Yemen

COMMENT: The US naval blockade of Iran won't work

Ben Aris in Berlin April 13, 2026

The US is moving to choke Iran’s oil lifeline. The market is starting to price something much bigger because the Trump administration naval blockade of Iran is not going to work.

Trump orders naval blockage of Iran in a new shockwave for energy markets

Ben Aris in Berlin April 12, 2026

Following the collapse of ceasefire talks this weekend US President Donald Trump has ordered a full naval blockade of shipping into and out of the Persian Gulf.

US naval showdown with Iran in strait of Hormuz

Ben Aris in Berlin April 11, 2026

As talks got underway in Islamabad between Iran and the US to find a ceasefire formula, a dramatic showdown was playing out in the Strait of Hormuz, as several US Navy vessels attempted to sneak through and exit the Persian Gulf,

Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin

bne IntelliNews April 10, 2026

Iran's central military command says forces remain "on the trigger" and vows to keep control of the Strait of Hormuz, hours before US-Iran ceasefire talks are due to begin at Islamabad's Serena Hotel.

US-Iran ceasefire eases oil prices but Gulf economies showing strain – Oxford Economics

Ben Aris in Berlin April 10, 2026

A fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran has led to a sharp fall in oil prices, but fresh data points to mounting economic damage across Gulf economies and rising uncertainty in Egypt.

US-Europe relations strains bring Nato alliance close to breaking point

Ben Aris in Berlin April 8, 2026

The West is discussing a new defence alliance format to replace Nato that would include Ukraine. Nato's current form is ineffective, so it is worth creating a new defence structure.

Ukraine’s hope for a peace deal with Russia rekindled by Iran ceasefire

Ben Aris in Berlin April 8, 2026

Ukraine’s hopes for restarting peace talks with Russia have been rekindled after a two-week ceasefire deal in Iran was agreed on April 7.

Oman rules out transit fees in Strait of Hormuz despite ceasefire proposal

Ben Aris in Berlin April 8, 2026

Oman has said it will not impose the $2mn transit fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz that were part of the two-week ceasefire deal agreed on April 7, reaffirming its adherence to longstanding international agreements.

Ceasefire: Iran, US agree to two-week Gulf War pause and 10-point plan

Ben Aris in Berlin April 8, 2026

In a last-minute deal, US President Donald Trump pulled the world back from the brink of a massive escalation in the Gulf War and announced he had agreed to a two week suspension of military operations against Iran after he agreed to a 10-point plan.

Iranian crude trades at a premium to Brent after US waives sanctions

Ben Aris in Berlin April 7, 2026

Iranian Light crude is trading at a $1 premium to the benchmark Brent price since the US waived a sanctions-ban on buying Iran crude already at sea to ease prices on the international market.

Russia shares Israel key power sector targeting intelligence for a possible Iranian Power Day retaliation

Ben Aris in Berlin April 7, 2026

With US President Donald Trump’s Power Day deadline looming, where he has promised to do “irreversible damage” to Iran's power grid, Russia has reportedly provided Iran with intelligence of the weaknesses of Israel’s power system.

Trump’s global disapproval reaches all-time high - Gallup

Ben Aris in Berlin April 7, 2026

A record 48% of adults worldwide now disapprove of the United States’ leadership, marking the highest level since tracking began, according to Gallup.

Iran and US-Israeli coalition trade tit-for-tat missiles strikes as Trump’s Power Plant Day deadline looms

Ben Aris in Berlin April 7, 2026

The clock is running down on US President Donald Trump’s “Power Day” deadline, where he has threatened to destroy Iran’s entire power sector, that could lead to major escalation in the Gulf war.

Tehran rejects Pakistan's two-phase peace plan, offers its own 10-point plan

Ben Aris in Berlin April 6, 2026

Tehran responds to Pakistan's two-phase peace plan Tehran has responded to Pakistan's two-phase peace plan which calls for 45 day ceasefire followed by negotiations to bring about a more lasting peace in the Iran conflict in a second phase.

Pakistan proposes a two-phase ceasefire deal to Iran war

Ben Aris in Berlin April 6, 2026

Pakistan is proposing a two-phase ceasefire to the escalating war in Iran ahead of US President Donald Trump’s deadline threatening to destroy the country's power sector that would lead to a massive escalation.

US pilot shot down in Iran rescued in prelude to possible ground invasion

Ben Aris in Berlin April 5, 2026

A dramatic game of cat and mouse played out in the mountains of Iran in the last few days following the Downing of an F15E Strike Eagle by an Iranian missile as US Special Forces searched for and eventually extracted one of its airmen.

Mission Impossible: Trump’s Iran campaign faces mounting setbacks as asymmetric tactics bite

Ben Aris in Berlin April 5, 2026

Iran's elite IRGC troops and mountain villagers joined forces in a manhunt for a down US pilot after Iran shot down a F-15 jet fighter over its territory. The US flew in special forces to try and find him.

This is "the worst oil crisis in history", says Goldman Sachs

Ben Aris in Berlin April 5, 2026

US investment bank Goldman Sachs says we are facing the “worst oil crisis in history” as a result of the shutdown of Gulf state hydrocarbon exports.

Rosatom warns of nuclear risk after reported strike near Iran's Bushehr plant

Ben Aris in Berlin April 5, 2026

Rosatom says a strike breached the protection circuit of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, warning the risk of a catastrophic nuclear incident is rising sharply as Russian personnel are evacuated from the site.

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