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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.
Yemen's government reports at least two civilians killed and 14 injured in a Houthi attack on Marib, while a separate Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia's Najran injured 11, including a woman and a child. Both strikes are described as violations of international humanitarian law.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan have signed a joint defence pact, the Mecca Joint Deterrence Agreement, in response to escalating regional tensions. The agreement stipulates that an armed attack on any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack on all, deepening security cooperation.
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.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye signed a joint defence pact in Makkah, stipulating that an armed attack on any one is considered an attack on all. The agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence and enhance defence cooperation. Officials from all three countries hailed it as a historic step.
Yemen's Houthi group launched drones and ballistic missiles at Saudi-led coalition and government military sites in Marib and Hadramout, killing at least 30 soldiers. The attacks mark a significant escalation in the long-running conflict, with analysts warning of an imminent ground war.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed a trilateral defence pact in Mecca, stipulating that an armed attack on any one of the three states will be regarded as an attack on all. The agreement was signed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and is seen as a response to regional tensions and the ongoing US-Iran war.
An attack by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis wounded 11 civilians in southern Saudi Arabia, according to a Saudi military official. The same day, reports indicated Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are due to sign a joint defense pact, while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to eight vessels, reflecting heightened regional tensions.
A series of Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces killed at least 58 troops and wounded dozens, while separate strikes in Saudi Arabia injured more than 10 civilians. The rebels said the attacks were in response to a Saudi-backed military build-up, raising fears of a return to full-scale war.
A senior Saudi official said the kingdom expects coordinated attacks from Iraqi militias and Yemen's Houthis under IRGC supervision, according to the Jerusalem Post. The BBC reports Saudi Arabia has been drawn into the conflict after joint strikes with the US, facing a dilemma between deterrence and de-escalation.
At least two US military tanker aircraft were seen over the Persian Gulf during a reported IRGC operation near the Strait of Hormuz, according to TASS. The aircraft, identified as Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers, were flying over international waters as regional tensions persist.
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.
Foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE issued a joint statement condemning Israeli actions in Gaza as a clear breach of international law, urging the international community to compel Israel to comply with its obligations.
Foreign ministers from eight Arab and Muslim countries issued a joint statement strongly condemning Israeli actions in Gaza, particularly the targeting of hospitals and medical personnel. The statement, published by Qatar's Foreign Ministry, calls the strikes a grave breach of international humanitarian law and a violation of the ceasefire framework.
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.
Saudi Arabia has appointed Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri to command a 14-nation maritime defence coalition aimed at protecting navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. The coalition, formed on July 30, will hold a planning meeting in August.
As the US-Iran war enters a critical phase, uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz's closure and escalating attacks on energy infrastructure raise questions about the conflict's duration. Both sides appear entrenched, with Iran leveraging its control over the strait and the US maintaining a naval blockade, while diplomatic efforts via Oman struggle to find a breakthrough.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has proposed creating a railway route to the Indian Ocean, citing risks to shipping through the Bosphorus and Strait of Hormuz. The proposal, first reported by TASS, includes possible routes through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Analysts note the rail link could offer Moscow an alternative trade corridor to India and the Global South amid sanctions.
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.
Yemen's Houthis have attacked two Saudi oil tankers as part of a maritime blockade, threatening Saudi oil exports via the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The escalation, which includes a surge in Saudi crude shipments through the waterway, raises concerns for global oil markets and India's imports.