West Asia war LIVE: Trump says Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon
UN officials are calling for de-escalation in Yemen as conflict intensifies, while U.S. President Donald Trump emphasizes that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a top priority. Meanwhile, the economic fallout of the West Asia conflict is impacting global fuel prices, disproportionately affecting education access for children in developing nations.
Why it matters
The intersection of geopolitical instability and rising fuel costs creates a ripple effect that threatens humanitarian and educational progress in vulnerable regions.
The UN rights chief voiced alarm on Monday (August 17, 2026) at the rising civilian toll of escalating hostilities in Yemen, urging restraint and an immediate de-escalation to avoid plunging the country back into a full-scale war.
“I urge all parties to halt immediately any actions that risk returning Yemen to full-scale conflict,” Volker Turk said in a statement, as renewed fighting between the Houthi rebels and the government undermined a 2022 truce.
U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated today that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon amid a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts to resolve the West Asia conflict.
“The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon,” Mr. Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Sou Sreynich dreams of becoming a teacher. But she knows she’s far behind.
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