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Features Ships and a boat in the Strait of Hormuz on April 12, 2026 (Reuters)
Features

What Does a ‘Blockade of the Blockade’ in the Strait of Hormuz Mean?

When Iran moved to close the Strait of Hormuz, it did not physically seal the waterway — for example, by fully mining it. Instead, it barred ships and oil…

Asharq Al Awsat (London)
World Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, welcomes Minister of Defense for Indonesia Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to the Pentagon, Monday, April 13, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
World

Hegseth Announces 'Major' Defense Partnership with Indonesia

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday a "major" defense partnership with Indonesia following a meeting with the Southeast Asian nation's defense…

Asharq Al Awsat
Gulf Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meet in Manama on Monday. (BNA)
Gulf

Gulf Talks Focus on Containing Escalation, Boosting Regional, Global Security

Recent hours have seen a flurry of bilateral contacts across the Gulf addressing Iran-US peace negotiations and wider Middle East developments, with officials…

Asharq Al Awsat
Arab World 02 November 2025, Iraq, Najaf: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani delivers a speech during a campaign rally of his Reconstruction and Development Coalition in Najaf. (dpa)
Arab World

Iraq's Coordination Framework Close to Naming Candidate for PM's Post

Iraq's pro-Iran Coordination Framework is leaning towards nominating Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for a second term days after the election of Nizar…

Fadhel al-Nashmi (Baghdad)

US Begins Iran Port Blockade, Oil Prices Ease on Hopes for Dialogue

World A ship is seen in the Gulf off the coast of Sharjah the day after the failure of US-Iran peace talks on April 13, 2026. (AFP)

US Begins Iran Port Blockade, Oil Prices Ease on Hopes for Dialogue

The US military began a blockade of Iran's ports, angering Tehran and adding uncertainty around the crucial waterway, although hopes for dialogue to end the…

World In this photo provided by the North Korean government, its leader Kim Jong Un, center, visits to observe the test launches of missiles at an undisclosed place in North Korea Sunday, April 12, 2026. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
World

North Korea's Kim Oversees Navy Cruise Missile Test

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw new tests of strategic cruise missiles and anti-warship missiles launched from a naval destroyer, state media reported…

Asharq Al Awsat
Arab World German Chancellor and leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz attends the CDU's leadership meeting at the party's headquarters in Berlin, on April 13, 2026. (AFP)
Arab World

Germany’s Merz Urges Netanyahu to End Lebanon Fighting

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to end fighting in southern Lebanon and engage in direct peace talks…

Hezbollah Leader Asks Lebanon to Cancel Tuesday Meeting with Israel

Israeli army excavators demolish buildings in the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, 13 April 2026. (EPA)

French Cement Maker Lafarge Found Guilty of Financing Extremists in Syria

13 July 1995, Saxony-Anhalt, Karsdorf: French cement manufacturer Lafarge logo pictured in Karsdorf on railroad containers. (dpa)

Israel Army Ups Hezbollah Death Toll from April 8 Strikes to Over 250

12 April 2026, Lebanon, Beirut: People and civil defense workers search for human remains amid the debris of a collapsed building following an Israeli air strike at the Beirut seafront. (dpa)

Israel Presses Assault on Lebanon Border Town Ahead of US-Hosted Talks

Destroyed buildings in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon, near the Israel-Lebanon border, as seen from the Israeli side of the border in northern Israel, April 13, 2026. REUTERS/Florion Goga

Middle East Ceasefire a ‘Priority’, China’s FM Tells Pakistan

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi waves after a press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress (NPC), in Beijing, China, March 8, 2026. (Reuters)

Editors choice

Two US Navy guided-missile destroyers conduct operations in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday (CENTCOM)

How Would a Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz Work?

Israeli left-wing activists demonstrate with placards in HaBima Square against the ongoing war with Iran and against the Israeli government in Tel Aviv on April 11, 2026. (AFP)

Israelis Oppose Iran Ceasefire, Divided Over Whether to Respect It, Poll Says

A security officer stands in front of a sign for the Islamabad talks outside a media center set up to cover negotiations between the United States and Iran (AP)

Gulf Observers Outline Views on US Iran Talks, 14-Day Truce

A destroyed building is pictured at the site of an Israeli strike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Al-Bazouriyah, on April 12, 2026. (AFP)

Negotiations between Lebanon, Israel Deepen Hezbollah’s Crisis with the State

09 April 2026, Chad, Aboutengye: Sudanese refugee women at the Aboutengue refugee camp in eastern Chad present a voucher and provide a fingerprint to confirm receipt before receiving their food rations. Photo: Eva Krafczyk/dpa

Millions of People in Sudan Surviving on One Meal a Day, NGOs Say

People walk past a wall mural along the roadside in Tehran on Sunday. AFP

As US Talks Fail, Iranians Caught Between ‘War and Peace’

Opinion

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The Iran War and the US Economy… Misleading Indicators

Alaa Shahine Salha
Author

A Return to War or a Blockade

Abdulrahman Al-Rashed
Author

Glances at the Clock

Ghassan Charbel
Author

Hijacking Hormuz…and Luring Foreign Powers In!

Mishary Dhayidi
Author

Fragile Lebanon: Between the Invasions of 1982 and 2026

Eyad Abu Shakra
Author

The Dispute with Iran Is Not Sectarian

Mamdouh al-Muhainy
Author

Two Kingdoms but, in Hard Times, One Front

Stephen Hitchen
Author

Lebanon and Iran on the Day After the Truce

Mustafa Fahs
Author

Dicey Ceasefire

Amir Taheri
Author

The Colors of Language

Samir Atallah
Author

Iraq’s Dilemma and Its Simple Solution

Mustafa al-Kadhimi
Author

From Halting the War to Dismantling the ‘Axis’?

Abdulrahman Al-Rashed
Author

Gulf

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Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meet in Manama on Monday. (BNA)

Gulf Talks Focus on Containing Escalation, Boosting Regional, Global Security

Asharq Al Awsat

Saudi Foreign Minister, Gulf Counterparts Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

GCC Secretary-General Receives Ambassador of Ukraine to Saudi Arabia

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi

Qatar FM Urges US, Iran to be Open to Mediation in Call with Iranian FM

Qatari flag flutters in Doha - AAWSAT/File

Bahrain Summons Iraqi Charge d'affaires over Drone Attacks Launched from Iraq

Bahrain Flag (Reuters)

Saudi FM Discusses US-Iran Talks in Call with Iranian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Abbas Araghchi (AAWSAT)

Arab World

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02 November 2025, Iraq, Najaf: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani delivers a speech during a campaign rally of his Reconstruction and Development Coalition in Najaf. (dpa)

Iraq's Coordination Framework Close to Naming Candidate for PM's Post

Fadhel al-Nashmi (Baghdad)

Germany’s Merz Urges Netanyahu to End Lebanon Fighting

German Chancellor and leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz attends the CDU's leadership meeting at the party's headquarters in Berlin, on April 13, 2026. (AFP)

Hezbollah Leader Asks Lebanon to Cancel Tuesday Meeting with Israel

Israeli army excavators demolish buildings in the southern Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, 13 April 2026. (EPA)

French Cement Maker Lafarge Found Guilty of Financing Extremists in Syria

13 July 1995, Saxony-Anhalt, Karsdorf: French cement manufacturer Lafarge logo pictured in Karsdorf on railroad containers. (dpa)

Israel Summons Italy Envoy Over Comments on Lebanon Attacks

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency press office shows Italy's Minister for Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani speaking during a news conference after a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (not pictured) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, 13 April 2026. (EPA/Lebanese Presidency)

Israeli Troops Fire Tear Gas at Palestinian Schoolchildren in West Bank

13 April 2026, Palestinian Territories, Hebron: Members of Red Crescent surround Palestinian children from Khirbet Umm al-Khair after Israeli settlers blocked the only road to their schools. (dpa)

World

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Iranians look at portraits of victims reportedly killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on the residential building near which they are displayed, in Tehran on April 13, 2026. (AFP)

Iran to Allocate Part of Oil Revenues for Reconstruction After Attacks, Minister Says

Hegseth Announces 'Major' Defense Partnership with Indonesia

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, welcomes Minister of Defense for Indonesia Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to the Pentagon, Monday, April 13, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

US Says Ball in Iran’s Court as Push Grows to End War

A billboard with a graphic design about the Strait of Hormuz on a building in Tehran, Iran, April 13, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

How Would a Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz Work?

Two US Navy guided-missile destroyers conduct operations in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday (CENTCOM)

North Korea's Kim Oversees Navy Cruise Missile Test

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, its leader Kim Jong Un, center, visits to observe the test launches of missiles at an undisclosed place in North Korea Sunday, April 12, 2026. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

US-sanctioned Tankers Pass Strait of Hormuz Despite US Blockade

A ship is seen off the coast of Ras al-Khaimah, the day after the failure of US-Iran peace talks on April 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Business

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Tareq Alangari, Lenovo Senior Vice President and President for the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa. (Turki Al-Aqail)

Lenovo Chooses Riyadh as Regional Operations Hub

Abeer Hommadi (Riyadh)

Pakistan Says Looking at Options to Repay $3.5 Billion UAE Loan

Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb speaks during an interview at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group’s annual spring meetings in Washington D.C., US, April 13, 2026. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno

IEA Is Ready to Further Tap Global Oil Reserves if Needed, Chief Says

25 January 2019, Switzerland, Davos: Executive Director of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol speaks during the Annual Meeting 2019 of the World Economic Forum. (Valeriano Di Domenico/World Economic Forum/dpa)

Hapag-Lloyd Says US Plans to Block Hormuz Difficult to Assess

(FILES) A Hapag Lloyd container ship is seen in Rotterdam's harbour on August 1, 2022. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP)

UN: Iran War Could Plunge 32 million into Poverty

People shop at the fruit and vegetable market the day after negotiations between Iran and the US in Pakistan failed to produce a deal, in the capital Tehran on April 13, 2026. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

EU Member States Must Coordinate on Energy Prices amid Iran conflict, Von Der Leyen Says

Gas prices are displayed at a Chevron station in Los Angeles, California, on March 31, 2026,(Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

Culture

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French Lawmakers Pass Bill Simplifying Return of Colonial-era Art

Culture People sit at a bistro, enjoying the sun in Paris, Thursday, April 9, 2026.(AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French Lawmakers Pass Bill Simplifying Return of Colonial-era Art

French lawmakers on Monday passed a bill to simplify the return of artworks looted during the colonial era to their countries of origin, AFP reported. …

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The book spent 29 weeks on the German best-seller list. Photo: The New York Times
Culture

A Novel Makes a Star Out of a Very Young Writer

By Thomas Rogers The 22-year-old Swiss writer Nelio Biedermann has strange memories of visiting his family’s old properties when he was a child. Although he…

Culture FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, April 8, 2026. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson/Pool/File Photo
Culture

French Lawmakers to Debate Bill to Return Colonial-era Art

France's lawmakers will on Monday debate a bill to simplify the return of artworks looted during the colonial era to their countries of origin. France still…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Rockslides are a concern at the ancient theatre of Delphi. Angelos Tzortzinis / AFP/File
Culture

Greece's Ancient Sites Get Climate-change Checkup

Worsening wildfires, soaring heatwaves and rising water levels have prompted Greek officials to take a closer look at protecting priceless archaeological sites…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture A general view of the Door of No Return monument in Ouidah on April 7, 2026. (AFP)
Culture

Benin Leans into Painful Past to Attract Tourists

Tourists crowded beneath the Door of No Return, an arch built by the beach at Ouidah in southern Benin in memory of those crammed onto slave ships bound for…

Sports

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Iraq Coach Arnold Undecided on Future Beyond World Cup

Sports Football - FIFA World Cup - Inter-Confederation Playoffs - Final - Iraq v Bolivia - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - March 31, 2026 Iraq coach Graham Arnold before the match. (Reuters)

Iraq Coach Arnold Undecided on Future Beyond World Cup

Iraq coach Graham Arnold said ‌his future beyond the World Cup remains undecided as his contract ends after the tournament and no formal talks have yet…

Sports 13 April 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool manager Arne Slot attends a press conference at Anfield, ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League soccer match against Paris Saint Germain. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa
Sports

Liverpool Targets Famous Champions League Comeback Against PSG

Liverpool is aiming for another famous Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. The six-time European champion trails 2-0 after…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Football - Asian Champions League - Final - Al Ahli v Kawasaki Frontale - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - May 3, 2025 The Asian Champions League trophy is display inside the stadium before the match. (Reuters)
Sports

Asian Champions League to Expand from 24 to 32 Teams

The Asian Champions League is set to expand from 24 to 32 teams, the region's governing body for football said Tuesday, adding it will "promote inclusivity and…

Sports Carlos Alcaraz of Spain attends a press conference at the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, 13 April 2026. (EPA)
Sports

Chance to Reclaim Top Rank Is Extra Motivation for Alcaraz in Barcelona

Carlos Alcaraz said the opportunity ‌to quickly reclaim the world number one ranking from his big rival Jannik Sinner provided him additional motivation…

Sports Jack Draper of Britain in action during his first round match against Martin Etcheverry of Argentina at the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain, 13 April 2026. EPA/Alejandro Garcia
Sports

Draper Vows to Overcome Injury Woes after Barcelona Exit

Jack Draper vowed to work his way out of his injury woes after being forced to retire with a right leg problem midway through his first-round match against…

Asharq Al Awsat

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Varieties

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Greenpeace Warns of Potential ‘Catastrophic’ Chernobyl Collapse

Varieties Representatives of Greenpeace and media stand in front of the sarcophagus covering the destroyed fourth reactor under the New Safe Confinement (NSC), at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on April 9, 2026. (AFP)

Greenpeace Warns of Potential ‘Catastrophic’ Chernobyl Collapse

An uncontrolled collapse of the internal radiation shell at the defunct Chernobyl nuclear power station in Ukraine could increase the risk of radioactivity…

Varieties Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arrive at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (Anvam) in Southbank, Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Jonathan Brady/Pool Photo via AP)
Varieties

Prince Harry and Meghan Arrive in Australia to a Muted Welcome

Britain's Prince Harry and wife Meghan landed in Australia on Tuesday for a four-day visit with engagements covering sport, mental health and veterans' affairs…

Varieties FILE - Hippos float in the lagoon at Hacienda Napoles Park, once the private estate of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar who imported three female hippos and one male decades ago in Puerto Triunfo, Colombia, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)
Varieties

Colombia Approves Plan to Cull Roaming Hippos Linked to Pablo Escobar

Colombian officials on Monday authorized a plan to cull dozens of hippos roaming freely through a region in the center of the country, where they threaten…

Asharq Al Awsat
Varieties Fatou, the oldest of Berlin's zoo and also believed to be the world's oldest gorilla, eats vegetables to celebrate her 69th birthday in Berlin, Germany, Monday, April 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Varieties

World's Oldest Gorilla Living in Captivity Celebrates her 69th Birthday at Berlin Zoo

Fatou, the world's oldest gorilla living in captivity, celebrated her 69th birthday with a feast Monday, munching on cherry tomatoes, beets, leeks and lettuce…

Asharq Al Awsat
Varieties This satellite image provided by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Super Typhoon Sinlaku in the Pacific Ocean, Monday, April 13, 2026. (NOAA via AP)
Varieties

Monster Typhoon in the Pacific Ocean Is Bearing Down on Group of Remote US Islands

A dangerous super typhoon in the Pacific Ocean is barreling toward a group of remote US islands. Super Typhoon Sinlaku is expected to make landfall Tuesday…

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Amjad Rasmi
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