ICYMI: UK economy grows despite damage from Iran war The British economy grew much more than expected, up 0.4% in July, extending the strong performance seen in the first half of the year despite headwinds from the US-Iran war, Office for National Statistics figures showed on Friday. Compared with a year earlier, output in July was 1.6% higher, the fastest annual rate since February 2025 and above economists’ forecast of 1.2%. Growth in the three months to July remained at the 0.4% recorded in the three months to June, compared with economists’ median forecast of a slowdown to 0.3%. Britain, like other European economies, has suffered less of an immediate hit to growth from the US-Iran war than economists had first feared. But this week’s conflict pushed oil prices above $105 a barrel, with knock-on impacts on government borrowing costs, and the Bank of England expects inflation to rise to around $105 a barrel. 3.2% at the end of this year. Ships near the Strait of Hormuz, seen from Musandam, Oman (Reuters) James Reynolds September 12, 2026 11:00 PM Main story: Iraq confirms attacks on Saudi oil pipeline originated from its territory Attacks on a key Saudi oil pipeline were launched from Iraqi territory, Iraq’s government said on Saturday, vowing to investigate further. Iraq closed two key border crossings with Iran, halting all commercial and passenger traffic until later. Notice, in the wake of the attack, Iranian media reported on Saturday. Satellite image shows East-West pipeline facilities in Hejaz region, Saudi Arabia, September 8, 2026 (Reuters) Meanwhile, fears continued to grow that oil and gas prices could rise and international shipping could be further disrupted after Yemen’s Houthis seized a key island and captured a Red Sea port. Namita Singh12 September 2026 22:01 In focus: Fighting breaks out in Yemen and Saudi Arabia as Houthis advance towards key waterway A van burning after what the Houthis described as an attack on Saudi-backed forces in the eastern province of Jawf, September 9 (AP) Smoke from a large explosion after what the Houthis described as an attack on Saudi-backed forces in the eastern Jawf province, Yemen, on September 9 (AP) Fighters from the Saudi-backed Nation Shield Forces deployed to the Al-Kadha area of Yemen, west of Taiz province, on September 10 (AFP/Getty) Members of Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces fire on a tank during what they say are clashes with Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis at a location near Al-Hazm, Yemen, in this screenshot obtained from a video published on September 9 (Reuters) James Reynolds September 12, 2026 9:01 PM Britain’s Miliband discusses attacks on Saudi Arabia with his Saudi counterpart British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said on Saturday that he had spoken to his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, this morning and discussed Houthi aggression in Yemen and attacks on Saudi Arabia. “strongly supports Saudi Arabia and the internationally recognized government of Yemen against these attacks.” Bryony GoochSeptember 12, 2026 8:22 PM Breaking: Explosions heard in Strait of Hormuz Explosions have been heard in Qeshm, an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s state media reported the sound of two explosions from the sea.Bryony GoochSeptember 12, 2026 8:16 PMThe understanding between Iran and Oman does not provide for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Tasnim reports. An understanding between Iran and Oman does not provide for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but lays out the basis on which it could be reopened, an Iranian source told the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Saturday. The source said the deal would be a step toward Iran exercising its sovereignty over the strait and that its reopening depended entirely on the United States meeting Tehran’s conditions. Bryony GoochSeptember 12, 2026 20:15 Users in Houthi-controlled Yemen attempted to develop advanced weapons with AI, says AnthropicAnthropic says Claude users in northern Yemen, territory controlled by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, attempted to use the AI model to develop advanced missiles. AI is already transforming warfare from Ukraine to Gaza, and its use on a rugged and remote battlefield is likely to increase concerns about its rapid spread. Anthropic said the users of the accounts, which it blocked after identifying them, failed to “deploy an operational device” but did carry out a failed test of a guided rocket. He said he knows this because users returned to his Claude chatbot to find out why it failed. James Reynolds September 12, 2026 8:00 PM Analysis: Why Houthi-Saudi fighting is a disaster for Trump Washington has largely ignored the persistent disruption created by the Houthis around the Red Sea. But a broader conflict with Saudi Arabia could force them to intervene, writes James C. ReynoldsJames ReynoldsSeptember 12, 2026 7:00 PM Yemen risks returning to civil war as Iran-backed rebels attack crucial sea route Yemen is moving closer to a return to civil war. The escalation of events in the Arab world’s poorest country is closely linked to the war in Iran and global efforts to ship oil out of the Gulf region. Here’s a look at an emerging conflict involving an Iranian-backed rebel group’s efforts to prevent neighboring Saudi Arabia from using a crucial shipping alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, and how that could tear Yemen apart once again. 150,000 and brought many others to the brink of famine in one of the world’s most extensive humanitarian crises. A ceasefire began in 2022 with Yemen’s internationally recognized government and a broader Saudi-backed coalition. Now that truce is breaking down.Harriette BoucherSeptember 12, 2026 18:00Envoy warns of ‘new and more dangerous phase’ in Yemen warThe UN Security Council has been warned that the international community must act to address ‘a new and more dangerous phase’ in Yemen war.Hans Grundberg, UN special envoy for Yemen, said The UN said the fact that the Houthis gained control of Mocha gave them “a direct presence on the approaches to one of the most vital straits in the world.” In practice, it marks the end of the relative calm that Yemen has experienced for more than four years since the UN-brokered truce. “Not only does it threaten to plunge Yemen into a protracted and expanding war, it also risks dragging the country once again into a broader, unresolved regional confrontation with global repercussions.” James ReynoldsSeptember 12, 2026 17:00
