Reuters

Trump Announces 10-Day Ceasefire in Lebanon

Trump Announces Ceasefire: Following conversations with both Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump announced on April...

For Iran, Hormuz Is More a Weakness Than a Weapon

How a U.S. Blockade Threatens the Regime’s Grip

Seeking Comment on Prohibiting Importation and Marketing of Previously Authorized Covered Communications Equipment Added to the Covered List in 2024 or Earlier

A breakdown of Israel’s heavy bombardment of Beirut on April 8

On the afternoon of April 8, Israel launched its deadliest and most intense wave of airstrikes in Beirut since the war with Hezbollah restarted in early March. Initial reports claimed that the Israel Defense...

Syria focuses on diplomacy amid Iran war

On April 9, Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al Shaibani traveled to Turkey, where he met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. It was Damascus’s second meeting with...

Hezbollah at War: What Comes Next for Lebanon and the Region

Israeli goals in Lebanon war shift from imminently disarming Hezbollah to reestablishing South Lebanon Security Zone

The renewed Lebanon war between Israel and Hezbollah that began on March 2 is now over a month old, with little change in the overall picture or disposition of the main actors. However, Israeli officials...

Islamist Turkey: A Base for Muslim Brotherhood Jihadism

Home of Kurdistan Region president targeted, American universities threatened as attacks escalate in Iraq

The home of Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, was targeted in a drone attack on March 28. The following day, Reuters, citing security sources, reported, “Air defenses shot...

Lebanon declares Iranian ambassador-designate ‘persona non grata’ before Iranian missile explodes over Lebanese airspace

On March 24, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi announced that he had instructed his ministry’s secretary-general “to summon the Iranian Charge d’Affaires in Lebanon,”...

Forging a New Critical Minerals Reality

IDF Strikes Key Bridges Over Lebanon’s Litani River Used by Hezbollah

IDF Hits Bridges Used by Hezbollah: The IDF said on March 18 that it had struck at least two bridges crossing the Litani River in Lebanon. According to Israel, “Hezbollah …...

Strengthening Transparency, Eligibility, and Jurisdictional Scope in Investment Reviews

Syria Can Squeeze Hezbollah, But Caution Is Necessary

Syrian forces may be returning to Lebanon more than twenty years after Damascus withdrew its military from its smaller neighbor’s territory. Reuters reported on March 17 that the...

Russia Sanctions Relief Offers Moscow a Windfall, Little Relief to Energy Markets

Russia is getting a financial boost from an unexpected source: the U.S. Treasury Department. On March 12, the department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a one-month general license authorizing...

Petition for Reconsideration of Action in Rulemaking Proceeding Application for Review of Action in Rulemaking Proceeding

3 Ships Struck by Projectiles Near Strait of Hormuz

3 Vessels Struck Off Iranian Coast: “Unknown” projectiles struck three ships near the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported. According to Reuters, the Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree, the Japan-flagged ONE Majesty, and the Marshall Islands-flagged Star Gwyneth sustained damage. Mayuree Naree’s operator, Precious Shipping, stated, “Three crew members are reported missing.” Iranians Threaten Strait: Iranian security chief Ali Larijani threatened that the “Strait of Hormuz will either be a strait of peace and prosperity for all or will be a strait of defeat and suffering for warmongers.” On March 11, Iran’s unified military command center spokesman warned, “We will never allow even a single liter of oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for the benefit of America, the Zionists or their partners.” Trump Threatens Harder Strikes if Iran Mines Strait of Hormuz: President Donald Trump said on March 10 that “if Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait … we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY! If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before.” U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) later stated that “U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz.”

US condemns Iranian and militia attacks in Iraq amid unclaimed airstrikes on Tehran-backed militias

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned terrorist attacks by Iran and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq in a call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani on March 9. The call took...

Lebanon war intensifies as IDF strikes harder and Hezbollah escalates attacks

The renewed Lebanon war, now just over a week old, has witnessed a gradual intensification of attacks by Israel and Hezbollah between March 8 and 11, with both sides making clear their current disinterest...

Israel intensifies strikes on repression sites, expands outreach to Iranians as regime repression deepens (March 8-10 updates)

On March 10, marking 10 days of Operation Epic Fury, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that more than 5,000 targets in Iran have been struck, including command-and-control centers, Islamic Revolutionary...