Middle East Crisis

West Bank
Analysis: Sanctions could play into the hands of both Netanyahu and Burnham

The UK's trade embargo on illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank could play into the hands of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition, writes David M Halbfinger in an analysis in the New York Times.

He quotes, among others, former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas, who said that the Israeli government "revels in the idea that the world is against them". Therefore, Britain's sanctions can be used as an argument to support Netanyahu ahead of the upcoming election, writes Halbfinger.

"There is a kind of competition going on within Netanyahu's coalition to be the biggest and loudest when it comes to telling the rest of the world where it can go," he writes.

In The Guardian, Kiran Stacey writes, on the other hand, that the sanctions could be an asset for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Especially after many of the Labor Party's progressive and Muslim voters defected to the Green Party because of Labor's previous policies on Israel.

"There was a time when strict trade sanctions against Israel would have been a political risk for a British prime minister to take. Andy Burnham, on the other hand, sees it as an electoral asset."

Houthi Rebels
Houthi Takes Over Port City – Could Affect Global Shipping

The Iran-backed militia group Houthi rebels have taken control of the important port city of Mocha in Yemen. Military sources told Reuters.

This means the group is taking a step closer to controlling the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea, one of the world's most important shipping lanes.

Saudi Arabia has used the Red Sea route to export oil since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. 

Iran War
Sources: Trump's top advisers warn of prolonged Iran war

Several of Donald Trump's top advisers have warned the president that the war with Iran could last for the rest of his term, until 2029, sources told the Wall Street Journal. Trump himself has pointed to the midterm elections in November as a possible end point.

- I believe the war will end immediately after the election, Trump told reporters yesterday.

According to the newspaper, the advisers include Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They see a risk that Iran could continue to resist the US blockade and military pressure. 

Trump: Iran War Will End Right After Election

US President Donald Trump says the war against Iran will end "right after" the midterm elections in November. Reuters reports.

Trump claims that Tehran tried to influence the election, but that the country "cannot hold out any longer". Trump also says that he is doing "much more than a nuclear deal" when it comes to Iran.

Oil prices, which rose more than 2 percent during the day and reached over $100 per barrel for the first time since July, will not go down again until after the election, Trump says.