UAE Announces Travel Ban on Nationals to Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq

The United Arab Emirates foreign ministry on Thursday announced a travel ban on Emirati nationals going to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq, citing regional developments including the Middle East war. Iran has targeted the Gulf nation throughout the Middle East conflict sparked by a U.S.-Israeli attack before a fragile ceasefire was announced, including ...

Israeli Army Strikes Bekaa Valley as Targets Expand

The Israeli military said it was “currently striking Hezbollah infrastructure in the Bekaa Valley” on Monday, marking the first time since the Israel–Lebanon ceasefire began that it has hit targets outside southern Lebanon.  Like the south, the Hermel and Baalbeck areas of the eastern Bekaa Valley are predominantly Shia areas and a ...

Israel Orders Evacuation on Seven Towns North of Litani River

Following a number of reports of fighting in the area, the Israeli Defense Forces have issued evacuations on seven towns in the Nabatieh District north of the Litani river, saying that Hezbollah continues to violate the ceasefire agreement and that the army was “compelled to act forcefully.” The towns form a pocket where the Litani ...

UK Channels Support to Displaced Families of Lebanese Army Personnel

The United Kingdom announced an expansion in aid to Lebanon on Thursday aimed at the families of Lebanese Armed Forces personnel, saying “LAF families are amongst those who are directly affected, undermining their sense of security and dignity.” The action brings total UK support since March to $40 million, with $27 million announced last ...

Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire While Maintaining Blockade

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would hold off on new strikes against Iran at the request of Pakistani officials, effectively extending the ceasefire as diplomatic efforts continue. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the United States agreed to delay further attacks on Iran following a request from Pakistan’s ...

Trump Announces Two-Week Pause on Iran Strikes

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a two-week suspension of planned military strikes on Iran on Wednesday, citing direct appeals from the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir.  “Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal ...

Tehran Cautions UN Against Escalation Before Strait of Hormuz Vote

Iran on Friday warned the UN Security Council against any "provocative action" ahead of a vote on a draft resolution mandating a force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. "Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of ...

Israeli Ground Invasion Consolidates as Strikes Continue

Israeli rhetoric has intensified on the creation of a buffer zone, including the demolition of border villages, with Defense Minister Israel Katz saying Lebanese civilians won’t be able to return until northern Israel is secure. In recent days, Israeli forces have consolidated a number of axes in the fight, concentrated around the coast south of ...

Oil Surges as Trump Signals Escalation Against Iran

Oil prices jumped in volatile trading on Thursday morning after Donald Trump warned of potential further military action against Iran, dampening hopes for a near-term de-escalation in the conflict, CNBC reported. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for May rose 5.9% to $106.02 a barrel as of 3:11 a.m. ET, while June Brent crude ...

Netanyahu Announces Expansion of Security Zone as Israel Steps Up Lebanon Operations

Tensions escalated on Wednesday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an expansion of Israel’s security zone along the northern border, according to Israeli media outlet Ynet. Speaking to northern Israeli local leaders, Netanyahu said the buffer zone will “distance the anti-tank threat” from Israeli communities and prevent ...

U.S. Temporarily Lifts Sanctions on Iranian Oil, Two Tankers Load at Kharg Island, Sources Say

The U.S. has lifted sanctions on some Iranian oil for 30 days to ease surging oil prices driven by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. The U.S. treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said the waiver would bring about 140 million barrels of oil to global markets and help relieve pressure on energy supply. In a statement on X, Bessent said “In ...