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Iran war

Diplomacy & politics

Talks, statements, sanctions, nuclear policy, and government decisions.

340 entries, newest first; showing 121–150. Show all updates

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Friday, August 28, 20265 entries

  1. 9:18 PM in Tehran

    Khamenei forbids acts that 'harm social cohesion', rejects 'war or negotiations' framing

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    In a written statement released on Telegram, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared that 'committing anything that harms social cohesion is forbidden', told officials to avoid 'discouraging statements' and false choices such as 'war or negotiations', and pointed to domestic production and a smaller role for the dollar as answers to inflation and unemployment.

    Why it matters The order tries to shut down the public argument inside Iran's leadership over talks with Washington; President Pezeshkian nonetheless again tied the economic crisis to the war, sanctions and blockade the same day.

    Sources: The Times of Israel, Institute for the Study of War, Israel National News

  2. 10:30 AM in New York

    Treasury moves to cut Banque Misr's UAE branches off from U.S. banks over Iran ties

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    FinCEN proposed a Section 311 rule that would bar U.S. banks from keeping correspondent accounts for Banque Misr UAE, which Treasury says processed about $1.8 billion for 103 companies potentially tied to Iranian shadow banking between January 2024 and June 2026. OFAC also designated Reza Mohammad Taeedi, general manager of Bank Melli's Dubai branch, and Hong Kong-based Kameng Trading Limited.

    Why it matters It is the bank action Bessent promised when he launched Operation Economic Outcast on Aug. 24, aimed at Iran's Dubai money channels; Egypt's central bank said only Banque Misr's UAE branches are affected, not other Egyptian banks.

    Sources: U.S. Department of the Treasury, CNBC, The Times of Israel

  3. 10:00 AM in New York

    UN Security Council slated for closed consultations on south Lebanon and UNIFIL exit

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsNew York, United States

    Security Council members were scheduled to hold closed consultations on Friday morning, requested by France as penholder, on the deteriorating situation in southern Lebanon and on arrangements after UNIFIL's mandate ends on Dec. 31, 2026, with briefings from peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix and UN Special Coordinator's office head Jean Arnault.

    Why it matters Lebanon wants UNIFIL extended while the U.S. opposes changing the mission's termination, so what replaces the peacekeepers will shape who monitors the south after they leave.

    Source: Security Council Report

  4. 11:21 AM in Beirut

    US denies Lebanese TV report that envoy Issa was cleared to meet Hezbollah

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsBeirut, Lebanon

    A U.S. official denied an MTV report aired overnight that Ambassador Michel Issa had received a green light from Washington to meet a Hezbollah figure, and diplomatic sources told Al-Hadath the reports were baseless. Issa had said on Wednesday that he was holding no talks with Hezbollah but would engage if it had 'something to offer'.

    Why it matters The denial keeps U.S. contacts on Lebanon routed through the Lebanese state, as Israel tells U.S. officials the Hezbollah disarmament pilot zones in the south have failed.

    Sources: The Jerusalem Post, Naharnet

  5. 10:51 AM in Tehran

    Araghchi says diplomacy with U.S. can resume if Washington accepts 'pressure doesn't work'

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on social media that putting diplomacy back on track is not impossible but hinges on the U.S. understanding that 'pressure doesn't work', urging Washington to 'build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge our rights, and uphold commitments' after what he called 'creative' talks in Tehran with Qatar's prime minister.

    Why it matters It sets out Tehran's public terms for any Qatari-mediated return to talks, on the same day Treasury announced new Iran-related bank measures under its sanctions campaign.

    Sources: The Times of Israel, The Times of Israel (2)

Thursday, August 27, 20263 entries

  1. 9:30 AM in New York

    White House says no talks with Iran are under way or scheduled

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    "There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran," deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said, adding that the naval blockade remains in force; press secretary Karoline Leavitt said none would happen until Iran comes to the table "in a meaningful way." A diplomat from a mediating country told The Times of Israel that Trump is no longer interested in reviving the June memorandum.

    Why it matters With Washington relying on sanctions and the blockade, Qatari and Pakistani mediation has no U.S. counterpart as the war reaches six months on Aug 28.

    Sources: AP News, AP News (2), The Times of Israel, AP via PBS News, The Times of Israel (2), CBS News live updates

  2. 2:41 PM in Tehran

    Qatar's prime minister presses Iran in Tehran to resume diplomacy

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister, met Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, President Masoud Pezeshkian, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and security council secretary Mohsen Rezaei, urging a return to dialogue and discussing the Iran-Oman plan for a temporary Hormuz corridor and joint mine clearance. Ghalibaf's office said he told him "America must fulfill its obligations under the memorandum of understanding."

    Why it matters Qatar, which helped secure the June ceasefire, is trying to revive U.S.-Iran talks while the White House says none are happening.

    Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar, The National, AP News, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Al-Monitor, CBS News, Qatar News Agency, Mint, CBS News live updates, CBS News live updates (2)

  3. 1:34 PM in Tehran

    Iranian military outlet says Iran and Oman agreed a temporary Hormuz corridor

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    Iran's armed forces outlet Defa Press said Iran and Oman reached an understanding on a temporary two-way corridor about seven nautical miles wide, with inbound traffic passing entirely through Iranian waters and the Omani-side southern route formally closed, but said the strait would not reopen immediately. Security chief Mohsen Rezaei said ships would use the channel only if the U.S. meets Iran's conditions.

    Why it matters For Tehran a key element is formally closing the southern route in Omani waters that the U.S. has urged commercial ships to use.

    Sources: CBS News, CBS News live updates, The Times of Israel

Wednesday, August 26, 20263 entries

  1. 7:03 PM in New York

    Trump says U.S. 'achieving a very big victory' and sets no timetable for Iran talks

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    President Trump told Al Jazeera the U.S. was "achieving a very big victory" against Iran but the war "will continue for as long as necessary," with no timetable to resume talks, CBS reported. In a separate radio interview he called Hormuz "a very functioning strait" despite occasional drone or rocket fire.

    Why it matters Maritime analysts told CBS very little oil has moved through the strait since hostilities resumed in early July, contrary to Trump's description.

    Sources: CBS News live updates, CBS News live updates (2)

  2. 5:07 PM in Beirut

    Lebanon's Aoun says negotiations with Israel are the only way to free the south

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsBaabda, Lebanon

    President Joseph Aoun told Maronite Church officials that talks with Israel are "neither easy nor quick … but they remain far better than war," and the only way to free occupied land, deploy the army to the border, recover prisoners and let residents return.

    Why it matters Aoun is committing Beirut to the U.S.-backed track under the June framework, which ties a phased Israeli withdrawal to the disarmament of armed groups.

    Sources: Anadolu Agency, Qatar News Agency

  3. 12:19 PM in Tehran

    Iran says Oman framework would bar all warships from Hormuz

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told state TV that if the Iran-Oman understanding becomes binding, "no military vessel will be permitted to pass" through the Strait of Hormuz, with inbound traffic routed entirely through Iranian waters. He said the strait will not reopen until the U.S. lifts its blockade and ends the war "on all fronts, including Lebanon"; the Revolutionary Guard said it will stay closed until Washington accepts Iran's conditions.

    Why it matters The terms would keep the U.S. Navy out of the strait; the Trump administration has told Oman it opposes parts of the deal, including joint Iranian-Omani management of the exit route.

    Sources: AP News, CBS News, AP via Spectrum News, CBS News live updates, CBS News live updates (2), Al Jazeera

Tuesday, August 25, 20263 entries

  1. 7:51 PM in Tehran

    Iran and Oman discuss temporary Hormuz shipping corridor and joint mine clearance

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    After talks in Tehran between Foreign Ministers Abbas Araghchi and Badr Albusaidi, Iran and Oman said they had discussed a phased framework including a temporary joint navigation corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and a joint mine-clearing project, with technical talks to continue on a permanent corridor. Albusaidi said he hoped they would "soon announce" the corridor.

    Why it matters Iran still says the strait will not fully reopen until the U.S. lifts its naval blockade, drops oil sanctions and unfreezes Iranian assets, so a corridor alone would not restore normal traffic.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, Al-Monitor, Daily News Egypt, CNBC Africa, CBS News live updates, CBS News live updates (2)

  2. 4:12 PM in Shanghai

    China rejects new U.S. sanctions campaign and vows to protect its Iran trade

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsBeijing, China

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China "firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions" and "will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests," adding that its cooperation with Iran is conducted within international law and "should not be disrupted or undermined."

    Why it matters Bessent had said "no one is above the reach of U.S. sanctions" when asked whether Chinese banks financing Iranian oil imports would be targeted.

    Sources: CBS News live updates, CBS News live updates (2)

  3. 9:47 AM in Tehran

    Pakistan's army chief and interior minister meet Pezeshkian in Tehran

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday morning to discuss preventing escalation, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and "the steps needed by both sides" to restore the June Islamabad memorandum; Naqvi called the talks "very positive and productive." Iran's Tasnim agency said Pakistan would relay Tehran's conditions to Washington.

    Why it matters Pakistan, which brokered the June memorandum, is the channel Iran is using to state its terms, chiefly a U.S. return to the memorandum's Hormuz provisions.

    Sources: The Jerusalem Post, CBS News live updates, CBS News live updates (2)

Monday, August 24, 20263 entries

  1. 11:11 PM in Tehran

    Iran's economy minister says Tehran has a two-year plan to weather U.S. sanctions

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh told state television that the government "has a two-year plan to manage these events" and predicted "another defeat" for the United States after Treasury launched its new sanctions campaign.

    Why it matters Tehran is signalling it can absorb the new pressure, even as the rial hit a record low against the dollar the same day.

    Sources: Israel National News, The Times of Israel, CBS News live updates, CBS News live updates (2)

  2. 8:57 PM in Jerusalem

    Netanyahu says Iran tried to kill one of his sons

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsJerusalem, Israel

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Channel 14 in a phone interview that "Iran tried to kill one of my sons," without saying which son or giving details. He spoke while defending an agreement to keep Shin Bet protection for his family after the Oct. 27 election.

    Why it matters The claim is unsubstantiated so far; Hebrew media said the matter had been under censorship for months, so any official detail would be the first confirmation.

    Sources: The Hindu, The Times of Israel, CBS News live updates

  3. 1:17 PM in New York

    Treasury launches Operation Economic Outcast, widening secondary sanctions on Iran

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Operation Economic Outcast, adding Iran's digital asset, technology, gold, aviation and shipping sectors to those exposed to U.S. secondary sanctions, designating nearly 60 entities, individuals and vessels and suspending several general licenses. Bessent said any entity that launders money for Iran "will be removed from the U.S. dollar system."

    Why it matters The campaign moves U.S. pressure from strikes to foreign banks, shippers and trading partners; analysts say it hinges on China, which has refused to comply.

    Sources: The White House, CBS News, Atlantic Council, Anadolu Agency, CBS News live updates, CBS News live updates (2), The Jerusalem Post, Institute for the Study of War, SmarTrade (Thompson Hine), Middle East Eye, Cleary Foreign Investment and International Trade Watch, The Times of Israel, CBS News live updates (3)

Sunday, August 23, 20262 entries

  1. 5:23 PM in New York

    U.S. envoy Barrack walks back remark that Israel occupies the Golan Heights

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    Tom Barrack, U.S. ambassador to Turkey and envoy for Syria, said in a statement to AP on Sunday that "United States policy on the Golan was set by President Trump in 2019 and is unchanged," after saying in a podcast interview on Friday that Israel "still" occupies the Golan against U.N. resolutions.

    Why it matters The remark had come in answer to a question on whether Israel plans to annex parts of southern Lebanon, a live issue while Israeli troops hold a zone there.

    Sources: AP via PBS News, Al Jazeera

  2. 6:00 AM in New York

    Bessent warns 'economic D-Day' coming for Iran in Financial Times op-ed

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    In a Financial Times op-ed, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote that 'at dawn begins an economic D-Day — the single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary,' aimed at severing 'every economic lifeline' of the regime, and warned countries that buy and ship Iran's oil or let their banks be used. He gave no details ahead of a news conference set for Monday at 2 p.m. ET.

    Why it matters Bessent also warned that if Iran answered economic measures militarily, Trump would 'respond swiftly and decisively.'

    Sources: CNN, Axios, CNN (2), CNN (3)

Saturday, August 22, 20261 entry

  1. 1:15 AM in Tehran, Aug 23

    Pezeshkian defends the U.S. memorandum as the best route out of the stalled war

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    President Masoud Pezeshkian said the June memorandum with the U.S. was the best way out of a state of 'neither war nor peace,' that 'there is not a single provision in this agreement that amounts to capitulation,' and that 'the supreme leader sets the policies, and we will follow that path.' He also said Iran 'cannot continue with war forever.'

    Why it matters Analyst Hamidreza Azizi said the heads of Iran's executive and legislative branches still appear to favour diplomacy, while the military-security establishment under Rezaei was threatening neighbours and Gulf oil.

    Sources: Associated Press, Al Jazeera, CBS News, CNN, CBS News (2)

Friday, August 21, 20261 entry

  1. 8:00 PM in Tehran

    Iran and Oman foreign ministers discuss restarting Hormuz talks as Tehran seeks trade deals

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran, and Muscat, Oman

    Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and Iran's Abbas Araghchi discussed by phone 'ways to create favorable conditions for resuming dialogue and negotiations' and navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Oman's news agency said, after the Iran-Oman route talks had gone quiet. Iran's trade promotion body said it had finalized a preferential trade agreement with Oman, which Oman had not confirmed.

    Why it matters The call followed Trump's threat to bomb Oman over its planned arrangement with Iran; Tehran is courting neighbours' trade as Washington presses them to cut ties.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera (2), CBS News, CBS News (2), Al Jazeera (3)

Thursday, August 20, 20262 entries

  1. 2:57 PM in New York

    U.S. sanctions a cash-courier network for Hezbollah and redesignates it as an IRGC-Qods Force proxy

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    Treasury designated 10 people, including Turkish businessman Yunus Alper Yilmaz, in a network that uses couriers on commercial flights between Lebanon, Turkey, the UAE and Iran to move up to hundreds of millions of dollars to Hezbollah outside the banking system. It also redesignated Hezbollah as acting for the Iranian regime under the command of the IRGC-Qods Force, which a State Department official said shows it is 'not a stand-alone operation.'

    Why it matters The redesignation treats Hezbollah's military and financing networks as an extension of the IRGC-Qods Force; Hezbollah called the sanctions an effort to shield Israel's 'expansionist projects.'

    Sources: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera (2), CBS News, CNN, CBS News (2)

  2. 10:32 AM in Tehran

    Iran calls Trump's 'economic D-Day' a diversion that will backfire

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote that 'the so-called Economic D-Day is a diversion from America's own crisis' of debt, and that 'doubling down on failed policies will only bring further defeat.' The foreign ministry called the threat 'the other side of the coin of war' and said those who order or implement the measures 'are liable to prosecution and punishment.'

    Why it matters Tehran framed secondary sanctions as an act of war by other means, a line its security chief turned into threats against neighbouring states two days later.

    Sources: Associated Press, CBS News, CNN

Wednesday, August 19, 20261 entry

  1. 7:21 PM in New York

    Trump announces a 'crushing economic operation' against Iran, calling it an 'economic D-Day'

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. would begin 'the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY,' an 'economic D-Day,' and that any country letting its banks, businesses, airports or government entities give Iran 'any type of lifeline' would face 'TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences,' naming oil smuggling, swap lines, exchange houses, ship registries and front companies. He gave no details. Earlier that day he said the naval blockade had been 'extremely effective.'

    Why it matters Vice President Vance said the war had entered a 'new phase' of economic pressure; Brent rose about 2 percent the next morning.

    Sources: CBS News, Fox News, Institute for the Study of War, Iran International, CBS News (2), CNN, CBS News (3), CBS News (4), CBS News (5)

Tuesday, August 18, 20264 entries

  1. 8:30 AM in Baghdad, Aug 19

    Iran's parliament speaker Ghalibaf visits Baghdad as Iraq seeks special Hormuz access for its oil

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsBaghdad, Iraq

    Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf began a three-day visit to Iraq with a parliamentary delegation, praising Iran-backed militias as 'the resistance in Iraq' and a 'key component of the country's national power.' Iraq's parliament speaker said Baghdad was asking Iran to give Iraqi oil exports special status through the Strait of Hormuz.

    Why it matters Iraq relies on oil for about 90 percent of its budget and exports most of it through the strait; Iran said three days later that it had let a number of Iraqi tankers through.

    Sources: Kurdistan 24, Tasnim News Agency, CBS News, CNN

  2. 1:37 AM in Dubai, Aug 19

    UAE halts all trade and financial transactions with Iran after missile launches

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The UAE foreign ministry said 'all trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran have been halted until further notice' in light of regional escalations, hours after it accused Iran of firing two ballistic missiles at Gulf shipping. Iran denied firing the missiles.

    Why it matters The UAE is Iran's second-largest trading partner after China and a main channel for its trade and finance, so the halt removes a gateway that had kept expanding despite U.S. sanctions.

    Sources: Mansfield Energy, The Jerusalem Post, The Hindu, Las Vegas Review-Journal, AP News, CBS News, CNN

  3. 10:08 AM in New York

    Trump says the U.S. has no talks planned with Iran and that Hormuz is open

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C.

    Trump wrote that 'there are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled' with Iran, that the naval blockade 'remains in full force and effect,' that the strait 'is open and operating' and that all mines had been removed. The day before he had told Fox News there was a backchannel with the IRGC, and on Tuesday he also posted a map labeling the strait 'New US Territory.'

    Why it matters Traffic data contradicted the 'open and operating' claim; mediator Qatar said an Iran-Oman agreement on the strait would make it easier to resume U.S.-Iran talks.

    Sources: Associated Press, CBS News, CNN, CBS News (2)

  4. 1:03 PM in Tehran

    Ghalibaf says Hormuz stays shut until the U.S. meets the June deal

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a speech on state television that 'the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until the American commitments stipulated in the memorandum of understanding are implemented,' listing the release of frozen assets, lifting of oil and gas sanctions, and an end to the U.S. naval blockade and military threats.

    Why it matters Ghalibaf is Iran's chief negotiator; his list echoed the security council's Aug. 8 conditions a day after the memorandum's 60-day window expired.

    Sources: Reuters, CNN, CBS News

Monday, August 17, 20261 entry

  1. 1:36 PM in Tehran

    Iran says it has an understanding with Oman on a Hormuz transit-route map

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said 'an understanding has been reached regarding the map of the transit route' with Oman and that the two were finalizing a joint statement, blaming 'malevolent parties' for delays. Iran discussed the strait the same day with China, where deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi met Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu, and with Turkey in a call between Abbas Araghchi and Hakan Fidan.

    Why it matters The map was not published and the joint statement was still pending; Trump threatened Oman within hours.

    Sources: Associated Press, Islamic Republic News Agency, Anadolu Agency, CBS News, CNN

Sunday, August 16, 20261 entry

  1. 12:00 AM in New York, Aug 17

    The 60-day window for a final U.S.-Iran deal under the June memorandum expires

    ConfirmedDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C.

    The 14-point memorandum signed in June set 60 days for a final deal to end the war; the window closed at midnight with nothing agreed, after Trump had declared the memorandum 'over' on July 8. Iran's foreign ministry said the deadline had 'no relevance' because the U.S. violated the deal soon after it was signed, and its legal chief Abbas Baqerpour said the memorandum was in a 'coma' but could be revived if Washington changed course.

    Why it matters Both sides now accuse each other of breaching the only agreed framework, leaving no timetable for talks while the U.S. blockade and Iran's closure of the strait continue.

    Sources: Reuters text of the 14-point memorandum, CNN live report on the expired window, Associated Press, Islamic Republic News Agency, Islamic Republic News Agency (2), CNN, CBS News, CBS News (2)

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