Gulf

Chinese tanker sanctioned by US crosses Strait of Hormuz despite blockade

A US-sanctioned Chinese tanker, Rich Starry, crosses the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the first to exit the Gulf since the US blockade began, carrying methanol from the UAE.

|ByREUTERS
An LPG gas tanker at anchor as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Shinas, Oman, March 11, 2026.
A map showing the Strait of Hormuz is seen in this illustration taken June 22, 2025.

IMF warns Strait of Hormuz might never be back to normal

The IMF warned that the situation at Hormuz could be similar to the one in Bab-al-Mandeb, where shipping lanes haven’t yet recovered ever since the first Houthi attack.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
A GENERAL VIEW of the Nuweiba delta.

A journey to the biblical Red Sea crossing

Over the years, scholars have proposed possible sites for the crossing, with Dr. Yehoshua Meron concluding that it took place near the shoreline of Nuweiba on the eastern coast of the Sinai Peninsula.

|ByJACOB MAOR
A Pakistani official stands during the arrival of the US Vice President JD Vance for talks with Iranian officials in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Gulf states on edge as US-Iran talks in Islamabad end without deal - analysis

The Gulf is likely feeling that some of its concerns are being addressed and that many countries want to see the talks continue.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Israel is well-positioned in the new Middle East - analysis

This week Israel announced a huge success in defense exports - in 2022 those exports were more than $12 billion.

JUNE 15, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 13, 2023

Voices from the Arab press: Eliminating the supply chain of drugs

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

JUNE 9, 2023ByMEDIA LINE
STUDENTS TRAIN in the Drug and Poison Division of King Fahad Security College, in Riyadh.

UAE says it withdrew from US-led maritime coalition two months ago

The Combined Maritime Forces is a 34-nation task force working on security, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy in the Red Sea and Gulf areas.

MAY 31, 2023ByREUTERS
Ships from partner nations of Combined Task Force North participate in a photo exercise during a 60-nation International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2022 (IMX/CE22), in the the Arabian Gulf, Middle East, in this photo taken on February 9, 2022 and released by the U.S. Navy on February 10, 202

France, US, UK's show of naval strength against Iran in the Persian Gulf - analysis

Cooper said that “the Paul Hamilton team is doing remarkable work as we step up our patrols with regional allies and partners…This effort is about enhancing our collective vigilance and presence.” 

MAY 20, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Master-At-Arms 1st Class Julius Earl stands watch with an M240B machine gun on the fo'c'scle of the guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region, during a Strait of Horm

Indian businesses invest billions in GCC

Experts disagree on the extent to which the Indian investments benefit the local economies

MAY 14, 2023ByHUDHAIFA EBRAHIM/THE MEDIA LINE
Saudi Arabia hosts a meeting of foreign ministers from Iraq, Jordan, Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to discuss Syria's return to the Arab League in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 14, 2023.

Middle East, Iranian media raise anger over Israeli 'crimes' on Temple Mount

A long list of condemnations and negative reports have emphasized the growing anger in the region at Israel over the Jerusalem tensions.

APRIL 5, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Palestinians pray as Israeli security forces take position at the Al-Aqsa compound, also known as the Temple Mount, while tension arises during clashes with Palestinians in Jerusalem's Old City, April 5, 2023

Will Gulf countries support the Syria-Turkey reconciliation? - analysis

Qatar, like Turkey, has backed the Syrian rebels and would not want to be seen to be selling them out. But it is also close to Iran as well as a strategic US partner.

MARCH 28, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
SYRIA’S PRESIDENT Bashar Assad meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in Damascus last year. Syria’s future looks to be in the hands of Assad.

Saudi, Iranian FMs to meet, discuss reopening embassies -Saudi state news

Earlier this month, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to re-establish relations.

MARCH 23, 2023ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian speaks during a news conference in Tehran, Iran, March 19, 2023.

Iraq’s former PM played key role in Iran-Saudi ties - analysis

Iraq’s role as a broker is also important and may show how Iraq can continue to work with both the Gulf, Iran, the US and other countries in the region.

MARCH 13, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi addresses the nation following a drone strike targeted his residence in Baghdad, Iraq November 7, 2021 in this still image obtained from a video.

What are the implications and challenges of the Syrian regime making inroads in the Gulf?

Syria's Assad is making outreach to Turkey via Moscow now that it knows China and Moscow can't help to rebuild Syria fast enough.

FEBRUARY 23, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and Syrian President Bashar Assad shake hands as they meet in the Kremlin