Claude AI used for missile, influence projects in UAE, Iran, Yemen: Anthropic Military and government actors across the Middle East — from Iran to Yemen to the United Arab Emirates — have used Anthropic's Claude AI model for war planning and influence campaigns. Yemen
Saudi Arabia’s oil production slumps to lowest in 36 years as war bites The kingdom reported to OPEC that crude output fell by 1.9 million to 6.238 million barrels per day in August. Saudi Arabia
Brent crude sails past $100 as Middle East war intensifies The Iran war escalated this week as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked four southern Saudi Arabian cities and oil facilities. Saudi Arabia
Iran to announce new Gulf restricted zone, Hormuz route: What we know Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the restricted zone would begin at the point where the US blockade of Iranian ports starts and extend into the Gulf. Iran
Analysis Iran war tests Gulf's theme park ambitions By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis As Israeli settler attacks mount, Trump avoids public pressure on Netanyahu By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Oil falls 5% after Trump calls off Iran strikes, says Hormuz deal agreed Oil prices fell after President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he had suspended planned strikes on Iran following a request from Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries. Iran
Turkey, Pakistan among 14 countries backing Saudi Arabia's anti-Houthi Red Sea alliance Riyadh won political backing from 14 countries for its proposed maritime defense coalition, but members have yet to commit to joining as Washington weighs its position. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's economy shrinks by 4.8% amid Iran war: What to know The kingdom saw a 24.7% year-on-year decline in its oil sector for the April 1 to June 30 period due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia
Oil falls 9.5% in steepest drop in months as Iran, US pause attacks Iran says it is still in control of the Strait of Hormuz and not seeking to resume peace talks with the United States after President Donald Trump halted a two-week bombing campaign. Iran
Analysis How Gulf banks are absorbing Iran war shocks GCC lenders had a strong hand when the Iran war erupted, affording them resilience to shocks, but risks remain. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Oil tops $100 for first time since May after Houthi tanker strikes, Trump threats The Iran-backed rebels said they had targeted two Saudi tankers, the Encelia and the Layla. Yemen
Houthis warn shipping firms to avoid Saudi ports or face attack: What to know The Houthi militia reportedly emailed multiple shipping companies on Tuesday, warning them of the consequences of visiting Saudi ports. Yemen
Oil tops $90 as Iran warns Hormuz 'will not be safe' Tensions escalated further after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed on Monday that not a "single drop" of oil or gas would pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Chevron, ConocoPhillips advance Iraq's Hormuz alternatives Oil agreements have been announced or are expected to be signed on Friday, toward the end of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi's visit to the United States. Iraq
Vance says Israeli intelligence had ties to Epstein: What to know Vice President JD Vance has grown more critical of Israel, possibly in an effort to capitalize on changing views among voters with an eye on the 2028 presidential election. United States
Israeli PM Netanyahu 'will not travel' to US next week, his office says On Wednesday, an Israeli official had told Al-Monitor that Netanyahu was planning to travel on Saturday and meet with President Donald Trump next week and attend the memorial service for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Israel
Ahmadinejad denies alleged Mossad plot to install him as Iran leader: What to know The former president, who was a virulent critic of Israel while in office, was reportedly part of a Mossad plan to replace the current Iranian leadership. Iran
