The Middle East remains one of the world’s most volatile regions, where local disputes can quickly become regional crises. Wars, proxy rivalries, sectarian divisions, territorial disputes, weakened states, foreign military involvement and competition over energy routes all increase the risk of new conflict.

Tensions between Iran and Israel have once again reached a dangerous level, raising concerns that the Middle East could be heading toward another period of instability.

The Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan has firmly rejected reports published on Middle East Eye and Haaretz suggesting that Israel used Azerbaijani territory during its recent conflict with Iran.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Iran of leveraging the situation in Lebanon in its negotiations with the United States, telling CNN, "This is not your country."

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a new ceasefire following U.S. mediated negotiations, marking the latest effort to halt months of fighting along the Israel Lebanon border.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has sharply criticized the US-Israeli approach toward Iran, saying the 2015 nuclear agreement was undermined by the United States and that its collapse contributed to rising instability in West Asia.

The United Arab Emirates has reportedly conducted a series of secret attacks against Iran during the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter.

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least five people, while Hezbollah launched rockets toward northern Israel without causing casualties, according to officials.

Fuel prices across the United States have jumped sharply following an escalation in the conflict between the US and Iran, which has sent global crude oil prices soaring.