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. Iran
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. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
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. Syria
Trump buys time with Syria sanctions waiver as Congress wrestles over repeal Before his Oval Office visit, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with a key lawmaker whose support is needed to repeal the Caesar Act. Syria
Analysis Sharaa in Washington: Can US charm offensive boost Syria’s reconstruction? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Feature Families of Americans missing in Syria urge Caesar sanctions relief By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
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. Iran
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. Legacy: Gulf
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. Iran
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. Legacy: 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
