Oil prices slip as Trump announces two-week pause on Iran action
Traders grasp at the hope of a diplomatic solution as Iran's Foreign Minister meets his European counterparts
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Middle East Eye
17 minutes ago
- Middle East Eye
Ali Shamkhani: Iranian negotiator thought killed by Israel is alive, says state media
A senior Iranian negotiator who was suspected killed in an Israeli air strike in Tehran last week is alive, according to state media. Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Iran's supreme leader and representative at talks with the United States, was thought among the senior Iranian officials reportedly killed by Israeli attacks in the early hours of 13 June. However, on Friday, state media in Iran carried a letter from Shamkhani addressed to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in which he stated he was, in fact, alive. "I am alive and ready to sacrifice myself," read the letter, which was reported by several Iranian outlets, including state-owned broadcaster IRIB and Tasnim, which is linked to the Revolutionary Guard. "Victory is near. The name of Iran will be immortalised in the highest history as usual," the purported letter said. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters A range of Israeli and Iranian outlets initially reported that Shamkhani had been killed in a blast that struck his home. Samira - not her real name - a Tehran resident who lives directly opposite Shamkhani's residence, told Middle East Eye earlier this week it was a "miracle" she had survived the blast herself. "We got up from the ground in fear and realised the apartment across from ours had been bombed," she said. "Both my husband and I were thrown from our bed. The explosions didn't stop. We had no idea what was happening." Khamenei assassination could draw Hezbollah into Israel-Iran hostilities, say sources Read More » Several Iranian media outlets, including IRNA, Tasnim and Fars, said on Friday that Shamkhani had been "severely injured and taken to hospital" after the blast and is now "in stable condition". No new photos have been released of the advisor, however. Shamkhani had been leading Iran's talks with the US over limitations to the country's nuclear programme when Israel launched a surprise assault that has killed hundreds. A range of senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists have been slain over the past week, while Israel has struck much of the country's nuclear infrastructure. On Friday, thousands of people demonstrated against Israel in Tehran, chanting slogans in support of their leaders, according to images broadcast by state television. "This is the Friday of solidarity and resistance of the Iranian nation throughout the country," said a news anchor. Demonstrators reportedly held portraits of commanders killed since the start of the war with Israel, while others waved Iranian and Hezbollah flags. According to the state broadcaster, other demonstrations took place in cities across the country, including Tabriz in northwest Iran, and Shiraz in the south.
Arabian Post
19 minutes ago
- Arabian Post
UAE Carriers Ground Middle‑East Services Amid Israel–Iran Strikes
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport remains closed with no clear reopening date, while Iran, Iraq and Jordan have shut their airspace and forced rerouting, cancellations and suspensions across the region. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad has cancelled its Tel Aviv flights until 30 June, with several Beirut and Amman services rerouted. Emirates has suspended routes to Tehran, Baghdad and Basra until at least 30 June, and flights to Amman and Beirut through 22 June. Flydubai has halted operations to Iran, Iraq, Israel and Syria until 30 June. Air Arabia and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi have also imposed temporary bans or schedule alterations for various Middle‑East destinations. A UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs advisory urges citizens and residents to closely monitor airline updates and remain in touch with Twajudi, the national consular registration system for managing potential evacuations. ADVERTISEMENT Regional airports are adapting under pressure. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have filed emergency plans to minimise disruption, deploying field teams and enhanced passenger support to handle thousands of affected travellers. Europe-bound flights are now navigating narrow air corridors via Turkey and Egypt, adding hours to journey times, increasing fuel consumption and driving up operational costs amid rising Brent crude prices. Why airspace closures are widening disruption Closure of airspace over Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Syria forces airlines to detail-call costly detours. Regional carriers like Emirates, Etihad and flydubai are most affected, but even Western carriers—Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, Ryanair, Wizz Air—have suspended affected routes through summer. The cascading effect on schedules includes over 1,800 Europe-bound flight disruptions, approximately 650 cancellations, and delays across transatlantic routes. Airlines have expanded rerouting through Central Asia and the Mediterranean — and passengers are incurring higher ticket prices and longer travel times. Passenger assistance measures Major UAE carriers are offering rebookings, refunds or credits. Etihad and Emirates are assisting passengers with alternate routing, and flydubai has pledged support for stranded individuals. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has suspended flights to Tel Aviv through 15 September, offering full refunds or rebooking. Safety remains top priority amid military skirmishes. EASA flagged high risks over conflict zones following missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, aligning with airspace closures through October in Syria and ongoing risks in Lebanon and Jordan. Wider implications for aviation and tourism Analysts warn disruptions may prolong as long-range military assets remain in play—fueling concerns about further airspace restrictions. Already, the Middle-East tourism boom has stalled, with summer travel projections for 2025 downgraded across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Airlines are adjusting summer schedules and revising revenue forecasts amid cascading delays and costlier operations. Governments and aviation bodies are in emergency sessions. The UAE's aviation regulator is coordinating with international counterparts, while civil aviation agencies across Europe are recalibrating route permissions and contingency plans—potentially impacting global air connectivity for weeks. Passengers are urged to monitor developments, confirm flight statuses directly with airlines or travel agents and consider flexible booking options as markets remain volatile.
The National
33 minutes ago
- The National
UK announces charter flights from Tel Aviv for British nationals fleeing Israel
The UK is working to charter flights to evacuate British nationals from Israel, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Friday, days after other major European countries began their own evacuations. Thousands of foreign nationals have been fleeing Israel and Iran across borders into neighbouring countries, after the escalating conflict led to the closure of airspaces in both countries. The UK government told its nationals requiring evacuation from Israel to register at the British embassy. But many have already travelled to the Jordanian and Egyptian borders. Mr Lammy said the UK government would provide flights directly out of Tel Aviv once the airspace opened. The city's airport has been closed since the strikes began last week. 'As part of our efforts to support British nationals in the Middle East, the government is working with the Israeli authorities to provide charter flights from Tel Aviv airport when airspace reopens, based on levels of demand from British nationals,' he said. 'British nationals should register their presence in Israel and the [occupied Palestinian territories] to be contacted with further guidance on these flights.' Mr Lammy added: 'Land routes out of Israel remain open and UK staff are on hand to support British nationals who have crossed the border. This will include providing, transport – subject to demand – to nearby airports for onward commercial flights.' Frustration with the UK grew when the United States announced its plans to evacuate citizens on charter flights and cruise ships on Wednesday. Australia evacuated 1,200 people from Israel on Wednesday, its foreign minister Penny Wong said. Around 2,000 Australians in Iran had registered for assistance. France was providing buses for its nationals in Israel from the Jordanian border to a flight chartered from Amman, and a convoy will take people from Iran to the Turkish or Armenian borders by the end of the week. Germany provided a charter flight from Amman for 345 citizens on Wednesday.
