Middle East

Netanyahu-Trump talks approach as Oman, Iran near deal to reopen strait amid lull in US strikes

Israel-Lebanon talks to continue in Rome • Houthis mirror Iranian pressure in Bab al-Mandab Strait • Kurdish opposition to Iran, US consulate targeted in Iraq

Palestinians walk next to yellow concrete block marking the “yellow zone” under Israeli military control in the Tufah neighborhood of Gaza City, July 27, 2026.
Houthi supporters hold up posters of Houthi leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi and the late leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, during a demonstration in Sanaa, Yemen, to show solidarity with Lebanon, after a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect, April 17, 2026.

‘Vanguard of Muslim causes’: Expert tells ‘Post’ why Houthis amplify aid to Hezbollah in media

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa listens to French President during a joint press conference after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on May 7, 2025.

Sharaa’s Israel comments signal shift toward security arrangements, not peace deals - analysis

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks as he attends the 23rd edition of the annual Doha Forum, in Doha, Qatar, December 6, 2025.

Syria's Sharaa unveils regional strategy, seeks Israel security arrangement


A short history of games of chance in the Middle East

From ancient dice and royal game boards to modern digital platforms, the Middle East's long relationship with games of chance reveals a timeless fascination with luck, fate and uncertainty.

“From ancient dice to modern apps, the Middle East's fascination with games of chance has endured for over four thousand years.”

Iran-linked vessels pass through Hormuz ahead of US blockade

Nine of the 11 vessels that passed through the strait on Tuesday sailed via the Iranian route, according to ship-tracking data on Kpler.

 UAE-IRAN-US-ISRAEL-WAR This picture shows ships sailing near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan on July 13, 2026.

Jeffries opposes Massie bid to cut military aid to Israel, but says ‘change in direction is needed’

PM Netanyahu says he wants to begin winding down US military aid to Israel over the last two years of the Trump administration, transitioning the US-Israel relationship “from aid to partnership."

From left: New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries; Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie.

Trump says Iran 'will be defeated soon,' as US begins new wave of airstrikes on Iranian targets

Trump, Netanyahu expected to meet in US on Monday • US CENTCOM redirects vessels attempting to breach Hormuz blockade • IDF may begin withdrawal within days after Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome end

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Prime Minister of Iraq Ali al-Zaidi in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 14, 2026.

Iranian strikes cause 'massive' explosions in Kuwait, drones strike US military in Jordan - report

The report noted that six teams, backed by the army and National Guard, responded to the strike, with no injuries reported and damage limited to material losses.

A Shahed drone on display during the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran February 11, 2026.

'They don't want you there': Trump tells Netanyahu to pull IDF troops from Syria, Lebanon - report

IDF sources told the Post the Axios report caught them by surprise, adding there has been no change on the ground in Lebanon or Syria.

US President Donald Trump gestures as he participates in a bilateral meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 14, 2026.

US CENTCOM strikes Iranian targets, reimposes blockade in Strait of Hormuz

A diplomatic source told the Post that the Trump administration has continued to send messages to Tehran indicating that negotiations are still an option.

(Illustrative) A projectile is fired during what the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said was a third round of strikes this week against Iran, in this screen grab taken from a handout video released on July 11, 2026.

From hatred to humanity: How we can bring real peace to the Middle East - opinion

We can, and must, imagine an Arab and Muslim leadership built on humility rather than defiance and education that promotes tolerance and peace.

Iron Dome batteries are seen stationed near the southern Israeli city of Sderot, August 6, 2022

Netanyahu to Iran: New attacks on Israel will be met with 'much more powerful' response

Speaking at the Negev Conference in Dimona, the prime minister also said Hezbollah now has only 7% to 8% of the missiles it possessed at the start of the war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Negev Conference in Dimona, July 14, 2026

Iran's attacks on Emirati tankers leaves Gulf united against Islamic regime - analysis

Gulf solidarity is now emerging in an even larger way than before. While some countries want an agreement that will end the fighting, they are also outraged by Iran’s new attacks.

The VLCC Mobassa B (previously named Front Forth), one of the two tankers which the UAE defense ministry said was struck by Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, seen in Rotterdam, Netherlands, August 18, 2024