Houthis say they attacked vessel off Saudi Arabia Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Monday that it had attacked a vessel off the coast of Saudi Arabia near the Red Sea port city of Yanbu. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, made the statement in a televised speech. Saudi authorities did not immediately comment.
Egyptian-UAE free zone for oil storage and trading established in New Alamein Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 08/24/2026 - 13:51 Fujairah Alamein Oil and Gas will operate a 738,000-square-metre zone for storing and trading crude oil and petroleum products on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast New Alamein City project photo as published by Egypt's presidency in 2018 (presidency. eg) Off Egypt has completed the establishment of Fujairah Alamein Oil and Gas Company after approving a private free zone for the firm in New Alamein, according to a statement by the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade. The new zone, covering approximately 738,000 square metres in the Mediterranean city, will host facilities specialising in the storage and handling of crude oil and petroleum products, according to a ministry statement.
Israel bars two Swedish MEPs from entering occupied West Bank Israel has refused entry to two Swedish members of the European Parliament who were seeking to visit the occupied West Bank. Jonas Sjostedt and Hanna Gedin, both members of Sweden’s Left Party, were turned away at Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, according to Israel’s foreign ministry. The ministry accused the two lawmakers of having “consistently acted against Israel”, including by calling for international legal proceedings against Israelis.
Chinese President Xi calls for diplomatic solution to Middle East crisis Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a diplomatic solution to the Middle East crisis during talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II in Beijing on Monday. “China has always advocated for a comprehensive ceasefire [and] resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means,” Xi said, according to China's foreign ministry. He stressed that “the sovereignty and security of regional countries including Jordan should be respected”, while highlighting Jordan's “unique and important role in the region”.
The Palestinian-American determined to defend his home from Israeli settlers Submitted by Lubna Masarwa on Mon, 08/24/2026 - 13:16 After months of attacks, Louai Abu Ridi leaves Ohio and returns to the occupied West Bank to stop settlers from taking his home Palestinian-American Louai Abu Ridi looks out the window of his home, which has been encircled by settlers for two weeks in Qusra, in the occupied West Bank, on 18 August 2026 (Ammar Awad/Reuters) Off Watching anxiously from more than 10,000km away, Louai Abu Ridi could no longer handle being away from his ancestral home. The Palestinian - American homeowner had been monitoring security-camera footage of Israeli settlers attacking his home in the occupied West Bank town of Qusra, day after day. The harassment escalated earlier this month, when armed settlers surrounded the house and set up tents outside it, seeking to force the residents out.
Trump says Iran 'collapsing' ahead of sanctions announcement President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran is "collapsing" hours before the US government was set to announce details of what it says will be crushing sanctions against Tehran. "IRAN IS COMPLETELY COLLAPSING!!! " Trump posted in his trademark all-caps style on his social media platform Truth Social.
Colombia lifts coal export ban on Israel imposed over Gaza genocide Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Mon, 08/24/2026 - 11:52 The decree follows Colombia's recognition of Israeli rule over Syria's occupied Golan Heights Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella speaks during a press conference at the Palacio de San Carlos in Bogota on 12 August 2026 (Esteban Vega La Rotta/AFP) Off Colombia’s new right-wing government has authorised coal exports to Israel , overturning an embargo imposed by former President Gustavo Petro to prevent Colombian resources from fuelling Israel’s genocide in Gaza . Trade Minister Mauricio Gomez Amin announced the decision on Friday in a video alongside President Abelardo de la Espriella, who held up the document. “We have the decree that authorises the export of coal,” Gomez Amin said.
Sanctions didn't break Iran. They hardened it Submitted by Mahyar Ramezankhani on Fri, 08/21/2026 - 20:00 Tehran was denied a decade of growth, and given in exchange a tolerance for punishment that few open economies possess Iranian banknotes - households are paying the price (Atta Kenare/AFP) On The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed for most of the past six months. Brent crude is trading just below $90 a barrel, and rose about five percent in a single session earlier this month.
Israel continues to hold abducted Palestinian doctor after reported heart attack Submitted by Fayha Shalash on Mon, 08/24/2026 - 09:24 Gynaecologist Dima Amin was arrested at her Ramallah home over alleged social media incitement and later underwent a catheterisation procedure, her family says Relatives of Palestinian prisoners await their release near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, on 8 July 2026 (Ilia Yefimovich/AFP) Off Israeli authorities have continued to keep Palestinian gynaecologist Dima Amin in detention since last Tuesday, after dozens of Israeli soldiers forcibly entered her home in the al-Tira neighbourhood of Ramallah and took her away over an alleged social media post. Her husband, Haider Abu Ghosh, told Middle East Eye that the Israeli army stormed their home at 2am on Tuesday, breaking the main lock on the door and entering the house. He said that the couple was surprised to find the soldiers inside, adding that the military did not conduct a regular search.
Iran's currency drops to record low, tracking websites show Iran's currency has dropped to a record low of more than 2,000,000 rials per US dollar, two websites tracking the free market rate showed on Monday. Reporting by Reuters.
Israel probably committed war crimes in Gaza hospital double-tap, investigation finds Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 08/24/2026 - 09:12 MPs urge UK to hold Israel to account after attack killed 20, including journalists and medics A man holds the equipment used by Palestinian cameraman Hussam al-Masri who was killed along with other journalists at the Nasser hospital, in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza on 25 August 2025 (Hatem Khaled/Reuters) Off Israel may have committed war crimes in a double-tap attack on a Gaza hospital that killed Palestinian journalists, medics and first responders, an investigation by The Independent has found. The strikes on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on 25 August 2025 killed 20 people, including Middle East Eye contributors Mohamed Salama and Ahmed Abu Aziz , and The Independent correspondent Mariam Abu Dagga. The first strike hit Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri as he operated his camera, killing him.
Iran warns of 'consequences' for countries joining US economic sanctions The Iranian Foreign Ministry warned on Monday that there would be "consequences" for countries joining the US campaign of economic pressure against the Islamic Republic. "The necessary warnings have certainly been issued, as any complicity with America in implementing its aggressive actions against Iran will undoubtedly have consequences," ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said during a weekly press conference. His comments come ahead of Washington's expected announcement later on Monday of new measures to isolate the Iranian economy.
In Sudan’s deserted Bara, blood waters its famous lemon trees Submitted by Mohammed Amin on Mon, 08/24/2026 - 07:15 Sources who reached the war-torn town tell MEE that just two elderly people were found alive after the RSF retreated Three women, who are part of a group of displaced people from the towns of Bara and Umm Dam Haj Ahmed in North Kordofan, take shelter in Omdurman on 10 November 2025 (Ebrahim Hamid/AFP) Off Bara was known for its lemon trees. Scores were planted in this North Kordofan market town, and as winter turned to spring the streets were thick with the scent of their blossom. Today, after sieges, battles and massacres of civilians, Bara is destitute.
The Greens should not be eclipsed by the Burnham bounce - this is their moment Submitted by Tom Blackburn on Thu, 08/13/2026 - 10:17 As the planet burns, the Greens should not retreat; instead they should capitalise on Westminster inertia, positioning themselves as the party for real social change People gather to watch the partial solar eclipse on London's Parliament Hill. Britain and Europe are on course to experience one of the hottest summers on record, 12 August 2026 (Seiya Tanase/NurPhoto) Off In recent years, the Green Party has firmly established itself as the primary electoral outlet for left-leaning voters in England and Wales disillusioned by Labour’s domestic, economic and foreign policy. Its more combative approach under Zack Polanski , its firm stance in support of Palestinian liberation and left-populist economic policies have all enabled it to make significant inroads into Labour’s fragmenting progressive base.
Report: Israel used 30 years’ worth of ammunition in less than three years of war Israel has used over 30 years worth of ammunition over the past three years causing heavy burden on the military's personnel, equipment and finances, according to the Israeli newspaper Maariv. While worry escalated over depleted army resources, the paper warned that the toll on personnel was more difficult to reverse amid a rising death toll as well as increasing physical and psychological issues.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Here are the latest developments: Iraq has called for creating a joint security council between Iran and Saudi Arabia, citing a "crisis of trust" between the two countries, a senior Iraqi official told state broadcaster Iraqiya TV. Qasim al-Araji, the national security adviser to the Iraqi prime minister, indicated that Baghdad had presented the proposal to both Tehran and Riyadh. An Israeli drone strike targeting displaced Palestinians in central Gaza's Deir al-Balah killed two early on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported citing medical sources.
Iraq calls for joint security council between Saudi Arabia and Iran Iraq has called for creating a joint security council between Iran and Saudi Arabia, citing a "crisis of trust" between the two countries, a senior Iraqi official told state broadcaster Iraqiya TV. Qasim al-Araji, the national security adviser to the Iraqi prime minister, indicated that Baghdad had presented the proposal to both Tehran and Riyadh.
Oman foreign minister set to visit Tehran amid ongoing talks over Hormuz Strait Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi is expected to visit Tehran on Tuesday amid ongoing talks between Iran and Muscat over the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian foreign ministry indicated on Monday. "This trip is in line with strengthening Iran-Oman bilateral cooperation and continuing sustained political consultations between the two sides as littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz, to help bolster peace and stability in the region," the ministry's spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.
Senior in Iran's Basij says US was 'forced' to ask for ceasefire Hossein Taeb, head of Iran's Basij paramilitary unit, remarked that that Tehran had not asked for a ceasefire, instead the US was "forced" to call for negotiations. "We reached a document through negotiations, but the other side could not tolerate this document for 60 days and violated it," Iranian media reported Taeb as saying. "They thought they could make this nation sit at home by returning to negotiations," he added.
Former CIA officer describes Aipac's rise to political power Former CIA officer John Kiriakou and journalist Tucker Carlson sharply discuss the power of the Israel lobby in Washington, including Aipac's controversial rise, Israel’s attack on the USS Liberty in 1967, and Israel’s involvement in the assassination of U. S. President John F.
