Middle East
Saudi Arabia Signs Defense Pact with Pakistan and Türkiye with Much Fanfare, Yet Turns to Israel for Help Against the Houthis
Recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi forces on Saudi Arabia have raised new questions about the security equation in the Middle East. Just a month after Riyadh signed a joint defense agreement with Pakistan and Türkiye, the question of immediate military assistance to Saudi Arabia in the face of Houthi attacks remains unclear. Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post has reported that Saudi Arabia and Israel have discussed intelligence cooperation to counter the Houthis, with mediation by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).
US Approves $24.3 Billion Military Aircraft Sale to Saudi Arabia, Including 48 F-35 Fighter Jets and 49 Pratt & Whitney Engines, Amid West Asia War
Amid the ongoing war in West Asia and the changing regional security situation, the United States has approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. If the proposed deal is finalized, Saudi Arabia could become a new operator of the US-made fifth-generation F-35 fighter aircraft.
US-Built Passenger Boeing 737 Makes Emergency Landing After Engine Malfunction and Severe Vibrations on Flight from Mashhad to Kermanshah, Iran
A Sepehran Airlines Boeing 737 flying from Mashhad to Kermanshah in Iran encountered an emergency shortly after take-off and returned to Mashhad Airport. According to a CNN-News18 report, a tyre reportedly came off one of the aircraft’s wheels, after which an engine malfunction occurred and the aircraft began experiencing severe vibrations.
Saudi Arabia carried out 54 airstrikes in Yemen within 24 hours after attacks on its military bases, Houthis claim
The Iran-backed Houthi group has claimed that Saudi Arabia carried out 54 airstrikes in western Yemen over the past 24 hours, following drone and missile attacks by the Houthis on Saudi military installations. The claim was made by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree and reported by AFP on Monday.
Iran will not hold talks with the United States until the conditions are met on Tehran’s national security secretary
Iran will not engage in any new talks with the United States until its conditions are met, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei has made clear. His remarks come amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, creating further uncertainty over the prospects for renewed diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Illegal Israeli Jewish settlements continue to expand across Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem — settler violence is also increasing
Israeli settlements continue to expand across Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. At the same time, attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, property damage and incidents of forced displacement are also increasing.
Yemen Houthis claim large-scale missile and drone attack on Saudi military base in the southern part
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group has claimed that it launched a large-scale ballistic missile and drone attack against a Saudi military base in the southern part of the kingdom.
Pakistan Stands by Saudi Arabia After Houthi Attacks, Shehbaz–Mohammed bin Salman Talks Focus on De-escalation and Regional Stability
Pakistan has expressed full solidarity and support for Saudi Arabia following recent Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed Islamabad’s firm support for Saudi Arabia’s security during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, while also reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions in West Asia.
Iran War Reshapes Global Agenda as 18th BRICS Summit Focuses on Regional and Global Peace
Against the backdrop of the Iran war, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and growing global economic uncertainty, the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit has opened in New Delhi, bringing together leaders and senior representatives from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
China, Iran, India, Russia and Other BRICS Nations: Balancing Power and Geopolitical Capabilities in a New Global Political and Economic Equation
Amid rapidly shifting geopolitical and economic equations, the 18th BRICS Summit is underway in New Delhi. Held on September 12 and 13 at Bharat Mandapam, the summit is bringing together major powers such as China, Russia, India and Iran, while also highlighting differences within the bloc over economic cooperation, de-dollarisation, reform of global governance institutions, energy security and the conflict in West Asia.
Iran Focuses on Strengthening Ties with BRICS Countries, Including India, to Address Economic Crisis Amid Rising US Sanctions
Amid growing economic pressure and sanctions from the United States, the Islamic Republic of Iran is focusing on strengthening relations and cooperation with BRICS member states, including India, to address its economic crisis.
IRGC Navy Claims Destruction of US Unmanned Vessel Near the Entrance- of the Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has claimed that it attacked and destroyed a U.S. unmanned surface vessel (USV) near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan Warns the Islamic Republic of Iran to Rein in Yemen’s Houthis After Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following a series of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia. Amid the growing tensions, Pakistan has warned the Islamic Republic of Iran to use its influence to rein in the Houthis and halt their attacks on the kingdom. Reuters reported that Islamabad conveyed the message to Tehran on behalf of Saudi Arabia.
IRGC Navy has claimed that it attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf in response of US attack
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has claimed that it attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf in response to a U.S. attack on five Iranian oil tankers. It also claimed to have targeted 10 additional vessels attempting to pass through a prohibited and unsafe area of the Strait of Hormuz.
Houthi Drone and Missile Attacks on Saudi Arabia — Pakistan Remains Silent; Mecca Defence Pact Put to the Test
A series of drone and ballistic missile attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi forces targeting southern Saudi cities and critical energy facilities has once again brought the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye into focus. Coming just a month after the agreement was signed, the attacks are raising questions about the effectiveness of the alliance’s collective defence commitments.
Iran’s Supreme National Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei has claimed that Iran launched an anti-ship missile directly against a US vessel for the first time
Iran’s Supreme National Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei has claimed that Iran launched an anti-ship missile directly against a US vessel for the first time, in what could mark a significant escalation in the ongoing military tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Iran Warns South Korea Against Any US-Backed Military Presence in Strait of Hormuz
Iran has warned South Korea that any military presence or participation in military activities in the Persian Gulf or Strait of Hormuz with US support would be regarded as direct support for what Tehran describes as US “aggression.”
After Suffering Military Defeat Against Iran, US Imposing Economic Pressure on Tehran to Offset Losses — Major General Ali Abdollahi
The United States is now imposing economic pressure and waging soft war and cognitive warfare against Tehran in an attempt to offset the losses it and its allies suffered in the military conflict with Iran, alleged Major General Ali Abdollahi, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces and Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command.
Iran May Launch a Direct Military Attack on US Territory, Former US Ambassador Joey Hood Warns
Amid escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran, former US Ambassador to Tunisia Joey Hood has warned that Iran could potentially launch a direct attack on US territory. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hood cautioned that Tehran could decide to carry out a surprise attack against the United States within the next six weeks.
US and Israel Suffered a Major Defeat and Failed to Achieve Their Stated Objectives — Iranian Army Spokesman
The United States and Israel suffered a major defeat in their recent military aggression against Iran and failed to achieve any of their stated objectives, Iranian Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia has claimed.