Iran warning near Hormuz collides with Red Sea shipping comeback Armed boats attempted to intercept a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the same day that major container lines also announced the resumption of limited transits through the Suez Canal. Iran
Analysis Why Trump’s Venezuela playbook could face hard reality in Iran On Wednesday, Trump said an armada larger than the one sent to Venezuela is heading toward Iran and “like with Venezuela,” it is ready to employ force if necessary. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Turkey casts Israel’s Somaliland move as overreach, but Somalia’s fragility poses risks Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is widely dismissed in Ankara as a strategic overreach, but it is nevertheless exposing the limits of Turkey’s influence in Somalia. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Turkey eyes offshore energy pact with Syria in 2026 amid East Med isolation Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has offered up details on a deal with Syria that could unsettle regional rivals in the gas-rich Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Analysis As Turkey’s East Med isolation deepens, will Ankara seek maritime Syria deal? By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Turkey moves into Somalia’s untapped oil, raises stakes in Horn of Africa By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Iran summons Russia's ambassador over UAE islands dispute On Monday, Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued a statement calling for a “a peaceful solution” to the dispute over the Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunbs islands “in accordance with international law." Iran
US confirms Iran’s IRGC seized tanker smuggling fuel in Gulf The seizure by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps came just a day the US Navy thwarted attempts by Iran's navy to seize two commercial tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey, Greece to resume confidence-building talks The resumption of confidence-building negotiations comes as a culmination of the fence-mending steps between Ankara and Athens since the devastating Feb. 6 quakes that hit Turkey. Turkey
Israel to build land fiber-optic cable between Mediterranean, Red seas Israel's Finance Ministry reached an agreement with an Israel state-owned energy company to construct a multi-optic-fiber between Ashkelon and Eilat, with the goal of turning the country into an international communication corridor. Israel
Israel, Cyprus make strides toward EastMed undersea electricity cable Cypriot Energy Minister George Papanastasiou's visit to Israel is another step in joint efforts to promote the Euro-Asia undersea electricity cable project. Israel
Iran's IRGC speed boats 'harassed' ship in Strait of Hormuz: US Navy There have been several incidents involving US and Iranian naval forces in the strategic waterway in recent years, prompting the US to increase patrols. Legacy: Gulf
Israel announces new natural gas field off its coast The official announcement on the discovery of the Katlan-Orca natural gas field off Israel's coast paves the way for hydrocarbon exploration company Energian to seek development and exploitation permits. Israel
French navy in Mideast seizes $108M drug shipment in Indian Ocean The seizures mark the latest sign of US and allied cooperation on interdiction in Gulf waterways. Legacy: Gulf
US delegation in Israel after Saudi visit, discussing regional projects with Netanyahu Advancing the I2U2 initiative, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to meet in Jerusalem with envoys of the Biden administration, following their trip to Saudi Arabia where they held extensive talks on infrastructure projects that involve India, Gulf countries and Israel. Israel
Iran's IRGC seizes second oil tanker in Gulf waters in six days, says US Navy The incident happened off UAE coast of Fujairah and involved a Panama-flagged Niovi vessel. Iran
Iran's IRGC seizes oil tanker in Gulf of Oman Open-source reports indicated the Advantage Sweet was bound for Houston, Texas, when the United States said it was seized by Iran's IRGC navy on Thursday afternoon. Iran
Yacht carrying Russians, Egyptians goes missing off Yemen coast The yacht’s owner says the crew sent a distress call about a pirate attack. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse