# sanctions
Latest news and articles about sanctions
Total: 52 articles found
Why Iran Has Few Friends: The Three Contradictions That Keep It Isolated
Iran’s limited friendship network stems from three intertwined contradictions: its revolutionary export and proxy strategy, the trade-off between security confrontation and economic dependence, and transactional ties with major powers rather than deep alliances. Domestic factionalism and fragile regional detente make lasting normalization unlikely, with consequences for regional stability and global policy choices.
Trump Says He Will Visit Venezuela as U.S. Officials Hold High‑Level Talks on Energy and Sanctions
President Trump announced he will visit Venezuela and said U.S. companies are extracting oil there, as Washington pursues high‑level talks with Caracas on energy, mining and sanctions. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright met Venezuela’s acting president in Caracas to negotiate cooperation and possible sanctions relief, while anti‑U.S. demonstrations have erupted in the capital.
Tens of Thousands in Caracas Rally Against Alleged U.S. Attack, Reaffirming Maduro’s Anti‑Imperialist Line
About 20,000 people rallied in Caracas on Venezuela’s Youth Day to protest what demonstrators described as a U.S. attack, calling for the release of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and voicing solidarity with Cuba against recent U.S. pressure. The march highlights Maduro’s continued use of anti‑imperialist mobilization to bolster legitimacy and complicate international responses.
Empty Talks, Immediate Pressure: How a Failed US–Iran Meeting Exposed a Wider Geo‑Strategic Game
A recent round of US–Iran talks ended without agreement, and Washington immediately escalated economic pressure while Tehran moved to shore up ties with China and Russia. Deep divides over negotiation scope, nuclear baselines, and mutual distrust make a quick resolution unlikely and favour a prolonged strategic contest.
Iran's Dual Track: Offering Dialogue While Drilling In for a Fight
Iran is simultaneously signaling willingness to negotiate with the United States over nuclear issues while publicly reaffirming military readiness and core red lines. Regional intermediaries like Oman are facilitating indirect talks, but continuing US pressure and Israeli demands risk undermining progress unless both sides adopt reciprocal confidence‑building measures.
Iran’s Two‑Track Play: Negotiating Nuclear Talks While Posturing for War
Iran has adopted a deliberate two‑track approach: signalling willingness to negotiate on the nuclear file while visibly reinforcing military readiness and red lines. Analysts advise focusing on incremental, verifiable nuclear concessions, reciprocal confidence‑building measures and broader international mediation to avoid a dangerous breakdown in talks.
Sheinbaum Sends Second Aid Shipment to Cuba and Rebukes U.S. Sanctions as Unfair
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a second humanitarian shipment to Cuba and publicly criticized U.S. penalties on countries that supply oil to the island, calling them unfair. Sheinbaum said Mexico will press for the removal of such sanctions, a stance that signals a more independent regional posture and could complicate relations with Washington.
Venezuela’s Oil Is Squeezing Washington: How a Strategic Prize Became a Market Burden
U.S. attempts to weaponize Venezuelan oil have produced unintended market distortions, turning a potential strategic asset into an operational burden. China's deepening ties in Latin America and the timing of oil flows have reduced Washington's leverage and increased volatility in global energy markets.
Iran Draws Two Red Lines After Indirect US Talks: Enrichment and Missiles Non-Negotiable
Following indirect, Oman‑hosted talks with US interlocutors, Iran’s foreign minister Alaghaqi set two firm red lines: the country will not surrender its right to enrich uranium and will not negotiate its missile programme. The comments narrow the scope for a comprehensive deal and point toward limited, technical confidence‑building measures rather than a broader arms‑control bargain.
Tentative Talks in Muscat: A Fragile Reset Between Washington and Tehran
The United States and Iran held indirect talks in Muscat on February 6 that both sides called a constructive start, but Tehran rejected any outright ban on uranium enrichment and Washington concurrently imposed sanctions on Iranian oil-related actors. The meeting, welcomed by regional states and the UN, took place amid intense military posturing and a narrow window for diplomacy, leaving outcomes uncertain.
Talks in Muscat as Sanctions Bite: Fragile U.S.–Iran Dialogue Shadowed by Military Alerts
U.S.-Iran talks in Muscat produced a cautious diplomatic opening from Tehran even as Washington imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s oil trade. Iran refused a precondition banning uranium enrichment and elevated its military to the highest alert; the meeting exposed a narrow, high-risk negotiating window where failure could quickly revert to coercion or military action.
Cautious Opening in Muscat: U.S. and Iran Hold High‑Risk Indirect Talks Under Military Shadow
U.S. and Iranian delegations met indirectly in Muscat for the first diplomatic contact since last year’s strikes; Tehran called the talks “positive” but both sides remain far apart on scope. Washington sought to discuss missiles and proxy networks as well as the nuclear file, demands Iran rejects as non‑negotiable. The meeting reduces immediate escalation risk but underlines deep mistrust and a high chance of miscalculation amid regional and domestic pressures.