Bitcoin has already endured five consecutive months of declines since reaching an all-time high of $126,500 in October 2025. February marked the fifth straight negative month, reflecting sustained selling pressure and deteriorating sentiment across the sector, writes Simon Peters, Crypto Analyst at eToro.

US President Donald Trump has announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran, saying Washington would pause further military action to allow Tehran time to submit a unified proposal for negotiations.

The asymmetry at the heart of this war’s economic geography is stark. The US imports relatively little oil through Hormuz. More than 80% of oil and LNG shipped through the strait in 2024 went to Asian markets, with China, India, Japan and South Korea the primary destinations, he adds.

The Bahrain Defence Force General Command (BDF) announced that its air defence systems have continued to successfully intercept successive waves of the Iranian aggression.

Several ports suspended operations in the Middle East after drone strikes. DP World said operations at Jebel Ali port in Dubai, one of the world's busiest container ports, had been suspended due to a fire after "aerial interception," he adds.

The dollar still functions as the world’s primary safe haven, and in moments of acute geopolitical uncertainty, capital flows toward US assets, particularly when positioning had been stretched against it.

OpenAI is facing online backlash after signing a deal with the United States Department of Defense to deploy its AI models within the department’s classified network.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have pledged to "open the gates of hell" on Hamas and "finish the job" against Iran

Beirut, Lebanon - Hezbollah supporters blocked the Beirut airport road and burned tyres on Thursday to protest a decision barring two Iranian planes from landing in the Lebanese capital, state media and an airport official said."Young men set tyres on fire in front of the airport entrance, raising banners supporting Hezbollah's...

In 2015, Iran struck a landmark deal with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia to regulate its nuclear programme in return for the easing of international sanctions. However, in 2018, during his first term, Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the agreement and reinstated heavy sanctions...

The Trump administration faces a Middle East shaped by shifting alliances, unresolved conflicts, and evolving regional priorities, demanding a measured strategy to balance stability, diplomacy, and U.S. interests.

Cairo, Egypt -- The leaders of Turkey and Iran were in Egypt on Thursday for a summit of eight Muslim-majority countries, meeting for the first time since the ouster of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad.Turkey historically backed the opposition to Assad, while Iran supported his rule.The gathering of the D-8 Organisation for...

Bashar al-Assad's whereabouts not clear, but his key backer Russia said he had resigned from the presidency and left Syria. Crowds loot his home and vandalize the Iranian embassy.

A meeting was expected on the forum's sidelines between Turkey, and Damascus allies Iran and Russia.

Tehran, Iran - Iran will consider any request from its Syrian ally for troops to help tackle a sweeping rebel offensive in the north, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday."If the Syrian government asks us to send forces to Syria, we will study their request," Araghchi said in an excerpt...

Extremist-dominated rebel alliance, including ISIS supporters, runs over Syrian city of Aleppo allegedly backed by Turkey. Russia and Iran push to keep Assad in power.

The stakes were laid bare in a warning from Britain's foreign intelligence chief that Iran's nuclear ambitions posed a major global security threat, despite its weakened position after setbacks dealt to its Islamist allies Hamas and Hezbollah in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

The renewed war of words between the Middle East foes came as Iran prepares to hold key nuclear talks with European governments on Friday which have been overshadowed by their joining with Washington to have Tehran censured by the UN atomic watchdog.

Iran is set to meet with Britain, France and Germany for talks on its nuclear program on Friday after the three governments joined with the United States to have Tehran censured by the UN atomic watchdog.

Under US-brokered terms, Lebanon's army regains border control, curbing Hezbollah activity, while Israel vows to maintain security operations if threats persist post-ceasefire.

US president says ceasefire takes effect on Wednesday at 4:00 AM Beirut time, as Lebanese officials accuse Israel of trying to inflict maximum damage through a wave airstrikes in Beirut before the truce deadline.

Israeli attacks have killed dozens in Gaza and Lebanon is the past 24 hours, while EU chief visits Beirut asking for immediate halt of war between Israel and Hezbollah. UN envoy to Syria says "extremely critical" to avoid Syria being dragged into war.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee to follow up on the Beijing Agreement in Riyadh on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement in all its provisions.They also reaffirmed their continued endeavor to consolidate neighborly relations between their countries through adherence...

ran's foreign ministry Tuesday slammed as unjustified the new sanctions by the European Union and Britain against Tehran over its support for Russia's war on Ukraine.

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi is set to visit Tehran on Wednesday for crucial talks on Iran's nuclear program, ays after the defense minister of Iran's nemesis Israel warned the Islamic republic was "more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities"

Indicating improving ties between the two major powerhouses in the Middle East, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged international community to ensure respect the sovereignty of the "sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran".

Prince Salman also called on Israel not to attack Iran, highlighting improving ties between Saudi Arabia and its former regional rival. Meanwhile, Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned that the country was suffering an "existential" crisis and hit out at countries meddling in its internal affairs -- a thinly veiled...

Arab and Muslim leaders are gathering in Saudi capital city Riyadh to discuss Israeli war against Gaza and Lebanon in a bid to send a message to President-elect Donald Trump.

In a unique campaign twist, Trump captured Muslim voters by pledging diplomacy, promising to end prolonged conflicts and promote stability, despite his controversial past record in the Middle East region.

Washington, United States -- American B-52 bombers have arrived in the Middle East, the US military said Saturday, a day after Washington announced their deployment in a warning to Iran."B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers from Minot Air Force Base's 5th Bomb Wing arrived in the US Central Command area of responsibility," the...

Shunning international pressure, Israeli parliament passed a bill banning a United Nations aid agency, and also intensified its strikes against besieged Gaza Strip and Lebanon as Hezbollah names Naim Qassem as its new leader.

Araghchi said the "necessary measures" were taken when the attack unfolded, adding that he had been in contact with military officials and that "messages were also exchanged with different parties" whom he did not name. The foreign minister emphasised in his remarks that the Islamic republic has the "right to...

Tokyo, Japan - Oil prices tumbled in early Asian trading Monday with dealers relieved that Israeli strikes carried out Saturday against military targets in Iran had spared the country's oil installations.The price of North Sea Brent for delivery in December fell by 4.05 percent to $72.97, while West Texas Intermediate plunged...

Iran unlikely to escalate situation with Israel, say experts, as UN chief says destruction in Gaza is "shocking". Netanyahu faces opposition to his policies as relatives of Israeli hostages interrupt his speech.

Explosions sounded across Tehran after Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian military sites, raising fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East involving Iran and its allies in neighboring countries.

Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah's southern Beirut stronghold destroyed six buildings in the deadliest assault since the war began, despite U.S. calls for de-escalation amid rising tensions with Iran.

Lebanon says four people were killed including a child in the latest Israeli strikes as Tehran says the United States will bear "full responsibility" if Israel attacks Iran.

War in the Middle East continues as Israeli attack kills 73 in northern Gaza while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says that Hezbollah tried to kill him.

As Israel continues to pound Gaza, Lebanon, and West Bank, Turkey's Erdogan conveys his condolences to Hamas officials over Sinwar's death and in a rare gesture Lebanon's caretaker PM Mikati rebukes Iran.

Israel and the US government officials express "relief" at the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. He became the militant group's overall leader in August after the killing of political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iranian capital city Tehran on July 31, 2024.

Hezbollah claimed it destroyed an Israeli tank using a guided missile, while Israel reported killing Hezbollah leader Jalal Mustafa Hariri in Qana, heightening regional tensions.

Israel attacks Lebanon killing dozens and injuring more than 100 people, while Joe Biden calls Netanyahu a "liar" and Amnesty says Israel evacuation orders are "misleading" and "inadequate".

Saudi Arabia and Iran hold discussions on bilateral and regional issues, especially on peace efforts in Lebanon and Gaza. Also, Hezbollah says it agreed for a ceasefire a day before Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli attacks, but the Israeli regime declined.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's arrival in Saudi Arabia aims to address Israeli military aggression in Gaza and Lebanon, seeking solutions to relieve the humanitarian impact on civilians.

Crude oil prices soared nearly 9% last week, marking the biggest weekly gain since March 2023, following a significant escalation in Middle Eastern conflicts, Euronews reported.Some analysts believe that OPEC+ spare capacity and US production could offset any immediate supply shocks. However, a broader regional conflict in the Middle East...

Israel began its commemorations Monday of the one-year anniversary of Hamas's deadly October 7 attack, with an outpouring of emotion at vigils at massacre sites and rallies calling for the return of hostages.Ceremonies and events are planned across Israel and in cities around the world to mark the anniversary of...

As Israeli airstrikes rock Beirut, the UN demands peace and hostages’ release, and Macron criticizes Israel’s military actions, warning against further escalation in Lebanon and calling for political solutions.

"Our reaction to any attack by the Zionist regime is completely clear," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in the Syrian capital, where he met top officials including Tehran's ally President Bashar al-Assad. "For every action, there will be a proportional and similar reaction from Iran, and even stronger," he...

The former president, speaking at a campaign event in North Carolina, referred to a question posed to Democratic President Joe Biden this week about the possibility of Israel targeting Iran's nuclear program. He issued a scathing statement this week, holding Biden and Harris responsible for the crisis.

Israel has intensified its attacks against Lebanon striking emergency services and professionals - a possible war crime. Several hospitals in Lebanon shut down after severe damage from violent Israeli attacks.