Gulf

CENTCOM Briefs Trump on Potential Large-Scale Strikes on Iran

The commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) briefed President Donald Trump on potential large-scale strike options against Iran, including what was described as a possible “final blow,” according to a report by Fox News on Thursday. Admiral Brad Cooper presented the plans during a high-level meeting in the White House ...

Iran Activates Air Defenses as Trump Faces Congressional Deadline

Tehran's air defences were activated to counter small aircraft and drones late Thursday, as the White House signalled that it will not be reined in by a congressional deadline on the Iran war. The Tasnim and Fars news agencies reported that air defence systems, heard in some parts of the Iranian capital, were activated "to counter small aircraft ...

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 ...

Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei Claims Gulf Future Requires U.S. Exit

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a statement on Thursday asserting that the future of the Gulf would be “bright” only in the absence of the United States.  He said Iran would take responsibility for securing the Gulf region and “eliminating enemy violations” of the strategic maritime corridor, ...

UAE to Exit OPEC Amid Surging Oil Prices

The United Arab Emirates will withdraw from OPEC and the OPEC+ on May 1, state media reported Tuesday, describing the move as a strategic decision by the major oil producer. "This decision reflects the UAE's long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile," the official Emirates News Agency said.  The United Arab Emirates ...

Five Sentenced to Life in Bahrain for Plotting 'Terrorist' Acts With Iran

Five people were sentenced to life in Bahrain on Tuesday for plotting "terrorist and hostile acts" with Iran, which bombarded the tiny Gulf state during the Middle East war. Two Afghans and three Bahrainis were convicted, and a fourth Bahraini was acquitted by the High Criminal Court, the public prosecution said. They were accused of monitoring ...

Oil Rises Over 1% as U.S.–Iran Talks Stall

Oil prices rose more than 1% on Monday as stalled U.S.-Iran talks and ongoing disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz tightened global supply, according to Reuters. Last week, Brent and West Texas Intermediate gained nearly 17% and 13%. This marked ​the biggest weekly gains since the start of the war. Tensions in the Gulf have ...

Gulf States in Limbo as US-Iran Crisis Drags On

After weathering unprecedented attacks from Iran, the wealthy Gulf states are now stuck between war and peace as talks stall and the vital Strait of Hormuz remains all but closed—threatening economic recovery. Iran has hit Gulf energy exports with its Strait of Hormuz blockade, while its attacks have caused damage to energy infrastructure ...

U.S. Weighs New Military Plan in Strait of Hormuz

Senior U.S. military officials are developing new operational plans targeting Iran’s strategic capabilities in and around the Strait of Hormuz, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter who spoke to CNN. The proposed options focus on a more aggressive and geographically concentrated military approach, particularly emphasizing ...

Iran Says Won't Reopen Hormuz as Long as U.S. Blockade Remains

Iran's vow not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz -- so long as a U.S. naval blockade remained in place -- was held into Thursday despite a ceasefire extension, as the Gulf nation announced the seizure of two ships trying to cross the strategic waterway. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said late Wednesday that it had also "directed 31 vessels ...