US considers lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil
EPA The US is weighing lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil, as it scrambles to contain the impact of its war in Iran on energy markets. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent put forward the idea in a Fox interview, saying it could make more oil available to global buyers. Around the world, energy prices are shooting up as the war takes a toll on shipping and production. If put into action, the move would mark a stunning reversal of longstanding American policy – and one with highly uncertain pay-off. Experts saidRead more
Canada, allies say they’re ready to help secure Strait of Hormuz, but don’t say how
Tankers sail in the Persian Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, on March 11. Canada has joined six of its allies expressing a readiness to help reopen the strait to oil and gas tanker traffic. (Stringer/Reuters) Canada has signed on to a joint statement by the leaders of seven countries calling on Iran to immediately cease all attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and expressing a readiness to contribute to efforts to reopen the Strait. The statement does not say how the countries might help, althoughRead more
Israel keeps eliminating Iran’s top leaders. How is it impacting the war?
Iranian Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Iran continues to launch missiles, raising questions as to whether its mosaic defence doctrine has enabled the country to fight on despite the decapitation of its top leadership, including people like Larijani. (Bilal Hussein/The Associated Press) Shortly after the U.S.-Israeli launch of Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion on Feb. 28 wiped out key Iranian leadership figures, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sent out a defiant tweet. “Bombings in our capital have no impact on ourRead more
Cuba’s president lashes out at Trump’s threats to take the island as regional support weakens
Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel waves a Cuban flag during a march outside the U.S. Embassy in Havana to protest against what protesters denounced as U.S. aggression in the region, in January. Díaz-Canel lashed out at U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats about taking over Cuba. (Norlys Perez/Reuters) Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel lashed out after U.S. President Donald Trump said he could do “whatever he wants” with the Caribbean island and that Washington could take “imminent action” against it. Díaz-Canel said on X that the Trump administration “publicly threatens” Cuba’s government almostRead more
U.S. orders 2,500 marines, amphibious assault ship to Mideast after almost 2 weeks of war
Black smoke rises following an explosion in Tehran, as Iranians take part in the Al-Quds Day rally, a commemoration in support of the Palestinian people held on the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. (Elaheh Asiabi/Fars News Agency/AFP/Getty) The American military has ordered 2,500 marines and an amphibious assault ship to the Middle East, a U.S. official said Friday, in a major addition of forces in the region after nearly two weeks of war with Iran. Meanwhile in the Iranian capital, a large explosion rocked a centralRead more
U.S. pressure on Venezuela hasn’t eased, even as world’s attention turns to Iran
Earlier this year, the U.S. forcibly removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power. Delcy Rodríguez, the country’s acting president, has found herself managing continuing pressure from the Trump administration, even as U.S. attention is turning to Iran. (Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images) American pressure on Venezuela has not stopped, even amid a war the U.S. is fighting with Iran overseas. Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, is trying to manage the demands of the Trump administration as she looks to hang on to American support more than two months after the toppling ofRead more
Ukraine, its allies object to U.S. move to exempt Russian oil from sanctions for at least 30 days
The United States issued a 30-day licence for countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea in what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said was a step to stabilize global energy markets roiled by the Iran war. The announcement comes a day after the U.S. Energy Department said that the U.S. would be releasing 172 million barrels of oil from the strategic petroleum reserve in an effort to curb skyrocketing oil prices. That release was part of a broader commitment by the 32-nation International Energy Agency toRead more
How rare is it for a prime minister to attract 4 floor-crossers in 4 months?
Prime Minister Mark Carney is seen in the House of Commons on Wednesday with his latest floor-crosser, Lori Idlout, seated beside him. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) Floor-crossing has always been a feature of Canadian politics dating back to the first Parliament — and seeing four opposition MPs jump ship to join the government in a matter of months is rare but not unprecedented. Prime Minister Mark Carney has only been in office for a year and is ranking near the top in terms of prime ministers who have had oppositionRead more
‘We have only just begun,’ Hegseth says of Iran as Senate blocks effort to limit war powers
The U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black fires a Tomahawk missile in support of the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran Saturday. (U.S. Navy Handout/Reuters) The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran widened sharply on Wednesday, with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth declaring that the United States was winning and that its military could fight as long as needed. “Our air defences and that of our allies have plenty of runway. We can sustain this fight easily for as long as we need to,” he said. Hegseth’sRead more
How long can Iran keep firing missiles and drones?
Addressing media at the United Nations, Israel’s ambassador took aim at Iran and its response to U.S. and Israeli attacks. “It is a regime lashing out like a rabid animal, dangerous to everyone around it,” said Danny Danon. “This is not strategy, it is desperation.” More and more, though, it seems desperation has led Iran precisely to its strategy. Experts say Tehran will likely try to inflict collateral damage in neighbouring countries and exhaust U.S. and Israeli defences by using cheap kamikaze drones in order to try and save theRead more