Topic: Middle East

Middle East coverage follows the region’s conflicts, diplomacy, security and humanitarian pressures, from Israel and the Palestinian territories to Iran, the Gulf and neighbouring states. It also tracks the international powers, trade routes and political decisions that shape events across the area.

Developments in the Middle East can affect civilian lives, regional stability, energy supplies and global relations. This hub brings together reporting and analysis to help readers follow the immediate news and the wider context.

  • UK manufacturing growth picks up as Trump tariff chaos eases

    UK manufacturing output grew for a fourth consecutive month in July, expanding at its fastest pace in almost two years, according to a closely watched industry survey. The S&P Global purchasing managers’ index (PMI) showed factories in an upbeat mood, buoyed by rising domestic and export orders, even as they remained wary of a prolonged…

  • Iran denies Trump’s claim of peace talks and says there are NO negotiations with US

    Iran’s government has denied claims by US President Trump that peace talks or negotiations are under way between Washington and Tehran, insisting no such discussions are taking place. The denial contradicts recent assertions from the Trump administration regarding diplomatic engagement with Iran, highlighting continuing tension and a lack of clarity over the state of US-Iran…

  • Hegseth struggles to sell Senate on Iran war funding

    The article’s full text was unavailable because access was denied, so its specific claims cannot be independently summarised. Based on the headline, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing difficulty persuading senators to support funding for a potential or ongoing conflict involving Iran. The headline indicates the dispute concerns using the Senate’s budget reconciliation process for…

  • Our enemies found a weakness in essential technology. We must fix it … fast

    The article, a Fox News opinion piece, argues that recent GPS jamming and spoofing incidents around the Strait of Hormuz expose a critical vulnerability in the satellite navigation infrastructure underpinning global commerce and security. The author contends that Iran’s actions during the conflict proved a determined adversary can disrupt GPS-dependent systems even without physically closing…

  • Trump is winning every battle in Iran—and risking the war that matters

    A Fox News opinion piece argues that five months into the conflict with Iran, the United States is winning nearly every individual battle but may be losing sight of the wider war. The author, who states they have studied military strategy, credits American air and naval power with severely damaging Iran’s military infrastructure, while cautioning…

  • Israel says it has serious concerns with Hamas disarmament deal

    Israel has voiced “serious security concerns” about a proposed Hamas disarmament deal announced last week by US President Donald Trump, even as Israeli forces continue strikes in Gaza. Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, said Israeli intelligence suggests Hamas remains committed to rebuilding its military rather than genuinely disarming, warning that…

  • CHRISTOPHER STEVENS: The ostracism of Boy George for his pro-Israel song proves the intolerant Left now holds total control over what performers can think or say

    Broadcaster Christopher Stevens argues that Boy George has been shunned by parts of the music industry after releasing a song supporting Israel amid its war in Gaza, a stance the columnist says exposes how narrowly acceptable opinion is now policed within the entertainment world. He frames the singer’s treatment as evidence that dissenting from a…

  • UK economy faces recession if strait of Hormuz remains closed, EY warns – business live

    EY has warned that the UK economy could tip into recession next year if the strait of Hormuz remains closed, as the conflict-hit waterway continues to disrupt global energy markets. The consultancy’s latest outlook says GDP growth could slow sharply to 0.5% this year and contract by 0.2% in 2027 if the closure persists into…

  • Trump on making a deal with Iran: ‘I’m not looking to kill people’

    President Trump said he wanted to pursue an agreement with Iran rather than cause further deaths, presenting diplomacy as his preferred route while maintaining that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon. The remarks matter because they indicate an effort to balance military pressure with negotiations during a period of heightened tensions between Washington and…

  • Trump suggests new talks with Iran to begin on Monday

    US President Donald Trump has said fresh negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday, after cancelling what he described as planned “massive” strikes on the country. He told reporters aboard Air Force One that he had held off military action because Iran and regional allies believed a deal was close, though Tehran has disputed this…