First Syria delegation under Sharaa visits US, will attend IMF meetings: What to know Syria's new government faces the daunting task of rebuilding an economy shattered by war and burdened with debt, ongoing sanctions and reconstruction costs. Syria
From 2008 to today: Expectations and timeline of US-Iran talks The upcoming talks will be the most significant since negotiations broke down in 2022 and come in the wake of President Donald Trump threatening to bomb Iran if it does not agree to a new deal on its nuclear program. Iran
US sanctions Russia-based network for aiding Houthis as strikes continue The sanctions target several individuals based in Russia accused of assisting Houthi official Sa’id al-Jamal, who has been under US sanctions since 2021. Yemen
US sanctions UAE, China firms in crackdown on Iranian drone supplies The Justice Department also announced criminal charges against two Iranian nationals and an Iranian company over their alleged roles in the drone-procurement network. Iran
Feature Syria’s post-Assad economy falters as US stalls on sanctions relief By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
US formally rebrands Yemen's Houthis as foreign terrorist organization Critics say the Houthis' blacklisting will hamper aid delivery in the war-torn country. Yemen
US sanctions on Iran’s 'shadow' oil fleet target brokers in UAE, China The latest sanctions come after President Donald Trump pledged his administration would drive Iran's oil sales down to zero. Iran
Analysis India’s Chabahar dilemma: US sanctions on Iran threaten key port India faces a delicate diplomatic challenge as US sanctions threaten its strategic investment in the Chabahar port, a vital trade link to Afghanistan and Central Asia. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Iran unveils new drones in military drill: What to know Amid heightened tensions with the United States and Israel, Iran is flexing its military might. Iran
Iran unveils underwater suicide drone as US tensions grow: What we know The showcasing of the unmanned aerial vehicle follows the unveiling of a new drone carrier warship and plans to develop a supersonic cruise missile. Iran
Analysis Will Trump’s maximum pressure on Iran restart talks or force escalation? President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum to impose “maximum pressure” on Iran, a campaign that — during his first term — levied intense sanctions on the country in hopes of bringing it back to the negotiating table for nuclear talks. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Senate blocks ICC sanctions bill after Israel arrest warrants Democrats in the Senate voted on Tuesday to block a bill to place US sanctions on the International Criminal Court, which in November issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. United States
Trump revokes sanctions on Israeli settlers in West Bank: What we know On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders from withdrawing from the World Health Organization to reversing one that sanctioned violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank. United States
US sanctions Sudan's Hemedti, declares RSF committed genocide The United States also placed sanctions on companies in the United Arab Emirates it said were procuring weapons for the Rapid Support Forces. United States
US unveils Syria sanctions exemption to bolster aid relief The Biden administration stopped short of lifting the sweeping sanctions meant to punish the Assad regime. Syria
Who is Maysaa Sabrine, first woman to lead Central Bank of Syria? Syria’s new leadership has appointed Maysaa Sabrine to head the country’s central bank, the first woman to do so in the institution’s history. Syria
Iran's energy crisis shuts 80 power plants as rial plummets: What to know Amid freezing temperatures and increased demand for heat, Iran is facing an acute energy crisis that has all but shut down the country. Iran
