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

The United States has signed a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, a move being presented as an energy partnership but one that is raising serious strategic questions across West Asia. While Washington says the deal supports Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear ambitions, critics warn it could reshape the regional balance of power.

The agreement has sparked concerns in Israel over nuclear proliferation, while questions remain about uranium enrichment restrictions, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) oversight, and whether the deal is linked to Saudi Arabia normalizing ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords.

US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Sparks Fears of Middle East Nuclear Arms Race | Israel, Iran on Edge

#Gravitas The search for Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has turned into a quest for the CIA and Mossad, where technology is falling short, and human intelligence is now taking centre stage.   

CIA & Mossad Try to Trace Mojtaba Khamenei Using Human Intel  | GRAVITAS 

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced what he describes as a historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas, calling it a crucial step toward establishing a new governing authority in Gaza and advancing long-term peace in the region.

According to reports, mediators in Cairo have proposed a framework under which Hamas would gradually surrender its weapons, while Israeli forces would withdraw in phases. However, Israel has not fully endorsed the proposal, insisting that there will be no military withdrawal until Gaza is completely demilitarized.

Hamas has responded by saying that any handover of its heavy weapons will depend on Israel ending its military operations, withdrawing its forces, and committing to a permanent ceasefire. The proposed agreement also includes an international stabilization force and a new Palestinian police structure to oversee Gaza's future security.

Trump Announces Hamas Disarmament Deal | Israel, Hamas Yet to Fully Agree on Gaza Plan

Ukraine's Acting Defence Minister has outlined Kyiv's evolving military strategy against Russia, stressing that Ukraine cannot match Russia "punch for punch" and must instead rely on asymmetric warfare. In an interview, he said Ukraine's deep strikes are designed to impose greater costs on Russia than they cost Ukraine to execute. He also emphasized the importance of logistics, battlefield resource management, and expanding domestic defence production, including Patriot interceptor missiles.

The acting minister further expressed confidence that relations between Kyiv and Washington will develop into a long-term strategic partnership, with Ukraine contributing valuable experience from modern warfare. His remarks come amid leadership changes within Ukraine's defence establishment following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's cabinet reshuffle.

Ukraine's Acting Defence Minister Reveals New Asymmetric War Strategy Against Russia

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

West Asia tensions continue to intensify as Iran claims control over the Strait of Hormuz and halts multiple oil tankers while a Saudi-linked tanker catches fire after an attack in the Red Sea. US President Donald Trump says Iran is not yet ready for a deal but believes Tehran will eventually agree to negotiations. Meanwhile, the United States and Saudi Arabia sign a landmark civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with safeguards against proliferation.

In Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discusses renewed peace efforts with US officials. In Africa, at least 21 people are killed in fresh attacks in Nigeria's Zamfara State. In business, Alphabet surpasses market expectations as Google Cloud and AI drive strong revenue growth, prompting a significant increase in capital spending for 2026.

Stay tuned for the latest international news, geopolitics, business updates, and breaking developments from around the world.

Iran Blocks Strait of Hormuz | Saudi Tanker hit in Red Sea | Trump says Iran will agree to deal 

The first day of US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon has concluded in Rome, with both sides describing the discussions as productive. Israel has reportedly expressed its willingness to move forward with plans to withdraw from two pilot zones in southern Lebanon as part of a framework agreement brokered by Washington.
According to US officials, the negotiations were held in a positive atmosphere, with representatives from the United States, Israel, and Lebanon agreeing to continue discussions. Lebanon has insisted that Israeli forces begin withdrawing before any further negotiations take place, while the Lebanese Army has stated it is ready to gradually take control of the affected areas.

Israel agrees to Lebanon withdrawal plan after US-mediated rome talks | Trump pushes Netanyahu

Saudi crown prince MBS is on a whirlwind Gulf tour, adding to a flurry of diplomacy seeking to resolve long-simmering regional tensions. This comes as leaders in West Asia are on a diplomatic spree. They are ending regional rifts that have defined the region for over a decade. On The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis tells you what this tour means for West Asia.

The West Asia Post | Saudi MBS on a gulf tour | Beirut blast probe resumes

#Climatechange is battering West Asia every day but what countries are not talking about is military pollution. If the United States was a nation in the region, it would be the 8th largest polluter in West Asia.

The West Asia Post: Military pollution and West Asiaming climate crisis

The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan has led to a massive exodus -with thousands of Afghans fleeing the war-torn nation. West Asia is the first to bear the brunt of this refugee crisis. On The West Asia Post tonight, Ghadi Francis tells you more about this crisis.

The West Asia Post: West Asia braces for Afghan migrant wave

Pope Francis came with a message of peace and love and left with Iraq in his heart. On The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis takes a look at this historic papal visit to the war-torn nation. Also on the show, retaliatory Saudi-Houthi airstrikes raise fears in Yemen and a look at how Saudi women are shattering glass ceilings.

The West Asia Post Ep-24 | Historic Papal visit to the war-torn nation

Joe Biden is facing his first real test in West Asia after a rocket attack hit the US airbase in Iraq. The deadly attack is now a wake-up call for the United States, raising questions about how Biden will respond to the attack. Also on the show, a look at the controversial Gaza court ruling on women's travel and the threat to Red Sea coral reefs from an Israel-UAE oil deal. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM IST, only on WION.

The West Asia Post Ep-21 | Biden's first real test in West Asia

Saudi Arabia has opened its borders for Qatar. A 3-year-long Gulf crisis has come to an end. On the West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis tells you what this means for the region.

The West Asia Post | Gulf rift comes to an end

Nazik Al-Ali launched her on a ballet dancing journey three years ago. But in 2021, there will no dancing for this Syrian ballet dancer. On the West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis takes a look at her story. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM IST, only on WION.

West Asia Post | Story of Syrian ballet dancer

From seizing a South Korean tanker to ramping up its nuclear program, Iran is flexing its muscles in West Asia.

West Asia Post | Iran steps up its nuclear program

As 2020 comes to an end, this week on the West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis takes a look at what this year meant for the region and the consequences it holds for 2021. From the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani to the Abraham Accords, we bring a comprehensive roundup of all the things that took the region by storm. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM IST, only on WION.

The West Asia Post | Episode 14 | Your window to West Asia

This week on the West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis talks about how West Asia has kicked off mass vaccination drives. Fears grow in the region over the new mutant strain. Also on the show, United States is now mulling immunity for Saudi crown prince MBS. Will this be Trump's parting gift for Mohammed Bin Salman?

The West Asia Post | Episode 13 | Your window to West Asia

The killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani marked the start of 2020. As the year comes to an end, the focus remains on another gruesome assassination. Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated near Tehran. On this week's The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis tells us why this killing has now plunged West Asia into a crisis. Also, on the show, a look at how child malnutrition is soaring in war-torn Yemen. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM IST, only on WION.

The West Asia Post | Episode 10 | Your Window to West Asia

Political tensions between Turkey and Saudi Arabia are spilling over into trade with Saudi business leaders calling for a boycott of Turkish goods. On this week's The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis talks about how this boycott could mean trouble for president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM, only on WION.

The West Asia Post: 'Boycott Turkey' campaign in Saudi Arabia

In September 2015, Russia formally entered the Syrian civil war with President Bashar al-Assad's rule increasingly under threat..... 5 years since then, Moscow has managed to save the Syrian regime, but at what cost? Ghadi Francis tells you more on this week's The West Asia Post. For more such stories, keep watching The West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM IST, only on WION.

THE WEST ASIA POST: 5 Years of Russian Intervention in Syria

Watch this week's West Asia Post as Ghadi Francis takes you to the heart of a border conflict between Israel and Lebanon. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM, only on WION.

The West Asia Post: Lebanon-Israel Border Conflict, An Exclusive Ground Report from the Blue Line

Watch this week's West Asia Post as we take a look at how people turned to faith in various parts of West Asia even during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The West Asia Post: Praying in times of COVID-19

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

US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Sparks Fears of Middle East Nuclear Arms Race | Israel, Iran on Edge

CIA & Mossad Try to Trace Mojtaba Khamenei Using Human Intel | GRAVITAS

Trump Announces Hamas Disarmament Deal | Israel, Hamas Yet to Fully Agree on Gaza Plan

Ukraine's Acting Defence Minister Reveals New Asymmetric War Strategy Against Russia

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

Iran Blocks Strait of Hormuz | Saudi Tanker hit in Red Sea | Trump says Iran will agree to deal

Israel agrees to Lebanon withdrawal plan after US-mediated rome talks | Trump pushes Netanyahu

The West Asia Post | Saudi MBS on a gulf tour | Beirut blast probe resumes

The West Asia Post: Military pollution and West Asiaming climate crisis

The West Asia Post: West Asia braces for Afghan migrant wave

The West Asia Post Ep-24 | Historic Papal visit to the war-torn nation

The West Asia Post Ep-21 | Biden's first real test in West Asia

The West Asia Post | Gulf rift comes to an end

West Asia Post | Story of Syrian ballet dancer

West Asia Post | Iran steps up its nuclear program

The West Asia Post | Episode 14 | Your window to West Asia

The West Asia Post | Episode 13 | Your window to West Asia

The West Asia Post | Episode 10 | Your Window to West Asia

The West Asia Post: 'Boycott Turkey' campaign in Saudi Arabia

THE WEST ASIA POST: 5 Years of Russian Intervention in Syria

The West Asia Post: Lebanon-Israel Border Conflict, An Exclusive Ground Report from the Blue Line

The West Asia Post: Lebanon-Israel Border Conflict, An Exclusive Ground Report from the Blue Line

The West Asia Post: Praying in times of COVID-19