07:46

Syria Reconstruction

Syria's al‑Sharaa discusses security, reconstruction with France's Macron and Türkiye's Erdoğan

Syrian President Ahmad al‑Sharaa held separate telephone discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday (9 January), focusing on Syria’s internal security situation, reconstruction efforts and broader regional developments.

12:33

Gaza Strip

Trump expected to announce 'Gaza Board of Peace'

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce the creation of a Gaza “Board of Peace” next week as part of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza, according to reports.

02:30

Yemen crisis

Whereabouts of Yemen's separatist leader deepens rift between Saudi Arabia and UAE

The leader of Yemen’s southern separatists failed to travel to Riyadh for crisis talks on Wednesday, leaving his fate unclear and complicating efforts to contain a military escalation that has widened a rift between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

16:33

Crackdown warning issued

Iran protests escalate as top judge warns of 'no leniency'

Iran’s chief justice has warned protesters there will be “no leniency for those who help the enemy against the Islamic Republic”, as rights groups reported a rising death toll during what observers describe as the country’s biggest wave of unrest in three years.

14:13

U.S. force movements

U.S. military aircraft deploy towards Middle East, OSINT monitoring shows

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources reported a significant movement of U.S. military aircraft towards the Middle East in recent hours. Dozens of U.S. Air Force aerial refuelling tankers and heavy transport aircraft were observed heading eastwards, presumably to staging points in the region.

10:35

SOUTHERN YEMEN

Yemeni separatist leader Zubaidi flees ahead of Saudi-UAE talks in Riyadh

The head of the United Arab Emirates‑backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) of Yemen, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, has fled to an unknown location on Wednesday (7 January), skipping a scheduled flight to Riyadh for crisis talks, according to Saudi‑backed coalition officials.

09:15

Iran–Israel tensions

Iran executes man accused of spying for Israel

Iran has executed a man accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, the country’s judiciary reported on Wednesday, 7 January, amid an intensifying campaign against alleged foreign agents.

16:25

Iran criticises U.S.

Iran slams U.S. ‘abduction’ of Maduro, calls for his release

Iran has denounced the U.S. detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, describing the operation as an ‘abduction’ and calling for his immediate release.

13:23

Ceasefire under strain

Israeli air strikes in Gaza and Lebanon test fragile ceasefires

Israeli air strikes in Gaza and Lebanon have raised fresh concerns about the durability of ceasefire agreements, after deadly attacks were reported in both territories.

12:29

Iran protests crackdown

Iran protests: Rights group says 29 killed and more than 1,200 arrested

At least 29 people have been killed and more than 1,200 arrested during a fresh wave of unrest in Iran, a U.S.-based rights organisation says.

15:24

Tehran–Baku relations

Iran’s foreign minister stresses closer ties with Azerbaijan

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stressed the need to expand comprehensive relations between Tehran and Baku, describing his visit to Azerbaijan last December as “constructive”.

15:20

Security stance restated

Iran says it does not trust Israel

Iran does not trust Israel and remains fully prepared to defend its national sovereignty against any potential threats, the country’s foreign ministry spokesperson has said.

14:51

Israel–Türkiye tensions

Israeli minister calls Türkiye an “enemy state”

Israel’s minister for diaspora affairs, Amichai Chikli, has called on Israel to “cut ties” with Türkiye, describing the country as an “enemy state”.

13:31

Iran unrest crisis

Iran faces mounting unrest as economic collapse deepens and U.S., Israel pressure grows

Iran’s leadership is facing its most acute challenge in years as violent unrest driven by economic hardship coincides with renewed military warnings from the United States and Israel.

01:25

Black Sea

Erdoğan says Russia-Ukraine war risks Black Sea trade

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has warned that the Russia-Ukraine war is now threatening trade in the Black Sea.

18:02

Iran’s N-program

Iran’s N-program target of U.S.-Israel sabotage for 30 years

The Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami unveiled that the country’s civilian nuclear program has been the target of industrial sabotage by the Israeli and the U.S. intelligent agencies for the last three decades.

23:07

Iran protest

Fatal clashes as protests over Iran’s economic crisis intensify

Several people have been killed during nationwide unrest in Iran, according to Iranian media and rights groups, as protests over currency collapse and soaring prices escalated into violence across multiple provinces.

07:53

UN chief condemns

UN chief condemns Israeli law blocking electricity, water for UNRWA facilities

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned a move by Israel to ban electricity or water to facilities owned by the UN Palestinian refugee agency, a UN spokesperson said.

04:46

Middle East

Iran labels Royal Canadian Navy a terrorist organisation

Iran has declared the Royal Canadian Navy a terrorist organisation in response to Canada’s decision to blacklist the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, escalating already tense relations between the two countries.

04:09

Iran protests

Iran faces growing unrest as protests spread to universities over economic struggles

Protests in Iran over soaring prices and a plunging rial have spread to universities in Tehran, as students join shopkeepers and bazaar merchants in demanding government action. With inflation above 42% and the rial at record lows, unrest continues to grow across the country.