Trending Middle East

Violence grips Lebanon, Houthis issue Red Sea threat and Etihad predicts summer recovery

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Iran and Israel halt attacks against each other after the heaviest exchange of strikes in weeks, but fighting continues in Lebanon.

We also look at signs of a new phase in the regional conflict, as Yemen’s Houthi rebels resume operations against Israel. An Iran-backed Iraqi militia warns it could attack US interests if Washington "intervenes in the war".

In the Gulf, American forces fire on an oil tanker heading towards an Iranian port and a US military helicopter goes down near the Strait of Hormuz.

Etihad Airways says it expects passenger numbers to recover to prewar levels this summer, despite higher fuel costs and disruption caused by the Iran war.
And authorities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia announce the seizure of more than 267,000 amphetamine pills in a joint operation that also dismantles a drug trafficking network.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

Israel and Iran exchange attacks, regional airspace closures and Trump seeks to calm tensions

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, a fragile regional ceasefire comes under renewed pressure after Israel launches strikes across Iran in response to overnight Iranian missile and drone attacks.

Several neighbouring countries respond by tightening security measures, with Iraq closing its airspace, Syria suspending flights in parts of the country and Jordan activating air-raid sirens.

US President Donald Trump urges both sides to avoid further escalation while acknowledging the challenges facing ongoing negotiations to end the conflict and reopen a path to diplomacy.

As the Fifa World Cup begins in North America, concerns grow over immigration enforcement and security procedures after Iraqi and Iranian football officials report entry and visa issues.

And in Abu Dhabi, more than 1,000 job opportunities for Emiratis are being offered through the Manufacturers 2026 exhibition as the UAE continues its push to increase private-sector employment among citizens.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

Lebanon truce faces hurdles, UAE tightens wage rules and Dubai launches SME initiative

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the latest ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel faces an early test as Iran and Hezbollah insist any lasting agreement must include a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

We also look at mounting pressure on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, where US military aircraft are occupying large parts of the country’s main aviation hub, disrupting operations and reducing commercial capacity.

US President Donald Trump says negotiations to end the war with Iran have reached their “final” stage, while criticising efforts in Congress to limit presidential war powers.

In the UAE, authorities introduce tougher penalties for companies that repeatedly delay salary payments, including fines, work permit suspensions and potential travel bans for managers.

And Dubai launches the SME in a Box initiative, a new programme designed to help entrepreneurs start businesses faster and at lower costs through a single access platform.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

Kuwait releases airport strike footage, Lebanon ceasefire agreed and UAE confirms no Ebola cases

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Kuwait releases CCTV footage it says shows a missile striking Kuwait International Airport, as authorities expel Iranian diplomats and step up their response to the attack.

Lebanon and Israel said they agreed to implement a ceasefire after negotiations in Washington aimed at ending months of fighting, although violence continues on the ground and Iran insists Lebanon must be part of any wider regional settlement.

We also examine why reconstruction in Gaza remains stalled months after billions of dollars were pledged, with humanitarian needs still mounting across the enclave.

In the UAE, health authorities confirm there are no Ebola cases in the country after a traveller who visited the Emirates was later diagnosed in Uganda.
And despite disruption linked to the Iran war, the UAE’s non-oil private sector continues to expand, with businesses reporting stronger domestic demand and rising output.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

Iran strikes Bahrain and Kuwait, ceasefire hopes fade in Lebanon, and Abu Dhabi renters get relief

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Iran launches missile and drone attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait and civilian shipping in the Gulf, while US forces intercept projectiles and carry out strikes on an Iranian military site on Qeshm Island.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says any peace agreement will require Iran to accept long-term limits on its nuclear programme, with further negotiations expected after the Strait of Hormuz reopens.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency describes last month’s drone strike on the UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant as “simply unacceptable” and warns of the risks of targeting civilian nuclear infrastructure.

In Lebanon, Israeli strikes kill at least a dozen people, despite efforts to halt the fighting, with violence continuing to complicate wider US-Iran negotiations.

And Abu Dhabi announces a temporary freeze on rent increases for residential, commercial and industrial properties, offering relief to tenants facing rising living costs.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

Trump intervenes to halt Lebanon attacks, Iraq cracks down on corruption and UAE approves weight-loss pill

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, US President Donald Trump says Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to stop attacking each other after efforts by Washington to prevent a major Israeli escalation in Beirut.

We also look at growing uncertainty around US-Iran diplomacy after Tehran reportedly suspended indirect talks because of Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

In Iraq, authorities arrest Deputy Oil Minister Adnan Al Jumaili as Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi launches an anti-corruption body and expands investigations into public sector spending.

In the UAE, a national initiative called Naseej aims to reduce the number of clothes going to waste and promote a circular economy. Officials estimate the country generates about 220,000 tonnes of textile waste each year.

And the Emirates also approves the pill form of weight-loss drug Wegovy, expanding treatment options for obesity and related health conditions.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

Missiles over Kuwait, US-Iran strikes continue and some UAE rules change

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the Gulf faces renewed security tensions after Kuwait’s air defences intercept missile and drone threats, forcing flight diversions.

We also look at fresh military exchanges around the Strait of Hormuz, where the US says it carried out self-defence strikes on Iranian sites and Tehran claims it responded by attacking a facility linked to American operations.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says troops are moving deeper into Lebanese territory, while Israeli forces report their deepest ground advance in 26 years despite an existing ceasefire.

The US also puts forward a new proposal aimed at reducing tensions between Israel and Lebanon, with separate talks held with leaders in Beirut and Jerusalem.
And in the UAE, new laws come into force affecting salary payments, the legal age of adulthood, road tolls and parking fees.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

US and Iran reach tentative deal, Lebanon and Israel hold talks and Eid attacks grip Gaza

In today's episode of Trending Middle East, a tentative agreement has been reached in negotiations between the US and Iran, but it still requires the approval of President Donald Trump.

A fourth round of talks between Israel and Lebanon is to take place today at the Pentagon. The disarmament of Hezbollah is expected to be the focus of the discussions.

In Gaza, Israeli strikes across the enclave mean the Eid Al Adha holiday has been marred by fear and bloodshed.

Former Yemeni president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, who was forced into exile after the civil war began, has died at the age of 80.

And a senior Emirati official says the UAE’s first dedicated Arabic language law aims to strengthen national identity.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

Kuwait responds to missile attacks, US shoots down Iranian drones and flood warnings in Syria and Iraq

In today's episode of Trending Middle East, Kuwait said its air defences responded to missile and drone attacks on Thursday morning. It came after US forces carried out new strikes on Iranian drones.

The Israeli military ordered the mass displacement of all of southern Lebanon, telling residents to move north of the Zahrani River.

Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr said his armed faction, Saraya Al Salam, would integrate into state forces, while Baghdad faces growing pressure to bring other armed groups into its ranks.

Authorities in Syria and Iraq have issued evacuation orders along the Euphrates River amid fears of major flooding.

And the UAE dirham symbol is currently under review to be added to computer and smartphone keyboards.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

UN condemns Barakah attack, Israel's invasion in Lebanon and Assad-era chemical weapons found

In today's episode of Trending Middle East, the UN Security Council has condemned the drone strike on the UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant, calling it a flagrant violation of international law.

In Lebanon, Israeli troops have deepened their invasion, advancing beyond the so-called "yellow line” marking their occupied territory.

As talks between Tehran and Washington progress, the fate of 24 billion dollars in frozen Iranian funds has become a key sticking point for a possible peace deal.

In a breakthrough discovery, the Syrian government says it has found remnants of Bashar Al Assad’s chemical weapons programme, including materials and munitions linked to past gas attacks.

And a new report has found that the UAE’s efforts to reduce obesity could boost national productivity by $51 billion.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.