Thursday, March 19th, 2026
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