1. Trump Says US-Iran Talks Are Progressing
US President Donald Trump said Washington is having “good talks” with Iran but warned that the US would return to “very strong military action” if diplomacy does not produce results quickly.
2. Iran Accuses US of Weakness
Iran claimed the United States is “stuck and struggling” after months of conflict and insisted Washington would eventually “pay the price” for its military campaign.
3. Temporary Pause in US-Iran Hostilities
The United States has refrained from launching fresh attacks on Iran, while Tehran has halted retaliatory strikes across the Middle East after nearly two weeks of heavy exchanges.
4. Saudi Arabia Intercepts Drones
Saudi air defences intercepted drones targeting oil facilities in the kingdom’s Eastern Province. Riyadh blamed Iran-backed militias operating from Iraq and reserved the right to respond.
5. Houthis Reject Saudi Claims
Yemen’s Houthi movement accused Saudi Arabia of attempting to conceal failures in its air defence systems and claimed its drones successfully reached their intended targets.
6. Regional Countries Condemn Drone Attacks
Qatar, Kuwait, Pakistan, Syria and Oman condemned the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, calling them violations of the kingdom’s sovereignty and regional security.
7. Iraq Launches Investigation
Iraq’s Prime Minister ordered an investigation after Saudi Arabia alleged drones targeting its territory had been launched from Iraqi soil.
8. Netanyahu Travels to Washington
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Washington for talks with President Trump, with Iran expected to dominate discussions between the two leaders.
9. Israeli Operations Intensify in the West Bank
Israeli forces expanded raids across the occupied West Bank, detaining more than 120 people and carrying out home demolitions near Nablus, Ramallah, Hebron, Qalqilya and East Jerusalem.
10. Oil Prices Fall Despite Regional Tensions
Global oil prices dropped sharply, with Brent crude falling around 8 per cent to approximately $86 per barrel, as markets reacted positively to the temporary pause in direct US-Iran military action despite continued uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz.Military activity involving Iran, Gulf states and Yemen has heightened fears over the safety of one of the world’s busiest oil shipping routes.