Iran
Syrian-Kurdish SDF’s fighters from outside Syria will leave if Turkey agrees ceasefire, says commander
Turkish president Erdogan, meanwhile, describes his country’s activities in other countries as part of a “sacred journey”.
Iran boosts oil, gas output amid US crackdown on sales
Iran’s oil and gas output has ramped up over the past three months, Deputy Oil Minister Hamid Bovard said on December 18, as the country is poised to face heightened pressure under a second Trump administration.
Turkey launches Persian news media aimed at Iran
Turkey's state television channel TRT launched its Persian-language service on December 18, the broadcaster announced.
Iran's energy crisis spark public outrage
Iran's ongoing power shortages are taking a serious toll on daily life, with widespread blackouts affecting both households and industrial units.
Iranian official jumpstarts country's delayed solar programme on energy crunch
Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has announced emergency plans to develop 30,000 MW of solar power capacity.
Iran chasing at least $50bn debt by Syria's Assad
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it could seek repayment of about $50bn owed by Syria under existing contracts and would raise the matter with the new Syrian government.
Iran's Khamenei gives Syria speech in front of women-only audience
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the "resistance movement" is far from over.
Iran orders mandatory closure of industry amid growing energy crisis
Iran has mandated the temporary shutdown of industrial towns nationwide as the country grapples with severe electricity shortages.
Rising demand pushes US dollar to new highs in Tehran
The dollar rose 1.2% to reach an all-time high of IRR762,500, according to market data, extending an upward trend that began two months ago.
Iran is grinding to a halt due to weather and grid failure
Iranian authorities closed schools and offices in Tehran for a second consecutive day on December 16 due to "cold weather and energy consumption management.
Iranian oil sales to China nosedive as fresh sanctions bite
Iran’s oil exports to China have dropped to a record low in two years, a senior analyst at consultancy HedgePoint said, an indication that recent US sanctions cracking down on Iranian crude have been delivering.
Iran to resume Damascus embassy operations soon, says ambassador
Iran plans to resume operations at its embassy in Damascus, exiled Iranian Ambassador to Syria Hossein Akbari said late on December 15.
COMMENT: Could Iran open new fronts against Israel and Azerbaijan?
Hikmat Hajiyev, assistant to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, met with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem on December 9. in what could be a historic meeting.
Iran's currency drops to lowest rate ever against the dollar
Iran's currency plunged to historic lows following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, with the Iranian rial dropping over 20% in recent weeks amid escalating regional tensions.
Trump considers Grenell for Iran envoy role amid policy shift
This posting is the latest potential overture from the Trump team to Iran, which has softened its stance against the incoming administration and radically repositioned itself in the Middle East,
Iranian UFO “mothership” off coast of New Jersey, US congressman says
A US congressman has alleged that Iran has positioned an “Iranian mothership” off the East Coast to launch drones over New Jersey in a bizarre interview with Fox News.
Iran's supreme leader blames Syrian regime collapse on US, Israel
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the collapse of the Syrian government on December 8 was a product of a "joint American-Zionist plan"
Qatar-Turkey-Europe gas pipeline ambition could be back on following fall of Assad
Plan was rejected by Syria 15 years ago as, according to some observers, Damascus moved to protect ally Russia’s interests.
ISTANBUL BLOG: After “conquering” Damascus, Erdogan turns his eye to the Kurds
US controls eastern Euphrates airspace. Will Trump White House return mean Kurdish forces lose their air cover? In wider picture, fears Syria will become “second Afghanistan” are all too real.
SYRIA BLOG: Putin joins George W Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” club
Given the fall of the Assad regime, the Russian leader’s 2017 victory address at Russia’s Syrian air base of Hmeimim is set to age very badly.