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
UK sanctions Lebanon art dealer accused of financing Hezbollah Already sanctioned by the United States back in 2019, Lebanese art dealer Nazem Said Ahmad was sanctioned by the British government on Tuesday. Iran
US imposes sanctions on Hezbollah-linked money laundering network The new sanctions target individuals and companies across nine countries, including Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa, tied to a Belgian-Lebanese art and diamond dealer. Lebanon
UAE will not ‘jeopardize’ rules to attract Russian wealth: Trade minister The Emirates has been criticized for hosting companies engaged in sanctions-busting following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but is making efforts to clean up its act. Gulf
Here are the biggest Middle East disclosures in the leaked intel docs Turkey, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are among the Middle East countries named in a major leak of classified US intelligence documents. Turkey
US targets firms in UAE, Turkey over Russia sanctions evasion The latest tranche of sanctions come as the Biden administration seeks to crack down on Russia’s financial facilitators. Turkey
CIA director visited Saudi Arabia, aired 'frustration' over Iran, Syria thaw The CIA director met the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and reportedly expressed displeasure with Washington being "blindsided" over agreements brokered by China and Russia. Gulf
US softens rhetoric on Arab outreach to Syria’s Assad The Biden administration says "real steps to improve the situation for the people in Syria" should be part of any engagement with the long-boycotted regime. Syria
US slaps sanctions on two brothers in Lebanon for corruption As Lebanon's economy deteriorated, the US Treasury said Lebanese businessmen Raymond Zina Rahme and Teddy Zina Rahme profited from public corruption. Lebanon
UAE Central Bank revokes license of Russia's MTS Bank as sanctions tighten The Central Bank of the UAE plans to close the Russian bank’s operations within six months from the date of the decision. Gulf
US imposes fresh sanctions over Iran drone procurement The US Treasury Department designated four entities and three people, including one based in Turkey, accused of aiding Iran's drone and weapons programs. Iran
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt rank among world’s top 10 arms importers: SIPRI Middle East countries made up more than a fourth of the top 40 global arms importers from 2018 to 2022, according to a new report. Gulf
Iran says it signed 'aviation cooperation' memo with UAE The UAE and Iran have cordial economic and political relations, despite being on opposite sides of some regional rivalries. Iran
