Middle East

18:04

View from Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan and the Persian Gulf: Why is the Middle East looking at Central Asia’s tech market?

The Persian Gulf is becoming an increasingly important partner for Uzbekistan’s technology sector. ICTWEEK Uzbekistan 2026 shows that interest is not limited to startups: companies from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman are looking at data centres, fintech, cloud services, AI and others.

10:34

Politics

Saudi coalition says it intercepted Houthi missiles, drones

Yemen's Saudi-led coalition said early on Saturday it had intercepted two ballistic missiles and two drones launched by the Iran-backed Houthis towards the kingdom.

14:06

UN General Assembly

From Hormuz to the UN, a Middle East Being Reshaped by War

The Middle East arrived at the United Nations this week with the consequences of a war that is no longer contained to one front. From Israel and Iran to Syria and Yemen, leaders have used the General Assembly to set out competing positions on the situation in the region. 

07:28

Middle East conflict

Houthis strike Saudi Arabia as regional war disrupts energy flows

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan will hold an urgent high-level meeting under a joint defence pact to discuss ways to support the kingdom amid attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. The meeting comes as Tehran seeks to distance itself from the rapid advance of its Houthi allies.

15:53

Middle East war

Trump says U.S.-Iran meeting was ‘very good’, more talks planned

U.S. President Donald Trump said his team held a three-hour meeting with an Iranian delegation in New York that he described as “very good” and “productive”, with another round of talks scheduled soon.

14:36

Gaza reconstruction

Trump’s Board of Peace to unveil $2.45 billion Gaza recovery plan

U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is set to unveil a six-month, $2.45 billion recovery plan for Gaza on Wednesday, covering housing, infrastructure, healthcare and security, Axios reported.

14:20

View from Dubai

Houthis widen pressure on key Middle East trade routes

The Houthi offensive in Yemen is extending beyond the country's civil war, adding pressure to two of the Middle East's most important maritime trade routes and raising risks for energy, shipping and food supplies.

11:24

Middle East crisis

Trump: I believe we will make a deal with Iran right after the midterm elections

While addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes Washington and Tehran will reach a deal after the U.S. midterm elections.

12:27

Middle East conflict

Iran warns U.S. against resuming attacks

Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes military action against Tehran.

08:24

Terrorism

French suspected Islamic State members face execution in Iraq

A group of French nationals, suspected of belonging to the Islamic State (IS), on trial in Iraq could face execution, a member of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council told a hearing in Baghdad on Sunday.

02:56

Russia-Ukraine war

EU to disburse $3.8bn for missiles and drones to Ukraine

The European Union will disburse €3.3 billion ($3.8 billion) to Ukraine for missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

11:41

Daily Brief

Daily Brief: Top 5 regional AI stories making headlines

Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 16 September 2026. These are the top five stories making headlines in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).  

13:41

Tourism

How Saudi Arabia is reshaping its tourism landscape

Saudi Arabia is opening up to more international travellers as tourism expands beyond religious travel. In Riyadh, historic landmarks stand alongside new developments and a rapidly changing skyline, while AlUla and Diriyah offer a glimpse into the kingdom’s heritage.

00:07

Middle East conflict

Iran's Pezeshkian arrives in India for BRICS summit

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the weekend BRICS summit, amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, joining a host of foreign dignitaries.

01:57

Middle East conflict

U.S. aircraft damaged in Jordan air base strikes as explosions hit southern Iran

Overnight Iranian strikes on an air base in Jordan damaged multiple U.S. aircraft and left one without a wing, American media reported. Meanwhile, explosions were heard across parts of southern Iran according to local media reports.

01:59

Middle East conflict

CENTCOM reports strikes against Iranian shipping after missile attacks

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly launched two ballistic missile attacks against a U.S. Navy warship over the past two days.

13:26

View from Uzbekistan

Central Asia eyes place as world’s next fintech frontier

The Silk Road Finance & Technology Forum will bring more than 6,000 policymakers, investors and technology leaders from 74 countries to Tashkent, as Central Asia seeks a bigger role in the global fintech landscape.

18:11

Middle East conflict

Oil prices fall as Iran vows retaliation over U.S. sanctions

Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concerns over potential disruption to regional oil supplies.

17:28

View from Tehran

Iran, Oman discuss temporary Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor

Iran and Oman discussed a phased plan for a temporary shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz during the Omani foreign minister’s visit to Tehran on Tuesday, as tensions remain high between Iran and the U.S. over the strategic waterway.

09:15

Morning Brief

Morning Brief - 25 August 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 25th of August, covering the latest developments. 

18:06

Middle East conflict

Iran condemns U.S. plans to announce new sanctions

Iran on Saturday denounced U.S. plans to announce new sanctions that could put further strain on the Islamic Republic's economy and have an impact on its most important trading partners including China.

07:35

Middle East

Trump says Iran not ready to make the 'right deal'

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was not ready to make what he called the "right deal" with Washington as tensions persisted over the war and the Strait of Hormuz.

22:58

Middle East conflict

'Hormuz cannot be seized by tweet,' Iranian official says after Trump threats

U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory have been mocked by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, who said the sea passage "cannot be seized by tweet."

00:38

Middle East conflict

U.S. to impose measures 'never seen before' on Iran, Treasury secretary says

The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.