Who is Lebanon’s Suleiman Frangieh, sanctioned by US for Hezbollah ties? The politician and Marada Movement leader has a close relationship with the Syrian Assad family and staunchly supports Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah. Lebanon
Trump, Vance sign Iran-US framework A US official said that the US president and vice president and Iran's parliament speaker signed the MoU electronically on Sunday. Iran
Analysis As Trump admin drops Halkbank case, S-400 last big hurdle in US-Turkey ties The move eases a key source of friction with Turkey ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
US issues more Iran sanctions as Trump says strikes will resume The sanctions are the latest to target Iran's weapons procurement networks. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
US imposes sanctions on Hezbollah-linked money laundering network The new sanctions target individuals and companies across nine countries, including Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa, tied to a Belgian-Lebanese art and diamond dealer. Lebanon
UAE will not ‘jeopardize’ rules to attract Russian wealth: Trade minister The Emirates has been criticized for hosting companies engaged in sanctions-busting following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but is making efforts to clean up its act. Legacy: Gulf
Here are the biggest Middle East disclosures in the leaked intel docs Turkey, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are among the Middle East countries named in a major leak of classified US intelligence documents. Turkey
US targets firms in UAE, Turkey over Russia sanctions evasion The latest tranche of sanctions come as the Biden administration seeks to crack down on Russia’s financial facilitators. Turkey
CIA director visited Saudi Arabia, aired 'frustration' over Iran, Syria thaw The CIA director met the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and reportedly expressed displeasure with Washington being "blindsided" over agreements brokered by China and Russia. Legacy: Gulf
US softens rhetoric on Arab outreach to Syria’s Assad The Biden administration says "real steps to improve the situation for the people in Syria" should be part of any engagement with the long-boycotted regime. Syria
US slaps sanctions on two brothers in Lebanon for corruption As Lebanon's economy deteriorated, the US Treasury said Lebanese businessmen Raymond Zina Rahme and Teddy Zina Rahme profited from public corruption. Lebanon
UAE Central Bank revokes license of Russia's MTS Bank as sanctions tighten The Central Bank of the UAE plans to close the Russian bank’s operations within six months from the date of the decision. Legacy: Gulf
US imposes fresh sanctions over Iran drone procurement The US Treasury Department designated four entities and three people, including one based in Turkey, accused of aiding Iran's drone and weapons programs. Iran
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt rank among world’s top 10 arms importers: SIPRI Middle East countries made up more than a fourth of the top 40 global arms importers from 2018 to 2022, according to a new report. Legacy: Gulf
Iran says it signed 'aviation cooperation' memo with UAE The UAE and Iran have cordial economic and political relations, despite being on opposite sides of some regional rivalries. Iran
US slaps visa sanction on Syrian military officer over Tadamon massacre The State Department hit Amjad Yousef and his family with visa bans for his alleged involvement in the 2013 killing of 41 unarmed Syrian civilians. Syria
