West Asia remains on edge as Iran and Oman move closer to finalizing a Strait of Hormuz shipping agreement while tensions continue to rise across the region. Israel has launched fresh strikes on southern Lebanon, with the IDF citing Hezbollah ceasefire violations. At the same time, Iran has reportedly warned Gulf nations that their energy infrastructure could become targets if they fail to persuade the United States to halt military action.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly urged U.S. President Donald Trump to delay military action and prioritize diplomacy. Meanwhile, Washington continues to express frustration over stalled talks with Tehran, even as negotiations over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz continue through Oman.

Iran Warns Gulf States | Israel Strikes Lebanon as Hormuz Talks Continue | West Asia Crisis

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again postponed planned military strikes on Iran, claiming that the outlines of a peace deal are taking shape. However, Tehran has categorically denied asking Washington to halt the strikes, calling the allegations false. As tensions continue to simmer, Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia are reportedly urging de-escalation, fearing the devastating consequences of a wider regional conflict.

In this exclusive interview, Chris Doyle, Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU), analyzes the evolving crisis, Trump's repeated reversals, Iran's military strategy, the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, and the growing role of Gulf countries in preventing a full-scale regional war.

Can diplomacy still succeed, or is another military confrontation inevitable?

Watch the full analysis for the latest developments from the Middle East.

Iran-U.S. War: Trump Losing Credibility as Conflict Drags On, Expert Warns

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again called off planned military strikes on Iran, saying he received requests from Iran and Gulf nations to avoid further escalation.

According to Trump, the temporary understanding includes the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. Reports suggest Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to de-escalate the conflict, while the U.S. and Israel had reportedly been preparing one of the largest bombing campaigns against Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran has warned that any new American attack would trigger a powerful response targeting energy infrastructure across the Gulf region. U.S. embassies throughout the Middle East have also issued security alerts amid fears of a wider regional conflict.

Trump Halts Iran Attack After Gulf Pressure | Middle East Crisis Deepens

US President Donald Trump has announced that the proposed civilian nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia will only be approved if Riyadh recognizes the State of Israel by joining the Abraham Accords. Trump stated that the deal, which is limited to non-military civilian nuclear energy and prohibits uranium enrichment, is "totally subject" to Saudi Arabia becoming part of the Abraham Accords. The remarks have raised fresh questions over the future of US-Saudi relations and Middle East diplomacy, especially since the text of the agreement has not yet been released. Saudi Arabia has not officially responded to Trump's latest statement.

Trump makes Saudi Nuclear deal conditional on Israel recognition | Abraham Accords back in Focus

U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy at a Saudi‑backed investment forum by making a crude comment about Mohammed bin Salman, saying the crown prince hadn’t expected to “be kissing my a**,” highlighting a dramatically blunt tone in discussing the longtime Gulf leader.


Riyadh: Trump’s Crude Remarks on Saudi Prince While Speaking at Saudi-US Investment Forum

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Saudi Arabian counterpart and Crown Price HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday and discussed the war in West Asia which has been going on for over a month.

Modi said that during the call, he reiterated that India condemns attacks on energy infrastructure of the West Asia region.

“Spoke with Crown Prince and PM of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed the ongoing conflict in West Asia. I reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on regional energy infrastructure,” Modi wrote in a post on X.

PM Modi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Discuss Iran War Developments

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's visit comes as tensions escalate in the Middle East, where Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, are facing attacks from Iran. Tehran says the strikes are targeting US and Israeli-linked sites in response to large-scale and deadly operations by Israel.

Pakistan assures 'full solidarity & support' to Saudi Arabia amid Middle East tensions

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has sent a detailed letter accusing the United Arab Emirates of actions undermining Saudi Arabia’s security. The letter highlights rising tensions between the Gulf allies amid regional disputes, including concerns over military coordination, intelligence sharing, and geopolitical influence. Analysts say the move reflects deepening mistrust and could impact diplomatic and security cooperation in the Gulf.


MBS Sends Detailed Letter Accusing UAE of Undermining Saudi Security

Trump says he will push for an end to Sudan’s civil war after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged him to step in. Admitting the conflict was not on his radar, he now vows to use US influence to halt the violence that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.

'Wasn't on my charts': Trump to help solve Sudan war, but only because Saudi prince told him to act

ABC News White House correspondent Mary Bruce was sharply rebuked by President Donald Trump after she questioned him and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the Epstein Files and Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. Trump called her a “terrible reporter” and attacked ABC News.

Trump lashed out at ABC reporter Mary Bruce for asking tough questions on Epstein and Khashoggi

The invitation for a candlelit dinner by Trump followed just months after Elon Musk publicly demanded the impeachment of Trump and indicated that the president was linked to the case involving sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump pats Musk while entering White House for dinner with MBS: Is the bromance back? — WATCH

Business & Economy, Trump had demanded Saudi Arabia increase its investment pledge to $1 trillion from the initial $600 billion reported in January.

Saudi’s $1 trillion investment pledge lures Donald Trump

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a meeting Monday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. Watch this report for more details!

Top US Diplomat Marco Rubio meets Saudi Crown Prince in Riyadh

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets Mohammed Bin Salman at Al- Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. Watch to know more.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets Mohammed Bin Salman at Al- Yamamah Palace in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund tapped bond investors for the fourth time this year as it taps into the market for huge domestic investment plans. The Public Investment Fund sold a three-year sukuk in a $1.

Saudi wealth fund returns to bond market for the fourth time this year

Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is likely to visit Pakistan in the second week of May. This will be the first visit by the Saudi Crown Prince to the country in five years.

Saudi Crown Prince likely to visit Pakistan in his third in-person meet between Pak PM & MBS

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held bilateral talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at Al-Safa Palace in Mecca. In a joint statement, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have underscored the need for dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve their 'outstanding issues', particularly the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Arabia has scaled back its medium-term ambitions for the development of Neom. The project is a part of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s plans for diversifying the oil-dependent West Asian economy.

Neom Project is part of larger plans for diversifying oil-dependent economy

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iran's President, Ebrahim Raisi, held their first phone call since the landmark restoration of ties between the Sunni and Shia powerhouses of West Asia in March.

Israel vs Hamas: Iran's President Raisi dials Saudi Crown Prince to address the crisis

Days after Saudi Arabia launched its official bid for hosting the 2034 World Cup, a report in DailMail quoting sources close to the matter has claimed that the kingdom hosting the quadrennial event was basically a 'done deal'.

Saudi Arabia hosting 2034 FIFA World Cup 'basically a done deal': Report

Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) said the kingdom will obtain a nuclear weapon if its rival Iran does so first, in a wide-ranging interview with Fox News on Wednesday (September 20), wherein he touched upon the normalisation of ties with Israel as well.

Saudi crown prince says kingdom will obtain nuclear weapon if Iran does so

Praises have been pouring in for India's successful G20 stewardship since the leaders began addressing the media after the conclusion of the summit's business on September 10.

'Well done India': Saudi Crown Prince all praise for India's G20 presidency as Delhi-Riyadh bond strengthens

Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), who attended the G20 Summit in India, will now be staying back in the country for a state visit. According to a statement by the Indian foreign ministry on Saturday (September 9), MBS will continue to stay in India till Monday for the state visit.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to begin state visit in India after attending G20 Summit

The Kremlin said on Wednesday (September 6) that Russian President Vladmir Putin had a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It also said that leaders agreed recent agreement to cut energy supplies had stabilised the global energy markets.

Putin, Mohammed bin Salman talk over phone, are satisfied about oil supply cuts: Kremlin