Foreign Relations

Belarus opposition leader urges tougher response from West on Lukashenko

Belarus has been rocked by waves of protests since an August 9 presidential election that strongman Lukashenko says he won but the opposition, backed by Western countries, says was stolen.

Chinese and Indian troops clashed in freezing Galwan Valley. Here’s why

India's army and foreign ministry have said both sides suffered casualties after their troops fought, even as the two countries were trying to resolve a weeks-long border stand-off. Here are the key details:

Lessons from the assassinations of Soleimani and a Hezbollah commander

New claims surrounding the death of a prominent Hezbollah commander shed light on the shifting ground realities in Syria and the region.

Turkey says deployment of Russian defences delayed, but will happen

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan previously had said the S-400s would be activated in April but the coronavirus pandemic has focused Turkish efforts on combating the outbreak.

Six European countries join barter system for Iran trade

The Paris-based INSTEX, which has yet to enable transactions, functions as a clearing house allowing Iran to continue to sell oil and import other products or services in exchange, to avoid US sanctions.

Iran resumes uranium enrichment at Fordow plant in new step back from deal

Suspension of uranium enrichment at the long-secret plant was one of the restrictions Iran agreed to in return for the lifting of UN sanctions. Meanwhile, Iran says it has cancelled accreditation of UN nuclear inspector.

The promise of Chinese investment brings Iran in from the cold

A Chinese investment pledge to the tune of a whopping $400 billion puts a wrench in American plans to isolate Iran - but what will it cost Iran?

Are US-Iran tensions inching towards a resolution?

US President Donald Trump has been taking a more measured approach than other hawks in his cabinet, and it might be paying off.

Nuclear changes, more troops heighten US-Iran tensions

The United States ratcheted up pressure on Iran, announcing the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, as Tehran set a 10-day countdown for world powers to fulfil their commitments for a nuclear deal abandoned by Washington.

Turkey rejects 'fait accompli' in Jerusalem - President Erdogan

The leaders of Turkey, Russia, Qatar, China, and Iran arrived for Asian cooperation summit in Tajikistan, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the world to respect UN resolutions and the historical and legal status of Jerusalem.

Iran says exercising restraint despite 'unacceptable' US sanctions

Qatar is trying to "defuse escalating tensions" across the Persian Gulf, Al Jazeera reports amid allegations of oil tanker sabotage, a drone attack by Yemen's Iranian-allied rebels and deployment of US warships and bombers to the region.

Talks are the only way past US-Iran brinkmanship in the Gulf

Both the US and Iran are reluctant to make the first move towards talks and if it remains that way a third-party should initiate contact before tensions reach a boiling point.