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
How Iran’s quasi-state firms intensify currency crisis The clash between the Rouhani administration and Iranian petrochemical companies over foreign currency earnings is another chapter in the battle between the government and quasi-state actors. Iran
How can Turkey survive US sanctions on Iran? At the United Nations, Turkey repeated its intention to ignore US sanctions. How the Erdogan administration will calculate costs and benefits of subverting the US sanctions remains a mystery. Turkey
Brunson affair becomes litmus test for Turkish-US ties Uncertainty remains over whether the American pastor will be released from detention next week by a Turkish court. Turkey
US keeps aid flowing for Palestinian security forces, for now Despite its deep cuts in aid to Palestinians, the US has continued to offer financial support to the Palestinian security services. Palestine
Intel: Congress wants to sanction Iran’s allies in Iraq. Here’s why the State Department thinks it’s a bad idea. Iraq
US stands alone on Iran at Security Council President Donald Trump threatened "severe consequences" for anyone resisting US sanctions. United States
Will US sanctions succeed in isolating Iraqi Shiite factions? As the United States intensifies its activities against Iran in the region, it has also increased pressure on Iraqi factions backed by Iran. Yet the influence that these factions have in Iraq limits the effects of such pressures. Iraq
Congress takes aim at pro-Iran election winners in Iraq US lawmakers are preparing sanctions as Tehran presses Baghdad to form a government friendly to its interests. Iraq
Iran-India logistical cooperation set to jump amid scaled-back energy ties India is well-versed in the game of balancing ties with Iran and the United States and is set to use the current situation over sanctions to promote logistical cooperation with Tehran while limiting oil imports from Iran. United States
Saudi Arabia hires star lawyer to fight anti-oil cartel bill Former Republican Solicitor General Ted Olson is being paid to push back against bipartisan legislation challenging OPEC’s dominance. Saudi Arabia
Iraq's religious tourism suffers from US sanctions on Iran The number of Iranian pilgrims traveling to Iraq for religious holidays is expected to witness a sharp decline due to the impact of US economic penalties on Iran. Iraq