Iran's currency plummeting and tensions growing in the Middle East

Eva Glaser

Iran's currency falls to historic low

Iran's national currency is plummeting amid war and economic sanctions. On the free market, the exchange rate for one euro rose to the historic mark of three million rials for the first time, as the Iranian financial portal bon-bast.com reports. Due to the rapid loss of value, the purchasing power of the population is falling drastically. According to financial experts, the average monthly wage has fallen from the equivalent of 120 euros to around 70 euros since the beginning of the year. The devaluation makes the import of consumer goods and raw materials more expensive, which further increases domestic price pressure.

Miriam Braun

Authorities: At least four dead in Israeli airstrike on Gaza City

According to Palestinian health authorities, at least four people were killed in a residential building in the city of Gaza in an Israeli airstrike. There was initially no statement from the Israeli military.

Miriam Braun

Oil tanker hit by projectile off the coast of Oman

A crude oil tanker has come under fire in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report. The ship was hit on the port side by an unknown projectile, the British Maritime Safety Authority (UKMTO) reported, citing the captain. The crew of the ship should therefore be safe.

The incident reportedly occurred near the northern tip of Oman, where the Musandam enclave protrudes into the strait. The ship was less than eight kilometers from the coast at the time. Iran and Oman are countries directly bordering the Strait of Hormuz, which is only around 35 to 40 kilometers wide at its narrowest point.

Miriam Braun

Media: Flydubai co-pilot was previously considered a safety risk

The co-pilot who is said to have injured the pilot of the Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv was previously fired from his previous job at an airline in Oman due to safety concerns, according to US media. ABC News reports, based on senior intelligence and law enforcement officials, that the man was suspended from Oman Air after being deemed a security risk.

According to information from the US broadcaster, the suspected attacker from Oman was found to have extremist material when he was employed by the airline as a co-pilot trainee in 2024. However, he was therefore allowed to continue working there in an administrative role. The US broadcaster CNN has similar information.

The Wall Street Journal also reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the man had previously been banned from flying by Oman. The reason for this was the fear that he had radical ideological views.

According to ABC News, investigators are currently trying to find out how he was then allowed to fly for Flydubai. The arrested co-pilot, who has now been brought to the Emirates, should therefore cooperate with the investigating authorities. He indicated that he had intended to bring down the Flydubai plane in Israel, the broadcaster quoted sources familiar with the investigation as saying.

Eva Glaser

Saudi Arabia is probably planning a new offensive against the Houthis in Yemen

Saudi Arabia is planning a new military offensive against the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen. The aim is to secure the strategically important shipping route in the Red Sea, regional and Western officials told the Reuters news agency. The operation would begin in the coming weeks and would be carried out by Yemeni ground forces, overseen by Riyadh and supported by Saudi airstrikes. Six people with knowledge of the preparations confirmed the plans. There were initially no statements from the Saudi Arabian and Yemeni governments or the Houthi militia.

Sarah Sendner

Media: USA sends another aircraft carrier to the Middle East

According to media reports, the Pentagon is sending a third aircraft carrier strike group and additional warships to the Middle East. This is reported by the “Wall Street Journal” and the news portal “Axios”, citing US officials. Accordingly, newly deployed warships, fighter aircraft, marines and sailors are expected to arrive there by the end of November. According to the Wall Street Journal, the US is increasing its troop presence in the region by 9,000 to 10,000 soldiers.

The reports are fueling speculation that the US could launch new attacks on Iran after the crucial parliamentary elections in early November. When asked about this in an interview with “Time” magazine, US President Donald Trump recently simply said: “Possible”.

Miriam Braun

Tanker hit by bullets in the Strait of Hormuz

According to the British military, a tanker was hit by an “unknown projectile” in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker then caught fire, as the British Navy's Maritime Trade Authority (UKMTO) announced on Thursday. The authority said it had been informed about the incident from elsewhere. The crew was safe, it said. The UKMTO initially did not release any information about the ship's name.

So far no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Iranian forces regularly attack ships passing through the strait to maintain control of the crucial waterway.

Miriam Braun

Reports: Explosions in Yemen's capital Sanaa

Fighting has broken out again in Yemen. According to eyewitnesses, several heavy explosions were heard in the capital Sanaa. As a result, columns of smoke could be seen near the presidential palace, it said.

The Houthi-affiliated broadcaster Al-Masirah reported on attacks by Saudi Arabia on Sanaa and the provinces of Saada, Tais and Amran. The broadcaster did not provide details about the targets of the attacks or possible damage.

Previously, the Saudi-led military coalition fighting alongside the official government in Yemen against the Houthi militia said it had intercepted two Houthi ballistic missiles and four drones over the cities of Khamis Mushait and Jazan in southern Saudi Arabia. On Platform X, military coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki wrote that measures to deter the Houthi militia were continuing.

Eva Glaser

Flydubai: Saudi Arabia transfers suspect to Emirates

After the violent incident on a Flydubai plane on the way to Tel Aviv, the arrested co-pilot was transferred to the United Arab Emirates. The Saudi Arabian authorities announced this on Thursday. The Emirates had declared itself responsible for the investigation and justified this by saying that the aircraft was registered there and that the law of the United Arab Emirates applied to crimes committed on board.

Tom Körkemeier

Netanyahu: Flydubai co-pilot was indoctrinated into Islamism

After the violence on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the co-pilot as Islamist. “We know that he was subjected to radical Islamist indoctrination,” Netanyahu told Fox News. “That seems to be the case from the information.” Netanyahu did not provide any further details.

It will also be clear within a few days whether the pilot has connections to Iran. Israel's government had previously described the incident as a jihadist terrorist attack.

Tom Körkemeier

Eva Glaser

Trump: Iran's Hormuz offer was inadequate

US President Donald Trump has described Iran's latest offer to open the Strait of Hormuz as inadequate. Trump said in an interview with Time magazine published on Thursday that he would not accept any Iranian proposals today that he would not have agreed to a year ago.

It is possible that the USA will resume its bombing of Iran after the US midterm elections on November 3rd, emphasized the US President. He did not provide details about possible new attacks or targets.

Eva Glaser

Trump: Evidence of Iranian involvement in Flydubai attack

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out a connection between the attack on the Flydubai plane and Iran. Asked by reporters whether there was a connection to Tehran, Trump said on Thursday: "I would say the answer - from what I'm hearing - is yes, but we're working on it right now."

Eva Glaser

Incident at military base: arrest in London

After the incident near an air force base in Great Britain, the British anti-terror police report another arrest. A 27-year-old man of British and Iranian nationality has been arrested in London on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, the authorities announced. Officers also searched two properties in the Westminster district. A 26-year-old British man was also questioned in connection with the investigation.

Eva Glaser

Iran rejects allegations of plans to attack Britain

Iran denies allegations of being involved in suspected attack plans against a military base in Great Britain. The Foreign Ministry in Tehran summoned the British ambassador because of the allegations, state media reported. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaks of “clear indications” of Iranian involvement in plans against the base, which is used by US forces to attack Iran.

Sabrina Frangos

Taliban: Nine dead in Pakistani airstrikes

According to the Taliban ruling there, nine people are killed in Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan. Eleven more people were injured, Taliban spokesman Sabiullah Mujahid said on the social media platform X. The Taliban government condemns the attack as aggression. There is currently no statement from the Pakistani military. The information cannot be independently verified.

Miriam Braun

Iran: “Release of alleged terrorists” speaks volumes

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected the British government's assessment that Tehran could be involved in the incident near a US air base in Britain. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham was “on the wrong track” with his assessment, wrote Araghtschi on Platform X.

Araghtschi further wrote that Burnham was convinced that Iran played a role in the incident. But: “I can confirm Iran’s belief that the release of alleged terrorists working for foreign countries really speaks volumes.”

The five men were picked up on Sunday night near the British military base RAF Fairford, which is used by the US Air Force, and have since been released under strict conditions.

Tom Thiele

Incident at US military base: “Indications” of Iranian involvement

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed evidence of a possible connection to Iran following the arrest of five men on terror charges near a US air base in Britain.

"There are strong indications that Iran was involved in the weekend's events at RAF Fairford," the British leader told the BBC. However, it “remains an ongoing, complex and serious police investigation.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently spoke of the involvement of a “foreign actor”.

The five men were caught on Sunday night near the British military base RAF Fairford, which is used by the US Air Force, and have since been released under strict conditions. They are suspected of preparing a terrorist act and are also being investigated on suspicion of violating the Explosives Act.

However, according to British media, the suspicious material carried by the men did not turn out to be a functional explosive. According to media reports, one of those arrested is said to have called the emergency number himself.

Julius Stockheim

Iran bans import of luxury cars

Iran has banned the import of luxury cars due to the severe economic crisis. President Massoud Peseschkian ordered the measure, as Iranian media consistently reported. There was criticism of the high prices, which are not affordable for large parts of the population, and the outflow of foreign currency abroad.

After the outbreak of the Iranian war, residents of the metropolises noticed an increasing number of luxury cars in wealthy neighborhoods, despite the difficult economic situation. Electric vehicles and off-road vehicles from China now also dominate the streets of major cities. Some wealthy Iranians view an expensive car as an investment as used car prices remain relatively stable.

Julius Stockheim

Iraqi militia threatens government after US troop withdrawal

Parallel to the withdrawal of the US military from Iraq, the Iranian-allied Kataib Hezbollah militia has threatened new violence there. The militia said it would overthrow the government of Prime Minister Ali al-Saidi “by all means” if it acted against the “interests of the people”. In a statement, it also threatened to shoot down “enemy aircraft” in Iraqi airspace if necessary. With the US troop withdrawal, concerns are growing that the security situation in Iraq could deteriorate further.

The militias were actually supposed to be disarmed at the same time as the US withdrawal ended on Wednesday, but the step was postponed until June 2027. Some of the paramilitary groups have already been integrated into the Iraqi security apparatus and receive state funding, but some have their own weapons and commanders. Because they are partly anchored by the state and at the same time influenced by Tehran from outside, they often act outside the government's control.

Luke Bay

Iran's army promises prize money for killed US soldiers

Iran's army has promised a high price for US soldiers killed or captured. Anyone who kills an American soldier who enters Iran's territory as an attacker and hands over his body or captures him will be rewarded, said army spokesman Amir Akraminia in an interview on Tuesday. Men should receive the equivalent of around 17,500 euros, women 35,000 euros.