The United Arab Emirates will leave OPEC next month, in a significant blow to the group that raises questions about its future at a time when the industry is grappling with the massive supply disruption caused by the Iran war.

Some Gulf Arab and European leaders believe that a US-Iran peace deal will take about six months to be agreed and that the warring sides should extend their ceasefire to cover that timeframe, according to officials from the regions familiar with the matter.

Gulf states are looking for clarity on the US-Iran ceasefire as attacks continue across the region.

As US President Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to Iran to agree to a ceasefire deal approaches, hardliners now in charge in Tehran are relishing the idea of escalation and a region-wide conflict.

An American freelance journalist has been kidnapped in Baghdad, probably by an Iran-backed militia, according to the US State Department, Iraqi authorities and Al-Monitor, a Washington-based news site to which the reporter was affiliated.

Militants entering the conflict carries risks of US or Israeli retaliation.

For Saudi Arabia, being caught in the middle of the war between Iran and its archfoes Israel and the US is the realization of a nightmare scenario the kingdom has long dreaded. The country, which sees itself as the economic and political leader of the Arab world and a beacon for Muslims everywhere, has long regarded Iran as a rival — and as a threat, one the previous Saudi king repeatedly asked the US to take on. But after the US did just that, Saudi Arabia has been alarmed to find itself dragge

Iran’s biggest Gulf Arab neighbors are considering joining the US-Israeli war against Tehran, and could be pushed to if Tehran attacks their critical infrastructure, according to several people with knowledge of the situation.

Donald Trump’s decision to back down from his threat to destroy Iran’s power infrastructure came after US allies and Gulf countries privately warned the president of the dangers of following through with his threat, according to people familiar with the matter.

Donald Trump’s decision to back down from his threat to destroy Iran’s power infrastructure came after US allies and Gulf countries privately warned the president of the dangers of following through with his threat, according to people familiar with the matter.

Western powers including the US, Australia, France, the UK and others have stepped up efforts to defend their Gulf allies from Iranian attacks, sending additional military assets to the region.

United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed warned the country’s “enemies” not to mistake its prosperity for weakness, delivering rare public remarks as Iranian strikes on the Gulf nation continue.

Saudi Arabia has stepped up direct engagement with Iran to try and contain a war in the Middle East that is causing havoc and stressing global markets, according to several European officials.

Entering the conflict could have cross-border repercussions and the prospect is already alarming Iraq and Turkey.

Gulf Arab states have been taking the brunt of Iranian attacks in a war they didn’t start and never chose.

Gulf Arab states are facing tough choices in the coming hours and days including the possibility of going to war with Iran, with the Islamic Republic intensifying its attacks on US allies across the region.

US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace — set up to secure a durable end to the war in Gaza — will hold its inaugural meeting in Washington on Thursday with multiple barriers to overcome, not least the question of how to disarm Hamas and avert a resumption of full-on conflict.

Lebanon’s government signaled it’s open to expanding its role in the US-led task force monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and stepping up efforts to disarm the Iran-backed militia.

Lebanon’s premier said his government can overcome differences with the International Monetary Fund over a proposed law that would let depositors recover billions of dollars trapped in the country’s beleaguered banking sector.

A standoff between the White House and Iraqi politicians over who should be the Middle Eastern country’s next prime minister is worsening, according to several people, with the rift threatening to destabilize the OPEC member.