Washington
24 stories from Middle East Affairs.
U.S. analysis: Iran willing to absorb costs of prolonged conflict
A New York Times report citing U.S. officials says Iran's leadership believes it can sustain a prolonged confrontation while Iranian civilians bear economic hardship.
Three experts assess path to US-Iran deal as conflict deepens
The conflict between the US and Iran appears to be hardening, with little prospect for near-term agreement despite US pressure campaigns combining military strikes and economic sanctions.
Trump sends envoys to Moscow and Kyiv with peace proposal
US President Donald Trump is sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv with a proposal to end the war in Ukraine.
US pushes for Sudan humanitarian truce and peace plan
The Trump administration is urgently pressing for a humanitarian truce in Sudan that would allow increased aid access and a broader peace plan to compel the warring parties to meet their obligations to civilians.
Trump says US could strike Iran site "very soon"
President Trump said Friday the US could strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain site soon and characterized the ongoing military confrontation as minor.
US widens Iran financial crackdown as Bank Melli shutters overseas
The US Treasury announced a new sanctions campaign against Iran and designated Bank Melli, the Iranian state's largest bank, requiring all its foreign branches to close; Britain sanctioned Melli Bank plc, the institution's London subsidiary, though it continues to operate under a general license.
Iranians weigh Trump's calls to resist amid shifting US priorities
Some Iranians expressing doubt about whether to heed Trump's calls to rise up against their government, citing months of shifting US policy between supporting protesters and negotiating with Tehran.
U.S. targets Iran's largest bank as Britain weighs shuttering London subsidiary
The U.S. Treasury designated Bank Melli, Iran's largest state bank, in a new sanctions campaign, while the British government holds the key to shuttering its London subsidiary.
U.S. tightens Iran bank sanctions as Britain holds firm on license
The U.S. Treasury designated Bank Melli and demanded closure of all foreign branches, while Britain has sanctioned the bank's London subsidiary but left its banking license intact.
Trump threatens imminent strike on Iranian military site
President Trump said the United States may soon strike an Iranian military site, as administration officials signaled economic and military pressure on Tehran.
US tightens grip on Iran's shadow financial networks
The US is intensifying efforts to sever Iran's decades-old financial networks that have sustained the country under sanctions.
Venezuela's Oil Output Unlikely to Surge Past 1.3m Barrels Daily by Decade's End
Venezuela is unlikely to add more than 300,000 barrels per day of output by 2030 despite $100 billion in planned investments, with most new projects not arriving until the mid-2030s.
Israeli defence minister says forced transfer plan frozen, not abandoned
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said a plan to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza is frozen rather than abandoned, and requires U.S. support that is not currently forthcoming.
Trump says oil flow through Strait of Hormuz returning to pre-war levels
Trump said oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz has returned to pre-war levels as the U.S. military escorts cargo ships and repels Iranian attacks in the vital waterway.
South Korea considers role in Strait of Hormuz security
South Korea said Friday it is considering a contribution to securing the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating U.S.-Iran clashes, as Tehran launched new strikes on American interests and vowed retaliation for a wedding airstrike.
Al-Nujaba refuses disarmament, stays outside Iraqi politics
Al-Nujaba, an Iran-aligned armed faction, has rejected pressure to surrender weapons and reiterated its refusal to join Iraq's formal political process.
Netanyahu says toppling Iran government "within reach" as U.S., Iran trade strikes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that overthrowing Iran's government is "within reach," as the United States and Iran exchanged military strikes this week.
Arab states dominate major power deals in August
Arab states accounted for the largest electricity deals in August 2026, with major projects in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and Morocco, according to a monthly report by Energy Platform.
Brent surges 7.6% on week as US-Iran clashes deepen
Brent crude rose 7.6 per cent this week as military clashes between the US and Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, lifting fuel prices globally and deepening concerns about inflation.
Trump hints at potential military action against Iran nuclear site
President Trump suggested the United States might attack Iran's fortified nuclear facility near Natanz, characterizing any such conflict as a limited military operation.
Libya's state oil company denies welfare spending figures
Libya's National Oil Corporation issued a statement Thursday denying figures circulating about spending on what some outlets had described as welfare provisions.
UAE explores AI-powered materials discovery as next economic frontier
The UAE is positioning itself to use its AI infrastructure advantage to accelerate the discovery of advanced materials, which experts argue could anchor its transition to a knowledge-based economy.
Iran attacks Kuwait as fighting with U.S. intensifies
Iran launched attacks on Kuwait on Thursday, part of an intensifying exchange of strikes with the United States that included American bombing of a wedding in Iran.
Forest fires threaten solar power stations across Europe and Middle East
Forest fires have increased sharply across Europe and parts of the Arab world, threatening solar power stations and prompting calls for protective measures.
