August 24, 2026
The military alliance between three Sunni Muslim countries offers a powerful symbolism in a region wracked by conflict
The sudden strike call-off followed a week of threats that helped keep crude near $90 a barrel
The two leaders will also attend Sen. Lindsey Graham's funeral service.
The region enters a fragile pause — with diplomacy, deterrence and nuclear risk back at the center
After months of crisis in the Middle East, France is looking to build its influence in the region by strengthening relations with Oman – a small country long seen as a quiet, neutral regional player. On his first state visit to France, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday announced a string of major contracts for French companies.
US President Donald Trump said Monday it should be "mandatory" for countries including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to join the Abraham Accords normalising ties with Israel as part of any agreement to end the war with Iran, in a move that could further complicate negotiations with Tehran.
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in April secretly carried out a series of air strikes against Iran during the US-Israeli war against Tehran, the Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported this week. Analysts say these raids – which neither country has confirmed – would have been clandestine counterattacks following Tehran’s drone and missile strikes against Gulf state infrastructure.
Wanting to avoid being drawn into the US's blockade of the key shipping route, Macron and Starmer aim to establish a multilateral and 'strictly defensive' plan to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
