19:21

Middle East Conflict

U.S. counterterrorism head Kent resigns, says 'cannot in good conscience support' Iran war

Joseph Kent, head of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on Tuesday (17 March), becoming the most senior official in President Donald Trump’s administration to step down over the war in Iran. Kent cited his opposition to the conflict, stating that Tehran posed no imminent threat.

15:55

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

The real power of the Strait of Hormuz

The real power of the Strait of Hormuz lies not in closing it, but in the threat of closure.

00:00

Middle East conflict

Trump says Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei not seen after strike – Latest on Middle East crisis

President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore navigation and stabilise oil markets. It comes as a strike near Iraq’s western border killed several Hashed al-Shaabi fighters, raising regional tensions.

15:45

Middle East conflict

Middle East conflict casts a long shadow over Africa's fuel and food supply

The other evening, I was fuelling my car at a petrol station in Kenya’s capital. It was one of those small moments most motorists barely notice. The attendant filled the tank, I glanced at the pump price, paid, and drove off.

18:15

Politics

Ukraine seeks funding and technology in exchange for Middle East drone support

Ukraine wants money and technology in return for helping Middle Eastern nations that have sought its expertise as they defend against Iranian kamikaze drones, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, after Kyiv sent specialists to the region.

16:37

Politics

Six more people evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan

The process of evacuating foreign diplomats and citizens from Iran to Azerbaijan through the Astara state border crossing continues on Sunday (15 March), ensuring smooth and efficient transit for those arriving. 

10:11

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief - 15 March, 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 15 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.

09:00

Middle East tension

Trump threatens more attacks on Iran’s Kharg Island, presses allies on Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran vowed to step up its response and the war showed no sign of ending on Sunday ( 15 March).

23:19

Middle East Conflict

Six U.S. service members killed in Iraq plane crash: Middle East conflict on 13 March

All six U.S. service members aboard a plane that crashed in western on Iraq on Thursday have died, the U.S. military confirmed on Friday (13 March). Meanwhile, one French soldier was killed in a drone attack in the Erbil region of northern Iraq, President Emmanuel Macron announced.

17:08

Middle East Conflict

Third ballistic missile fired at Türkiye after sirens heard over key airbase

NATO air-defence systems in the Eastern Mediterranean “neutralised” a third ballistic missile fired towards Türkiye, the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Friday.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

18:45

Middle East

What the Middle East war means for Türkiye's economy

The economic consequences of war rarely remain confined to the battlefield. They ripple through markets, supply chains and investor confidence. For Türkiye, at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Eurasia, the economic shockwaves from the latest Middle East crisis are already being felt.

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. 

18:41

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

Trump-Starmer call fails to ease growing rift over U.S. strikes on Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke by phone on Sunday as tensions between Washington and Westminster deepened over the conflict involving Iran. The call came less than a day after Trump criticised Britain’s response to U.S. strikes on Iranian targets.

15:24

View from Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan evacuates over 7,300 citizens from Middle East as tensions rise

Kazakhstan has evacuated more than 7,300 citizens from the Middle East since regional tensions escalated, using both air and land routes to bring nationals home while closely monitoring political developments and potential economic effects linked to rising oil prices.

08:18

Middle East conflict

Mojtaba Khamenei: Global reactions trail Iran’s new supreme leader, oil prices rise

Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.

07:59

Conflict

Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills six Palestinians

 An Israeli air strike and tank shelling killed six Palestinians, including two girls, in Gaza City on Sunday (8 March) in two separate attacks, local health officials say.