EIA hikes 2026 oil price forecasts 22% as Hormuz fuels long-term market fallout In its latest update, the agency said international benchmark Brent crude is now expected to average $96 per barrel in 2026, up from $79 previously, with higher prices now expected to last through 2027. Iran
Iran threatens energy shock, ups Gulf strikes ahead of Trump deadline: What to know Majid Mousavi, head of the IRGC Aerospace Force, declared the start of a “new phase” of the war in response to US threats to target key Iranian civilian infrastructure. Iran
Israel, seeking wider war, hits Iranian railways, bridges as Trump deadline nears Since the Trump administration announced its deadline, Israel has prepared for a potential US escalation, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure or ground operations. Israel
Is Russia a better fit than the EU to help relieve Iran from sanctions? While Iran would prefer EU help when it comes to relief from US sanctions, Moscow might be better suited to this role than Europeans. United States
Iranian Sunni leader makes appeal to Iraq's top Shiite cleric Iran’s prominent Sunni leader, Molavi Abdul Hamid, sent a letter to Iraqi Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani requesting that he act as a mediator between Iran's Sunni community and the government. Iraq
Iranian teenage dancer's arrest sparks backlash as tolerance for radicalism drops The backlash in the wake of Iran’s arrest of an Iranian teenage girl for posting dance clips on social media highlights significantly reduced tolerance for hard-liner excesses among the public. Iran
Iran's president mired in palace intrigue amid rising US pressure While fighting US pressure as well as radicals at home, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani is mired in a rivalry within his own inner circle. Iran
Iran's Soleimani continues war of words with Trump The head of Iran’s Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, responded to President Donald Trump’s tweet threatening Iran. Yemen
Iran maneuvers to protect its interests in Syria Iran’s strategy on Syria enters a more proactive phase as the Islamic Republic maneuvers to keep its interests, including its partnership with Russia, intact. Syria
Is ‘national reconciliation’ Iran's key weapon to win economic war? A top pro-reform official in Iran said national unity and reconciliation are in the making to defuse the US-led economic pressure and media war against the country. Iran
Israel detects Russian shift on Iran's presence in Syria Israeli military sources sense that President Donald Trump, President Vladimir Putin and even Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wouldn't object to Israel pushing Iran out of Syria. Israel
Iran arrests top state managers as anti-corruption drive forges ahead Iran's judiciary is intensifying its crackdown on state managers accused of massive fraud amid a currency crisis the country is struggling to overcome. Iran
Khamenei adviser’s Moscow visit stirs foreign policy debate in Iran The lack of transparency surrounding Ayatollah Khamenei’s foreign policy adviser’s recent trip to Russia, including his announcement of a major deal for Russian investment, has caused heated debate among Iranians. Russia
Will Iranian Kurds be on front lines of US conflict with Iran? The US administration appears to increasingly be looking at armed Iranian Kurdish opposition groups as part of its campaign to economically and militarily pressure Iran. Iraqi-Kurdistan
More fire and fury: Trump, Pompeo offer mixed messages on Iran Iranian Americans are unsure whether the Donald Trump administration intends to press for regime change in Iran or pursue eventual diplomatic outreach. United States
