Latest Middle East news from Anchor News, including breaking updates, analysis, and key developments from trusted sources.
US Treasury Secretary says China's purchases of Iran's oil decreased In an interview with Fox Business, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that China's purchases of Iranian oil have decreased substantially.
'America killed my son': The Ethiopians bombed by US in Yemen prison strike Submitted by MEE correspondent on Tue, 07/21/2026 - 13:01 Ethiopian survivors and families of those killed speak to MEE about the US strike on Houthi-run facility in Yemen Berhan Akeza, the mother of Tsiruy Hailu, who was killed in a US air str
Smotrich says US fighting Iran is ‘best for us’ and Israel will not join Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Tue, 07/21/2026 - 11:25 Finance minister says the war serves Israeli interests while American troops and households bear its mounting costs Bezalel Smotrich speaks during a a press conference near the settlement of Maa
Iran's president says communication with the supreme leader is increasing, state media reports Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a statement delivered today that his communication with the Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is increasing day by day, according to state media.
Palestinians launch #TheyLiedtoYou campaign to debunk Gaza 'ceasefire' narrative Submitted by Dalia Anis on Tue, 07/21/2026 - 10:46 Activists and concerned social media users spotlight Israel's ongoing genocide in the besieged enclave Screenshot from digital campaign under the hashtag #TheyLiedtoYou (Instagram/@mariam_
Houthis warn shipping companies against using Saudi ports, Reuters reports In a warning sent by Sanaa's Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center, the Houthis told shipping companies that loading or discharging cargo at Saudi ports would make them a potential target. "Vessels are banned from loading or dischargi
Iran hits US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan after 10 nights of US attacks Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Tue, 07/21/2026 - 09:46 Tehran targeted US radar and air defence systems as two tankers were hit after entering routes not authorised by Iran A screen grab released on 16 July by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Sepah
Gaza death toll reaches 73,293 At least 73,293 Palestinians have been killed and 173,96 wounded in Israeli attacks across Gaza since 7 October 2023, the enclave's health ministry is reporting. It said that nine people have been killed and one body recovered in the last 24 hours.
General Ghalibaf's gamble: An IRGC veteran takes on Iran’s hardliners to pursue diplomacy Submitted by MEE correspondent on Tue, 07/21/2026 - 09:35 Mohammad Ghalibaf has undergone a striking evolution, the infamous 'jihadist manager' now championing talks with the US despite his own conservative camp’s opposition Iran’
Alarm sirens in Bahran sound again, residents urged to 'remain calm' Alarm sirens are sounding again in Bahrain, amid a fresh missile barrage fired from Iran. The country's Interior Ministry is urging residents to “to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place". This is the fourth time alarms have sounded 
Bahrain downs incoming Iranian missiles Bahrain's Defence Forces have said their air defences downed a barrage of missiles fired from Iran. In a statement, it urged citizens “to be cautious, not to approach any strange or suspicious objects resulting from the residues of the heinous Iranian attack, and report them imme
Israeli media says Turkey was ready to intervene over Kurdish incursion into Iran Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Tue, 07/21/2026 - 08:37 Report says Ankara considered providing aerial support to Tehran, while Trump claims he urged Erdogan to stay out of the war Turkish Air Force aerobatic team Soloturk performs a demon
Exclusive: President of ICC oversight body confirms no finding of retaliation by Khan Submitted by Sondos Asem on Mon, 07/20/2026 - 14:01 In a letter to court member states, Paivi Kaukoranta reiterates ASP bureau has not upheld allegations of misconduct against prosecutor raised by staff in his own office ASP President
Jordan says it neutralised incoming Iranian drones The Jordanian army said on Tuesday that its air defences intercepted five drones launched from Iran. Earlier, Iran's IRGC claimed several attacks targeting US military sites in the country, including a missile defence radar system and an F-15 jet.
Israel bombs southern Lebanese town: Report Lebanon's National News Agency is reporting that Israeli forces conducted a 'large bombing' in the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Tebnit.
Why are there sanctions on Iran and when could they be lifted? Submitted by Daniel Tester on Fri, 07/17/2026 - 11:03 For nearly 50 years the West has targeted Tehran, citing its nuclear ambitions, links with armed groups and human rights abuses Two Iranian men exchange rials against US dollars at an exchange shop in Te
How to stop US-Iran conflict from becoming endless war Submitted by Seyed Hossein Mousavian on Mon, 07/20/2026 - 16:16 The only credible path forward lies in diplomacy, which must focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and securing a nuclear agreement People walk past a mural that depicts missiles hitting an aircraft
Lebanese army deploys in southern town after Israeli withdrawal, official says In line with the US brokered Israeli-Lebanese deal, a Lebanese official said the country's army troops began deploying south of Lebanon in the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh early on Tuesday after Israeli forces withdrew from the area.
More Iranian strikes target Jordan, Tehran's state media reports Further attacks by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been reported in Jordan. According to a statement carried by IRNA, the IRGC said it "destroyed a missile defence radar system and destroyed an F-15 aircraft" in the country.
Iran claims attacks on Amazon infrastructure in Bahrain Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it carried out strikes on infrastructure belonging to the multinational company Amazon in Bahrain with "several cruise missiles". In a statement carried by state news agency IRNA, the IRGC said it "attacked and
UN concerned about Houthi Red Sea naval blockade threats The United Nations said that it is concerned that Houthi threats to impose a "maritime embargo" on Saudi Arabia would have further ramifications on the global economy amid ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. "It’s obviously another chokepoint. We’re already
Reports of more explosions in Iran's Bandar Abbas Iran's IRNA news agency has reported that explosions were heard again in the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas on Monday amid a renewed round of US strikes on the country.
Iranian army says it targeted US missile systems at Kuwaiti base Iran's army said on Monday that it targeted US missile systems located at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait with ground-to-ground missiles. In a statement carried by IRIB, the army said the attack was part of the 18th phase of its “Thunder” operation and was launche
Second explosion reported in Iran’s Bandar Lengeh Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that a second explosion has been heard in Bandar Lengeh, a port city on the Persian Gulf in the Hormozgan province of Iran.
UKMTO says tanker reports being struck in Strait of Hormuz UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Monday that it received multiple reports that a tanker has been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident reportedly occured eight nautical miles northeast of Oman's Limah.
Wes Streeting appointed to UK defence minister New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed former health secretary Wes Streeting to be the UK's defence minister. Wes Streeting enabled the US tech firm with links to Israel's genocide in Palestine, Palantir, to have access to NHS patient data and refused to dis
Kuwaiti army says air defences intercepting Iranian strikes Kuwait's state TV has reported that sirens are sounding in Kuwait on Monday, following earlier Iranian strikes on the country. The Kuwaiti military said that its air defences are currently intercepting Iranian missiles and drones.
Lebanese president to meet Trump as 'pilot zones' experiment begins Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is about to break a nearly two-decade streak in which no Lebanese head of state has been inside the White House. The former head of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is set to meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, near
Explosions heard in Iran's Isfahan Iran's Mehr news agency reported on Monday that explosions have been heard in the Iranian city of Isfahan, located in the centre of the country.
Lebanese president to meet Trump as 'pilot zones' experiment begins Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Mon, 07/20/2026 - 20:17 The move is the first practical test for the US-negotiated military coordination group for Lebanon Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the US State Departme