UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate halt to weapons flows into Sudan as the country's civil war passed its third anniversary, entering a fourth year of fighting. The plea came with no accompanying enforcement mechanism, underscoring the limits of UN leverage when major arms suppliers operate outside Security Council consensus. Sudan's war, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, has produced one of the world's largest displacement crises, with millions driven from their homes and widespread famine conditions reported across multiple regions. Guterres's statement signals continued UN pressure on member states facilitating arms transfers, but absent binding Security Council action, compliance remains voluntary. Analysts and aid organizations will watch whether the anniversary draws renewed diplomatic attention from regional powers, including those in the Gulf and neighboring African states, whose postures toward the warring factions have materially shaped the conflict's trajectory and humanitarian access conditions.
Qatar's foreign ministry said mediators including Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman have reached "very progressive stages" in efforts to end the US-Iran war, pushing Brent crude down more than four percent.
Qatar confirmed it is mediating between the US and Iran but said no direct talks are currently planned. The clarification follows conflicting statements from President Trump, who claimed talks are under way, and Tehran, which denied any dialogue is happening.
Saudi Aramco reported sharply higher second-quarter 2026 profits as the Iran war restricts global oil supply and pushes crude prices up. Other oil supermajors also posted outsized earnings, raising concerns about sustained fuel cost pressure for importing economies.
President Trump called current Iran negotiations the "last chance" to end five months of conflict, pushing oil prices higher. Tehran denied formal talks are taking place, raising the risk of a diplomatic breakdown with direct consequences for global energy markets.
