Saudi Arabia

Fighting between the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen and Saudi Arabia has resumed, drawing renewed international attention to a conflict that had seen reduced direct clashes in recent years. The New York Times examines the reasons behind the escalation, pointing to the Houthis' alliance with Iran and regional tensions. Analysts warn the renewed hostilities could destabilise the region further.

An Asia Times analysis argues that a nuclear pact between the United States and Saudi Arabia could put Riyadh on a path toward developing nuclear weapons. The report raises concerns that civil nuclear cooperation under the agreement could eventually give Saudi Arabia the capability, or at least the option, to pursue a bomb, with implications for Middle East security and regional proliferation.

Saudi Arabia has resumed oil exports through its East-West pipeline after completing repairs, according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal. The pipeline, which carries crude across the kingdom to the Red Sea, offers an alternative to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The resumption signals restored infrastructure capacity and could ease pressure on global oil supply routes.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has arrived in Washington for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meetings come as Riyadh and Washington continue coordinating on regional security, the war in Gaza and bilateral cooperation. Details of the agenda were not immediately disclosed, but the visit underscores the ongoing high-level engagement between the two allies.

US President Donald Trump said the war involving Iran could end soon, with negotiations continuing and Saudi Arabia stepping up its diplomatic efforts. The remarks point to intensified regional diplomacy, with Riyadh playing a mediating role as officials push for a ceasefire or broader settlement. Observers are watching whether the talks produce a concrete de-escalation in the conflict.

Iraq is exploring alternative routes to export its oil as the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint through which most of its crude shipments pass, faces growing disruption risks. The move reflects mounting concern in Baghdad that renewed regional tensions could cut off its main export artery. Observers say alternatives such as pipelines through Turkey or Saudi Arabia could reduce Iraq's dependence on the strait.

Saudi Arabia is collecting a massive oil windfall as the conflict between Israel and Iran pushes crude prices higher, with Fortune reporting the kingdom may be the war's only clear winner. The surge in energy prices is boosting Riyadh's revenues even as the wider region faces instability, drawing attention to how economic gains from the crisis are unevenly distributed.

The creator duo Abhi and Niyu have published a Hindi-language explainer breaking down the conflict between Yemen's Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia. The video has drawn an exceptionally large response, with engagement topping 1.6 million, suggesting strong interest among Hindi-speaking audiences in understanding the Middle East conflict, its origins, and its wider implications.

Saudi Arabia exited mBridge, the world's largest central bank digital currency platform, sixteen months ago, according to the Financial Times, which reported the withdrawal after it had gone largely unnoticed. The project, involving central banks experimenting with cross-border digital currency payments, has now drawn renewed attention as analysts weigh what the kingdom's departure means for the future of the initiative.

A Bloomberg opinion piece argues that Congress should step in to fix a flawed nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia. The author contends the current framework has shortcomings that lawmakers are positioned to address, framing congressional oversight as necessary before the deal moves forward.

Saudi Arabia has resumed oil exports through its East-West pipeline, loading crude at the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The restart of the strategic route, which bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, is being read as a signal about the kingdom's export flexibility and shipping security at a time when global markets remain sensitive to Middle East supply disruptions.

Oman has drafted a national law covering its space economy, as reported by Oman Observer. The legislation would establish a legal framework for space activities in the Sultanate, aligning with broader Gulf efforts to develop space sectors alongside the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Details of the draft's provisions and timeline for adoption have not yet been published.

The LPGA has signed a new deal with Golf Saudi, according to reports, while the Public Investment Fund is also scaling back its involvement in women's golf. The development follows LIV Golf's reported bankruptcy, raising questions about Saudi Arabia's wider strategy in professional golf and what the new partnership means for the women's tour's finances and schedule.

Semafor argues that the pipeline of new share listings in Saudi Arabia will not, on its own, resolve the problems facing the kingdom's stock market. The piece suggests deeper structural issues need addressing beyond simply bringing more companies to market.

An old video showing a Russian drone attack is circulating online with false claims that it depicts a Houthi strike on Saudi Arabia. Fact-checkers have confirmed the footage predates the conflict and has no connection to the Houthis or Saudi Arabia. The misleading clip is the latest example of unrelated combat footage being recirculated to support false claims about Middle East tensions.

The LPGA, the Ladies European Tour and Golf Saudi will co-sanction a professional women's golf tournament in the United Kingdom in 2027. The announcement links the leading women's tours with Saudi Arabia's golf investment arm, continuing golf's expansion of funded events and drawing attention over Saudi involvement in the sport amid ongoing debate about its influence on the professional game.

Saudi Arabia's golf financiers have scrapped plans for a five-event series on the Ladies European Tour and will instead concentrate their support on one tournament. The move scales back what had been billed as a major expansion of Saudi involvement in women's professional golf, and leaves questions about how the LET's schedule and funding will look going forward.