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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out attacks against two U.S. vessels, eight oil tankers and 10 other ships.

The IRGC said the vessels were targeted while attempting to pass through what it described as a “prohibited and dangerous route” in the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC stated that the attacks were carried out in response to U.S. strikes on five Iranian oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. According to the statement, the targeted vessels sustained significant damage.

The IRGC also noted that the Strait of Hormuz remains under the “strong control and management” of its naval forces.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, holding significant strategic importance as approximately 20% of global oil supplies and around 25% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports pass through it. Essentially, it serves as an energy artery for countries in Asia, Europe, and even the United States.

The strait separates Iran from Oman, and in some areas, the width of the shipping channel is only two miles on each side. Given its critical role in global energy supply chains, ensuring the safety and security of this vital waterway is paramount for international trade and economic stability.

Israeli opposition politicians have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of pushing Israel into unprecedented international isolation following the United Kingdom’s decision to impose sanctions related to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid described the British measures as ‘wrong’ but directed his strongest criticism at Netanyahu’s government, accusing it of leading Israel ‘into unprecedented diplomatic isolation.’

According to Lapid, the government was responding to international pressure with little more than ‘rebukes and threats that no one takes seriously.’

Gilad Kariv, a Knesset member from the left-wing Democrats party, similarly blamed Israel’s far-right coalition for the British sanctions, citing the government’s policies concerning Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.

Kariv said Netanyahu’s government was steering Israel toward ‘international isolation’ and described the prime minister as politically ‘leprous’ on the international stage.

‘The citizens of Israel must not pay the price for his corrupt alliance with the nationalist fanatics,’ Kariv wrote on X, referring to Netanyahu’s far-right coalition.

Former attorney-general backs UK measures

Michael Ben-Yair, a former Israeli attorney-general, went further by welcoming the British measures, despite saying that he did not support punitive action being taken by one of Israel’s allies.

Writing in the Financial Times, Ben-Yair argued that such measures were necessary to preserve the possibility of a political solution capable of providing ‘peace and security for the seven million Jews and seven million Palestinians living between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River.’

Ben-Yair said the distinction between Israel itself and its occupation of Palestinian territory was crucial. He argued that Israel’s legitimacy as a state should be distinguished from the occupation, which he described as ‘morally, politically and legally unacceptable.’

Turkiye’s exports increased by 4% year-on-year to $185 billion in the January-August period of 2026, while annualized exports rose by 4.2% to $280.3 billion, according to a written statement issued by the country’s Trade Ministry.

The ministry said that 25 provinces each recorded more than $1 billion in exports during the eight-month period.

Turkiye’s exports totaled $23.5 billion in August, marking an 8.1% increase compared with the same month last year. Double-digit export growth was recorded in 35 provinces during the month.

Exports increased in 56 provinces in the January-August period, according to the ministry.

Based on export statistics by province of operation released by the Trade Ministry, Istanbul, Kocaeli, Izmir, Bursa and Mersin were the five provinces with the strongest export performance in August 2026.

Tekirdag, Ankara, Gaziantep, Sakarya and Manisa ranked among the next five provinces in terms of export performance.

The ministry said the provinces recording the largest increases in exports during the January-August period compared with the same period last year were Ankara, Kocaeli, Bursa, Mersin and Yalova.

Ankara ranked first, with exports increasing by $1.185 billion, followed by Kocaeli with a $1.022 billion increase. Bursa ranked third, with exports rising by $960 million, while Mersin came fourth with a $655 million increase. Yalova ranked fifth, recording an increase of $479 million.

According to export statistics by province of operation as of August 2026, Istanbul ranked first with exports of $5.503 billion, followed by Kocaeli with $3.122 billion and Izmir with $1.842 billion.

Bursa ranked fourth with exports of $1.423 billion, while Mersin ranked fifth with $1.241 billion.

The ministry also said that the provinces with the largest increases in exports in August compared with the same month of the previous year were Istanbul, Mersin, Kocaeli, Balikesir and Sakarya.

Istanbul recorded the largest increase, with exports rising by $634 million, followed by Mersin with an increase of $467 million and Kocaeli with $444 million. Balikesir recorded a $109 million increase, while Sakarya’s exports rose by $96 million.

The ministry said that the increase in exports observed in 56 provinces in August demonstrated that Turkiye’s export success was based on a strong production and export ecosystem extending across the country.

‘Meanwhile, the diversity of products and sectors in the export composition of our provinces stands out as one of the most important factors strengthening the resilience of our exports,’ the statement said.

The Trade Ministry said it views the construction of an export structure based on high value-added production, technology, innovation and strong competitiveness in global markets as a strategic priority, in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ‘Century of Turkiye’ vision.

‘In this direction, we are resolutely implementing policies and support mechanisms that will strengthen the position of our exporters in international markets and increase market and product diversification,’ the ministry said.

It added that the government aims to ensure that Turkiye’s exports continue along a sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth path.

The ministry said it was supporting measures designed to bring the production capacity, investment potential and competitive advantages of Turkish provinces to global markets in order to transform exports into a powerful development dynamic extending across all parts of the country.

‘At the same time, we are determined to accelerate regional development by increasing local production, employment and added value, to ensure that prosperity is distributed evenly across the country, and to continue building a stronger, more prosperous Turkiye that grows through exports in line with the Century of Turkiye vision,’ the statement said.

Another shipment from Russia to Armenia in transit through Azerbaijan will take place tomorrow.

According to the information, 20 railcars of barley and 21 railcars of wheat will be sent to the neighboring country.

The freight train will depart tomorrow from the Bilajari station of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC.

The development follows a key policy shift announced on October 21, 2025. In a joint press statement with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev confirmed that Azerbaijan had lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia that had been in place since the period of occupation. The first shipment under this new framework consisted of Kazakh grain delivered to Armenia.

Azerbaijan has once again expressed its unwavering support for brotherly Trkiye as it prepares to host the next COP, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said.

The minister made the remarks at the high-level opening ceremony of the Fourth Climate Week (CW4) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Baku under Azerbaijan’s hosting and organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Cooperation between the COP29 and COP31 presidencies is a clear example of regional solidarity. This cooperation contributes to ensuring continuity on the climate agenda, developing ambitious climate finance mechanisms, and maintaining consistent global climate action,” Bayramov emphasized.

It should be noted that COP29, the 29th UN Climate Change Conference, took place from November 11-22, 2024 , in Baku. The conference brought together world leaders, government officials, climate experts and representatives of international organizations to discuss ways to accelerate climate action and increase financial support for developing countries.

The 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) will be held from 9 to 20 November 2026 at the Antalya COP31 Area in Antalya, Trkiye.

Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY) and its Chinese partners have discussed new opportunities to develop the Middle Corridor, increase cargo transportation and expand logistics capabilities.

According to the information, the discussions took place during the AGEM (CICA) Port Authorities Conference in Baku. ADY Chairman Rovshan Rustamov held meetings with delegations from major Chinese port and technology companies.

The meetings focused on developing transport and logistics ties between Azerbaijan and China, increasing cargo flows along the Middle Corridor, and introducing digital solutions in port and railway operations.

During a meeting with representatives of Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) and technology company NIZE Tech, Rustamov discussed ways to increase regular container shipments along the Middle Corridor. The sides stressed the importance of identifying cargo that could be transported from Shanghai to Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea and Azerbaijan, as well as exploring new areas of cooperation.

The parties also discussed the digitalization of port operations and the introduction of smart-port solutions. Potential areas of cooperation included terminal management systems, intelligent cargo entry and accounting solutions, cargo yard management, data integration, and digital coordination between port and railway operations.

ADY, SIPG and NIZE Tech highlighted the need to continue cooperation on the Middle Corridor and exchanged views on possible joint steps.

Rustamov also met with a delegation from Lianyungang Port Authority. The sides discussed the development of the Lianyungang-Baku route, expanding block train services along the Middle Corridor and attracting more cargo traffic to Europe.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of existing cooperation between ADY and Lianyungang Port and the opportunities it creates. The sides agreed that closer exchange of information on cargo flows, train schedules and logistics requirements could improve the efficiency of the Lianyungang-Baku route, help optimize transit times and make the route more competitive.

At the end of the meetings, the parties agreed to continue cooperation on developing the Middle Corridor, increasing cargo flows along the China-Azerbaijan-Europe route, improving logistics processes and introducing new technological solutions.