The UAE has accused Iran of firing two ballistic missiles toward its shipping lanes, with one landing inside its territorial waters, and has responded by suspending all trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Tehran indefinitely. The UAE Defence Ministry said the missiles appeared aimed at maritime traffic, though no damage or injuries were reported. Iran has firmly denied the accusation, calling it "baseless," with some suggesting it could be a "false flag operation." The incident comes as talks between the US and Iran remain stalled, with Trump confirming no negotiations are currently planned.


Iran war: UAE accuses Iran of firing missiles at shipping, halts all trade ties 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially suspended all trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran until further notice. The dramatic shift in economic relations follows a sharp spike in regional hostilities, triggered after the UAE Ministry of Defense detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran targeting maritime traffic near its coast.  


UAE suspends all trade, financial dealings with Iran

The Iran-U.S. war is putting growing pressure on America’s missile and air-defence stockpiles, raising concerns over how quickly depleted reserves can be replenished. At the same time, Russia’s missile production shows little sign of slowing, highlighting a major contrast in wartime manufacturing capacity. Allies and adversaries are watching closely as questions grow over U.S. readiness and long-term weapons supplies.


Iran-US war: Russia's missile production capacity shows no slowdown 

The United Arab Emirates issued a brief phone alert for "potential missile threats" with the ministry of defence confirming it had detected missiles "directed towards the country" for the first time in months. It was the first such alert since a false alarm in June and an alert in July for an attack that ultimately did not enter UAE territory. Before that, the last missile warning came in early May.


Breaking: Missile attack on UAE | Middle East tensions rise again

US President Donald Trump posted a graphic on the Truth Social platform that depicts the Strait of Hormuz as a "new U.S. Territory”. The graphic featured a map of the strategic waterway, claiming that Washington has total control over it. The post comes just after Iran denied opening the Strait of Hormuz until the US naval blockade is lifted.&nbsp;

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi directly mocked U.S. President Donald Trump on social media, dismissing Trump's declaration that the strategic shipping lane would be annexed as "new U.S. territory" as pure delusion."Just as Trump correctly wrote the name of the eternal Persian Gulf, soon his delusion regarding the Strait of Hormuz will either be corrected, or we will correct the delusions of this deluded man," said Gharibabadi in a post on X.President Donald Trump on Friday said he would designate the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States “pretty soon” as the status of the waterway, a global chokepoint through which a fifth of global oil and gas passes, remains under a military and diplomatic deadlock.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/abdul-el-sayed-trump-main-character-midterms-michigan-senate-1786989679086">Abdul El-Sayed hits back at Trump: ‘He’s going to turn me into the main character of the midterms’</a><h2>Ghalibaf declared Hormuz will remain closed</h2>Iran's parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf said on Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US lifts the naval blockade and meets Tehran's demands.&nbsp;“I want to state clearly that the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until the American commitments stipulated in the memorandum of understanding... are implemented,” said Ghalibaf in a speech broadcast on state television.Trump on Thursday threatened to bomb Oman as it was negotiating with Iran over opening a route at the Strait of Hormuz. &nbsp;On the other hand, Donald Trump’s envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner said the United States and Iran were having “very positive and active conversations”, while noting that “there’s really not a lot of trust between America and Iran after all these years”.

Donald Trump calls the Strait of Hormuz “new US territory” as Iran mocks the claim and vows to keep the strategic waterway closed until US demands are met.

US President Donald Trump posted a graphic on the Truth Social platform that depicts the Strait of Hormuz as a "new U.S. Territory”. The graphic featured a map of the strategic waterway, claiming that Washington has total control over it. The post comes just after Iran denied opening the Strait of Hormuz until the US naval blockade is lifted.

Donald Trump calls the Strait of Hormuz “new US territory” as Iran mocks the claim and vows to keep the strategic waterway closed until US demands are met.

Trump declares Strait of Hormuz ‘new US territory’; Iran mocks ‘delusion’, vows to keep waterway closed

Israel’s far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for Israeli forces to kill 30-40 people in Gaza every night and advocated Jewish settlements and Palestinian displacement.

Ben Gvir's Gaza rhetoric draws sharp rebuke from UAE billionaire

Iran is resuming Umrah pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia after a six-month suspension, with 18,000 pilgrims set to travel in the first phase. Around five million Iranians holding Umrah registration vouchers are waiting to make the pilgrimage, with the pace of future departures depending on flight availability and foreign-currency arrangements.

Iran resumes Umrah: 18,000 people set for first phase as five million await 

The 60-day US-Iran memorandum aimed at ending the war has expired, with no clear sign that either side is ready to extend the agreement. Iran says it has not decided whether to resume direct negotiations with Washington, while messages continue to pass through mediators.


Trump confirms direct backchannel talks with IRGC

Erbil is reportedly emerging as a crucial hub for quiet diplomacy between Washington and Tehran. Reports suggest the US is exploring backchannel contacts with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to help secure a broader agreement, while Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani has again offered to facilitate dialogue. The developments highlight renewed efforts to revive negotiations amid continuing regional tensions.


US seeks IRGC backchannel to secure deal 

Two Iranian drones targeted the Iraqi Kurdistan prime minister's office and the home of the autonomous region's intelligence chief overnight, authorities said Monday.

"Following an investigation by the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Unit, my personal office and the home of the head of the Security and Intelligence Agency were targeted by Iranian drone attacks earlier today," Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said, in a post on X.

"This is a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to the security and stability of the Kurdistan region."

Iran strikes Iraq: Two drones hit the Kurdish PM Masrour Barzani's office

#gravitas An Israeli air force officer has been arrested on suspicion of using sensitive information to place bets on polymarket, including wagers tied to Israeli military strikes in Iran and Yemen. 

Israeli air force officer caught betting on next bombing on Iran, Yemen 

According to a report, over 1,300 Strava users on U.S. military bases in West Asia have been sharing information which could have been used by Iran to target American forces. It gave the example of how Iran may have attacked a hotel in Manama in March by tracking the activity of a U.S. naval contractor.


American nightmare: Iran tracked Strava data & launched precise strikes on US bases 

Is Trump planning a nuclear attack on Iran? According to an explosive claim made by a former U.S. Congresswoman, Trump administration officials are discussing the possible use of nuclear weapons against Iran, alleging that the issue has come up in high-level strategy meetings.

Defeated Trump threatens nuclear devastation of Iran, says former senator 

The 60-day U.S.-Iran memorandum aimed at ending the war has expired, with no clear sign that either side is ready to extend the agreement. Iran says it has not decided whether to resume direct negotiations with Washington, while messages continue to pass through mediators.

 Iran and US trade barbs as 60-day MoU expires without a deal or extension

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said today that it will consider three missing pilots to be prisoners in Qatar, despite Doha’s denials, until it clarifies their fate. At his weekly press briefing, Baghaei responded to a question about the fate of four Iranian pilots: one of them had been killed, his body has been returned, and the other three still remain captive.&nbsp;Tehran has said the Iranians went missing while carrying out an operation against the United States’ Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on March 2, shortly after the outbreak of the West Asia war. On Saturday, Iranian authorities alleged for the first time that the pilots have been captured by Qatar.&nbsp;“It is imperative to obtain clarification on their situation,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a weekly press briefing. “Until the pilots’ situation is clarified, we consider them prisoners and will spare no effort to shed light on their fate.”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mecca-joint-defence-agreement-saudi-turkey-pakistan-1786965964554">Trump hails Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan defence pact as ‘big, bold’ first step</a>Tehran had said that the Foreign Ministry’s first correspondence with the International Committee of the Red Cross was sent on March 15 or 16. At the same time, the Iranian embassy in Doha and the Foreign Ministry have begun pursuing the matter through the Qatari Embassy in Tehran. According to Baghei, the issue has also been raised during various meetings and telephone conversations with Qatari officials. Tehran claims that it would use bilateral, multilateral and legal mechanisms to pursue the matter.&nbsp;Qatar denies holding the pilots and said an invitation had been sent to Iran “to be briefed on the details of the search and rescue operations in April, but the Iranian side has yet to respond”. Qatar's foreign affairs spokesperson Majed Mohammed Al Ansari said contact had been made with the pilots "after they violated Qatari airspace", but that it had not received a response

Iran says three pilots missing after an alleged operation against the US Al Udeid Air Base are being treated as prisoners in Qatar until their fate is clarified.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said today that it will consider three missing pilots to be prisoners in Qatar, despite Doha’s denials, until it clarifies their fate. At his weekly press briefing, Baghaei responded to a question about the fate of four Iranian pilots: one of them had been killed, his body has been returned, and the other three still remain captive. Tehran has said the Iranians went missing while carrying out an operation against the United States’ Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on March 2, shortly after the outbreak of the West Asia war. On Saturday, Iranian authorities alleged for the first time that the pilots have been captured by Qatar. “It is imperative to obtain clarification on their situation,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a weekly press briefing. “Until the pilots’ situation is clarified, we consider them prisoners and will spare no effort to shed light on their fate.” Also Read: Trump hails Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan defence pact as ‘big, bold’ first step Tehran had said that the Foreign Ministry’s first correspondence with the International Committee of the Red Cross was sent on March 15 or 16. At the same time, the Iranian embassy in Doha and the Foreign Ministry have begun pursuing the matter through the Qatari Embassy in Tehran. According to Baghei, the issue has also been raised during various meetings and telephone conversations with Qatari officials. Tehran claims that it would use bilateral, multilateral and legal mechanisms to pursue the matter. Qatar denies holding the pilots and said an invitation had been sent to Iran “to be briefed on the details of the search and rescue operations in April, but the Iranian side has yet to respond”. Qatar's foreign affairs spokesperson Majed Mohammed Al Ansari said contact had been made with the pilots "after they violated Qatari airspace", but that it had not received a response

Iran says three pilots missing after an alleged operation against the US Al Udeid Air Base are being treated as prisoners in Qatar until their fate is clarified.

Iran says 3 missing pilots are ‘prisoners’ in Qatar, Doha denies holding them

Iran strikes Iraq: Tehran accused of targeting Kurdish leadership in Erbil

Israel’s far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for Israeli forces to kill 30-40 people in Gaza every night and advocated Jewish settlements and Palestinian displacement. Iran condemned the remarks

Ben Gvir calls for 30-40 nightly killings in Gaza, Iran reacts

Iran has offered a $30,000 reward for anyone who kills or captures a US soldier, according to state news agency IRNA, while women who carry out the act would receive twice that amount. The announcement, attributed to Army chief Amir Hatami, comes as fighting and diplomatic tensions remain focused on the Strait of Hormuz, with the wider US-Iran conflict continuing.


Iran: Capturing or killing US soldiers would be rewarded with $30k

Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned recent Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon that killed 11 people, labeling the military actions as "gross violations of international law" and a severe infringement on national sovereignty.


Iran: Israel strikes 'gross violations of international law'

Iran has demanded that Qatar release three Iranian SU-24 pilots whom Tehran claims were captured alive after their aircraft crashed during military strikes six months ago. Qatar denies holding the pilots, calling the claims “misleading statements” and rejecting Tehran’s allegations.

Iran: 3 pilots captured by Qatari forces after their SU-24 jets crashed

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory after what he described as the “total defeat” of Iran. Speaking at a rally in Garden City, New York, Trump said the U.S. Navy's presence in the strategic waterway would continue as Washington escalates pressure on Tehran.

US-Iran war: Trump vows to claim Hormuz as US territory after Iran's defeat

The USS Abraham Lincoln is facing renewed scrutiny as reports emerge of exhaustion, declining morale and difficult living conditions among its crew after an extended deployment amid the Iran war.

According to reports, thousands of sailors aboard the carrier have spent more than 250 days at sea, with reports of food shortages, broken plumbing and severe fatigue. Media reports have also raised concerns over suicide attempts and the mental health of personnel aboard the approximately 5,000-member vessel.

The US is reportedly considering deploying the USS George Washington to replace the Abraham Lincoln as part of a scheduled West Asia deployment.

The developments come as tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz remain high. Iran says the crucial waterway remains under its control and has warned that ships cannot safely pass without Iranian permission and supervision.

Reports of sailors jumping off USS Abraham Lincoln | Families reveal mental health concerns

Is Trump weakening America’s most powerful economic weapon?

Sanctions can hurt Iran. Tariffs can pressure trading partners. But if Washington uses economic coercion too often, does America risk making the rest of the world less dependent on it?

India is adapting. Europe is looking for alternatives. And America’s adversaries are learning to absorb the pressure.

So who is really paying the price?

US-Iran war: Is Trump weakening America’s most powerful economic weapon?

Iran is reportedly reshaping its regional network after suffering heavy losses across the Middle East. As Tehran looks to rebuild its influence, Iraqi militias and Yemen’s Houthis are emerging as key partners. The evolving 'Axis of Resistance' could reshape regional power dynamics, raising fresh questions over Iran’s strategy, its allies and the future of the Middle East conflict.


Iraqi militias & Houthis emerge as key Iranian allies as Iran rebuilds axis of resistance

Iran has fundamentally altered modern warfare by using terminal-manoeuvring ballistic missiles and cheap drone swarms to exhaust American air defences. Multiple reports reveal the US has burned through critical stockpiles of multi-million-dollar Patriot interceptors in West Asia. Tehran's mid-flight trajectory changes force US batteries to fire multiple interceptors per target, triggering an alarming weapons depletion across the Pentagon.


Iranian 'zigzag missile' which US can't stop | Decoding Iran's deadly missile tactics

US Reports say some sailors have attempted to throw themselves overboard, while shortages of basic supplies and deteriorating sanitation are adding to the strain aboard America’s massive aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, as the Iran war drags into its ninth month. The nuclear-powered carrier, now in its ninth month of deployment, is expected to be replaced in the Middle East by the USS George Washington a move likely to bring relief to the Lincoln’s crew and their families. But growing concerns over conditions aboard the Lincoln have prompted lawmakers to demand answers from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, who has pushed back, saying the situation has been “misrepresented.” What are the facts? Is US hiding something? How deep is the crisis for the US in its war against Iran?


Hell at sea | 250-day nightmare on board US supercarrier | Pentagon denies suicide

Iran is pushing deeper into two arenas that could shape its strategic future space and critical minerals.&nbsp;Tehran is aiming to put three satellites into orbit in a single launch while simultaneously working with China to develop rare-earth resources vital to modern military technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;The moves signal an effort to build technological capabilities domestically, especially as tensions with the United States remain unresolved.&nbsp;&nbsp;Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology told Iranian media Tehran plans to launch three satellites from its Martyr Soleimani Constellation before March 2027.&nbsp;The planned constellation will ultimately contain 24 satellites, 18 operational spacecraft, and six reserves.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Iranian minister says putting three satellites into orbit together would strengthen Iran's ability to provide stable communications and uninterrupted services.&nbsp;&nbsp;Iran has in the past relied on its ally Russia to put satellites in orbit, especially in recent years.&nbsp;In December last year, a Russian rocket launched three Iranian earth-observation satellites from a Russian space launch facility in the Amur Oblast.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Iran is also developing low-earth-orbit satellites for communications and remote sensing while expanding the use of space technology in telecommunications, environmental monitoring, and land-resource management. Iranian officials increasingly view the space sector as critical national infrastructure, and Tehran is constructing the Chabahar Space Centre in the country's southeast.But Iran is also looking to strengthen another strategic asset: rare earths. According to reports in Chinese media, China is sending scientists to Iran for rare earth exploration and processing. Rare earths are a group of metals essential to many advanced defence systems, including radar, missiles, fighter aircraft, and sophisticated electronics. Iran's geology could offer significant rare earth deposits. Exploration has reportedly identified rare-earth anomalies across around 7,000 square kilometres of central Iran, including areas associated with iron ore and phosphate formations. So, together, Iran's space programme and rare-earth ambitions point to a broader strategy developing technologies and resources that can strengthen the country's strategic independence at a time of continuing geopolitical pressure.

Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology told media Tehran plans to launch three satellites from its Martyr Soleimani Constellation before March 2027. The planned constellation will ultimately contain 24 satellites, 18 operational spacecraft, and six reserves.

Iran is pushing deeper into two arenas that could shape its strategic future space and critical minerals. Tehran is aiming to put three satellites into orbit in a single launch while simultaneously working with China to develop rare-earth resources vital to modern military technology. The moves signal an effort to build technological capabilities domestically, especially as tensions with the United States remain unresolved. Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology told Iranian media Tehran plans to launch three satellites from its Martyr Soleimani Constellation before March 2027. The planned constellation will ultimately contain 24 satellites, 18 operational spacecraft, and six reserves. The Iranian minister says putting three satellites into orbit together would strengthen Iran's ability to provide stable communications and uninterrupted services. Iran has in the past relied on its ally Russia to put satellites in orbit, especially in recent years. In December last year, a Russian rocket launched three Iranian earth-observation satellites from a Russian space launch facility in the Amur Oblast.

Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology told media Tehran plans to launch three satellites from its Martyr Soleimani Constellation before March 2027. The planned constellation will ultimately contain 24 satellites, 18 operational spacecraft, and six reserves.

Iran to send three satellites into space this year | Gravitas

Iran is gearing up for a major space milestone, with plans to launch three satellites from its "Martyr Soleimani" constellation into orbit in a single mission before the year ends. Communications Minister confirmed the constellation will eventually total 24 satellites, 18 operational and 6 as backups, designed to boost Iran's Internet of Things connectivity and provide reliable communications far beyond regular ground networks.

Iran to launch 3 satellites at once as it builds a 24-satellite space network 

A dramatic new report reveals Trump secretly swapped planes during last month's NATO summit in Turkey, sneaking out via a catering truck onto a military jet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stayed behind on the "decoy" Air Force One, unaware to press and staff. The move followed intelligence, sourced from Israel, warning of a possible Iranian missile threat. But CIA analysts reportedly had "low confidence" in the intelligence, and Rubio himself was said to be skeptical, choosing to fly on the plane Iran would have targeted anyway.


Trump's secret plane swap: Did Trump rely on Israel intel instead of CIA? 

Tensions are rising around the Strait of Hormuz as the US redirects dozens of vessels amid growing pressure over Iran’s blockade. With peace talks stalled, President Trump says the US has “total control” of the strategic waterway and describes its naval presence as a “wall of steel.” Iran’s IRGC, meanwhile, says the conflict has strengthened its military experience, raising fears of a prolonged standoff.


Hormuz crisis: Trump says Iran has little left but fake news and empty threats

Trump's secret plane swap: CIA had 'low confidence' in Israeli-sourced Iran threat 

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Iran war: UAE accuses Iran of firing missiles at shipping, halts all trade ties

UAE suspends all trade, financial dealings with Iran

Iran-US war: Russia's missile production capacity shows no slowdown

Breaking: Missile attack on UAE | Middle East tensions rise again

Trump calls Strait of Hormuz ‘new US territory’; Iran mocks ‘delusion’

Ben Gvir's Gaza rhetoric draws sharp rebuke from UAE billionaire

Iran resumes Umrah: 18,000 people set for first phase as five million await

Trump confirms direct backchannel talks with IRGC

US seeks IRGC backchannel to secure deal

Iran strikes Iraq: Two drones hit the Kurdish PM Masrour Barzani's office

Israeli air force officer caught betting on next bombing on Iran, Yemen

American nightmare: Iran tracked Strava data & launched precise strikes on US bases

Defeated Trump threatens nuclear devastation of Iran, says former senator

Iran and US trade barbs as 60-day MoU expires without a deal or extension

Iran says 3 missing pilots are ‘prisoners’ in Qatar, Doha denies holding them

Iran strikes Iraq: Tehran accused of targeting Kurdish leadership in Erbil

Ben Gvir calls for 30-40 nightly killings in Gaza, Iran reacts

Iran: Capturing or killing US soldiers would be rewarded with $30k

Iran: Israel strikes 'gross violations of international law'

Iran: 3 pilots captured by Qatari forces after their SU-24 jets crashed

US-Iran war: Trump vows to claim Hormuz as US territory after Iran's defeat

Reports of sailors jumping off USS Abraham Lincoln | Families reveal mental health concerns

US-Iran war: Is Trump weakening America’s most powerful economic weapon?

Iraqi militias & Houthis emerge as key Iranian allies as Iran rebuilds axis of resistance

Iranian 'zigzag missile' which US can't stop | Decoding Iran's deadly missile tactics

Hell at sea | 250-day nightmare on board US supercarrier | Pentagon denies suicide