هل يطلق ترمب عملية عسكرية أخيرة ضد إيران؟ — Friday 22 May 2026A report from Axios has sparked fresh debate across the Middle East after citing sources close to President Trump who claim he is weighing a major military strike on Iran. The plan, according to the account, would involve a decisive operation followed by an immediate declaration of victory and a swift end to hostilities. While the White House has not confirmed the details, the suggestion alone has revived memories of past U.S. interventions that reshaped regional power balances from Baghdad to Beirut. For many in Lebanon and the Gulf, such a move carries direct consequences. An escalation between Washington and Tehran would likely intensify pressure on proxy fronts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, while raising the risk of renewed maritime disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Lebanese analysts note that any sudden flare-up could further strain an already fragile economy and displace additional refugees toward the Mediterranean coast. Regional governments remain cautious. Gulf states have quietly strengthened defense ties with the United States in recent months, yet they also fear that a short-lived campaign could leave Iran more determined to expand its influence through non-state actors. Observers in Beirut argue that without a broader diplomatic framework, another round of strikes risks repeating the cycle of retaliation that has defined the past decade. Whether the reported option is serious planning or political signaling remains unclear. What is certain is that Middle Eastern capitals are once again preparing for the possibility that decisions made in Washington could redraw security lines across the region with little advance notice.Watch the full video from Al Jazeera English below.

LIVE: Vessel traffic in Strait of Hormuz — Thursday 21 May 2026A vessel tracker shows traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump railed against Tehran's intentions to charge fees for use of the Strait of Hormuz off its coast, where a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas passed through before the war.Watch the full video from Reuters below.

LIVE: Vessel traffic in Strait of Hormuz — Thursday 21 May 2026A vessel tracker shows traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump railed against Tehran's intentions to charge fees for use of the Strait of Hormuz off its coast, where a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas passed through before the war.Watch the full video from Reuters below.

LIVE: Vessel traffic in Strait of Hormuz — Thursday 21 May 2026A vessel tracker shows traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump railed against Tehran's intentions to charge fees for use of the Strait of Hormuz off its coast, where a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas passed through before the war.Watch the full video from Reuters below.

نقاش الساعة - هل تستطيع إيران إدارة مضيق هرمز؟ — Wednesday 20 May 2026A recent Al Jazeera English debate examined whether Iran possesses the capacity to control the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing regional tensions. Professor Hassan Ahmadian from Tehran University argued that Tehran holds significant leverage over the vital waterway, citing its geographic position and military assets along the Persian Gulf coast. Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary Joey Hood countered that any Iranian move to disrupt traffic would invite swift international retaliation and isolate Iran further economically. The Strait remains a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments, making stability there essential for energy-dependent economies across the Gulf and beyond. Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have long viewed Iranian threats to close the passage as direct risks to their export routes and national revenues. Regional analysts note that recent US sanctions and naval deployments have heightened these concerns, pushing Arab capitals to diversify shipping options and strengthen ties with Asian importers. For Middle Eastern audiences, the exchange highlights the delicate balance between Iranian deterrence strategies and the broader costs of escalation. Any prolonged disruption could spike energy prices, strain already fragile post-pandemic recoveries, and complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Oman and Qatar. Observers in Beirut and Riyadh alike stress that lasting security in the waterway ultimately depends on de-escalation rather than unilateral control by any single actor.Watch the full video from Al Jazeera English below.

نقاش الساعة - مصير هرمز.. هل تتراجع إيران عن السيطرة الكاملة على المضيق؟ — Wednesday 20 May 2026A panel of regional and international experts convened to assess whether Iran might ease its firm hold over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carries nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies. The discussion featured Dr. Hassan Ahmadian of Tehran University, former U.S. deputy assistant secretary Joey Hood, Kuwaiti analyst Dr. Saleh Al-Mutairi, and Al Jazeera researcher Dr. Liqa Maki, who examined Tehran’s strategic calculations amid renewed sanctions pressure and maritime incidents in the Gulf. Analysts noted that Iran continues to treat control of the strait as a core deterrent against external threats, particularly from the United States and its Gulf partners. While some voices suggested economic hardship could encourage limited Iranian flexibility on shipping rules, others argued that any visible retreat would weaken Tehran’s leverage in nuclear talks and regional security negotiations. The exchange underscored how local decisions in the Gulf directly affect energy prices and supply stability for importers across Asia and Europe. For global audiences, the debate illustrated the enduring risks to maritime trade routes that connect the Middle East to major markets in China, India, and Japan. Even modest disruptions remain capable of driving up costs worldwide, reminding policymakers that the strait’s future management will continue to shape both energy security and diplomatic maneuvering in the months ahead.Watch the full video from Al Jazeera English below.

ترمب يعلن عدم استعجاله في اتخاذ قرار بشأن فتح مضيق هرمز — Wednesday 20 May 2026US President Donald Trump has stated he is in no rush to decide on opening the Strait of Hormuz, aligning himself with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the need to maintain pressure against Iran. Speaking to reporters, Trump pointed to growing domestic unrest inside Iran driven by worsening living conditions and described Tehran as having suffered a decisive setback in recent confrontations. His remarks come amid ongoing regional tensions that directly affect energy routes vital to Gulf states and beyond. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for oil shipments from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates, carrying roughly one-fifth of global petroleum supplies. Any move to alter its status could quickly raise shipping costs and heighten security concerns for coastal communities in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, while also influencing maritime traffic observed from ports in Lebanon and Egypt. Trump’s measured tone suggests Washington is weighing these economic ripple effects carefully before committing to further escalation. Regional analysts in Beirut note that prolonged uncertainty over the waterway benefits neither producers nor consumers in the Middle East. With Iran facing internal discontent and sanctions already biting into daily life, the comments underscore how external decisions continue to shape the economic fortunes of ordinary citizens across the Levant and the Gulf. Observers expect further diplomatic maneuvering in the coming weeks as neighboring capitals monitor developments closely.Watch the full video from Al Jazeera English below.

قراءة سياسية.. ما دلالات قمة بوتين وشي بعد زيارة ترمب إلى الصين؟ وما أثرها على الملف الإيراني؟ — Tuesday 19 May 2026Recent diplomatic exchanges between Moscow and Beijing have drawn close attention across the Middle East, particularly as they follow President Trump’s visit to China and precede a summit between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. Analysts on Al Jazeera note that both Russia and China remain reluctant to become fully entangled in regional conflicts yet cannot ignore developments that directly affect their strategic interests. For Gulf states and energy markets from Riyadh to Tehran, the positioning of these two powers between Washington and Iranian allies carries immediate consequences for oil routes and pricing stability. The Strait of Hormuz sits at the center of these calculations. Any disruption there threatens China’s energy supplies while offering Russia opportunities to benefit from higher global prices. Middle Eastern observers see this dynamic as part of a wider effort by Moscow and Beijing to counter American influence without committing to open confrontation. Tehran, viewed as a necessary partner in this balancing act, finds its nuclear and regional files increasingly shaped by how far Russia and China are willing to align against Washington. Questions remain whether the upcoming Putin-Xi meeting will produce a clearer joint approach on Iran or merely highlight diverging priorities. From Beirut and other regional capitals, the outcome is watched closely for signs of either a pathway toward de-escalation or an intensification of the contest over energy security and political leverage in the Gulf.Watch the full video from Al Jazeera English below.

قراءة سياسية.. ما دلالات قمة بوتين وشي بعد زيارة ترمب إلى الصين؟ وما أثرها على الملف الإيراني؟ — Tuesday 19 May 2026Analysts examining the recent summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping point to a calculated effort by both powers to navigate tensions in the Middle East without full commitment to either side. The meeting, held shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, focused on shared concerns over Iran and energy routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Moscow and Beijing view Tehran as a useful counterweight to American influence, yet they remain wary of actions that could spike global oil prices or disrupt vital supply lines for China’s economy. Russian calculations appear driven by the prospect of higher energy revenues, while Chinese priorities center on securing stable imports and avoiding direct entanglement in regional conflicts. Experts note that the two nations have coordinated messaging since the latest round of Iran-related crises but still diverge on the depth of support they are willing to extend. Putin’s follow-up diplomacy is seen as an attempt to forge a more unified stance that protects mutual interests in balancing Washington’s regional role. For global audiences, the outcome carries direct implications for energy markets and broader stability in the Middle East. A coordinated Russian-Chinese approach could open channels for limited de-escalation, yet it also risks prolonging competition over security arrangements and resource access. Observers in Europe, Asia, and energy-importing nations will watch closely to see whether the summit produces practical restraint or simply extends the current standoff.Watch the full video from Al Jazeera English below.

Kenya Fuel Protests Ease For One Week — Tuesday 19 May 2026As tensions ease for a one-week reprieve in Kenya, transport operators have suspended their nationwide strike after clashes with police left at least four people dead and more than thirty injured. The Kenyan government has pointed to the US-Israel-Iran conflict and restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz as the main drivers behind fuel prices rising by as much as ten percent in a single month. TTT News correspondent Brian Ngugi from the Standard Media Group reports that while Super petrol prices were adjusted, they remain higher than before, leaving commuters frustrated and the anger far from settled. Here in Trinidad and Tobago, these developments carry particular weight for motorists and public transport users already feeling the pinch at the pumps in places like Couva and Port of Spain. Global supply shocks from the Strait of Hormuz can quickly push up our own fuel costs, even as an energy-producing nation, and any prolonged disruption in Kenya could affect regional trade routes that indirectly touch Caribbean supply chains. Neighbouring countries are watching closely, knowing that if talks between the government and unions collapse, Kenya risks running out of fuel within days. The transport union has given authorities just seven days to resolve the matter before considering a larger shutdown. For local audiences, the situation highlights the need for stronger dialogue between government, transport operators and commuters to prevent similar unrest from taking root on our streets.Watch the full video from TTT Live Online below.

ما الذي تريد طهران فرضه في المضيق من خلال شروط جديدة بخصوص عبور السفن عبر مضيق هرمز؟ — Monday 18 May 2026Iran's latest demands for oversight of vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz mark a sharp escalation in diplomatic pressure aimed at breaking the current impasse in talks mediated by Pakistan. Speaking on Al Jazeera, Qatari academic Abdullah Bandar al-Otaibi described the new security protocol as a deliberate challenge to international maritime law, framing it as a straightforward exchange: Tehran would guarantee safe energy flows in return for an end to the American naval presence that has tightened around its southern coast. For Gulf states whose economies rest almost entirely on oil exports passing through the narrow waterway, the proposal raises immediate concerns about higher insurance costs and possible disruptions at a time when global markets remain sensitive to any hint of instability. The move comes as both Washington and Tehran appear constrained by domestic politics. President Trump faces pressure from hardliners at home who view any concession as weakness, while Iranian leaders must contend with factions that see compromise as surrender. This mutual rigidity has left Islamabad with the difficult task of finding enough common ground to keep negotiations alive. Without stronger Pakistani involvement, observers in the region fear the standoff could drift toward further naval posturing rather than genuine de-escalation. From Beirut to Doha, analysts worry that any prolonged closure or restriction of the strait would hit regional importers and exporters alike, particularly smaller economies already struggling with inflation and reduced foreign investment. The Hormuz chokepoint remains the clearest reminder that energy security in the Middle East is inseparable from broader questions of sovereignty and power.Watch the full video from Al Jazeera English below.

أمريكا وإيران.. هل لا يزال خيار العمل العسكري يلوح في الأفق؟ — Monday 18 May 2026A senior Gulf political analyst has warned that Tehran’s latest diplomatic overture to Washington, delivered through a Pakistani intermediary, amounts to little more than a calculated delay tactic. Dr. Saleh Al-Mutairi, head of the Al-Madar Center for Political Studies, told BBC News Arabic that the revised Iranian proposal is designed to buy time and sidestep the core requirements of any lasting nuclear agreement. He linked Iran’s earlier acceptance of a truce on 11 April directly to credible American threats against the country’s energy and power infrastructure. Al-Mutairi argued that Gulf states and the wider international community now share a clear strategic consensus on the need to eliminate what he called “navigational blackmail” in the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway carries roughly one-fifth of global oil trade, making any sustained Iranian restrictions on shipping an immediate concern for energy importers across Asia and Europe. The Qatari prime minister’s recent remarks, he noted, reflect this shared determination to prevent future disruptions that could drive up prices and threaten supply security for millions of consumers. Should Tehran continue to impose limits on vessel movements, Al-Mutairi concluded, Washington may view military action as the only reliable means of restoring freedom of navigation. Such a step would carry significant risks for regional stability and global markets alike, underscoring how developments in the Gulf continue to reverberate far beyond the Middle East.Watch the full video from Al Jazeera English below.