Sanctions

People wave the flag of Palestine and the new flag of Syria as Syrians gather in a protest dubbed "Syrians Against the Occupation" to denounce Israel's continued war on Gaza as well as its occupation of parts of Syria and Palestine in Damascus, Syria, on April 7, 2025.

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.

A woman walks along Karim Khan Zand Avenue in Tehran, on April 8, 2025.

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.

A February 6, 2025 photo shows the US Treasury in Washington, DC. Opponents to US President Donald Trump say he allowed Elon Musk -- the world's richest man and a major government contractor -- to break the law by accessing US Treasury payment systems that send out trillions of dollars and hold a welter of sensitive personal data. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

A mockup of Iran-made Mohajer-10 drone is on exhibition during a rally that marks the 46th anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran, on February 10, 2025. (Photo by Hossein Beris / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by HOSSEIN BERIS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

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US says Syria's transitional government a possible step forward

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivers a speech in Damascus on March 29, 2025. Sharaa on March 29 announced a new transitional government dominated by close allies and including one woman, replacing caretaker authorities in place since the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran’s currency drops to more than 1 million rials to US dollar: What to know

Iranian rials are displayed in Tehran, on July 31, 2019.

US slaps sanctions on Iran's oil tankers, targets China 'teapot' refinery

The Iranian-flagged oil tanker Fortune is docked at the El Palito refinery after its arrival to Puerto Cabello in the northern state of Carabobo, Venezuela, on May 25, 2020.

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Syria’s post-Assad economy falters as US stalls on sanctions relief

People gather to celebrate an iftar meal organized by a humanitarian organization, as they break their fast on March 4, 2025, amid the ruins of the Qaboun neighborhood of Damascus, Syria.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

An F-16 pilot from an airbase in Saudi Arabia gets ready to disembark from his aircraft after he was diverted to Kuwait because of bad weather after his mission into Iraq March 26, 2003 as Operation Iraqi Freedom continues after a pause in the air campaign due to bad weather. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

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.

Ali Shamkhani (R), Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, meets with Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed al-Nahyan (L).

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.

LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images

US slaps visa sanction on Syrian military officer over Tadamon massacre

The State Department hit Amjad Yousef and his family with visa bans for his alleged involvement in the 2013 killing of 41 unarmed Syrian civilians.

The Iranian-flagged oil tanker Fortune is docked at the El Palito refinery after its arrival to Puerto Cabello in the northern state of Carabobo, Venezuela, on May 25, 2020. - The first of five Iranian tankers carrying much-needed gasoline and oil derivatives docked in Venezuela on Monday, Caracas announced amid concern in Washington over the burgeoning relationship between countries it sees as international pariahs. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran's oil, petrochemical trade hit with new US sanctions

The designated firms are located in Iran, China, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates.

People demonstrate outside the Iranian embassy in Ukraine on October 17, 2022 in Kyiv, after the city was hit by swarms of kamikaze drones sold by Iran to Russia, leaving at least three dead. (Photo by SERGEI CHUZAVKOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: May 15, 2023, 1:44 pm

New US sanctions target Iran’s drone supply to Russia

The targets include eight senior executives of an Iran-based firm involved in the manufacture of drones used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Visitors wearing military camouflage stand at the entrance of the 'PMC Wagner Centre', associated with the founder of the Wagner private military group (PMC) Yevgeny Prigozhin, during the official opening of the office block on the National Unity Day, in Saint Petersburg, on November 4, 2022. (Photo by OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images)

US sanctions UAE-based aviation firm with ties to Russia’s Wagner

Washington says UAE-based Kratol Aviation helped Wagner operations ship personnel and weapons to Libya, the Central African Republic and Mali.

Iran protest

The Takeaway: Can sanctions curb Iran's protest crackdown?

Plus, a top Republican lawmaker questions the Biden administration's Syria policy and the US announces support for Lebanon's security forces.

The US Treasury Department building is seen in Washington, DC, January 19, 2023. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: January 23, 2023, 10:05 pm

US targets Iranian officials with human rights sanctions

The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 10 Iranian individuals and one entity connected to the protest violence.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: January 20, 2023, 3:29 pm

US to designate Russia’s Wagner Group as transnational criminal organization

The Russian mercenary group has been accused of war crimes from Syria to Libya, the Central African Republic and Ukraine.

US Supreme Court is seen on Jan. 13, 2022, in Washington.

Explainer: Turkey’s Halkbank appeals to US Supreme Court in Iran sanctions case

The case comes at a tense time in US-Turkey relations as the Biden administration weighs whether to sell F-16 jets to Turkey.

Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, Brett McGurk, speaks during a press conference in Amman on November 6, 2016. (Photo credit should read AHMAD ABDO/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraq's PM Sudani hosted US envoy ahead of meeting Iran's Quds commander

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received high-ranking US and Iranian envoys separately for discussions of bilateral issues related to both countries.

Iranians enjoy a walk in a park during snowfall in the capital Tehran on Jan. 15, 2023.

Gas-rich Iran apologizes to citizens over chaotic shortages

Despite sitting on the world's second-largest gas reserves, Iran has in recent days witnessed the chaotic management of its household gas heating, which is adding further to a host of unaddressed public grievances.