# sanctions
Latest news and articles about sanctions
Total: 52 articles found
Díaz‑Canel Issues Stark Warning to Washington, Vows 'Impregnable' Cuban Resistance
Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel publicly warned that any foreign invasion would meet an ‘impregnable’ resistance, responding to what Havana described as near‑daily U.S. threats. He blamed over 60 years of U.S. pressure for Cuba’s economic woes and framed American actions as a punitive campaign to seize Cuban assets and force regime change.
How Iran’s Guardianship System Keeps It Standing: The Political Glue Behind Tehran’s Resilience
Iran’s velayat‑e faqih — the guardianship of the jurist — has been institutionalized into a network of political, economic and military bodies that give the regime resilience against US and Israeli pressure. That architecture allows Tehran to absorb shocks, mobilize resources and pursue asymmetric deterrence, even as economic malaise and generational change pose long‑term risks.
China and North Korea Restart Passenger Flights — A Modest but Meaningful Rapprochement
China announced the resumption of passenger flights with North Korea on March 16, 2026, framing the move as a way to promote friendly exchanges. While operational details remain scarce, the restart is a symbolic step toward normalization with modest immediate economic impact but wider diplomatic and strategic implications for the region.
More than 11 Million Barrels of Iranian Oil Routed to China as US Escort Rhetoric Falters
More than 11.7 million barrels of Iranian crude have been reported as flowing to China through the Strait of Hormuz since late February, even as regional tensions and threats to merchant shipping have risen. The episode highlights China’s growing energy resilience and the practical limits of US military guarantees in a high‑risk maritime environment.
Hormuz Choked: Shipping Collapses as ‘Shadow Fleet’ Fills Void After Strikes on Iran
Transit through the Strait of Hormuz has collapsed in early March amid US–Israeli strikes on Iran, with just 77 vessels passing versus 1,229 last year. Most remaining transits involve ageing, uninsured ships linked to a "shadow fleet," raising energy-market risk and complicating sanctions enforcement and naval protection efforts.
China–North Korea Passenger Train Reaches Pyongyang, Ending Six-Year Halt in Cross‑Border Service
A China–North Korea international passenger train arrived in Pyongyang on March 13, restoring cross‑border passenger rail service after a six‑year suspension. The resumption signals a cautious easing of pandemic‑era isolation and carries practical economic and diplomatic implications for Beijing, Pyongyang and their regional partners.
US Receives $100m of Venezuelan Gold as Caracas Reopens — Washington Frames Move as a Wedge Against China
The US has taken delivery of about $100 million in Venezuelan gold as diplomatic ties with Caracas are restored and sanctions on gold transactions are conditionally relaxed. Washington is framing access to Venezuelan minerals as part of a broader strategy to bolster domestic supply chains and compete with China in high-tech and defence sectors.
Venezuela Seeks Diplomatic Reset with Washington as Both Sides Agree to Restore Ties
Acting Venezuelan president Delcy Rodríguez has urged diplomatic dialogue with the United States after both governments agreed to restore diplomatic and consular relations. The move reverses a 2019 rupture and opens a cautious path toward pragmatic cooperation, though deep mistrust and unresolved issues mean normalization will be gradual.
A Major Turn: US and Venezuela Restore Diplomatic Ties, Opening Door to Sanctions Talks
The United States and Venezuela have agreed to restore diplomatic and consular relations, a significant reversal after a rupture in 2019. The reset opens a channel for talks on sanctions, economic recovery and humanitarian assistance, but several claims in some reports about dramatic regime-change events remain unverified and require cautious treatment.
Iran’s Rial Collapses to 1.31 Million per Dollar as Sanctions and Oil Shock Unleash Economic Pain
The Iranian rial has plunged to about 1.314 million per U.S. dollar in market trading, a collapse driven by loss of foreign exchange from sanctions, an oil‑dependent revenue structure, and failed attempts at exchange‑rate reform. The slump is deepening inflationary pain for ordinary Iranians, prompting central bank turnover and heightening political and humanitarian risks.
Trump Hints at Easing Iran Sanctions; Markets Pare Oil Gains as Diplomacy Signals Emerge
Markets trimmed losses after reports that Iran and the United States may be reopening diplomatic channels and President Trump signaled he could lift sanctions if Iran's leadership became sufficiently pragmatic. Brent crude retreated from a 13% intraday spike to about a 4% gain as investors priced out some near-term escalation risk, though analysts cautioned that broader regional tensions keep volatility elevated.
Beijing Blasts UK’s New Russia-Linked Sanctions on Chinese Firms, Warns of Retaliation
China condemned a new set of UK sanctions announced on 24 February that name multiple Chinese companies for alleged Russia‑related activity, calling the measures unilateral and without UN authorization. Beijing demanded the sanctions be revoked, warned it would take necessary measures to protect its firms, and framed the move as part of a pattern of extraterritorial Western pressure. The dispute risks raising commercial and diplomatic friction between China and Britain and highlights broader tensions over the use and reach of sanctions in global trade.