10:32

Middle East Conflict

live Iran signals strategic edge as Hormuz closure complicates U.S. talks - Middle East conflict on 19 April

Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is open, lifting markets and sending oil lower. Meanwhile the U.S. blockade remains in place as President Donald Trump warns the ceasefire may not be extended. Talks continue as a fragile Israel-Lebanon truce holds, while the regional death toll has surpassed 5,000.

18:34

Expert View

Israel–Lebanon ceasefire at risk as 'incompatible' interpretations emerge

Lebanon and Israel have a “fundamentally incompatible” understanding of the ceasefire agreed on Thursday (16 April), Dr Nouran El-Bayaa has said.

13:45

Middle East Conflict

Ships attacked as Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again - Middle East conflict on 18 April

Two Indian-flagged ships were shot at in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, India's Foreign Ministry said, as Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again, less than 24 hours after reopening the 167km long sea passage, which is essential for global trade. 

08:50

Middle East tension

Uncertainty persists as Hormuz Strait partially reopens amid tensions

Global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has shown signs of partial recovery after Iran announced it was open to commercial vessels during a limited ceasefire, though uncertainty remains over security conditions and compliance rules. 

23:49

Middle East conflict

Strait of Hormuz reopened, Iran and U.S. say - Middle East conflict on 17 April

Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping on Friday (17 April) for the first time since the U.S. and Israel killed Iran's ex-Supreme Leader in air strikes, triggering the Middle East conflict, at the end of February. A U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, however, remains in force. 

10:24

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief - 17 April, 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 17th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.

09:03

Middle East conflict

Lebanese residents show caution to ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel

Despite celebrations and cheers in Beirut Thursday night, some people who are affected by the conflict in Lebanon are sceptical about the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon announced by U.S. President Trump on Thursday (16 April).

08:43

Middle East conflict

Israel and Lebanon begin ceasefire, Trump says Iran may meet U.S. over weekend

A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect on Thursday at midnight local time and President Donald Trump said the next meeting between the United States and Iran may take place over the weekend, adding to optimism that the Iran war could be nearing an end.

08:13

Middle East conflict

Countries to discuss Hormuz mission for when Middle East conflict ends

France and Britain will chair a meeting on Friday (17 April) of around 40 countries aimed at signalling to the United States that some of its closest allies are ready to play a role in restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow.

07:49

Middle East conflict

World leaders react positively to Israel-Lebanon ceasefire agreement

Nations and organisations and Beirut react positively to the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Lebanese authorities negotiated the pause with Israel after an historic meeting on Tuesday in the U.S with President Donald Trump making the announcement on Thursday 16 April.

15:50

arms exports

German opposition accuses Merz government of fuelling Iran war via Israel arms exports

Germany’s opposition party, The Left, on Thursday accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government of fuelling the war in Iran by exporting arms to Israel, as new figures revealed millions of euros in approved military sales.

07:27

Middle East conflict

Hopes for Middle East peace grow as Israel discusses Lebanon ceasefire

Optimism grew on Thursday that the war in the Middle East may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator in Tehran and the administration of President Donald Trump talking up hopes for a deal that would open the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

07:27

Middle East conflict

Trump says 'good chance' of peace deal between Lebanon and Israel as ceasefire takes effect - Thursday 16 April

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that there was a "good chance" of a peace deal between Lebanon and Israel happening soon, after he announced a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries.

23:48

Middle East conflict

More peace talks likely 'this week' as U.S. completes first day of Iran blockade - Wednesday 15 April

The U.S. and Iran could resume peace talks over the next couple of days, U.S. President Donald Trump has said. Talks between Israel and Lebanon were held in Washington yesterday. Fuel prices have dropped below $100 a barrel. U.S. blockade on Iranian ports completes first day.

10:04

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief - 15 April, 2026

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

07:44

Middle East conflict

Canada, UK, Australia and Japan call for 'urgent end to hostilities in Lebanon'

Canada, the UK, Australia, Japan and six other countries condemned the killings of United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon on Tuesday while calling "for an urgent end to hostilities" in the country where Israeli attacks have killed more than 2,000 people since March.

17:11

Italy Israel

Italy suspends defence agreement with Israel amid rising Middle East tensions

Italy has suspended a long-standing defence cooperation agreement with Israel, marking a sharp shift in relations as tensions in the Middle East escalate.

14:18

View from Iran

Iran demands war compensation from regional states, warns of retaliation over strait blockade

Iran’s mission at the United Nations headquarters in New York has, in a letter to the Secretary-General and the Security Council President, demanded war compensation from five regional states over damages caused during Israeli-U.S. aggression against Iran.

07:50

Middle East conflict

Israel-Lebanon peace talks due to be held in U.S. on Tuesday

Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States will meet later in Washington to discuss a ceasefire, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attending.

09:32

Explainer

Why Israel and Lebanon are set for rare U.S. talks amid escalating conflict

Israeli and Lebanese envoys are set to meet in Washington on Tuesday in a rare U.S.-driven diplomatic effort to halt escalating violence between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.

04:10

Middle East Conflict

Middle East tensions simmer as U.S.–Iran talks loom and strike kills 13- Friday, 10 April

Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.

15:20

Middle East crisis

Lebanon faces worsening food crisis as conflict disrupts supply and drives up prices

Lebanon is sliding deeper into a food security crisis as ongoing regional conflict disrupts supply routes and drives up the cost of basic goods, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned.

11:17

Peace talks

Israel seeks Lebanon talks as strikes threaten U.S.–Iran ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday (9 April) he is seeking direct talks with Beirut, a day after the deadliest bombardment of the war killed more than 250 people in Lebanon and put Donald Trump’s U.S.–Iran ceasefire at risk.

07:47

Middle East conflict

U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal shows strain ahead of talks with oil flows squeezed

A fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran showed further strain on Friday, a day before they are to negotiate in Pakistan, as Washington accused Tehran of breaching promises on the Strait of Hormuz and Israel struck Lebanon with attacks that Iran has claimed violate the ceasefire.