#MiddleEast (8)
Trump Gives Full Endorsement to Netanyahu Ahead of Israel Election
US President Donald Trump gave his "full and complete endorsement" to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for re-election, in a Truth Social post on Sunday (10/18/2026), as reported by AFP.
Iran Appoints New Defense Minister Akhlaghi, Immediately Threatens US
Iran's parliament on Sunday (18/10/2026) approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi as the country's new Defense Minister with 237 votes out of 277 members (AFP and Iranian state media reports).
Iran Denies Role in Houthi Strikes, Offers to Mediate
Iran rejected accusations of involvement in the Yemeni Houthis' attacks on Saudi Arabia and said it is ready to mediate between Riyadh and the Houthis if both sides request it.
Iran Denies Orchestrating Houthi Attacks, Offers to Mediate
The Iranian government denied Saudi Arabia's accusation that Tehran is behind the surge in attacks by Yemen's Houthi group, on Friday (10/16/2026).
IMF: Prolonged Middle East War Biggest Risk to Regional Economy
Jihad Azour, the IMF's Director for the Middle East and Central Asia, delivered the warning on Thursday, October 15, 2026, on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Cruise Missile Over Madinah
The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi group in Yemen said Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile over the Madinah region in western Saudi Arabia on Thursday (10/15/2026). The statement was delivered by coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki on social media platform X and carried by Saudi state media.
Houthis Strike Aramco HQ in Dhahran, Limited Fire Reported
Yemen's Houthi group struck an administrative building of Saudi Arabia's state oil company, Saudi Aramco, in Dhahran, Eastern Province, on Tuesday night (13/10/2026); Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry reported the attack triggered a limited fire, with no deaths or injuries
Trump Weighs Joining Saudi Arabia in Strikes on Yemen's Houthis
On Saturday (10/10/2026) at the White House, US President Donald Trump answered reporters' questions about possible US support for Saudi military action: 'Maybe. We're looking at it' — promising a decision would come quickly.