A loud explosion shook a building in Tel Aviv on Friday morning, injuring at least two people. Police and bomb disposal experts are on the scene, working to understand what happened.

Israel: Explosion rocks Tel Aviv amid rising tensions between Hezbollah and Hamas

Pakistan on Thursday (Jan 18) launched airstrikes in Iran against alleged militant hideouts, killing at least nine people. In the retaliatory action called operation "Marg Bar Sarmachar" several missiles hit a village in the Sistan-Baluchestan province that borders Pakistan, said Iranian state media.

Explained: Which weapons were used, how exactly did Pakistan carry out airstrikes in Iran?

Oil prices traded at three-month highs on Monday, underpinned by optimism over an expected US-China trade deal, while traders kept a close eye on the Middle East following a US airstrike.

Oil edges up on trade optimism, eyes on Middle East tensions

Oil prices rose on Friday, with Brent crude heading for its first weekly gain in five weeks on tensions in the Middle East after Iran shot down a US military drone and on hopes for a drop in US interest rates that may stimulate global growth.

Oil prices extend gains amid Middle East tensions, rate cut hopes

Oil prices extended gains on Wednesday after rising in the previous session on rekindled hopes for a US-China trade deal and on the potential for conflict between the US and Iran in the Middle East after tanker attacks there last week.

Oil gains amid Middle East tensions, US-China trade deal hopes

Oil prices rose on Monday after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington will take all actions necessary to guarantee safe navigation in the Middle East, as tensions mounted following attacks on tankers last week.

Oil prices rise after tanker attacks stoke Middle East tensions

Shinzo Abe plans to travel to Iran next week, the first visit by a Japanese prime minister in more than four decades, as Tokyo hopes to ease Middle East tension by mediating between Washington and Tehran.

Japanese Prime Minister Abe set for mediation mission to Iran

The United States does not seek "regime change" in Iran despite mounting Middle East tensions, President Donald Trump said Monday, in dovish comments also praising North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un as a "very smart guy.

Not looking for 'regime change' in Iran despite Middle East tensions: Trump  

Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov said that 'Yes, we have such fears,' when he was asked if the Kremlin was concerned the move could increase tensions in the wider region

US Jerusalem embassy opening could fuel Middle East tensions: Kremlin