Kuwait
Vance, Caine warn Trump against Iran escalation as US pauses air strikes
The US military had not announced new air strikes on Iran as of July 26, the first pause since Washington's bombing campaign began nearly two weeks earlier, after Vice President JD Vance and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen.
Iran war closes Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb simultaneously for first time ever
For the first time since records began, both of the Middle East's great oil chokepoints are shut at once for the first time ever. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed since February 28, and now Bab al-Mandeb Strait is also shut.
EU condemns Yemeni attack on Saudi tanker in Red Sea
A fire broke out aboard the Saudi tanker Encelia after it was struck by a projectile 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shuqaiq. The Houthis claim attacks on two vessels for breaching their blockade. All crew are reported safe.
Iraq's al-Zaidi to visit Tehran with offer to host Iran-US talks
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is set to visit Tehran late this week with an offer to host direct or indirect talks between Washington and Tehran, in a bid to stop the latest US-Iran confrontation widening into a regional war.
Qatar, Egypt and Pakistan propose 10-day truce between Iran and US
Regional mediators including Qatar, Egypt and Pakistan have proposed a ten-day truce between Iran and the US covering a ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as both sides weigh the offer.
Iran hits targets in three Gulf countries and Jordan as seventh night amid American strikes
Iran struck US military targets in four countries, hitting a fuel pier in Kuwait and an air base in Bahrain, as a seventh night of American strikes on Iran's Gulf coast cut water supplies and destroyed bridges.
Iran claims strikes on US aircraft in Jordan, radar sites in Oman, as Chabahar tower destroyed
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it destroyed US aircraft at bases in Jordan and radar sites in Oman, as a US strike levelled the control tower at Chabahar port. The claims on US losses remain unverified.
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UAE clarifies rules for five-year multiple-entry tourist visa
Dubai's residency directorate has clarified terms for the UAE's five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, allowing stays of up to 180 days a year with no sponsor, as the emirate's population growth slows from 6% to a projected 1%.
Hormuz stays closed until US accepts Iranian rule of the strait, Iran's army says
Iran's army says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington accepts Iranian legal authority over the waterway, confirming strikes on shipping and warning Gulf neighbours that hosting US forces will not go unanswered.
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Iran claims strikes on weapons depots in Bahrain, drones in Kuwait
Iran's IRGC says it struck weapons depots at Bahrain's Sheikh Isa base and drones at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem base under Operation Nasr 2, retaliation it says will continue while US strikes persist.
Tankers stack up off Fujairah as Hormuz becomes contested chokepoint
Ship-tracking data shows tankers clustering at anchorages off Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and Sohar rather than transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as a US cargo levy, Iranian tolls and mining claims turn the waterway into a contested chokepoint.
Iran's IRGC says two supertankers struck and disabled in mined Hormuz corridor
Two supertankers were hit and disabled after transiting a mined corridor in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, hours after Washington declared a blockade on Iranian shipping and a 20% cargo levy.
Trump reinstates Hormuz blockade on Iranian shipping, imposes 20% transit levy on all cargo
Washington will bar Iranian vessels and their customers from the Strait of Hormuz and charge a 20% levy on all other cargo transiting the chokepoint, which carries a fifth of global oil, in a sharp escalation of the US-Iran conflict.
Iran keeps door open to US talks as Hormuz crisis deepens
Iran says diplomacy remains active and contacts with Pakistan, Qatar and Oman are continuing, even as it accuses the US of wrecking the ceasefire memorandum and blocking safe passage through Hormuz.
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Iran says it has established safe maritime corridor through Hormuz
Iran says it has established a temporary safe maritime corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and notified the IMO, accusing the US of pushing vessels towards a dangerous southern route.
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Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority declares Hormuz transit 'impossible'
Iran's newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority has declared transit through the Strait of Hormuz impossible, citing US military activity and formalising the closure of the world's most important oil chokepoint.
Saudi Arabia, Canada launch investment treaty talks as Carney visits Jeddah
Saudi Arabia and Canada have agreed to open negotiations on an investment protection treaty during Mark Carney's Jeddah visit, the first by a Canadian leader in 26 years, with mining at the centre.
ING: Oil bounces on Persian Gulf re-escalation
The re-escalation of fighting in the Persian Gulf in the last days has reignited supply concerns, pushing oil prices higher amid questions about the direction of US-Iran peace talks, ING said in a note.
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Tanker struck by drone near Strait of Hormuz, UK maritime authorities annouce
A tanker transiting near the Strait of Hormuz has been struck by an unidentified drone, sustaining minor hull damage, with no casualties reported, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency says.
Islamic Development Bank eyes $1.4bn funding for Kazakhstan road corridor
The Islamic Development Bank has signed an MOU to support Kazakhstan's Kyzylorda-Saksaulsk road corridor, opening the way for up to $1.4bn in funding. Find out how the project fits Kazakhstan's push to become a transit and logistics hub.