Middle East – War Watch

Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East | Ships and Shipping | Strait of Hormuz | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Trump Says U.S. Will Help Stranded Ships Leave Strait of Hormuz
ByZolan Kanno-Youngs and David E. Sanger May 3, 2026May 4, 2026

President Trump offered few details on how the new program, which he called Project Freedom, would work, but said interference would be dealt with “forcefully.”

Read More Trump Says U.S. Will Help Stranded Ships Leave Strait of Hormuz
China | International Relations | International Trade and World Market | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East | Peace Process | Ships and Shipping | Strait of Hormuz | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Xi Jinping

China Seeks an Advantage With Both Trump and Iran as War Evolves
ByEdward Wong May 3, 2026May 4, 2026

With President Trump’s visit to Beijing looming, China is pushing Iran to negotiate even as its companies export material that could be used by Iran’s military.

Read More China Seeks an Advantage With Both Trump and Iran as War Evolves
Arms trade | Defense and Military Forces | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kuwait | Middle East | Missiles and Missile Defense Systems | Qatar | Rubio, Marco | State Department | United Arab Emirates | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

U.S. Fast-Tracks Arms Deals Valued at $8.6 Billion to Mideast Partners
ByAaron Boxerman and Edward Wong May 2, 2026May 2, 2026

The Persian Gulf countries and Israel have faced repeated Iranian attacks during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The State Department move bypassed congressional review.

Read More U.S. Fast-Tracks Arms Deals Valued at $8.6 Billion to Mideast Partners
Africa | Agriculture and Farming | Ahmed, Abiy | Economic Conditions and Trends | Foreign Aid | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East | Politics and Government | Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) | Shortages | Trump, Donald J | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

How the War in Iran is Affecting Africa’s Economy and Fuel Supply
ByJohn Eligon, Golden Matonga and Matthew Mpoke Bigg April 30, 2026April 30, 2026

Despite the fragile cease-fire in the Middle East, many Africans say they are bracing for tougher times ahead and making difficult decisions about the future.

Read More How the War in Iran is Affecting Africa’s Economy and Fuel Supply
Bahrain | Comedy and Humor | Haifa Wehbe | Iran | Iran-Israel Proxy Conflict | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Kuwait | Lebanon | Middle East | Social Media | Syria | United Arab Emirates | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Gallows Humor Provides Respite From Mideast Wars
ByAbdi Latif Dahir April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

Arab digital creators on social media are turning out edgy material to cope with the conflicts and bring levity to a pain that often feels too raw.

Read More Gallows Humor Provides Respite From Mideast Wars
Araghchi, Abbas | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kushner, Jared | Middle East | Pakistan | Peace Process | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Vance, J D | Witkoff, Steven

What to Know About the Mideast Standoff
ByThe New York Times April 26, 2026May 3, 2026

Negotiations to end the war are at an impasse over Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz, which remains mostly shut.

Read More What to Know About the Mideast Standoff
Al Akhbar | Committee to Protect Journalists | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Middle East | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Israeli Strikes Kill a Journalist and Injure Another in Lebanon
ByAshley Ahn April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Lebanese officials say rescue teams came under fire while trying to aid Amal Khalil, a reporter for a Lebanese newspaper, and Zeinab Faraj, a photojournalist.

Read More Israeli Strikes Kill a Journalist and Injure Another in Lebanon
internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Middle East

What I Saw Crossing Into South Lebanon
By April 21, 2026

Our visual journalist David Guttenfelder traveled with displaced people returning to their homes in southern Lebanon, as a cease-fire paused the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Read More What I Saw Crossing Into South Lebanon
Eisenkot, Gadi | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Middle East | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Lebanon Cease-Fire Leaves Netanyahu in an Uncomfortable Spot
ByDavid M. Halbfinger April 17, 2026

Most Israelis wanted the fight against Hezbollah to continue. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s critics say he is showing that he cannot, or will not, stand up to President Trump.

Read More Lebanon Cease-Fire Leaves Netanyahu in an Uncomfortable Spot
Eisenkot, Gadi | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Middle East | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Lebanon Cease-Fire Leaves Netanyahu in an Uncomfortable Spot
ByDavid M. Halbfinger April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

Most Israelis wanted the fight against Hezbollah to continue. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s critics say he is showing that he cannot, or will not, stand up to President Trump.

Read More Lebanon Cease-Fire Leaves Netanyahu in an Uncomfortable Spot