Middle East conflict

Oil falls as Lebanon-Israel truce eases wider Middle East war fears

Oil prices fell on April 17 as traders bet a newly announced 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon could help cool the wider war in the Middle East, Reuters reported on April 17.

17 April, 12:27 PM

Iran says U.S. agreed to free assets, but Washington rejects claim during talks

Iran says the United States agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks, but Washington denies that any such agreement was reached, Reuters reported on April 11.

11 April, 07:31 PM

U.S. warships cross Hormuz without Iran’s approval in first wartime challenge

Several U.S. Navy ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 11 without coordinating the passage with Iran, the first such incident since the war with Iran began, Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported, citing a U.S. official.

11 April, 06:05 PM

Israel pounds Lebanon, killing 303 as Hezbollah fires back and truce frays

At least 303 people were killed and 1,150 wounded in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon on April 8, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said, according to CNN on April 9.

10 April, 11:07 AM

Pope Leo XIV may skip U.S. visit during Trump presidency over policy disputes

Pope Leo XIV may forgo a visit to the United States during President Donald Trump’s term due to disagreements over U.S. policy on immigration and war, focusing instead on humanitarian trips, The Independent reported on April 8.

9 April, 09:30 PM

IMF, World Bank warn Middle East war will drive up fuel and food prices

The war in the Middle East has driven up oil, gas and fertilizer prices, pushing fuel and food costs higher and worsening food insecurity as logistical disruptions deepen, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Food Program said in a joint statement on April 8.

9 April, 11:31 AM

Pentagon expands Iran energy targets to avoid war crimes accusations

The Pentagon is expanding its list of potential targets in Iran to include energy facilities that supply fuel and electricity to both civilians and the military, creating a possible legal workaround if the Trump administration faces accusations of war crimes for striking critical infrastructure, Politico reported on April 6.

7 April, 12:06 PM

Israel hits South Pars plant and kills IRGC commander, jolting ceasefire diplomacy

Israel struck a key petrochemical plant at Iran’s massive South Pars natural gas field and killed a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, complicating Washington-Tehran efforts to reach a ceasefire, The Associated Press reported on April 6.

6 April, 04:30 PM

Trump seeks $1.5 trillion defense outlay from Congress

U.S. President Donald Trump will ask Congress to approve a hike in defense spending to $1.5 trillion in his budget proposal, Bloomberg reported on April 3, citing White House bulletins.

3 April, 08:45 PM

Ukraine-Iran wars draw more countries in as battlefield links deepen

The wars in Ukraine and Iran are becoming increasingly intertwined, drawing more countries into both conflicts, The Guardian reported on April 2.

2 April, 03:37 PM

Reported Iranian drone strike sets Kuwait airport fuel tanks ablaze

Iranian drone strikes hit fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport, sparking a major fire, Al Jazeera reported on April 1, citing a Kuwaiti civil aviation official.

1 April, 05:00 PM

Rubio says U.S.-Iran war is nearing an end as direct talks remain in play

Washington’s war against Iran is entering its “final stretch,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 31, Sky News reported.

1 April, 11:13 AM

Zelenskyy alerts Middle East leaders to possible Iranian ground operation

The use of FPV drones by Iran to attack a helicopter in Iraq may indicate that Tehran is preparing for a ground operation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Axios on March 30.

31 March, 04:33 PM

Trump ready to end Iran war even without full opening of Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump has told his aides he is prepared to conclude the war against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened, The Wall Street Journal reported on March 30.

31 March, 12:29 PM

No U.S. weapons redirected from Ukraine to Middle East – Zelenskyy

The United States has not redirected weapons from Ukraine to the Middle East, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during an online briefing with Ukrainian and foreign journalists on March 28, according to news agency Interfax-Ukraine.

28 March, 08:47 PM

Pentagon drafting four ‘final blow’ options on Iran for Trump

The Pentagon is preparing “final blow” options against Iran for President Donald Trump that could include ground operations and a large-scale bombing campaign, Axios reported on March 26, citing sources.

26 March, 08:50 PM

Ukraine peace talks at deadlock over territory, Stubb says

Finnish President Alexander Stubb believes negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine have hit a dead end, Norwegian broadcaster VG reported on March 26.

26 March, 06:08 PM

Pentagon considers redirecting weapons intended for Ukraine to Middle East

Pentagon is considering redirecting weapons intended for Ukraine to the Middle East as the war against Iran depletes some of the U.S. military's most critical munitions, The Washington Post reported on March 26, citing three sources.

26 March, 02:35 PM

Trump team reviewing $200 oil scenario in case of prolonged Iran war

U.S. officials under President Donald Trump are examining the possible consequences of oil prices reaching $200 per barrel if the war with Iran drags on, Bloomberg reported on March 26, citing sources familiar with the matter.

26 March, 12:04 PM

European bases enable U.S. strikes on Iran despite public criticism from leaders

European bases are enabling U.S. military operations against Iran despite public criticism from regional leaders, The Wall Street Journal reported.

24 March, 10:41 AM

Middle East conflict

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