Trending Middle East

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, America's top military commander in the Middle East reportedly advised the White House to halt its bombing campaign around the Strait of Hormuz after concluding it had reached the limit of its effectiveness. Axios reports the assessment helped shape US President Donald Trump's decision to pause attacks on Iran, as Tehran and Oman hold talks on reopening the strait and diplomacy gathers pace ahead of Mr Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

We also examine falling oil prices after the US and Iran paused hostilities, Iran's claims that six ships were prevented from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and continued security risks after Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

Israel also approves the deployment of an international force under its Gaza peace plan, while violence escalates across the occupied West Bank with settler attacks, mass arrests and fresh land seizures.

And Dubai opens a major new bridge as work continues on one of the emirate's biggest road-improvement projects, with authorities aiming to significantly reduce congestion and delays.

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

Iran has reportedly rejected a ceasefire proposal delivered by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi during his first visit to Tehran. This comes as US President Donald Trump considers conducting a “massive attack” against Iran.

During his visit, Mr Al Zaidi announced the establishment of an Iraqi-Iranian Joint Economic Committee. The two countries also signed several agreements concerning foreign affairs, finance and energy.

Mr Trump said a US-Saudi civil nuclear agreement signed a day earlier, would advance only if Riyadh joins the Abraham Accords with Israel, marking a shift from his administration's original position.

A new report on Gaza has found that reconstruction will cost seven times more than the combined cost of the three previous wars in the territory.

And in the UAE, researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi have discovered a weakness in malaria parasites that could be instrumental in developing future treatments.

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

US President Donald Trump has threatened to target Iranian infrastructure if Tehran attacks commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as the war continues for a 12th consecutive night.

As the conflict escalates to new fronts, Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed attacks on two tankers in the Red Sea after declaring a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia.

DP World has signed an agreement to build two new deepwater terminals on the UAE’s east coast, creating a trade route that avoids the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, the US and Saudi Arabia have reached a deal to develop a civilian nuclear programme in the kingdom.

And in the UAE, Etihad Rail will open its Madinat Zayed and Liwa passenger stations on November 30, one month earlier than planned.

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

Several tankers carrying Saudi oil have turned around in the Red Sea one day after the Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia. The new threats are raising fears of further disruption to Gulf trade.

Kuwait’s military air defences intercepted hostile missiles and drones again this morning, which it says was an Iranian attack. This comes as the US completes its 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran.

In Washington, President Donald Trump said US airlines will be allowed to resume direct flights to Lebanon, ending a four-decade ban. The announcement came during a visit by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House.

In Gaza, chickenpox is spreading rapidly, with nearly 10,000 cases recorded among children in the first two weeks of summer.

In an effort to boost tourism, Dubai has launched a scheme that offers residents up to Dh3,000 in hotel and leisure discounts when they invite family and friends to visit the emirate.

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

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, raising fears of further disruption to Red Sea shipping.

Previous threats have already disrupted Saudi oil exports, with crude loadings through the Bab Al Mandeb strait falling 36 per cent in two weeks.

The conflict between the US and Iran continues for a 10th night. US Central Command said it targeted maritime capabilities, command centres, and missile and drone sites, while Iran launched attacks on Kuwait and Jordan again.

In Lebanon, the US said pilot zones for the Israeli military’s withdrawal from the south of the country have begun. The announcement comes ahead of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's visit to the White House today.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace has approved a pilot project to house Palestinians in Gaza, in a move that appears to stray from initial plans for reconstruction.

And the UAE marks a milestone in its Emiratisation programme as more than 190,000 Emiratis are now employed by private companies, meeting the scheme's targets for the first half of the year.

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

The conflict between the US and Iran continues to escalate, with both sides launching more attacks across the Gulf and the wider Middle East.

US forces have carried out a ninth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military targets, while Iran launched missiles towards Jordan, Kuwait intercepted hostile drones, Bahrain activated warning sirens and Tehran warned the Strait of Hormuz would remain unsafe for oil and gas traffic while US attacks continue.

Oil prices climb above $90 a barrel as markets price in the growing risk of disruption to global energy supplies, while flights to Kuwait and Bahrain begin returning to normal after weekend airspace restrictions, despite new travel warnings.

We also examine Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's upcoming talks with US President Donald Trump, where Beirut will seek stronger American backing for Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

On Trending Middle East, we also hear how the UAE is working with retailers and suppliers to safeguard food supplies and keep prices stable as shipping disruption continues.

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

Spain are world champions for the second time after beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It was a performance that defined their entire tournament: patient, disciplined and ruthless when the moment arrived.

Spain dominated throughout, finishing with 20 attempts to Argentina's two, but Emiliano Martinez kept Argentina alive with a series of crucial saves, finishing with 11, the most ever recorded in a men's World Cup final.

The match turned in stoppage time when Enzo Fernandez, already booked for dissent, received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi. With Argentina reduced to 10 men, Ferran Torres scored the winner 39 seconds into the second half of extra time, driving his finish beyond Martinez after Nico Williams kept the ball alive at the back post.

A Williams goal had earlier been ruled out for a foul by Mikel Merino on Nicolas Otamendi. Leandro Paredes was sent off after the final whistle for shoving Gavi during a post-match confrontation.

Lionel Messi finished without a goal or assist, having been largely denied the space to influence the match. He confirmed afterwards that this was his final World Cup. Spain, unbeaten in 38 consecutive matches, conceded only one goal in the entire tournament.

At the post-match ceremony, Rodri received the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Messi took the Silver Ball and Kylian Mbappe the Bronze Ball. Mbappe won the Golden Boot with 10 goals, Messi the Silver Boot with eight and Jude Bellingham the Bronze Boot with seven. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón won the Golden Glove after keeping seven clean sheets. Cubarsi was named the best young player.

England finished third after a remarkable 6-4 win over France in Miami on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump attended the final alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino and joined him on the pitch for the trophy presentation, where he was met with loud boos from sections of the crowd.

Mina Rzouki presents Trending Middle East's World Cup round-up, a daily bonus series from The National for the duration of the tournament.

The latest phase of the conflict between the US and Iran enters its seventh consecutive day as Iran launches new missile and drone attacks across the Gulf, while the US carries out another round of strikes on Iranian military targets. Tehran also says no oil or gas will be exported through the Strait of Hormuz for as long as the attacks continue.

India suspends the deployment of its seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz after deadly attacks on commercial shipping, with injured sailors from two UAE-operated tankers continuing to receive treatment in the Emirates.

Iraq warns it could lose enough electricity to power at least one million homes after Dana Gas suspends operations at the Khor Mor gasfield because of security threats.

We also examine the latest US-backed negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, where military talks are expected to continue before proposed security zones in southern Lebanon can move forward.

Elsewhere, rising gang violence in northern Sudan highlights growing security concerns as the country's civil war continues.

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

The build-up to Sunday's World Cup final has been overshadowed by two controversies from the semi-final between Argentina and England.

Several Argentina players displayed a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", which means "the Falklands are Argentinian", after the final whistle. Fifa's stadium code prohibits political messages and the governing body's disciplinary committee is reviewing the incident. But Argentina's place in final against Spain is not at risk.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham also faces possible disciplinary action after slapping Argentina substitute Valentin Barco on the back of the head after the South American team's semi-final triumph. Fifa has yet to decide whether to charge Bellingham and a ban could rule him out of Saturday's third-place play-off against France.

Meanwhile, Spain's Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro trained separately on Thursday as a precaution, but are both expected to be available for the final.

US President Donald Trump is to attend the showpiece match at MetLife Stadium and, alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino, will present the trophy after the final whistle.

The Golden Boot race is level heading into the decisive final weekend. Argentina's Lionel Messi and France striker Kylian Mbappe are both on eight goals, with Messi ahead on assists as the tiebreaker.

Mina Rzouki presents Trending Middle East's World Cup round-up, a daily bonus series from The National for the duration of the tournament.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the regional war reaches occupied UAE territory after US forces strike Iranian military positions on Greater Tunb. The UAE island was seized by Tehran in 1971. Washington says the operation struck coastal defence systems and other military infrastructure to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Jordan and Kuwait report intercepting renewed Iranian attacks.

We also examine Washington’s approval of nearly $2.5 billion in new military equipment sales to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

In Rome, Lebanon and Israel make progress in their US-backed negotiations, agreeing to advance the plan for pilot security zones in southern Lebanon while technical talks continue.

We also look at new US transparency rules that could force Gulf family offices investing in activist campaigns on Wall Street to reveal their identities for the first time.

And Dubai’s Museum of the Future prepares for its biggest transformation since opening, with every major exhibition set to be replaced before a relaunch in early 2027.

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