In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has been accused by a prominent ultraconservative figure of going soft over his support for negotiations with the US. The public rift highlights growing divisions in Iran over how to approach the next phase of the war.

The US military says it has cleared sea mines laid by Tehran in the Strait of Hormuz and helped nearly 1,500 commercial vessels pass through the waterway.

A Yemeni security source tells The National that the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have turned isolated smuggling operations into a sprawling network across the Horn of Africa. The Houthis have developed links with Al Shabab in Somalia and expanded into Sudan.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Syria form a joint bank to make investment and money transfers between the countries easier.

And in response to the devastating floods in Nepal, the UAE has announced a $10 million humanitarian aid package, directed by President Sheikh Mohamed.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman heads to Tehran to push for de-escalation between Iran and the US and renewed dialogue, with talks also focusing on restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to the situation before February 28.

We also examine comments from the US ambassador to Lebanon that negotiations with Hezbollah are possible if the group is serious and has something to offer, while President Joseph Aoun defends direct talks with Israel as “much better than war”.

More than 160 people have died and hundreds are missing after catastrophic floods hit Nepal and Tibet.

And the UAE and Lebanon are seeking to strengthen economic ties with a new business council aimed at opening up investment opportunities. Meanwhile, UAE public schools are scrapping homework for pupils from kindergarten to year 2 and cutting screen use for year 6 pupils in key subjects.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Iran struggles with fuel shortages and long queues at petrol stations as motorists rush to fill their tanks following new US sanctions.

We also look at the dissolution of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces as its fighters are integrated into Syria’s state institutions.

Meanwhile, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi is hopeful arrangements to restore safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz will soon be announced. Tehran, however, says the arrangement would not constitute a full reopening of the strait.

And Dubai International Airport expects passenger traffic to strengthen in the second half of the year after the Iran war sharply reduced travel demand, while parts of the UAE face more rain, strong winds and temperatures reaching 48°C in Al Ain.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the US has announced sweeping new sanctions against Iran, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expects other countries to take similar action as Washington steps up its campaign to economically isolate Tehran.

We also look at the US decision to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, clearing a major obstacle to Damascus's economic recovery. And leading Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour has died, aged 79, after more than five decades shaping a visual language of Palestinian identity.

Abu Dhabi’s Lulu Island is set for a major transformation under developer Eagle Hills Properties, while Dubai’s public parking operator Parkin is expanding its smart parking services into Bahrain and Egypt.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Washington is preparing an “economic D-Day” against Iran, aiming at the country's oil exports, financial transactions, aviation, shipping and banking. In Iran, citizens fear further isolation and hardship as inflation exceeds 80 per cent and the rial continues to weaken.

We also examine high-level talks between Syria and Israel in Jordan, brokered by the US and aimed at stopping Israeli attacks and reviving negotiations on a security agreement.

Emirates airline has also resumed limited flights between Dubai and Kuwait after an extended suspension.

And Formula One says it remains committed to holding its 2026 season finale in Abu Dhabi, while Dubai has introduced an AI-powered system to track productivity across 32 government departments.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the US says economic pressure on Iran could prevent a return to large-scale fighting, with Vice President JD Vance describing the war as entering a “new phase” and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent promising further measures on Monday.

We also examine escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey over their military presence in Syria, after Israel accuses Ankara of planning to station troops at an airbase struck by Israeli warplanes.

In Gaza, aid deliveries rise sharply, but shortages of engine oil and spare parts are putting more lorries out of service and making it increasingly difficult to get supplies to Palestinians.

And investment in completed Dubai property projects jumps 52 per cent to Dh111 billion in the first half of the year, while UAE schools prepare to welcome more than a million pupils back to classrooms with existing safety measures remaining in place after this week’s missile alert.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, US President Donald Trump announces what he calls the “most crushing economic operation ever taken” against any country after Iran failed to reach a deal with Washington. He also threatens economic consequences for countries that support Tehran, while saying alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz could reduce the waterway’s importance.

We also look at Israel’s decision to open a criminal investigation into the killing of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab and members of her family in Gaza, as fresh Israeli attacks kill nine people in the city. France and Iran also move to expel each other’s diplomats as relations deteriorate.

And Abu Dhabi expects its power demand to double by 2050, with more than Dh300 billion planned for utility infrastructure, while new UAE tax rules are set to make some e-cigarette and vape liquids more expensive from September.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the UAE suspends all activities, trade exchanges and financial transactions with Iran, following the latest escalation in the conflict, marking a significant shift in their economic relationship.

We also examine US President Donald Trump’s insistence that there are no talks with Iran as the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz continues, while Tehran maintains the waterway will remain closed until its conditions are met and the US warns Oman against interfering in its efforts.

And US envoy Tom Barrack criticises Israeli air strikes on Syria as an unnecessary escalation, anti-Muslim hate crimes in London reach record levels, and Dubai’s paid parking operator says regulated parking will continue expanding as the city grows.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, US special envoy Jared Kushner says Iran is refusing to make the concessions needed for a longer-term agreement after the latest negotiation deadline expired, while Tehran says it has reached an understanding with Oman on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. We also look at US President Donald Trump's warning to Oman as diplomacy over the strategic waterway continues.

We also examine Israel's agreement with the US-backed Board of Peace to establish two working groups in Gaza, one focused on disarmament and the other on reconstruction and public health, following Mr Kushner's meetings with Israeli leaders, Hamas and regional mediators.

And Iraq is considering removing zeros from its currency as it grapples with a budget squeeze, Dubai moves ahead with a rail link connecting its two international airports, and Kevin Lamour, Fifa's chief operating officer, is sacked after criticising Gianni Infantino's controversial commercial rights proposal.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the UAE joins seven other Arab and Islamic nations in condemning Israel for rejecting renewed efforts to implement US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, as Jared Kushner holds talks with Hamas and regional mediators in Egypt.

We also examine a sharp slowdown in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as attacks on tankers and stalled US-Iran talks continue to disrupt maritime traffic, while Iran resumes crude loading through alternative export routes.

We look at Iraq’s seizure of more than $26 million in cash and 60kg of gold as part of a widening anti-corruption campaign.

And Abu Dhabi’s sovereign fund launches a bid to take full ownership of AD Ports Group, while the UAE encourages motorists to drive safely ahead of the new school year with its annual Accident-Free Day campaign.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans