Middle East

President Trump ordered US military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen to be called off, according to a Fox News report. The sudden reversal drew immediate attention, with viewers weighing in heavily on the decision. The move affects ongoing US operations against the Iranian-backed group, which has attacked shipping in the Red Sea, and raises questions about the direction of American policy in the region.

The US dollar held steady as rising tensions between the United States and Iran pushed oil prices higher and strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates elevated. Markets are weighing the inflationary impact of costlier oil against the risk of a wider Middle East conflict, with traders positioning for a hawkish Fed stance.

British police arrested five people on terrorism charges near a UK airbase reportedly used in strikes against Iran. The arrests came amid heightened security around military sites linked to operations in the Middle East. The identities and alleged intentions of those detained have not been disclosed, and investigations are ongoing.

French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly disputed claims made by Donald Trump concerning Gaza. According to a report by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Macron rejected the US president's assertions, though the specific statements being contested are not detailed. The disagreement adds to ongoing international debate over the situation in Gaza and the positions of Western leaders on it.

Donald Trump has said that fresh military strikes against Iran are 'not ruled out' ahead of the US midterm elections, keeping open the possibility of renewed action against Tehran. The remarks signal continued hardline posture toward Iran and are drawing attention to the risk of escalation in the Middle East during a sensitive domestic political period.

Bonds dropped alongside stocks while oil prices climbed as tensions with Iran escalated, according to Bloomberg's markets wrap. Rising geopolitical risk in the Middle East pushed crude higher, weighing on bond and equity markets as investors reassessed the outlook for energy prices and global risk appetite.

Health authorities in Gaza say the Palestinian death toll from the war with Israel has risen above 74,000 since fighting began in October 2023. The milestone is being reported widely across US and international outlets as part of a roundup of Middle East developments, underscoring the continuing human cost of the conflict and ongoing efforts toward a ceasefire.

The United States has signed a nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia that could permit the kingdom to enrich its own uranium, dropping the so-called 'gold standard' non-proliferation safeguards Washington required of the UAE in 2009. Lawmakers from both parties are raising alarms that the agreement could weaken non-proliferation norms and accelerate nuclear development across the Middle East.

China and the United States have reached an understanding on Iran, agreeing that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open to traffic and that Tehran must not acquire nuclear weapons. The reported alignment is notable given the two powers' usual friction over Middle East policy, and it signals shared interest in keeping Gulf oil shipments flowing and preventing nuclear proliferation.

U.S. stock futures are trading lower as investors weigh escalating tensions involving Iran alongside reports that OpenAI has paused parts of its model training. Traders are assessing the geopolitical risk premium and what the AI pause could mean for technology shares that have driven much of this year's market gains. Market watchers are watching for further clarity before positioning ahead of the next session.

Dow Jones futures are falling while oil prices rise following comments from Donald Trump about Iran, with energy markets on edge over potential escalation in the Middle East. Investors are also watching Micron, SpaceX and Tesla, which are seen as approaching buy points despite the broader market uncertainty. Traders are weighing geopolitical risk against resilient tech and semiconductor momentum.

Turkey has reportedly opened discussions on nuclear deterrence as the war involving Iran continues, according to Cyprus Mail. The debate reflects growing unease among regional states about security guarantees and the risk of nuclear escalation in the Middle East. Turkey, a NATO member that does not possess nuclear weapons, has long faced questions over whether it should pursue its own deterrent capability, and the current conflict has brought those arguments back to the fore.

Iran has reaffirmed its offer of a ceasefire, keeping diplomatic efforts to end hostilities in focus. Separately, British authorities say they have foiled a potential terrorist attack at a UK air base, with an investigation underway. The two developments are featured together in a global news briefing, highlighting both ongoing Middle East diplomacy and a domestic security incident in Britain.

Commentators are asking whether the conflict involving Iran could extend to Western countries. Discussion centres on the risk that hostilities tied to Iran move beyond the Middle East and draw in Europe or North America, either directly or through proxies. Analysts are weighing how a widening confrontation might affect Western security and international relations.

The United States is preparing to withdraw its forces from Iraq after more than twenty years of military presence that began with the 2003 invasion. The drawdown marks a major shift in the American footprint in the Middle East, closing one of the longest overseas deployments in recent U.S. history and reshaping security arrangements with Baghdad.

Iran's president has declared that the United States must decide whether it wants an end to the war, placing responsibility for a ceasefire on Washington. The statement came as the Russian and Iranian foreign ministers agreed that only a diplomatic settlement could resolve the Middle East tension sparked by the US-Israeli conflict against Iran. The exchange underscores growing international pressure for negotiations as the conflict continues.

News18 India is running live coverage of today's top stories, including a row involving the Election Commission of India, remarks from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an attack claimed by Yemen's Houthis, and escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The live blog bundles domestic political controversy in India with fast-moving international conflict developments.

Candidates running for a US Senate seat in Mississippi laid out their positions on a potential war with Iran, tariffs and the economy during a campaign discussion. Their remarks give voters a sense of how each would approach foreign policy and trade if elected, with the Iran question drawing particular attention amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has arrived in the United States for a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. The talks come at a time of heightened attention to Gulf-US relations, with the two officials expected to discuss regional security and bilateral cooperation. Details of the agenda have not been disclosed.