the verge of an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could restore the US-Iran ceasefire and ease global energy market disruptions. Al Jazeera reports that while the US insists on unrestricted navigation without tolls, Iran has signalled it may introduce a fee system for ships.
Oil prices slipped on Thursday as investors assessed progress in Iran-Oman talks over the Strait of Hormuz, which could pave the way for a U.S.-Iran peace deal. U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal could be announced this week, while Iran reported that negotiations are in their final stages.
Iran and Oman have agreed on the geographic coordinates for a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, with a joint announcement in final stages. The proposed deal would give Tehran control over vessels entering the Gulf, a significant concession amid the ongoing war with the US and Israel.
Qatar says mediators are making progress toward a diplomatic resolution between the US and Iran, though no agreement has been reached and no direct talks are planned. Tehran denies US claims of ongoing negotiations, while Washington officials express optimism about reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached by Wednesday, potentially stabilizing energy prices. Iran's Foreign Ministry has denied negotiations with Washington, and a cargo ship was hit by an unknown projectile in the strait.
Pakistan has invited Iran's foreign minister and parliament speaker for consultations, stepping up its role as a mediator between Tehran and Washington. The outreach comes after US President Donald Trump canceled planned strikes on Iran, with reports crediting Saudi Arabia's crown prince for persuading him. Iran and Oman continue talks over the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump insists negotiations with Iran are ongoing, calling it Tehran's "last chance before decapitation," while Iran's Foreign Ministry denies talks with Washington, saying its discussions are with Oman. The dispute centers on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program, with multiple sources reporting Trump's ultimatum and Iran's skepticism.
The US Department of Defense has signed multiyear agreements with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to sharply increase production of Patriot and THAAD interceptor missiles, responding to depleted stockpiles amid conflicts with Iran and support to Ukraine. The deals, valued at over $58 billion for Lockheed and $3 billion for Northrop, aim to triple Patriot and quadruple THAAD output, though production increases are expected by 2027-2028.