US extends Russian oil sanctions waiver as Iran war squeezes supply The waiver temporarily lifts sanctions on Russian oil for 30 days. Iran
Analysis From hoarding to unemployment: Iran's economy buckles under US pressure Iran's fast-rising inflation is driving aggressive state market controls, exposing deeper structural strains from war, sanctions and declining consumer confidence. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Ports and infrastructure: UAE embraces new economic order in Syria UAE-Syrian ties have moved faster than expected, with Abu Dhabi embracing President Ahmad al-Sharaa and relations shifting from normalization to investment opportunities. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
US hits China-linked Iran oil trade with sanctions ahead of Trump trip The sanctions come after the United States rejected Iran's latest proposal to end the war. Iran
Iran hopes for partial sanctions relief amid epidemic President Hassan Rouhani claims Iranian assets abroad could soon be unfrozen, but US has no plans to lift sanctions. Iran
Intel: Lebanon frees jailed US citizen after Washington threatens sanctions Lebanon released Amer Fakhoury, who is suffering from stage 4 cancer, after Washington threatened to move ahead with sanctions. Lebanon
Intel: Senate plans imminent vote on Lebanon sanctions bill The Senate is getting ready to vote on legislation that would sanction Lebanese officials responsible for wrongfully detaining American citizens, Al-Monitor has learned. Lebanon
US prepares biting Syria sanctions as Assad pummels Idlib The United States is preparing to slap stringent sanctions on the Bashar al-Assad government as it pummels Idlib, raising questions about Syria’s long-term reconstruction. Syria
Does Moscow’s withdrawal from OPEC-plus deal end Russia-Saudi honeymoon? Russia’s decision to break off from the Saudis in the OPEC-plus agreement has some merits. Saudi Arabia
UAE offers regional road map to deal with Iran Policies on coronavirus, nuclear issues may help recast regional security discussions, complement US policies. Saudi Arabia
AIPAC gets Democrats to help Trump chip away at nuclear deal AIPAC is marshaling significant bipartisan backing for a bid to extend the Iran nuclear deal’s first sunset provision as hawks push for snapback sanctions at the United Nations. United States
UN nuclear watchdog: Iran dragging feet on access to nuclear sites International Atomic Energy Agency, in two separate reports, says Iran is not granting the IAEA access to sites suspected of past involvement in Iran's nuclear program and says Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of low-enriched uranium at the Fordow facility. Iran
US blacklists new leader of Iran-backed Iraqi militia The successor of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as leader of the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah has been designated as a global terrorist by the United States. Iraq
Intel: Washington eyes Lebanon sanctions over jailed US citizen Lebanon is finding itself staring down the prospect of US sanctions after jailing an American citizen for six months. Lebanon
US sanctions Iranian Guardian Council members, holds off on UN snapback penalties The Trump administration is coming under pressure from anti-Iran deal advocates to find a way to trigger the "snapback" of UN sanctions this year. United States
Iran says Zarif met with US senator for ‘public diplomacy’ Iran’s foreign minister says his weekend meeting with a US senator in Germany was a diplomatic effort to get his nation’s voice heard by the American people. Congress