Gulf

General Frank McKenzie, former head of US Central Command, suggested relocating US bases from the Gulf to Israel and neighboring countries to better protect against Iranian missile and drone attacks. He highlighted the vulnerability of current bases in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain and recommended dispersing US forces westward, including to Israel.

Retired General Frank McKenzie, former head of US Central Command, argues that US bases in the Gulf should be relocated to Israel and neighboring countries to better protect against Iranian threats. He criticized the current basing system as an 'artefact' of Cold War strategy, noting that Iran's attacks on Gulf bases during the war exposed vulnerabilities. McKenzie stated the Biden administration rejected his proposal to shift bases westward.

A strong El Niño is developing this year, with NOAA's RONI index nearing the threshold for classification. Strong El Niños typically reduce Atlantic hurricane activity by increasing wind shear but can shift seasonal storm distribution, leading to an earlier end to the season. Activity may peak later in August and decline quickly in October.

Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali aims to reinstate at least one of the two Middle East races canceled due to regional war. The Bahrain and Jeddah rounds in April were scrapped following an attack by the USA and Israel on Iran that impacted Gulf states.

Maritime trade between Iran and Qatar has resumed after a five-month suspension, following coordination between Iranian and Qatari authorities. The resumption is linked to an interim deal between Tehran and Washington that ended four months of hostilities and mandated a return to pre-war maritime traffic in the Gulf, though transit in and out of the Gulf remains contested.

Andy Burnham is taking on a crucial mine-clearing mission in the Gulf during his first days as PM, but Starmer will not provide him with briefings.

AI Express has restored Gulf flights from Calicut. The airline is resuming operations to Gulf destinations starting from Calicut.

Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that at least 13 countries, including those in Eastern Europe, Africa, the Gulf, and East Asia, avoided attending Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral under US pressure. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio allegedly directed a campaign discouraging participation, warning that attendance could harm bilateral relations and jeopardize US development aid.

The UK Islamic finance sector is valued at £6bn and facilitates significant Gulf investment in Britain, with a new report recommending the establishment of an Islamic Finance Unit to support its growth. The sector, which primarily serves Gulf-based clients and British Muslims, has driven investments in London landmarks like The Shard and Battersea Power Station, with 64% of British Muslims preferring Islamic finance over alternatives.

Wall Street firms are strengthening their teams in the Gulf region. The move indicates a focus on expanding or enhancing operations in that area.

French shipping company CMA CGM expects the Strait of Hormuz shipping situation to take months to return to normal after vessels became stuck in the Gulf following the US-Israeli war on Iran. The strait, a critical route for 20% of global oil in peacetime, remains disrupted.

Abu Dhabi's MGX, a firm backing Anthropic and OpenAI, closed a $49 billion AI fund, surpassing its $45 billion target. The fund received backing from investors across the Gulf, North America, Asia, and Europe.

The UAE's oil exports reached a record 3.7 million barrels a day in June, driven by its exit from OPEC and measures to avoid Iranian threats in the Strait of Hormuz. Tankers used transponders turned off and a pipeline to Fujairah to bypass the chokepoint, though Gulf crude exports remain below prewar levels.

Kuwaiti telecom Zain Group plans to invest $1.5 billion over the next decade to upgrade Syria's mobile network, acquiring a 75% stake in the existing MTN network. The Syrian government will retain a 25% stake, and the deal is part of increasing Gulf investments in Syria's reconstruction, with Emirati, Qatari, and Saudi firms also involved in various sectors.

Indian sailors have cleared the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded there for months due to the Middle East war but some fear returning to the Gulf to sustain their livelihoods. India is a major global contributor of seafarers, and over 3,600 sailors have been aided by the shipping ministry since the war began.

South Korea's Oceans Ministry announced the cargo vessel Namu, operated by HMM, will exit the Strait of Hormuz in mid-July after repairs from an attack. The attack, likely involving an Iranian anti-ship missile, prompted Seoul to summon the Iranian ambassador to share investigation results and protest.

Startup 1001, based in Dubai and London, raised $30 million from US firm Lux Capital and Saudi's Sanabil to develop AI solutions for Gulf aviation, ports, and energy infrastructure. The company plans to expand internationally within a year, leveraging regional government support for applied AI and aiming to address supply chain challenges amid diversification efforts.

Dawud Al Ansari states Oman is committed to de-escalation and peace in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman to address Middle East tensions, with Al Ansari analyzing Oman's strategic role in Gulf diplomacy.

U.S. and Iran exchanged attacks over the weekend, casting doubt on technical talks scheduled for this week aimed at advancing an interim deal agreed earlier this month. The attacks have raised concerns about the future of peace negotiations between the two nations.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) faces challenges including budget cuts, a turf war with the European Commission, and a lack of clear policy tools. Under Kaja Kallas' leadership, the EEAS struggles to compete with the Commission's resources and define its mission amid global conflicts and shifting EU priorities.

The U.S. conducted additional strikes on Iran amid a renewed flare-up in the Gulf, where the U.S. and Iran have exchanged fire in recent days.

JD Vance defended recent US strikes against Iran, warning that further attacks would provoke a response. The strikes followed a drone attack on a Gulf vessel, which the Trump administration blames on Iran. Vance emphasized that the US has honored a ceasefire agreement and urged Iran to address disputes through communication.

The U.S. dollar remains at its highest level for the year despite expectations that a peace agreement ending the Gulf war would reduce its appeal as a safe-haven currency. Investors anticipated a decline in the dollar's strength following the conflict resolution, but the currency has continued to rise.

The International Maritime Organisation has initiated a new scheme to evacuate around 11,000 commercial sailors stuck in the Gulf. The operation faces challenges due to uncleared mines and a bottleneck, expected to take weeks. Global oil prices have fallen to their lowest level since the war began.

Abu Dhabi-listed Burjeel Holdings issued a $500 million Islamic bond, part of a $1.5 billion borrowing plan delayed by the Iran war. The bond attracted three times the supply in demand, primarily from international investors, signaling thawing Gulf debt markets. Proceeds will refinance existing debt and fund research and clinical trials.

Saudi Aramco is set to restart oil exports from the Ras Tanura terminal as Gulf oil flows increase. The move signals a resumption of operations at the key Saudi oil facility.

Brent crude prices have dropped below $72.48 per barrel, returning to levels seen before the Iran conflict began in late February. The decline indicates a recovery in Gulf oil flows following the conflict.

The US, through Rubio, pledges to protect Gulf interests in talks with Iran. Israel reports killing two individuals in Lebanon and states it will not withdraw from southern Lebanon.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he would most likely hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump during the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8. The summit will include 32 NATO leaders and officials from Gulf and Asia-Pacific partners amid tensions over burden-sharing, defense spending, and U.S. complaints regarding allies' involvement in re-opening the Strait of Hormuz during the U.S.-Iran war.

An oil tanker has been booked in the Gulf at a freight rate 897% higher than the benchmark. The significant increase highlights potential market volatility or supply chain challenges.

The United States' 2026 war aimed at weakening Iran's regional power instead resulted in Iran becoming the Gulf's dominant force. The article highlights this unintended consequence as part of a historical pattern, referencing a post from Asia Times.

Iran's acting defence minister, Majid Ibn al-Reza, urged Islamic countries to form a regional security belt during a call with Pakistan's defence minister, Khawaja Asif. The proposal follows Gulf nations reassessing security arrangements after a conflict beginning in late February, with Iran claiming its military actions targeted US interests while some Gulf states disputed this, citing civilian infrastructure impacts.

Iran's cargo vessels are returning to the Gulf as the United States and Iran reach an agreement. Tracking data indicates the ships are departing Malaysian waters.

The article covers three topics: oil prices remaining high due to Gulf production delays and shipping challenges, a discrepancy between President Trump's claim of private funding for a White House project and contractor invoices showing taxpayer contributions, and a leak revealing members of Peter Thiel's secret society discussing topics like cult-building and World War III.

Ships are diverting to different countries for fuel due to a Gulf conflict disrupting supply. Despite an Iran-US deal to end the war and open the strait, continued disruption is expected.

Tropical Storm Arthur caused severe weather affecting over 125 million Americans, with flood alerts issued in Gulf Coast states. Rob Marciano provided the forecast.

Iran and the United States will end fighting and maritime blockades in the Gulf area, per a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) detailed by Iran's IRNA news agency. The deal includes U.S. commitments to unfreeze Iranian funds and lift blockades on ships and ports, while Iran agrees to restore prewar maritime traffic levels and cease production of nuclear weapons.

Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the Atlantic season, will influence Middle Tennessee's weather on Thursday by bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms. The storm, moving along the Texas coast, is not expected to reach hurricane strength. A subtropical jet stream and a Midwest system will combine to increase rain chances in the region.

East Baton Rouge Parish officials are monitoring a potential tropical cyclone forming in the Gulf, which is expected to bring heavy rain to south Louisiana. The situation is being closely watched for impacts.

Forecasters have issued an advisory for the potential first tropical cyclone of the 2026 hurricane season, warning it could develop into a tropical storm by Wednesday. The advisory highlights the possibility of a tropical storm forming in the Gulf.