Afghanistan joint chamber forms border committee with next-door Iran

Joint Iran-Afghanistan committees have been established to address border problems and improve goods flow across the frontier.

Iran’s internet curbs cost digital economy $1bn since late February

Iran’s digital economy has suffered around $1bn in losses since February 28 as the country remains offline for more than six weeks.

COMMENT: Why China is hedging for now in the Middle East

As the US-Israel-Iran war enters its second month, one of the most consequential geopolitical actors has been conspicuous by its silence. China has not intervened, has not condemned, and has not chosen sides in any meaningful public way.

COMMENT: Is Iran the fourth superpower?

Iran is not a superpower in any honest reading of the term. But the Hormuz closure has rendered the "middle power" framing absurd. Tehran now occupies a tier of its own, and the diplomatic vocabulary has not yet caught up to the reality.

COMMENT: Rising pressures on Iranians in the UAE

For over a century, the geographical gap between the southern coast of Iran and the bustling ports of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was less a barrier and more a bridge

Russia expects resumption of Gulf diplomacy, Lavrov says

Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow expects positive news on the resumption of diplomatic efforts around Iran, offering to mediate between the Arab Gulf monarchies and Tehran on regional security.

Panama Canal auction prices quadruple as Hormuz closure reshapes global energy flows

A Chinese tanker just paid $4mn to jump the Panama queue. With Hormuz near-closed, the canal has become the world's most contested shipping lane — and prices are only heading one way.

BREAKING: Iranian aircraft tracked heading towards Pakistan as talks set to resume

IntelliNews tracking showed two Iranian aircraft as the only flights over Iran on April 21, heading east to Pakistan as Vance arrives in Islamabad for talks and the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire expires.

Middle Corridor in play

Squeezed by a sanctioned Russia to the north and a war prone Middle East to the south, the Middle Corridor that runs through Central Asia and the Caucasus is back in play as the main route connecting Europe to Asia by land.

Trump calls for regime change in Iran ahead of negotiations

Trump has called for regime change in Iran in a Truth Social post, comparing the situation to Venezuela and complicating Pakistan-brokered ceasefire talks 48 hours before the truce expires.

Iran says US naval blockade still blocking talks, dismisses Trump claim of imminent negotiations

Argentina's Milei cements Israel alliance as self-declared world's most Zionist president

Argentine President Javier Milei signed a sweeping bilateral framework agreement with Israel and declared his unequivocal support for the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran during a three-day state visit to Jerusalem.

Iran MP plans for strategic management of Strait of Hormuz using the rial

Iran's parliamentary infrastructure commission chief has set out detailed terms for a strategic management plan for the Strait of Hormuz, including an Israeli shipping ban and tolls payable only in rials.

IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities

The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage.

IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista

Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista.

Spain to formally ask EU to break Israel association agreement, Sanchez says

Spain's Pedro Sanchez has announced Madrid will formally ask the EU to suspend its association agreement with Israel at a foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg, as he opens the Andalusian election campaign.

Trump threatens to strike Iranian power plants and bridges over Strait of Hormuz incident

Trump has threatened to strike every Iranian power plant and bridge after Tehran allegedly fired at French and British ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran rules out talks while the US naval blockade remains.

Iran rules out resuming US talks while naval blockade remains in place

Iran says no second round of US talks will take place while the naval blockade on Iranian ports remains in place, hardening Tehran's position as Trump claims a deal could be signed in Islamabad within days.

Iran reopens six airports as commercial aviation resumes

Iran has reopened six airports including Mehrabad, Imam Khomeini, Mashhad, Birjand, Gorgan and Zahedan as commercial aviation resumes following the ceasefire with the US and Israel.

Latvia approves €30mn airBaltic loan as Iran war fuel shock hits national carrier

Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) loan to airBaltic after the US-Iran war drove jet fuel prices to record highs, with the airline having hedged only 6% of its Q1 fuel requirements.