A growing number of governments have issued travel warnings for the Middle East as diplomatic talks, military posturing and security risks drive calls for citizens to leave and discourage new travel

The U.S. is reportedly expanding its deployment of fighter jets and support aircraft in the Middle East sharply, marking its largest air power presence in the region since the 2003 Iraq invasion. A

The U.S. has gathered the largest military force in the Middle East in decades.

By Jonathan Saul and Florence Tan LONDON/SINGAPORE, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The cost of shipping oil has surged to the highest in six years, fuelled by a wave of crude exports from the Middle East as traders accelerate charters ahead of possible military conflict between the U.

Arab and Muslim countries are sharply condemning comments by the U.S. ambassador to Israel, who said in an interview that Israel had a right to much of the Middle East.

Arab states have reacted with fury after U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggested Israel has a biblical right to take over large swaths of the Middle East.

Several countries have begun withdrawing dependents of diplomatic personnel and non-essential staff from some locations in the Middle East, or advising citizens to avoid travel to Iran, amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.