# sanctions
Latest news and articles about sanctions
Total: 31 articles found
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.
U.S.–Iran Talks Brokered by Oman Pause, Leaving a Fragile Diplomatic Channel Open
Talks between Iran and the United States, mediated by Oman, have been temporarily paused with no public details on outcomes. The halt preserves a discreet channel of communication while leaving multiple diplomatic and security questions unresolved.
China Deepens Ties with Cuba and Iran as Sanctions Drive New Diplomatic Alignments
China has hosted high-level visits from Iran and Cuba, offering political support and practical assistance that help both states weather US sanctions. Beijing’s approach—economic cooperation framed as non-confrontational diplomacy—creates alternative lifelines that dilute the impact of unilateral pressure and complicate US policy options.
Muscat Mediation Keeps U.S.–Iran Nuclear Dialogue Alive, But Substance Still Divides Them
Indirect talks in Muscat on 6 February mediated by Oman produced a limited breakthrough: Iran and the U.S. agreed to continue dialogue, though core terms remain disputed. The mediated format reflects deep mistrust but also a shared interest in avoiding escalation while technical and political obstacles are negotiated.
Oman Plays Go-Between as Tehran Holds Last-Minute Talks Ahead of US Negotiations
Ahead of scheduled talks between Tehran and Washington, Iran’s foreign minister met with Oman’s top diplomat, highlighting Oman’s continued role as a mediator. The meeting signals preparatory diplomacy aimed at narrowing gaps and managing expectations, but entrenched domestic and regional constraints make a substantive breakthrough uncertain.
With Talks Set in Oman, Trump Warns of Military Strike if Iran Builds New Nuclear Sites
President Trump warned of military action if Iran builds new nuclear facilities as negotiations between the two countries were scheduled to begin in Muscat, Oman. The United States wants talks to cover missiles and regional activities, while Iran insists the agenda be confined to its nuclear programme and sanctions relief, creating a major sticking point that will test whether diplomacy can withstand heightened threats and regional pressure.
Iran and U.S. to Hold Talks in Muscat on Feb. 6, Tehran Says — A Tentative Diplomatic Opening
Iran’s foreign minister said Iran and the United States will meet in Muscat on Feb. 6 for talks conducted through Oman, a customary intermediary. The encounter is likely to focus on limited, pragmatic issues rather than a comprehensive settlement, serving as a test of whether the two sides can achieve small confidence‑building measures amid persistent strategic differences.
First Shot Fired: U.S. Downs Iranian Drone as Tehran Narrows Talks and Sidelines Five Mediators
A U.S. jet shot down an Iranian drone near an American carrier on Feb. 3, prompting Tehran to shift Feb. 6 talks to Oman and limit the agenda to nuclear issues while excluding missiles and proxies. The move signals Iran's reluctance to accept broad concessions without sanctions relief and narrows the role for regional mediators, increasing the risk of miscalculation.
Beneath the Rubble: How Iran’s Shadow Economy Keeps a Struggling Regime Afloat
Iran’s public economy has unravelled since December 2025: runaway inflation, a collapsing rial, and mass protests followed a fuel subsidy cut. But a large, opaque shadow economy—dominated by the IRGC, Bonyads and resilient shadow‑banking networks—continues to circulate funds and shield the regime’s core, making rapid collapse unlikely and prolonging chronic national decline.
Iran Says It Will Treat European Militaries as 'Terrorists' After EU Lists the IRGC — A Dangerous Escalation
Iran’s parliament speaker announced that Tehran will treat European militaries as terrorist organisations after the EU designated the IRGC as a terrorist group. The declaration is largely rhetorical but raises serious legal and operational risks, complicating European deployments and increasing the chance of miscalculation in an already tense region.