Iran defense chief visits Venezuela, talks energy, trade: What we know Iran and Venezuela are working to repair oil ties after the reimposition of US sanctions on the South American country and the looming return of President Donald Trump to the White House. Iran
US unveils new West Bank sanctions amid calls to target Israeli ministers The latest sanctions come after nearly 90 Democratic lawmakers urged the administration to penalize Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. United States
Iran, Russia link payment networks in bid to bypass sanctions The financial partnership connects the national payment frameworks, aiming to boost trade and tourism between the two sanctioned nations — yet key challenges remain. Iran
Iran's Pezeshkian slams Israel at start of BRICS summit in Russia The summit in the Russian city of Kazan is the first since Iran, Egypt and the UAE joined BRICS as full members. Iran
Analysis How an Israeli retaliation on Iran could impact Gulf energy flow By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Analysis Even as Erdogan befriends Putin, Turkey and Ukraine ink major free trade deal By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief meets with Syrian counterpart in Damascus The meeting takes place during the first official visit to Damascus by Saudi Arabia since 2012. Saudi Arabia
Iran opposes interim deal in 'complicated' Vienna talks The Iranian negotiators appeared dogged in their demand for a full removal of US sanctions, rejecting reports that an interim deal is in the making. Iran
Is Canadian embargo harbinger of more sanctions for Turkey? The Canadian government’s decision to indefinitely cancel military export permits to Turkey has touched a nerve in the Turkish defense industry and bureaucracy. Turkey
Iran says 60% uranium enrichment an answer to attack President Hassan Rouhani says the recent decision to enrich uranium to 60% is in response to the alleged Israeli attack on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility. Iran
Iran nuclear talks to resume next week Meetings on the Iran nuclear agreement will continue in Vienna as Iran continues its demand for "Trump sanctions" to be removed. By Al-Monitor Staff
White House faces tough task of tearing down Iran sanctions wall to save nuclear deal In Trump's final days, the White House introduced a slew of new sanctions aimed at hindering a return to the nuclear deal. Yet since the designations were so blatantly politicized, the risk of undoing them is politically manageable. Iran
Iran releases South Korean ship The Hankuk Chemi tanker was released following an investigation into alleged water pollution, but the real reason for its detention may have been frozen Iranian funds in South Korea. News Brief
US aircraft carrier returns to Middle East as Suez Canal opens The USS Eisenhower arrives in the Gulf region as the Biden administration kicks off indirect talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Iran
Iran: no direct or indirect talks with US officials in Vienna Heading into talks in Vienna on the JCPOA, Tehran maintains its position that Washington must remove sanctions first. Iran
Will Iran’s supreme leader allow Rouhani’s last wish to come true? As Washington and Tehran make small progress on resolving their dispute over the 2015 nuclear deal, it remains unclear whether Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will support President Hassan Rouhani's efforts to negotiate. Iran
Iran, China sign long-term economic deal The deal between Iran and China is more of a “road map” than a specific deal. Iran
Iran begins phase one of domestic vaccine production Iran says it has begun the first phase of production for a domestic coronavirus vaccine. Iran
