Iran
Iran now offering tax relief to families with three or more children
Iranian authorities have announced tax exemptions for families with three or more children born after October 2021, with a 15% increase in annual tax relief per eligible child under the youth population law.
Three charged over attempted arson attack on Iran International office in London
Three British nationals have been charged with arson with intent to endanger life after an ignited container was thrown at the London offices of Iran International broadcaster Volant Media.
COMMENT: Chinese claims on arms transfers to Iran raise doubts
With a ceasefire in place, recent intelligence points to Tehran once more looking to replenish its depleted air defences and China potentially preparing more shipments of offensive systems including shoulder-fired missiles.
Iran hardliners attack Araghchi's Hormuz tweet as 'incomplete and misleading'
Iranian hardline media have criticised Foreign Minister Araghchi for posting an incomplete tweet announcing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it poor communication and demanding tighter messaging control.
Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping under ceasefire terms
Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping for the rest of the two-week ceasefire under three conditions, with Trump saying the US naval blockade will remain in force against Iran only.
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey wants to see a slew of Gulf and other pipelines converge on its territory to ensure the world will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas.
Thousands of Central Asia-bound trucks stuck in Azerbaijan due to war-hit Iran’s border closure
Unable to use northern Iranian roads, truckers are forced to wait their turn for a ferry crossing.
China backs US-Iran ceasefire and talks
China's Wang Yi has told Iran's foreign minister Araghchi that Beijing supports the ceasefire and ongoing US-Iran talks, saying a window for peace is opening amid the war.
Iran considering petrochemical imports after Israeli strikes hit output
Iran may turn to imports of petrochemical products to supply feedstock for downstream industries after US-Israeli air strikes hit its main production hubs earlier this month, a government spokesperson said.
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices.
Jesus punches Trump in face in AI video posted by Iran’s embassy in Tajikistan
Clip then shows bloodied US leader knocked into fiery pit of hell.
US taps Gulf allies, warns Chinese banks in stepped-up Iran sanctions push
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on April 15 in Washington that the US is working with Persian Gulf allies to obtain data on bank accounts linked to members of the Iranian government and is contacting international lenders, including in China
Where is Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei?
Mojtaba Khamenei is Iran's supreme leader in name only. Unseen since February 28, his authority issued a written statement read by a newsreader. And people inside the country and abroad are starting to question who's actually in charge.
Trump says China agreed to stop arming Iran in exchange for reopening of Strait of Hormuz
Trump claims China agreed to halt arms supplies to Iran in exchange for US efforts to permanently reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with a Xi Jinping meeting planned in coming weeks.
Iran says it arrested separatist leader and 30 suspects linked to Mossad
Iran's intelligence ministry claims it arrested a separatist leader and 30 suspects with alleged Mossad links across six provinces, seizing weapons and breaking up smuggling cells.
World leaders head to Beijing, as China becomes geopolitical fulcrum
The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East.
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices.
COMMENT: The US and Israel ostracised by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego. That time is over.
Italy suspends defence pact with Israel as Meloni rebukes Trump over pope remarks
Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of its defence co-operation agreement with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced, in Rome's sharpest signal yet of disapproval over Israeli military operations.
China denies arms sales to Iran, warns US of countermeasures
China has denied accusations of providing military support to Iran, calling the reports fabricated and warning the US of countermeasures if tariffs are imposed on Beijing over the claims.