Reuters

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...

Cypriot, Lebanese officials blame Hezbollah for drone attacks on UK base in Cyprus; IRGC responsibility also possible

On March 1, a loitering munition struck the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Akrotiri on the southern tip of Cyprus at approximately 10:03 pm. The drone, reported to be an Iranian Shahed-type...

Rockets target US Embassy in Baghdad after Iraqi Shiite militia group issues threat over war in Lebanon

On March 6, the Coordination Committee of the Iraqi Resistance (CCIR) issued an ultimatum over recent Israeli attacks in Lebanon: Stop bombing the southern Dahiyeh suburbs of Beirut (a known...

Qatar Shuts Down LNG Production, Opening the Door for American Energy Leadership

As Iranian missiles rain down on the Gulf, global energy markets are also being hit. Qatar’s national energy company, QatarEnergy, announced on March 2 that it suspended liquified natural gas (LNG)...

‘They’re Attacking Our Embassies Directly’: Rubio Highlights Iranian Missile Salvos as U.S. Urges Citizens to Leave Middle East

Rubio Defends Strikes, Warns of Iran’s Potential Capabilities: Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters at a March 2 press conference to imagine the capabilities Iran...

Iranian regime escalates hostilities with US, hardens negotiating position

Iran has ramped up military provocations against US forces in the Middle East as nuclear negotiations loom, with regime officials sending mixed signals on uranium enrichment while refusing to discuss missile...

Hamas injures IDF soldier, Palestinian terrorists violate Gaza ceasefire 10 times between January 22 and February 4

Palestinian terrorists have violated the Gaza ceasefire 10 times between January 22 and February 4 and 99 times in total since the truce’s implementation last October, according to the Israel Defense...

Rafah Crossing Reopening Could Enable Hamas To Resume Smuggling Operations Into Gaza

The reopening of the Rafah border crossing linking the Gaza Strip with Egypt will ease travel restrictions on Palestinians seeking medical treatment abroad. At the same time, it has deepened Israeli concerns...

Russian troops begin evacuating from northern Syria

Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa made his second visit to Moscow in four months on January 28, even as Russia is withdrawing its forces from the city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria. Moscow...

Israeli forces recover body of last hostage held in Gaza

On January 26, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recovered and identified the body of Ran Gvili, an Israeli police sergeant who was the last hostage held in Gaza. The IDF had been searching for...

U.S. Cannot Allow Hamas Terrorists To Integrate Into New Palestinian Government in Gaza

The U.S.-crafted plan for Gaza may yet produce the opposite of its intended effect, by allowing Hamas to retain large parts of its arsenal under a different guise.   Reutersreported on January...