Location · 556 published stories · 106 outlets · All places
The National Assembly was adjourned for lack of quorum, drawing criticism from within the ruling coalition. Separately, the government denied reports of mass deportations of Pakistanis from the UAE, providing figures of deportations from Gulf countries over five years.
President Trump has warned Iran to accept a deal to end the Middle East war or face renewed bombing, while reports suggest talks are at a critical juncture. The ceasefire is described as on 'life support,' and both sides remain entrenched, with Iran seeking to end hostilities and reject nuclear dismantlement.
US President Donald Trump announced he is delaying a planned military attack on Iran scheduled for Tuesday, citing requests from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to allow more time for negotiations. Trump said he has instructed the military to be prepared for a large-scale assault if an acceptable deal is not reached.
Amnesty International reported that at least 2,707 people were executed worldwide in 2025, the highest number since 1981, with Iran accounting for nearly 80% of the total. The rights group attributed the surge to authorities tightening their grip on power, particularly in Iran following the June 2025 war with Israel. Executions also rose in several other countries, while China's figures remain opaque.
Reports indicate the Trump administration has encouraged the UAE to become more directly involved in the conflict with Iran, with discussions reportedly including the seizure of Iran's Lavan Island. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have conducted secret strikes against Iranian targets in response to Iranian attacks, while the UAE has sought to coordinate with Gulf neighbors.
The UAE is accelerating construction of a second pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, doubling export capacity through Fujairah by 2027. The move follows the blockade of the waterway amid the US-Israel-Iran war, which has disrupted global energy supplies and prompted Japan to secure alternative supply routes.
US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping produced little agreement on ending the Iran war. While China reiterated its opposition to the conflict and its diplomatic efforts, no concrete deal emerged, and the war continues with heavy casualties and ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper told lawmakers that US-led strikes severely degraded Iran's military, setting back its defense industry by 90%. Lawmakers questioned the effectiveness of the campaign amid reports Iran retained significant missile and drone capabilities.
Conflicting reports from OPEC and the IEA indicate OPEC+ oil production fell significantly short of targets in April 2026, with Russia and several Middle Eastern producers lagging while Kazakhstan exceeded its quota. The shortfall is attributed to regional conflict and ongoing voluntary cuts.
A UN Security Council draft resolution, co-drafted by Gulf states and the US, has gained 112 co-sponsors, demanding Iran halt attacks and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The move underscores global concern, though China and Russia have reservations.
The U.S. Department of Defense has told Congress the war with Iran has cost nearly $29 billion, but independent trackers and Iranian officials put the figure much higher. The conflict, which began in late February and saw a ceasefire in April, has left Iran seeking compensation for what it says are hundreds of billions in damages.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the UAE conducted strikes on Iranian territory, including an oil refinery on Lavan Island, during the recent US-Iran conflict. The report suggests the US quietly welcomed the Emirati involvement, while Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on the UAE and Kuwait. The revelations have raised concerns about Gulf states being drawn into a wider war.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended the nationwide austerity drive until June 13, 2026, citing the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict. The extension follows the U.S. rejection of Iran's proposal to end the war, with measures including fuel allowance cuts and vehicle reductions.
Oil prices have been volatile after President Trump called Iran's response to US peace terms 'totally unacceptable,' only to later signal progress toward an agreement. Brent crude rose sharply, then fell as hopes for a deal emerged, while the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed.
US President Donald Trump has dismissed Iran's latest ceasefire proposal as 'totally unacceptable,' while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the war will not end until Iran's enriched uranium is removed. The proposal, delivered via Pakistani mediators, demanded an end to the war on all fronts and lifting of sanctions.
A cargo ship caught fire after being struck by an unknown projectile off Qatar's coast, in the latest incident testing the month-old ceasefire between the US and Iran. Gulf states reported drone attacks, while the US maintained the truce remains in effect amid ongoing tensions over Iranian nuclear activities and shipping restrictions.
Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced the arrest of 41 people accused of alleged links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to state media. The individuals face accusations of espionage, with authorities stating the arrests relate to ongoing investigations into activities dating back to the recent conflict.
The US military disabled two Iranian-flagged oil tankers attempting to breach a blockade, while Iran launched missiles and drones at the UAE, injuring three people. The UN Security Council is considering a US-drafted resolution that could lead to sanctions or force, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges international pressure on Iran. The conflict has raised concerns over global energy supplies through the vital Strait of Hormuz.
South Korea has been deepening diplomatic engagement across the Middle East amid the ongoing regional conflict, dispatching a special envoy to Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq while the foreign minister held talks with his Jordanian counterpart. The visits focused on energy security, reconstruction cooperation, and post-war partnerships.
Iran's UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani criticized a draft UN Security Council resolution submitted by the US and Bahrain as 'deeply flawed' and 'politically motivated.' The resolution, which has 112 co-sponsors, aims to protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and calls on Iran to end attacks on Gulf countries.