US imposes new Iran sanctions ahead of Oman talks as Tehran touts nuclear gains Iranian officials met their Russian and Chinese counterparts on Tuesday to discuss the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program as Tehran prepares for negotiations with Washington. Iran
OPEC+ members boost output as Trump tariffs bring down oil prices The US president has been calling on Saudi Arabia and other top oil producers to boost production and bring down prices. Saudi Arabia
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
Top US senator: No F-35 jets for Turkey until Russia's S-400 missiles 'gone' Republican Sen. Jim Risch made the statement during the nomination hearing for Tom Barrack to be the next US ambassador to Turkey. Barrack emphasized Ankara's strategic role in countering Iran in the region and promoting stability in Syria. Turkey
Analysis Wary of Turkey and Iran, Israel tightens ties with Russia: What to know By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Russia's BRICS summit: Gulf states seek influence as Iran, UAE debut as members Saudi Arabia’s crown prince will not be in attendance but has sent his foreign minister. Expansion of the group and adoption of a new currency are on the three-day agenda. United Arab Emirates
Analysis From Syria to Ukraine: What’s driving Moscow’s thinking on Israel-Iran conflict? Russia is concerned about spillover from the Iran-Israel conflict into Syria but believes that the situation in the Middle East could bolster its war effort in Ukraine, experts told Al-Monitor. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Russia's Putin holds first meeting with Iran's Pezeshkian: What we know The face-to-face in Turkmenistan between the Russian president and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, took place as Iran braces for a potential retaliatory strike from Israel. Iran
Saudi crown prince meets Russia's Lavrov at GCC meetings in Riyadh Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on the sidelines of GCC ministerial meetings in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Palestinian President Abbas meets Erdogan ahead of speech to Turkey's parliament Abbas’ visit to Turkey comes at a critical time as it remains unclear how relations between the Palestinian Authority and its rival, Hamas, will evolve under Yahya Sinwar's leadership. Turkey
Attacks on churches, synagogues in Russia’s Dagestan: What we know The incident follows a major ISIS attack in Moscow in March. Russia
Putin meets Fidan, 'fully supports' Turkey’s aspirations in BRICS The first bilateral meeting between Putin and Fidan saw the Russian leader embrace Ankara's interest in joining the BRICS as a counterweight to the West. Turkey
From Russia to Iran and Turkey: Understanding rise, narrative of ISIS-K The jihadi group has been raising its profile since the beginning of 2024 through suicide attacks in southern Iran in January and the armed attack on an Istanbul Roman Catholic church last month. Russia
Analysis Four factors driving Turkey's calculus to trade Russian S-400s for US F-35 As its ties improve with Washington, the United States has offered Turkey an opening to return to the F-35 consortium — but only if it gives up its Russian S-400 systems. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Russia hosts Turkey's Fidan, presses for guarantees on grain deal Turkey and Russia's foreign ministers haggled over a compromise for the revival of the Ukrainian grain deal ahead of the upcoming presidential summit next week. Turkey
Turkey’s Fidan to visit Russia as Ukraine's grain deal, Syria talks stall Ankara’s efforts to revive the Black Sea grain deal and stalled high level talks between Ankara and Damascus are expected to be high on the agenda of the talks between top Russian and Turkish diplomats. Turkey
Putin’s Syria policy hangs on amid Russian crackdown on Wagner Israeli-Saudi normalization linked to Netanyahu White House visit; Israel’s booming arms exports; Turkey-Sweden ties strained ahead of NATO summit; would an 'informal' Iran deal require congressional review? Syria