15:13

Middle East conflict

Fighting between Israel and Iran continues as U.S. and French militaries report deaths - Friday, 13 March 2026

Israel and Iran continued to exchange strikes on Friday (13 March), as the U.S. and French militaries reported deaths in Iraq, and the U.N. launched a $325 million appeal to help Lebanon, where a seventh of the population have left their homes since fighting began. 

14:28

Middle East Conflict

Prices soar in Turkmenistan as Iran war continues

Prices are rising sharply in Turkmenistan after the war disrupted imports from neighbouring Iran, a major supplier of fruit, vegetables, construction materials and cigarettes. Retailers and consumers warn the shortages are already driving up costs.

12:44

Gas imports

EU set to ease gas approval rules to secure supplies

The European Commission will instruct governments to be flexible in enforcing EU rules on gas imports, diplomats told Reuters on Thursday (12 March), a move likely to benefit imports from Azerbaijan.

10:12

Synagogue attack

Temple Israel attack: Suspect named as Ayman Ghazali, key details so far

Ayman Ghazali, a 41-year-old U.S. citizen born in Lebanon, crashed his truck into the hallway of a Detroit-area synagogue on Thursday (12 March) while children attended preschool. Security personnel shot him dead during the confrontation, and authorities said no one else was seriously injured.

23:59

Middle East Conflict

Strait of Hormuz blockade should continue says Iran's new Supreme Leader: Middle East conflict on 12 March

Iran should continue “blocking the Strait of Hormuz,” while the U.S. should “shut” its Middle East military bases, new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said on Thursday in his first speech since being elected. He is still yet to appear in public, and a broadcaster read out his words.

23:50

Middle East tensions

U.S. needs to 'shut down' Middle East military bases: Mojtaba Khamenei - Thursday, 12 March

The U.S. should shut down its military bases in the Middle East, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday (12 March). His words were read out by a broadcaster on state Iranian television.

21:42

View from Iran

Iran lays down pre-conditions for end to Israel-US war

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has set recognition of Tehran’s inalienable rights, payment of war compensation, and international guarantees against any future invasion as conditions for ending the U.S.–Israel war with the Islamic Republic.

21:03

Middle East Conflict

Iran should continue 'blocking the Strait of Hormuz' Mojtaba Khamenei says in first statement

New Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said Iran should continue ‘blocking the Strait of Hormuz’ in his first statement since his election, read out on Iranian State television on Thursday (12 March).

19:58

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

15 Turkish ships in blockaded Strait of Hormuz, transport minister says

Fifteen Turkish-owned vessels remain stranded in the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, Türkiye’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said on Wednesday.

07:47

Middle East conflict

World Cup: Iran pulls out of 2026 tournament after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes

Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali has announced on state television that Iran will not participate in the FIFA tournament, calling the United States a "corrupt" regime. Iran are currently grouped with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.

23:30

Middle East conflict

'Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel': Iran's warning to world - Middle East conflict on 11 March

“Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel," a spokesman for the Iranian Army warned the world on Wednesday (11 March), as attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz escalated. Meanwhile, 32 countries agreed to the largest ever release of oil reserves in an attempt to reduce prices. 

21:03

Costa in Baku

EU Council president visits Azerbaijan, condemns Iran strikes, reaffirms solidarity

President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, visited Azerbaijan on Wednesday. A meeting between Costa and President Ilham Aliyev was held to reaffirm the European Union’s support amid regional security concerns, particularly following recent Iranian attacks on Nakhchivan Airport.

19:24

Middle East Conflict

UK sends HMS Dragon to Eastern Mediterranean following drone strike on Cyprus base

Britain has deployed the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon to the eastern Mediterranean to strengthen protection for its military assets in the Middle East after a drone strike targeted a key UK air base in Cyprus earlier this month.

19:03

Oil Prices

IEA agrees record 400m-barrel oil release as Iran war disrupts global supply

Member countries of the International Energy Agency have unanimously agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to stabilise global markets disrupted by the war involving Iran.

17:12

Middle East Conflict

Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei 'safe and sound' after alleged attack

Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly in good health and staying in a “safe place”, despite earlier reports that he had been injured during recent U.S.-Israel airstrikes, according to the country's president.

16:20

Middle East Conflict

Iran conflict slashes Middle East tourism, costing $600M daily

The escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran is already hitting the Middle East travel and tourism sector hard, with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimating losses of at least $600 million per day in international visitor spending.

14:39

Middle East conflict

British police ban planned pro-Iranian London march to prevent 'serious public disorder'

The annual pro-Palestinian al-Quds Day march in London, scheduled to take place on Sunday, has been banned by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood following warnings from the Metropolitan Police about the risk of “serious public disorder.”

12:33

View from Iran

Isfahan: Centuries-old sites damaged in U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran’s historic city

Centuries-old palaces and mosques in Isfahan, Iran’s celebrated cultural capital, lie in ruins after a series of air raids struck the city’s historic centre, leaving officials to warn of a devastating loss to both national and global heritage. AnewZ’s Touraj Shiralilou visited the city.

12:14

Middle East conflict

U.S. and Iran exchange threats - Tuesday, 10 March

Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.

23:33

Middle East conflict

U.S. warns of 'most intense' day of attacks so far: Middle East conflict on 10 March

Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."

20:13

Explainer

Why the Strait of Hormuz is vital for global energy and trade

The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.

19:01

Central Asia weather

Central Asian forecasters dismiss Iran 'acid cloud' rumours

Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.

16:48

Airspace warning

No justification for targeting Türkiye, Erdoğan tells Iran leader in phone call

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told Masoud Pezeshkian, his Iranian counterpart, that violations of Turkish airspace by Iran could not be justified “for any reason whatsoever.”

11:46

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan evacuates nearly 200 citizens from the Middle East

Azerbaijan is evacuating nearly 200 people from the Middle East on a special charter flight departing from Oman.