Turkey’s Erdogan calls for end to US defense sanctions amid reports of S-400 deal Relations between the two NATO allies have worsened in recent years over political rifts regarding the Eastern Mediterranean, Gaza and Syria, as well as over Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems. Turkey
UK halts 30 arms export licenses to Israel, citing Gaza concerns After reviewing all the licenses issued or extended in recent months for arms exports to Israel, the British government decided to suspend 30 of them. By Rina Bassist , Jack Dutton
Analysis Even as Erdogan befriends Putin, Turkey and Ukraine ink major free trade deal The two countries are finalizing the ratification of the free-trade agreement they signed weeks before the Russian invasion started in February 2022. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
EU's top diplomat asks member states to sanction some Israeli ministers Meeting with European Union foreign ministers, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell advances sanctions against some Israeli ministers. Israel
Analysis Is Khamenei opening door for nuclear talks as Iran FM floats revisions? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Can Russian, Turkish military-technical cooperation go beyond S-400 production? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan boasted that Turkey will co-produce the S-500 missile system with Russia following completion of the S-400 deal, but existing realities put this into question. Turkey
US grants Iraq reprieve to continue buying Iranian gas The US is allowing Iraq to keep purchasing gas from Iran without sanctions, to allow Baghdad time to develop alternate sources. Gulf
Congress forgoes Iran war restrictions to save anti-Assad bill In order to assure passage of a long-stalled Syria sanctions bill, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted down legislation restricting President Donald Trump’s ability to attack Iran. Syria
Can Iran rely on Russia to dodge US pressure? Iran is relying on Russia to minimize the impact of the US "maximum pressure" campaign, but Russia seems to have reservations while it also enjoys certain advantages if US-Iran tensions remain unresolved, albeit at a controlled level. Russia
What to do about Iran’s expected budget deficit The impact of US sanctions on Iranian energy exports is bound to cause a budget deficit in Iran, with the Rouhani administration facing tough choices ahead. Iran
Russia may have designs on Iran's trade with Syria Observers wonder whether Russia will cut into Iran's trade volume with Syria. Syria
Will the Trump administration abort Iran’s land bridge to the Mediterranean? As tensions between the United States and Iran are at their height in the Gulf region, there are talks about Iran pushing for the opening of al-Bukamal crossing between Syria and Iraq. Iraq
Will China play a role in lessening US pressure on Iran? As the United States continues to enforce its "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, the Islamic Republic is relying on China not as a sole savior but at least as part of the solution. Iran
Iranian National Oil Company opens office in Iraq Tehran expands its economic and political influence in Iraq via its National Iranian Oil Company. Iraq
Trump to Iran: Call me Amid rising tensions, President Donald Trump urged Iran three times to call him and said he believed they could make a fair deal. Iraq
Amid US pressure, Iran warns Europe of another ‘wave’ of refugees Iran has warned Europe that if US sanctions continue to take a toll on its economy, it will no longer be able to host Afghan refugees. United States