Middle East

US intelligence agencies assess that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, according to a Washington Post report. The finding highlights Riyadh's hedging as regional tensions persist and talks over a potential civil nuclear program and a defense pact with Washington continue. It also raises questions about proliferation risks if Iran's nuclear program advances further.

French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly contradicted Donald Trump's claims regarding Gaza, rejecting the US president's assertions about the situation there. The exchange highlights continued transatlantic friction over Middle East policy, with the French leader insisting on a different reading of facts on the ground. Commentators are watching closely for how the dispute affects Western coordination on Gaza reconstruction and ceasefire diplomacy.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng issued a statement addressing both Palestine and Ukraine, calling for the West Bank and post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza to be governed according to the principle of 'Palestinians governing Palestine'. The remarks position China as an active voice on Middle East governance questions and come amid ongoing international debate over Gaza's future administration and the war in Ukraine.

Oil prices rose sharply following renewed attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement and growing fears of escalation between the United States and Iran. Traders are pricing in the risk that the confrontations could disrupt shipping and supply through the Middle East. Analysts warn that any direct US-Iran confrontation could push prices higher still, keeping energy markets on edge.

A new US intelligence assessment warns that Saudi Arabia may still be considering the pursuit of nuclear weapons, despite diplomatic efforts to keep the kingdom's nuclear programme strictly civilian. The warning highlights renewed concern over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, particularly if regional rival Iran advances its own nuclear capabilities.

Saudi Arabia has signalled it would be open to developing nuclear weapons, according to reports carried by major US outlets including The New York Times and The Seattle Times. The remarks raise fresh questions about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and about Riyadh's nuclear ambitions at a time of ongoing regional tensions and talks over normalisation and security guarantees with Washington.

Saudi Arabia has declined to rule out acquiring nuclear weapons, according to a new report picked up by international outlets including The New Arab and Fox News. The kingdom has long said its nuclear programme is for civilian energy purposes, but officials are refusing to commit to a weapons-free posture as regional tensions with Iran persist and Riyadh weighs its security options.

World leaders are returning to the United Nations General Assembly with the organisation under pressure from ongoing wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Beyond the conflicts, the UN faces a crisis of morale and finances, alongside uncertainty over who will next lead the 80-year-old institution, making this year's gathering a test of its relevance and cohesion.

Donald Trump says he has turned down an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical shipping waterway linking the Persian Gulf to global oil markets. The claim, reported by NBC News, suggests ongoing back-channel negotiations between Washington and Tehran, and raises fresh questions about the security of a route that carries roughly a fifth of the world's oil supplies.

President Trump has called off planned US military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, according to Fox News reporting. The decision halts what would have been a new round of American attacks on the Iran-backed group. The about-face is drawing widespread attention and debate over US policy toward Yemen and the broader Middle East conflict.

U.S. officials say Saudi Arabia is considering developing a nuclear weapon, according to a Haaretz report. The claim, if confirmed, would mark a major shift in Riyadh's posture and sharpen concerns about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, especially amid tensions with Iran and questions over future security guarantees from Washington.

Saudi Arabia is open to possibly developing nuclear weapons, according to a New York Times report on US-Saudi political discussions. The report is drawing attention given long-standing concerns about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and the implications for regional rivals like Iran, as well as the future of US-Saudi security cooperation.

Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for global oil supplies. The refusal comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, and the item is being reported alongside a broader roundup of regional developments, including diplomatic and security news across the region.

US intelligence agencies have assessed that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out acquiring nuclear weapons, according to a report flagged by Ynetnews. The warning underscores lingering concerns in Washington about Riyadh's nuclear ambitions, particularly as regional tensions persist and Iran's nuclear program remains a central security issue for Gulf states.

US Congress has received intelligence indicating that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out pursuing a nuclear weapons program, according to a report. The assessment raises fresh concerns in Washington about Riyadh's nuclear intentions at a time when US-Saudi relations, regional security and any future civil nuclear cooperation remain under scrutiny.

Donald Trump has confirmed that a meeting with an Iranian delegation will take place, as Qatar works to push diplomacy forward between Washington and Tehran. The confirmation signals a potential opening in tensions between the United States and Iran, with Qatar positioning itself as a key mediator. Observers are watching closely to see whether the talks could lead to broader negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme and regional disputes.

US intelligence agencies have assessed that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, according to the Washington Post. The finding highlights lingering concerns in Washington about Riyadh's nuclear ambitions, particularly as regional tensions with Iran persist and US-Saudi discussions over a civil nuclear cooperation agreement continue. Analysts warn the assessment could complicate diplomatic efforts to secure guarantees limiting Saudi Arabia's nuclear program.

A new report examines how major technology companies are confronting physical security risks tied to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The analysis also assesses Iran's broader political, economic, and military resilience, and outlines the limits of US military power in the Middle East as the war continues.

The Philippines has urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and stressed that disputes in the South China Sea must be resolved through international law rather than force. The statement ties Manila's position on the Middle East conflict to its own maritime disagreements with China, drawing attention as regional tensions continue over both fronts.

US intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia continues to harbour an intent to develop nuclear weapons, according to a report citing the intelligence findings. The revelation is likely to intensify debate over nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and over US-Saudi relations, including ongoing discussions about civil nuclear cooperation and security guarantees between Washington and Riyadh.

Sudanese state media report that a military group within the Rapid Support Forces has defected and joined the Sudanese army. The claim, also carried by Anadolu Agency and Middle East Monitor, signals a possible split within the RSF as the country's civil war between the army and the paramilitary force continues. Details on the size of the defection and where it occurred were not immediately given.

Growth stocks are proving resilient even as bond yields surge, a combination that would normally pressure high-valuation shares. At the same time, investors are watching Donald Trump's decision on Iran, with markets gauging the geopolitical risk. Traders are weighing whether equities can keep ignoring rising borrowing costs while Middle East tensions add fresh uncertainty to the outlook.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi told the United Nations that all parties in the Middle East conflict should exercise self-restraint and foresight. He said Oman is ready to mediate disputes, positioning the country as a diplomatic bridge between rivals. The appeal aligns with Muscat's long-standing policy of neutral mediation in regional tensions.

US intelligence agencies have flagged a potential shift in Saudi Arabia's nuclear program, according to a report carried by regional outlets. The assessment has drawn attention amid ongoing debates over US-Saudi nuclear cooperation, nonproliferation concerns, and regional tensions, with observers watching closely for what the reported change could mean for the wider Middle East.

President Trump has rejected a proposal from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that carries a large share of the world's oil shipments. The refusal comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, and officials and analysts are watching closely for what the decision means for energy markets and regional security in the Middle East.

The Vatican's top diplomat told the UN General Assembly that a two-state solution remains essential to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and called for limits on the development and use of artificial intelligence. The speech aligns with Pope Francis's repeated appeals for peace in the Middle East and for ethical guardrails on new technologies. It underscores the Holy See's effort to shape international debate on both conflicts and technology governance.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has set out Iran's diplomatic conditions and regional priorities during appearances in New York. Speaking at the United Nations setting, he framed Tehran's terms for engagement with world powers and addressed issues across the Middle East. The remarks draw attention as tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and regional conflicts continue to shape international diplomacy.

Turkey's foreign minister said Israel is facing growing international isolation and called for diplomacy to resolve conflicts in the region. The remarks were carried by Syria's state news agency SANA, which reported the minister's push for negotiated solutions to ongoing regional disputes. The comments reflect Ankara's position amid heightened tensions across the Middle East.