Trending Middle East

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Dr Anwar Gargash said Gulf efforts to contain Iran have failed, warning the region must prepare for a long-term threat from Tehran. We also hear that Iranian arms supplies have continued to Islamist-aligned factions in Sudan, highlighting deeper regional links. In Bahrain, authorities revoked the citizenship of dozens of people accused of supporting Iran...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Iran puts forward a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, as diplomatic activity intensifies. In southern Lebanon, Israeli strikes kill at least 14 people, with continued exchanges of fire despite continuing ceasefire pressures. In Washington, new details emerge after a gunman opens fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinn...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is set to be extended as talks in Washington show signs of progress. In the Strait of Hormuz, tensions remain high as the US and Iran warn of further escalation, with concerns over potential sea mines and risks to global shipping. In Tehran, Iranian officials say the country has begun collecting tolls from vessels...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Lebanon and Israel are set to resume talks in Washington amid continuing efforts to extend a fragile ceasefire, after renewed violence in southern Lebanon. We also look at developments in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says the waterway cannot reopen under the current conditions, with new incidents involving vessels adding to risks for global shipping. In th...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the US extends its ceasefire with Iran while maintaining the naval blockade of Iranian ports. The announcement comes as Tehran accuses Washington of breaching the truce and signals it will defend its interests. In Lebanon, the crisis escalates again as Israel reports rocket and drone attacks launched from Hezbollah-controlled areas, testing the ceasefire...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, uncertainty surrounds US-Iran talks as the ceasefire deadline approaches, with President Donald Trump sending mixed signals amid a lack of clarity on whether a new round of negotiations will go ahead in Islamabad. Tensions are also rising at sea, as Iran demands the release of a seized cargo vessel and warns of escalation. Shipping through the Strait of...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, tensions rise in the Gulf as Iran accuses the US of breaching the ceasefire, following the interception of an Iranian-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman. Tehran has warned it will respond, while Washington says it is enforcing a naval blockade. But talks on ending the Iran war are to be held in Islamabad, with Washington offering a deal but warning of fu...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon comes into effect after intensified fighting, with both sides signalling caution as the truce begins. At the United Nations, Gulf states prepare to reintroduce a resolution aimed at protecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, warning of risks to global trade and food security. In Syria, the government t...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, diplomatic efforts intensify to revive US-Iran negotiations, as Pakistan delivers new messages to Tehran ahead of a looming ceasefire deadline. We look at growing military pressure in the Gulf, where the US is preparing a major naval operation to enforce a blockade on Iranian shipping, even as vessels continue to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The global...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the US has signalled possible progress in talks with Iran, with President Donald Trump saying negotiations in Islamabad could move forward within days and potentially expand to Europe. In Washington, US-brokered diplomacy brings Israel and Lebanon together for their most significant talks in decades, as efforts continue to move beyond the current ceasefi...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the US begins enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports, increasing tension in the region amid efforts to protect a fragile ceasefire. Iran is set to lose a significant amount of oil revenue as a result of the move, as the cost of the war climbs for the US. We also look at rare direct talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington, where expectations remain...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the US moves to enforce a blockade around Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iran ended without a deal. We break down what happened in Islamabad, where both sides made progress but failed to bridge key differences over Iran’s nuclear programme and control of the strait. Meanwhile, Israel signals that a peace deal with Lebanon could b...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Israel and Lebanon are set to hold rare direct talks in Washington, even as attacks are carried out on cities including Beirut. Israel says strikes against Hezbollah will continue, while the Iran-backed group has rejected negotiations without a halt to the attacks. Iran has reportedly "suspended" talks with the US until Israel stops its attacks on Lebano...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Israeli strikes across Lebanon have killed hundreds and injured more than a thousand people as the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran hangs by a thread. We look at the growing disagreement over whether Lebanon is included in the ceasefire, with Iran insisting it is and the US and Israel saying it is not. In the UAE, senior officials outline the c...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the US and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with negotiations set to begin on a broader deal. US President Donald Trump announced Washington will suspend its attacks, while Tehran said it will halt operations if strikes stop. Pakistan is to mediate talks between the sides in Islamabad on Friday. We also look at what the agreement could mean for...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East podcast, another deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to accept a deal is drawing closer, with Washington warning of severe consequences if Tehran does not comply. At the United Nations, the Security Council is preparing to vote on a resolution addressing Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz. We also look at the growing impact on global en...

In today’s episode of the Trending Middle East podcast, diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israeli war with Iran are gathering pace, with talks reported to be under way about a potential 45-day ceasefire that could lead to a longer-term agreement. But even as negotiations continue, US President Donald Trump has renewed threats of further strikes on Iranian infrastructure. We also learn the latest st...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East podcast, the UN Security Council prepares to vote on a Bahrain-backed resolution addressing Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as Gulf states push for measures to protect global shipping and maintain the flow of trade. We also cover the latest security developments, including missile attacks on Israel claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. In Iran, US Pr...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, we look at US President Donald Trump's suggestion that Washington is close to achieving its core objectives. While he pointed to a possible end to operations, questions remain over how the conflict will conclude and what comes next. We also look at the UAE’s response, as officials reject reports suggesting the country could take part in efforts to reopen...

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, we look at signs of a shift in the trajectory of the US-Israel war on Iran, after US President Donald Trump suggested the conflict could end within weeks. We also look at the economic impact of the conflict, as rising oil prices drive sharp increases in fuel costs across the UAE. Governments across the region, including Egypt and Jordan, have also raised...

A ceasefire in Gaza is set to begin as the Israeli cabinet in the early hours of Friday voted to accept the framework of the plan for the release of all hostages. With the agreement coming into effect, Israel’s military has 24 hours to move to a pre-determined line within Gaza, after which a 72-hour period begins in which Hamas must surrender living and dead hostages. Foreign leaders convened in P...

Israeli opposition pledges to take down government. There is mounting optimism for a ceasefire deal in Gaza. Nearly 55,000 children under five in Gaza are estimated to be malnourished. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Israeli opposition makes plans to bring down Netanyahu within months Top US envoys join Gaza talks in Egypt as optimism grows over deal This episode features Thomas Helm,...

A new obstacle to peace is taking root in Gaza. Tension rises in Aleppo. French companies spot an opportunity in Syria. On this episode of Trending Middle East: New generation of militias steps out of Hamas's shadow to fill Gaza power vacuum Frenchman who would build 37 bridges across Syria seeks Gulf financing Syrian defence minister says 'comprehensive' truce agreed with SDF after Aleppo clashes...

Today marks two years since the Hamas attack on Israel that started the devastating war on Gaza. Syrian authorities announced the winners of a parliamentary election . Iran said it has no immediate plans to resume nuclear talks with European nations. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Netanyahu insists Israel is winning the war but reality tells a different story Syrian election results c...

The search for missing hostages is one of the sticking points in the Israel-Hamas talks. Syria held its first parliamentary elections since the fall of the Assad regime. Fadel Chaker surrenders to Lebanese authorities. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Search for missing hostages among sticking points in Israel-Hamas talks, sources say Apathy and doubts cloud Syria’s parliamentary poll L...