Turkey’s foreign minister says Ankara weighing Saudi defense support, rules out offensive role
Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, under which an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
Mideast Africa
Yemeni government launches offensive to seize all areas from Iran-backed Houthis
Yemen’s Saudi-backed government said on Sunday it was launching a major military campaign to recapture all areas controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis.
Saudis plan assault on Houthis to break Red Sea chokehold
More than 100,000 Yemeni troops could be mobilized in the offensive, depending on the scale, officials said.
UAE turns to Russian shadow airline for missions in Africa: Investigation
The company behind these planes, Aviacon Zitotrans, has been sanctioned by the United States, Canada and Ukraine for its support in Russia’s war effort.
US forces exiting Iraq after 2 decades, leaving opening for Iran
U.S. forces are set to depart from their last bases in Iraq by Wednesday, a move celebrated as a victory by Iran and its allies.
France to send military to protect Saudi Arabia on Red Sea oil route, Macron says
France will send troops and defense systems to Saudi Arabia to help protect the Red Sea port city of Yanbu, which is key for energy transport, Macron said.
US Navy destroyers tested in Middle East as demands mount
The concentration of Navy destroyers in the Middle East raises questions about meeting sustained operational demand.
US clears way for $24.3 billion fighter jet sale to Saudi Arabia
The U.S. Department of State said on Thursday it had approved the potential sale of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
Israel’s SPICE 1000 bombs can soon drop from F-35 fighters
The Israeli air force can look forward to yet another bomb type for its F-35 fleet.
Iran war has cost $38 billion, depleted two-thirds of US missile interceptors, CBO says
The U.S. military has incurred about $38 billion in costs from combat operations against Iran, a new Congressional Budget Office analysis found.
Iranian strikes damaged hundreds of US military buildings, dozens of aircraft
Iranian strikes have damaged hundreds of U.S. military and diplomatic buildings, as well as dozens of aircraft, a Pentagon watchdog said.
Russia and Iran deepen weapons partnership amid wars in Ukraine, Middle East
Russia has begun sending Iran upgraded munitions, satellite imagery and targeting data used against American forces in the Middle East.
Saudi crown prince sought US military help with Houthis, sources say
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly sought assistance from President Donald Trump on Thursday to help fight Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis.
US refutes claims that Iran captured Saildrone USV
A U.S. official denied the video shared by Iran purported to show an American Saildrone USV near the Strait of Hormuz in flames.
Iran attack on base in Jordan damaged American military aircraft, US official says
Iranian strikes damaged one A-10 Thunderbolt II and eight F-15s this week on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
Iran and US hit tankers in biggest wave of attacks on shipping since war began
Recent attacks by the U.S. and Iran have shattered a month of relative calm, with both hitting military, shipping and energy assets.
Iran says it captured US submarine drone in Strait of Hormuz
Iran said Tuesday it captured a U.S. uncrewed submarine in the Strait of Hormuz. The Pentagon said it had malfunctioned more than a day ago.
