Explosions in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Qatar have been reported following the United States’ strikes on Iran. The nature and source of the explosions were not immediately clear.
Israel and the United States have launched strikes on Iran on Saturday morning with explosions being reported in multiple Iranian cities including capital Tehran.
Oil prices were hovering near seven-month highs on Wednesday as the threat of military conflict between the US and Iran that could disrupt supply continued to worry investors as talks between the parties are set for Thursday. Brent prices soared to $71.10 per barrel, their highest since July 31, 2025.
The US Supreme Court on Friday struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, ruling that he violated federal law by unilaterally imposing import duties under emergency powers without explicit authorisation from Congress.
US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran must reach a “meaningful” agreement over its nuclear programme within “10 to 15 days” or face unspecified consequences, escalating rhetoric amid a heightened US military presence in the Middle East.
The US military is prepared to strike Iran as early as this weekend, though President Donald Trump has yet to make a final decision on whether he’ll authorise such actions, sources familiar with the matter tell CNN. This comes amid the massive US military buildup in the Middle East, including warships and fighter jets.
Germany's Hapag-Lloyd has announced plans to buy Israel's ZIM Integrated Shipping Services for $4.2 billion in cash in a move that will help the company secure its position as the world's fifth-largest shipping group with a modern fleet of over 400 vessels, said a Reuters report.
The US military is preparing for sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, reported Reuters, citing two US officials. The Pentagon is sending an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East adding thousands more troops along with fighter aircraft.
Bahrain and France have signed a bilateral agreement on defence which includes strategic information sharing, thus opening up new opportunities for industrial co-operation in defence and strengthening solidarity between the two countries amid growing regional geopolitical tensions.
The US military said it shot down an Iranian drone that "aggressively" approached the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea,
