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
China, Russia veto scaled-back Hormuz resolution at UN Security Council The vote came hours before the US deadline for Iran to reopen the global chokepoint. Bahrain
In letter, Obama told Iran's Rouhani he sees way to resolve nuclear issue In an interview with NBC's Ann Curry, Iranaian president Hassan Rouhani said he has "full authority to make a nuclear deal with the west" and that the letter he received form President Obama had a "constructive tone". Iran
Iran's Rouhani urges West to 'seize' moment for diplomacy In a Washington Post op-ed newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged world leaders to "seize" the opportunity to work with the more moderate Iranian President and focus on improving issues from Syria to concerns over Iran's nuclear program. Iran
Who would broker an Obama-Rouhani encounter in NY? US Deputy National Security Adviser for strategic communications Ben Rhodes said there could be US-Iran "interaction at different levels" at the UN this week. Iran
Kerry and new Iran FM Zarif to meet in NY After meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif will join a P5+1 ministerial meeting where he will meet face to face with US Secretary of State John Kerry. Iran
Why no Obama Rouhani meeting: White House offered, Iran declined A meeting between US President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is "too complicated for the Iranians to do at this point" according to senior administration officials. Iran
Rouhani Says Nuclear Issue Can Be Resolved In a discussion with, among others, Al-Monitor's Andrew Parisiliti, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the nuclear concerns can be resolved, maintaining that Iran has nothing to hide as all of its sites are under IAEA inspection. Iran
Iran's Zarif meets Kerry to 'jump start' nuclear talks Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry met privately for 30 minutes to discuss the nuclear negotiations in the highest level meeting between the two countries in decades. Iran
Obama calls Iran's Rouhani US President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had a 15 minute long phone conversation during which the two leaders discussed the nuclear negotiations in the highest level contact between the two countries since 1979. Iran
Netanyahu meets Obama amid US Iran diplomatic push In a meeting between Israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Obama and Vice President Biden, the US stressed diplomacy must be exhausted with Iran. Israel
Netanyahu to UN: Keep pressure on Iran Netanyahu urged the United Nations to keep economic pressure on Iran claiming that while the Islamic Republic will not cross Israel's red line, it is positioning itself to build a nuclear bomb as quickly as possible. Israel
Top US Iran negotiator: Onus is on Iran to propose nuclear plan During a senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Iran, under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman urged law makers to hold off on new sanctions until the next round of P5+1 talks are held so the administration could determine if the Iranians were serious about a nuclear deal. Iran
Labor Ministry opposes Tehran's proposal for gender segregation Iran's Labor Ministry has warned that the separation of the sexes in Tehran's municipal administration could provoke an international backlash. Iran
