- 2d ago
Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia detail mechanisms of Mecca defence pact
Turkey's defence ministry outlined coordination mechanisms for the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed August 7 with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as a Houthi drone strike on a Saudi refinery two days later tested the pact's mutual-defence clause.
- 3d ago
Spanish Super Cup 2027 moves to Istanbul as Saudi Arabia hosts Asian Cup
The 2027 Spanish Super Cup will be played at Istanbul's Atatürk Olympic Stadium from February 2 to 7, leaving Saudi Arabia for the first time since 2021 due to a scheduling clash with the Asian Cup.
- 4d ago
Houthi strike on Red Sea cargo ship kills crew; US fires on ship breaching Iran blockade
A cargo ship was struck in the Bab el-Mandeb strait on Tuesday, killing between three and four crew members in a suspected Houthi attack, while US forces fired on a Panama-flagged vessel attempting to breach the American blockade of Iranian ports.
- Aug 9
China's July inflation eases below forecasts as Iran war oil shock starts to fade
China's producer price index rose 3.5% year-on-year in July, easing from 4.1% in June, while consumer inflation cooled to 0.5%, its slowest since January, as retreating oil prices from the Iran war shock filtered through the economy.
- Aug 8
Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan sign Mecca defense pact with NATO-style mutual defense clause
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a trilateral defense agreement in Mecca on Friday, August 7, 2026, stipulating that an armed attack against any one of the three states will be considered an attack against all, a formulation echoing NATO's Article 5.
- Aug 7
Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan sign Mecca defense pact with NATO-style collective defense clause
Three Sunni Muslim-majority states signed a collective defense agreement in Mecca on August 7, with an attack on any member considered an attack on all, amid the ongoing war between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition.
- Aug 4
Indian cargo ship sinks in Red Sea after Houthi attack; all 14 crew rescued
The MSV Faize Noore Oliya was struck by an explosive-laden boat 13 nautical miles south of Hodeidah on Tuesday, capsizing and sinking. Yemeni coast guard and naval forces rescued all 14 seafarers and brought them to Mokha.
- Aug 2
US tells citizens to leave Middle East as Trump threatens new Iran strikes and Tehran readies retaliation
The United States has told its citizens across the Middle East to consider leaving immediately, as President Trump threatens new military strikes on Iran and Tehran warns of an "extensive" retaliation plan that could target American and Israeli energy infrastructure.
- Aug 2
Saudi crown prince urges Trump to refrain from new Iran strikes as regional powers push for de-escalation
Mohammed bin Salman sought clarity on U.S. plans in a Saturday call, while Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan and others pressed both sides to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- Jul 30
Saudi Arabia unveils 14-nation maritime coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks
Riyadh hosted representatives from 43 countries and the EU on Thursday to launch a defensive alliance aimed at securing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after Houthi rebels imposed a naval blockade on the kingdom.
- Jul 29
Iran fires ballistic missiles at US base in Jordan, US and Saudi Arabia hit back in Iraq as three‑day lull ends
Iran launched up to four ballistic missiles at a US base in Jordan on 28 July 2026, all intercepted, prompting joint US‑Saudi airstrikes on Iran‑aligned groups in eastern Iraq within hours.
- Jul 29
Trump threatens ‘very powerful’ attack on Iran after missile salvo; oil jumps 6%
President Donald Trump pledged a “very powerful” US response after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired ballistic missiles at an American base in Jordan. All five missiles were intercepted, but oil prices surged 6%.
- Jul 26
Tin Jedvaj departs Panathinaikos for Al Shabab, ending three-year spell
Croatian defender Tin Jedvaj has officially left Panathinaikos after three seasons, signing with Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab, the club announced on Sunday. The 30-year-old was not in coach Jakob Nistrup’s plans for the new campaign.
- Jul 25
West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville completes move to Al-Hilal for fee that could reach €76.1 million
The 24-year-old Netherlands international leaves the recently relegated London club after two seasons, signing a four-year contract with the Saudi Pro League side.
- Jul 24
Trump says he is 'close' to ordering massive attack on Iran, larger than Operation Epic Fury
In an Axios interview, the US president said he is seriously considering resuming large-scale military operations against Iran, potentially exceeding the scope of Operation Epic Fury, but no final decision has been made.
- Jul 23
US intelligence probes Russia's possible role in Iranian drone strikes on CIA sites in Gulf
At least two CIA facilities in Saudi Arabia and Iraq were hit by Iranian drones in March, and US intelligence is now investigating whether Russia provided targeting data and the Kometa-M navigation system that increased the accuracy of the strikes.
- Jul 23
Trump demands Saudi Arabia recognize Israel to activate nuclear deal, sparking arms race fears in Middle East
The White House says the signed agreement will be canceled unless Riyadh normalizes ties with Israel, while Israeli opposition figures warn of a regional nuclear arms race.
- Jul 23
Trump ties Saudi nuclear deal to Israel recognition, throwing agreement into doubt
A day after signing a multibillion-dollar civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Riyadh, President Trump declared it 'totally subject' to Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords and normalizing relations with Israel, blindsiding Saudi officials and alarming critics.
- Jul 22
Samú Costa set for Al Nassr move after Mallorca accept €18m offer
The Portuguese midfielder will link up with compatriots Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix after the Saudi club outbid RB Leipzig and other European suitors.
- Jul 21
US strikes Iran for 10th night, Trump threatens escalation as State Department warns citizens globally
Attacks targeted command centers, missile bases, and air defenses. Tehran said two tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz and vowed to keep the waterway shut.
