DOHA
Qatar's $20B energy empire collapses as Iran strikes
World's largest LNG exporter begs Saudi Arabia for emergency loans after 700 Iranian strikes destroy gas terminals
Middle East
30 dispatches from The Meridian's correspondents
ISLAMABAD
Iran rejects US nuclear demands, Hormuz talks near collapse
Tehran calls 90-day rollback timeline 'impossible' as oil hits $127. Pakistan mediators warn of significant gaps before Monday talks.
RIYADH
Saudi Arabia pays Pakistan $8B to contain Iran
Crown Prince doubles down on Islamabad's mediation as oil traders bet diplomacy might actually work this time
WASHINGTON
Trump calls Iran war 'nearly over' as oil drops $2.40
President's most optimistic assessment in 47 days contradicts Pentagon intelligence showing Iranian leadership in disarray
TEHRAN
Iran to execute first woman protester under new leader
Bita Hemmati faces death penalty as Mojtaba Khamenei doubles execution rate since taking power after father's killing
QAMISHLI
Syria's stateless Kurds get 30 days to prove citizenship
120,000 people erased by 1962 census face bureaucratic maze to reclaim legal existence in country where they were born
ISLAMABAD
Iran brings 47-person 'war committee' to Pakistan talks
Tehran's massive delegation includes military planners as regime spokesman warns of 'next round of war' while negotiating ceasefire
TEHRAN
Iran hints at deal as US blockade chokes $2.3B weekly oil flow
Khamenei's rare flexibility signal comes as submarines reposition and wheat imports face six-week cutoff timeline
WASHINGTON
Vatican pulls envoy as US warships seal Iran ports
Pope Francis abandons diplomatic ties hours before naval blockade begins, leaving Trump without Catholic backing for oil chokepoint
WASHINGTON
Gulf States Brace as US-Iran Islamabad Talks Collapse
With Pakistan mediation failing and oil markets nervous, regional powers now face their worst-case scenario of prolonged conflict
WASHINGTON
Trump Plans Mass Pardons for January 6 Cases in Final Days
Sources say president preparing sweeping clemency for Capitol riot defendants as term nears end, testing GOP unity on law and order
WASHINGTON
Iran's 47-Person Team Signals Nuclear Deal Urgency
Tehran sends unprecedented delegation size to Washington talks as oil hits $118 and regional war fears mount across Gulf states
BEIRUT
Vance Carries Trump's Iran Ultimatum to Pakistan
Vice President's Islamabad mission signals major shift as Tehran faces choice between negotiations or isolation
BEIRUT
Netanyahu's War Isn't Done Despite US Push
Israel's PM signals more strikes while Washington races to broker ceasefire talks that may already be too late
BEIRUT
Iran Strait Toll Plan Sparks EU Warning on Global Trade
Tehran's proposed shipping fees through Hormuz chokepoint could trigger trade war as Brussels invokes international law
BEIRUT
Turkey Backs Iran Ceasefire But Regional Stability Remains Fragile
Erdogan's swift endorsement signals Ankara's growing influence as regional mediator, but implementation challenges loom large
WASHINGTON
First Ship Breaks Iran's Hormuz Blockade in 14 Months
French container vessel's passage signals potential shift in Iran's chokehold strategy as energy markets watch closely
BEIRUT
Iran War Disrupts Global Energy as India Faces Gas Crisis
New Delhi protests highlight cascading effects of Middle East conflict on Asian cooking fuel supplies
WASHINGTON
Pentagon's $200bn War Budget Signals Extended Middle East
Massive defense spending request reveals Pentagon planning for prolonged military engagement across volatile region
BEIRUT
Putin Reaffirms Russia-Iran Ties Amid Regional War
Russian president's Nowruz message signals deepening Moscow-Tehran partnership despite Western sanctions
TEHRAN
Iran May Charge Ships Using Hormuz Strait
Tehran lawmakers advance proposal to charge vessels using strategic waterway as regional tensions mount
TEHRAN
Iran women's soccer team under political pressure
Female athletes navigate regime restrictions as international tournaments become diplomatic flashpoints
PARIS
French campaigns hit by anti-Muslim attacks
Candidates of North African descent report surge in racist incidents during ongoing mayoral elections
WASHINGTON
Iran crisis exposes fault lines across global blocs
BRICS, NATO, and G-7 show internal divisions over Tehran sanctions and diplomatic strategy
TEHRAN
Iran executes 3 protesters in security crackdown
Tehran carries out death sentences for killing police officers during civil unrest that preceded regional conflict
RIYADH
Saudi port struck in Red Sea attack
Attack on kingdom's sole crude export terminal causes minimal damage as regional maritime security concerns mount
WASHINGTON
Qatar LNG plants struck, fires cut gas output
Energy infrastructure attacks prompt emergency response at Ras Laffan industrial complex
TEHRAN
Iran executes 3 protesters for police killings
Capital punishment carried out as Tehran continues crackdown on dissent following 2025 demonstrations
DOHA
Qatar condemns Iran's Gulf energy strikes
Doha calls attacks on Saudi, UAE facilities violation of international law as regional tensions escalate
WASHINGTON
Qatar gas plants attacked, output disrupted
Ras Laffan industrial complex targeted in strikes affecting liquefied natural gas operations