Reports of a missile attack on a Saudi-linked commercial vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, reportedly killing three crew members, two Pakistanis and one Indonesian, are the latest warning that the Red Sea shipping crisis is becoming harder for commercial operators to ignore. The details of the reported incident are still developing, and there has…
The latest tensions in the Middle East are revealing a problem that could become more important than the fighting itself: the countries involved increasingly disagree on what an acceptable end to the conflict actually looks like. US President Donald Trump has backed a 15-point framework for Gaza that would involve Hamas disarming, followed by a…
The latest developments around the Strait of Hormuz are exposing a bigger problem than whether commercial ships can return to the waterway: international rules are struggling to keep pace with a geopolitical crisis. Iran and Oman are reportedly close to an arrangement that would create separate routes for ships travelling through the strait, with discussions…
The continuing conflict involving Iran is creating a strange situation in the global energy market: oil companies are making much more money at the same time that higher energy prices are putting pressure on consumers and businesses. Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil and Chevron are among the major energy companies benefiting from the sharp changes in oil…
Nigeria is once again facing the uncomfortable side of its dependence on crude oil. Global oil prices fell sharply after the United States signalled a move back towards diplomacy with Iran, with Brent crude dropping about 7% to settle at $83.77 a barrel on Monday. Nigerian crude was dragged lower after recently trading above $85,…
Just days after the United States appeared to be on the brink of another military confrontation with Iran, President Donald Trump has announced that direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran will begin, following his decision to shelve planned military strikes. Trump said the talks are expected to start Monday and expressed optimism that diplomacy could…
U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that American military strikes inside Iran will continue, a declaration that suggests the conflict is entering a new phase with no immediate end in sight. While the latest announcement focuses on military action, its biggest implications may be economic and geopolitical rather than tactical. Speaking after the latest escalation,…
The United States has launched a fresh wave of heavy airstrikes against Iran, targeting dozens of facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in the latest escalation of the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces completed the operation at about 10 p.m. Eastern Time on…
Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia have stepped up diplomatic efforts to strengthen regional security and maritime cooperation in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, as Gulf nations seek to safeguard one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes. The discussions come amid efforts to maintain stability following months of heightened tensions in the Middle East….
U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House today for high-level talks focused on the Middle East, as a fragile pause in direct military exchanges between the United States and Iran creates room for renewed diplomacy. The meeting comes amid ongoing mediation efforts led by Qatar and Pakistan,…
