Middle East

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made an unannounced weekend visit to Abu Dhabi to meet with UAE leadership. The undisclosed trip comes amid ongoing regional tensions.

The US and Iran have separately engaged multiple mediators in an attempt to revive indirect talks aimed at ending the prolonged military confrontation. The new mediation effort comes amid escalating regional tensions.

According to US Central Command and CBS News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented a seven-day plan to the United States on Friday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart broader ceasefire talks. Analysts see the timing as closely tied to the approaching US midterm elections, although US officials signaled they are not in a rush to accept the proposed terms.

Pakistan and Turkiye Move Closer to Saudi Camp as Red Sea Conflict Reshapes Alliances Core Summary Pakistan and Turkiye are reportedly moving closer to joining Saudi Arabia’s military campaign against Yemen’s Houthi movement, with the two countries holding talks on intelligence sharing, logistics, and possible joint deployments. If either country formally intervenes, the long-running Red Sea and Gulf conflict will deepen, with significant knock-on effects for global shipping, energy markets, and the internal coordination of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. ...

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu defended his country’s military operations in the Middle East during his UN General Assembly address, but several delegations walked out before he took the podium, according to BBC and other outlets. The walkout highlights persistent disagreements between Israel and multiple states over post-war Gaza arrangements and regional military activity, deepening divisions inside the multilateral forum.

CBS News reports that Iran’s president publicly labeled US military strikes against Iran as cowardly, prompting US President Trump to threaten annihilation in a sharp exchange that has escalated Middle East tensions further.

U.S. President Trump warned at the U.N. General Assembly that America could ‘annihilate’ Iran militarily, but also expects a new deal after the November midterm elections. The remarks reflect a dual-track strategy of maximum pressure and parallel diplomacy.

Iran signaled the Strait of Hormuz could reopen within a week, prompting a swift response in global crude markets with WTI falling to $89 a barrel. Bitcoin steadied near $86,000 after a softer Asian session, with risk appetite lifting as oil prices declined.

The Guardian reported that US President Trump called off a major airstrike campaign against the Houthis at the last minute, after which the Houthis moved to seize strategically significant terrain across multiple parts of Yemen. The rapid shift has prompted widespread international concern about Middle Eastern security, the coherence of US Middle East policy, and the safety of Red Sea shipping.

Al Jazeera reports that Israeli forces operating near the West Bank city of Jenin killed a Palestinian. The incident highlights the ongoing tension of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the West Bank, with the international community expressing concern and calling for restraint.