Iran & Middle East
Reporting on Iran, the Iranian regime, IRGC operations, Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah dynamics, the Houthi corridor, GCC alignments, and the wider Middle East security picture.
China's Iran Oil Purchases Face Scrutiny as US Readies Sanctions
Looming US sanctions on Iran have placed China's sustained crude oil purchases under international scrutiny, with Beijing vowing to protect its economic interests.
Oil Falls as U.S. Prepares to Announce New Iran Sanctions
Crude prices declined Monday ahead of a U.S. announcement on new sanctions against Iran, with traders pricing in the prospect of tighter restrictions on Iranian oil exports.
IDF Kills Hamas Commander as Gaza Strikes Kill Child, One Other
Israeli airstrikes Sunday killed two Palestinians including a 4-year-old boy as IDF confirmed striking a Hamas commander and weapons site in active-ceasefire Gaza.
Iran Nuclear Chief Says Strikes Hit Medical and Nuclear Facilities
Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, says U.S. and Israeli strikes over the past year targeted both nuclear program sites and medical facilities inside Iran.
IDF Kills Hamas Commander, Civilians Dead in Gaza Strikes
Israeli forces killed a Hamas military commander and struck a weapons site near an aid center in Gaza Sunday; Reuters confirmed at least two civilian deaths including a 4-year-old.
Israel Strikes Syrian Airbase to Block Turkish Military Deployment
Israel struck Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase, the government confirmed, after intelligence showed Turkey was preparing to deploy troops to the facility less than 200 miles from Israel's northern border.
Israel Strikes Southern Syria; U.S. Envoy Says Washington Not Notified
Israel struck targets in southern Syria Saturday, Reuters confirmed. U.S. Envoy Tom Barrack says Israel gave Washington no advance warning before hitting a Syrian base — Israel denies it.
Israeli Drone Strike in Gaza Kills One Amid Ceasefire Violations
An Israeli drone struck a home's courtyard in central Gaza Saturday, killing one Palestinian and wounding others in the latest apparent violation of an active ceasefire.
Iran Threatens Hormuz Blockade as US Sanctions Pressure Mounts
Tehran warns it will target neighboring states' interests if they join Washington's economic campaign, while granting Iraq a limited Hormuz exemption after Baghdad pledges neutrality.
China Won't Help Washington Squeeze Iran's Oil Revenues
Trump's maximum-pressure campaign against Iran depends on Beijing cutting off Tehran's primary crude market—but China, the top buyer, appears unwilling to cooperate.
Trump Says Iran 'Can Do Very Bad Things,' Calls IRGC 'Still Strong'
President Trump warned Friday that Iran retains serious destructive capacity and acknowledged the IRGC remains powerful, as he declared Tehran not ready for a nuclear deal.
Without China, Trump's Iran Sanctions Have a Ceiling
Beijing is refusing to enforce US penalties against Tehran even as Treasury announces what it calls the toughest Iran sanctions in history. China's refiners are adapting, not complying.
Houthis Claim Drone Strikes on Saudi Aramco, Najran Airport
Iran-backed Houthis say they successfully struck a Saudi Aramco facility and Najran airport with drones Thursday, targeting oil and aviation infrastructure.
Oil Bulls Surge as Iran Deal Collapses, Hormuz Stays Restricted
October WTI crude futures jumped 5.91% to $86.31 as the collapse of Iran nuclear talks and ongoing Hormuz shipping restrictions pushed oil bulls back into control.
Iranian Oil to China Nearly Dries Up as US Blockade Tightens
Independent Chinese refiners face a near-collapse in Iranian crude supplies as Washington's oil blockade tightens, pushing prices higher and squeezing Tehran's revenues.
US Sanctions Hezbollah, Pressures China to Back Iran Economic Squeeze
Treasury redesignated Hezbollah as serving the Iranian regime under IRGC-Quds Force command as Secretary Bessent urged Beijing to support measures he says could collapse Iran's government.
Houthis Claim Strike on Saudi Aramco Facilities and Najran Airport
Yemen's Houthi forces say they struck Najran airport and Saudi Aramco oil facilities Thursday, Reuters reports, the latest escalation targeting Saudi energy infrastructure.
Bessent Vows Toughest Iran Sanctions as China and Russia Push Back
Treasury Secretary Bessent pledged the toughest-ever Iran sanctions and called on China to cooperate — analysts warn Beijing and Moscow's ties with Tehran could blunt the campaign.
NATO 'Prepared' as Iran Weighs Strikes Against U.S. Targets in Europe
NATO said it will act to defend allies after reports emerged that Iran had weighed missile strikes against U.S. targets in Europe, escalating a standoff already inflamed by the UAE missile dispute.
UAE Imposes Indefinite Trade Embargo on Iran After Missile Strikes
The UAE announced an indefinite trade embargo on Iran on Wednesday, citing Tuesday's ballistic missile strikes on its territory. Iran denies the attack and calls it a false flag.
Iran Fires Two Ballistic Missiles at UAE, Air Defenses Scramble
The UAE defence ministry confirmed Iran launched two ballistic missiles at its territory Tuesday, activating air defense systems and triggering the first public shelter alerts in months.
Damascus Blames Israel for Overnight Strikes on Syrian Airbase
Multiple airstrikes hit the Abu al-Duhur military airfield in Syria's Idlib province overnight, with Syrian state TV attributing the attack to Israel and reporting material damage but no casualties.
Vessel Struck in Strait of Hormuz, Crew Casualty Reported
A commercial vessel was struck transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, with a crew casualty reported and the Omani Coast Guard assisting survivors, a regional maritime agency said.
US-Iran Ceasefire Expires, Oil Tops $91 as Hormuz Stays Shut
The US-Iran ceasefire elapsed Monday without renewal as crude surged past $91 a barrel, Tehran kept the Strait of Hormuz closed, and markets priced in a longer standoff.
Turkey and Iran Hold Talks on Reopening Strait of Hormuz
Turkish FM Hakan Fidan spoke Monday with Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi on Hormuz reopening and the US-Iran ceasefire, as a UAE tanker was detained near Qeshm Island.
Houthis Claim Missile Strike on Saudi Warship, Four Escorts in Red Sea
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the group hit a Saudi military ship and four escort vessels with missiles and drones off Yemen's Mocha, alongside a Saudi arms depot.
Drones From Iranian Territory Target Kurdistan PM's Office in Erbil
Two drones struck the Kurdistan Regional Government prime minister's office and the head of its protection agency; the KRG says the attack was launched from Iranian territory. No casualties reported.
Oil Holds Steady as US-Iran Peace Talks Stall, Hormuz Shipping Slows
Crude prices marked time Monday as US-Iran negotiations reached an impasse and tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz thinned, keeping energy markets on edge.
Yemen's Mocha Port Closed After Houthi Missile Barrage Kills Seven
Houthis fired more than 25 missiles and drones at Yemen's Red Sea port of Mocha, killing seven and forcing the terminal shut with $16M in reported damage.
Trump Used Kurdish Leader as Secret Backchannel to Iran's IRGC
The White House asked Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani to probe whether Iran's IRGC had additional demands during May peace talks, Axios reports.