Middle East conflict Archives - Page 5 of 12

April 16, 2026 10:00 AM

US-sanctioned supertankers enter Gulf despite blockade

A second U.S.-sanctioned supertanker has entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, shipping data showed, despite a U.S. blockade on vessels visiting Iranian ports. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the blockade on Sunday after weekend peace tal...

April 16, 2026 1:02 PM

Hopes for Middle East peace grow with Israel and Lebanon eyeing ceasefire

Optimism grew on Thursday that the war in the Middle East may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator in Tehran and the administration of President Donald Trump talking up hopes for a deal that would open the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Israel's...

April 16, 2026 9:52 AM

White House offers no hint of Iran war cost as it seeks military funding surge

White House budget director Russell Vought said on Wednesday he could not estimate the cost of the Iran war, as he defended President Donald Trump's request for a massive $1.5 trillion annual military budget against bipartisan criticism from U.S. law...

April 16, 2026 9:31 AM

Trump posts image of himself with Jesus as administration’s pope criticism continues

U.S. President Donald Trump posted an image of Jesus embracing him on Wednesday, as a war of words between his administration and the pope showed little sign of abating. The image, reposted to Trump's Truth Social account, shows Trump with his eyes ...

April 15, 2026 1:44 PM

US begins naval blockade of Iranian ports

The United States Navy has begun enforcing a full maritime blockade of Iranian ports, escalating tensions in West Asia after weekend peace talks in Pakistan collapsed without agreement. The operation took effect at 6 pm Dubai time, with U.S. Central ...

April 15, 2026 12:49 PM

US signals Iran talks resumption as Israel, Lebanon hold first direct talks in decades

The United States has indicated that talks with Iran could resume within days, while Israel and Lebanon have launched their first direct negotiations in decades, signaling parallel diplomatic efforts to ease escalating tensions across West Asia. US ...

April 15, 2026 2:19 PM

Italy’s Meloni suspends defence cooperation deal with Israel

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday her government had suspended a defence cooperation deal with Israel, reflecting frayed ties between previously close allies as the conflicts in the Middle East continue. Meloni's right-wing gover...

April 15, 2026 2:21 PM

Trump turns on Meloni, says he is ‘shocked’ by Italian leader

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni lacks courage and has let Washington down, U.S. President Donald Trump told an Italian newspaper on Tuesday, delivering a blunt public rebuke to one of his closest European allies. Meloni had been a vociferous s...

April 15, 2026 9:39 AM

US hosts rare Israel-Lebanon talks, progress unclear

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the first direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in decades on Tuesday and both sides said they held positive discussions although it was not immediately clear if they agreed to a framework for peace. The ...

April 13, 2026 10:39 AM

Economic shock of Middle East war to cast shadow over IMF, World Bank meetings

Top finance officials from around the world will convene in Washington this week under the shadow of the war in the Middle East, which has delivered a third major shock to the global economy after the COVID pandemic and Russia's full-scale invasion o...