An Iranian army spokesperson warned Iran would bomb its own territory rather than allow US occupation, as US strikes continue and ground operation prospects are discussed. Iranian officials also threatened regional attacks and capturing US soldiers, raising fears of a broader Persian Gulf war.
The Sudan conflict is destabilizing Ethiopia, with RSF training camps near refugee sites like Ura, where Sudanese refugees fear further attacks. Ethiopia's new "Makatet" project aims to integrate refugees, but regional war looms as the conflict metastasizes, raising concerns among experts and residents.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun asserts Lebanon's negotiation path is independent, seeks ceasefire, and welcomes international aid, including from Iran, while warning against interference in Lebanese affairs.
Twenty-six years after Israel's withdrawal from South Lebanon, the region remains embroiled in conflict, with Palestine as the central issue. Iran's backing of Hezbollah has escalated the local conflict into a regional war involving the US, threatening the global economy. Lebanon faces economic devastation and displacement, while Hezbollah has adapted to new technological realities.
Saudi Arabia is proceeding with the annual Hajj pilgrimage despite regional conflict and travel advisories from Western nations. The event, expected to draw 1.5 million pilgrims, faces logistical challenges exacerbated by the ongoing war with Iran, though experts deem a direct attack on Hajj unlikely. Concerns remain about accidental incidents and the economic impact on pilgrims.
South Korea's crude oil imports from the Middle East fell over 37% in April year-on-year due to regional conflicts. Imports from Saudi Arabia decreased by 37.6%, while US imports rose 13.4%, narrowing the gap to just 1,000 tons.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and LNG trade, has demonstrated its potential to trigger macroeconomic events. The incident caused a historic drop in global oil supply and a significant surge in oil prices, underscoring the vulnerability of the global economy to such strategic maritime routes.
Saudi Arabia conducted unpublicized airstrikes on Iran in late March, marking the first direct military action on Iranian soil in retaliation for attacks within the kingdom. This shift in approach followed Iranian strikes on Gulf Cooperation Council states, leading to an informal de-escalation understanding between Riyadh and Tehran.
US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire will be extended by three weeks, expressing optimism about a potential peace deal this year. The talks, moved from the State Department to the White House, involved envoys from both Israel and Lebanon, with Israel stating it has no serious disagreements with the Lebanese government.
US President Donald Trump will meet Lebanese and Israeli envoys at the White House on Thursday for a new round of peace talks, with Beirut seeking a one-month extension of a shaky ceasefire set to expire. The talks, shifted from the State Department to the White House, come as Trump struggles to push Iran into a deal on the wider regional war. Lebanon will request an extension that includes halting destruction of homes and attacks on civilians, journalists, and medical and educational facilities. Israel has stated it has no serious disagreements with the Lebanese government, though Hezbollah is notably absent from and opposed to the negotiations.
