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
France, Germany, Italy push for EU sanctions against Hamas leaders In a letter to the European Union Foreign Affairs chief Josep Borrell, the foreign ministers of the three countries stress they would like to see more Hamas leaders sanctioned. Israel
Iran says it seized ships in Gulf for alleged fuel smuggling The seizure and arrest of the foreign crew members occurred south of the disputed Abu Musa island, according to Iranian state media. Iran
Cuba, Iran ink economic agreements as Khamenei hosts Diaz-Canel In its revolutionary foreign policy, Iran has for decades gone out of its way to unite like-minded nations — with a special focus on leftist nations — for an idealistic global campaign to weaken the American hegemony. Iran
UK sanctions UAE network accused of helping Russia make gold profits The new sanctions announced by the UK Foreign Ministry target 29 individuals and companies operating in and supporting Russia’s gold, oil and strategic sectors. United Arab Emirates
US sanctions UAE, Turkey, China firms for allegedly aiding Russia in Ukraine The move targets the development of Russia’s defense and technology sectors and aims to weaken it in its war against Ukraine. United Arab Emirates
After Israel attack, US follows Hamas trail of money As Israel fights Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the United States is waging its own battle against the militant group’s finances. Qatar
US imposes sanctions on Hamas' envoy to Iran, IRGC trainers The sanctions targeting Hamas and its benefactors in Iran followed the Pentagon's announcement of airstrikes targeting Iran-linked facilities in eastern Syria. Iran
US targets Iran's drone, missile programs as UN restrictions expire US officials said the latest sanctions are intended to constrain Iran's military relationship with Russia and counter the Islamic Republic's destabilizing regional behavior. Iran
US unveils sanctions against Hamas members, financial network The 10 targets included a longtime Hamas operative based in Qatar who the Treasury Department said has close ties to Iran. Iran
Five Israelis, Palestinians charged in Iran spy plot, Shin Bet says Israel's security service said it had foiled a plot by five Israelis and Palestinians recruited for Iran to spy on Israeli politicians, including the far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Israel
In China, Syria's Assad gets political fanfare, but no funding commitments Since Syria joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in January 2022, there have been no projects to show for it in the war-torn country. Syria
Turkey gloats at Menendez indictment but will it get F-16 jets? Sen. Bob Menendez, a strong critic of Turkey who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been charged for allegedly receiving bribes via a scheme involving Egypt. Turkey
