Monday, 05 October 2026

Middle East

Direct Talks Underway with Iran, War Nearing End: Trump Claims Again

US President Donald Trump has again said the United States’ war with Iran is “hopefully nearing an end”, while claiming that Iran is interested in reaching a deal. Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters on Wednesday local time.

BRICS nations call for 'maximum restraint' in Middle East war

Members of the 11-nation BRICS group including China, Russia, Iran and India called for calm in the Middle East at a summit in New Delhi on Saturday, overcoming earlier divisions to issue a joint statement. Chinese President Xi Jinping, who joined Russian, Iranian, Indian and other leaders in India'

India welcomes Putin and Pezeshkian amid war tensions

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi on Friday, September 11, ahead of the two-day 18th BRICS Summit beginning Saturday. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also due to attend, marking his first visit

Houthis take control of Bab al-Mandab, raising global energy market concerns

Iran-backed Houthi rebels have taken full control of Yemen’s strategically vital Bab al-Mandab Strait and Perim Island in the Red Sea after Saudi-backed government forces withdrew, AFP reported, citing local government officials and eyewitnesses. Houthi fighters are now positioned along the strait’s

At least 14 killed in explosion at weapons depot in Syria

An explosion at an arms depot in Syria's northwestern Idlib province killed 14 people on Wednesday, the local health department said, without specifying the cause of the blast. "The toll from the explosion in a temporary storage for collecting weapons and war remnants near the city of Sarmada... reg

US-Iran Tit-for-Tat Strikes: Yemen Conflict Spills Into Saudi Arabia

Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen struck four cities in southern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, injuring 73 people and setting oil facilities on fire, Reuters reported. The attacks came as US forces said they had destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers, while Iran claimed it had launched ballistic missi

US claims destruction of 3 Iranian oil tankers

The United States military has claimed it destroyed or permanently disabled three Iranian crude oil tankers following an alleged Iranian ballistic missile attack on US naval vessels in the Persian Gulf, according to a statement issued by US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Saturday. CENTCOM said in a st

First Pakistani to head 'Makkah Defense Alliance', HQ in Riyadh

Turkey has said the first secretary-general of the proposed Makkah Defence Alliance will be appointed from Pakistan, while the alliance’s permanent secretariat will be based in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. The information was reported by Indian media outlet The Print. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan F

US-Bangla Group aims to build a complete aviation ecosystem

US-Bangla Airlines has announced a major investment in Bangladesh’s private aviation sector, unveiling plans to add 21 new Boeing aircraft to its fleet at a cost of nearly $1.5 billion by 2027. The airline also outlined a broader plan to transform US-Bangla into a full global aviation group by expan

Trump Says ‘Good Talks’ Underway With Iran, Oil Prices Slide

US President Donald Trump said talks with Iran were progressing well and that there was a strong chance of reaching a deal to ease the conflict between the two countries, while warning that US attacks would resume if the negotiations produced no result, according to Reuters.

Ukraine Attacks Caspian Sea ‘at Israel's Incitement’, Iran Threatens Retaliation

Iran has threatened to respond after a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial ship in the Caspian Sea killed one sailor and injured several others, according to Al Jazeera. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the attack could not be left unanswered and described it as a clear violation o

Houthis claim attack on 2 Saudi oil tankers

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have claimed an attack on two Saudi oil tankers transiting through the Red Sea. “We targeted two Saudi oil tankers, named Encelia and Layla, for their violation of the blockade decision issued by the armed forces,” Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Wednes

US military launching new strikes against Iran

The United States announced Saturday it was launching new airstrikes to punish Iran for attacks against US forces in Jordan after its first military deaths since renewing its hostilities with Tehran.

Trump backs down on levy on Hormuz ships

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was scrapping a planned levy on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz a day after he announced it, and replacing the fee with trade deals with Gulf allies. Trump said his sudden decision to withdraw the toll -- which he imposed amid fresh clashes with Iran

Trump Says US Will Take Control of Hormuz, Seeks 20% Security Fee on Cargo

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States would take control of the Strait of Hormuz and charge commercial vessels a 20% security fee based on total cargo, saying the money would cover the cost of maintaining security in the strategic waterway. In a post on Truth Social on Mond

Qatar's former leader Hamad bin Khalifa dies

The Qatari government on Sunday announced the death of former leader Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, who led the country from 1995 to 2013. "With hearts steadfast in faith in God's decree and destiny, the Bureau of the Emir mourns the great loss to the nation of the late -- may God have mercy on