Major Gulf fighting restarts as US and Saudi strike Iran's allies in Iraq
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia launched joint airstrikes on Iran-backed groups in Iraq on July 29, resuming American military operations after a brief pause. Iran's simultaneous rejection of an Omani plan to manage the Strait of Hormuz removes a key de-escalation option and keeps energy supply risk elevated.
29d ago · 3 min · Global Affairs
Iran hits US in Jordan, US-Saudi strikes on Iraq: Is war spreading?
Iran attacked US forces in Jordan in what Washington called a surprise strike, which was intercepted. The US and Saudi Arabia then launched joint strikes on Iraq, raising fears of a multi-front regional war.
29d ago · 3 min · Global Affairs
US, Saudi forces strike 'Iran-aligned terrorists' in Iraq in retaliation for recent attacks
US and Saudi forces struck Iran-aligned militant sites across eastern Iraq on Wednesday in response to more than 30 IRGC-directed drone attacks in 72 hours. Crude oil prices surged over four percent as Iran simultaneously seized three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, reviving supply fears.
1mo ago · 4 min · Global Affairs
Houthis claim strike on Saudi Arabia as Middle East conflict deepens
Houthi rebels claimed a missile strike on the Saudi city of Jizan on Saturday, escalating a conflict that now threatens both of Saudi Arabia's main oil export routes simultaneously. The flare-up adds pressure on US-Iran talks as the five-month-old war continues to widen across the region.
1mo ago · 4 min · Global Affairs
US announces civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, says it includes non-proliferation safeguards
The US and Saudi Arabia signed two civilian nuclear cooperation agreements Wednesday, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi counterpart Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman as signatories.
1mo ago · 4 min · Global Affairs
Washington plans to announce nuclear agreement with Riyadh, US media reports
The Trump administration plans to formally sign and announce a 30-year civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, channeling billions of dollars to US nuclear firms.
1mo ago · 4 min · Global Affairs
Iran hits Gulf states and Jordan after seventh night of US strikes
Iran struck Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan on Saturday as the US completed its seventh straight night of strikes on Iranian military targets. Oil prices rose more than 4 percent, and the Strait of Hormuz faces growing disruption risk, threatening global energy supplies.
1mo ago · 4 min · Global Affairs
Saudi Arabia launched covert attacks on Iran as regional war widened - sources
Saudi Arabia secretly launched multiple retaliatory strikes against Iran during the Middle East war, confirmed by two Western and two Iranian officials. The covert campaign, never publicly acknowledged by Riyadh, signals direct state-on-state conflict beyond what the public record of the war showed.
3mo ago · 3 min · Global Affairs
Trump Reversed Hormuz Plan After Saudis Denied Airspace Access
Saudi Arabia denied the U.S. airspace access needed for a plan targeting the Strait of Hormuz, forcing President Trump to abandon it. The rare pushback from a close Gulf ally signals that Riyadh is setting limits on how far it will follow Washington's unpredictable Iran strategy.
3mo ago · 2 min · Global Affairs
‘Saudi pressure’ led US to pause Hormuz project: NBC
The US paused Project Freedom, its Strait of Hormuz escort operation, after Saudi Arabia reportedly withdrew base and airspace access over the surprise announcement. Riyadh denied the account, but conflicting statements from US officials and a Middle Eastern diplomat point to a real coordination breakdown.
3mo ago · 3 min · Global Affairs
Saudis feared Trump’s Project Freedom would spur Iran to attack, officials say
Saudi officials opposed Trump's Project Freedom, a plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, fearing it could provoke Iranian attacks on Gulf allies. The announcement was made without consulting Riyadh, straining a key U.S. security partnership at a sensitive moment in Gulf diplomacy.
3mo ago · 2 min · Global Affairs
Opec+ agrees third oil output quota hike since Hormuz closure
Opec+ agreed to raise June oil output targets by 188,000 barrels per day, its third consecutive monthly increase, but the Strait of Hormuz closure means the hike adds almost no real supply. Oil is already trading above $125 a barrel, with analysts warning of jet fuel shortages and an inflation spike within weeks.
3mo ago · 3 min · Global Affairs
Saudi oil prince's iron grip faces ultimate test with UAE's shock OPEC exit
The UAE is moving to exit OPEC, directly challenging Saudi Arabia's control over the oil cartel and its quota-based production strategy. A UAE departure could weaken OPEC's supply discipline, adding volatility to global oil prices and raising energy costs for major importers like India.
3mo ago · 3 min · Global Affairs
United Arab Emirates leaving OPEC, effective May 1
The UAE, OPEC's third-largest producer, is leaving the cartel on May 1. Its exit reduces OPEC's collective output control and could allow the UAE to pump oil without group restrictions. The impact on crude prices depends on how independently the UAE chooses to operate.
4mo ago · 1 min · Global Affairs
PM Shehbaz discusses global, regional issues during tri-nation tour
PM Shehbaz Sharif completed a three-day tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye, holding bilateral meetings with top leadership and attending the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. The visits focused on bilateral relations and regional peace, though no specific agreements were announced. Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and Information
4mo ago · 1 min · Global Affairs
U.S.-Iran tension will not deter Haj pilgrims, say officials
Indian officials confirmed that U.S.-Iran tensions will not affect this year's Haj pilgrimage schedule, with the first batch of pilgrims departing April 18 from multiple embarkation points across India. The reassurance addresses concerns among pilgrims tracking regional instability near Gulf travel corridors. No
4mo ago · 1 min · Global Affairs
The global supply reset: The Middle East, still the core, but under pressure
The Middle East holds its position as the core of global oil supply but faces rising pressure from geopolitical friction, non-OPEC output growth, and buyer diversification. Concentrated spare capacity still gives OPEC+ producers pricing influence, though that leverage is eroding at the margin. Capital allocation in
4mo ago · 1 min · Global Affairs
Prince Al Waleed's Kingdom Holding to acquire majority stake in Al Hilal
Kingdom Holding Company, controlled by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, is set to acquire a majority stake in Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal. The move brings one of the Arab world's largest private investment firms into Saudi sports ownership, aligning with Vision 2030's sports and entertainment push. Financial terms have n
4mo ago · 1 min · Business
Saudi Arabia-hosted Asian Cup draw rescheduled due to US-Israel war on Iran
The 2027 AFC Asian Cup draw, hosted by Saudi Arabia, has been moved from its originally scheduled Saturday to May 9. The rescheduling occurs against the backdrop of the US-Israel military conflict involving Iran, though no formal causal link was stated. May 9 is now the confirmed date for the 24-team tournament draw.
4mo ago · 1 min · Global Affairs
Saudi Arabia pledges $3bn fresh deposit, extends $5bn facility through 2028
Saudi Arabia pledged a $3 billion fresh deposit and extended a $5 billion facility on a multi-year term through 2028, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced at the IMF, World Bank Spring Meetings. The support offsets Pakistan's imminent $3.5 billion UAE loan repayment, which threatened IMF programme reserve targe
4mo ago · 1 min · Global Affairs