Turkey seizes Iran’s Caspian Airlines jet over $3.4M debt The court-ordered seizure at Istanbul Airport comes as Iranian carriers face mounting pressure from sweeping new US aviation sanctions. Turkey
US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime. Iran
Analysis Could Iran’s nuclear ambitions harden as war escalates? A new report has raised alarm about the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site that President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
US hits 27 Iranian airlines with latest sanctions The targets include Iranian airlines and operators in Malaysia, Turkey, Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates, including Mahan Air. Iran
Analysis As Israeli settler attacks mount, Trump avoids public pressure on Netanyahu By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Can Iran’s economic buffers withstand new US sanctions? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
US presses UAE over dual-use goods fueling Russia's war US officials, along with their counterparts from the European Union and United Kingdom, are visiting the UAE this week to discuss the Gulf country's financial dealings with Russia. United Arab Emirates
Iran's oil production bounces back as exports to China rise despite sanctions Iran's oil industry was hurt by the reimposition of US sanctions in 2018, but has largely recovered since then, in part due to increased exports to China. Iran
US sanctions Turkey-backed Syrian militias over rights abuses in Afrin Washington has accused the Suleiman Shah Brigade, the Hamza Division and their leadership of committing serious rights abuses in the Kurdish-majority enclave of Afrin. Turkey
US sanctions Lebanese environmental group for Hezbollah ties The US imposed sanctions on Green Without Borders and its leader, Zuhair Subhi Nahla, for providing cover for Hezbollah's activities in southern Lebanon. Lebanon
Analysis Russia’s oil sales to China hurt Saudi revenue despite increased demand Despite oil prices maintaining a seven-week rally and crude demand expected to reach record highs in 2023, the burden of maintaining higher oil prices is pushing Saudi Arabia to the limit. By Salim A. Essaid
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. Syria
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. Lebanon
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. Iran
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. Iraq
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. Israel
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. Turkey
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
