US imposes new sanctions on Iran’s oil shipping network The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has announced new sanctions targeting what it described as Iran’s illicit oil transportation infrastructure. The measures cover two dozen individuals, companies and vessels linked to a network run by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would continue efforts to disrupt Iran’s oil smuggling operations and proxy networks.
Qatar emir, Trump discuss Hormuz tensions and regional escalation Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, received a phone call from US President Donald Trump to discuss the latest regional and international developments, the emir's office said, as reported by Al Jazeera. The talks focused on maritime security and the stability of energy markets and global supply chains amid competing blockades of the Strait of Hormuz. The emir stressed the need to intensify international efforts to prevent further escalation.
US Senate rejects bid to halt war on Iran without congressional approval US senators voted 52 to 47 against a Democratic-led resolution seeking to halt the US-Israeli war on Iran unless authorised by Congress. Republican Senator Rand Paul was the only member of his party to back the measure, while Senator Jim Justice did not vote. The vote marks the fourth failed attempt by Democrats to pass similar resolutions since the war began, with Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman the only Democrat to oppose it.
Israeli military chief says plans approved for continued strikes in Iran, Lebanon Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said the army has approved plans to continue operations in both Iran and Lebanon. He said Israel, alongside the US, has struck Iran “hard”, weakening its defensive capabilities. “Now we must not allow them any achievements on the nuclear issue, in Hormuz and in other matters,” he added, warning of further strikes if needed.
Saudi Arabia on cusp of severing ties with LIV Golf: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 20:03 Decision to walk away from $5bn investment comes as PIF governor says war on Iran accelerates pressure to 'reposition' investments Supporters gather ahead of the start on the first day of the LIV Golf South Africa tournament at The Club in Johannesburg's Steyn City, on 19 March 2026 (Phill Magakoe/AFP) Off Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is on the cusp of cutting its backing for LIV Golf, as it tightens its belt amid the US-Israeli war on Iran and delayed megaprojects at home. The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund could announce it was stepping away from LIV Golf as early as Thursday, taking a hit on its $5bn investment in the entity. The report said PIF had been weighing an exit before the US-Israeli war on Iran began, but any decision would likely send a chill through the sports world and other entities seeking cash from Gulf sovereign wealth funds.
Iran sought Lebanon’s inclusion in ceasefire, Hezbollah official says A senior source within Hezbollah told Al Jazeera that Iran and other parties involved in talks in Islamabad had pushed to include Lebanon in the current ceasefire agreement. The source added that Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz could give it leverage to pressure the United States and Israel into agreeing to a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Low turnout and heckling dominate JD Vance's Turning Point USA appearance Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 18:17 The vice president sparred with a heckler and defended Erika Kirk, who skipped the event, citing threats US Vice President JD Vance, right, speaks with Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet during an event at the Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia, on 14 April 2026 (Chip Somodevilla/Pool/AFP) Off US Vice President JD Vance's address at an event on Tuesday drew widespread ridicule after images of sparsely filled seating circulated, with critics saying voters were increasingly unwilling to support politicians they see as backers of Israel’s wars on Iran and Palestine . Vance was also heckled at the event by what should have been a supportive and friendly crowd. Posts shared across multiple platforms showed wide sections of empty seats at a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event inside the Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia, fuelling commentary that attendance was far lower than expected.
Lebanon says over 2,100 killed since Israeli attacks resumed At least 2,167 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel resumed attacks across the country on 2 March, according to the health ministry. It added that 7,061 others have been wounded.
War on Iran 'can be over very soon' Trump says, as backchannel diplomacy resumes Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 17:01 The US president says neither the Saudi Arabians nor the Chinese pushed back against his Strait of Hormuz blockade US President Donald Trump speaks to Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo during an interview at the White House in Washington, DC, on 14 April 2026 (Screengrab) Off US President Donald Trump now says his joint war with Israel on Iran may be ending soon, as the US weighs extending the ceasefire window beyond two weeks to make room for further negotiations. Pakistan's army chief of staff and its interior minister arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, following the collapse on Saturday morning of direct US-Iran talks that they had mediated in Islamabad. "I think it can be over very soon," Trump told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo in an interview taped at the White House on Tuesday, as she asked him about the American public's concerns about petrol prices.
UN experts condemn Israeli strikes on Lebanon as ‘illegal aggression’ UN experts have denounced Israel’s actions in Lebanon as an “illegal aggression” and an “indiscriminate bombing campaign”, according to the UN Human Rights Council. More than 250 people were killed on 8 April in what was described as the heaviest round of Israeli strikes since fighting with Hezbollah resumed on 2 March. “This is not self-defence.
Iran used Chinese spy satellite to attack US bases in Gulf: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 17:29 The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force paid roughly $36. 6m for the satellite in a renminbi-denominated agreement Chinese President Xi Jinping applauds during the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 12 March 2026 (Andres Martinez Casares/Pool/AFP) Off Iran used a Chinese spy satellite to target US bases in the Middle East for missile and drone strikes, according to a report by The Financial Times published on Wednesday. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force acquired the sophisticated TEE-01B spy satellite from China in late 2024, agreeing to pay roughly $36.
Eight Palestinians killed by Israeli military in Gaza Eight Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza over the past 24 hours, in what the health ministry described as violations of the ceasefire. At least 29 others were wounded in the attacks. Since the ceasefire was agreed in October, 765 Palestinians have been killed and 2,140 injured in Israeli strikes across Gaza.
US claims no vessels moved through under Hormuz blockade US Central Command said no ships have entered or exited Iranian ports in the 48 hours since it began enforcing a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. It added that nine vessels complied with orders from US forces to turn back. The statement contradicts earlier reports by Iran’s Fars news agency, which said a sanctioned supertanker had passed through the strait towards Imam Khomeini Port.
Israeli strikes kill three paramedics in Lebanon Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli attacks in the town of Mayfadoun killed three paramedics and wounded six others, while another is missing. According to the ministry, the first team was struck on Wednesday while heading to assist wounded people. The attack killed one medic and left another unaccounted for.
UAE's Burj Al Arab to close for 18 months refurbishment after Dubai tourism drop-off Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 16:09 Number of tourists visiting emirate slumps in the wake of Iranian attacks United Arab Emirates army helicopters fly past Burj al Arab hotel, in Dubai on January 16, 2026 (Fadel Senna / AFP) Off Dubai 's famous Burj Al Arab hotel is to close for 18 months for refurbishments following a drop-off in tourism as a result of Iranian attacks. In a statement on Tuesday, the hotel's owner Jumeirah said said "long-awaited" work would be carried out in phases over some 18 months, led by Paris-based interior architect Tristan Auer. The statement did not specifiy whether the sail-shaped hotel would remain open, but a staff member told Reuters it would be and was set to offer alternative accommodation in nearby hotels to guests with bookings during the work.
Hezbollah says ceasefire possible ‘soon’ as talks continue Hezbollah spokesperson and MP Ibrahim Mousawi said efforts led by Iran and regional actors could lead to a ceasefire in Lebanon “soon”, Reuters reported. Two senior Lebanese officials also told the agency that discussions are underway, though no timeline or details have been confirmed. They said the duration of any ceasefire would likely depend on how long the US-Iran ceasefire holds.
Belgium seizes arms shipment sent from Britain to Israel Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 12:57 Brussels has banned aircraft carrying military equipment for Israel from stopping in the country or using its airspace Walloon Minister President Adrien Dolimont after delivering a speech on the State of Wallonia during a plenary session of the Walloon parliament, in Namur, on 16 April 2025 (AFP) Off Two shipments from Britain of military components bound for Israel have been seized in Belgium , which has banned aircaft carrying military equipment for Israel from stopping in the country or using its airspace. Last month, the British news website Declassified, Belgian NGO Vredesactie, Irish news website The Ditch, and the Palestinian Youth Movement alerted authorities in Brussells of a shipment travelling from Britain to Israel through Liege airport. The consignments left Britain on 23 March and were siezed at Liege airport in Belgium on 24 March.
Pakistan's army chief lands in Iran Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir has landed in Tehran, where he was welcomed by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. The Pakistani military confirmed the arrival of Munir, who mediated the last round of talks between the US and Iran in Islamabed. Those talks ended on Sunday.
Pope Leo says world needs to hear message of peace after Trump attacks Pope Leo said on Wednesday that the world needs to hear a message of peace and coexistence, after US President Donald Trump attacked him for a second time this week on social media. Speaking on his flight from Algeria to Cameroon as part of a 10-day tour of Africa, the pope reflected on his time in Muslim-majority Algeria by saying that although "we have different ways of worshipping... we can live together in peace".
'The Boys' faces boycott as star Tomer Capone’s past in Israeli army resurfaces Submitted by Hannah. Smith on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 13:03 The actor described his time in the Israeli military, including violence against Palestinians, in a 2016 interview Tomer Capone attends the panel for Amazon Prime's 'The Boys' at San Diego Comic Con in 2024 (Matt Winklemeyer/AFP) Off Calls to boycott the popular Amazon Prime TV show The Boys are circulating on social media after an interview with actor Tomer Capone resurfaced in which he describes his time in the Israeli army. The Israeli actor, who is of French - Algerian descent, plays a French-Algerian character known as "Frenchie" in the series.
