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
Israel pushes deeper into Lebanon as Iran envoy refuses to go: What to know Israeli forces have reportedly reached the banks of the Litani River as part of a plan to set up a buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon. Lebanon
TotalEnergies reaped more than $1B profit from Iran war: What to know Non-Middle Eastern energy firms have been particularly benefiting as energy flows have been choked off from the Gulf. Iran
Turkey says NATO defenses intercepted fourth missile from Iran Turkey said NATO air defenses neutralized a ballistic munition launched from Iran that entered its airspace, marking the fourth such interception since March. Turkey
Dermer’s return puts Netanyahu’s 'brain' at center of US-Israel calculus Dermer, former Israeli strategic affairs minister, is considered one of Netanyahu’s closest associates, having worked together for over two decades. Israel
Analysis Downturn or pause? Iran war puts Dubai property market to test UAE property transaction volumes fell year-on-year in the first 12 days of March and month-on-month, but analysts have cautioned against overinterpreting early data. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Gulf AI deals continues to lure investors despite US-Iran war Blackstone committed $250 million to a payment infrastructure platform in Abu Dhabi as the US investment firm's president lauded the UAE's strong investment credentials despite the conflict. Saudi Arabia
Ukraine's Zelenskyy capitalizes on Iran war to ink security deal with Saudi Arabia Kyiv is using its domestic production of anti-drone technology and low-cost, AI-enabled interceptor drones to help Gulf states in countering Iranian drones. Saudi Arabia
Turkey confirms Iraq troop withdrawal as NATO pulls back due to Iran war The confirmation of the withdrawal came as part of NATO’s decision to withdraw its forces in its Iraq mission amid Iran war. Turkey
Who was Alireza Tangsiri, Iranian IRGC naval chief said killed by Israel? Tangsiri played a key role in Iran’s operations in the Strait of Hormuz and has a long history of antagonizing the US. Iran
No ships transit Hormuz as Iran plans safe-passage tolls: What to know An Iranian lawmaker told Fars News Agency that Tehran plans to charge ships tolls to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, formalizing the country’s control over the strategic waterway. Iran
In Lebanon, deadline looms for expelling Iran envoy amid Hezbollah pushback The Lebanese Foreign Ministry’s decision to expel the Iranian ambassador to Beirut has exposed deep divisions among the political class as Iran-backed Hezbollah remains engaged in a war with Israel. Lebanon
Analysis Italy, Spain eye Algerian gas as Iran war slashes Gulf supplies Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Algiers Wednesday in an effort maximize additional gas supplies from the North African nation. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
