Sanctions

Smoke rises as fire burns, in an alleged site of IRGC's missile launch targeted by Israel on the mountains of Shiraz, Iran on June 21, 2025. Israel attacked Iran in early hours of June 13, and the exchange of fire between the two countries continues ever since. (Photo by Hiroon / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by HIROON/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel likely to strike Iran in 2026, European diplomats say

Israel might opt to strike Iran again next year if it assesses that the Tehran-based government is resuming high-level uranium enrichment.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

currency exchange in Tehran

Iran currency dips to new low of 1.2M per dollar as sanctions bite: What to know

Since US President Donald Trump took office in January, the rial has plummeted.

Supporters of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood take part in a protest in the village of Sweimeh, near the Jordanian border with the occupied West Bank, on May 21, 2021.

Analysis

Trump’s Muslim Brotherhood move rekindles US debate over Islamist movement

The executive order targeting Muslim Brotherhood chapters comes after President Trump weighed designating the entire movement in his first term.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Syria signs deals with ConocoPhillips, Novaterra Energy: What to know

Syria signed a memorandum of understanding with US energy companies ConocoPhillips and Novaterra Energy to develop and explore gas fields as Damascus works to revive the country’s battered natural gas sector.

Latest News

Trump buys time with Syria sanctions waiver as Congress wrestles over repeal

A man holds a Syrian flag across the street from the White House after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with US President Donald Trump at White House in Washington on Nov. 10, 2025.

Analysis

Sharaa in Washington: Can US charm offensive boost Syria’s reconstruction?

DAMASCUS, SYRIA - JULY 16: Members of Syria's civil defense work amid the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on Syria's defence ministry headquarters on July 16, 2025 in Damascus, Syria. A spokesperson from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes have targeted the headquarters of Syria's defence ministry and a site near the presidential palace in Damascus. The strikes come amid an escalation in conflict between Syrian government forces and Druze militia in the southern Sy

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

UN Security Council votes to lift sanctions on Syria's Sharaa

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visits with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (off frame) during the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on Sept. 24, 2025.

Iran doubles down on Venezuela support as Trump ups threats: What to know

A woman waves an Iranian flag during a rally against Israel's attacks on Iran, in solidarity with the Palestinian people and to call for world peace in Caracas, on June 19, 2025.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - MAY 15: U.S. President Donald J. Trump is greeted by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan upon his arrival on May 15, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Trump is on the third day of his visit to the Gulf to underscore the strategic partnership between the United States and regional allies including the UAE, focusing on security and economic collaboration. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Analysis

As Trump lands in UAE, tech and trade to dominate agenda, not defense

The Emirati official said that the US' easing of sanctions on Syria is “the right thing to do,” but expressed concerns about stability and safety of minorities in the country.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks adjusts his earpiece during bilateral talks with the US President the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 11, 2023.

Erdogan thanks Trump for ‘historic’ Syria decision during Sharaa meeting

The Turkish president also said his country was ready to support Damascus in the fight against the Islamic State and in maintaining the security of ISIS camps.

audi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L), US President Donald Trump (C) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) pose for a photo in Riyadh on May 14, 2025.

Trump to Syria's Sharaa: Recognize Israel, expel foreign fighters

During their 30-minute meeting in Riyadh, the two leaders also discussed combating the Islamic State and future American investment in Syrian oil and gas.

People celebrate in Damascus' Omeyyad square after US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions in Syria, on May 13, 2025. (Photo by Abdulaziz KETAZ / AFP) (Photo by ABDULAZIZ KETAZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Trump wants to lift all US sanctions on Syria: Can he?

Removing some sanctions on Syria could require congressional action, and one expert warned that rescinding all the measures could decrease the US’ leverage with the new government in Damascus.

Adam Lucente

By Rosaleen Carroll , Adam Lucente

President Donald Trump meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a “coffee ceremony” at the Saudi Royal Court on May 13, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Trump to lift Syria sanctions, meet with Sharaa in Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump said his administration would take steps to normalize relations with Syria’s fledgling government.

Syria's interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, signs the country's constitutional declaration, which will be enforced throughout a five-year transitional period, at the presidential palace in Damascus on March 13, 2025.

Exclusive

Syria's Sharaa pledges to form task force for missing Americans

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has promised the daughter of a missing American to take action as Damascus seeks relief from crippling US sanctions.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez at the Amiri Diwan office in Doha on April 29, 2025.

Venezuela’s VP meets emir in Qatar, looks to expand energy ties: What to know

Qatar has demonstrated interest in Venezuela’s recovering oil industry as well as mediation between the US and the South American country.

ALIREZA/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

US sanctions China-Iran network aiding Tehran missile program

The Trump administration is stepping up sanctions on Iran as it conducts talks over its rapidly expanding nuclear program.

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.