Al-Monitor

Hormuz ship crossings hover in single digits, data shows

SINGAPORE, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Ship crossings at the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint were down on Thursday from the previous…

Ships passing through Hormuz hover in single digits, data shows

SINGAPORE, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Seven commodity ships sailed along the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, just half the…

US says it will impose 'toughest sanctions in history' on Iran

By Jana Choukeir and Susan Heavey DUBAI/WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury chief Scott Bessent said the…

Iran vows 'devastating' response as US threatens toughest ever economic hit

By Jana Choukeir, Eman Abouhassira and Susan Heavey DUBAI/WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Iran said on Friday that its…

Iran vows 'devastating' response to US threat to cut off its economic lifelines

By Jana Choukeir, Eman Abouhassira and Susan Heavey DUBAI/WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Iran said on Friday that its…

Syrian Kurds announce completion of civil, military integration with Damascus

The integration of the Kurdish administration within Syria's state institutions is now complete, Syrian Kurdish leader…

Tunisia opposition protests against president amid economic discontent

TUNIS, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Activists and opponents of Tunisian President Kais Saied took to the streets of Tunis on…

Hundreds of Tunisians protest against government, water shortages

Hundreds of Tunisians on Thursday demonstrated in the capital against President Kais Saied and issues including power…

US Treasury issues Hezbollah sanctions, labels group Iran-linked

The sanctions target couriers ferrying Hezbollah funds on commercial flights across the region.

U.S. targets Hezbollah with fresh sanctions, emphasizes ties to Iranian government

WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - The United States will on Thursday issue fresh sanctions targeting Lebanon's Hezbollah,…

US hits Hezbollah with fresh sanctions, emphasizing ties to Iranian government

By Daphne Psaledakis and Michael Martina WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday issued fresh…

Hind Rajab's family says criminal probe attempt by Israel army to 'justify' killing

The grandmother of Hind Rajab told AFP her family had no faith in a criminal probe into the five-year-old's death in…

Houthis claim new strikes on Saudi Arabia after IRGC warning: What to know

A senior Iranian commander said Saudi Arabia will be unable to the defeat the Yemeni group as the conflict intensifies.

Turkey signals restraint as war of words with Israel escalates over Syria

The Turkish president’s top communications aide says Ankara will not be drawn into the Israeli government's “games” as…

King Abdullah visits China as region hedges against US unpredictability

With no end in sight to the war in Iran and an unchecked Israeli policy across the region, the kingdom is hedging…

US Treasury Secretary Bessent to hold press conference on Iran on Monday

Aug 20 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saidon Thursday that he would hold a press conference on…

Bessent says US will impose toughest ever sanctions on Iran, urges China to cooperate

Aug 20 (Reuters) - The United States will impose "the toughest sanctions in history" on Iran,U.S. Treasury Secretary…

Bessent says US to impose 'toughest' ever sanctions on Iran, urges China to cooperate

Aug 20 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday Washington will impose "the toughest…

Caught in the middle, Oman shrugs off Trump's latest Iran threat

For the second time in months, President Donald Trump has threatened to strike the US partner as it holds talks with…

China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know

China’s once significant oil imports from Iran have been impacted by the war in the region and increasing US sanctions.

Factbox-Trump threatens to isolate Iran. Who are its trading partners?

DUBAI, Aug 20 (Reuters) - A threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose unprecedented economic warfare and…

What's behind the UAE's decision to cut Iran trade ties?

The UAE this week announced it was suspending trade with Iran, heaping pressure on its major trading partner at the…

Vatican says 'serious concerns' over Israel-Lebanon deal implementation

The Vatican expressed "serious concerns" Thursday about problems implementing a US-brokered deal between Israel and…

Syria’s FM pays Pakistan first visit in 19 years amid new regional alignments

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani is paying his office's first visit to Pakistan in nearly two decades after…

Barca seal Cancelo return to bolster defence

Barcelona have signed defender Joao Cancelo on a free transfer, the Spanish champions said Thursday. "The full-back…

Trump’s Iran ‘economic D-Day’ threat sends oil prices above $94

In a Truth Social post, the president threatened that any country that provides a financial lifeline to Iran will face…

Australia summons Israeli ambassador over World Central Kitchen strike: What to know

Australia has summoned Israeli Ambassador Hillel Newman after the Israeli military decided not to open a criminal…

Turkey, Egypt, Qatar condemn Israeli attacks on Gaza, call on Israel to comply with ceasefire obligations

ANKARA, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Turkey, Egypt and Qatar on Thursday strongly condemned recent Israeli strikes in Gaza,…

Gaza mediators say latest Israeli strikes undermine efforts to end conflict at critical stage

ANKARA, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Turkey, Egypt and Qatar, which have been trying to mediate an end to the Gaza conflict,…

US envoy Huckabee tells Israeli settlers not to take Palestinian Americans' land

By Alexander Cornwell JERUSALEM, Aug 20 (Reuters) - U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has warned militant Israeli…

Iran executes Afghan national over 2026 protests: rights group

Iran on Thursday executed an Afghan national convicted over the killing of police officers during anti-government…

Exclusive-More than 150 Polymarket wallets may have traded on military secrets, research finds

By Douglas Gillison WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - More than 150 wallets on Polymarket International may have traded on…

Trump pledges 'economic warfare' on Iran, prompting Tehran derision

US President Donald Trump pledged "economic warfare" against Iran and threatened any country that trades with it,…

German spy agency opens helpline for those exiled from Russia, China

FRANKFURT, Aug 20 (Reuters) - People exiled in Germany under threat or attack from agents of their repressive home…

Australia says relations with Israel 'difficult' after aid worker death

Syria says no Turkish military build-up planned at airbase struck by Israel

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said he made clear to Israel there were no plans to…