Analysis ‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit Just as UAE-Israeli relations were deepening through cooperation against Iran, the Israeli prime minister publicly embarrassed Abu Dhabi by revealing his March visit. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
UAE to fast-track construction of second oil pipeline, bypassing Hormuz: What to know ADNOC, the UAE's state-owned oil company, has been ordered to prioritize completion of the pipeline to double oil exports through the Gulf Oman. United Arab Emirates
Uptick in Chinese tankers transiting Hormuz amid Trump-Xi summit President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, a meeting closely watched in Iran. United Arab Emirates
Iran's IRGC holds anti-helicopter drills in Tehran: What to know Iran said it downed two US helicopters last month as American forces use the aircraft for strikes in the Gulf. Iran
Aramco profits jump 26% as Hormuz disruption chokes supply By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
UAE to freeze billions in Iranian assets following strikes The UAE's move to freeze Iranian assets will hit Iran’s economy hard, as it is straining under high inflation, unrest and now a war. United Arab Emirates
What we know about UAE blocking X accounts accused of misinformation A number of X accounts including Al Arabiya Breaking are now not accessible in the Gulf state as Abu Dhabi navigates regional turmoil. United Arab Emirates
Next phase of US airstrike campaign in Iran to target missile manufacturing US Central Command (CENTCOM) has plans to prevent Iran’s remaining enriched uranium from being weaponized by remnants of the regime, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested. Iran
Iran’s communications blackout limits assessment of war’s humanitarian toll Aid groups struggle to assess humanitarian toll in Iran as blackout hampers efforts to identify needs. Iran
Middle East evacuations gather pace as explosions rattle Abu Dhabi airport Dozens of Emirati flights were forced to hold or diver after the country's Defense Ministry said it had intercepted six ballistic missiles and 125 drones. United Arab Emirates
After Israel's ultimatum, Lebanon orders arrest of Iran IRGC members The Lebanese government has instructed military and security agencies to arrest IRGC members in Lebanon, after Iranian-backed Hezbollah joined the conflict between Iran on the one hand and the US and Israel on the other, by launching attacks against Israel. Lebanon
UAE billionaire Habtoor openly lambasts Trump over Iran war The Emirati businessman condemned the US president, a former business partner, for his “dangerous” attack on Iran and asked whether he had stopped to consider the collateral damage. United Arab Emirates
Azerbaijan accuses Iran of drone strike on airport The attacks damaged an airport in the Nakhchivan exclave and slightly wounded two civilians. Iran
Which 6 Kurdish groups could join the war in Iran? Iranian Kurdish groups that recently formed an alliance could soon join the United States and Israel in their campaign against the Islamic Republic, Al-Monitor has learned. Iran
Exclusive US-backed Kurdish forces poised to enter Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan 'within days' The CIA has reportedly been in contact with Iranian Kurdish armed groups since last year, as Israel has pressed for Kurdish engagement. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Pentagon: US airstrikes in Iran 'accelerating' as war shifts to new phase Pentagon projects American and Israel warplanes will have complete control of Iran’s skies in less than a week, enabling the US to conserve valuable precision longer-range munitions. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Iran’s missile barrage tests US interceptor limits in escalating war US B-2 bombers and F/A-18s have been pummeling Iran's southern missile belt, but the IRGC is believed to have far more attack drones in store than ballistic missiles. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
![Traffic passes a billboard depicting Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and in Persian "Israel is weaker than a spider's web," Valiasr Square, Tehran, April 15, 2024. ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2026-05/GettyImages-2147824584.jpg?h=67ca0ccd&itok=KLWpHMGN)
