After US designation of Brotherhood, Sudan asks to add RSF to terror list The Specially Designated Global Terrorist label entails economic sanctions against the group, including an assets freeze, while the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation criminalizes providing material support for it. Sudan
New Zealand slaps 40 Iran officials with sanctions over protest crackdown New Zealand is the latest country after Australia, the United States, Germany and others to sanction Iran over the crackdown. Iran
Analysis Israel fears Trump will clear path for partial Iran deal on nuclear standoff Israel is concerned that a limited American strike on Iran, followed by negotiations, would lead to a partial nuclear deal that excludes the ballistic missile and proxy issues. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Canada becomes latest Western country to lift Syria sanctions: What to know Like the US, Canada had strained relations with Syria during the civil war but is now showing signs of engagement. Syria
Analysis Despite Israeli concerns, sources say Trump giving Iran talks up to 2 months By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Oman talks leave Israel unsure of Trump's endgame as missile threat persists By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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
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
