Russia, Iran deepen nuclear cooperation with focus on small reactors Russia has moved to help Iran with its nuclear program as European states trigger snapback sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Iran
Iran, Russia, Central Asia states ink Caspian Sea pact, plan naval drills The navies of Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening security in the Caspian Sea basin as the four countries deepen their relations. Iran
Analysis How far will China, Russia go in shielding Iran from UN sanctions? Iran is lobbying states to resist enforcement of UN sanctions — looking particularly to China and Russia to blunt the impact, even as questions remain about the limits of their willingness to act. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Iran rial hits record low 1.13M to dollar as UN snapback sanctions resume: What to know The sanctions, which were trigged by the three European signatories to the nuclear deal, will not hinder Iranian oil exports to China, an official said. Iran
Wagner has already crashed two Russian fighter jets in Libya, AFRICOM says Russian regular forces are likely present in Libya, AFRICOM's intelligence director said Libya
US B-52 bombers train with Morocco, Tunisia aircraft over Mediterranean The destroyer USS Roosevelt simulated a hostile ship in a US show of force alongside the North African countries. Morocco
US officials say partial lift of Cyprus arms embargo not related to Turkish-Greek tensions Amid ongoing Turkey-Greece tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, US officials maintained the partial lifting of an arms embargo on Cyprus aims to reduce Russian influence and is not a step against Ankara’s recent maneuvers in the region. Turkey
Moscow boosts ties with Tehran as US-Iran tensions escalate While Iran and Russia are trying to limit US influence in the Middle East, the United States lacks the leverage to counter China’s and Russia’s growing influence in the region. Russia
Does Erdogan think Sisi is bluffing in Libya? Trump and Putin can prevent the "Syrianization" of Libya. Egypt
Intel: Russia may be reinforcing Libya’s Sirte ahead of expected offensive The US military has released new aerial surveillance images purporting to show additional Russian military equipment in Libya in the latest sign the Kremlin may be gearing up to help Gen. Khalifa Hifter defend the strategic city of Sirte. Turkey
How has Russia forced Turkey to compromise on Libya? The July 22 Turkish-Russian joint statement on Libya shows Moscow has succeeded in forcing Ankara to compromise. Turkey
Iran talks long-term partnership deal with Russia To mitigate the impacts of the unrelenting US “maximum pressure” policy, Iran seems to be seeking solutions in clinching long-term partnership deals with allies. Russia
Intel: House passes bill forcing Trump to sanction Turkey over Russian missiles The House passed legislation today that would force President Donald Trump to slap sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system. Turkey
Will Azeri-Armenian flare-up change energy game in South Caucasus? Azeri-Armenian clashes in the strategically significant Tavush area could be the harbinger of tectonic changes in the energy politics in the South Caucasus, Turkey and Iran. Turkey
Is Erdogan after a Caucasus adventure? Ankara’s harsh outbursts in favor of Baku in Azerbaijan’s rekindled conflict with Armenia might be aimed at domestic consumption as well as pressuring Russia into concessions in Libya and Syria. Turkey
Putin, Mohamed bin Zayed seek to reclaim common ground on Libya The Russian and UAE leaders spoke Wednesday about the path ahead in Libya, seeking to minimize differences and recharge the political process. Libya
