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Everything MediaBias News has published from and about Middle East · page 13 of 18.
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Conflict & Security · Middle EastAirstrikes hit Abu al-Duhur military airport in Syria for first time since Assad’s fall
Four airstrikes struck the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib, Syria, on 18 August 2026, causing damage to the runway but no reported injuries. The incident marks the first attack on the airport since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, with no official confirmation of responsibility.
Middle East4 min readTrust 56 · Craft 85 · Hype 15
Conflict & Security · Middle EastKushner says Hamas disarmament in Gaza could start within 30 days
Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s envoy, said progress toward disarming Hamas could begin within 30 days after meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas representatives. Israel has tied any redeployment or reconstruction in Gaza to verified disarmament, overseen by an American general.
Middle East5 min readTrust 56 · Craft 95 · Hype 15
Politics · Middle EastTrump and Vance disagree on US priority in Iran: nuclear weapons or gas prices
President Donald Trump stated on social media that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is the administration’s number one goal, directly contradicting Vice President JD Vance, who had said the top priority was keeping oil and gas prices low for Americans. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said both goals are equally important.
Middle East5 min readTrust 68 · Craft 87 · Hype 28
Politics · Middle EastErdogan urges Trump to pursue Iran talks and highlights Gaza attacks
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged US President Donald Trump to continue talks with Iran to ease tensions, while also addressing the Gaza conflict, Israeli attacks on Palestinians, and a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Outlets varied in emphasis on diplomacy, regional security, and the timing of Israeli actions.
Middle East4 min readTrust 66 · Craft 62 · Hype 15- Politics · Middle East
Trump demands Iran surrender as US-Iran deal expires without extension
The 60-day US-Iran memorandum of understanding expired on 17 August 2026 with no extension announced. Donald Trump called on Iran to "put up the white flag of surrender" and threatened to bomb Oman if it interfered with reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran denied a direct backchannel with the IRGC.
Middle East4 min readTrust 54 · Craft 95 · Hype 30 
Politics · Middle EastKushner and Netanyahu agree Gaza working groups for Hamas disarmament
Jared Kushner and Benjamin Netanyahu met in Jerusalem to establish working groups on Hamas disarmament and Gaza sanitation. Israel insists on verification by a US general; Hamas says it will disarm only after Israel withdraws.
Middle East5 min readTrust 78 · Craft 95 · Hype 15
Conflict & Security · Middle EastHouthi forces report missile attack on Saudi vessels near Yemen coast
Yemen’s Houthi rebels said they fired ballistic missiles at a Saudi military landing ship and four escort vessels off Mocha or Hodeidah. The UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed an attack in the area on 11 August killed at least seven crew members. Saudi Arabia has not responded to the claim.
Middle East5 min readTrust 68 · Craft 55 · Hype 25
Business & Economy · Middle EastAsian refiners seek Saudi Aramco crude outside Red Sea over security risks
Asian refiners have asked Saudi Aramco to deliver September crude cargoes at Egypt’s Sidi Kerir port instead of Yanbu on the Red Sea, citing security risks. Some may skip allocations due to higher shipping costs, while Aramco negotiates private deals outside the Strait of Hormuz.
Middle East5 min readTrust 50 · Craft 85 · Hype 15
Business & Economy · Middle EastOil prices rise as US-Iran talks stall and Hormuz shipping slows
Oil prices climbed on 17 August 2026 as US-Iran peace talks showed no progress and tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed following attacks on vessels operated by ADNOC. Brent crude futures rose to US$89.40 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate reached US$82.83.
Middle East4 min readTrust 70 · Craft 95 · Hype 15
Conflict & Security · Middle EastIran used US-Iran truce to expand missile and drone production, reports say
Iran exploited the June 17 US-Iran memorandum of understanding to accelerate missile and drone production, appoint hardline commanders, and deploy forces near the Red Sea, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal and Iranian state media. The truce expired on 17 August 2026 with no renewal announced.
Middle East5 min readTrust 76 · Craft 87 · Hype 45
Conflict & Security · Middle EastIran signals shift to offensive military doctrine, IRGC commander says
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a shift from a defensive to an offensive military doctrine, with a senior commander stating the country may adopt 'transformative approaches' to neutralise threats. The move follows a 60-day ceasefire memorandum with the US, which Iran reportedly used to prepare for wider conflict.
Middle East5 min readTrust 80 · Craft 85 · Hype 28
Politics · Middle EastHamas asks US-backed Board of Peace to press Israel on Gaza ceasefire roadmap
Hamas issued a statement after talks in Cairo urging the US-led Board of Peace to compel Israel to accept a 15-point roadmap for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. Israel has rejected the plan, insisting it will not withdraw forces until Hamas is disarmed.
Middle East5 min readTrust 78 · Craft 87 · Hype 30- Conflict & Security · Middle East
Strait of Hormuz shipping halts after tanker attacks and stalled US-Iran talks
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to near standstill over the weekend, with no commodity vessels recorded on Sunday after attacks on tankers. US-Iran negotiations remain stalled, and Iran insists Washington must meet its conditions for transit to resume. Oil prices steadied despite the disruption.
Middle East5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 58 · Hype 22 
Politics · Middle EastNetanyahu shares Likud billboard linking Mamdani, Khamenei, Erdogan and Qassem
Benjamin Netanyahu posted a Likud campaign billboard showing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem. The slogan reads: 'They want Netanyahu to lose. Do not let them win.'
Middle East4 min readTrust 74 · Craft 58 · Hype 41
Conflict & Security · Middle EastSaudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign Mecca defence pact as Trump hails agreement
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on 7 August, pledging that an attack on one would be treated as an attack on all. US President Donald Trump welcomed the pact on Truth Social, describing it as a major move toward collective security in the Middle East.
Middle East4 min readTrust 72 · Craft 95 · Hype 15
Conflict & Security · Middle EastUSS Abraham Lincoln crew conditions prompt Gallego to blame Trump administration
Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego attributed poor conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln to the Trump administration's handling of the Iran conflict, citing extended deployment and declining morale. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the reports as misrepresented, while the Navy acknowledged improvements after announcing the ship's return.
Middle East5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 58 · Hype 32
Business & Economy · Middle EastSyrian Airlines resumes Damascus-Moscow flights after 18-month suspension
A Syrian Airlines flight from Damascus landed at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on 16 August 2026, marking the first passenger service between the two cities in over 18 months. The route, suspended in December 2024, resumed with a return flight later the same day. Outlets diverged on whether the resumption signals political normalisation or commercial demand.
Middle East5 min readTrust 64 · Craft 85 · Hype 15
Politics · Middle EastEight Muslim-majority states condemn Israel over rejected Gaza peace plan
The foreign ministers of eight Muslim-majority countries issued a joint statement on 16 August 2026 condemning Israel’s rejection of US President Donald Trump’s 15-point plan for Gaza. Israel insists no military pullout will occur until Hamas is fully disarmed, while the signatories say the refusal undermines peace efforts.
Middle East4 min readTrust 78 · Craft 95 · Hype 28
Politics · Middle EastJared Kushner to meet Hamas leaders in Egypt before Israel talks
Jared Kushner, the US envoy and son-in-law of President Donald Trump, is scheduled to meet Hamas leadership in Egypt as part of a Middle East peace initiative. The meeting, confirmed by Hamas sources, precedes Kushner’s planned talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Middle East4 min readTrust 68 · Craft 95 · Hype 15
Politics · Middle EastTrump envoys meet Hamas and mediators in Cairo to advance Gaza peace plan
Jared Kushner and Nickolay Mladenov met Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators in Cairo on 16 August 2026, with Hamas officials present. Israel rejected the US peace plan and carried out airstrikes in Gaza, injuring at least five Palestinians.
Middle East4 min readTrust 64 · Craft 95 · Hype 15
Also affecting Middle East
Wider stories that name Middle East or bear directly on it.
Politics · United KingdomLabour MP apologises after calling for UK military action against Israel
Labour MP Tahir Ali called for the UK to take military action against Israel and for Israel to disarm. He later issued an unreserved apology for his comments and received a formal warning from the Labour Party's chief whip.
United Kingdom3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 45 · Hype 65
PoliticsGlobal gender gap closed by 69.2%, parity 120 years away
The global gender gap has closed by 69.2%, according to the World Economic Forum's 2026 Global Gender Gap Report. However, at the current rate of progress, full gender parity is estimated to be 120 years away, with political empowerment remaining the furthest from parity.
4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 61 · Hype 41
Business & EconomyGas prices expected to surge Wednesday and Thursday
Gasoline and diesel prices are expected to increase significantly on Wednesday and Thursday, with analysts pointing to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran as primary drivers. The U.S. average diesel price has reached $6.301 per gallon, and gasoline is at $4.355 per gallon.
3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 67 · Hype 48
Politics · United StatesAndy Burnham to meet Donald Trump in New York next week
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump for the first time next week in New York. The meeting, expected to take place at the United Nations General Assembly, will focus on international issues including Ukraine, the Middle East, and energy.
United States2 min readTrust 54 · Craft 85 · Hype 12
Politics · United StatesSenate Majority Leader John Thune open to diesel export ban amid record prices
John Thune announced he is willing to explore a ban on diesel fuel exports, citing record‑high domestic prices and limited supply from conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. The United States is the world’s top diesel exporter, while Russia has already halted its shipments.
United States3 min readTrust 62 · Craft 62 · Hype 25
Business & Economy · United StatesUS wholesale inflation rises 5.4% as diesel costs surge
US wholesale inflation rose 5.4% year-on-year in August, exceeding expectations due to a significant jump in energy costs, particularly diesel fuel. The data has increased the likelihood of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike next week.
United States4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 60 · Hype 40
Politics · United KingdomBurnham and Macron meet at Downing Street to discuss defence and migration
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham met French President Emmanuel Macron at Downing Street on Thursday, 3 September 2026. They discussed defence, energy, support for Ukraine, European security, small-boat migration, and UK-EU relations. Burnham announced an increase in French officers deployed to tackle Channel crossings.
United Kingdom3 min readTrust 76 · Craft 87 · Hype 18
Business & Economy · European UnionRyanair cuts 2027 passenger target and warns of higher fares as fuel costs rise
Ryanair lowered its fiscal 2027 passenger target from 216 million to 214 million, citing high fuel costs. It hedged 80% of its fuel needs at $67 a barrel but warned that persistently high oil prices could push up European airfares and strain less-hedged rivals.
European Union5 min readTrust 88 · Craft 85 · Hype 25
Business & EconomyFederal fuel tax holiday extended to January 2027
The federal government is extending the suspension of fuel excise taxes until January 2027. The measure, intended to provide relief from higher energy costs, will see the tax gradually reinstated by April 2027.
2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15
Politics · Latin AmericaPeru breaks diplomatic ties with Iran over nuclear and shipping concerns
Peru announced on 1 September 2026 that it was severing diplomatic relations with Iran. The government cited Iran's obstruction of nuclear inspections and its restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as key reasons for the decision. Consular relations will continue.
Latin America3 min readTrust 78 · Craft 65 · Hype 25
Business & Economy · Asia-PacificAsia Manufacturing Expands in August Driven by AI Hardware Demand
Manufacturing activity across Asia expanded in August, with China, Japan, and South Korea reporting growth. This expansion was primarily driven by strong global demand for artificial intelligence hardware, particularly semiconductors and computers, which helped offset rising costs and economic uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict.
Asia-Pacific3 min readTrust 65 · Craft 55 · Hype 25- Business & Economy
Indonesia Plans Quadrupled Alumina Output Using Coal Power
Indonesia plans to quadruple its alumina output and dramatically increase aluminum production by 2030, using coal-fired power plants. This expansion comes as the Iran war disrupts global supply chains and raises prices for the metal.
4 min readTrust 55 · Craft 55 · Hype 25 
Conflict & Security · UkraineZelensky says Ukraine developing Starlink alternative amid missile shortage
Ukraine is developing its own satellite communication system with a European partner and has begun testing it, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. He also stated that Russia and China are collaborating on a rival to Starlink, expected by December 2026. Zelensky hopes to persuade Elon Musk to allow Starlink use for strikes within Russia.
Ukraine4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 60 · Hype 20
Politics · United StatesLula and Trump Discuss Tariffs in 80-Minute Call
Brazilian President Lula da Silva spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump for 80 minutes on August 21, 2026. Lula argued that US justifications for imposing tariffs on Brazilian goods were unfounded. The leaders agreed on the need to maintain strong commercial ties and proposed resuming bilateral meetings.
United States3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Politics · IsraelIsraeli police permit Jewish prayer books at Al-Aqsa Mosque for first time
Israeli police allowed Jewish men to bring full prayer books onto the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on 15 August 2026, marking the first official permission for group prayer at the site. Palestinian sources and Israeli officials confirm the shift, which departs from decades of restrictions under the status quo agreement.
Israel5 min readTrust 66 · Craft 87 · Hype 35
Business & EconomyCanada’s July 2026 inflation data to show gas price rebound, economists say
Economists expect Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.9 percent in July 2026 after a June dip to 2.8 percent, driven by higher gas prices from renewed Middle East tensions. The data will inform the Bank of Canada’s next rate decision on 2 September.
4 min readTrust 62 · Craft 85 · Hype 15
Conflict & Security · Asia-PacificUSS George Washington leaves Pacific as US shifts carrier to Middle East
The US Navy is withdrawing its last aircraft carrier from the western Pacific, the USS George Washington, to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East. Analysts warn China could use the absence to assert regional influence, while extended deployments strain crews and raise concerns over US priorities.
Asia-Pacific5 min readTrust 54 · Craft 95 · Hype 35
Politics · United KingdomNetanyahu labels UK an 'Islamic republic' with nuclear weapons in radio interview
Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the UK as the 'Islamic Republic of Britain' during an Israeli military radio podcast, suggesting it could become the first nuclear-armed Islamic state. The comment, echoing a 2024 remark by US Vice President JD Vance, sparked backlash from British Jewish groups and politicians amid strained UK-Israel relations.
United Kingdom5 min readTrust 62 · Craft 87 · Hype 55
Business & Economy · IndiaFitch holds India’s BBB- rating, projects 6.4% growth for FY27
Fitch Ratings affirmed India’s BBB- sovereign credit rating with a stable outlook on 11 August 2026, forecasting 6.4% GDP growth for fiscal year 2027. The agency noted strong domestic demand and external buffers but flagged persistent fiscal deficits and structural weaknesses as constraints.
India4 min readTrust 74 · Craft 85 · Hype 15
Politics · United StatesAbdul El-Sayed disavows Hasan Piker’s 2019 remark that US ‘deserved’ 9/11 attacks
Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed dismissed Hasan Piker’s 2019 claim that the US ‘deserved’ the 9/11 attacks as a ‘dumb statement’ but maintained his association with the streamer. Right-rated outlets led on the controversy, while centre-rated reports noted the disavowal without framing it as a campaign liability.
United States4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 87 · Hype 30