After major arms sales, Trump to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar: What to know The president is urging Gulf countries to increase their investment in the US after a series of bilateral economic and defense deals in recent months. Saudi Arabia
Iran's IRGC unveils underground facility housing thousands of ballistic missiles As it navigates crises at home and abroad, Iran has released video footage of an underground “missile city” in an attempt to flex its military might. Iran
US green lights $95 million in aid for Lebanon’s army The Trump administration made an exception to its foreign assistance freeze for a $95 million aid package headed to Lebanon's armed forces. Lebanon
Iran’s IRGC says advanced warship joins naval fleet amid US tensions The addition appears to be Iran's latest strategic yet cautious positioning in the face of strain with the United States and Israel. Iran
Analysis Sudan, Russia reach 'understanding' on naval base but hurdles remain By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Iran unveils new Deylaman warship capable of launching cruise missiles The new warship is part of Iran’s efforts to increase its military presence in the Caspian Sea. Iran
What Saudi crown prince's call to stop weapons exports means for Israel The crown prince’s comments come amid persistent opposition to Israel’s strikes against Hamas in Gaza in the Arab world. Gulf
Russia and China big participants at Dubai Airshow At this year's event, the UAE is balancing friendly relations with the United States as well as with China and Russia, including via the BRICS alliance. Gulf
Analysis How Russia's Redut PMC forced rival Wagner to withdraw from Syria Almost all of Wagner's mercenaries have already left Syria on planes departing from the Khmeimim air base, and the remaining few dozen are handing over weapons to the military and processing documents. By Anton Mardasov
Azerbaijan, Turkey launch joint military exercise as Fidan meets Armenia FM The joint military exercise coincided with a five-country summit in Tehran between Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran and Russia. Turkey
Iran’s Khamenei threatens US as Pentagon readies 2,000 troops for region The Pentagon has ordered some 2,000 US military personnel readied to respond to the fallout of Israel’s war in Gaza and extended the deployment of the USS Ford carrier strike group. Palestine
US sells Oman $70 million worth of TOW antitank missiles The Biden administration advanced the sale proposal even as Yemen's Houthis have engaged in peace talks in Saudi Arabia last month. Gulf
Israel's defense exports on the rise, drone customers up 40% since 2020 Israel’s defense exports have been boosted in part by the normalization of relations with several Arab states. Israel
Israel, Germany sign $3.5B Arrow 3 deal Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant signed a letter of commitment in Berlin for the sale of the advanced Arrow 3 air defense system, signaling a strengthening of ties between Israel and Germany. Israel
Erdogan says Turkey will keep promise on Sweden's NATO bid if US approves F-16s Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country's ratification of Sweden's NATO accession depends on Washington keeping its promises to Ankara. Turkey
US approves $500 million sale of spare parts to Saudi military The announcement comes a day after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that Saudi normalization with Israel is getting closer. Gulf
Turkey’s Fidan, NATO chief discuss Sweden’s bid, Ukraine grain deal The phone call comes a day after the meeting in Sochi between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Turkey
