Economy
IMF sees region including Pakistan shrinking 1.3pc this year due to Iran war
The IMF expects output in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region to contract 1.3pc in 2026 because of the Iran war, then rebound 6.6pc in 2027.
Middle East
Middle East: 13 The Indus Compass stories. Latest: IMF sees region including Pakistan shrinking 1.3pc this year due to Iran war. Key developments, background…
13 stories on Middle East since 25 September 2026; the latest was published on 22 October 2026.
Key developments
- IMF sees region including Pakistan shrinking 1.3pc this year due to Iran warThe IMF forecasts the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region's output will contract 1.3pc this year because of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
- Brent crude holds near five-month high on Houthi attacksBrent crude rose 55 cents to $110.10 a barrel on Tuesday, after hitting its highest since May 20 the day before.
- US-led coalition ends its mission in Iraq after 12 yearsThe coalition that fought Islamic State is leaving Iraq, with the last troops due out of Kurdistan on October 1, a date Iraq's PM wants marked as Sovereignty Day.
- WHO says Yemen's health system is near 'breaking point'The WHO says renewed fighting in Yemen has caused 4,481 casualties including 838 deaths since August, displaced 180,500 people and pushed hospitals to the brink.
- UAE hosts Netanyahu for six hours as Saudi Arabia invites UAE leader to mend Yemen riftThe UAE president held six hours of talks with Netanyahu, as the UAE vice president accepted a Saudi invitation for the first meeting since their Yemen rift.
Markets
Brent crude holds near five-month high on Houthi attacks
Brent crude rose to about $110 a barrel, near a five-month high, on Houthi attacks on Saudi targets, while the PSX edged up on buying in oil, cement and banks.
Middle East
US-led coalition ends its mission in Iraq after 12 years
The coalition that fought Islamic State is leaving Iraq, with the last troops due out of Kurdistan on October 1, a date Iraq's PM wants marked as Sovereignty Day.
Health
WHO says Yemen's health system is near 'breaking point'
The WHO says renewed fighting in Yemen has caused 4,481 casualties including 838 deaths since August, displaced 180,500 people and pushed hospitals to the brink.
Middle East
UAE hosts Netanyahu for six hours as Saudi Arabia invites UAE leader to mend Yemen rift
The UAE president held six hours of talks with Netanyahu, as the UAE vice president accepted a Saudi invitation for the first meeting since their Yemen rift.
Middle East
'I offered them NOTHING': Trump denies sanctions offer as Iran sends Hormuz conditions and oil hits $107
Trump denied offering Iran sanctions relief as Tehran sent its conditions for reopening Hormuz through Qatar, and oil jumped 3% to about $107 a barrel.
Middle East
Khamenei unbowed as Iran says it has no plans for direct talks with the US
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said US forces 'do not venture beyond the Arabian Sea', as Iran's UN delegation said it had no plans for talks with Washington.
Middle East
Israel revokes accreditation of Dutch diplomats in West Bank over settlement goods ban
Israel moved against Dutch diplomats in Ramallah after the Netherlands banned imports from settlements. The Dutch minister called it 'unnecessary'.
Middle East
Gaza death toll passes 74,000 as Israeli strikes continue despite ceasefire
Gaza's health ministry says 74,016 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, including 1,145 since the ceasefire, as Israel expels Dutch diplomats.
Middle East
US and Iran may return to talks within days over the Strait of Hormuz, Trump says
Trump says US negotiators will engage Iran this week after he rejected Tehran's offer; Araghchi says Hormuz will reopen only if a ceasefire deal is revived.
Middle East
Israel's Smotrich calls for war in the West Bank and annexation of parts of Gaza and Lebanon
Israel's far-right finance minister urged war against the Palestinian Authority and annexing Gaza up to the 'yellow line' and Lebanon up to the Litani River.
Middle East
Makkah pact moves from promises to planning after Riyadh meeting of military chiefs
Pakistan, Saudi and Turkish military chiefs pledged to 'immediately' put the Makkah defence pact into practice. What that means, and what it does not.
Middle East
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye plan urgent meeting of military chiefs under Makkah defence pact
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye's foreign ministers met in New York and agreed to convene their military chiefs after Houthi missile attacks.