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
Analysis Iran’s membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organization further aligns it with Russia, China Iran becoming a full member of the China and Russia-led SCO may be more symbolic than beneficial, but could help Iran nonetheless amid international isolations, sanctions and shifting regional dynamics. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
US outlines strategy to counter Syria's lucrative Captagon trade The report to lawmakers details US plans to support the counter-narcotics capacity of Syria's neighbors and impose sanctions on the key drug traffickers fueling the regime's operations. Syria
Iran, Yemen, Saudi Arabia follow close behind China in VPN blocking China led the ranking, blocking about 73% of all attempts to access VPN providers, with Iran and several Gulf Arab countries following close behind. Gulf
From UAE to Sudan: US targets Middle East entities for Wagner ties The US has sanctioned entities operating in the UAE and Sudan for alleged connections to the notorious Russian mercenary group, which also has an extensive presence in the Middle East and North Africa. United Arab Emirates
US unveils visa restriction policy tied to Saudi fugitive case The new policy permits visa denials for foreign officials who help their citizens evade the US justice system. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Iran rushes regional thaw in UAE as it hopes for sanctions relief Iran's foreign minister was in the United Arab Emirates to pursue the Islamic Republic's reproachment drive, while his deputy was on a parallel mission in neighboring Qatar in a quest for sanctions relief through indirect diplomacy with the United States. United Arab Emirates
Iran's FM visits Kuwait, then UAE in latest Gulf charm offensive Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Oman on Tuesday to meet with Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi as part of his Gulf tour that began in Doha. United Arab Emirates
Iran, Uzbekistan ink major deals during rare visit by Uzbek president The Islamic Republic offered to share its "experience" in overcoming international sanctions in the first visit by an Uzbek leader to Tehran in 20 years, marked by multiple trade and energy agreements. Iran
Iran's Raisi urges unity to 'neutralize' US sanctions in Nicaragua visit Iran and Nicaragua closed cooperation deals as Raisi admired the leftist state for its resistance against the United States. Iran
MBS holds call with Putin, talks oil prices as Blinken visits Saudi Arabia The IMF projected that Saudi Arabia’s economic growth will slow to 2.1% in 2023 from its 3.1% forecast in May, after the kingdom cut more oil production on Sunday. Saudi Arabia
US sanctions target Iran's ballistic missile ties with China The latest barrage of US economic sanctions came just hours after Iran unveiled what it claimed to be its first hypersonic missile. Iran
Analysis Venezuela's Maduro visit to Saudi Arabia is another signal to US Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Relations Yvan Gil said Monday that cooperation projects in oil and gas, petrochemicals and infrastructure were addressed in Jeddah. By Salim A. Essaid
