Sanctions

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France blocks Israeli weapons display at Paris airshow: What to know

After their exclusion from the Eurosatory and Euronaval fairs, Israeli armament companies have now been prevented from participating in the Bourget defense show in Paris.

(L to R) Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli far-right lawmaker and leader of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish power) party, and Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli far-right lawmaker and leader of the Religious Zionist Party, attend a rally with supporters in the southern Israeli city of Sderot on Oct. 26, 2022.

Breaking | Last Updated: June 10, 2025, 12:11 pm

UK, Australia, Canada sanction Israel’s Ben-Gvir, Smotrich for inciting violence

Both far-right Israeli ministers will have their assets frozen and face travel bans.

People queue in front of a teller next to a pile of banknotes of different currencies at a commercial bank affiliated with Syria's central bank in Damascus on December 16, 2024. Governments worldwide are stepping up efforts to engage with Syria's new interim rulers, just over a week after Islamist-led rebels ousted president Bashar al-Assad, ending decades of brutal rule and civil war. (Photo by Louai Beshara / AFP) / "The erroneous CAPTION appearing in the metadata of this photo by Louai Beshara has been

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Trump to sign sweeping order rescinding Syria sanctions

The expected executive order comes after the Trump administration took steps to ease sanctions on Syria last month.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

People queue to use ATM machines outside a bank in Damascus on Dec. 16, 2024.

Syria to rejoin SWIFT payment system ‘within a few weeks’: What to know

It marks a major milestone in Syria’s economic recovery from sanctions imposed in 2011 in response to human rights abuse allegations against the regime of long-time dictator Bashar al-Assad.

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Rubio announces sanctions on ICC judges over US, Israel probes

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during the American Compass New World Gala at the National Building Museum on June 3, 2025 in Washington.

EU sanctions Sunni factions accused of violence against Syria’s Alawites, Kurds

A handout picture from the Syrian state news agency SANA showing members of the security forces in Syria's coastal region

Tom Barrack talks Syria aid during Saudi Arabia, Jordan visits: What to know

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan meets with United States special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack.

Analysis

US sanctions relief key to Syria’s recovery but hinges on global coordination

People celebrate in Damascus' Omeyyad square after US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions in Syria, on May 13, 2025

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

A clerk inspects the cargo of a truck among a convoy carrying tent and shelter kits.

US sanctions exemption for earthquake relief to Syria expires

The Treasury announcement came as the Syrian government reauthorized the UN's use of two border crossings to deliver aid.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri heads the 12th parliamentary session to elect a new president in the capital Beirut's downtown district on June 14, 2023 amid bitter divisions between the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah and its opponents. Lawmakers in crisis-hit Lebanon failed for a 12th time to elect a new president, with bitter divisions between the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah and its opponents marring the vote. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon: Republicans in Congress call for sanctions against political class

The letters come amid Lebanon’s continued political paralysis, economic crisis and rising tensions with Israel. Some members of Congress are calling for sanctions on parliament speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah.

This aerial photo taken on August 4, 2019 shows tugboats berthing an oil tanker at Qingdao port in Qingdao in China's eastern Shandong province. - China's good shipments abroad beat expectations to rise in July while its purchases continued to shrink, official data showed on August 8. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran's oil shipments to China triple in 3 years despite sanctions

Iran’s strengthening ties to China have prompted some senators to call for more sanctions.

Stacks of Iraqi dinars are seen at a currency exchange shop, Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 14, 2023.

Iraqi dinar falls 17% against dollar amid US restrictions over Iran deals

The current depreciation follows 14 Iraqi banks being barred from using the dollar amid a crackdown on smuggling to Iran.

People demonstrate outside the US Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Biden walks tightrope as Israel’s democracy tested

The judicial overhaul pursued by Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition has bitterly divided Israeli society and cast further strain on US-Israel ties.

The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Asl Tia en-route to China transits the Bosporus.

Russia pulls inspectors from Turkey after Kremlin nixes grain deal

The joint operation center in Istanbul, which was set up as part of the Black Sea grain deal, has been the sole mechanism through which Ukrainian and Russian officials were directly working together on a regular basis since the invasion of Ukraine.

A man holds the Russian national flag in front of a Wagner group military vehicle with the sign read as "Rostov" in Rostov-on-Don late on June 24, 2023. Rebel mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin who sent his fighters to topple the military leaders in Moscow will leave for Belarus and a criminal case against him will be dropped as part of a deal to avoid "bloodshed," the Kremlin said on June 24. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP) (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

UK sanctions 13 Wagner-linked firms and officials in Sudan, CAR, Mali

The mercenary group has been operating across Africa for many years, exploiting the continent's natural resources and providing military support for its own financial gain.

The Horn of Africa

An oil tanker unloads imported crude oil at Qingdao port in China's eastern Shandong province on May 9, 2022. - China OUT (Photo by AFP) / China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Republican lawmakers urge sanctions over Iran oil sales to China

Senate Republicans are pushing for harsher penalties against Chinese-linked actors involved in Iran’s oil and petrochemical trade.

JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s Raisi seals 21 deals on Africa trip, attends drone exhibit in Kenya

Iran is seeking stronger ties to sub-Saharan Africa but faces competition from the Gulf and China.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (2R), Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi (L) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi (2L) arrive for a joint press conference following a meeting of Sergei Lavrov with his counterparts of the GCC member states in Moscow on July 10, 2023. (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA / POOL / AFP) (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In Moscow, Russia's Lavrov welcomes Gulf states' rapprochement with Iran

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia and GCC countries will expand their cooperation together in areas of economic trade, defense, security, energy and politics.

ALEX HALADA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran boasts to OPEC of growing crude sales despite sanctions

Iran's top energy official told oil-exporting nations that the Islamic Republic is in good shape bypassing sanctions to sell its lifeline product as he advertised an attractive investment market in his country.

Flags of Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states fly in front of the Shanghai International Convention Center, where the SCO summit is held, Shanghai, China, June 11, 2006.

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.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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