News about Middle East: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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The European Commission said EU gas storage levels are below the historical average due to the impact of the Middle East crisis on LNG prices and supplies. According to Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, despite a difficult winter ahead, there is no threat to supply security. The issue was discussed at the European Council summit, and a discussion on creating strategic gas reserves is possible.
Javlon TursunovEU energy ministers will consider possible measures to reduce energy demand on 29 October, as the Middle East war has pushed gas prices up 140% and Brent is trading around $110. The initiative comes from the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU.
Sevara AzamovaMalaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday reaffirmed the country's position: a call for peace and justice for Palestinians, 'unconditional condemnation of the genocide in Gaza' and opposition to 'indiscriminate bombings of southern Lebanon.' He said he is in close contact with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to prevent the Middle East conflict from expanding.
Javlon TursunovResidents of the Fijian village of Rukurukulevu are switching to solar panels due to high electricity bills amid slowed fuel supplies from the Persian Gulf after the US and Israel struck Iran in February. Fiji's government plans 90% renewable energy by 2035 and investment in solar and hydropower, but fears water and electricity rationing due to El Niño.
Otabek YusupovRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Tehran on October 19, where he held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei. The discussions covered bilateral partnership, energy, transport and trade, as well as the situation in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, the South Caucasus and the Caspian region.
Otabek YusupovTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking in Ankara, said that the country, resisting provocations, has stayed apart from the conflicts around it. He listed flashpoints: the Russia-Ukraine war, Israel's attacks on Palestine, tensions around Iran, the conflict in Yemen, the attack on the airport in Riyadh, and the situation in Lebanon and Syria.
Aziz KarimovThe US State Department advised US citizens in the Middle East to increase vigilance due to the difficult security situation. The department warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and transportation disruptions, and also expressed concern that military actions could spread beyond the region.
Aziz KarimovMonday brought a recovery in global markets: US Treasury yields fell, gold rose, and US indices opened higher. Support came from optimism around a new Middle East peace plan and China's Q3 GDP data (+4.5%). European indices, however, opened lower amid protests in France, while the Nikkei 225 fell after statements by Prime Minister Takaichi.
Nilufar KarimovaAccording to a Gallup survey conducted for Lloyd's Register Foundation, covering more than 143,000 interviews in 140 countries, the Persian Gulf countries showed the best disaster resilience results in the region: Kuwait — 74 points, Bahrain — 72, Oman and the UAE — 70 each, with the global average at 57. Lebanon (48), Iraq (49) and Palestine (52) fell below the global average. North Africa showed the largest regional increase — up five points since 2023.
Otabek YusupovUS embassies across the Middle East issued identical security warnings for citizens in 12 countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the UAE. The reason cited was the escalation of hostilities between Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia and the risk of attacks on US interests. The embassies warn of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and urge preparing backup plans. Qatar Airways has already suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam until October 24.
Otabek YusupovSaudi Arabia's Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman held meetings with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi. The parties discussed the regional situation, the development of cooperation, and coordination on security issues amid tensions in the Middle East.
Aziz KarimovIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty held a phone conversation about recent regional events and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
Otabek YusupovAt the ninth meeting of the Russia–GCC strategic dialogue in Bahrain, Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow supports the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in their desire to prevent a return to full-scale war in the Middle East, and presented an updated concept of collective security in the region.
Aziz KarimovUS President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he does not believe China and Russia are helping Iran, and that if any help exists, it is at a very low level and will soon become known. Beijing previously condemned US military actions against Iran, while Moscow warned of the threat of the conflict expanding.
Otabek YusupovSpeaking at the opening of the annual Shura session in Doha, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said Qatar was attacked by Iran, pledged to defend sovereignty while avoiding a wider war, and presented a strategy of accelerated economic diversification. Oil and gas revenues fell 42% in the first half of the year, but the non-oil sector accounts for about 80% of real GDP. Qatar will continue expanding LNG production and maintain its mediation role in the region.
Aziz Karimov
