Politics

Iraq launches major probe after Saudi infrastructure strikes raise regional tensions

Iraq has launched urgent legal and security procedures to investigate recent strikes targeting key infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, in what officials describe as a firm regional political stance rejecting the use of Iraqi territory for cross-border attacks. Baghdad says it is seeking to prevent further escalation while preserving diplomatic efforts across the Gulf.

19 May 2026-09:55
Iran rejects Merz accusations over UAE nuclear plant incident

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected what it described as “baseless and selective accusations” made by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz against the Islamic Republic over a mysterious failed explosion near a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates.

19 May 2026-09:36
Iran maritime body warns unauthorised transit through Strait of Hormuz is illegal

Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has said that all navigation through the designated waters of the Strait of Hormuz must be coordinated with the body, warning that any passage without authorisation will be considered illegal.

18 May 2026-17:52
Germany plans €10bn boost for civil defence

The German government is planning to approve 10 billion euros for civil defence spending as part of a wider increase in security-related budgets, according to the interior ministry.

18 May 2026-17:47
Pakistan deploys troops and jets to Saudi Arabia amid Iran conflict

Pakistan has deployed thousands of troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, according to security and government sources, in a significant expansion of military cooperation during heightened regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict.

18 May 2026-17:37
Iran’s Strait of Hormuz authority launches official X account

Iran’s authority overseeing the Strait of Hormuz has launched an official account on the social media platform X, as it moves to expand its communications and management of the key shipping route.

18 May 2026-17:19
Iran's IRGC reports arrests over alleged sabotage plots

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says its intelligence units have arrested several individuals across three provinces over alleged plans to create insecurity and disrupt the country’s economy.

18 May 2026-15:54
Why Moldova summoned the Russian ambassador

Moldova has summoned Russia’s ambassador to Chisinau, Oleg Ozerov, over what it says was a violation of its airspace by a Russian drone on 13 May and an oil spill in the Dniester River linked to a strike on a hydroelectric power plant in southern Ukraine.

18 May 2026-15:39
Trump, Netanyahu phone call sparks fears of renewed Iran conflict

The United States and Israel are reportedly engaged in their most intensive military and strategic preparations for renewed airstrikes against Iran since a fragile diplomatic ceasefire was brokered just last month.

18 May 2026-15:35
IRGC says it busted Iraq-based militant groups in western Iran

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says its forces have dismantled anti-government militant groups based in northern Iraq in the city of Baneh in Iran’s Kurdistan Province as they allegedly attempted to smuggle a large shipment of new American-made weapons and ammunition into the country.

18 May 2026-15:31