Politics
Shipping groups avoid the Strait of Hormuz to reduce exposure after U.S. strikes on Iran
An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps speed boat sailing along the Persian Gulf during the IRGC marine parade to commemorate Persian Gulf National Day, near the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the seaport city of Bushehr, in the south of Iran, on April 29, 2024. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images The number of vessels navigating […]
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China’s support for Tehran grows more restrained as U.S. enters war between Israel and Iran
TOPSHOT – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) gestures as he welcomes Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov (R) and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazeem Gharibabadi before a meeting regarding the Iranian nuclear issue at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on March 14, 2025. Afp | Getty Images As the U.S. rained bombs and […]
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The Iran-Israel conflict isn’t denting Chinese business optimism in the Middle East
Key Points Chinese shipments to Dubai’s logistics hub have risen by 20% this month from a year ago, according to estimates from Bear Huo, China general manager at FundPark. Chinese companies have increasingly turned to the region in the last few years. “A more stable Middle East serves China’s economic and strategic interests,” said an […]
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Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz could deepen Tehran’s isolation, experts say
Cargo ships sail in the Gulf off the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, which is the main base of the Islamic republic’s navy and has a strategic position on the Strait of Hormuz, on April 29, 2019. ATTA KENARE | AFP | Getty Images Iran may be threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz […]
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How the Israel-Iran standoff took a turn and what’s next after a pivotal 24 hours
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – JUNE 22: An operational timeline of a strike on Iran is displayed during a news conference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on June 22, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. U.S. President Donald Trump gave an address […]
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NATO allies will pledge to hike defense spend – but will they deliver?
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth holds a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (2nd L) at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, April 24, 2025. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images Fireworks could kick off during NATO’s annual summit this week, as the U.S. pushes its allies to sharply increase their defense […]
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Why global markets are brushing off U.S. strikes on Iran
A trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during the first session of the new year on January 2, 2025, in New York City, U.S. Timothy A. Clary | Afp | Getty Images The U.S. joining the war between Israel and Iran might seem like a geopolitical flashpoint that would send markets […]
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Trump calls ‘obliteration’ an accurate description of damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities
A satellite image shows the Fordo nuclear facility in Iran in this handout image dated June 14, 2025. Maxar Technologies | Via Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday disputed Iranian attempts to downplay the strikes on its nuclear facilities, stressing that “obliteration” was an accurate description, even though the full extent of the damage […]
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Oil at $100 a barrel? U.S. role in Iran-Israel fight fuels market jitters
Oil prices jumped more than 7% on Friday, hitting their highest in months after Israel said it struck Iran, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East and raising worries about disrupted oil supplies. Eli Hartman | Reuters Oil markets are entering a new phase of uncertainty after the U.S. entered the war between Iran and […]
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UN Security Council meets on Iran as Russia, China push for a ceasefire
The United Nations flag waves at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Miguel J. Rodríguez Carrillo | Corbis News | Getty Images The U.N. Security Council met on Sunday to discuss U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites as Russia, China and Pakistan proposed the 15-member body adopt a resolution calling for an immediate […]
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