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
Iran FM meets Putin, Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi headed to Russia following visits to Pakistan and Oman over the weekend as talks with Washington are at a standstill. Iran
Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Which airlines are cutting flights amid Hormuz fuel disruption? European and Asian airlines have been most impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is throttling jet fuel supplies. Iran
How are Iran-linked tankers still moving through Hormuz blockade? At least 19 Iran-linked tankers have passed through the US blockade on the strait to exit the Gulf while at least 15 have entered, according to the cargo-tracking group Vortexa. Iran
Iran executes 14th person since war over alleged Mossad ties: What to know Iran has carried out multiple executions since the outbreak of the war with the United States and Israel, as it intensifies a crackdown on individuals accused of spying for Israel. Iran
Analysis Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock ADNOC, Aramco and QatarEnergy have aggressively expanded their international portfolios in recent years, a strategy facing new constraints as the US-Israel-Iran war impacts Gulf production and exposes structural risks. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Could UAE tap US currency swap line as Iran war strains Gulf economies? The Gulf country apparently wanted reassurances from Washington in case its economy is severely damaged by the Iran war. United Arab Emirates
Oil rises, Gulf stocks slide after Iran ship seizure throws truce into doubt In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said the US Navy fired at and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. Iran
Lebanon-Israel negotiations to continue even as Iran talks stall Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also said that Lebanon will lead the negotiations and that no other party will take part, emphasizing that this track is separate from any other talks. Lebanon
Analysis How long can Iran's economy weather US naval blockade? Analysts believe the blockade will choke exports for essential items coming into Iran, like food and medicines. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Iran says Strait of Hormuz 'completely open' to ships Iran’s foreign minister said on Friday that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will remain secure for the duration of the Israel-Lebanon truce. Iran
Eurozone's inflation jumps 2.6%, jet fuel shortages loom amid Iran war Inflation has been soaring globally amid an energy supply crunch caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran