Iran and Israel have announced a suspension of their retaliatory attacks following recent escalations. The declaration came on Monday, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the conflict was now under control. Earlier the same day, Tehran announced it would halt military actions for the time being, warning that any new Israeli strikes on Iran or Lebanon would prompt a response. Iran’s top military command, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, confirmed the decision in an official statement.

The announcement followed two months of reciprocal attacks between the two countries, which reignited tensions across the Middle East on Sunday night. Despite the temporary ceasefire, exchanges of fire continued into Monday morning before both sides declared a pause in hostilities.

The situation remains fragile, with both nations signaling conditional restraint depending on future military actions.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East. In a statement issued through his spokesperson, he urged all parties to fully adhere to ceasefires in Lebanon, Iran, and Gaza, and to refrain from actions that could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Guterres also voiced serious concern over Israel’s decision to close Gaza’s entry points, calling for their immediate reopening to ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid and essential supplies. He emphasized the importance of respecting freedom of navigation in international waterways, a remark analysts interpret as referring to tensions involving Iran and the United States in the Strait of Hormuz.

The UN chief reiterated that dialogue and negotiation remain the only viable path forward and urged all sides to intensify diplomatic initiatives for peaceful resolution. Observers view this statement as a significant diplomatic message aimed at calming the region’s volatile situation.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee accused Iran and its proxy agents of wanting to burn America and Israel to ashes. He made the allegation on Monday while condemning Iran’s overnight missile attack on Israel. In a post on social media platform X, Huckabee described Tehran as the 'main base of the devil' and blamed Iran for reigniting hostilities between the two nations.

Earlier, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Telegram that Israeli air forces had carried out strikes on military targets in Iran’s western and central regions. The IDF did not disclose details about the locations or any casualties resulting from the attacks.

Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that all incoming flights to Tehran’s Khamenei International Airport were canceled until further notice. The airport had only reopened in April after weeks of closure due to regional instability. The missile attack by Iran came despite a ceasefire agreement reached earlier in April.

Iran has launched missiles toward Israel following an Israeli strike in Beirut, according to the Israeli military. The attack occurred amid an ongoing ceasefire, heightening regional tensions. Israel’s defense forces reported that their air defense systems were intercepting the missiles, with several already shot down while others continued to be launched.

Earlier, Iran had warned of retaliation after Israel’s strike in southern Beirut. Within hours, Israel’s military placed the country on high alert, anticipating possible attacks. Sirens were activated in Haifa and northern areas, and civilians were instructed to move to shelters once missile launches were detected.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility, stating that the ballistic missiles targeted the Ramat David airbase near Haifa in response to recent Israeli operations in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s suburbs. Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s online comment calling for Tehran to “burn tonight” further escalated the situation.

According to a report by Middle East Eye, the United States and Israel are actively working to remove Jordan from its long-standing supervisory role over the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in Jerusalem. The report states that a new arrangement is being drafted to bring the management of the holy site under Israeli authority, with the aim of transforming it into a multi-faith center. The initiative is reportedly being led by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

Unnamed American and Arab officials cited in the report said the proposed plan would end the authority of the Jordan-backed Islamic Waqf and allow Jews equal access and organized prayer rights at the site. Israel would also gain influence over the appointment of religious leaders and the content of Friday sermons. The plan envisions Al-Aqsa as a shared religious and tourism site for Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

The proposal has reportedly been communicated to Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates, suggesting a rotational oversight model among Arab states. Saudi Arabia, however, is said to have strongly opposed the idea, while the UAE and Bahrain have not yet clarified their positions.

The Dead Sea, located at the junction of Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories, is shrinking at an alarming rate. Over the past five decades, its surface area has contracted by nearly one-third, with water levels dropping about four feet annually. The decline has caused thousands of sinkholes to form along the coast, forcing the closure of popular resorts such as Ein Gedi and threatening local tourism and businesses.

Experts attribute the crisis to water diversion from the Jordan River and industrial mineral extraction. The river, which once supplied 1.3 billion cubic meters of water annually, now contributes only about 100 million. Since the late 1970s, the Dead Sea has split into two basins, with the southern part maintained artificially for industrial evaporation ponds. Companies from Israel and Jordan pump water from the northern basin to extract potash and magnesium.

Efforts to save the Dead Sea have stalled due to political disputes, high costs, and lack of regional cooperation. A 2013 plan to pipe water from the Red Sea remains suspended over environmental and financial concerns. Environmental groups urge focusing on stabilizing the decline rather than full restoration.

Following Iran’s weakening after Israel’s military operations since October 2024 and the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria, Israeli leaders now see an opportunity to consolidate regional dominance. Analysts cited in the report suggest that Israel’s policymakers increasingly view Turkey as the next major obstacle to their ambitions, given Ankara’s growing influence in post-Assad Syria and its opposition to Israeli expansionism.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described Turkey as a new Iran, accusing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of seeking to encircle Israel. Turkish analysts argue that Israel is developing a long-term strategy similar to its decades-long approach toward Iran. They note that Israel’s regional ambitions have expanded across Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Qatar, and Yemen, while Turkey perceives these actions as threats to broader regional stability.

Experts warn that direct confrontation between Israel and Turkey could emerge in Syria or the Mediterranean. However, Israel’s ability to act against Turkey is constrained by Ankara’s NATO membership and U.S. strategic interests. The rise of a Turkey–Egypt–Saudi Arabia–Pakistan alignment could further limit Israel’s regional dominance.

The United Arab Emirates and Israel have formed a joint defense fund aimed at enhancing their military capabilities and jointly acquiring advanced defense equipment and technology. The initiative, confirmed by Middle East Eye citing current and former U.S. officials, was finalized during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the UAE amid the ongoing Iran war. The fund will support joint arms purchases and may finance upgrades to Israel’s air defense systems, with both countries focusing on drone interception and air defense technologies.

According to sources, the fund involves significant financial commitments and extends beyond air defense systems. Analysts note that Israel brings technological expertise while the UAE provides financial resources. The move comes as U.S. financial support for Israel faces growing domestic scrutiny, prompting Israel to diversify its funding sources. Experts describe the partnership as the closest cooperation ever between Israel and an Arab nation.

The UAE’s independent approach contrasts with Saudi Arabia’s regional alliances. Observers suggest that as tensions with Iran deepen, Abu Dhabi sees its relationship with Israel as a strategic counterbalance in regional security.

US President Donald Trump issued a new warning to Iran on Sunday, urging Tehran to act quickly to end the ongoing conflict. In a message on his Truth Social platform, Trump said time was running out for Iran and that failure to act would leave it with nothing. The warning came as fighting persisted despite a ceasefire declared on April 8 following major US and Israeli attacks that began on February 28.

In Lebanon, Israeli missile strikes killed an Islamic Jihad commander and his 17-year-old daughter, while additional attacks in the south left five people dead, including two children. The Lebanese health ministry reported at least 2,900 deaths since the war began, with more than 400 killed after the ceasefire. In Gaza, five people were killed in Israeli attacks, bringing the death toll since October’s ceasefire to at least 871. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia intercepted three drones entering from Iraq, and a drone strike near Abu Dhabi’s Barakah nuclear plant caused a fire but no casualties.

Iranian media said Washington had offered no concessions in response to Tehran’s peace proposals, while Pakistan continued mediating talks between Iran and the United States.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan to discuss the stalled United States–Iran nuclear negotiations, ongoing regional tensions, and the broader situation in the Middle East. The discussion focused on maintaining regional stability and exploring ways to reduce escalating tensions.

Diplomatic sources indicated that the talks between the United States and Iran have effectively reached a standstill in recent times. Against this backdrop, both foreign ministers exchanged views on measures to preserve stability in the region. Turkey has been actively working behind the scenes to help end ongoing conflicts while also strengthening security along its border with Iran.

Ankara fears that further deterioration of the situation could trigger a large-scale refugee influx across the border. Observers note that Turkey’s diplomatic engagement amid rising instability in the Middle East could play a significant role in maintaining regional balance.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has been accused of entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and provoking Jewish settlers. The incident drew strong condemnation from Qatar, which also protested against Israeli settlers’ provocative actions and restrictions on access to the mosque.

According to the Qatar News Agency, the Qatari Foreign Ministry described Ben-Gvir’s move as an unacceptable provocation to millions of Muslims worldwide. The ministry said the act constituted a grave violation of international law and humanitarian law. Qatar warned that the move represented a dangerous attempt to alter the historical and legal status of occupied Jerusalem, emphasizing that such unilateral measures are null and void under international law.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry called on the international community to compel Israel to halt ongoing violations against Palestinians and to comply with international resolutions.

Gulf countries are increasingly turning to Turkey to strengthen their air defense systems as regional tensions with Iran escalate. The shift comes as U.S. defense companies struggle to meet arms and equipment demands, prompting Arab states to seek alternative suppliers. Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on American bases, countries such as Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have faced heightened security risks.

Despite possessing advanced defense systems, these nations have struggled to counter Iran’s ballistic missiles and long-range drones, which can evade radar detection. In response, several Gulf states have initiated talks and agreements with Ankara to acquire Turkish-made weapons and defense systems. Kuwait has signed a protocol with Turkey to purchase Bayraktar Akinci drones and Hisar air defense systems, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar have reportedly agreed to buy Korkut 100/25 systems.

The growing Gulf presence at Turkey’s recent SAHA Expo defense exhibition, including active participation from Iraq, underscores the region’s expanding defense cooperation with Ankara.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the United Arab Emirates’ President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a telephone conversation to strengthen security and stability in the Middle East. The discussion took place as part of ongoing efforts to enhance coordination between the two Gulf nations.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the leaders reviewed recent regional developments and exchanged views on joint initiatives aimed at reinforcing peace and stability. The report also noted that the two sides discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The conversation underscores the continuing collaboration between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in addressing regional challenges and maintaining strategic alignment on key security issues.

A recent wave of Iranian attacks has severely damaged at least 228 U.S. military facilities and equipment across Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, according to satellite analysis cited by The Washington Post. The strikes have shaken long-held assumptions among Gulf monarchies that American protection guarantees their safety. The incidents revealed that even U.S. bases are not immune to Iranian retaliation, undermining the credibility of Washington’s regional defense umbrella.

The crisis has triggered deep unease among Gulf rulers and business elites, who now question the value of hosting extensive U.S. military infrastructure. Iran’s strategy of deterrence through pain has proven effective in exposing vulnerabilities in the American-led security system. The attacks have also disrupted maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, raising global energy market fears and driving up insurance and defense costs. Dubai, once a symbol of stability, is now facing economic anxiety as tourism, investment, and logistics sectors feel the strain.

Analysts note that Gulf states are diversifying diplomatic ties, engaging with China, Russia, and Iran to reduce overreliance on Washington. The region’s new message is clear: friendship with the U.S. will continue, but blind allegiance is over.

A commentary published on May 12, 2026, argues that Pakistan’s ongoing mediation efforts to end the Middle East conflict are unlikely to bring lasting peace or stability. The article claims Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs continued conflict to maintain power and avoid imprisonment in a corruption case, while U.S. President Donald Trump relies on Netanyahu’s support to protect his own political position. It suggests that both leaders are using the conflict to serve personal and political interests rather than pursuing genuine peace.

The piece further contends that Gulf states have realized the risks of aligning too closely with the United States, citing a Saudi official’s remarks about Washington’s lack of support during an Iranian attack. It asserts that the root of the region’s instability lies in Zionist ideology and historical injustices against Palestinians. The author argues that transforming Israel into a normal, non-racial state could have prevented decades of war and displacement.

The commentary concludes that Netanyahu’s focus on prolonging war and undermining democratic institutions threatens both Israeli democracy and regional peace, calling for addressing these leadership issues at their roots.